Reigate Grammar School

Reigate Grammar School

Established	1675
Type	Independent school
Headmaster	David Thomas
Founder	Henry Smith
Location	Reigate Road Reigate Surrey RH2 0QS England
Gender	Mixed
Ages	10–18
Colours	Blue & White
Publication	The Review
Website	www.reigategrammar.org

Reigate Grammar School is an independent co-educational day school located in the town of Reigate, Surrey, United Kingdom. Intake is from 11 to 18, with the majority of its pupils entering at the age of 11, and others entering at 13 and 16.

History

The school was founded as a free school for poor boys in 1675 by Alderman Henry Smith with Jon Williamson, the vicar of Reigate, as master. It remained in the hands of the church until 1862 when a board of governors was appointed.

Under the Education Act of 1944 it became a voluntary aided grammar school, providing access on the basis of academic ability as measured by the 11 plus examination. In 1976, it converted to its current fee-paying independent status. At the same time the sixth form was opened up to girls. In 1993, the school became fully co-educational. In 2003, the school merged with St. Mary's School.

Many of the boys who attend the school and also the leavers go on to play for the their old boys' rugby club, Old Reigatians RFC.

Academics

In 2009, the Daily Telegraph placed the school 69th in its league table of independent school A Level results, with 89% of pupils gaining A or B grades at A Level. At GCSE 72% A and A* results were achieved in summer 2009. Typically the school sends 5-15 students to Oxbridge every year, with 10 students in 2011.

Facilities

The school site is split into two locations, separated by the churchyard. On the "Broadfield" site, named so because of the playing field dubbed "Broadfield" behind the old science block, there are several old and new buildings. Until recently, Broadfield house (known to students as the history block), an old Reigate home, was where History, Economics, Business studies, Politics and other subjects were taught. It is now used for Drama. Also on Broadfield site is the newly renovated music block, which houses a recording studio, a concert hall, 17 soundproofed rehearsal rooms, a percusiion room, and 3 teaching rooms.

Opposite Broadfield house is Cornwallis building, which is another old Reigate home. It contains the Chaplain's office, the careers department, specially designed CCF training rooms and stores, and learning support for students with learning difficulties. This term the school has introduced a counselor who is based in Cornwallis. The Peter Masefield Hall, named after a contributor of the same name, is the school canteen-cum-events room.

A purpose built performance room, opened by Judi Dench, is where the majority of the school's small scale performances take place. It is attached to the spacious sixth form center which comprises a computer suite, a sixth form only cafe and a large space. The sixth from center is attached to the old science building, which has been a fixture of the school for many years. However, in the last term the school has built the new Ballance Building, named after a past headmaster, which added 26 new multipurpose large teaching rooms, 4 labs and staff rooms for may departments. The old science building is connected to the new building, which has split it into two parts. All the sciences, all the subjects that used to be taught in Broadfield house and Classics are now taught in the Ballance Building. Also on the Broadfield site is 4 multipurpose tennis courts, also used for hockey, netball and football, and rugby when it is particularly wet.

On the other site, known as "main school" because this is where the majority of the original buildings are. The main school buildings houses many classrooms, teaching the humanities, RS, modern languages (there is a fully kitted language lab) and FT. Also in the main school building is many staff rooms, a large library with Sixth form study area, a large communal staff room, a concert hall, a sports hall and the most recent addition, a new gym. The FT room has 10 workstations with all the appropriate pots and pans, an oven and a microwave each. 15 or so years ago, an art and design block was added to the main school.On the ground floor, Design Tech is taught in the three classrooms and computer suites, and also a large Design Technology lab where large projects take place and the DT club is based. On the first floor, accessible from outside the modern languages and FT rooms, is the largest airy Art room, with several pottery wheels, a darkroom, and plenty of storage and teaching space.

