Reigate Grammar School Academic Review 2016 2017

RGS ACADEMIC REVIEW 2017

TOP CO-EDUCATIONAL INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL IN SURREY Daily Telegraph and Sunday Times Parent Power

100% PASS RATE AT A LEVEL FOR 18th YEAR RUNNING

MORE GCSE A* GRADES THAN ALL OTHER GRADES PUT TOGETHER! RGS NAMED AS A DESTINATION SCHOOL IN THE TATLER SCHOOL GUIDE ISI INSPECTION 2016 RATED EXCEPTIONAL

R E I G AT E G R A M M A R S C H O O L

A LEVEL RESULTS 2017

TOP CO-EDUCATIONAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL IN SURREY FOR THE FOURTH YEAR RUNNING

(DAILY TELEGRAPH AND THE SUNDAY TIMES)

The typical grade profile of RGS Students is 3As at A Level 93% A*-B grades at A Level in 2017 Two thirds of grades were A* or A at A Level More A* and A grades than all other grades put together 100% record for five years running of an offer for every single medical school applicant Our recent ISI inspection report deemed our A Level results to be ‘Exceptional’ at 91% A*-B grades. This year our attainment was 93% A*-B. This is a truly fantastic achievement and one of which we are very proud.

THE TYPICAL REIGATIAN SECURED THREE A GRADES WITH RECORD NUMBERS SECURING STRAIGHT A* GRADES, ALMOST DOUBLE THAT OF LAST YEAR!

The last three years have been the highest attaining years for A Level results since our records began.

These results are a great tribute to our talented students, dedicated teachers and supportive parents at Reigate Grammar School.

Reigatians were consistently successful this year. In addition to 93% of grades being A*-B, nearly two thirds were A*-A. Students at RGS have gained more than 90% A*-B grades on average over the last three years.

Such excellent grades will open doors of opportunity for Reigatians, securing them places at top Universities so they can go on to achieve their life aspirations and fulfilling careers.

STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES Twins, George and Billy Elliston, Head Boy and and House Captain respectively, both achieved 3A*s each. George is off to Durham to study Law whilst brother Billy will study Economics at Nottingham.

Niamh Brown, a keen runner who won gold for England at the IAAF Cross Country Championships also secured gold star grades A*AB. Niamh is off to Birmingham to study Philosophy.

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STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES Lucas Overtoom, captain of the First XV, crowned national champions twice in their RGS careers, secured a fantastic 3As in Maths, Economics and Physical Educations and is off to study Business with Accounting at Exeter University.

Nick Ingram, one of RGS’s top class musicians, is off to Oxford to study Music having secured 3 As at A Level, as well as an A* in his EPQ. Nick, an outstanding player of the both the tuba and trombone, wrote the brass fanfare that opened the RGS concert at St John’s Smith Square, Westminster.

Katherine Lyon, a keen scientist achieved straight A*s in her A Level results in STEM subjects, Maths, Physics and Chemistry and is off to study Chemistry at Oxford University. Katherine has been an enthusiastic member of one of RGS’s largest cocurricular programme Thank Science It’s Friday – a seminar and lecture series which supplement science lessons.

Sophie Gunning has been waiting for her A Level results whilst carrying out humanitarian voluntary work in Argentina this summer, whilst last summer she awaited her AS results from the refugee camps in Calais. Sophie, like so many Reigatians, wants to create a better world. Sophie achieved a well deserved set of results with A*s across the board in History, Geography and Spanish and goes on to study History at Oxford.

A LEVEL SUBJECT

% A*-B

ART

88

BIOLOGY

94

BUSINESS STUDIES

89

CHEMISTRY

91

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

100

ECONOMICS

100

ENGLISH LITERATURE FRENCH FURTHER MATHEMATICS

92 100 87

GEOGRAPHY

100

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

100

HISTORY LATIN

85 100

MATHEMATICS

98

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

75

PHYSICS

77

SPANISH

86

THEATRE STUDIES

100

THEOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY

100

TOTAL PERCENTAGE

93

For more in-depth analysis please visit our website

WHY DO WE USE THE MEASURE OF A*-B GRADES? That is because this year, as last, our students hold university places where the grade requirements are almost exclusively all A*-B grades. Therefore, A*, A and B grades create life chances and secure university places that are aligned with the aspirations of RGS students. It is also the same as national benchmark tables.

R E I G AT E G R A M M A R S C H O O L

GCSE RESULTS 2017

MORE A* GRADES THAN ALL OTHER GRADES PUT TOGETHER! 81% A*-A grades at GCSE 50% of students gained nine or more A*-A grades 85% of students achieved five or more A*-A grades The typical Reigatian achieved five A* and five A grades Over half (54%) of all grades achieved were A* Over 96% of all grades were A*-B GCSE results at Reigate Grammar School are EXCEPTIONAL, repeating the school’s record breaking successes of this year’s amazing A Level results. This year RGS students have achieved more A* grades than all the other grades put together with the typical Reigatian achieving five A* and five A grades.

RGS students have secured over 80% A*-A grades and, at 53%, over half of all grades achieved were A*. A record number of students achieved 10 or more A* grades, almost 20% more than last year.

