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Royal Masonic School for Girls

United Kingdom, Rickmansworth

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £9,750 - 53,835
Ages 2 - 18 years
Type Girls School, Girls School (boarding)
Opened 1788
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification
Taught languages French, Spanish, Mandarin, Latin
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Located at Rickmansworth Park, WD3 4HF, The Royal Masonic School for Girls is a day and boarding school for girls aged 2 to 18. The campus spans 300 acres of parkland and is arranged into Cadogan House for Prep (4–11), Ruspini House for Nursery and Reception, the Senior School (11–16) and Hind House for Sixth Form (16–18). The school offers the British Curriculum with BTEC qualifications. Cadogan House Pre-Prep and Prep deliver a rigorous framework with Learning Support and Academic Extension, and specialist teaching across STEM for Girls, Primary Coding & Robotics, Modern Foreign Languages, Science & Computer Science, Performing Arts & Music, Physical Education, Art, Design Technology, and Food & Nutrition, complemented by a broad co-curricular programme. The Resource Centre library is an art-deco facility; The Space theatre hosts performances and tours. RMSGO Forest School and Outdoor Learning nurtures inquiry on 300-acre campus. Partnership with Immanuel College in Ghana today.

The Royal Masonic School for Girls, Rickmansworth Park, WD3 4HF

The Essentials

Royal Masonic School for Girls has instruction in English.

Location
The Royal Masonic School for Girls is located in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, England. The campus sits on a 300+ acre private parkland and serves pupils aged 2–18.

Stages
Nursery, Prep, Senior & Sixth Form

Type
Girls' day and boarding school

Additional learning support
PALS (Provision of Assisted Learning and Support) provides learning support. Access to Educational Psychologist, Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist is available; personalised learning programmes are offered.

Country affiliation
Ghana (partnership with Immanuel College)

Religious affiliation
Non-denominational

School day structure
Morning registration varies by house: Cadogan 8:20, Senior/Sixth 8:25, Ruspini 8:45. The day runs roughly 8:20–4:00 with after-school clubs and activities possibly extending the day.

Bus service
A school coach service operates; bookings for routes can be made via RMS's Vectare portal (rmsforgirls.vectare.co.uk).
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is offered as full, weekly and flexi-boarding. Boarders reside in Zetland House (Years 5–11) or Connaught House (Sixth Form), with private sleeping spaces in shared dormitories and a house kitchen and common room. Each house has a resident housemistress and staff to support wellbeing, sleep and academics. Pupils contribute to their routine through house meetings and the Boarders' Council, and there is a busy weekend programme of activities.

Uniform Requirement
The school introduced a new school uniform, revealed on June 4, with fashion shows for pupils and parents. Schoolblazer led the design process and supported the school during the rollout.

Food Options
Vegetarian options are always available and gluten-free options are provided. Menus recognise the festivals of pupils from around the world, and the Catering department liaises with families and pupils who have dietary requirements to provide meals safely.

House System
Boarding houses are Zetland House for Years 5–11 and Connaught House for Sixth Form. Prep boarders in Years 5–6 have their own area; Years 7–9 share dormitories; Years 10–11 share twin study bedrooms; Connaught provides university-style rooms for Years 12–13. The houses include a kitchen, a common room and a garden, with a resident housemistress and a House Council that gathers boarders' input.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a board of governors as a charitable trust. It is registered with the Charity Commission as The Royal Masonic School for Girls (charity number 276784). Governance information is published on GOV.UK.
Fees

Annual tuition at Royal Masonic School for Girls ranges from GBP 9,750 to GBP 53,835 for 2026/27.

Application & registration fees

- Registration fee (non‑refundable): GBP 190.
- Acceptance deposit (payable on acceptance of an offer):
- UK day pupils: GBP 1,000.
- Parents/guardians resident in the EU or UK‑based boarders: GBP 2,000.
- Parents/guardians resident outside the EU: one term's fees as the deposit.
- The deposit is refundable after all outstanding invoices have been paid and is ordinarily retained as a credit against the final invoice on leaving (unless the parents elect to donate it).

