Dedicated teachers, an international spirit, and a welcoming atmosphere — that’s how RGS Surrey Hills, located just outside London, is often described.
Among England’s independent schools, RGS Surrey Hills (which also offers the IB Diploma) holds a special place thanks to its strong culture. In September 2020, it was recognised for its outstanding pastoral care. It is also a founding member of the international Round Square network, now encompassing over 200 schools worldwide. Round Square promotes ideals such as internationalism, democracy, environmental stewardship, and adventure.
This approach prepares students for life by offering experiences that require courage, imagination, generosity, and determination. RGS Surrey Hills also champions global citizenship, firmly believing that every student has the potential to make a difference in the world.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Age range: 11-18
Number of students: 436
Boarders: 31%
International students: 27%
Average class size: 1:8
Internatsgebühren für die Boarding fees per term: 17.628£ (GCSE) – 18.377£ (A-Levels/IB)
Key sports offerings besides the traditional team sports: canoeing, sailing, golf, archery, yoga, mountain biking, martial arts, dance, swimming, fencing, climbing, tennis
Nearest airport: London Gatwick (35 minutes)
https://rgs-surreyhills.org
Key strengths at a glance
Close to London
IB Diploma
Dance as a school subject
Excellent music department
RGS Surrey Hills – Photo Highlights
RGS Surrey Hills in detail
The Creative Arts
Over a quarter of the students at RGS Surrey Hills develop their musical talents in the state-of-the-art music school, equipped with seven practice rooms, a high-tech recording studio, and a large IT suite ideal for composing original pieces. Events such as the annual summer concert let students shine. Budding actors also find ample opportunities through drama workshops and performances, with two major productions each year — recently Singing in the Rain and The Great Gatsby — giving young actors, singers, and dancers their moment in the spotlight. The creative offerings don’t stop there: students can explore everything from fashion and textiles to painting, drawing, and collage.
Sport and Enrichment
A wealth of sporting opportunities complements school life at RGS Surrey Hills — from dance (which can even be taken as an academic subject) to netball, rugby, football, cricket, and tennis, as well as judo, fencing, and climbing. Every September, the Whole School Activity Week sees the entire school take part in adventures such as camping, canoeing, and rock climbing. The diverse co-curricular programme also includes chess, Amnesty International, photography, jewellery design, origami, kickboxing, and debating. Social events like film and quiz nights, the annual winter ball, and themed evenings add to the vibrant atmosphere.
Academic Excellence
Teaching at RGS Surrey Hills is rated “excellent” (ISI). The school offers the full spectrum of academic subjects — and more — catering to varied interests, including French, English Literature, Spanish, Russian, and Japanese. Students may choose between the IB Diploma and A-levels, with around 60 students in each of Years 12 and 13. The school achieves results above the global average, with a pass rate exceeding 90%, and is highly regarded by top universities in the UK and worldwide.
Facilities
Alongside the picturesque main building, the school’s facilities have been extensively modernised — including the boarding houses. Within this lively boarding community, students enjoy excellent catering and Wi-Fi, spacious common rooms, and the constant presence of caring house parents. Facilities such as the brand-new sports hall and outstanding music centre leave nothing to be desired.
Photos from our visit
Our Visit
It’s rare to meet such a warm and personable head as we did here. The Headmaster gave us an exceptionally generous amount of time for our visit and tour of the impressive, sprawling campus. Despite having every reason to boast — with its internationally renowned music department, brand-new sports hall, and regular royal visitors — the school remains remarkably grounded, thanks in no small part to its head. Its continuity is also striking: over the past 50 years, only four headteachers have led the school.
Our meeting with RGS Surrey Hills (formerly Box Hill School)
Feedback from Students
Julia
„I received so much help from Akademis in finding the right school, and I’m very grateful for that. It had long been my dream to attend school in England, and with their excellent support, it came true. I’ve been at Box Hill School since September 2023, studying the IB Diploma. Since starting, I’ve met classmates from all over the world and made lifelong friendships. The proximity to London is an absolute highlight. I live in Atwood House, which in my opinion is the best boarding house at school. While there are no single rooms, each room has its own bathroom, which is a huge advantage. On top of that, the rooms are very well equipped and modern.“
Words from the Headteacher
Hayley Robinson
„At RGS Surrey Hills, our values inspire our students to work hard and build strong relationships that spark a desire for achievement and success. The families we work with share these values — they are positive and enthusiastic, and Akademis families are no exception. Akademis students are known for their positive and motivated approach to learning and their strong sense of community. They are curious, engaged, and supportive — good friends and thoughtful leaders. Through their kindness and consideration, they help shape a bright future for our school.“
What our clients say about us
Get a free consultation and find out more about RGS Surrey Hills
Our Verdict: RGS Surrey Hills
RGS Surrey Hills is a creative, caring school that offers outstanding individual support.
However, it is far from the only British boarding school offering superb academic and creative opportunities. We warmly recommend seeking tailored advice to match your unique wishes and expectations. Feel free to get in touch with us. Thanks to years of close contact with schools, we understand their distinctive qualities and can assess them authentically. We’re confident that together, we’ll find the right school for your child.
You’ll benefit from:
- An exclusive interview with the Headteacher of RGS Surrey Hills
- Authentic insights straight from the source
- Our excellent relationship with the Admissions Office
- Help with visa-related questions
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
