Royal Hospital School

The Royal Hospital School (RHS) is located in 200 acres of stunning Suffolk countryside overlooking the Stour Estuary and about an hour from both London and Cambridge. It is a leading independent, co-educational boarding and day school providing a full and broad education, fit for the modern world. The School's ethos is understanding each young person's strengths, to help them to make the right choices at the right time, navigating through their critical formative years and ensuring their education becomes the foundation for their happiness and success.

With a pupil body of 670, 50% of whom are boarders, the School's extensive grounds and boarding houses allow pupils to thrive in an exceptional environment. Children entering the School in Year 7, join a co-ed house where they can get to know their whole year group and settle into life at senior school. There are different boarding houses for pupils aged 12 to 17 years. Then, in Year 13, boys and girls join Nelson House where more independent living is encouraged, in preparation for life at university.

Facilities include a state-of-the-art music school with recital hall, recording studio and specialist rooms, drama and dance studios, an art and design technology centre, science laboratories, a well-stocked reference and multimedia library, and ICT suites.

There are over 96 acres of sports fields, an all-weather pitch, extensive courts, and a golf course, as well as indoor facilities including a large swimming pool, squash courts, a climbing wall, gymnasium, martial arts studio, strength and conditioning room and fitness suite. All pupils take part in traditional team sports such as rugby, cricket, netball, and hockey, but there is also the opportunity to try a diverse range of over 100 co-curricular activities such as sailing, mountain biking, climbing, canoeing, golf, horse riding and kick boxing, along with the Duke of Edinburgh's AwardScheme and the Combined Cadet Force. Clubs and activities also cover chess, cookery, computing, singing, bands, and so much more.

RHS has one of the world’s leading school sailing academies and is an RYA training centre. All pupils in Year 7 take part in a team building week in their first term, where they learn to sail or improve their sailing skills.

Academic results are strong with pupils choosing from a wide range of A Level or BTEC subjects, or a combination of both. Most pupils gain entry to their university of choice, and we have had significant success with our pupils gaining some top, and increasing popular, apprenticeship positions over the past few years. Our strong alumni network connects our former pupils from around the world with our current Sixth Formers to advise and support them as they embark on their life beyond school.

A recent alumnus was World Youth Sailing Champion while boarding at RHS. Here he could combine academic studies with his passion for and commitment to sailing. Another pupil claimed first female team and skipper at the 2024 Jr Snipe World Championship, top female spot at ILCA US Nationals for the second year, and winner of the single-handed U.S. Junior Woman’s Championship for the Leiter Trophy. 

Headmaster, Irfan Latif, says: 

'A commitment to small class sizes allows for personalised learning which ensures that your son or daughter receives the necessary guidance and tailored support they need to flourish. Sector-leading work in wellbeing and pastoral care sets RHS apart from other schools - understanding that academic success is intrinsically linked to a pupil's overall wellbeing. This holistic approach ensures that every pupil receives personalised support to foster their mental, physical and emotional health.

'RHS offers options to suit different needs; from daily bus routes across the region, through full boarding to flexible arrangements to meet the challenges of modern family life. Day and boarding houses are designed to be welcoming and homely, providing pupils with a safe space where they can grow, flourish and be themselves. The sense of camaraderie and lifelong friendships forged in these houses is a testament to the School's commitment to creating a supportive and loving community.'