Co-Education FAQs

RGS Guildford has a highly experienced and dedicated teaching body, the majority of whom 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 (85%) have taught both boys and girls and have experience of best practices in co-educational teaching and pastoral care, so you can be assured that 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. The School is conducting a review of all aspects of its provision to ensure we adapt where appropriate to meet the needs of all our students – today and in the future.

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 that every student continues to benefit from a rich and balanced education.

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.

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. 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.

The School remains academically selective across all entry points and is committed to maintaining appropriate class sizes and a personalised approach. While the School anticipates increased interest from prospective families, admissions will continue to be based on merit and alignment with the School’s ethos. There will be no fixed gender quotas; instead, the focus will continue to be on welcoming students who will contribute positively to the RGS community.

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 activities for the benefit of all involved.

RGS Guildford 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.

Yes, as girls join the School, boys and girls will be taught together in mixed classes at both RGS Prep and RGS Senior. Our House system will also be mixed, which provides strong links between age groups and a supportive, vertical pastoral structure.

Sport is a vital part of life at RGS Guildford, and the School is committed to offering outstanding opportunities for all students. Ahead of 2027, we are reviewing the current provision and developing a programme that supports both boys and girls. This will include developing our facilities, introducing new fixtures and competitions, and ensuring equal access to coaching and development across all sports.

RGS Guildford already offers a diverse and dynamic co-curricular programme, and this will be further enhanced as the School becomes co-educational. All activities, clubs, societies, trips, and leadership opportunities will be reviewed to ensure they are inclusive and appealing to all students. The School will continue to respond to student interests and feedback, expanding the programme where needed to reflect the evolving community.

Pastoral care is a cornerstone of life at RGS Guildford, and this will remain unchanged as the School moves to co-education. The existing structure, which is built around Form Teachers, Heads of Year, a Head of Wellbeing and a wider dedicated Pastoral Team, will continue to support all students. Girls joining RGS Prep and the Sixth Form will be welcomed into the community with the same warmth, care, and attention that boys have always received. The School is also reviewing its pastoral education, policies and facilities to ensure they are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all students.

RGS Guildford has a strong culture of student leadership and mentoring. As girls join the School, they will benefit from peer mentoring programmes, leadership initiatives, and staff guidance. Sixth Form students at RGS Senior and Year 6 pupils at RGS Prep will continue to play a key role in mentoring and supporting younger pupils, helping them to settle in and thrive. As we move to co-education, opportunities for leadership and enrichment will continue to ensure that all students have access to inspiring role models.

Ahead of the first co-ed intake in 2027, we will update our uniform and sports kit provision to ensure it is suitable for a co-educational environment, whilst continuing to reflect the School’s identity. The design process will consider – among other factors – the uniforms and kit used by our international schools (which are already co-ed), pastoral considerations and latest good practice from suppliers.

RGS Guildford’s School Nurse has extensive experience in childhood and adolescent health and wellbeing. Our pastoral teams across the school are also well placed to offer all students appropriate mental, physical and wider wellbeing advice. Additionally, where appropriate resources and training will be introduced to support the needs of a co-educational student body.

As currently, these will continue to be handled with care, professionalism, and age-appropriate guidance across the school. RSE will be delivered in a way that reflects the inclusive nature of a co-educational environment, promoting respect, empathy, and understanding. Teaching will be tailored to meet the needs of both boys and girls, ensuring that all students feel safe, supported, and well-informed as they navigate important topics relevant to their wellbeing and future relationships.

RGS Guildford is committed to providing all students—regardless of gender—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.

RGS will invest in enhancements to ensure our sites (including the Prep and Senior schools and Bradstone Brook, the school’s dedicated sports ground) are equipped for a co-educational environment. This includes expanding and refurbishing changing and washroom facilities, upgrading sports provision to support a broader range of activities for both boys and girls, and introducing a range of other changes to enhance the experience for all our students.

These improvements will be phased over time, aligned with the gradual expansion of co-education across the School. The aim is to preserve the School’s warm, welcoming atmosphere while ensuring that every student feels safe, supported, and inspired.

No. The decision to introduce co-education at RGS Guildford is driven by our strategic vision, and our educational values, not financial considerations. It reflects the School’s commitment to providing a modern, inclusive learning environment that prepares students for life beyond school. RGS Guildford continues to be in high demand. We are proud to be flourishing and to attract a significant number of applications at each entry point. While we remain mindful of the broader economic landscape, the transition is rooted in our strategic vision and long-term educational goals.

No. RGS Guildford will continue to review its fee structure annually, as it always has, to ensure an excellent provision for its students. The School remains committed to widening access through its established bursary programme. The School will continue its fundraising to support means-tested bursaries, ensuring that talented students from all backgrounds can benefit from an RGS education.

The RGS bursary fund has long supported access to outstanding education for young people.  We are deeply grateful to all those who have supported the fund to date — your generosity has transformed lives and will continue to do so in the years ahead.  Following the announcement of our move to co-education, we will be reviewing our Road to 2035 campaign to ensure that we continue to support our evolving community.  This review will honour our heritage while embracing a future where, consistent with one of our core School Values of Inclusivity, opportunity is extended to all talented students, regardless of background, financial circumstance or gender.  We are committed to engaging with our community of supporters in this review, and look forward to sharing more in the coming months.

RGS Guildford does not currently offer a sibling discount.  As with all areas of school life, we will continue to be prudent and regularly review our policies and adapt them where necessary in light of the current economic landscape or other factors pertinent to the best interests of the School and everyone in our community.

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.

We warmly invite prospective families to attend one of our Open Mornings or to book a visit during the school day on selected dates. These events offer the opportunity to hear from the Headmaster, meet staff and students, explore the facilities, and learn more about the School’s ethos and plans for co-education. Details and booking information are available here.

• RGS Prep Open Mornings will take place in March, June and October.
• RGS Senior will be a co-education event early in the Trinity Term and Open Days in October.
• RGS Sixth Form will be holding a co-educational event early in the Trinity Term and an Information Evening in September.

No. The admissions process for girls will follow the same structure as for boys, with assessments, interviews, and school references forming part of a holistic overview of each applicant. The School will continue to assess all applicants based on their academic potential and alignment with RGS values.

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 via the RGS Guildford website or by email. Registration for September 2027 entry will open later in 2026, and we encourage you to register your interest with our Admissions Team now to ensure you receive timely updates on assessment dates, open events, and key deadlines.

We will be keeping this area of our website regularly updated with 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.