Schooldays are to be cherished. This time is to explore, to learn, to grow.
RGS Guildford is a place where every individual has the chance to be their extraordinary self.
It’s a place where every student is given an exceptional education within an environment that has a profound sense of identity, community and purpose. We are immensely proud of both our 500-year-old heritage and our inclusive, forward-thinking outlook, and we are committed to creating an experience for our students that will equip them for a constantly changing world.
Individuals thrive here because they are in a place that challenges them, supports them and knows them in equal measure. Everyone here is part of a likeminded collective which takes joy from learning, and the resulting academic energy is felt by students and teachers alike.
Our goal is for RGS students, buoyed by their broad achievements and anchored by our long-held values, to carry the distinctive spirit of RGS into the world. They will forever be marked out by respectful intelligence, which will enrich them as individuals and bring benefits to society as a whole.
This is RGS Guildford. For their future, there’s no better time.
I am often asked what it is that makes the RGS so special?
For me, it is that we bring together individuals from all walks of life into a close-knit, supportive community that celebrates tolerance and individualism. Everyone in our school conducts themselves with kindness, compassion and good humour. Our students are polite, humble and understated, and yet they are also unfailingly sparky and relentlessly inquisitive.
This is what creates the atmosphere that fuels our undoubtedly highachieving individuals and makes us truly unlike any other academic establishment. We are equally proud of our integral place in the local community. Our many joint activities with local girls’ schools and our location in the midst of a thriving town ensure our students’ learning takes place not only within the school grounds but far beyond.
For generations, the RGS has equipped its students with a generosity of spirit that means they will make a positive difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. That is a promise we make to every individual who joins us, and it is a tradition we will continue long into the future.
Ultimately, childhoods are precious, schooldays are to be cherished, and we want students to reflect with great fondness on their time at the RGS. We can only make that happen if we support them in appreciating and seizing every day, term and year they are here.
Enjoy finding out more about our school and I look forward to welcoming you to the RGS very soon.
DR JON COX
We are built on centuries of heritage, but our students are inspired to embrace the future.
Having been in existence for over 500 years, history infuses the identity of the RGS. But while we draw strength from our past, we do not dwell on it.
Our story is one that balances evolution, adaption and change while staying true to our core values. This juxtaposition of past and present can be seen in the modern teaching of classical subjects and the blend of contemporary and historical architecture that serves as an inspiring backdrop for learning.
Ultimately, this timelessness can be seen in our students, who respect traditional values but fill the school with a 21st-century energy.
Students’ inquisitiveness is met equally with the extensive knowledge and drive of our teachers.
Our school spirit is built on the strong relationships we encourage across the RGS, which are underpinned by mutual respect. This results in a positive environment where questions can be asked, new avenues can be explored, and learning can flourish.
In many ways, this is the ‘magic ingredient’ that makes the RGS experience add up to more than the sum of its parts. For our students, the journey they embark upon with us is truly as rewarding as the excellent results they will achieve.
We are a place where enthusiastic learners are energised by passionate educators.
We support our students in succeeding as scholars and impressing as people.
The all-rounded nature of the education we provide ensures RGS students are given the skills to become academically accomplished and emotionally mature.
Every individual knows that their best interests are being championed at all times and they are also secure in the fact they are unequivocally part of the RGS family.
Among the whole school community, there is an implicit expectation to support and protect others. This behaviour is modelled by teachers and staff as well as by senior students.
It results in an intrinsic sense of community and ensures our students have a common set of values that are the foundation for the rest of their lives.
I am delighted my son’s education takes place in an environment with an incredibly rich history, alongside such great, modern facilities and teaching methods.”
Parent of Second Form Student
THIS IS OUR HOME
The origins of the RGS can be traced back to 1509.
Robert Beckingham set out provisions in his will to establish a “free schole” in Guildford for the benefit of bright local boys without means.
Much has changed in the 500 years since, but we have remained consistently faithful to our ethos of decency, integrity and service, as well as our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. We are a tight-knit community: genuinely warm and welcoming from the moment you step through our doors.
There is a great community spirit across the school, coupled with a healthy competitive energy when representing your House!”
Fifth Form Student
While founded on traditional Christian principles, we are a nondenominational school, and we welcome students of all faiths and none. Indeed, we celebrate diversity, individuality and difference at all levels, knowing it is our role to support every student as they grow within our school family.
