FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
reigategrammar.org
This document has been produced to help parents with the process of researching and considering a new school for their son or daughter. This is a brief overview of some of our most frequently asked questions: for comprehensive information about our admissions and entrance procedures, scholarships, bursaries and school fees, please refer to our Prospectus Supplement which accompanies your copy of our prospectus, and which may be read online here. No two families have the same priorities or queries, so these documents are no substitute for speaking to us directly to have your own questions answered.
ADMISSIONS At what ages do you accept pupils?
11+ (Year 7), 13+ (Year 9) and 16+ (Sixth Form/Year 12). We do consider supplementary applications into year groups outside the traditional entry points. However, the GCSE programme starts in Year 9 so it would be exceptional to admit a student into Year 10 or 11.
How many places do you have available?
At 11+ approximately 150; 13+ about 15-20; and 16+ about 30. We are normally oversubscribed but work very hard to offer places to children we feel will do well and thrive at RGS. We do not normally operate a waiting list.
How many students come from Reigate St Mary’s and Chinthurst?
It varies each year according to the size and nature of the year groups in our two junior schools, but it’s approximately 40 children with the vast majority coming from other schools. Since Chinthurst joined the RGS group of schools (and because of the declining trend for 13+ entry), we have increased our intake at 11+ so the overall number of places available has been increased.
Do you offer scholarships and/or bursaries?
Yes, both. A range of scholarships are on offer including academic, music, sports and Headmaster’s scholarships, with recent examples being for drama, art, computing and chess. Scholars benefit from a tailored programme of support that aims to develop each student’s particular talent, as part of which they are encouraged to engage fully in school life. Some scholarship awards do not attract fee remission, and where there is fee remission, the majority will be a fixed amount (i.e. £1,000). In exceptional circumstances a percentage off fees may be given. Scholarships are not designed to help with affordability of fees and are not means tested. Please contact the Bursar, Mr Steve Douty to discuss fee support and to find out about our Changing Lives bursary options.
Tell me about your entrance exam.
We invite 11+ and 13+ applicants to take Mathematics, English and Reasoning tests on our assessment day in early January of the year of proposed entry. (See below for 16+ entry information). We put a lot of work into making the day as fun as possible and students and parents alike are always very pleasantly surprised by the experience! Past papers are available on our website. Please note that we don’t make offers based simply on the entrance test. Junior school references and reports and the interview here are vital as we do not treat children as a spreadsheet entry, and our selection process is about far more than test scores: we aim to get to know and understand the children, not just measure them.
What happens next?
Having received written references from each applicant’s current school, and further to the results of our assessment day, we invite applicants to interview. Please note that an invitation to interview is not an early indication of a place. We consider interviews to be an important part of the process of understanding prospective pupils.
01737 222231 admissions@reigategrammar.org facebook.com/reigategrammarschool @ReigateGrammar
How do Sixth Form Admissions work?
Nearly 90% of RGS students stay on after GCSEs to study in the Sixth Form at RGS: ideally, we want them all to stay! Year 11 students from other schools are welcome to apply and are invited to an assessment day in November or February/March. Offers are conditional on GCSE performance with the expectation that applicants will achieve grades 7 and 8 in the subjects they wish to pursue at A Level. We also look at a grade profile and would expect a mix of mostly 7, 8 and 9 grades at GCSE. Sixth Form Academic Scholarships may be offered based on performance at GCSE to the top 20 students (internal and external); Sport and Music Scholarships are also available.
How do I apply?
Reigate Grammar School has an online admissions portal that allows you to register, set up an account and monitor the progress of your child’s application. Applications are welcome at any time: deadlines vary for each entry point and are published online and in our key dates document. There is a non-refundable registration Fee* of £100 (UK online applications); £110 (UK paper applications); or £150 (overseas applications) which is requested and required at the point of application. Acceptance of this fee does not guarantee an offer of a place. *This fee may be waived in cases of financial need. For details, please speak to the Admissions Registrar.
Whom should I contact if I have questions about Admissions?
Mrs Philippa Watkins (Admissions Registrar) on 01737 222231 or admissions@reigategrammar.org
GENERAL What is the ratio of boys to girls in the school? An equal 50/50 split.
What about the ratio of state to independent school?
With small annual variations, approximately half our First Form (Year 7) students come from local primary schools and half from local preparatory schools.
What are your class sizes?
Approximately 18 in the First/Second Forms (Years 7-8); average 15 throughout the GCSE years (Years 9-11); and average 10-12 in the Sixth Form (Years 12-13).
What is the catchment area?
There is no official area: it grows each year. An extensive coach service, spanning a 20-mile radius of eleven routes and five late buses enables access to all that is on offer at RGS. Bus stops and routes may change to meet the requirements of current students.
What is the mobile phone policy?
We don’t prohibit mobile phones within school as we feel that this is unrealistic. We have ‘no-phone’ zones and work hard to educate students on responsible use of their mobile phones. Our emphasis is on encouraging students to enjoy life beyond their phones by engaging in extra-curricular activities, having fun and securing lifelong friendships with other students.
I hear you’ve recently introduced football and Mandarin.
We want sport to engage all and help form good people. So football (for girls and boys), girls’ cricket, ultimate frisbee, sailing… all have a place alongside traditional sports such as rugby, hockey, cricket, netball, swimming and athletics. We have introduced Mandarin in 2019 because we are committed to setting Reigatians up as global citizens.
What about the 3-year GCSE programme?
Students join RGS ahead of national expectation. Higher levels of ability and the school’s support framework see 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 state and other independent schools. With three years to do what others squeeze into two, students learn at greater depth and breadth, can reach higher grades but have more time for clubs and activities. GCSE exams remain at the end of the Fifth Form (Year 11).
Do you do IGCSE or GCSE exams?
We do a blend – some of each. These are chosen by Heads of Departments to inspire students, because of the academic curriculum content and the effective preparation for A Level. This mixed model works well.
Do you offer the International Baccalaureate (IB)?
No, we don’t. 95% of schools and 95% of students entering UK universities don’t do the IB. Although an excellent qualification, it isn’t what most good schools choose, unless for international boarders coming from an overseas education system. One of the IB’s strengths is in breadth of study, a concept we firmly agree with – hence our own Henry Smith Studies Programme, Cyber EPQ, AS Maths, Mandarin, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Combined Cadet Force, charity and community volunteering and more!
01737 222231 admissions@reigategrammar.org facebook.com/reigategrammarschool @ReigateGrammar