DirectoryGuildfordAll ThroughRoyal Grammar School Guildford
All Through school

Royal Grammar School Guildford

RGS Guildford is a co-educational independent day school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18, offering Prep, Senior and Sixth Form education.

GuildfordAll ThroughCo Ed, becoming co-educationalAges 3–18Day340 pupils
Day fees
£28,080
How competitive entry is
Interview + ObservationCompetitive entry
Pupils
340
Founded
1553
Next deadline
Assessment: 10 Oct 2026
Verified 1 month agosource
Houseroom Index 2026
81.9/100· ranked #22 of UK independents
78% data confidence·v2026.4.0
How is this calculated? →
Pillar breakdown
Academic outcomes81
Destinations & outcomes87
Future-readiness55
Pastoral & wellbeing95
Pupil flourishing65
Value-add73
Access & breadth90
Parent sentiment70
External consensus95

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Our take

Independent boys all-through school in Surrey for ages 3–18. Selective entry, C of E ethos.

Best for
Who thrives here
  • Families wanting one school across the whole journey (ages 3–18) rather than separate prep + senior.
  • Parents who want a single-sex environment for their son.
  • Families who value a C of E ethos in school life.
  • Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
Watch-outs
Know before applying
  • Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
  • The C of E ethos shapes assemblies, holidays and pastoral life. Comfortable for committed families; worth thinking about for those of other or no faith.
  • SEND provision isn't documented in our profile. If your child has an EHCP or specific learning needs, ask admissions about case-by-case capacity before applying.
  • Single-sex (boys). Comfortable for some children, less so for others — worth a visit on a normal teaching day rather than only an open-day showcase.
AI-generated guidance

About the head

As Headmaster of RGS Guildford, Jon has been instrumental in driving numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing the academic and extracurricular offerings of the School. His leadership is characterised by a strategic vision that balances tradition with innovation, ensuring that the School remains at the forefront of educational excellence. His passion is to make the RGS accessible to all pupils and, as a consequence, the creation of an enduring bursary fund has been as focus of his leadership. Under his guidance, RGS Guildford has continued to thrive, maintaining its reputation as one of the leading independent schools in the UK, while also emphasising the importance of traditional values and outstanding pastoral care.

We encourage a climate of openness and awareness based on mutual respect, fostering academic boldness and creativity with an insistence on how to think, not what to think.

opennessawarenessmutual respectacademic boldnesscuriositycreativitycollaborationsupportive mindset

Distinctive features

500-year tradition and heritage

strong academic performance

collaborative school culture

broad range of extracurricular activities including sports, art, drama and music

joint activities with local girls’ schools

Activities & co-curricular

sport

CricketFootballFootball TeamsFreestyle FootballPowerlifting and Paralympian VisitPowerlifting inspirationSenior Cricket TeamSenior Rugby TeamSportSwingdyhop dance classes

music

Joint Schools’ Chamber ChoirMusicMusic Singing AssemblyRGS Big BandSenior Musician of the Year Competition (Steynor Prize)Singing Assembly

drama

DramaDrama ClubDrama/theatre workshopsMarvellous MasksMarvellous Masks (Drama Activity)

academic club

200 Seconds English Speech CompetitionBusiness and enterprise initiativesChemistry ChallengeComputer Science CompetitionsInspire Programme (Prep)LegoMaths ChallengesScience Ambassadors and WorkshopsSocieties (50+ clubs and activities at Prep)Societies Register (Senior)Societies' Register (Senior) – 2024/25

service

Combined Cadet Force (CCF)

other

50+ clubs and activities (Prep)Activities Week residentials (Prep)Activities Week (residential trips from Year 3)Animal PettingAnimal Petting (Pre-Prep)Business and enterprise initiatives (Sixth Form)Cup Cake ManiaFrance trip – Year 6Inspire ProgrammeLeadership opportunities with local girls' schools (Sixth Form)Lego MadnessMindfulness colouringResidential Activities Week – Activity Centre (Year 6)Residential Activities Week – Dorset (Year 4)Residential Activities Week – Ironbridge (Year 5)Residential Activities Week – Sussex (Year 3)Swingdyhop Dance ClassesYear 6 France Trip (February – honey farm, chocolate/sweet factories, WWI battlefields Belgium)

Facilities

sports

Astro pitchAstro Turf PitchPlaying FieldsSports Hall

arts

Drama Studio/Performance SpaceMusic Rehearsal Rooms and Performance Venues

academic

Design Technology Workshops/LabsDining HallLibraryScience Labs

wellbeing

Gieve Room

Latest exam results

Outcomes

RGS Guildford is consistently one of the top schools in the country at both A Level and GCSE, with strong academic culture supporting critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.

93%
A-level A*–A
77%
GCSE 9–7
6%
Oxbridge offer rate
72%
Russell Group rate

Data from 2025 results

Where leavers go

6%
to Oxbridge (2025)
202520242023
Cohort148148
Oxbridge9226
US Ivy000
Top universities (2025)
Durham20
Bath15
Exeter14
Bristol12
Oxford9
Nottingham9
Warwick8
Southampton8

Recent coverage

In December 2025, RGS Guildford announced a historic move to co-education after 500 years as a boys-only school. Girls will be admitted to Prep nursery, Reception and Year 3 and to the Senior Lower Sixth from September 2027, with Year 7 following in 2028. Headmaster Dr Jon Cox cited equity and equal opportunity as the driving rationale. In summer 2025, 75 percent of A-level grades were A*/A (36 percent A*) and 95 percent were A*-B. At GCSE, students achieved 722 grade 9s with 71 percent of all grades at 8 or 9 and 23 students secured 10 or more grade 9s. The school continues to send strong cohorts to Russell Group and Oxbridge destinations. Fees for 2025-26 stand at GBP 27,000 per annum.