The RGS has been a central part of life in Guildford for over 500 years.
Both in location and spirit, we are rooted in a sense of community, and we place high importance on collaboration, service and partnership as values to be nurtured in school, in our town and in the world.
From the very earliest years, our students gain an appreciation of their potential to enrich the lives of others. Charity, volunteering and philanthropy are woven into school life alongside a concern for sustainability and the environment. From donating time and resources to local conservation projects, to fundraising via sleep outs, and spending time with residents at local care homes, students recognise their ability to contribute positively to both the local and wider community.
Our educational partnerships broaden students’ appreciation of the world beyond the school gates. These experiences offer perspective and allow them to put into practice values such as empathy, compassion and collaboration. We live in a time where co-operation and openmindedness have never been more important, and RGS students are both equipped with a sense of their responsibility and driven to make a tangible difference.
I really enjoy the variety of the school day. Teachers are genuinely interested in creating lessons that engage everyone.”
Fourth Form Student
THE RGS EXPERIENCE
The RGS is a kind, inclusive, tolerant community where diverse opportunity, personal development, high achievement and collaborative partnership define who we are, and where our values underpin all we do.
Our School Values are at the very heart of our ethos.
Inclusivity
We remain loyal to our founding principles to educate bright local students, irrespective of background or financial circumstances, and we inherently believe in establishing a culture of diversity and acceptance, and in educating our students in a welcoming, tolerant community where each individual is valued and enjoys a deep sense of belonging.
Integrity Scholarship
We encourage the growth of intellectual curiosity, independence, creativity, innovation and habits of learning within a scholarly community through inspirational subject specialists who provoke and stretch the students’ minds and inculcate a lifelong love of learning.
We promote the development of self-discipline and responsibility, spirituality and a personal moral code, and cultivate an ethos where enduring qualities of decency, honesty, courtesy, humility and good humour are celebrated.
Courage Respect
We nurture an atmosphere of mutual respect between all members of our community, and foster self-respect and selfesteem in terms of physical health, emotional maturity and personal well-being, while establishing lasting friendships in a positive, happy environment.
We develop leadership, teamwork, resilience and life skills through a diverse range of activities where all students, regardless of their talents and attributes, are encouraged to challenge themselves, take appropriate risks and work hard to fulfil their potential.
Collaboration
We work closely with others for mutual enrichment, and encourage a spirit of generosity and service, a sense of perspective, and a firm belief that we can work in partnership with others, locally and internationally, to make a difference and have a positive impact on society.
Every individual that joins the RGS has an enviable capacity to learn. As a school, our focus is to realise each student’s full potential through inspirational teaching and by building their self-confidence and ambition.
Our teachers bring passion into the classroom, ensuring learning is stimulating, creative, challenging and fun. Debate and discussion are welcomed. Digital learning sits alongside more traditional techniques. Confidence and ambition are nurtured and competition among peers is balanced with mutual support.
Academic rigour and outstanding results are hallmarks of an RGS education, as are the Learning Habits that we integrate throughout the curriculum and co-curriculum to nurture independent, lateral thinkers who approach challenges with flexibility, resilience and self-belief.
THE RGS EXPERIENCE
There is no questioning the academic potential within each student.
Wellbeing and pastoral care are cornerstones of the RGS experience.
Students can only flourish if they are happy and confident, and our staff have the understanding, patience and compassion to help individuals thrive.
Teenage years are not without their challenges, making it essential that the right reassurance, support and advice is available. Our students
know they can turn to Form Tutors, Heads of Year, Section Heads, the School Counsellor or our School Nurse for help. At an academic level, our excellent Special Educational Needs Department can also provide tailored action plans to help overcome any barriers to an individual fulfilling their potential.
The RGS House system and our peer mentoring programme are symbolic of the strong relationships within the student community, and our culture of openness and mutual respect ensures all students are provided with a healthy environment where they have space to breathe.
THE RGS EXPERIENCE
The high degree of mutual respect between pupils and teachers is a key feature in [the pupils'] success.”
ISI report, 2022
WHAT WE INSPIRE
Our inclusive nature and our philosophy of sport for all allows participation and enjoyment to sit harmoniously alongside elite coaching and competition at county, national and international level. Whatever each individual's level, they will embrace the rewards that sport can bring.
