BOARDING SCHOOL

Founded in 1758, the Royal Alexandra and Albert School has a rich history of over 260 years of providing boarding education for boys and girls, and we are extremely proud to continue this tradition. Today, the Royal Alexandra and Albert School is a co-educational, non-selective state UK boarding school for children age 7-18.

The Boarding School for girls and boys is situated in 260 acres of beautiful parkland in Gatton Park, Surrey, near London in the UK and only 20 minutes from Gatwick Airport and 45 minutes from Heathrow Airport. It’s home to around 400 Full Boarders who live and study at the school during term time but may go home after Saturday morning school. Full Boarders learn alongside 680 local Flexi Boarders, who experience boarding for 7-10 nights per year, have all their meals and activities at the School but return home in the evenings. There are no compulsory exeats.

At the core of the School’s boarding community is an understanding of student needs and a commitment to an inclusive, all-round education – in the truest sense of the word. That is, development of strong values, character, resilience and independence, as well as academic achievement.

What is a State Boarding School?

State Boarding is usually referred to as ‘Education’s Best Kept Secret’! State Boarding provides boarding education at a fee level that is much more affordable to families. This is possible because the education is government funded and parents only pay for boarding.

This does not mean a compromise on quality. Students have enriching boarding and academic experiences that successfully prepare them for further education and the world of work. You can find out more below.

Latest Results

Latest Results

Co-Curriculum

Co-Curriculum

Fees

Fees

Admissions Policy

Admissions Policy

 

Who Can Apply?

Our boarders come from all over the world. Indeed, 25 different countries are represented in our School. This gives our school community rich and vibrant diversity that is embraced and celebrated. To be eligible for state education, applicants must hold one of the statuses below. You can further check eligibility on the gov.uk website here.

  • Child is a British or Irish citizen
  • Child is a dependant of a foreign national parent who has settled status in the UK
  • Child is a dependant of a parent who is in the UK on a Work visa or Student visa
  • Child is part of a family entering and residing in the UK under the immigration route for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BNO) and their dependants
  • Child is part of a family entering and residing in the UK under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme or Ukraine Family Scheme
  • Child is part of a family entering and residing in the UK under an Afghan Scheme/Policy
Bahrain
Belgium
Bermuda
Brunei Darussalam
Cayman Islands
Cyprus
France
Germany
Hong Kong
Ireland
Italy
Lebanon
Malaysia
Nepal
Nigeria
Poland
Saudi Arabia
Sierra Leone
Spain
Switzerland
Turks and Caicos Islands
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America

Boarders can start boarding in Year 3 and remain until Year 13. As students move up the School, each stage of the boarding experience is different, and the boarding houses reflect this:

  • Years 3-6 - All Junior boarders live together in one house where they can enjoy playtime in one central shared area and learn the fundamentals of socialising with other children.
  • Years 7-11 - In Senior School, they move to single-sex houses where they share dorms with two or three other children. They learn to develop their own sense of identity and pride in taking care of themselves and their belongings.
  • Years 12-13 - In the Sixth Form, boarders live in purpose-built accommodation designed to support the independent study required for A Level success.

You can view of school site and virtually visit some of the boarding houses below.

Take a Look Around

We have state-of-the-art facilities all on-site. Please click below to have a look around

Interactive Map

Booking A Visit

Regardless of which stage in their education pupils enter boarding, the School is more than an educational environment. It’s a home away from home. Should you wish to find out more and book a Full Boarding tour, we would be delighted to welcome you. Please contact:

Fiona Newport, Admissions Officer
01737 649026
admissions@gatton-park.org.uk