Tuition fees — Nursery (Ruspini House) — termly (options & funding where applicable)

- Pre‑School (children aged 2):
- Minimum 5 sessions per week (3 mornings & 2 afternoons): GBP 2,890 per term (not funded).
- Five mornings only: GBP 3,250 per term (not funded).
- Full day week (8:30–15:45): GBP 5,220 per term (not funded).
- Full day + breakfast & tea club (8:00–17:00): GBP 6,130 per term.
- Full day + breakfast, tea and late club (8:00–18:00): GBP 6,855 per term.
- Pre‑School (children aged 3) with Universal 15‑hour funding (mornings funded): representative termly rates are published with funding applied to the morning sessions (lower termly fee bands apply for funded attendance).
- Nursery (children aged 3–4):
- Minimum 8 sessions per week (5 mornings + 3 afternoons): published termly fee (with and without universal funding – lower fees apply where funding is used).
- Full day week (8:30–15:45): approx. GBP 5,220 per term (unfunded rate shown for full‑day attendance).
- Additional Ruspini session charges and ad‑hoc session rates (breakfast, tea, late club, per additional morning/afternoon) are published and invoiced termly; childcare voucher schemes can be used for nursery fees.
- Invoices for nursery options are sent termly and payable before the start of each term; a full term's written notice is required to cancel or reduce sessions.

Tuition fees — Prep (Cadogan House) — termly and annual equivalents

- Reception (termly): GBP 5,685 — annual equivalent (3 terms): GBP 17,055.
- Years 1–2 (termly): GBP 6,180 — annual equivalent: GBP 18,540.
- Years 3–4 (termly): GBP 7,505 — annual equivalent: GBP 22,515.
- Years 5–6 (termly): GBP 7,580 — annual equivalent: GBP 22,740.
- Boarding (Cadogan House, Years 3–6):
- Weekly boarding (termly): GBP 13,220 — annual equivalent: GBP 39,660.
- Full boarding (termly): GBP 14,540 — annual equivalent: GBP 43,620.
- Prep ancillary session charges (per session): flexi‑boarding per night up to 3 nights GBP 102; Cadogan tea GBP 11.25; packed tea GBP 7.20; breakfast GBP 5.65; after‑school club sessions and later session charges are published and are invoiced termly.
- Prep fees are payable in advance on or before the first day of each term.

Tuition fees — Senior School & Sixth Form — termly and annual equivalents (2026/27 termly fee schedule)

- Academic Day Fees (Years 7–8): GBP 9,685 per term — annual equivalent: GBP 29,055.
- Academic Day Fees (Years 9–11): GBP 9,730 per term — annual equivalent: GBP 29,190.
- Academic Day Fees (Years 12–13 / Sixth Form): GBP 9,995 per term — annual equivalent: GBP 29,985.
- Boarding (Years 7–13):
- Weekly boarding (termly): GBP 16,700 — annual equivalent: GBP 50,100.
- Full boarding (termly): GBP 17,945 — annual equivalent: GBP 53,835.
- Senior ancillary charges (examples): flexi‑boarding (per night, up to 3 consecutive nights) GBP 102; senior tea GBP 11.25; packed tea GBP 7.20; breakfast GBP 5.65.
- Bus route charges (termly, by price band): Price Band A — Return GBP 620 / One‑way GBP 430; Price Band B — Return GBP 775 / One‑way GBP 540.
- English as an Additional Language (EAL): individual lesson (35 minutes) GBP 55.
- Fees for Assisted Learning Support (PALS): individual lesson (35 minutes) GBP 48; group lesson (35 minutes) GBP 17.50.
- Public and music examination fees are charged in addition to tuition at the rates set by the examining boards.
- Senior School termly fees are payable in advance on or before the first day of term for all pupils.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Invoicing: fees are calculated and invoiced termly; invoices are payable before the commencement of each term.
- Standard due date: fees are payable in advance on or before the first day of the term to which they relate.
- Notice of withdrawal: at least one full term's written notice is required when a parent/guardian wishes to withdraw a pupil; if less than one term's notice is given, one term's fees in lieu of notice are payable.
- Late payment and non‑payment provisions, and the School's rights to exclude for non‑payment, are set out in the School's Terms and Conditions.

Fee payment options

- Direct debit: parents may pay termly in advance or choose monthly direct debit; the monthly option normally spreads the annual fee interest‑free over nine months from September to May.
- School Fees Plan (third‑party): an option to spread fees over 12 months is available through a partner School Fees Plan provider.
- Fees in Advance scheme: an advance payment scheme is offered (reduced rate for pre‑paid fixed years).
- Flywire: an international payment service is encouraged for parents without UK bank accounts.
- The School accepts payments by the methods associated with these options; billing and bank details and any applicable scheme terms are provided by the accounts/payments team.

