Based in the Surrey village of Mickleham, around twenty miles from central London, the school is presented as having an outsized role in progressive education. Founded in 1959 by a visionary Gordonstoun housemaster, this was one of six schools that launched the Round Square movement; the very first conference was hosted in the headmaster’s office. The campus occupies 26 acres of North Downs countryside, its Gothic-revival Victorian main building a striking backdrop to a thoroughly international community. Day pupils arrive from across Surrey while boarders represent more than 35 countries. In June 2025, the school joined the Reigate Grammar School Group and became RGS Surrey Hills, bringing fresh investment while preserving its distinctive character.
Under Headmistress Hayley Robinson, appointed in January 2024 as the first female head in the school's history, the emphasis remains on developing confident, globally minded young people. The school offers both A-levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma, a rare combination in co-educational boarding that suits families seeking flexibility in senior pathways.
The main building, Dalewood House, was designed in 1883 by Victorian architect John Norton. Its blend of Gothic and mock Tudor styles features distinctive wood panelling and stained-glass biblical scenes. Originally the private residence of silk printer David Evans, the property was requisitioned during World War II before becoming the school's heart.
The atmosphere here is informal but purposeful. Early students helped construct campus buildings, establishing a hands-on culture that persists. Mobile phones are collected during the school day for pupils up to age 16, creating space for genuine interaction. The 2023 ISI inspection found that pupils feel safe and staff are properly trained in safeguarding. Leaders, governors and managers possess good skills and knowledge and actively promote pupil wellbeing.
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With approximately 400 pupils and a 5:1 pupil-to-teacher ratio, the school feels intimate. Teachers know every student. The Round Square philosophy shapes daily life through service, adventure, and international understanding. Year 7 and 8 students travel to European destinations, while older pupils can spend up to eight weeks at sister schools in South Africa, Australia, the Americas, India, or Peru.
Roy McComish, the founder, had left Gordonstoun determined to create something different. He and friends purchased the Dalewood estate for just £6,000, eventually hosting the meeting that established Round Square as a global educational movement. The school's patron until 2023 was Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, alongside her husband King Constantine II, lending regal association to an otherwise anti-establishment institution.
The school sits in the lower quartile of schools in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), though this reflects a deliberately inclusive intake rather than academic underperformance. Many pupils here have SEN requirements; around 30% receive specialist support. The school welcomes students with varied learning profiles who might struggle at more academically selective institutions.
The 2023 ISI inspection commended teaching staff for strong subject knowledge and noted that pupils develop critical thinking and independence. Setting begins in Year 7 for mathematics, English, and languages. GCSE choices include PE and Design Technology, both popular here, along with computer science and business.
At A-level in 2024, 17% of grades were A*/A and 34% fell within the A*-B range. The IB cohort achieved an average score of 32 points. The school ranks 1,816th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 3rd locally in Dorking among ranked sixth forms.
These figures should be read in context. The dual-pathway model attracts students who would not thrive in examination factories. The school runs both A-levels and the IB, framing this as a commitment to offering the right option for different learners even when smaller cohorts make it economically harder to sustain.
The sixth form lists 19 A-level subjects, alongside a Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Sport. The range includes art, craft and design, 3D design, drama and theatre, music, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, business, economics, geography, history, English literature, media studies, French, mathematics, further mathematics, and PE. The IB Diploma provides an alternative for students preferring breadth over depth.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
34.11%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Class sizes average around eight to ten pupils, dropping further for some A-level sets. Teaching is personalised to a degree larger schools cannot match. Each student has their own academic pathway, reviewed regularly with input from parents and pastoral staff.
English as an Additional Language support is substantial. EAL is a huge department, with remit extending beyond language instruction to helping international students integrate into wider school life academically, socially, and culturally. EAL ambassadors hold leadership positions similar to prefects, fostering peer support.
