WORKING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT OUR BOYS.
CLASS of 2026
Welcome to the Sixth Form
Our priority as a school is your son’s welfare. We want all your sons to enjoy their final two years of school, growing as individuals and thriving with the challenges that present themselves.
You, as their parents, and us, as a school, are their support team over the next two years. The aim of this document is to let you know about some of the pastoral topics we cover with the boys, to share some of the common issues that we see in the Sixth Form, and to ensure that you know what to do if you have any concerns.
We look forward to us working together so that we give them every opportunity of flourishing, over the next couple of years and beyond.
Mr
Michael Royds Head of Upper School
WHO TO CONTACT
Mr Jaime Lythgoe Head of Lower Sixth
Mr Peter Dunscombe Director of Higher Eduction
Your sons are lucky to have an excellent and experienced tutor team available to them. They are your first port of contact and are the only member of staff to see your son, every day, so do get in touch with them if you feel like there is an issue that you need to communicate with the School. You can find your son’s tutor’s name in the school calendar.
You can also contact:
- Mr Lythgoe Head of Lower Sixth Form jdnl@rgsg.co.uk
- Mr Spouge Head of Upper Sixth Form whns@rgsg.co.uk
- Mr Royds Head of Upper School mrfr@rgsg.co.uk
- Mr Gough Assistant Head (Designated Safeguarding Lead and Wellbeing) nwg@rgsg.co.uk
- Mr Woodman Senior Deputy Headmaster auw@rgsg.co.uk
- Mr Dunscombe Director of Higher Education pjd@rgsg.co.uk
HIGHLIGHTS
Here are some key areas that we deal with regularly in the Sixth Form:
1. Timing & Self-Discipline
We aim to teach pupils high personal standards; punctuality and appearance are key aspects of looking after yourself and we hope that parents can help reinforce these expectations. Your son is expected to be in school by 08:45 every school day; this means that if they arrive after 08.45, they are late.
2. Workload & Working Habits
We understand that each pupil is individual. To help support each student, however, some helpful questions to consider might be: What is his working environment? Does he work in a different place from where he relaxes? Does he have his phone or computer next to him when he is working? How long does he work for and how often is he taking a break? As the boys go through the Sixth Form, we expect to see them developing an extra level of maturity which means that they should be able to recognise what conditions they work best in and how to be efficient with their time. They all learn this at different times during the Sixth Form but if you have concerns that your son is not balancing his work/ leisure time, please do contact his tutor in the first instance.
3. Personal Wellbeing
The recommended amount of sleep a teenage boy should be getting is seven hours or more per night. As we all know, a lack of sleep and exercise can have a detrimental effect on your son’s wellbeing and their academic performance, and we encourage the boys to recognise the importance of sleep and taking responsibility for getting to bed in good time. Eating healthily is also important and by the Sixth Form, we hope that the boys are mature enough to know that looking after their bodies is vital for their long-term health and has a positive effect on their wellbeing.
4. Technology & Social Media
The boys are educated on e-safety and the relevant scientific research that has been done into screen time. There are many scientific studies that explain some of the dangers of screen time.
Gaming addiction has been declared a mental health problem by the NHS. Many games are built deliberately to feed addiction and it is important not to underestimate them. We recommend that boys agree boundaries with their parents which might include where gaming takes place (where possible, a communal area) and for how many hours a week.
Many of the online issues we deal with are related to social media. We explain clearly to the boys that they should be careful with what they write online: tone of voice can be lost, and privacy cannot be guaranteed even on ‘private’ Instagram and WhatsApp messages. We expect that the boys treat each other and the wider community with respect and civility.
5. Social Time
The boys receive education about alcohol, drugs, relationships and consent throughout their time at the RGS. As a day school, almost all these issues occur outside school time and our remit, but there is often an impact on the school community.
Our experience is:
• The common issues arising from parties often involve alcohol, consent and substance abuse.
• We feel that it is always a good idea to remove keys from drivers who are staying the night.
• Parties of over 10 or more young people are likely to have more issues. Legally, you are responsible for the safety of students under the age of 18 on your property.
• The past year has highlighted the extent of peer-on-peer abuse, which is something that all adults should be aware of, especially if hosting a party.
• We encourage open communication between parents, especially when it comes supervision.
• Guildford has been affected by organised criminal gangs called County Lines, which use young people to traffic drugs, money and weapons.
• There are support structures in place at School if you become worried about your son and his relationship with substance or alcohol use, and gambling.
• Drugs are widespread and normalised at festivals.
• Pupils find it very difficult to be upfront about drug involvement and use, as well as other addictions and challenges.
• It is therefore helpful to be aware of other indicators such as changes in financial habits, social circles, sleeping habits and weight; likewise secrecy, lethargy and bloodshot eyes.