While we are strong in popular major sports such as rugby, hockey and cricket, as well as football, we have also established an enviable reputation in more specialist pursuits, from fencing and judo to sailing and shooting. This range of opportunity reflects the breadth of our fantastic facilities, which include an on-site Sports Hall, gym, shooting range, astroturf pitch and climbing wall as well as twenty acres of picturesque grounds in the rolling Surrey Hills at nearby Bradstone Brook.
Our dedicated coaching staff are skilled at identifying and nurturing sporting talent, and we encourage its development through competitive fixtures against leading UK schools and the teams we meet on overseas tours. We also offer advice for individuals on diet and training as part of a holistic programme designed to balance a healthy body with a healthy mind.
WHAT WE INSPIRE
Sport is central to daily life.
It is truly a pleasure to work with such talented students to deliver a wide array of different performances across
the school.”
Head of Drama
The creative arts are prized as a way of developing artistic skill and providing an outlet for self-expression.
The imagination, enthusiasm and maturity students bring to their endeavours is testament to how much they enjoy participating in a wide variety of creative arts at the RGS.
Our dedicated performance spaces with specialist lighting include a 180-seat Auditorium, giving students the perfect opportunity to impress an audience of their peers and members of the school community.
Our bright, airy Art School studios and Design & Technology workshops provide inspiring environments for students to gain knowledge and master techniques under the professional instruction of our teacher practitioners. Individuals are exposed to sculpture, woodwork, metalwork and mixed media as well as more traditional art forms to give them a broad appreciation of all forms of art and design.
Learning is a mix of problemsolving and project-based work to encourage students to think on their feet and also to develop ideas through to conclusion. Our corridors and display areas then act as a ‘living gallery’ to proudly celebrate the results of their creative vision and practical talents.
WHAT WE INSPIRE
Music and drama are as much about artistry and skill as they are about energy and expression.
Walking through the Old Building, you are likely to hear the soaring sounds of any one of our many choirs and ensembles, supported by our exceptional teaching staff. Over 300 one-to-one music lessons take place in any one week, with individuals honing their singing skills or mastering a range of instruments. They are then given the opportunity
to showcase their musicality at concerts and recitals in a variety of inspiring locations, from our own historic buildings here to St Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
Performance is also at the heart of our drama studies. In the last few years, RGS students have shone in everything from Bugsy Malone
and Les Misérables to The History Boys and Emil and the Detectives Through experience of LAMDA and professional workshops, we help unlock students’ stage-based talents, while opportunities in lighting, sound, set construction and stage management help develop technical skills and ensure everyone performs a valuable role.
WHAT WE INSPIRE
Every individual will enjoy opportunities to embrace a wide variety of interests and new experiences, irrespective of where their passions lie.
Students can rest assured they will be inspired, encouraged, challenged, and supported through our vast co-curricular programme.
By pushing at the edge of their comfort zone, students can build self-confidence and self-belief, whether they are learning to cook a curry from scratch, tackling a muddy assault course or giving a talk to their peers about a sensitive topical issue.
A choice of more than 70 clubs and societies gives every student plenty of opportunity for discovery. From the Combined Cadet Force to the
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and from mastering chess to becoming an articulate debater or budding entrepreneur, there is truly something for everyone.
We also ensure students have plenty of opportunity to apply themselves to co-curricular activities through dedicated space in the timetable as well as five Field Days in the year and the provision of regular local and overseas trips. Beyond the chance to simply participate in an activity they enjoy, it’s a valuable way of learning something new about themselves while standing shoulder to shoulder with their friends.