Boarding fees — summary and extras

- Two principal boarding categories: weekly boarding and full boarding; termly and annual equivalents are listed above for both the Senior School and Cadogan House prep.
- Flexi‑boarding (per night) is charged at GBP 102 (applies to specified limits such as up to 3 consecutive nights per week).
- Boarders incur additional routine charges where items are taken or services used (meals by item, day trips, replacement of damaged items, etc.).

Other costs and optional extras

- Meals and daily extras: examples above (breakfast, packed tea, senior tea) are charged per item.
- Bus transport: termly charges by price band (see bus route charges above).
- EAL and learning‑support lessons: charged per lesson (EAL GBP 55; PALS individual GBP 48; PALS group GBP 17.50).
- Public and music examination fees: charged in addition at the examination board rates.
- Uniform: the School operates a uniform policy and has a second‑hand uniform shop; uniform items and any associated costs are managed through the School's uniform supplier arrangements and may be included in bursary allowances where a means‑tested award includes a clothing/uniform allowance. Exact uniform item prices are not published as fixed fee lines in the standard fees lists.
- Incidental charges (trips, specialist clubs, one‑to‑one tuition, damage replacement, optional external courses) are charged in addition to tuition and termly invoices will itemise them when incurred.

Refunds, deposits and cancellation rules

- General rule on refunds: fees will not be refunded, reduced or waived for reasons such as pupil absence through illness or where a term is shortened or a vacation extended.
- Acceptance deposit treatment: the Acceptance Deposit is normally retained in the School's funds and repaid (without interest) as a credit against the final sums due on leaving unless the parents choose to donate it.
- Distance‑sale cancellation right: where the offer and acceptance take place entirely at a distance, parents have a 14‑day right to cancel; in that case the Acceptance Deposit and any Additional Deposit will be refunded and any fees paid will be pro‑rated for educational services already provided.
- Withdrawal and notice: if parents withdraw a pupil after the 14‑day cancellation period they must give one term's written notice or pay one term's fees in lieu of notice; where parents cancel by giving one term's written notice the School will retain the Acceptance Deposit; other circumstances for repayment of the deposit are set out in the School's Terms and Conditions.
- Late or non‑payment consequences and the School's rights (including exclusion) are set out in the Terms and Conditions.

Practical notes on invoicing & incidental charges

- All regular tuition and most ancillary charges are invoiced termly and are due before the start of the term.
- Optional monthly or 12‑month spreading options are available to smooth payment for families who choose them.
- Additional one‑off or recurring charges (EAL, learning support, certain clubs, trips, examination fees, coach travel) appear on termly invoices when applied.

If you require the fee lines broken down into a short reference list (termly and annual totals only) for each distinct year group and boarding status, those figures are the termly amounts above and their annual equivalents are calculated by multiplying the published termly fees by three (three academic terms per year).
Academics

Royal Masonic School for Girls teaches British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
Cadogan House Pre-Prep and Prep School delivers an outstanding academic curriculum designed to challenge, provoke, and stimulate young minds. Core subjects provide a firm foundation, with Learning Support and Academic Extension available to support pupils at all levels. Specialist teaching across STEM for Girls, Primary Coding & Robotics, Modern Foreign Languages, Science & Computer Science, Performing Arts & Music, Physical Education, and Art, Design Technology, Food & Nutrition, together with a broad co-curricular programme, develops critical thinking and breadth beyond the classroom.

Exam Results
GCSE Results 2026 show 15% of all RMS GCSE entries at grade 9, 33% at 9–8, 53% at 9–7, 74% at 9–6, 89% at 9–5 and 96% at 9–4. Past results include 2025 with 20% at grade 9, 40% at 9–8 and 59% at 9–7, and 2024 with 18% at grade 9, 36% at 9–8, 54% at 9–7 and 72% at 9–6.

Higher Education Progression
In Sixth Form, Futures prepares students for higher education and the world beyond. The Futures programme provides tailored higher education support from Year 12 with subject-specialist tutors guiding UCAS applications and personal statements. The school has a strong track record of leavers securing places at their first-choice universities, including Oxbridge and Russell Group institutions such as Durham, Exeter, LSE, UCL, Leeds and King's College London, as well as top conservatoires and arts academies, with overseas study opportunities available.

