RGS Surrey Hills began life in 1959 as Box Hill School. Its founder, Roy McComish, had been a housemaster and art master at Gordonstoun, the Scottish school created by the educator Kurt Hahn. That year he came across a small school for sale in Mickleham, near Dorking, left Gordonstoun and bought it together with friends. He became the first headmaster and led the school until 1987, bringing with him Hahn’s belief that education should reach far beyond the classroom.
Dalewood House
The heart of the campus is Dalewood House, built in 1883 by local developer Charles J. Fox to a design by the architect John Norton, in a mix of Gothic and mock Tudor styles. The house was once the home of the silk printer David Evans. It was requisitioned in 1939 and served as a headquarters of the Army Pay Corps during the Second World War. In 1951 two Australian sisters opened a small school here – the school that McComish would later buy.
Built by Its Students
The early years were hands-on in every sense: pupils helped to put up several of the school’s original buildings. That spirit of practical responsibility became part of the school’s identity and still shapes life on the campus today.
A Founding Member of Round Square
Box Hill School was one of the six founding schools of the Round Square conference, whose first meeting took place in 1967 and which is built on Kurt Hahn’s ideas of internationalism, service, adventure and leadership. McComish was one of the network’s founding headmasters and leading organisers, and the second Round Square conference was held at Box Hill.
Growth of the Sixth Form
In September 2008 the school introduced the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and in 2013 it brought back A-levels, so sixth-form students can choose between the two routes. Boarders live in six houses – Atwood, Burmester, Constantine, Dalewood, Old Cottage and Ralph.
Headteachers
After Roy McComish (1959–1987), the school was led by Rodney Atwood (1987–2003), Mark Eagers (2003–2014) and Corydon Lowde (2014–2023). Hayley Robinson became head in 2023.
A New Chapter as RGS Surrey Hills
In June 2025 Box Hill School joined the Reigate Grammar School family of schools and was renamed RGS Surrey Hills. The school kept its own leadership, teaching staff and community, and continues to offer both the IB Diploma and A-levels to pupils aged 11 to 18 on its rural campus in Mickleham.
