Co-education
Timeless values, shared futures.
Our School Values
Inclusivity Scholarship Integrity
We remain loyal to our founding principles to educate bright local students, irrespective of background or financial circumstances, and we inherently believe in establishing a culture of diversity and acceptance, and in educating our students in a welcoming, tolerant community where each individual is valued and enjoys a deep sense of belonging.
We encourage the growth of intellectual curiosity, independence, creativity, innovation and habits of learning within a scholarly community through inspirational subject specialists who provoke and stretch the students’ minds and inculcate a lifelong love of learning.
We promote the development of self-discipline and responsibility, spirituality and a personal moral code, and cultivate an ethos where enduring qualities of decency, honesty, courtesy, humility and good humour are celebrated.
Respect Courage Collaboration
We nurture an atmosphere of mutual respect between all members of our community, and foster self-respect and selfesteem in terms of physical health, emotional maturity and personal wellbeing, while establishing lasting friendships in a positive, happy environment.
We develop leadership, teamwork, resilience and life skills through a diverse range of activities where all students, regardless of their talents and attributes, are encouraged to challenge themselves, take appropriate risks and work hard to fulfil their potential.
We work closely with others for mutual enrichment, and encourage a spirit of generosity and service, a sense of perspective, and a firm belief that we can work in partnership with others, locally and internationally, to make a difference and have a positive impact on society.
Timeless values, shared futures.
We believe that schools must remain loyal to their ethos but also continue to evolve. Our School Values underpin everything we do. Co-education is a natural evolution for our school and reflects our firm and long-standing belief in opportunity, inclusion and academic excellence for all.
We are excited that the RGS will become co-educational, offering girls the same opportunities that our boys have enjoyed for centuries: academic enrichment and challenge, diverse co-curricular experience and outstanding pastoral care. Girls will be welcomed into both RGS Prep and RGS Senior, with phased entry from September 2027.
As a co-educational community we will enrich the educational experience of all our students and the preparation we provide them for university and beyond. This is an exciting new chapter and one that as a governing body we unanimously embrace.
”
Mrs Sarah Creedy, Chair of
Governors
Why is the RGS becoming co-educational?
We want an RGS education to be reflective of today’s society – one which promotes equity and equal opportunity for everyone and where, regardless of gender, all children are able to have equally ambitious aspirations, to work collaboratively and to set themselves up for fulfilling, enriching, happy futures.
We believe that the life skills of teamwork, leadership, emotional intelligence, mutual understanding and the ability to relate to others are better fostered today in a co-educational environment: boys and girls learning and developing together as partners and equals.
At the RGS, we are committed to a future where boys and girls learn side by side as equals. Empowered to lead, collaborate, and thrive together in a world shaped by equity and shared ambition.
Dr Jon Cox, Headmaster
AI generated images are used throughout this brochure
The School will be co-educational in every year group by 2032.
What is the timeline for transition to co-education?
We’ll be welcoming girls into the RGS through a phased transition.
From September 2027, girls will join RGS Prep in Nursery, Reception and Year 3, and RGS Senior in Year 12 (Lower Sixth).
From September 2028, Year 7 girls will also be welcomed to the School. The transition will then progress organically through the year groups.
The School will be co-educational in every year group by 2032.
Our success comes from the wealth of individuality within our community and our move to co-education will add to the richness of an environment where all pupils have a voice and can become the best versions of themselves, together.
”
Mr Toby Freeman-Day, Head of RGS Prep
RGS Guildford will become fully co-educational,
RGS Prep Ages 3-11
= Co-ed year group
RGS Senior
Ages
11-18 = Co-ed year group
How will new students joining the School be supported?
We have a highly experienced and dedicated staff body. Most of our teaching staff already work in co-educational contexts through our extensive outreach programmes, school partnerships, Sixth Form teaching, and the many trips that take place with partner schools. Almost all of our teachers (over 85%) have taught both boys and girls and have experience of best practice in co-educational teaching and pastoral care, for which the RGS is renowned.
All students, regardless of gender, will receive the same exceptional support and guidance. At the same time, we are not complacent about the changes that will be required to enable a successful transition to co-education. As a school we are conducting a review of all aspects of our provision to ensure we adapt where appropriate to meet the needs of all our students – today and in the future.
Leaders prioritise and support pupils’ physical, mental and emotional health well.
Over 85% of our teachers have taught both boys and girls.
How will the School’s facilities adapt to co-education?
We are committed to providing all students with access to outstanding facilities that support their academic, pastoral, and co-curricular development. The School already benefits from a central Guildford location with excellent teaching spaces, science labs, music and drama studios, and sports facilities.
We will invest in enhancements to our sites so that they are equipped for a co-educational environment, ensuring these changes benefit both current and future students. These improvements will be phased over time, aligned with the gradual expansion of co-education across the School, ensuring we preserve the School’s warm, welcoming atmosphere while providing support for every student to feel safe, included, and inspired.
How will the move to co-education shape the School community?
We do not anticipate any significant changes to class sizes, or the number of forms within each year group. We have the capacity to accommodate modest growth and, as appropriate, will expand gradually whilst ensuring facilities and staffing remain aligned with student needs. Any increase in numbers will be carefully planned to preserve the School’s close-knit community and high standards to ensure every student continues to benefit from a rich and balanced education.
What will the move to co-education mean for my child’s year group?
Will there be an equal number of girls and boys?
While we anticipate increased interest from prospective families, admissions will continue to be based on merit and alignment with the School’s ethos.
We remain academically selective across all entry points and we are committed to maintaining appropriate class sizes and a personalised approach. We anticipate that over time there will be similar numbers of boys and girls in each year group but there will be no fixed gender quotas; instead, the focus will continue to be on welcoming those students who will contribute positively to the RGS community.
How will current students benefit from the move to co-education?
Continued Excellence
For those currently attending RGS Prep or RGS Senior School, our students will continue to enjoy an exceptional educational experience rooted in the School’s core values and strengths: academic excellence, outstanding pastoral care, and rich co-curricular life.
As girls join the Prep and Sixth Form in 2027, and in Year 7 from September 2028, the School will continue to uphold these values and high standards while embracing the benefits of a co-educational environment.
Opportunities for All
Students will benefit from a broader range of perspectives in the classroom, enhanced social development, and preparation for life at university and beyond. All students will also benefit from the investments we are making in our facilities as part of the move to co-education.
“ ”
This change will bring exciting opportunities for all pupils. It will foster a more inclusive and balanced learning environment, encouraging collaboration and mutual respect, and better reflecting the world beyond school.
Mrs Rebecca Self, Head of Wellbeing RGS Prep
How will the move to co-education enhance the curriculum at RGS Guildford?
We will continue to deliver a rigorous and enriching academic curriculum that challenges and inspires all students. The transition to co-education will not alter the School’s commitment to academic excellence.
As part of our ongoing review process, we will ensure that the curriculum remains inclusive, relevant, and responsive to the needs of a co-educational student body. Subject choices, teaching approaches, and enrichment opportunities will be continually evaluated to support all learners. For sport, this will include developing our facilities, introducing new fixtures and competitions, and ensuring equal access to coaching and development across all sports.
Leaders regularly review the curriculum and co-curricular activities to ensure that they enable pupils to develop awareness of and sensitivity towards diversity.
How will the School build on its educational partnerships?
We are proud of the many educational partnerships that already exist at all age groups across the School. These have been the result of long-standing relationships that have developed between RGS Guildford and partners from over 55 schools, both single sex and co-educational, across the local area over a number of years.
We view these partnerships as integral to the RGS educational experience and we are committed to maintaining and developing these partnerships and providing a wide-ranging programme of activities for the benefit of all involved.
Through our long-standing partnerships we know how collaboration empowers students to grow into confident, compassionate individuals. Co-education will deepen these connections and ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.
”
Mr Tom Shimell, Head of Partnerships RGS Guildford
Admissions
Two-thirds of students joining in Year 7 are new to the RGS.
Will there be any changes to the admissions process?
Admissions at RGS will continue to be guided by our commitment to academic excellence. Every applicant will be assessed to ensure they can thrive in our challenging and supportive environment. Full details and timelines are available on our website.
RGS Prep
Every pupil joining RGS Prep will continue to sit an age-appropriate entrance assessment.
RGS Senior
Entry at Year 7: Candidates applying for entry to our First Form (Year 7) will continue to sit our 11+ assessments when they are in Year 6. RGS Prep students, for whom we have regular progress data, will have the opportunity to receive an Assured Place in Year 5 for entry into Year 7. There is, however, no fixed quota for students from individual schools and we expect the balance of students coming from RGS Prep compared with other State Primary and Prep Schools throughout Surrey and beyond to remain broadly similar.
Entry at Year 12: Candidates applying for entry to our Sixth Form will continue to sit online and in-person assessments in Year 11.
Do you
have a catchment area or feeder schools?
As a town centre school we enjoy great transport links by road and rail and each year welcome pupils from a wide selection of local nursery, primary and prep schools.
For our younger pupils, RGS Prep families tend to live within a 30-minute walk or drive of the school but we welcome families from a wide range of locations.
Approximately one third of our intake is from RGS Prep. Each year two thirds of our students join RGS Senior having applied from over 130 schools across Surrey and the borders of Berkshire, Hampshire and West Sussex which provides us with a rich diversity of students from a wide range of schools.
We believe strongly in ensuring that access to the RGS for all students is based wholly on merit, regardless of their current school.
Is financial assistance available?
We are committed to offering an RGS education to anyone who we believe will thrive at the School, regardless of financial circumstances. We offer means-tested bursaries from Year 3 for families who need financial support. These include coverage for tuition, uniform, travel and other school-related costs.
How do I enrol my child?
From September 2027 girls, alongside boys, will be welcomed into RGS Prep at our main entry points of Nursery, Reception and Year 3, and into the Sixth Form of RGS Senior at Year 12 (Lower Sixth).
If you are considering a place for your son or daughter, please contact the Admissions Team by visiting rgsg.co.uk/admissions or emailing us:
Prep Admissions: rgsp-admissions@rgsg.co.uk
Senior Admissions: rgs-admissions@rgsg.co.uk
Registration for September 2027 entry will open later in 2026, and we encourage you to register your interest on our website now to ensure you receive timely updates on assessment dates, open events, and key deadlines.
How do I find out more about the School?
We will be holding some information events about our move to co-education early in the Trinity Term. We welcome all prospective families to visit us at one of our open events. Come and meet our teachers, students and leadership team to learn more about the opportunities the RGS offers.
Open Events
RGS Prep Open Mornings will take place on Friday 6 March and Friday 5 June 2026 and early in the Michaelmas Term where we will be able to share more information about co-education.
RGS Senior will be holding a co-education event on Wednesday 29 April 2026 and Open Days in October.
RGS Sixth Form will be holding a co-education event on Thursday 23 April 2026 and an Information Evening in September.
Links to register your interest in attending these events can be found on our website.
Stay Updated
We will be keeping this area (rgsg.co.uk/co-education) of our website regularly updated with the latest information about our move to co-education. Please take a look here first, as your question may be covered. For any other questions, in order that we can direct your enquiry to the right person, please email us at ContactUs@rgsg.co.uk