6. Anxiety & Mental Health
The Sixth Form brings increased freedom, responsibility and academic pressure. Pressure can be a positive thing, but boys are notoriously bad at talking about their feelings. The boys will receive a talk about how to manage high-performance stress in different areas of their lives and we en-courage them to communicate with each other, with you and with their tutors, to get the support they need, if it feels too much. If you are worried about how your son is feeling, then please let the School know. It will never negatively affect a university application. If you are concerned that your son is suffering with a persistent low mood, then please take him to see his is GP and notify the school.
7. Communication
The most important theme running through the pastoral speeches are that the School would like to encourage open communication between parents and the school around pastoral issues. The pastoral team are here to help support RGS families and we act with parents as a team around each individual.
8. School Policies
We encourage all parents of Sixth Form students to take a moment to review our key school policies. In particular, we recommend reading the Driving Policy, Paid Work Policy and Substance Use & Misuse Policy. These documents outline how the school will support your sons in making responsible choices and staying safe over the next two years.
Please click below to read the policy document.
- Driving Policy
- Paid Work Policy
- Substance Use and Misuse
THE UNIVERSITY APPLICATION PROCESS
Of course, one of the critical aspects of your son’s time in the Sixth Form will be preparing for and then making his application to university. There is no question that this is becoming an increasingly competitive process and, as such, the school recognises the need to provide a carefully structured programme to support your son’s aspirations.
With much of the press painting a rather depressing picture about the chances of success perhaps one, if not the most, important things to stress at this stage is that you should not believe everything you read. Last year 94% of our boys secured places at a Russell Group or Times Top 20 University or at Medical School.
The application process is essentially a twelve-month preparation period starting in November this year when we will launch the programme with an evening presentation to all boys and parents. This is followed in January with an Oxbridge specific event. Boys will then begin their research, visit universities, draft personal statements and finally submit their applications. They will have regular training sessions and seminars at all key points to make sure that they are on track. Mr Dunscombe is always available for the boys to drop into his office and have a chat and many boys and parents also arrange longer meetings with him to discuss plans. We pride ourselves on giving each student detailed, individually tailored guidance; this is one of the significant strengths of the RGS.
We are also conscious that some students may wish to make applications overseas or choose instead to follow an apprenticeship route after school. Once again, individual tailored advice and support will be given.
When Mr Dunscombe spoke to the boys in September, he informs them that the ‘U word’ (university) was banned until November. The reason for this is very simple: we want the boys to spend their first few months in the Sixth Form learning what it means to study A Levels without worrying about what lies beyond the Sixth Form. Many are very encouragingly already looking at ways of broadening their learning beyond the classroom and this is important for those looking to apply to the most competitive institutions. We would draw your attention to Mr Dunscombe’s fortnightly Careers and Higher Education bulletin which contains a wealth of information and opportunities.
CLASS of 2026 BURSARY Opening the door to others ...
In 2017, the School launched a new initiative for families motivated by education and wanting to celebrate their sons’ time at the RGS in the most meaningful way possible. We ask families of the U6 leaving year to consider creating a bursary for a bright local boy unable to take up his place, due to financial circumstances.
The Class of 2026 Bursary will commemorate the achievements of your sons in the most RGS way possible – working together to open the door to those less fortunate.
Since its founding over 500 years ago, the School has had a mission to offer the best education to the most talented local boys. That founding spirit continues in Dr Cox’s vision that any local boy, regardless of his means, will be able contribute to and get the most out of the RGS.
£7 for Seven
£7 for Seven is the starting point for our collective endeavour – families and friends working together for the benefit of bright local boys who otherwise would have no chance of taking up their RGS place. We ask every family to pledge £7 a month for seven years.
A gift at this level from all 135 families in the Class of 2026 would create a 43% bursary (more with gift aid) for a deserving local boy to take up his place and graduate with flying colours. After seven years, we ask that your sons to take over your family gifts to allow the Class of 2026 bursary to help another bright local boy.
£7 for Seven is an opportunity to open the door not just for one bright local boy, but for many, for as little as £7 a month.
How to Give
Regular commitments are crucial for awarding bursaries, allowing the School to guarantee support over a number of years to those who need it and apply as many available funds as possible.
You can create a Direct Debit, or make a one-off gift. Or, if you prefer and is sometimes easier, you can pledge the remainder of your RGS deposit. It is entirely up to you.
Champions
The Class of 2026 bursary is a collective endeavour, and it’s success lies in the friendship of the families. If you would like to get involved and help champion the Class of 2026 bursary amongst your friends, please do get in touch.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to getting to know many of you over the next two years.
Monica Popa Development Director