NOVEMBER 1 marked a new beginning for The Royal School when it joined United Learning – a group of academies and fee-paying independent schools in England that includes Guildford High School.

Principal Anne Lynch said: “In becoming part of United Learning, we are joining a group that appreciates and promotes ‘education with character’.

“This combination of academic success and the development of wider skills is something in which we believe strongly and which our excellent results demonstrate in full.”

A spokesperson from United Learning added: “The academic year has started well at The Royal School and we look forward to a successful future for the school in our group. We are ambitious in our plans to build on the school’s existing strengths and to secure its long-term future as a thriving co-educational, independent.”