Learning support accommodates students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other specific learning differences. One‑to‑one specialist support (mainly maths or literacy) is available for an additional fee. The review also notes that students with mobility needs have attended successfully, suggesting genuine physical accessibility.
The 2023 inspection praised comprehensive mental health awareness support and excellent pastoral relationships. Teachers have high expectations but within a supportive framework that recognises individual starting points.
According to DfE data for 2023/24, 58% of leavers progressed to university, with 4% entering employment directly. In 2024, two students applied to Cambridge, with one securing an offer and accepting a place. Three students gained medical school places.
Popular university destinations include UCL, Warwick, King's College London and Liverpool. The school provides substantial help with overseas university applications, important given the international student body. A couple of students typically progress to art college each year.
After GCSEs, roughly half of Year 11 pupils are said to move on, often to sixth form colleges. Reigate College is particularly popular. A few move to other independent schools or state comprehensives, including the BRIT School for performing arts. Some international pupils later move back to schools in their home countries also. Of those who stay for sixth form, the university pathway is well trodden.
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 50%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
—
Offers
The usual entry points are Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12, though occasional places can open up in other year groups. A one-year intensive GCSE programme caters to older students, particularly international pupils preparing for sixth form.
For 2025-26 entry, registration closes Monday 20 October 2025 for Years 7-9 and Friday 5 December 2025 for sixth form. The non-refundable registration fee is £150 for UK applicants or £250 for international students.
Year 7 Discovery Days run on 11-12 November 2025, featuring written assessments in mathematics and English plus individual interviews. Year 9 Discovery Day falls on 20 November 2025. Sixth form applicants attend individual interviews at mutually convenient times.
Admission decisions consider entrance test results, interview performance, school reports, academic progress, grade predictions, and evidence of other strengths. The school values character alongside academics; those with sporting, creative, or leadership qualities are actively sought.
Scholarship assessments for sport and drama take place on Tuesday 11 November, with art and music assessments on Wednesday 12 November. Scholarships provide a maximum 10% fee reduction, though they carry prestige and can combine with means-tested bursaries.
Feeder schools at 11+ and 13+ include Chinthurst, Aberdour, and Danes Hill, though entrants arrive from a wide range of state and independent primaries across Surrey and beyond.
It describes itself as a ‘broad church’, welcoming pupils and staff of all nationalities, backgrounds, abilities and identities — explicitly including LGBTQ+. The inspection confirmed that leaders, governors, and managers possess good skills and knowledge and actively promote pupil wellbeing.
Dedicated House Parents provide 24/7 supervision for boarders, handling everything from illness support to academic celebrations. Staff are trained in mental health awareness and first aid. The medical centre supports students throughout the school day.
The student council is active and lively. Mobile phone restrictions until age 16 encourage face-to-face interaction. Weekday activities organised by House Parents include meals out, pizza nights, quizzes, and games nights, building genuine community.
The international mix, with approximately one-third of students having English as an additional language, creates natural opportunities for cultural exchange. Students from more than 35 countries learn alongside Surrey day pupils, broadening perspectives for everyone.
The school punches above its weight in facilities following the 2018 opening of a sports centre by the Earl of Wessex. The campus includes multiple games fields for football, cricket, rugby, and athletics; a multi-use astroturf for hockey, football, tennis, and netball; an indoor sports hall; four-lane indoor cricket nets; a strength and conditioning gym; and a rooftop court.
Boys compete in football and basketball in autumn, football and rugby sevens in spring, and cricket, athletics, and tennis in summer. Girls play football and indoor hockey in autumn, football and netball in spring, and cricket, athletics, and tennis in summer. Cross-country, golf, mountain biking, and trail running through Box Hill and the North Downs provide alternatives for those less keen on team sports.
The Chelsea FC Football Pathway makes RGS Surrey Hills and Reigate Grammar School flagship partner schools for the South East, a first for the region. A Saturday Sport initiative launching September 2025 provides structured coaching and additional match play.