Behind the main school building is the Hamlin Building. The Hamlin Building is entirely devoted to the teaching of maths. Further behind the Hamlin Building is the new indoor swimming pool, which uses UV light over chlorine, the DofE block, Spare classrooms and the memorial garden where the students congregate on Remembrance Day.

Offsite, the school owns the large playing field complex Hartswood in nearby Woodhatch, where all home matches in most sports are played. The students take a short bus journey provided by the school to Hartswood on the assigned games day. Also, nearby Reigate Saint Mary's church plays a key role in student life. Every student goes to the church once a week in place of assembly, where the chaplain and a team of 2-3 students operate a small church service. The nearby primary school Reigate Saint Mary's is a feeder school to RGS.

Independent Schools Inspectorate

The school is described as providing "a good all-round education" with "broad curriculum and a wide range of quality activities." Inspectors found it a "friendly, welcoming community in which pupils of all abilities are mutually supportive, creating a relaxed environment, which encourages pupils to fulfil their potential."

Other strengths of the school identified by inspectors included high quality pastoral care, support and guidance, mutual respect between pupils and staff, and excellent provision of ICT.

The team of 12 inspectors from the Independent Schools Inspectorate, who visited the school in October 2005, commented that "the school has much strength" but would benefit from greater sharing of good practice between departments, greater independent learning, and more risk assessments.

Headmaster

David Thomas has been headmaster of Reigate Grammar School since September 2001. He was a chorister at Magdalen College, Oxford, and educated at Magdalen College School, Oxford, and The Queen's College, Oxford, where he completed an MA in Music.

Mr Thomas taught at The Leys School, Cambridge, and at The King's School, Canterbury, and spent five years as Director of Music at Fettes College in Edinburgh before moving to Trinity School, Croydon, as Deputy Headmaster. He is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC).

Clubs and societies

The school offers many opportunities for its student body to take place in extra-curricular activities. The music department runs many orchestras, bands, and choirs, including the very successful barbershop choir. Many students play for a school team in some capacity.

The drama department puts on many productions each year including small productions in the drama studio and an annual musical. Another popular fixture is the MUN. Reigate has held an MUN conference every year for the past 16 years. Recently, a junior MUN conference for weaker delegates has been added. Most departments run lunch time and after school clubs as well, including a Japanese club, an Art club, A film club and others.

School fees

For the 2009-2010 academic year, school fees are £4,286 per term. The school offers a range of scholarships and bursaries. Pupils scoring particularly highly in the entrance examination may be awarded a scholarship worth £1,000 per annum. In addition, the Reigate Grammar School assisted places scheme offers fee remission of up to 100%; this is a means-tested award. High achieving students at GCSE who receive 10 A*s or greater are eligible for a scholarship into the sixth form and a considerable discount of school fees.

Notable alumni

See also Category:Old Reigatians

• Susan Gritton, singer
• Trevor Kavanagh, political editor of The Sun
• David Walliams, co-writer of Little Britain.
• Keir Starmer, Director of Public Prosecutions (England and Wales)
• Andrew Cantrill, organist
• Bevis Hillier, biographer, hoaxer, scourge of A.N. Wilson
• Peter Lampl, actor, political activist and organist,
• Quentin Cook aka Fatboy Slim, musician (now uses the name Norman Cook)
• Ray Mears, TV presenter and survival expert
• Lord Sterling of Plaistow, Conservative peer and one time chairman of P&O
• Mike Sammes, musician and musical arranger
• Steve Mitchell (sailor), Olympic sailor, World and European Champion
• Robert Shearman, writer
• Bill Frindall, BBC cricket scorer
• Robert Cole, Times' financial journalist
• Andrew Sullivan, philosopher, political theorist, and political commentator
• Alec Harley Reeves, Electronics engineer, inventor of Pulse code modulation
• Will Beer, Sussex cricketer
• Mick Brown, Author and journalist

External links

• Old Reigatians Association

The REIMUN website {http://www.reimun.org]