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  • The Royal Hospital School
    Holbrook
    Ipswich
    Suffolk
    IP9 2RX
  • Head: Irfan Latif
  • T 01473 326200
  • F 01473 326213
  • E [email protected]
  • W www.royalhospitalschool.org/
  • An independent school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18.
  • Boarding: Yes
  • Local authority: Suffolk
  • Pupils: 670; sixth formers: 225
  • Religion: Church of England
  • Fees: Day £19,119 - £22,239; Boarding £32,079 - £43,365 pa

    Fees last updated: 14/08/2024

    Please note school fees are subject to VAT from January 2025. During this transition period, please contact school for full fee information.

  • Open days: May, October & November + Taster Days
  • Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
  • Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report

What says..

Naval traditions of the school feed into a broader picture of dedication and service. ‘Divisions’ remain a cornerstone of RHS tradition and the spectacle draws crowds of friends and family. Provison for art, DT, music and drama is outstanding. Sailing is in the school’s DNA and all year 7s receive a week’s free tuition in the basics. ‘We are keen to make sure all pupils, not just…’

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What the school says...

Set in 200 acres of stunning Suffolk countryside overlooking the River Stour, the Royal Hospital School is a thriving HMC boarding and day school for 11 to 18 year old girls and boys providing an excellent values-driven all round education. During their time at the School, pupils are encouraged to enjoy the adventure of learning and to develop a lifelong appetite for knowledge. There is the opportunity to pursue a huge range of interests and activities and everyone is encouraged to try something different, discover new passions and develop new skills. The Schools Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is the tenth largest in the country and more than three hundred pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Team and Fleet sailing is a particular strength and the School is a RYA accredited Sailing Academy. Elite sailors can get on the water up to four times a week and regularly compete at international level.

As a result of the Royal Hospital Schools unique seafaring heritage, up to 100% of fees for children of seafaring families (current or retired Royal Navy, Royal Marines, merchant navy and some other sea-going careers) may be cover through generous means-tested bursaries. Sailing Scholarships are also available providing Elite Training Programmes and Olympic Pathway opportunities.
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Sports

Unusual sports

Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.

Rowing

Fencing

Shooting

Sailing

What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmaster

Since September 2024, Irfan Latif, previously principal at DLD College London. Born and raised in Clapham, he was educated at Emanuel School in south London, then studied chemistry and did his PGCE at King’s College London. Taught at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School in Elstree, followed by stints as senior housemaster at Whitgift School, deputy head (academic) at Bedford School, and five years as head of state boarding school Sexey’s in Somerset. He is currently completing a master’s in educational leadership at the University of Buckingham. Married to Jo, with two daughters, one of whom is a pupil at the school.

Entrance

Majority enter at 11, another 30-40 at 13+ and a further influx of around 40 for the sixth form. At 11, entrance is via tests in maths, English (includes comprehension and creative writing) and verbal...

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Please note: Independent schools frequently offer IGCSEs or other qualifications alongside or as an alternative to GCSE. The DfE does not record performance data for these exams so independent school GCSE data is frequently misleading; parents should check the results with the schools.

Who came from where

Who goes where

Special Education Needs

The Curriculum Support department aims to support and develop individuals learning skills so that they can achieve their full potential. One-to-one lessons are provided for pupils with dyslexia or similar learning difficulties and these are tailored to the specific needs of the individual. This could include support with study skills, revision techniques and improving literacy.

Condition Provision for in school
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Aspergers Y
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders Y
CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia
Dyscalculia
Dysgraphia
Dyslexia
Dyspraxia
English as an additional language (EAL)
Genetic
Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory
Has SEN unit or class Y
HI - Hearing Impairment
Hospital School
Mental health
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Natspec Specialist Colleges
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Special facilities for Visually Impaired
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
VI - Visual Impairment

Who came from where


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