The Royal Hospital School is an HMC boarding school for 660 boys and girls between the ages of eleven and eighteen. Founded at Greenwich in 1712 in what is now the National Maritime Museum to educate the sons of sailors it is today both co-educational and open entry. The children and grandchildren of seafarers are eligible for substantial bursaries and all pupils are offered an excellent education at a very reasonable all-inclusive cost.
Since 1933 the School has been situated on a splendid 200 acre purpose-built campus on the banks of the Suffolk Stour. All boys and girls are accommodated in recently refurbished boarding houses under the supervision of a fully qualified housemaster or housemistress. Each house also has a resident matron and one or more other adults acting as a house tutor. Sixth form girls and upper sixth boys have their own boarding houses. A fully equipped Infirmary deals with all but the most minor medical matters.
The School provides an environment where all pupils are encouraged to give of their best and fulfil their potential in all areas of life. We believe that hard work, courtesy, good manners and a desire to contribute to the life of the community are the hallmarks of the Holbrook pupil.
The School follows the main elements of the National Curriculum and all pupils follow nine or more subjects to GCSE and, under normal circumstances, three or four subjects at Advanced Level. Advanced GNVQ Business is also offered.
There are particularly fine facilities for Art, Design and Technology and new Food Technology and Computing suites have recently been opened. The School has a particularly strong musical tradition with an outstanding choir, a fine band and a keen orchestra. The magnificent Chapel seats over 1000 and houses one of the finest organs in Europe.
Sporting facilities are of the highest order. There is a large gymnasium containing a climbing wall, a multi-gym, squash courts and a heated indoor swimming pool. The 90 acres of playing fields include a 9 hole golf course, an all weather surface and full facilities for rugby, soccer, hockey, rounders, netball, athletics, tennis and cricket. The School has its own indoor shooting range and a fleet of dinghies on the adjacent Alton Water reservoir as well as cruising vessels on the River Stour.
