Educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge, Thring was ordained in 1846. Seven years later he was appointed headmaster of Uppingham (founded 1584). He transformed it from a small country grammar school into a large and important public school. At Uppingham, Thring opened (1859) the first school gymnasium in England, introduced wood and metal workshops, and provided a swimming pool. In academic matters he stressed sound training in mathematics, the classics, and music. In 1869 he founded the Headmasters' Conference, an organization that had a great influence in English public school education. His major work, Theory and Practice of Teaching (1883), offered critical advice on teaching and teacher education.