Since the introduction of day pupils at the Royal Hospital School, the number has risen from just 15 in 2006 to 107 in a current school population of 680. It is anticipated that there will be between 140 and 160 day pupils here in September 2010, and as many as 220 in a few years' time. The introduction of day pupils has had a very positive effect on the school community although we do continue to be a full boarding school in both our ethos and operation. It has become clear that it is this ethos that is the main reason new parents are choosing the school for their children, whether as boarding or day pupils.

As a result of this rise in the number of day pupils, accommodating the boys and girls in senior boarding houses has become unsustainable. It is becoming increasingly difficult to provide day pupils with the space and facilities that they need and deserve and for boarding house staff to provide our day pupil parents with the appropriate service that they require. We have also recognised that while a number of day pupils wish to remain in school until 9.00pm or 10.00pm in order to do their prep in the boarding house, many of our day pupils are happy to depart routinely at 6.00pm or after their school commitments.

Restructure
After careful analysis of projected pupil numbers and an assessment of our current market place, we will be introducing a new "two-tier” day pupil system for pupils in Years 9 to12 from September 2010 as follows:

Day pupils – day pupils in Years 9 to 12 will be part of a superb new coeducational day house with outstanding facilities designed for their requirements and staff dedicated to their particular needs. These pupils will go home routinely at 6.00pm or after their school commitments. Raleigh House will close as a boarding house and over the summer will be converted into this facility to provide a coeducational day house for pupils in Years 9 to 12.

Day boarders – pupils may choose to be "day boarders” in Years 9 to 12 as part of either a boys' or girls' senior boarding house. These pupils can make the most of our extended hours by having supper and doing prep in the house on a daily basis and they may stay overnight in the house, subject to a bed space being available. The number of "day boarders” per house will be limited and there will be a new fee level for "day boarding” from September 2010.

Junior pupils in Drake and Blake and Year 13 pupils in Nelson will be unaffected.

Whilst we recognise that the conversion of Raleigh into a day house represents a significant shift from our current policy of accommodating day pupils in boarding houses we remain committed to providing an integrated experience for both boarding and day pupils. This will be the case in terms of the investment in the accommodation provided for both, the range of academic and extra curricular opportunities available, the house-based competition and community spirit and the emphasis we place on the pastoral welfare of all our pupils.

The following steps will be taken in order to implement this new two tier system:

1. Raleigh House
The boys currently in Raleigh House in Years 9 to 11 will be reallocated to other boarding houses all of which will be newly refurbished in time for September 2010. This process will involve consultation with the pupils and parents involved and will be conducted by Matthew
March, Senior Master, in liaison with Chris Graham, Raleigh Housemaster, during the Lent term 2010. The boys who are currently in Raleigh in Year 12 will move to Nelson House in September 2010 as in the normal course of events. Raleigh House will close at the end of the summer term 2010 and will re-open as a co-educational house for day pupils in Years 9 to 12 in September 2010.

2. Day pupils in Years 9 and above
Day pupils currently in Years 9 to 11 may choose to transfer to Raleigh coeducational day house in September 2010, but if they prefer, they may remain in their existing boarding house on the existing fee structure and become "day boarders”. Day pupils currently in Year 12 will move to Nelson House on the existing fee structure and become "day boarders”.

3. Day pupils in Years 8 and all new day pupils
Day pupils currently in Year 8 will be given the choice of either moving into Raleigh coeducational day house in September 2010 on the day fee, or moving into an existing boarding house on the new "day boarding” fee. All new day pupils joining in Years 9 to 12 in September 2010 will be given the same choice.

Further Information
If you would like to discuss any of the matters raised further please contact the Headmaster's PA, Ann January by email on ann.january@royalhospitalschool.org or on 01473 326201