Pupils join RHS from all over the world to take advantage of our excellent boarding provision, including many from families serving in the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Marines & RAF). Founded in 1712 in Greenwich to provide education for children of naval seafarers, the school moved to Suffolk in 1933, and has continued to grow in size and reputation to become one of East Anglia’s leading independent schools. Whilst many naval traditions underpin our school values, we welcome families from all walks of life, and are particularly in tune with Armed Forces families.
We understand the unique needs of children of parents serving in the Armed Forces, and they are highly valued members of our full boarding community. Our wellbeing team are tuned in to the additional anxiety they may experience as a result of their parents being in service or deployed overseas and have sensitive measures in place to ensure their wellbeing. Our full boarding community are well placed to take full advantage of our exceptional campus in the evenings, after school commitments on Saturdays and on Sundays, with a variety of fun and stimulating activities, events and trips organised to ensure they are kept busy and happy.
RHS is an exceptional school, and has been absolutely the right place for our children. The site, the quality of teaching, the ethos and the opportunities offered combine to make a unique experience which is hard to beat.
We believe it is our role to navigate pupils through their critical and formative years, ensuring their education becomes the foundation for lifelong happiness and success. Great importance is placed on balancing academic work with interests outside the classroom and every pupil is encouraged to become fully involved in school life, to challenge themselves and to try something new.
MOD Continuity of education allowance (CEA)
Service families in receipt of the MOD CEA are offered a discounted full boarding fee, which enables their children to access an RHS education. CEA parents are expected to fund a minimum level of 10% of the school's fees, as required by the MOD. The combination of the CEA funding and the RHS fee remission provides a very significant and attractive offer, with only a relatively small sum to be funded by the parents directly.
We fully understand the unique needs of our Service family children, and they are highly valued as members of our full boarding community.
Our boarding fees are discounted for those in receipt of MOD CEA. Please see table below for details.
| FEES 2025/26 | Annual | Term |
| Senior Boarding fee (Years 9-13) | £49,851 | £16,617 |
| Maximum MOD CEA award | £33,390 | £11,130 |
| RHS Discount | £11,475.90 | £3,825.30 |
| Parental contribution (10% of gross fee) | £4,985.10 | £1,661.70 |
| Junior Boarding fee (Years 7-8) | £38,718 | £12,906 |
| Maximum MOD CEA award | £33,390 | £11,130 |
| RHS Discount | £1,456.20 | £485.40 |
| Parental contribution (10% of gross fee) | £3,871.80 | £1,290.60 |
Support for naval seafarers
The Royal Hospital School was originally founded by Greenwich Hospital and is proud of its historic links with the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Greenwich Hospital are a Crown Body who fund support to serving and former serving Royal Navy personnel and their families. Through Greenwich Hospital discounts and bursaries, 1st generation seafaring families' children can benefit from an outstanding education at one of the country’s leading co-educational schools. Greenwich Hospital provides financial support to children joining the School as both day and boarding pupils.
There are a number of options available:
1. Those in receipt of the MOD Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA), are eligible for discounted fees.
2. Greenwich Hospital Discount: 15% (not means-tested)
3. Greenwich Hospital Bursary: Up to 50% (means-tested).
Value is dependent on the applicant's circumstances. Eligibility does not guarantee that a bursary will be awarded, as they are limited in number and can be oversubscribed. Bursaries are allocated based on:
- charitable need
- seafaring priority, with the children of serving officers and ratings taking priority over retired personnel
- entrance examination and interview performance
- availability of places (day or boarding) within each year group.
Please find guidance on the Greenwich Hospital Bursary here.
4. Obtain a RHS Scholarship or Award (which offers fee remissions) and you may apply for an additional RHS 'means-tested' bursary.
5. Normal entry on full fees.
Register your interest by completing the form below.
Who can apply?
We accept applications for children of seafaring families whose parents have served in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, or Royal Fleet Auxiliary for a minimum of three years (serving or retired).
Entry is normally at Year 7 (11+ years) but applications for other year groups and into the Sixth Form can also be considered.
Bursaries are means-tested based on gross family income, capital holdings and certain expenditure. They are limited and only available on entry and are not available retrospectively to pupils already in the school.
Applications need to be submitted before the closing date for school applications in November and not before 5 April in the year preceding entry to the school. Normally all available bursaries and discounts are awarded by January. A financial support application form will be sent after a registration form has been received by the school.
Please use the enquiry form below to register your interest.
Whilst our son may not go on to a career in the military, the skills he is learning through taking part in CCF are hugely important and transferable to the modern world.