I’m a former student (70s-80s). I feel very fortunate to have had the privilege of going there. But is it any good? Well, I’ve done pretty well out of it - I’ve had a successful career that saw me found and sell a business and get headhunted by the United Nations. I’m not super rich, but I’ve also not really needed to work since my 40s - at least not for money - I only do so today to help the causes I feel strongly about.
Let’s put this academic question to bed - in my day RRS may not have been the best, but it was wholly sufficient - I have three academic degrees in three very different disciplines, but academic success wasn’t what got me to where I am today. When I look back, I place equal value in the pastoral care, international experience, and growing up in beautiful grounds with fantastic extra curricular activities. These have been hugely important in shaping my life and who I am today.
In my day, pastoral care was about having access to the masters out of hours and being included in their families with their children. One master introduced us to philosophy and novels written by the existentialists and this expanded our young minds far more than the national curriculum. It matured our thinking well beyond our years.
I once considered doing an MBA, and was quite amused by the top schools defining an international experience as being in a class with 20 nationalities, because at RRS I counted 50 nationalities by the time I left....which was very enriching. Also, practical as I’ve used these international contacts for serious business activities.
Growing up with my friends in vast beautiful grounds made me value nature, the outdoors, aesthetics, freedom and independence. And while it’s not guaranteed to feed a family, it’s more than enough to feed the soul. And the confidence it instills, rubs off on the people around you....your team, your bosses, your employees - it doesn’t go unnoticed.
I’m always amused when parents pick elite schools because they think they’re buying their child a ticket to Oxbridge. It doesn’t work that way.
If your child is gifted Oxbridge material, then they will succeed regardless of which school they go to. It just so happens that schools with the best reputations attract the best pupils - and that’s the only reason why a score of their students get into Oxbridge every year. But, the best students will get into the best universities regardless of which school they attend.
Today, RRS is academically far better than in my day, but even if it’s still not the most academic school you could send your children to (I’ve no idea), don’t let that mislead - bright kids can thrive there too. What it does exceptionally well is provide an environment that will stimulate their minds in ways that are equally important for creating rounded individuals who will flourish in the real world.