Joint Schools’ Chamber Choir ● Young
Enterprise ● Sailing Club ● Athletics Club ●
Film Society ● Badminton ● Spanish Debating ●
Fencing Club ● Big Band ● Philosophy Discussion
Group ● CAD Club ● Photography Society ●
Swimming Club ● Ukulele Club ● Ceramics Club ●
Star Wars Society ● Card Society ● RGS Pride
Society ● Chamber Music ● Warhammer ● Chess
Club ● Choir ● Quest ● Symphony Orchestra ●
Scientific Society ● Concerto Consort ● Christian
Union ● Cross Country ● Strings ● Jumping
Fleas ● Squash Club ● Junior Classics Society ●
Air Rifle Club ● Drama Club ● History Society ●
Judo Club ● Lit Quiz Club ● Drone Club ● Brass
Quartet ● Philosophy Society ● Science Club ●
Table Tennis Club ● Amnesty ● Wind Ensemble ●
Drama Society ● Languages Society ● Maths
Club ● Senior Classics Society ● Magic Society ●
Concert Band ● Manga and Anime Club ● Code
Breaking ● Medical Society ● Model United
Nations Society ● Puzzle Club ● Seymour
Society ● Robotics Club ● Basketball ● Ski
Racing Club ● Sceptics Society ● Schola
Cantorum ● Wind Quartet ● Robotics ● String
Quartet ● Swing Band ● Technical Theatre
Club ● Charity and Volunteering ●
Respectful pupil and teacher relationships and amongst the pupils themselves create the right environment to enable pupils of all ages to grow in self-confidence in preparation for the next stage in their lives.”
A BRIGHT FUTURE
Sixth Form studies are the stepping stone to a bright future.
With smaller classes and seminarstyle teaching, Sixth Form students are given the chance to focus on the subjects they enjoy and in which they excel, while taking greater ownership over their learning.
Almost without exception, RGS students go on to the very best institutions in higher education, including Cambridge, Oxford, leading Russell Group and Ivy League universities and top medical schools. They are advised and supported at every stage of their Sixth Form journey to ensure choices about their future reflect their talents and ambition, whether they go on to study at a chosen university, pursue direct entry to employment or follow the degree apprenticeship pathway.
We always have an eye on the world beyond our gates, ensuring our students are equipped not only with academic prowess but also with the skills they need in the future. They will learn about entrepreneurialism and the world of business. They will be critical and creative in their thinking, able to problem-solve, and comfortable with collaboration and teamwork.
Ultimately, they will mature into young adults with a sense of independence, an awareness of their responsibilities, and a genuine pride in whatever they go on to achieve.
We are incredibly proud of all our Old Guildfordians (OGs). Our values of respect, integrity and courage help our OGs to thrive wherever their journey takes them. It is because we encourage our students to be themselves, to think independently and to have confidence in their own conviction that our OGs are leaders in their field.
We are delighted that our relationship with our OGs and their families continues to flourish long after they have left the school. We enjoy a longstanding connection with our alumni through regular communications and organised events. In addition, the time that OGs give willingly to support current students with their education and career choices is invaluable in assisting the journey from school to higher education and work.
Indeed, the statement "You'll always be part of the RGS" couldn't be more accurate.
A
BRIGHT FUTURE
The strength of our community is at the heart of the RGS philosophy.
Admissions
Our main entry points are: 11+ & 16+
Entry into other year groups may be possible if spaces become available.
Students apply to us each year at 11+ from over
120 different schools
“ ”
The admissions process at RGS is exemplary, with a dedication to customer service at each stage of the journey.
- Independent review by RSAcademics
Approximately
50% State Primary
50% Prep School
students register to sit our 11+ assessments.
“
Your exciting and inspiring Open Day won our son’s heart from the moment he stepped in. Everyone could not have been more welcoming or more friendly.
”
- Prospective parent
Scholarships
are available at both 11+ & 16+ in:
Academic
Art Drama
Means-tested financial assistance of up to 110% fee remission
is available.
Thank you so much for making this process painless and even enjoyable.
- Prospective parent
The majority of our students travel on public transport, using the regular bus and train links to Guildford.
“
Music Sport It has been an incredibly smooth process: your personal touch and attention to detail, kindness and patient support set you apart from other schools.
- Prospective parent
Our students come predominately from throughout Surrey but also the borders of Sussex & Hampshire
Travelling to School
We do not have a designated catchment area for prospective students; boys travel into the RGS from throughout Surrey and also from the borders of Berkshire, Hampshire and Sussex.
Located in the heart of the busy town of Guildford, we benefit from excellent transport links. The vast majority of our students take public transport and we also encourage our boys to throw themselves into the extra-curricular life of the RGS, some of which takes place after school. As such, we recommend that a travel time of approximately 30 minutes is sensible to allow students to have a good home-school balance.
This prospectus describes the broad principles on which the school is presently run and does not form part of any contractual agreement between parents or guardians and the school. Royal Grammar School Guildford is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. Company Number 10874615. Registered charity number 1177353.
