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Data profile

Royal Russell School

Independent co-ed all-through school in Croydon for ages 3–18, day or boarding. Non-selective intake.

  • Rank #214
  • ISI Standards met
  • Fees £28.9k/yr
  • co-ed
  • both
  • Croydon

Outcomes

Where leavers go after sixth form.

Cohort
123

Class of 2025

Oxbridge
1
Russell Group
48
US Ivy
0

Top destinations

  • Loughborough University—
  • King's College London—
  • Durham University—
  • University of Edinburgh—
  • University of Bath—
  • University of Nottingham—
  • University of Exeter—
  • University of Sheffield—

Exam results

A level A*–A and GCSE 9–7, recalibrated for 2026.

A-level A*–A
54%

Recalibrated

GCSE 9–7
59%
Oxbridge rate
2%
Russell Group rate
55%

Entry points & fees

EntryYearPlacesAssessmentDay fee (max)Boarding fee (max)
11+Year 7—School's own exam · Interview£28.9k£57.2k
13+Year 9—School's own exam · Interview£28.9k£57.2k
16+Sixth Form—Reference / report£28.9k£57.2k
3+Nursery—Observation · Other£28.9k£57.2k

Houseroom Index

Our composite score, broken down by pillar.

Index score

72

/ 100

National rank #214

Academic63
Destinations72
Future-ready69
Pastoral82
Value-add67
Access & breadth55
External consensus70

Inspections

ISI

Standards met

Inspected 2025-12-09

Governors are well-informed and offer appropriate challenge and support to school leaders to ensure that the Standards are met. Governors and school leaders systematically evaluate the effectiveness of the school to ensure that pupils' wellbeing is promoted and to inform ambitious planning in keeping with the school's aims. Skilful and knowledgeable senior leaders provide appropriate information to parents, the local authority and external agencies.

Read full ISI report →

Editorial verdict

ethos

Headmaster Chris Hutchinson has been at the school for over a decade. Described as 'one of the loveliest people' by a parent, he is warm, visible around campus, and calls himself 'the Optimist in Chief'. He is not grade-driven, focusing instead on the journey and experience of pupils. His background includes head of physics at Clifton College, housemaster at Wellington, and headship at Newcastle School for Boys. The school aims to provide a holistic education within an inclusive, diverse community reflective of Greater London.

teaching

The curriculum is broad and suits a wide range of abilities. GCSE options include German and Japanese; maths is the most popular A-level. BTECs are available in sport, media and business. Most pupils take 10 GCSEs and results are described as impressive at both GCSE and A-level. Extra support is available for those who need it, including one-on-one guidance outside lesson times for pupils with learning differences such as dyslexia. The most gifted pupils are stretched. Leavers have gone on to study architecture, actuarial science, law, mechanical engineering and psychology, with some joining apprenticeship schemes.

pastoral

A perpendicular house system forms the heart of the school; every pupil from Year 7 is assigned a physical house to check into each morning. Housemasters and housemistresses work alongside tutors to challenge and support pupils. Staff described as knowing every pupil individually. Sixth formers participate in a bespoke 'bridge to life' programme covering mental health, university life and gender equality. There is a noted absence of teenage 'coolness' or cockiness among the pupil body.

Compare with peers

Schools families applying here also consider.

  • 1St Dunstan's CollegeLewisham
    Fees £29.2kA*-A 64%Oxbridge 3%Rank #151

    St Dunstan's College is a co-ed day school with selective entry, located 10km from Croydon, matching the sex and selectivity tier of Royal Russell School and offering overlapping entry phases.

  • 2City of London Freemen's SchoolMole Valley
    Fees £27.6kA*-A 78%

    City of London Freemen's School is a co-ed day and boarding school with selective entry, located 17km from Croydon, sharing the sex/boarding pattern and selectivity tier with Royal Russell School.

  • 3Kneller Hall SchoolRichmond upon Thames
    Fees £31.4kA*-A 73%Oxbridge 2%Rank #224

    Radnor House School is a co-ed day school with selective entry, located 21km from Croydon, matching the sex and selectivity tier of Royal Russell School and overlapping in entry phases.

  • 4Epsom CollegeEpsom and Ewell
    Fees £38.8kA*-A 66%Oxbridge 3%

    Epsom College is a co-ed day and boarding school with selective entry, located 13km from Croydon, sharing sex/boarding pattern, selectivity tier, and overlapping entry phases with Royal Russell School.

  • 5Hall School WimbledonMerton
    Fees £26.0kA*-A 62%Oxbridge 0%Rank #235

    Hall School Wimbledon is a co-ed day school with non-selective intake, located 13km from Croydon, matching sex and entry phases, and within the same fee tier as Royal Russell School.

How peers are chosen

Matched on sex, boarding, entry phase, location, fee band, tier and outcomes. Scoring: 0.45 outcome similarity, 0.25 structured, 0.10 embedding, 0.20 AI re-rank. Refreshed yearly and when a profile changes.

Top feeder prep schools

Open days, bursaries and how to apply: Royal Russell School profile →