Rgs Surrey Hills

A School Built on Community Spirit

RGS Surrey Hills has a rich history stretching back to 1959, when educator Roy McComish founded Box Hill School with a distinctive 'have a go' philosophy. In those early years, the school's community spirit was so tangible that students themselves reportedly helped construct the initial buildings — an ethos of hands-on participation that would define the institution for decades to come.

The school's home is the historic Dalewood House, a Gothic-style building constructed in 1883 that served as a wartime requisition in 1939. This architectural heritage gives the campus a distinctive character that blends history with modern educational facilities.

Round Square and International Identity

A defining chapter in the school's development was its membership of Round Square, the international network of schools united by the values of Kurt Hahn — democracy, internationalism, environment, adventure, leadership, and service. This affiliation shaped Box Hill School's increasingly international outlook and its emphasis on character development alongside academic achievement, attracting students from more than 30 countries.

The 2025 Rebrand

In June 2025, Box Hill School took a significant strategic step by joining the Reigate Grammar School (RGS) family, becoming RGS Surrey Hills. The school's leadership was clear that this was not a change of identity but an expansion of opportunity — the founding values of inclusivity, nurturing education, and ambition were explicitly carried forward under the new name. The merger brought access to greater resources, networks, and educational infrastructure while retaining the intimate, personalised culture that had made Box Hill School distinctive.

Continuity of Character

Today, RGS Surrey Hills serves approximately 350 students aged 11–18, with a capacity of 450, and continues to honour its founding spirit. The 26-acre Surrey Hills campus remains a living monument to over six decades of educational tradition, with the historic Dalewood House at its heart alongside modern sporting, artistic, and academic facilities. The school's journey from a small post-war independent school to an internationally recognised boarding and day school is a testament to the enduring power of its original vision.

The 'Small School, Big Impact' Philosophy

RGS Surrey Hills operates with a clear and distinctive educational philosophy, encapsulated in its tagline: 'Big Impact. Big Heart. Big Opportunities.' This is not mere marketing language — it reflects a genuine commitment to providing a personalised education that treats every student as an individual.

With approximately 350 students on roll against a capacity of 450, the school deliberately maintains a small-school feel. This scale allows staff to know every pupil by name, track their progress holistically, and intervene early when support is needed. The school describes itself as offering a 'truly personal education' — a phrase that appears consistently across its communications.

Academic Ambition Without Pressure

Academically, RGS Surrey Hills positions itself as rigorous but humane. The school offers both the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and A-Levels, giving students and families genuine choice in how they approach university preparation. This dual-track model is relatively rare and reflects the school's commitment to meeting individual needs rather than imposing a single academic pathway.

Teaching is described as developing 'confident, independent learners' — an approach that prioritises thinking skills, curiosity, and self-direction alongside knowledge acquisition. The small class sizes enable deeper dialogue between teachers and students, and the school explicitly values 'personal attention' as a core differentiator.

Pastoral Care as a Pillar

Pastoral care at RGS Surrey Hills is not an afterthought — it is positioned as co-equal with academic excellence. Every student is assigned a form tutor who provides consistent guidance and acts as a first point of contact for any concerns. The pastoral team takes a proactive approach, hosting talks for parents and working in close collaboration with house staff for boarding students.

The House System — with six boarding houses, each staffed by dedicated house parents — extends this pastoral culture into residential life, creating stable, family-like communities within the school. Even day students benefit from the house ethos through inter-house activities and competitions.

Global Citizenship and Round Square Values

The school's long membership of Round Square has embedded a commitment to global citizenship, environmental responsibility, and service as core educational values. These are not taught as discrete subjects but woven through the culture and co-curricular life of the school. Students from over 30 nationalities learn alongside one another, developing the intercultural competence and adaptability that are essential in today's world.

A Setting Unlike Most Schools

RGS Surrey Hills occupies one of the most distinctive school settings in the South of England. Its 26-acre campus in Mickleham, near Dorking, sits within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — a landscape of wooded hills, chalk downland, and river valleys that forms an extraordinary backdrop for daily school life.

The campus is centred on Dalewood House, a Gothic-style manor built in 1883 that served various purposes through history, including wartime requisition in 1939. Today it houses key administrative and academic functions, lending the school an air of heritage and character that modern purpose-built campuses cannot replicate.

