[6] During World War One, 1,000 former RHS pupils served on Royal Navy ships at the Battle of Jutland (31 May – 1 June 1916).

It is one of only two UK schools whose students have the privilege of wearing Royal Navy uniforms, the other being Pangbourne College in Berkshire.

[8] Seafaring traditions are important and integral elements of school life, and Royal Navy uniforms (sailor suits) are issued to all pupils and used for ceremonial and formal events.

The school is owned by the Crown naval charity, Greenwich Hospital, providing a number of means-tested bursaries for families with a seafaring background.

The Combined Cadet Force along with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme are the most popular co-curricular activities at the Royal Hospital School.

[citation needed] The Combined Cadet Force also includes a Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Section.

CCF aims to enhance the qualities of responsibility, self-reliance, endurance and perseverance and to develop leadership and resourcefulness.

[23] Similarly to CCF, all year 9 pupils are required to sign up the "Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme" as part of their Co-Curricular/CCF sessions.

[6] The Holbrook campus was designed by the Birmingham-based arts and crafts architect Herbert Tudor Buckland and built by J. Gerrard & Sons Ltd of Swinton.

These include wearing naval uniforms, conducting divisions (formal parades and march-pasts typical in the armed forces), and incorporating marching as part of the school's activities.

[citation needed] In 1991 the school became coeducational, with the girls first being introduced into Hood house, followed by Cornwallis, Howe and Blake (now co-educational) and Anson.

In 2012 the school marked three hundred years since its foundation with the opening of a Heritage Centre and publication of a commemorative book.

[31][32] In 2005 RHS was one of 50 of the country's leading independent schools which were found guilty of running an illegal price-fixing cartel which had allowed them to drive up fees for thousands of parents.

For example, key naval events are celebrated, as the school has provision for sailing, and has a ceremonial guard and marching band.

The deputy heads of school (two boy and two girl prefects) carry the rank of warrant officer (second class).

[citation needed] The Royal Hospital School has a distinctive musical tradition, with all pupils required to attend weekly congregation practice.

[38] The grand organ, a four-manual instrument, by William Hill & Son & Norman & Beard Ltd. was installed in the chapel in 1933.

The school's political breadth is shown by both its acknowledgement of its royal connections and its honouring the great republican hero, Robert Blake (admiral), after whom a House is named.

[citation needed] The main sports at the school are as follows: The school has 96 acres of sports fields, an all-weather pitch, tennis and netball courts, squash courts, a sports hall, fitness suite, strength and conditioning room, martial arts studio, climbing wall, indoor pool, golf course, nearby equestrian facilities (Bylam Livery Stables) and the majority of the sailing programme is delivered at Alton Water that neighbours the school.

Initially established in 1925 as the Greenwich Royal Hospital School Old Boys Association, it adopted its current name in 1992 to inclusively represent both male and female former students.

The association regularly connects its members and keeps them informed about recent developments and events through its newsletter, Otia Tuta, which is published on an irregular basis.