Gifted and Talented
Academic Extension offers higher-level activities to challenge pupils and extend their thinking; specialist teaching and a modern curriculum support advanced learners, complemented by a broad co-curricular programme including STEM, robotics, languages, arts and drama.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Pastoral care is central to pupil wellbeing. Hind House pastoral team and Form Tutors are responsible for students' welfare, with boarders supported by a Housemistress and assistant. Weekly Café Chat and regular one-to-one sessions help monitor wellbeing. The school supports pupil voice through assemblies, the School Council and the Pupil Leadership Team, and feedback is shared with senior staff. All students have access to professional counselling, and social skills and self-confidence are developed through the pastoral framework.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Inclusion department is called PALS (Provision of Assisted Learning and Support) and aims to help students with additional needs access the mainstream curriculum so they can thrive. The four broad areas of need are communication and interaction (autistic spectrum, speech and language difficulties); cognition and learning (dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia); social, emotional and mental health difficulties (e.g., ADHD); and sensory and/or physical needs (hearing impairments, processing difficulties). The department provides weekly one-to-one and small-group lessons to support general study skills or subject-specific work, and works with parents to discuss needs. English support is available for girls whose first language is not English, which may include IELTS.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English support is given to girls whose first language is not English, which may include IELTS.

Mental Wellbeing
All students have access to professional counselling. Counsellors work with the pastoral leadership team to alleviate pressures. The Medical Centre provides on-site medical care seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Safeguarding
Staff share their commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The safeguarding team comprises staff who meet regularly to deal with cases and analyse pastoral trends; RMS maintains a culture where young people feel able to share concerns and know how to approach adults if they are in difficulty.
Parent Experience

History
The Royal Masonic School for Girls (RMS) was founded in 1788 by Chevalier Ruspini to educate the daughters of Freemasons who were unable to support their families due to death, illness or disability. It is one of the oldest girls' schools in the country and later relocated to Rickmansworth. The Chapel at Rickmansworth Park is the first consecrated building in the School's history and was consecrated in 1934. The School preserves long-standing traditions, including Swedish Drill dating back to the 1800s and the Ashlar award for pupil achievement. The school motto is Circumornatae ut Similitudo Templi, taken from Psalm 144.

Community
The Friends of RMS for Girls (FORMS) works in partnership with RMS to support the school's educational aims and to build friendships and community through social events. FORMS fundraises for educational items, services and facilities, including converting the old gym to The Space (a performing arts venue), installing a stage and sound system, upgrading playgrounds, and funding a new minibus, with a Planetarium refurbishment planned. The big annual events are held during Summer and Christmas terms, including Fireworks Night and the Quiz/Raffle Night, and all parents are welcome to help. FORMS also runs a Second-Hand Uniform Shop in Devonshire House, open on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. Parents are invited to events such as Prize Day, Sports Day and Celebration Day.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
FORMS is managed by six honorary officers – Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Assistant Secretary (vacant), Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer (vacant) – elected for two-year terms. Three positions come up for re-election in alternate years at the AGM held in March. FORMS operates in partnership with RMS to support educational aims and broader school life through fundraising and social events, including major projects like The Space and other capital improvements, and a calendar of parent-facing events.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
RMS for Girls sits on 300 acres of private parkland in Rickmansworth. The campus is arranged into Ruspini House (Nursery 2–4), Cadogan House (Prep 4–11), the Senior School (11–16) and Hind House for Sixth Form (16–18). The Resource Centre is a two‑level, 1930s art‑deco library on campus. On‑site venues include a Dining Hall, New Mark Hall and Cadogan House Hall, and The Space, a recently refurbished auditorium/theatre. Sports facilities include an all‑weather pitch, a sports hall, a fitness suite and an indoor swimming pool, with a golf course and 300 acres of grounds for sport and recreation.

Sports Facilities
RMS has extensive on‑site sports facilities, including an all‑weather pitch, a sports hall, a fitness suite and an indoor swimming pool. There is a golf course on campus, and the extensive grounds support a wide range of outdoor activities. The school fields competitive teams in Netball, Hockey, Swimming, Gymnastics, Tennis, Rounders and Athletics. The school maintains links with local sports clubs and professionals to support participation in Golf, Badminton, Skiing and Sailing.

