Founded in 1712 to educate boys for service in the Royal Navy. It was originally located in Greenwich, housed in what is now the National Maritime Museum. In 1933 it moved to its present site within 200 acres of stunning Suffolk countryside overlooking the River Stour. By 1989, the school had become a fully co-educational, mainstream boarding school, enjoying first-rate facilities and a strong sense of community. Recent improvements include a state-of-the-art music school and refurbishment of the boarding houses. All staff live on site; the staff:pupil ratio is 1:8 and the average class size 16-20 pupils. The curriculum is broad and balanced, combining the best academic traditions with the latest technologies. The aim is to educate pupils to enjoy the adventure of learning and to develop a lifelong appetite for knowledge. Music is particularly strong and the range of sports on offer is significant - from the traditional games to more specialist pursuits. The school's unique naval heritage results in unrivalled sailing provision and every pupil joining in Year 7 is taught to sail. There is a community action programme and an extensive range of other activities.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 700 pupils, 168 day (105 boys, 63 girls), 532 boarding (308 boys, 224 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance (at age 13) or own exam used, plus interview and report from current school; EFL test for those whose first language is not English. Sixth-form entry based on GCSE performance (which should include English and maths), interview and report from current school. No special skills or religious requirements. Pupils come from range of local primary schools and prep schools including Barnardiston Hall, Boundary Oak, Holmwood House, Littlegarth, Old Buckenham Hall, Orwell Park, Oxford House, St Philomena's, South Lee and West Hill Park.
Approximately 15 pa academic scholarships, 10 non-academic (music, sport, art, sailing). Also means-tested bursaries (some 20 pa) and discounts may be available for eligible children and grandchildren of seafarers through the school's parent charity, Greenwich Hospital.
Up to 65% live within 40 miles; up to 15% live overseas.
Headmaster: Howard Blackett, in post from 2004. Educated at St Edward's Oxford and at Oxford University (geography). Previously Headmaster of Dover College. Teaching staff: 92 full time, 13 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 96 pupils in Year 11, of which 96% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects (including English, maths, a science, a humanity and a modern language). A-levels: 93 in Year 13, 84% passing in 4+ subjects, 16% in 3 subjects - with an average final point score of 372.
97% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course. 20% go on to courses in science and engineering, 66% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 9% in other vocational subjects.
GCSE, AS and A-levels (including vocational A-levels). 20 GCSE subjects, 26 AS/A-level (including business studies, politics, psychology, computing, technology, theatre studies, sports studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level; in addition, all pupils are encouraged to follow the enrichment programme, eg GCSE Russian or Greek, AS-level law, community action, music and culture, community sports leadership, Young Enterprise. Special provision: Specialist teachers offer one to one lessons for pupils with eg dyslexia and give support with study skills, revision techniques and improving literacy. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Latin offered to GCSE and A-level; also Russian and Greek GCSE in sixth form. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject to younger pupils and across the curriculum. Computers for pupil use in houses, ICT department and computer suites. All pupils have own email addresses, regularly used by staff to contact them.
Music: 36% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken, as can GCSE and A-level. Musical groups include chapel choir, chamber choir, barbershop group, orchestra, jazz band, wind ensemble, concert band, marching band, corps of drums and pop groups. Public performances at the school, regular recitals; band and choir recently performed at eg Albert Hall, St James's Palace and Twickenham. Drama and dance: Both offered. Drama, film, theatre and media studies offered at GCSE and A-level and dance exams may be taken. Annual dance show featuring all disciplines (ballet to jazz, tap and modern); annual musical (involving music, dance and drama), most recently Oliver! and Bugsy Malone; all involved in inter-house festivals and competitions. Art and design: On average, 47 take design and technology, 32 art GCSE, 25 A-level. 3-D work (metal, wood, plastics), computer-aided design, textiles, photography, ceramics, print offered.
Sport: Rugby, cricket, sailing, netball, athletics, tennis, hockey, swimming and rounders are major sports. Optional: riding, football, golf, squash, water polo, mountain biking, climbing, dry skiing, shooting, badminton, canoeing, cross-country, basketball, trampolining and gymnastics. All Year 7 pupils learn to sail; RYA exams may be taken. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award (250+ involved). CCF compulsory in Years 9-10, optional thereafter. Community action team raises money for local charities. Other clubs and activities include kayaking, running club, life saving, scuba diving, Amnesty International, radio broadasting, publishing the pupil newspaper, electronics, scouts, fashion design, photography, jewellery-making, chess, drama, debating.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Heads of school, school prefects, heads of house and house prefects - appointed by Headmaster. Sixth form committee, house councils and 'buddy' system. Competitive houses. Day pupils either join a boarding house as a day boarder (and may stay in school until 9.30 pm) or, in Years 9-12, may join a co-educational day house. Religion: Christian. All attend Chapel most mornings. Social: Trips abroad include skiing, adventure training, sports tours, band tour and cultural excursions. Café and shop, in addition to school dining hall.
Weekday detention for those who fail to produce work, Saturday night detentions for misbehaviour. Compulsory cessation classes for smoking. Drugs or solvent abuse leads to expulsion.
Year 11 upwards in double or single studies (some ensuite); younger pupils share with 3-5 others. Single-sex houses, same as competitive houses; separate junior houses (Years 7-8) and upper-sixth house. Flexible and weekly boarding available. Resident qualified nurse in health centre, dentist, physiotherepist and daily GP surgery. Pupils eat in main dining hall but can prepare light meals and snacks in houses. No compulsory exeats weekends.
The Royal Hospital School Association (RHSA), contacted through the school's Development Office. RHS Community website is www.rhscommunity.co.uk
Admiral Arthur Phillip (founder of Sydney, Australia); Ernest Joyce (Antarctic explorer); John and Charles Deane (inventors of the diving helmet and discoverers of the wreck of the Mary Rose); Alexander Baker (opera singer); Alice Hawkins (photographic artist); Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove (actress); Don Topley (cricketer); Peter Richards (rugby); Hannah Stodel (paralympic sailor); Rose Heiney (actress and author); Malcolm Douglas Cooper (marksman).
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