Royal Russell School

Infobox UK school
name = Royal Russell School


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motto = "Non Sibi Seb Omnibus"
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established = 1853
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type = Independent, Boarding School
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head_label = Headmaster
head = Dr John Jennings -
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street = Coombe Lane
city = Croydon
county = Surrey
country = England flagicon|England
postcode = CR9 5BX
LEA = Croydon
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enrollment = 550 (approx)
gender = Mixed
lower_age = 4
upper_age = 18
houses = Madden, Cambridge, Oxford, St Andrews, Keable, Hollenden, Buchannan, Reade & Queens
colours = Maroon
publication =
free_label_1 = Former pupils
free_1 = Old Russellians
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website = http://www.royalrussell.co.uk
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Royal Russell School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school in Coombe near Croydon, South London. The moto of the school is "Non sibi sed omnibus" meaning "Not for self but for all".

The pre-prep and prep schools are in separate buildings on the same site. An extenstion to the school due to commence within the near future providing a new kitchen and dinning area, greater music and drama faclities and a new sixth form centre.

History

The school was established in 1853 as the Warehousemen, Drapers and Haberdashers school, and opened by Edward, Prince of Wales with John Russell, Lord Russell as its president. The demand for more places for children orphaned by the First World War saw the school need to expand to a new campus. In the 1920s, the estate of Charles Hermann Goschen, Lord Lieutenant of the City of London, was donated to the trustees of the school. The new school, built to the side of the mansion, was designed by Sir Aston Webb, architect of Imperial College.

School Information

Founded in 1853, by a committee of textile workers to provide free education for the sons and daughters of ‘necessitous’ employees in the trade. Almost from the outset it was under the patronage of the royal family. In 1924 the school moved to its present site two miles south-east of Croydon where it stands in beautiful gardens in a delightful 100-acre rural, wooded estate. Its elegant and well-appointed buildings include a fine chapel and excellent modern facilities. The school is affiliated to the Church of England, and the approach to daily life is founded on Christian principles, but pupils of all persuasions are welcome.

A good all-round education is provided to pupils of a wide range of ability and examination results are good.

The school has two boarding houses for boys Oxford and Cambridge, whilst there is one boarding house for girls Queens. There are three day houses for boys, Keable, Madden and St Andrews, and three day houses for girls Buchanan, Reade, Hollenden

Music, drama and art are strong. There are very good facilities for sports and games, including a large sports hall, gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, prep library, senoir library and sixth form study centre. A plentiful range of clubs and societies and the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) has Army and RAF units. Full use is made of the estate and a good deal of enterprise is shown in cultural visits, expeditions abroad etc. The school is greatly involved in the Model United Nations (MUN). The school holds an annual international MUN conference, and was the first school in Britain to host one. It attracts schools from as far away as Japan and California. The school also participates in The Hague international Model United Nations conference as well as further conferences in Dublin and across the UK. The school also has a Combined Cadet Force which includes Army and RAF sections and is also host to Croydon Volunteer Police Cadets. The school is open to both day pupils and borders. In 2003, the school held celebrations to mark its sesquicentennial year. This included Queen Elizabeth II's second visit to the school.

GCSE and A Levels at RRS

GCSE is taught from through years 10 and 11, though it is possible to study maths a year early, (Starting in year 9 and completing the course in year 10.) Required GCSE subjects include Double Award Science, English, English Lit, Maths, and a Language, (French, Spanish or English as a Foreign Language). GCSE choices include: French, Spanish, Geography, History, Business Studies, Drama, Art, Music, Design Technology, Food Technology and ICT. There are 22 subjects at GCSE. Students undertake the require 5 subjects plus 4 of their choice.

The sixth form at Royal Russell follows the A Level Course. Sixth formers are able to undertaken 4 AS levels during their first year, but only carry on 3 of these as A Levels during their second year. There are 18 subjects available. 34% of sixth form students take science A-levels; 25% arts/humanities; 41% both.

Old Russellians

Alumni are referred to as Old Russellians.

University & college entrance was at 95% for the 2003 alumni that went on to undergo a degree course (3% after a gap year). 32% took courses in science & engineering, 29% in humanities & social sciences, 3% in law, 15% in vocational subjects, 15% to art foundation courses and 5% to work related training. Others typically go on to improve their A-level grades. [See http://www.schoolsguidebook.co.uk/schools/Royal_Russell_School.html]

Distinguished Old Russellians include:
*Martin Clunes - actor

Visits and Open Areas

In 2003, Tim Henman opened the schools new sports hall, including two gymnastiums and multiple locker rooms. The Senior School library was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003. Michael Morpurgo opened The Prep School Library.

Other visits by:

Sir Trevor McDonald, Brian Moses, Jeremy Strong

The School is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.

References

External link

* [http://www.royalrussell.co.uk/ Official website]