The Royal Alexandra and Albert School is the most sought after secondary school in Surrey for the second year running. This is according to data from the Department of Education.

There were around six applications for each of the 74 Year 7 places in September 2020, with over 450 families naming the School as one of their preferences. 160 applicants named the Royal Alexandra and Albert School as their first choice – over 80% more than two years ago.   

Since he joined the School in 2016, Headmaster, Mark Dixon has worked hard with the support of staff to make sure that RAAS is a boarding school that focuses not only on the academic side, but also places emphasis on learning outside the classroom.

The Ofsted boarding inspection in 2018 recognised this and found “The school provides a secure environment in which children and young people flourish, achieve academically, stretch their abilities and develop social skills.”

Since 2018 the School, which is one of a handful of state boarding schools in England, has maintained its focus on offering academic excellence alongside a varied and enriching co-curricular programme.  The GCSE results this year proved that the academic side remains strong.  Based on last year’s national data the GCSE results for this year would have put the School in the top 2% of the country for value-added results.  Indeed, on average, pupils achieved one grade higher in every subject than would have been expected from baseline assessments when they joined the School.

The Department for Education data refers to applications for Flexi Boarding places where the child attends school for the extended day and stays overnight 7-10 nights a year.  This is very popular amongst working parents.  Other parents choose full boarding and this year the School has exceeded 500 full boarders on roll.  This places the Royal Alexandra and Albert School alongside an elite group of boarding schools, including Eton, Harrow, Wellington, Winchester and Marlborough, with large boarding communities with over 500 boarders. 

Headmaster Mark Dixon says “This year we have received more applications for Flexi Boarding and Full Boarding places than ever before.  I am pleased so many families are choosing this school for their child.  As a School we place great emphasis not only on supporting academic achievement, but also on providing fantastic pastoral care.  We aim to offer opportunities for all children to flourish, whatever their background, abilities or interests.”