The Royal Hospital School (RHS) in Holbrook, Suffolk, is proud to unveil a series of new changes to its weekend provision, daily structure, Sixth Form offering, and long-term campus development for both its day and boarding pupils. These changes, designed to enrich the educational experience and well-being of pupils, reflect RHS’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence.
RHS Super Saturdays
From September 2025, RHS will launch Super Saturdays, providing an engaging, supra-curricular programme for pupils in Years 9 to 13, stretching pupils beyond the mainstream curriculum. Academic lessons will no longer take place on Saturdays, allowing pupils to participate in a diverse range of activities designed to develop key employability skills such as creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication. Saturday sports fixtures will continue as a cornerstone of RHS’s dynamic co-curricular life.
For Years 7 and 8, the highly successful Saturday activity programme will remain, offering experiences such as street dance, jungle camp, circus skills, and cooking masterclasses. Meanwhile, Sixth Form pupils will have the flexibility to select private study sessions or tutorial support, utilising dedicated spaces such as the library and the new Sixth Form Centre.
Additionally, Saturday mornings will become optional for day pupils, with tailored flexibility for weekend boarders. These changes are designed to support pupil well-being while maintaining the exceptional educational standards for which RHS is renowned.
A Refreshed Daily Structure
From September, RHS will transition to a refined daily timetable featuring eight 45-minute periods. This structure optimises concentration and engagement while maintaining the same high level of teaching time. Key enhancements include:
- A 50-minute lunch break to support pupil well-being.
- A 50-minute co-curricular activity slot at the end of the day.
- Sport integrated into the core timetable.
- An earlier school day finish, with buses departing at 5:30 pm in response to community feedback.
Sixth Form Evolution
The RHS Sixth Form experience is evolving, with the highly anticipated Sixth Form Centre set to open in September 2025. Designed in collaboration with pupils, this cutting-edge space will provide an inspiring environment for independent study, collaboration, and personal development.
In response to strong interest from Year 11 pupils, RHS is also expanding its A Level subject offerings to include Classics and Sociology, with flexible subject combinations to accommodate diverse academic pathways. The elective programme will also be broadened, offering tailored opportunities to develop specialist skills and experiences aligned with pupils’ career aspirations.
RHS 2033: Capital Investment Programme
With the centenary of RHS at Holbrook on the horizon, the school is launching the RHS 2033: Capital Investment Programme, a bold vision for the next decade.
The first phase of this initiative commenced in January 2025 with the refurbishment of senior boarding houses, starting with St Vincent House. This extensive renovation will introduce modern living spaces designed to provide comfort and a true sense of home. Each house will undergo refurbishment within a single term, with temporary relocation to Anson House ensuring minimal disruption.
Furthermore, later in the Lent term, RHS will unveil the newly repurposed RHS Clubhouse and a state-of-the-art Sailing Hub at Alton Water. The Clubhouse will serve as a vibrant social space with enhanced facilities for parents, pupils, and staff, while the Sailing Hub will reinforce RHS’s status as a Centre of Excellence for Sailing, providing pupils with an enriched learning environment.
Speaking on the changes at the school, Irfan Latif, Headmaster at RHS commented: “These carefully planned initiatives reflect what makes RHS truly special. By listening to our community and embracing innovative approaches, we continue to provide an education that is forward-thinking, enriching, and focused on the personal and academic success of every pupil.
As the sector faces growing challenges, RHS is rising to the occasion, adapting its approach to ensure that pupils not only succeed academically but also develop the life skills, resilience, and critical thinking abilities needed to thrive in a fast-changing world.”
Categories: Royal Hospital School School News
