No, we are a state boarding school. We are unusual in that we are a state school which offers boarding. The academic school day is government-funded, ensuring that parents are only responsible for covering the costs associated with boarding and additional wrap-around care.
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FAQs
Our comprehensive FAQs cover a range of topics to provide valuable insights into our school community and admissions process. While we strive to address most questions here, our admissions team is readily available to assist with any further queries you may have. Please call 01737 649001.
Please scroll for the Flexi Boarding FAQs. You can find our Sixth Form FAQs here.
Full Boarding FAQs
Is RAAS a private or independent school?
What is full boarding?
Full Boarders are students residing and studying at the school throughout the term. They have the option to return home after Saturday morning enrichment, coming back to school on Sunday evening (Saturday enrichment is optional for Sixth Form students). Some of our students return home for weekends regularly, whereas others remain in school until half term holidays.
What are the entry points for Full Boarding?
Applications are accepted for Years 3-10 and Year 12.
For most Year Groups, we can accept Full Boarding applications throughout the year. For students wishing to join the school in-year, and where there is boarding availability, we are able to accommodate admittances at the start of academic terms and half terms.
How do I apply?
An application can be made here.
You can also watch short videos to give you a quick overview of the admissions process. Click here for the Admissions Process page.
Who is eligible to apply?
As we are a state boarding school, all students admitted must be eligible for state education. Children who are British or Irish citizens are entitled to study at our school, regardless of where they live in the world.
We are also able to consider applicants who have a right to state education through settled status or other immigration routes, such as the dependant children of a parent on a work visa. Full details of children who are eligible can be found here
Do you accept international students?
We welcome applications from families all over the world. However, we are unable to sponsor any visas. For an application to be considered, the child must be eligible for state education in the UK. Full details of children who are eligible can be found on the government website here.
When making an application, it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that their child has a right to study at a state school.
My child has an EHCP. How do I apply for boarding?
If your child has an EHCP, please contact your child’s case worker or your Local Education Authority in the first instance. They will share your child’s EHCP with our SENDCo who will assess whether we are able to meet your child’s needs.
If our SENDCo confirms that we are able to meet your child’s needs academically, we will then proceed to assess your child’s boarding suitability. Please note that we are only able to make an offer of a place if your child is suitable for boarding and we can meet their needs in school.
Is there a registration fee?
No, there is no fee.
Do students have to sit entrance exams?
No. We are a non-selective school in Years 3-11. Students are only assessed on their suitability for boarding.
Please note that in the Sixth Form there are academic entry requirements. Please see the Sixth Form FAQs
Do you accept applications from Forces families and Crown Servants?
Yes. Our school has a long history of educating children of serving personnel and Crown Servants. Applicants who are entitled to CEA funding have higher priority on our Admissions Policy. In addition, with CEA funding, parents only pay 10% of the boarding fees.
Do you offer weekly or part-time boarding?
Our Full Boarding offering has been designed to give families flexibility, so presently we do not offer weekly or part-time boarding. For weekends, Full Boarding families can choose whether students remain in their boarding houses or return home.
Do you have exeat weekends?
We do not have exeat weekends. The school only closes for half terms and school holidays
Do you offer scholarships?
Scholarships are currently not offered.
What are your Full Boarding fees?
Information regarding our fees can be found here.
Flexi Boarding FAQs
Is RAAS a private or independent school?
No, we are a state boarding school. We are unusual in that we are a state school which offers boarding. The academic school day is government-funded, ensuring that parents are only responsible for covering the costs associated with Flexi Boarding and additional wrap-around care.
What is Flexi Boarding?
Flexi Boarding offers students an extended day with flexible access to wrap-around care before and after school, as well as a wide range of activities. Early drop-off, late pick-up, 7-10 nights of boarding per year, meals and activities are included in the Flexi Boarding fees. For detailed information on the Flexi Boarding, please click here.
Do you offer day places?
No, only Flexi Boarding and Full Boarding are available. We are a boarding school and the boarding element offered to all our students is core to our ethos.
How do I apply?
For entry into Years 3 and 7, parents need to apply through their Local Educational Authority and directly to our school. Our application form can be found online here.
You can watch these short videos which will give you a quick overview of the admissions process.
What are the entry points for Flexi Boarding?
The formal entry points are Years 3 and 7. In Year 3, there are 20 Flexi Boarding spaces available. For Year 7 entry, there are 67 spaces. Outside of these entry points, we are only able to make an offer of a place if there is an in-year vacancy
Do you accept in-year applications?
Yes. However, as we are often oversubscribed for Flexi Boarding, we may be unable to accommodate your application immediately and your child will likely join a waiting list. Please get in touch with our Admissions team who will be able to provide you with further information.
Do your Year 6 students automatically get a place in Year 7?
Yes. We expect our Year 6 students to remain and transition to Senior school, so there is a guaranteed place in our Year 7 intake for our Junior students.
Our Year 6 students are then joined in Year 7 by 67 new Flexi Boarders and up to 40 new Full Boarders entering the school at this intake point
Do you have a catchment area?
There isn’t a catchment area. However, all applications (unless given higher priority) are ranked according to an applicant’s residence proximity and offered accordingly by Surrey County Council.
Is there a registration fee to apply?
No, there is no fee.
Do students have to sit entrance exams?
No. We are a non-selective school in Years 3-11. Students are only assessed on their suitability for boarding.
Please note that in the Sixth Form there are academic entry requirements. Please see the Sixth Form FAQs.
Does my child need to do the extended day with Flexi Boarding?
Flexi Boarding is a flexible package which families can tailor to meet their needs. Early drop-off and/or late pick-up is entirely at the discretion of families. However, students are expected to participate in the Co-curricular Programme which primarily takes place after school.
Does my child have to board 7-10 nights per year?
Yes. Flexi Boarders are part of our boarding community, and as such, they are expected to board 7-10 nights per year. Flexi Boarding nights are like sleepovers, and we find that students enjoy the opportunity to board with their friends. We have a bespoke system where parents can book the boarding nights they want for their child.
Is Saturday morning school compulsory?
Yes. For students in Years 3-11, attendance is compulsory. Saturday morning school is enrichment focused only and does count towards your child’s attendance. As part of the Enrichment Programme, students are offered a range of sporting, arts, leadership, volunteering and academic development activities. Students do have an element of choice regarding their programme of study.
My child has an EHCP. How do I apply?
If your child has an EHCP, please contact your child’s case worker or your Local Education Authority in the first instance. They will share your child’s EHCP with our SENDCO who will assess whether we are able to meet your child’s needs. Please note that the Admissions team is unable to process your child’s application directly.
Are you a SEN specialist school?
No. We are a mainstream state boarding school and our SEND colleagues follow the SEND Code of Practice Graduated Response. Our SEND provision considers the full scope of student support, but please note that we do not offer specialist one-to-one support.
Parents should note that Flexi Boarding fees still apply and are not covered under a child’s EHCP.
Do you offer scholarships?
Scholarships are currently not offered.
What are your Flexi Boarding fees?
Information regarding our fees can be found here.