Netball is described as the standout sport for British girls, with Duke of Kent School cast as the main rivals. Wednesday afternoons are devoted entirely to activities, which may include fixtures, riding at local stables, swimming in Dorking, or non-sporting options. The most ambitious games players typically join external clubs, as weekend fixtures are limited.
Drama receives the brightest spotlight among creative disciplines. For the two major theatrical productions each year, the school hall is fitted with a stage. LAMDA lessons are popular and prepare students for graded examinations. Dance pupils work towards a filmed production, either at the end of term or on a twice‑yearly cycle.
Music features in the curriculum through Year 9, with the recording studio available for music technology. Jazz band and various ensembles run as co-curricular activities. A-level music requires fluency in reading music and performance at Grade 5 standard or above. The dedicated music school provides practice and teaching spaces.
Art students work across craft and mixed media, with A-level art preparing students for foundation courses and degree programmes in architecture, advertising, graphic design, illustration, and fine art. A 3D design A-level offers an alternative route into creative industries.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is central to school life. Bronze is compulsory in Year 9, with many proceeding to Silver and Gold. Current enrolment stands at 75 Bronze participants, 62 Silver, and 18 pursuing Gold. The school operates as a directly licensed DofE centre, with Gold awardees eligible for presentation at Royal Palaces.
Year 7 begins with a residential week in the New Forest combining lodge stays with camping, mountain biking, and team building. Year 8 includes team-building days with navigation and campcraft, plus water-based training at Mercers Park. Silver and Gold expeditions use the Brecon Beacons and Lake District.
Round Square exchanges send older students abroad for extended periods. Model United Nations develops debating and diplomacy skills. There are six, compulsory, activity, periods, each and week, with rotating choices such as debate, dance, oriental drawing and music ensembles.
Fees for 2025-26 are payable termly. Day students pay £9,054 in Years 7-8, rising to £9,754 in Years 9-11 and £10,178 in sixth form. The one-year GCSE programme costs £11,953 per term including ESL charges and UK outings.
Boarding options span flexi (minimum two nights weekly) through to full boarding. Full boarding fees are £15,068 termly in Years 7-8, £17,628 in Years 9-11, and £18,377 in sixth form. Weekly and flexi-boarding options sit between day and full boarding rates. Extra or occasional boarding costs £158 per night.
Registration fees are £150 for UK applicants and £250 for international students. The acceptance deposit is £1,000 for UK families and £4,000-5,000 for international families. Sibling discounts apply: 5% for the second child and 10% for each subsequent child.
Sixth form fees include all educational trips and visits, excluding specialist field trips. Learning support coaching costs £67 per session.
Means-tested bursaries are available alongside scholarships. Contact the bursary office at fees@rgs-surreyhills.org for specific guidance. School Fee Plan is available for UK families wishing to spread payments through monthly direct debit.
*Bursaries may be available for eligible families.
Basis: per term
Space exists for up to 155 boarders across six houses. Most are international students. The school aims for approximately one-third international enrolment, creating a genuinely multicultural environment while remaining grounded in Surrey.
Houses are organised by age and gender, with mostly twin rooms and some singles for senior students. Atwood House, built in 2005 and named after the school's second headmaster Dr Rodney Atwood, accommodates 20 Year 13 students in en-suite twin rooms across two floors. Its brand new common room provides a spectacular social space. Old Cottage, Grade II listed with parts dating to the early 17th century, houses 32 full and weekly boarders from Years 12 and 13. Ralph House accommodates 35 senior students following extensive refurbishment.
Proximity to London is a major draw. Gatwick airport sits on the doorstep; Heathrow is not much further. Weekend trips after morning prep include London excursions to The Shard, Harry Potter World, Brighton, ice skating venues, and Thorpe Park. Each house is described as having its own kitchen and shared common space.
Weekly boarding combines full boarding benefits with weekends at home. Flexi boarding offers minimum two nights weekly, pre-booked each term, ideal for families testing boarding suitability. Full boarders access all facilities with House Parents providing 24/7 supervision; holiday options include returning home or joining residential programmes.
