Reigate Grammar School

• Location: Reigate, Surrey, England,
• Founded in: 1675,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of studying: mixed.

Reigate Grammar School has a long history, located in Reigate, Surrey, England.

The first mention of the institution dates back to 1675, when Henry Smith, alderman of London, bequeathed £150 to buy land for a "free school". The rest of the money was collected on the spot, and in 1684 the first boys were enrolled. In those years, the educational institution was focused on teaching only boys from poor families, who otherwise would not have been able to receive a quality secondary education. The first girls were admitted to high school only in 1976, and to other programs in 1993.

Today, Reigate Grammar School educates students of both genders in academically challenging, balanced, and rich elementary, middle, and high school programs. Some of the traditions are still preserved, but the main reference point is modernity in teaching methods, campus infrastructure, and the variety of topics taught. Representatives believe that each child has their own unique combination of talents, skills, aspirations and abilities, so assessing and developing these qualities on the way from childhood to adolescence is a great responsibility that is taken seriously here.

The teaching staff is represented by several hundred qualified subject teachers, curators and mentors - they not only teach classes in a wide range of scientific fields, but also provide comprehensive support, adapting the curriculum to the abilities and goals of each student. A personalized approach to students is an important distinguishing feature of Reigate Grammar School, which attracts many new students every year.

In addition to a strong academic plan, students can expect extensive opportunities for extracurricular development, thanks to which each of the students will be able to focus on their strengths, try new hobbies, find a circle of like-minded people and achieve excellent results not only in final exams, but also in their future professional field.

A support team has been created here to organize an individualized learning environment for students with special needs (autism spectrum conditions, dyslexia, ADHD). In addition to specialized staff, the school is periodically visited by invited therapists in areas such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and educational psychology. Teachers assess each child's needs on an individual basis, offer individualized curricula that take into account any needs and difficulties, increase students' self-esteem and develop their strengths. Services include classroom support, small group work, one-on-one tutoring.

Reigate Grammar School teaches primary, middle, and high school programs. Preschool education is available in partners: Chinthurst School, Reigate St Mary's Preparatory School, Micklefield School.

Reigate Grammar School does not provide accommodation.

The school cooperates with the Chartwells Independent agency: hot lunches, healthy snacks, drinks and sweets are served daily in the dining room, prepared according to a varied menu. The Chartwells Independent team works alongside students to conduct surveys to regularly update menus, offer global cuisine and organise fun activities to maintain healthy eating habits. As part of its award-winning "Beyond the Chartwells Kitchen" initiative, staff are educating high school students about how wholesome, balanced food can support their mental and physical well-being. Chartwells Independent chefs have implemented a market-leading allergen identification process, with alternative menus available to all students to meet their special needs, medical and dietary restrictions.

By trying new things, developing established hobbies, or taking part in programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Awards or the Combined Cadet Force, students acquire life skills, learn about themselves, and make friends outside of their social circle. Exam results will provide you with subsequent academic opportunities, but character and confidence developed, for example, on the sports field, at the Model UN club or while performing on stage, are crucial.

At Reigate Grammar School, the United Cadet Force is a popular extracurricular choice for many students in grade 7 and above. Students of the Joint Corps of Cadets (CCF) will be able to engage in a variety of activities, including water sports, shooting, and flight lessons. Students interested in the Drummer Corps will be able to learn to play the bugle, flutes, and drums, allowing them to participate in parades, school, and community events. All CCF members will take part in the following annual events:

• Off-campus preparation trips,
• Life skills training: map reading, orienteering, first aid and others,
• Sports activities in rock climbing, rowing, sailing, skiing, archery,
• Field Weapon Shooting Competition,
• Biennial inspection with a high-ranking active officer,
• Seminars from Army Personal Training Instructors, Royal Marines Band Specialists,
• Memorial Day parades.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) program occupies an important place in the life of Reigate Grammar School, many students dedicate a huge number of hours each year to expeditions, physical activity, helping the local community, learning new skills. At each level, the reward consists of four parts:

• Volunteering is a service to other people, to the local community. It gives participants the opportunity to increase their self-confidence, take responsibility, understand their strengths, value other people and care for the environment.
• Expeditions – participants will organize a trip, including an overnight stay in the camp. Usually it takes place on foot, but sometimes by bicycle, horseback or even canoe, in an unfamiliar and remote area. The educational program includes safety rules, actions in emergency situations, the basics of first aid, navigation, route search, skills in working with a map and compass, hiking accessories, rules of conduct on the roads and in water sports, team building.
• Skill – the section is dedicated to the development of personal interests and practical skills, giving participants the opportunity to learn something new, to meet new people.
• Physical activity – students will have to actively engage in sports, improving their shape and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The academic program is complemented by a wide range of excursions that help broaden students' horizons. From South Africa to Iceland, France to Dubai, Surrey to Snowdonia, Belize to New York, learning outside the classroom is just as important as modern campus facilities. Students are offered historical trips to the battlefields of the First World War, trips to Greece, scientific tours to study biology in the tropics and much more. Sports tours are regularly held both in the UK and abroad, providing students with a great opportunity to develop their skills while discovering new places and cultures. Some excursions are held annually, others every two to three years. Examples of thematic trips currently available:

• Language Club trips to France, Spain and Germany,
• Sports tours in hockey, netball, rugby, cricket, golf, frisbee,
• Ski tours to France, Switzerland,
• Geographical trip to Iceland,
• A historic, political trip to New York,
• Biology field trip,
• Joint trip to Shanghai, Economics, Geography
• Classic trips to Greece, Rome,
• Dramatic performances at festivals,
• CCF Training Camps,
• Choral excursions.

Extracurricular electives provide students with a wide range of new hobbies, the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills in already familiar hobbies. While the electives available will change over time, examples include learning a new language from scratch, clay sculpting or prosthetics clubs, an entrepreneurship program, linguistic challenges, photography, stop motion animation, web design, film evaluation, or forensic psychology.

Drama is the strength of the school, it provides a rich program in which every child can participate in. There are usually three to four large-scale productions a year in addition to evening screenings of exam papers, studio work, screenplay competitions, and dances. Productions hosted by students over the past few years include: Swinney Todd, Far Away, Much Ado About Nothing, History Lovers, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Competition, Brief Encounter, Macbeth, Dick Whittington.

The Faculty of Music values all students interested in music, regardless of their experience and style of music. Qualified teachers offer the following directions:

• Ensembles, choirs: orchestra, string ensemble, swing band, six choirs, two concert ensembles, brass ensembles, guitar group, percussion ensemble, brass ensemble, rock bands and many chamber groups.
• RGS Saturday Music College, available to students aged 7-18: offers one-on-one music lessons, promises to broaden horizons through composition, musicality, chamber music and ensembles,
• The RGS Godfrey Searle Choir consists of boys and girls from 7 to 15 years old, includes choristers from RGS and Reigate St Mary's School Preparatory School.

Thanks to the diverse sports infrastructure, dozens of sports are available, the section accepts children of any level of ability, ready to practice both at an amateur and more professional level:

• Hockey
• Rugby
• Swimming
• Cricket
• Athletics
• Tennis
• Soccer
• Fitness
• Yachting
• Rugby
• Badminton
• Golf.

Upon admission, students are assigned to House-faculties, named after previous directors. Each House is led by a team of six high school students who organize a host of activities during the year: sports competitions, singing and drama competitions, art exhibitions, culinary events, debates, public speaking, quizzes. For outstanding achievements in competitions, the members of the House receive points, according to the number of which the winning group is selected at the end of the year.

• "Excellent" award in all fields of activity for the quality of teaching, student achievement – ISI 2023,
• The Leading Parent Partnership Award for Parental Involvement,
• High academic results: 97% of A-Level grades reach A*-B, and GCSE exams reach 9-7 points,
• Nearly 100% of high school students enter the Russell Group, Oxbridge universities, medical schools,
• Personal learning conditions for children with special needs,
• A wide range of extracurricular activities,
• A rich history that contributes to the preservation of traditions and a focus on modernity.

The Reigate Grammar School campus is about a 10-minute walk from Reigate Station, with direct trains from London and Guilford. To help the parents of pupils, the school provides a whole fleet of buses that take students to school in the morning and pick them up home in the afternoon.

The educational territory includes several academic buildings for separate education of junior and senior students. Historical buildings have retained their appearance, while having modern equipment:

• Lecture Halls with Interactive Equipment,
• Scientific laboratories,
• Computer rooms with PCs, printing equipment,
• Library with reading room, access to online resources,
• Theater Hall,
• Assembly halls for collective seminars, entertainment events,
• Creative studios with the necessary consumables for drawing, modeling and other areas,
• Specialized rooms adapted to different activities,
• Dining room,
• Indoor swimming pool with four lanes 25 meters long,
• Dance Studio,
• Two fitness rooms,
• Multifunctional play area,
• Gym.

The open area of the campus is a safe area where there are playgrounds for younger students, walking trails, meadows for recreation and snacks. In the open spaces of 32 acres, there is part of the sports infrastructure:

• All-weather hockey fields,
• Grass fields for cricket, rugby, football, athletics, frisbee,
• Netball and tennis courts.

The academic calendar of Reigate Grammar School includes three semesters:

• Autumn: September-December,
• Spring: January-April,
• Summer: April-June.

Between semesters, seasonal holidays are organized, rest is provided on the days of national, international holidays, weekends. Classes are held on weekdays, in the morning and afternoon, followed by extracurricular activities, excursions.

Approximate list of additional costs includes:

• Registration fee,
• Meals
• Private lessons, including music lessons, personal preparation,
• