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Our View
Families looking for a co-ed, all-through education with a wonderfully inclusive and international outlook wouldn’t go far wrong by looking at Royal Russell. There’s an awesome sense of space on site, and junior-school pupils learn in their own self-contained building, regularly popping up to use the smart senior facilities, including the swimming pool and 300-seater auditorium.
Where?
It’s hard to believe that the school’s 110 acres of parkland are just a speedy 25-minute journey from London Victoria – hop off at East Croydon and a tram will drop you right at the gates. There’s an overarching sense of space on the university-style campus, with an impressive mix of 19th-/20th-century and contemporary architecture, and masses of woodland that is home to friendly families of deer. Leafy surroundings like these undoubtedly have a hugely positive impact on pupils’ learning experience – and, most importantly, their mental health.
Head
Headmaster John Evans arrived here in 2019, before which he taught at Dulwich College and Haberdashers’ Askes’. His gorgeous golden doodle Ludo is always by his side – and judging by the reception they received during our tour, both are clearly adored by staff and pupils.
Admissions
Most children join the school from the nursery or Reception, and the expectation (and reality) is that most will stay on the whole way through to 18. Admission is via an assessment and taster day, with pupils welcome to join the school at any stage between nursery and Year 6.
Academics and senior school destinations
Children are fully immersed in the magic of learning – there’s specialist teaching from the get-go, and class sizes never creep above 20. We were hugely impressed with the amazing library, where pupils were busily engrossed in their books in different themed sections, and there’s a serious forest school in the grounds where children were eagerly hunting for minibeasts and climbing trees with bucketloads of enthusiasm. Outside space is a real plus point here and – hot off the press – the whole site is about to launch into a big and exciting redevelopment, with plans for a new nursery and a spread of updated sports facilities. Watch this space.
Almost all pupils make the move up to the senior school at the end of Year 6. The transition between the junior and senior schools is seamless; there’s no exam, and junior pupils go there for lunch every day, so by the time it’s their turn to move up, it all feels incredibly natural. If there’s any concern that the all-through journey isn’t right for a pupil, conversations are had as early as possible.
Co-curricular
Junior school pupils make full use of the ace senior school sports facilities, which include an indoor pool, plenty of pitches and tennis courts and a smart Astro for hockey – all available for use by the local community too. There’s even a cross country course winding its way through the campus, and pupils have ample opportunity to play in competitive fixtures against local schools.
Musicians can join the school’s High Achievers programme, and the annual house drama competition is a real highlight on the school calendar. After-school clubs include everything from blogging to golf to sewing.
School community
The school’s wonderfully flexi wraparound care (which includes extended days until 6pm and a summer school during the holidays) is a godsend for working parents.
This is a school for families looking for an inclusive and diverse community – and the pupil body reflects the melting pot of life in Greater London. Lots hail from south London, including Balham and Clapham, but the catchment area spreads out all the way to Oxted, West Wickham, Caterham and Kingswood. Pupils can join the school’s extensive minibus network from Year 3 and up.
And finally....
This is a wonderfully unflashy, family-focussed prep that brilliantly sets pupils up for a lifetime of learning.