School minibuses bring day students from across the region — with routes mentioned including Epsom, Sutton, Tadworth, Redhill, Weybridge, Cobham, Surbiton, Dorking, Reigate, and as far towards Wimbledon. Dorking station on the Southern and Great Western railways is approximately two miles away.
PE is timetabled as a double lesson once a week plus an additional single lesson every other week, and it stays on the timetable through Year 11. Wednesday afternoons are devoted to activities. The school day integrates six compulsory activity periods weekly into the timetable.
Catering services provide meals on campus. The medical centre operates throughout the school day. Parents should contact the admissions team at admissions@rgs-surreyhills.org or 01372 384240 for visit arrangements.
Results reflect inclusive intake. The school deliberately welcomes students who might struggle elsewhere, including those with SEN requirements. Published results are lower than academically selective schools; families prioritising examination outcomes over holistic development should look elsewhere.
Around half leave after GCSEs. The sixth form is smaller than the main school, with many Year 11 pupils progressing to larger sixth form colleges. Those seeking a bustling post-16 environment with extensive peer networks may prefer alternatives.
International boarding culture. Most boarders come from overseas. British families seeking traditional boarding with predominantly UK students will find a different environment here.
Limited weekend sport. The most ambitious athletes join external clubs for competitive fixtures. Families prioritising elite sporting pathways may find provision less structured than at sports-focused boarding schools.
Fees increase between stages. Sixth form fees are higher than Years 7-8, and boarding significantly increases costs. Families should budget for the full journey from Year 7 to Year 13.
RGS Surrey Hills offers something genuinely distinctive: a founder member of the Round Square movement, now refreshed through partnership with Reigate Grammar School, maintaining both A-levels and the IB Diploma within an intimate, internationally diverse community. Academic results are modest by selective independent school standards, but that reflects deliberate inclusivity rather than educational failure. The 2023 inspection commended teaching, safeguarding, and pastoral care.
Best suited to families seeking character development alongside academics, particularly those with international connections or children who would flourish with individualised attention. The school works well for students with learning differences who need smaller classes and specialist support, for adventurous spirits drawn to Duke of Edinburgh and Round Square exchanges, and for families valuing boarding within striking distance of London airports.
The main challenge is deciding whether the intimate, internationally minded culture suits your child. For those who embrace it, the opportunities for personal growth are substantial.
RGS Surrey Hills received positive findings in its 2023 ISI inspection, with commendations for teaching quality, safeguarding, and pastoral care. Academic results are modest compared to selective independent schools, reflecting an inclusive admissions policy. The school excels at developing confident, globally minded young people through its Round Square philosophy, Duke of Edinburgh programme, and international community.
For 2025-26, day fees range from £9,054 per term in Years 7-8 to £10,178 in sixth form. Full boarding costs £15,068-18,377 per term depending on year group. Sibling discounts of 5-10% apply. Means-tested bursaries and scholarships offering up to 10% fee reduction are available.
Yes. The school is one of few co-educational boarding schools in the UK offering both A-levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Students choose their pathway based on learning style and university aspirations. The IB cohort achieved an average of 32 points in 2024.
The school offers full, weekly, and flexi boarding. Flexi boarding requires minimum two nights weekly, pre-booked each term. Full boarding provides 24/7 supervision with weekend activities. Most boarders are international students from over 35 countries, creating a multicultural environment.
The school is not academically selective in the traditional sense. Admission considers entrance tests, interviews, school reports, and evidence of character and potential. Around 30% of students have SEN requirements. The school welcomes students with varied learning profiles who demonstrate enthusiasm and engagement.
Box Hill School joined the Reigate Grammar School Group in June 2025 and was renamed RGS Surrey Hills. The school retains its staff, distinctive Round Square ethos, and IB programme while gaining investment and support from the wider RGS educational group.
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