World-Class Facilities in a Rural Setting

Despite its historic setting, RGS Surrey Hills is far from frozen in the past. The campus boasts a comprehensive range of modern facilities:

• Multi-purpose Sports Centre for indoor athletics, court sports, and fitness
• Dedicated Music School with IT music production suites, practice rooms, and a recording studio
• Dance Studio for performing arts and fitness
• High Ropes Course set among the trees — a unique outdoor challenge facility
• Climbing Wall for physical development and teamwork
• Six Boarding Houses, each with dedicated houseparents, creating residential communities organised by age and gender
• Extensive outdoor sports pitches for football, rugby, hockey, cricket, and athletics

The Boarding Experience

For the approximately 114 boarding students (43 boys, 71 girls), the campus becomes a genuine home. Each of the six houses has houseparents in residence, ensuring round-the-clock pastoral support. Boarders enjoy all meals prepared by on-site chefs, and the facilities — from music practice rooms to sports courts — are available throughout the extended school day and weekends.

Location and Accessibility

The school is located in Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6EA, approximately 40–45 minutes from central London. Heathrow and Gatwick airports are each approximately 45 minutes away by road, making the school genuinely accessible for international families. A dedicated school minibus service with GPS tracking provides reassurance for day parents, and the school works with partner agencies for airport transfers for international boarding students.

A Non-Selective Approach

RGS Surrey Hills is officially classified as a non-selective school, a designation confirmed by its UK government registry entry. This means that the admissions process is not designed to filter out students based on academic performance alone, but rather to understand the whole child and assess fit with the school's values and community.

Admissions are open at three key entry points:

• 11+ (Year 7) — the main secondary entry
• 13+ (Year 9) — for students transitioning from prep school
• Sixth Form — for students entering Year 12 to study A-Levels or IB Diploma

The Process for UK Applicants

For UK applicants, the process typically involves registration, an assessment in English and Mathematics, and a student interview. The school emphasises that this is an opportunity to get to know the student — their interests, ambitions, and character — rather than a high-stakes academic hurdle.

International Admissions: A Welcoming Pathway

RGS Surrey Hills has developed a particularly strong pathway for international students, reflecting the school's community of over 30 nationalities. The school's dedicated International Registrar coordinates applications from overseas families, providing guidance on:

• The admissions assessment process (English and Maths, conducted remotely where needed)
• Student visa requirements and the Student Route visa process
• English language support through the Raise Your English Level (RYEL) programme

The RYEL programme is particularly noteworthy — it is a structured English language course for students who are not yet fully confident in academic English, with entry requirements from CEFR A1 level upwards. This means the school can genuinely welcome students at a range of English proficiency levels, not just those who are already fluent.

Scholarships and Bursaries

The school offers a range of scholarships recognising excellence in academics, music, drama, art, sports, and all-round contribution. These are awarded at the key entry points. In addition, means-tested bursaries can cover part or all of school fees for families who demonstrate financial need, reflecting the school's genuine commitment to broadening access. Sibling discounts (5% for a second child, 10% for third and subsequent children) are also available.

Round Square: A Global Values Network

One of RGS Surrey Hills' most distinctive affiliations is its long-standing membership of Round Square, the international network of schools inspired by educator Kurt Hahn. Round Square schools share a commitment to six IDEALS: Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership, and Service. This membership connects RGS Surrey Hills students to a global network of peer schools across multiple continents, enabling international exchanges, collaborative projects, and conferences that broaden horizons far beyond the Surrey Hills campus.

IB Diploma and A-Levels: Genuine Curriculum Choice

Unusually for a school of its size, RGS Surrey Hills offers students a genuine choice between the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and A-Levels at Sixth Form. This flexibility is a significant differentiator — it allows families to select the pathway that best suits a student's learning style, university destination aspirations, and subject interests, rather than being locked into a single system.

Elite Sports Partnerships

The school's sports programme is elevated by formal partnerships with elite professional organisations:

• Chelsea FC Foundation — enhancing the football programme with professional coaching methodology
• Holcombe HC — supporting hockey development
• Surrey County Cricket Club (Surrey CCC) — developing cricket talent

These partnerships provide students with access to professional coaching standards, not just recreational participation. The school explicitly supports both participation and performance pathways, ensuring that sport is inclusive for all while also nurturing talented athletes to competitive and elite levels. The programme extends to less conventional activities such as mountain biking in the Surrey Hills, leveraging the exceptional natural landscape surrounding the campus.

Performing Arts: LAMDA, Productions, and Music

RGS Surrey Hills has a thriving performing arts culture. The school regularly produces major theatrical productions including musicals, and students can pursue LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) examinations in speech and drama — a qualification recognised by universities and performing arts institutions. The Music School houses dedicated recording studios and practice facilities, supporting choirs, a jazz band, chamber ensembles, and individual instrumental tuition across a wide range of instruments.

Model United Nations and Global Citizenship

The school runs an active Model United Nations (MUN) programme, with students from Year 10 upwards participating in national and international MUN conferences. This activity develops public speaking, research, negotiation, and cross-cultural communication skills — precisely the competencies that universities and employers prize most highly.