Royal Masonic School for Girls

Since 2017, Kevin Carson BA MPhil PGCE, previously co-interim head at the Grammar School at Leeds, and he has also been head of English and drama (and boarding tutor) at both Cheltenham College and Abingdon School. Plan A was to go into academia, but

A third of the year 7 places are scooped up by girls in the prep (automatic entry), leaving a further 75 which are fought over by approximately 210 girls – half from local preps (especially Maltman’s Green, Charlotte House and Orley Farm), the rest

Up to 20 per cent leave after GCSEs, mainly for local grammars, state schools and colleges. Ninety per cent of sixth formers to university – several to Oxbridge in 2025. Well over half progress to Russell Group universities (UCL and Durham the most

In 2025, 59 per cent 9-7 at GCSE.

Parents like the school’s ethos that ‘if you’re happy, you learn best’ and that they ‘value the whole person’. The relatively broad intake means the focus is on a girl doing ‘her best, not the best’, and ‘without undue pressure’, say parents. One

So good that parents increasingly move their daughters with SEN from other schools where they’ve struggled with big classes or a more rigid learning environment. ‘We couldn’t believe how focused RMS was on supporting the individual child,’ said one

‘The reason we chose the school,’ said one parent, ‘co-curricular is second to none and the girls are spoilt for choice.’ Mini-fairs showcase the variety and allow girls to talk to ‘market’ the 100+ clubs and societies, some of which are pupil-led.

Masses of sport, including at the elite level, though not a school where being in the A team is a must for social kudos. ‘Very inclusive,’ confirmed one parent, who had been ‘impressed by seeing all the year 10s loving their sport when we looked

Three boarding houses, split by age, all centrally based. Around 40 per cent from overseas, representing 12 nationalities, but mostly Chinese; the rest are weekly or flexi and some girls stay for two fixed nights a week. ‘I’m trying it next week even

We could only get superlatives out of the parents when it comes to wellbeing and mental health. ‘They really care.’ ‘They get the bigger picture – you don’t feel the pastoral emphasis is just there to drive the academics.’ Lots of work on life

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

These girls are less sophisticated and streetwise than their peers at some of the other local schools, which parents love. Good ethnic diversity, reflective of the local area, with parents hailing from all walks of life from the well-heeled to

Capital expenditure is underpinned by an endowment set up by the Masons and the school is a tenant of the site. Scholarships (academic, all-rounder, art, drama, music and sport) in year 7 and at sixth form, worth up to 25 per cent off fees.

A world away from local exam factories, RMS focuses on getting the best out of each girl without pressure and through teasing out and boosting their individual interests. The grounds and facilities are enough to take your breath away. Big and