Good Schools Guide
Country and Town House

Notable alumni

Sir David Attenborough (broadcaster and natural historian)Sir Anthony Seldon (historian and political commentator)Sir Peter Bottomley (politician)Sir Richard Jolly (development economist)Sir John Stuttard (former Lord Mayor of London)Sir Michael Caine (actor)Sir Roger Norrington (conductor)Sir Peter Hall (theatre director)
Recommended next step

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Fit for your child

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Application timeline

No admissions stage dates confirmed yet. Save this school to be notified when dates are published.

Open dayNot published
Not published
Registration opensNot published
Not published
Registration closesNot published
Not published
Bursary deadlineNot published
Not published
AssessmentNot published
Not published
InterviewNot published
Not published
OffersNot published
Not published
Acceptance deadlineNot published
Not published

Open events

Sixth Form Open
Wed, 16 Sept 2026
10:00 am
Sixth Form Information Evening
Sixth Form Evening
Wed, 16 Sept 2026
7:00 pm
Sixth Form Information Evening
Open Morning
Sat, 26 Sept 2026
Annual Open Morning
Open Day
Fri, 2 Oct 2026
10:00 am
Senior Open Event
Open Day
Sat, 3 Oct 2026
10:00 am
Senior Open Event
Exam
Sat, 7 Nov 2026
11+ Entrance Assessments
Dates to be confirmed
Senior Small Group ToursTrinity Term
Dates TBC
Event2026-06-05
Dates TBC
Event2026-10-03
Dates TBC
EventTrinity Term 2026
Dates TBC
Event2026-09-16
Dates TBC
Event2026-10-02
Dates TBC

Private tours and additional visits available by arrangement — contact admissions to arrange.

Talks & tasters

Wed, 16 Sept 2026Sixth Form Information EveningSixth Form Open
Wed, 16 Sept 2026Sixth Form Information EveningSixth Form Evening
Sat, 26 Sept 2026Annual Open MorningOpen Morning

Fees

£14,103 – £28,080per year · Day · 2026-27
By entry point · 2026/2027
Nursery£14,103
16+£28,080

Bursaries & Scholarships

Max award
100%
Means-tested
Yes
Scholarships
8
medium confidence data
Scholarships by category & award sizeView full bursary & scholarship guide

Excerpts

While some independent schools choose to sit SATs, they are not required to do so and the UK government does not collect or publish their results.

Latest results
Latest results

This is an independent school and therefore does not have Key Stage 2 SATs results. While some independent schools choose to sit SATs, they are not required to do so and the UK government does not collect or publish their results. Find out more. Teaching & learning 19 Average...

Mobile phone policy

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

House system

Pupils are organised into houses for pastoral and competitive life.

Wellbeing

The school promotes pupil wellbeing through a house system led by House Captains fostering inclusion and community. Wellbeing is integrated into daily life with activities like mindfulness, creative arts, and support from dedicated counsellors to encourage emotional resilience and mental health awareness.

Inspection

Isi 1 Jan 2025

One inspection report on file. Worth reading before booking a visit — covers safeguarding, leadership and overall standard.

Excellent

Term dates 2025-26

spring5 Jan 202625 Mar 2026Half-term 16 Feb 2026–20 Feb 2026
summer21 Apr 20268 Jul 2026Half-term 25 May 2026–29 May 2026
autumn3 Sept 202611 Dec 2026Half-term 19 Oct 2026–30 Oct 2026
spring5 Jan 202725 Mar 2027Half-term 15 Feb 2027–19 Feb 2027
summer20 Apr 20279 Jul 2027Half-term 31 May 2027–4 Jun 2027

Schools like Royal Grammar School Guildford

Ranked by semantic similarity across curriculum, ethos, intake and admissions style. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.

74%

Reigate Grammar School

Reigate and Banstead · All Through · Ages 11–18
£15,750 – £28,545
74%

Guildford High School

Guildford · All Through · Ages 4–18
£16,203 – £25,989
67%

Al-Khair School

Croydon · Prep · Ages 4–16
£2,400 – £3,600
66%

King's House School

Richmond upon Thames · Prep · Ages 2–13
£10,590 – £26,340
65%

The Old Vicarage School

Richmond upon Thames · Prep · Ages 3–11
£9,900 – £20,970
65%

Winchester College

Winchester · Senior · Ages 11–18
£44,400 – £45,954

Questions parents ask

Common questions about Royal Grammar School Guildford, answered from this school’s structured profile data. Always confirm specifics with admissions before applying.

What kind of child is Royal Grammar School Guildford best for?+

Independent boys all-through school in Surrey for ages 3–18. Selective entry, C of E ethos.

How does admissions work?+

Admissions are selective — expect an entrance assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early. See the admissions timeline above for confirmed dates.

Are fees published?+

Yes — see the Fees table further down the page. Add extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition, registration fees) on top of the base figure before budgeting.

Does the school support SEND?+

Some SEND provision is documented in our profile, but specific conditions supported aren't itemised. Contact admissions for details before applying.

Are there open days?+

11 upcoming open days or tours — see the admissions timeline. Booking is usually required.

How do I contact admissions?+

email at rgs-office@rgsg.co.uk or phone on 01483 880 600. Reference your child's age and intended entry year in the first message.

What similar schools should I compare?+

We've ranked 6 schools by semantic similarity to Royal Grammar School Guildford — see the "Schools like Royal Grammar School Guildford" grid below. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.

Enrichment last updated 26 May 2026. Sources include the school’s official site, Wikipedia, Good Schools Guide, Tatler, and Sunday Times Parent Power.

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