This truly remarkable achievement highlights the academic strength of our students, the commitment of our staff and the successful implementation of our three-year GCSE programme.

STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES Twin sisters and county golf players, Chloe and Charlotte Bader, performed superbly well, achieving 20 A*-A grades between them.

Ellie Kim, who joined RGS in the Third Form from America, has achieved superb GCSE results with straight A*s across the board. Ellie has been a pioneer in

establishing Ultimate Frisbee as a major sport at RGS. Gabriele Brasaite, an astonishing musician, who on top of her studies at RGS, attends the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music, playing the violin, has achieved 12A*s at GCSE. Gabriele, keen to continue her music as an addition to her studies, will be studying Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics at A Level at RGS. Jack Wilson-Smith, an excellent tennis player and Level 1 Coach, with an LTA ranking of 4.2, has also ac2ed his GCSEs achieving 12A*s.

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KEY STAGE 4: THREE-YEAR GCSE PROGRAMME Reigate Grammar School students benefit from a three-year GCSE programme, a system which has proven results for enhanced academic attainment and increased depth of learning. RGS students are already working at a level ahead of national expectations and for those students who join us in the First Form (Year 7), RGS helps students to work quickly through the important foundation stage in the first two years. This allows RGS to support students to work at the higher level of GCSE study a year earlier than at most other schools.

Students’ higher level of ability and the support framework provided by the school sees RGS students start working at GCSE level from the start of the Third Form (Year 9) rather than waiting until the Fourth Form (Year 10), as in most other schools. Having three years to

work at GCSE level means students get three years to do what other schools rush through in just two years. The extra time supports higher attainment and higher GCSE grades that will open up additional opportunities as students apply to top universities.

The extended three-year GCSE course also enables RGS students to enjoy significantly greater breadth and depth in their learning.

ELECTIVES PROGRAMME The extra time provided by a three-year GCSE programme enables RGS students to benefit from an innovative Electives Programme which contains a wide range of studies and life skills that are valuable but do not require yet another GCSE examination in order to be part of a great education. Examples of Electives include a new language started ab initio, sculpture or ceramics, a programme of art appreciation, French literature, digital design, computer programming or forensic science.

WHAT ARE IGCSES?

THE ACADEMY

TSI FRIDAY!

International GCSEs (IGCSEs) are similar in many ways to standard GCSEs, but are generally regarded as more rigorous. Originally designed for schools overseas, they are not required to conform to the regulations laid down by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in the UK. They usually involve less coursework, and retain elements of the syllabus which have been removed from GCSEs.

The Academy is now in its third year and attracting speakers and debaters in strong numbers. The student-led academic forum is open to members of the Fifth and Sixth Forms and gives a platform to express and engage further in areas of particular interest.

RGS’ popular series of talks Thank Science It’s Friday covers topics as varied as: the chemistry of chilli peppers; aerodynamics in the automotive industry; the latest computing developments and the aftermath of the Japanese tsunami at the Fukushima nuclear power station.

Inspired by Plato’s Academy model, each session sees a student give a short presentation on an academic issue that is of particular interest to them. The presentation is then followed by an open discussion on the day’s topic encouraging debating, knowledge sharing and a chance to dig deeper into a range of cross-curricular subjects.

Talks are given by students and staff and offer a rich and interesting diet to supplement science lessons and capture interests of students. TSI Friday talks are open to all year groups.

In recent years, many leading independent schools in the UK have adopted IGCSEs, at least for some subjects. However, as they are not recognised by QCA they do not appear in government performance tables. This explains why some government league tables suggest that none of our students has five GCSEs!

In addition to the immediate academic gains and enjoyment, The Academy also provides students with the opportunity to practice giving presentations in a relatively informal setting. The forum provides valuable experience for university applications, employment and as a stepping stone to qualifications such as the Extended Project Qualification.

R E I G AT E G R A M M A R S C H O O L

DESTINATION OF LEAVERS

ELITE UNIVERSITIES FOR RGS STUDENTS

99% of this year’s leavers have secured a place in a university of their choice.

For the fifth year in a row now, RGS has a 100% record for every single medical school applicant and, once again, all those holding Oxbridge offers were successful.

The range of institutions is dominated by the top 20 UK universities, particularly those within the Russell Group.

This year’s most popular courses were Medicine, History, Spanish, Engineering, Economics and Geography but leavers span a wide range of disciplines.

