The Royal Hospital School was founded in 1712 in Greenwich, London, to ‘improve navigation’ through education and, as it prepared boys for a life at sea, many went on to become explorers and pioneers of their time. The school is immensely proud of these historic links; discovery, exploration and challenge continue to shape its ethos. The traditional values of loyalty, commitment, courage, respect, service and integrity have underpinned the school’s core aims and philosophy from the very beginning. Three hundred years later, they are still as relevant to the education it provides as they were then. Today the school is set in 200 acres of Suffolk countryside overlooking the Stour Estuary and it is a co-educational HMC boarding and day school for approximately 670 pupils providing a full and broad education, fit for the modern world. It aims to inspire its pupils to have the courage and commitment to be ambitious for their futures, whichever path they choose, challenging pupils of all academic abilities, steering them to look beyond the moment, and beyond the confines of the classroom, and to approach life with an open and receptive mind.
House system. 54% of pupils board and there is a strong diamond-shaped House System. An ongoing programme of refurbishment and development provides superb facilities and accommodation for both boarders and day pupils.
Pupils joining the school at 11+ are accommodated in the Junior House, purpose built with 4/6-bedded rooms and facilities, routines and pastoral care that assist the transition between junior and senior school. Weekly boarding and the opportunity to stay overnight on an ad hoc basis are available.
Pupils then join one of six Senior Houses. Two are co-educational day houses and four are boarding houses (2 for boys and 2 for girls), home to approximately 60 boarders each. Boarders in the lower years share rooms with up to four other pupils while older pupils have double or single studies with en-suite facilities.
In the Upper Sixth both boarding and day boys and girls join Nelson House, where they learn to live more independently in preparation for university.
Curriculum and academic development. The school’s curriculum shadows the National Curriculum Key Stages 3 and 4. On joining the school, pupils are placed in forms based on assessed ability from entrance testing or at 13+ the results of Common Entrance examinations. The school subscribes to the Durham University Value Added Measuring Scheme at all levels, allowing tutors to map pupil progress. In core subjects, setting takes place from the outset and at GCSE level, setting occurs in all core curriculum subjects. There are 66 x 55-minute periods over a two-weekly timetable.
Lower School (Years 7–8): The subjects studied are English, mathematics, science (biology, physics and chemistry), modern foreign languages (French and Spanish), Latin, geography, history, design technology, art, drama, music, religious studies, RHS Compass (digital literacy, Personal, Social and Health Education, Computing and study skills) and PE. There are four forms in Years 7 and 8 and the average class size is 18 pupils. Homework is set daily and completed within supervised sessions during the working day by both boarders and day pupils. All junior pupils must take part in at least three co-curricular activities after lessons.
Middle School (Years 9–11): The subjects studied in Year 9 are the same as in the Lower School and a further intake of pupils from prep schools means that there is an additional class. GCSE courses start in Year 10 and most pupils will study 9 subjects including English language and literature, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology (either as three separate sciences or as the dual award) as the core subjects and four options from science (if taking separate sciences), history, geography, PE (Physical Education and Sports Science), French, Spanish, media studies, religious studies, art, music, theatre studies, design technology and business studies.
Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13): Pupils choose three from approximately 27 A level and BTEC subjects. Subject choice depends upon average point scores at GCSE and grades gained in specific subjects. As well as three A level or BTEC subjects, pupils must choose one from a range of academic Elective subjects which can range from an Extended Project Qualification to a BTEC Level 2 First Award in Information and Creative Technology. RHS+ provides sessions on careers, managing finances, cooking on a budget, digital effectiveness and safety and coping with stress and mindfulness. RHSXtra runs a series of talks and seminars on topics aimed at broadening horizons and inspiring curiosity. Around 90% of pupils go to the University or Higher Education institution of their choice and approximately 50% to Russell Group and other top-class universities. An increasing number of pupils are gaining places on Higher Degree Apprenticeship schemes with leading corporations, while a few join the Armed Forces or gain direct workplace appointments.
Pupil progress is formally monitored by means of at least two assessments or reports per term which grade the academic performance of the pupil against their target or challenge grades, as well as looking at their attitude to learning. Every pupil has a personal tutor and daily tutorial meetings are an opportunity to deal with any problems and check on progress.
All pupils have access to an electronic device (Microsoft Surface) and Wi-Fi throughout the site. Additional networked computers are available in Boarding or Day Houses as well as in computer suites around the school. Mobile learning is embraced by the teaching staff with the aim of enhancing teaching and learning. Recent remote and hybrid learning allowed a full, unadapted timetable of lessons to be delivered during the pandemic via MS Teams and OneNote.
Through high-quality, enthusiastic teaching, excellent resources and dedicated tutorial support, every pupil is encouraged to aim high and achieve his or her personal best. The most able pupils’ potential is realised through the mentoring of scholars, the Riddle and Studd Societies for gifted and talented pupils and Oxbridge preparation for those pupils requiring it, led by a dedicated Head of Academic Challenge.
Sport and leisure. Facilities include ninety-six acres of playing fields, a golf course, shooting range, sports hall, fitness suite, gym, climbing wall, large heated indoor swimming pool, squash courts, tennis and netball courts and an all-weather sports surface.
The school has a strong sailing tradition and all pupils joining in Year 7 receive sailing instruction to RYA Level 2. Through the school’s RYA-accredited Sailing Academy, pupils have access to a fleet of 40 racing dinghies on adjacent Alton Water reservoir, as well as traditional Cornish Shrimpers on the River Stour and Orwell. The school is widely known as one of the top in the country for both fleet and team sailing and offers an elite training programme for those wishing to follow an Olympic pathway.
Other main sports include cricket, rugby, hockey and netball where the school has an excellent group of coaching staff as well as strong links to academy and high-performance centres in the region. Kayaking, athletics, cross country, climbing, basketball, football, golf, kickboxing, tennis, riding and swimming are also sports on offer and are popular with a number of pupils at the school. The swimming pool also offers opportunities for kayak-polo, life-saving training and sub-aqua.
Music and drama. The school has a particularly strong musical tradition and the state-of-the-art Music School provides a recital hall, specialist rooms, recording studio and technical suite. Almost half the pupils in the school are involved in music on a regular basis and regularly perform both at and outside of school. Recent highlights include playing at Westminster Cathedral, on HMS Diamond for HM The King’s Coronation celebrations and a music tour to Washington. The school Chapel is of cathedral proportions and has one of the finest organs in Europe, much used by pupils as well as professional performers. Peripatetic teachers offer tuition in a wide range of instruments and the choir and chamber choir perform both nationally and internationally. As well as drama in the curriculum and LAMDA classes, productions are often combined with the music department for whole-school performances and there is a full programme of plays, competitions and festivals each year.
CCF and Community Service. All pupils participate in the Combined Cadet Force in Years 9 and 10 and are able to choose between Army, Navy, RAF and Royal Marine sections. The emphasis is on adventure training and personal development. More than 300 pupils take part in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and 100 of these to Gold Award. The Community Action Team promotes the school’s social responsibility and is actively involved in a wide range of charitable activities in the local community.
Religion. The core values of the school are based on the Christian faith but pupils from a variety of religions and cultural backgrounds attend the school and all beliefs are respected. The magnificent Chapel, that holds over 1,000 people, is the spiritual hub of school life and the whole community gathers twice weekly for morning worship.
Admission. Entry to the school is normally at 11, 13 and 16 years. Pupils are asked to sit an entrance examination, comprising papers in English, mathematics and verbal reasoning, in the November prior to the September of the year of entry unless following Common Entrance for entry in Year 9. Entry into the Sixth Form is subject to a minimum average GCSE point score and specific grades in chosen A level subjects. Entry is also subject to an interview and satisfactory reference from the pupil’s current school.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Full Boarding: £11,277 (Years 7 and 8), £14,455 (Years 9–13). Weekly Boarding: £10,693 (Years 7 and 8), £13,274 (Years 9–13). Day: £6,373 (Years 7 and 8), £7,413 (Years 9–13). 3-Night Boarding: £9,608 (Years 7 and 8), £11,523 (Years 9–13).
A Boarding Bundle is available to parents of day pupils or 3-Night Boarders who want to take advantage of the flexibility of buying units of 15 nights purchased in advance.
Discounts are available for services families eligible for the MOD Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA), naval seafarers and siblings where two or more children are in the school at any time.
