RGS Surrey Hills has been recognised as Commended in the Independent Boarding School of the Year category at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026, an acknowledgement of the school’s boarding community and the experience it offers young people from across the UK and around the world.

With a record number of entries submitted this year, the commendation provides independent recognition of the school’s approach to boarding, where academic ambition is balanced with strong pastoral care, meaningful relationships and a genuine sense of belonging.

For RGS Surrey Hills, boarding has always been about far more than where pupils live. It is about becoming part of a community where friendships develop across year groups and nationalities, confidence grows through everyday experiences and every young person is known as an individual. Whether pupils join as full, weekly or flexible boarders, they quickly become part of school life, learning alongside day pupils, taking part in sport, music, drama, outdoor education and the wide range of opportunities that define life at the school.

That sense of community is something families frequently comment on. Parents speak about the warmth of the school, the relationships their children build with staff and the reassurance that comes from knowing their child is genuinely cared for. It is these everyday experiences, rather than any single initiative, that shape the boarding experience at RGS Surrey Hills.

As part of the Reigate Grammar School Family of Schools, RGS Surrey Hills continues to build on these strengths while remaining true to the close-knit environment that has always defined the school. The opening of a dedicated Wellbeing Centre this September marks the next stage in that commitment, providing additional space for pastoral support while reinforcing an ethos that places relationships and individual care at the heart of school life.

Recognition from the Independent Schools of the Year Awards reflects the collective efforts of colleagues across the school. Boarding house parents, teachers, tutors, coaches and support staff all contribute to creating an environment in which pupils feel safe, supported and encouraged to make the most of every opportunity available to them.

Independent recognition matters because it reflects the experience of the pupils and families who are part of our community every day. It provides reassurance for families considering boarding, acknowledges the dedication of colleagues across the school and recognises the strength of a community built around one simple principle: that every child should be known, valued and supported throughout their time at RGS Surrey Hills.