Reigate Grammar School
| Reigate Grammar School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
Reigate Road Reigate , Surrey , RH2 0QS England | |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent school |
| Established | 1675 |
| Founder | Henry Smith |
| Headmaster | David Thomas |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Age | 10 to 18 |
| Colour(s) | Blue & White |
| Publication | The Review |
| Website | http://www.reigategrammar.org/main/ |
Reigate Grammar School is an independent co-educational day school located in the Surrey town of Reigate. 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.[1] 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.[2]
Many of the boys who attend the school and also the leavers go on to play for the their old boys club Old Reigatians RFC which is based in the centre of Reigate on Park Lane.
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. [3] At GCSE 72% A and A* results were achieved in summer 2009.[4]
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 many strengths" but would benefit from greater sharing of good practice between departments, greater independent learning, and more risk assessments.[5]
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). His wife, Dr Andrea Thomas, has taught in several leading independent schools.
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.
Headline text
Noted alumni
See also Category:Old Reigatians
- Susan Gritton, singer[6]
- Trevor Kavanagh, political editor of The Sun[6]
- David Walliams, co-writer of Little Britain.[7]
- 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 [8]
- Lord Sterling of Plaistow, Conservative peer and one time chairman of P&O[6]
- Mike Sammes, musician and musical arranger
- Robert Shearman, writer
- Bill Frindall, BBC cricket scorer
- Robert Cole, Times' financial journalist
- Andrew Sullivan, Author and political commentator
- Alec Harley Reeves, Electronics engineer, inventor of Pulse code modulation
- Will Beer, Currently Sussex County Cricket Club
rgs is sooooo kool every1 should go there its awsum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
References
- ^ http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1980/nov/05/schools-status. Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Commons. 5th November 1980. col. 579W.
{{cite book}}:|chapter-url=missing title (help); Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "History & tradition". Reigate Grammar School. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
- ^ Telegraph Independent schools A Level results Retrieved 2009-11-11
- ^ Telegraph Independent schools GCSE results Retrieved 2009-11-11
- ^ "Inspection Report on Reigate Grammar School". Independent Schools Inspectorate. 2005. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
- ^ a b c http://www.schoolsguidebook.co.uk/schools/Reigate_Grammar_School.html
- ^ The Guardian profile: David Walliams | Life and style | The Guardian
- ^ Passed/Failed: An education in the life of Ray Mears, survival expert - Getting a Job, Career Planning - The Independent