Basic Information & Location
The Royal Hospital School RHS is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school whose purpose is to contribute to society through excellence in the teaching and learning of 11-18 year old boys and girls. With its origins in Greenwich stretching back to 1712, the Royal Hospital School moved to its present site amidst stunning Suffolk countryside in 1933. The School overlooks the River Stour.
School Motto
The aims of the Royal Hospital School are to promote academic excellence and realise the full potential of every pupil, to foster creativity and imagination, to encourage leadership, adventure and self-discovery, as well as to cultivate a global outlook and environmental responsibility.
Academic Matters
The Lower School Curriculum is broadly balanced and based on the National Curriculum Key Stage 3 with a few enhancements specific to the Royal Hospital School. High-quality and enthusiastic teaching in small classes is supported by innovative resources and facilities. Pupils are encouraged to aim high, attain their personal best and, most importantly, to enjoy the challenge. The aim of the Middle School Curriculum is to provide a strong foundation for GCSE and the future challenges of the Sixth Form. It builds on the foundations laid in the core subjects already studied, but also adds new subjects to stimulate and extend pupils’ thinking. The approach to learning in the Royal Hospital School Sixth Form has been carefully designed to bridge the gap between school and university, with a broad and challenging curriculum balanced by new personal freedoms and a wide range of cultural, social and sporting opportunities.
Boarding / Pastoral Care
Pupils entering in Year 7 go into a Junior House for two years. These children have slightly different routines with timetabled prep, evening activities and social events specific to younger pupils. In Year 9, whether entering the School at this age or moving up from the Junior Houses, there are three boys’ and three girls’ boarding houses to choose from, with four-bedded rooms for Years 9 and 10 and double or single studies for seniors. In the upper sixth, boys and girls join Nelson House in single studies.
Extracurricular
Indoor facilities range from a large indoor swimming pool, squash courts, gymnasium and fitness suite. Moving outdoors, there is a golf course, over 96 acres of playing fields, an all-weather pitch and extensive courts. All pupils take part in traditional team sports such as rugby, cricket, netball and hockey, while more diverse pursuits such as water polo, mountain biking, climbing, canoeing, horse riding, dry skiing, shooting and bowls are also available.