Scholarships, exhibitions and awards are awarded annually for academic excellence, musical talent, drama, art, sport and sailing. All scholarship candidates are required to sit the school entrance examination (unless taking Common Entrance or GCSE examinations), have an interview and undergo an assessment in their relevant field. Full details from the Admissions Office, Tel: 01473 326136 or email: admissions@royalhospitalschool.org. Bursaries. Pupils in receipt of a scholarship or award are eligible to apply for additional assistance by way of a means-tested bursary, should the financial circumstances of the family necessitate it. The school’s parent charity, Greenwich Hospital, can award generous means-tested bursaries to the children of seafarers, particularly serving or retired Naval or Royal Marines personnel, of up to 95% of fees.
Charitable status. The Royal Hospital School is owned by Greenwich Hospital which is a Crown Charity.
Governors & Staff:
Director, Greenwich Hospital: Mrs Deirdre Mills
Governors:
Chair of Governors: Mr T Rowell
Prof T Arulampalam
Mrs T Bartlett
Ms A Beech
Commodore R Bellfield
Miss H Hunt
Mr A Kerr
Ms Y Spencer
Mr T Stenning
Mr P Torrington
Senior Management Team:
Headmaster: Mr Irfan Latif, BSc
Chief Operating Officer: Mr G Tunnicliffe, CB, CVO, MA, BA, DiploD, MAPM
Second Master: Mr S J Dixon, MA
Deputy Head (Academic): Mrs K Banks, BSc
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Mrs Z S King, BSc
Director of Admissions & Marketing: Mrs R Keeble
Director of Academic Systems: Mr J R W Battman, MEng
Director of Finance: Mrs C Wood, ACA
Assistant Head (Co-curricular): Mr B Martineau, BA Hons, PGCE, MBA
Deputy Bursar (Operations): Mr J Reid, OBE, MA
IS Manager: Mr A Davison
Chaplain: Rev L E Mumford, BA
Directors and Programme Heads:
Head of Sixth Form: Mrs H Izod-Miller, MEng
Head of Futures: Miss L Bayliss-Fuller, CEIAG, BA Hons
Head of Digital Learning: Mr M Vickers, MA
Examinations Officer: Ms J Wisbey
Academic Challenge Co-ordinator: Mr G N G Johnson, BA
Director of Music: Mr E C Allen, BA
Director of Sport: Mr N Platt, BA
Director of Sailing and Water Sports: Mr E M G Sibson, MSc
CCF Contingent Commander: Capt M Ward, RE, BSc Hons
Assistant Head of Sixth Form: Mrs M Price, BA
Heads of Department:
Art: Mrs H L Barber, BA
Biology: Mr B A Raybould, BSc
Business and Economics: Ms C Fairley
Chemistry: Mr M Coventry, BSc
Classics: Dr P Taraskin
Climbing: SSgt P Ryan
Head of Cricket: Mr C Nortje
Design Technology: Mr O Millington, BA
Drama: Mr D Kerr, BA
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award & CCF: Sgt P Ryan
English: Ms J L Stone, BA
English as an Additional Language: Mr D P Coleman, BA
French: Mrs A Barth, BA
Geography: Mrs A C Lockyer, BSc
History and Politics: Mr O Roe, BA
Learning Support: Mrs E Burge, MA
Mathematics: Ms S C Botley, BSc
Media Studies: Mr K Gurur
Netball: Miss J Holden
PE (Academic): Mrs S Daley
Physics: Dr M R Gibbs, BSc
PSHE: Ms M R Hemmens, MA
Psychology and Sociology: Mrs M R Price, BA
Religious Studies: Mrs K O’Callaghan, MA
Science: Mrs K Finlay
Spanish: Mr A E Gutierrez-Aldana, BA
CCF School Staff Instructor: WO1 (RSM) K Weaver
Support Staff:
Deputy Bursar (Finance): Mr S Hall
Headmasters PA: Ms C Farmer
Marketing Manager: Ms K Vardon, BA
Commercial Manager: Mrs C Fitzpatrick
HR Manager: Mrs J Roberts
Head of Admissions: Mrs E Allinson
UK Admissions Manager: Ms A McDonnell
International Admissions Manager: Ms L Warner
Community and Alumni Relations Manager: Mrs L Baylis-Fuller
Health Centre: Sister D Sweeney, RGN