With a rich history and a tradition of service under the patronage of the late Queen, Royal Russell School impresses with its strong sense of community and its outstanding football academy.
“Not for oneself, but for all” – this guiding principle runs through the heart of Royal Russell School, nestled in a beautiful 45-hectare park just south of London. Founded in 1853 as a charitable institution, the school has never lost its spirit of giving back. Charitable work remains an integral part of daily life, and the community here feels more like an extended, caring family. You feel it the moment you walk through the gates.
The school’s football academy is widely respected for balancing top-level training with academic excellence. We particularly appreciate its proximity to the heart of London – students enjoy weekend outings to the capital’s theatres, galleries, and theme parks.
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 of pupils: 14–18
Number of pupils: 900
Boarding pupils: 25%
Sixth Form pupils: 210
Average class size in Sixth Form: 9:1
Boarding fees per term (Sixth Form): £17,331.20
Main sports in addition to traditional team games: trampoline, swimming, modern dance, ice hockey
Nearest airports: Gatwick, Heathrow (1 hr)
https://www.royalrussell.co.uk/
Royal Russell School – Photo Highlights
Royal Russell School in Detail
Football Academy
On campus, athletes train on AstroTurf pitches, 13 tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, and a modern sports hall, all under the guidance of expert coaches. In 2022, the school’s U18 team were crowned national champions by the Independent Schools Football Association. Talented players in the academy receive elite coaching designed to pave the way to professional football careers, often via top UK universities or scholarships to colleges in the United States. Royal Russell is nationally recognised for its carefully structured blend of academics, coaching, and performance support. The academy even takes students to Madrid to meet and train with Real Madrid – an unforgettable highlight.
Creative Arts
The school’s rich arts programme nurtures creative expression in all its forms. Theatre productions and musicals are regularly staged in the purpose-built Performing Arts Centre, and students can explore acting, tech production, and stage management through clubs such as Trinity Drama and Drama Tech. Visual artists flourish in a range of clubs, from specialist drawing to photography and digital editing. Music-making is also a vibrant part of life here, with choir, orchestra, and swing band on offer. Among the school’s notable alumni is Phil Lewis, lead singer of American hard rock band L.A. Guns.
Academic Life
Behind the school’s rather traditional exterior lies a warm, encouraging academic environment. Royal Russell doesn’t just focus on grades – it fosters a calm, nurturing setting for young people to thrive. One annual highlight is the Model United Nations programme, which draws over 500 participants to hone their skills in public speaking, debating, and diplomacy. While the academics are rigorous – with 65% of students achieving A* or A at A-Level – they are enriched by initiatives such as the Guest Speaker Programme, tailored careers lessons, and one-to-one guidance. Students are prepared not only for university applications but also through simulated interviews and real-world career-readiness sessions.
Co-curricular Life
Outside the classroom, there’s no shortage of clubs and activities. From competitive sports to Scrabble, chess, crafts and cookery, every interest is catered for. The school even has its own driving school. Budding writers can join the school newspaper or contribute to Russell’s Teapot, the science magazine and website. Regular weekend trips to London help foster camaraderie among boarders, while students looking to stretch themselves can join the Combined Cadet Force or take on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – both encouraging leadership and team spirit.
Fees Royal Russell School
The boarding fees at Royal Russell School are £17,331.20 per term, totalling approximately £51,993.60 per year.
This is Royal Russell School
Our Visit
Even the drive up to Royal Russell gave a strong impression: a line of Land Rovers, with families patiently waiting to collect their children, hinted at the school’s solid reputation. Yet, stepping inside, we found no signs of pretension – just warmth and genuine dedication. Our guide, the welcoming Director of International Relations, Graham Moseley, gave us a heartfelt tour. We particularly remember the school’s beautiful chapel and modern theatre facilities.
Photos From Our Visit
What our clients say about us
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Conclusion: Royal Russell School
Royal Russell School is a well-regarded English boarding school where football and community spirit go hand in hand.
That said, there are many other excellent UK boarding schools offering first-class sports programmes. We encourage you to explore your options further. Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation consultation. Our long-standing relationships with these schools mean we understand their unique characters and can provide truly informed advice.
We are confident that, together, we can find the right school for your child.
Explore more options on our “Boarding Schools in England” page, where you’ll benefit from:
- Insider perspectives on daily school life
- Exclusive photos and videos from our visits
- Excellent relationships with admissions teams
- Interview preparation support
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.