UNIVERSITY COURSES FOR 2017 LEAVERS

MOST POPULAR UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS

Accountancy

History and Politics

American and Canadian Literature

History, Politics and Economics

Anthropology

Industrial Design and Technology

Architecture

International Development and Economics

Art Foundation

International Management and Modern Languages

Biochemistry

International Relations and MFL

Biology

International Relations and Politics

Biomedical Sciences

Law

Business and Accounting

Liberal Arts (US)

Leeds*

Business and Management

Marketing and Management

Medical School

Business and Economics

Materials Science and Technology

Nottingham*

Business Management and Marketing

Maths

Business Studies

Maths and Physics

Oxbridge*

Chemistry

Medicine

Combined Honours in Social Sciences

Microbiology

Dentistry

Modern Languages and Cultures

Economics

Music

Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Pharmacology

Economics and Geography

Philosophy

Economics and Maths

Physics

Economics & Politics

Physics with Astronomy

Engineering (Aerospace/Civil/Electrical)

Politics

Engineering (Environmental/Mechanical)

Product Design

English

Psychology

Evolutionary Biology

Spanish

Forensic and Investigative Chemistry

Spanish and Politics:

French and Economics

Spanish and Portuguese

Geography

Sport Management/Science

History

Zoology

Bath* Bristol Cardiff Durham* Exeter*

York* * Placed in the Top 20 in the Guardian University Guide 2018

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THE RGS PROFESSIONALS NETWORK

CAREERS

The RGS Professionals Network group is run by The RGS Foundation Office, in partnership with the Careers Department, to help RGS students with their career choices whilst they are at school and beyond, and to encourage networking between Reigatians.

CAREERS PROGRAMME

RGS PROFESSIONALS GROUP The primary purpose of RGS Professionals is to foster meaningful friendship and network support. The group supports the school by providing a pool of experienced professionals willing to provide guidance and potential job contact opportunities to students at the school. The group also offers an enjoyable forum for Reigatians to stay in touch with friends and colleagues involved with the school and to meet and network with new friends working in complementary businesses.

As part of our rich and diverse programme, recent events have included: an Advertising and Marketing event at VCCP, RGSLP End of Summer Drinks at Canary Wharf and an evening at The Reading Room in Holborn. In the year ahead there is a planned property trends event at Rapley’s in London as well as our first ever medics themed event at RGS.

UNIVERSITY LINKS Over 300 Reigatians currently studying at university are available to provide details about their course and university to RGS Sixth Form students. Reigatians at university provide an invaluable source of extra information to current Sixth Form students giving an inside track on university life, different courses and a depth of knowledge that reaches far beyond universities’ official brochures and websites.

Each summer, Reigatians at university return to RGS for a UCAS Day, organised by the Careers Department, which gives current Lower Sixth Form students the chance to question them as a panel and individually about their experience of university, their course and their recommendations for a successful UCAS application and transition to university.

RGS’ Careers Department runs a programme of lunchtime talks throughout the year with experts and guest speakers providing insight and advice on a host of different possible paths ahead. The programme is augmented by the RGS Careers Convention and Higher Education Convention which run annually on rotation and between them welcome representatives from over 50 professions and universities to RGS. The careers programme included: Accountancy and Finance

Dedicated talks about careers in finance with speakers from: accountancy, actuaries, finance directors, banking and delegates from the Insurance industry.

Representatives from Douse Associates talk about their Gap Scheme.

Media & Publishing

Toby Mundy on ‘Careers in Journalism and Publishing’.

Engineering

Dedicated engineering careers evening with seven outside speakers from across the many different fields of engineering.

BUSINESS LINKS

Law

Members of our Reigatian community (parents, former pupils and RGS friends) who are established in their own careers are a vital source of advice, encouragement and mentorship. The RGS Professionals Network has well over 1,500 members and they are keen to provide support with careers advice, work experience and potential job opportunities.

Medicine

As part of the RGS Professionals Network, parents and former students also provide invaluable support through participation in the school’s annual Careers Convention and the popular lunchtime careers speaker’s programme which runs throughout the year.

OVERSEAS NETWORK The Reigatian Community spreads far and wide. From New York to New Zealand, we have pockets of Reigatians around the globe that are very happy to help. They can offer advice, be a point of contact or even provide job opportunities for recent RGS leavers that are taking a GAP year or moving abroad.

Dedicated careers in Law evening with current Law students and career lawyers.

A weekly medical discussion group alongside a dedicated careers in Medicine evening with talks from medical students, young doctors and career medics. Dr Rawson’s ‘Life as a GP’ and Steve Brook’s ‘Life as a Vet’ presentations. Dr Sandeep Cliff-Patel, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, assisted with interviews for medicine.

The Forces and Pilot Courses

Staff Sergeant Duncan Bennett on ‘Army Careers’ and Mark Milton on ‘Training to be a pilot.’

US and European Universities



Reigate Grammar School Professionals

Kristin Dreazen on US universities and the admissions process and Mark Huntinton on ‘Studying in Europe’.

Oxbridge

Dedicated programme for students applying to Oxbridge, open to all students.

 Definitely One to Watch... something for everyone The Good Schools Guide

Exceptional for Achievement and Learning Independent Schools inspectorate 2016

Top Co-Educational Independent Day School in Surrey Daily Telegraph & Sunday Times Parent Power

RGS is rocketing up the rankings... pastoral care is second to none.

Tatler Schools Guide 2016

I’m very happy and thankful for the opportunity to come to RGS for the Sixth Form.

– NB, an RGS student who has just finished her A Levels

Reigate Grammar School has surpassed our expectations in every way. We cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for our two daughters. We will miss the school greatly.

– Parents of a Sixth Form student who has just finished her A Levels

Reigate Grammar School, Reigate Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0QS 01737 222231 info@reigategrammar.org

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