Academic Facilities
The Resource Centre library is a two‑level, 1930s art‑deco space on campus. The Senior School provides access to state‑of‑the‑art facilities. A Resource‑Rich Environment supports learning with high‑quality materials, digital portfolios and pedagogical resources. The school's learning environment integrates on‑site resources to support independent study and research.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The Arts offer opportunities in music and drama, with productions and international tours that often lead to scholarships at conservatoires. Creative spaces include a green screen, recording studio and The Space theatre. Beyond the classroom, sport and the arts feature prominently in RMS life, with leadership opportunities and a wide range of co‑curricular activities. Boarding families participate in a broad extra‑curricular programme, including residential and weekend activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a broad co-curricular programme with clubs across varied subjects such as Astronomy, Aerobics, Debating, Dance, Cookery, Army Cadets, Philosophy and Photography. It runs Educational Trips and Visiting Speakers to enrich learning beyond the classroom. RMSGO: Forest School and Outdoor Learning operate on a 300-acre campus to support hands-on, inquiry-based study. The programme fosters intellectual curiosity and opportunities to pursue academic interests outside standard lessons.

Arts & Creative
The school has choirs and ensembles that develop musical and performing arts skills. Co-curricular clubs include Creative Writing Society, Photography and other arts-based activities, with opportunities to perform in school events. Stage concerts and performing arts experiences are a highlight of the arts programme. The arts offering complements classroom learning and strengthens creative collaboration across year groups.

Cultural & Language
Educational Trips and Visiting Speakers expose pupils to different cultures and historical contexts. Cultural trips include visits to landmarks such as the British Museum to bring history to life. A broad co-curricular programme supports cultural literacy and awareness through activities across year groups.

Social & Hobbies
There is a broad programme of co-curricular clubs and activities that cater to social and hobby interests. Students can join clubs such as Book Club, Creative Writing Society and Photography, among many others. The programme fosters friendships across year groups through shared interests. A well-rounded social life is supported by a wide variety of clubs and societies.

Leadership & Professional
The Sixth Form includes leadership development through the Club Leadership mentorship, where pupils manage activities for younger students and develop essential management skills. Students are encouraged to lead and contribute to the life of the school through various societies and committees. The curriculum supports expanding leadership and professional skills through co-curricular involvement beyond the core subjects. The school emphasizes opportunities to build collaborative and leadership skills that align with future career paths.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Forest School and Outdoor Learning on a 300-acre campus promote wellbeing and active learning outdoors. Sport and Exercise programmes encourage lifelong physical activity and physical fitness. Choirs and ensembles provide social connection and emotional wellbeing through music. Concerts, events and a broad co-curricular life support pupils' physical and mental health as part of a balanced education.
Languages

Language Provision
French and Spanish are taught as part of the normal curriculum. From Year 8, pupils have the option to replace one of these languages with Mandarin or Latin. Non-English native language speakers attend English as an Additional Language (EAL) support lessons until the Director of Learning Support is satisfied they have reached the level required to study at a UK university.
Reputation

Awards
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Accreditations
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Admissions

Admissions
01 VISIT US. The school welcomes families to visit RMS for Girls. Individual appointments are available daily and a personal tour of the campus is provided. Visitors meet friendly staff and pupils, and open days and personal tours are offered to help families learn about RMS. 02 REGISTER YOUR CHILD. After visiting, parents register via the online admissions portal and pay the registration fee. The online portal includes the option to register for the appropriate year group. 03 ASSESSMENT. Entry into all year groups is by a formal assessment conducted in January prior to entry. The 11+ entry assessments include English, Mathematics and Reasoning, plus a piece of creative writing and a group discussion. Scholarship assessments take place in November and run alongside the entrance process. 04 OFFER. If the pupil is successful in the assessment, an offer of a place is made. In oversubscribed years some candidates may be added to a waiting list. 05 ACCEPTANCE. Offers should be accepted within two weeks and a deposit is payable. New pupils are invited to induction days or stay-and-play sessions to help with the transition.

Scholarships
RMS offers Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sports Scholarships at 11+ and 16+ entry, and occasionally at 13+ for Year 9 entrants. All‑Round Scholarships are awarded at the Headteacher's discretion. Scholarship awards are a maximum of 25% of annual fees. Bursaries are means‑tested awards to enable families to access RMS and may be awarded up to 50% of fees. Eligibility requires a Confidential Statement of Financial Circumstances, reviewed by BAL (Bursary Administration Ltd). Applying for a means‑tested bursary or scholarship involves indicating intent on the registration form; forms are then issued for completion. The school is a member of LFAC (The London Fee Assistance Consortium). 11+ Scholarship deadlines include Friday 16 October 2026. 11+ Academic Scholarships are awarded to those with greatest potential for academic excellence; 11+ Art, Drama, Music and Sports Scholarships have separate assessment processes; Sixth Form Scholarships are also offered with specific assessment arrangements.

Waitlist
Some candidates in oversubscribed years may be added to our waiting list.
School Events
The school has not added events
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