Co-Education FAQs

RGS Guildford has a highly experienced and dedicated teaching body, including a strong mix of male and female teachers. The majority of our teachers 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 (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 in our Sixth Form 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.

The core ethos of a School is a vital part of the decision to send your child to our school. Our ethos will remain and our values of inclusivity, scholarship, integrity, respect, courage and collaboration will continue, as always, to underpin everything that we do. 

Ahead of our first co-ed intakes we are looking carefully at our teaching approach to identify any areas which need to be adapted to a co-educational environment. For example, for younger years students at Prep we are looking at how we accommodate a wider diversity of learning styles and how lessons are structured to ensure that teaching is inclusive and accessible for all students in a co-ed environment – in no way will it reduce the quality of teaching we provide, or the academic standards of which we are so proud. 

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.

We are planning to expand the number of places available to external candidates in our Sixth Form. Whilst this will vary slightly from year-to-year, we expect to be able to offer roughly a third of all Sixth Form places to external candidates. The number of places at other entry points will remain similar to today.

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.

In terms of subject range, our choice of subjects across all year groups is already very diverse and highly appropriate to co-education.  We have conducted a full review of comparable schools to assess our provision versus others. The one potential gap and therefore subject addition we are making in the short-term is Psychology as an A Level option. This is a very popular option nationally with both male and female students.

Within each subject, Heads of Department at both the prep and senior schools are also reviewing their topics, content and resources, adjusting as required to ensure these are fully inclusive and representative in a co-educational environment.

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.

Our approach to teaching and learning is already designed to be inclusive and ensure psychological safety for all our students. This includes accommodating a diversity of learning styles, collaboration techniques, and questioning strategies for all students, irrespective of gender.

Sport is a vital part of life at RGS Guildford, and the School is committed to offering outstanding opportunities for all students. We have carefully researched the sports offer of other co-educational schools, including visits to meet their Directors of Sport. Based on this, we have expanded our core Games offer to include netball, alongside other existing core sports such as hockey, cricket, rugby and athletics.  This programme diversifies as students progress through the school, to include a wide range of other sports options such as tennis, badminton, sailing, shooting, climbing and golf.

We have already made enhancements to our sports facilities to prepare for co-education, which includes creating a new 140m² exercise studio, enabling us to offer a range of additional physical activities such as dance, yoga and cycling (spin). We have also increased and refurbished our changing room provision, and next summer will be expanding our tennis courts at Bradstone Brook to accommodate netball.

In terms of staffing, we are pleased to have welcomed this year a new female Assistant Director of Sport and Head of Netball (who will be operating across all year groups) and a new female Sports Assistant at RGS Prep.

We are committed to supporting talented male and female athletes, irrespective of student numbers or team performance levels.  As we move to co-education, we are building the early stages of our girls’ sports programme with a strong emphasis on individual development, ensuring that each pupil has opportunities to grow, compete and fulfil their potential in an ambitious and supportive environment.

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 are being 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 at all entry points will be welcomed into the community with the same warmth, care, and attention that boys have always received.

From a staffing perspective, the School has recently appointed a new female Head of Student Experience and Engagement, who has extensive experience working in both girls’ and co-educational schools.  Their role will be to ensure that both current and new students are equally prepared to make this important step. We are also reviewing our 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.

Most current students join from co-educational prep and primary schools. Many also have sisters in local schools, and we already run lots of co-educational activities with local girls’ schools as part of our General Studies programme.  Therefore, co-education is a natural next step, rather than a radical change for our current students.

Our approach in preparing current students involves using assemblies, tutor periods and other informal sessions to listen to their views (including any concerns) discuss these, and provide any additional reassurance that’s needed.

We have been carefully reviewing uniform, PE and Games kit across all year groups to ensure that it remains cohesive and inclusive, practical and affordable across the School when we make our transition to co-education

As part of this review process, we are taking the opportunity to make some enhancements to our PE and Games kit. We are very mindful of how we implement these changes and, where possible, we will phase them in over time

We will provide further information to all parents well in advance of kit purchases for September 2027.

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, creative arts studios, and sports facilities.

This summer we have made changes across all our sites, both to ensure we are ready for co-education, and to enhance our facilities for all our students as part of our long-term strategy of continuous improvement. This includes:

• Creating a new 140m2 flexible exercise studio, enabling us to offer a range of additional physical activities, such as dance, yoga, and cycling (spin).
• Upgrading our outdoor play equipment at RGS Pre-Prep
• Ensuring a sufficient mix of WCs for male and female students across all areas of the site
• Creating new changing rooms, and re-furbishing our existing changing rooms at RGS Senior and Bradstone Brook (our dedicated sports ground)

Prior to September 2027, we will be making further changes for the benefit of everyone, including:

• Re-furbishing our dedicated Sixth Form centre
• Creating a brand new drama studio
• Expanding our tennis courts at Bradstone Brook to incorporate 3 new netball courts.

These improvements are being carefully phased during holiday periods, to preserve the School’s warm, welcoming atmosphere.

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 are 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.

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 Events 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.

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.

For Frequently Asked Questions relating specifically to admissions at different entry points, click here.

For Frequently Asked Questions relating specifically to admissions at different entry points, click here.

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.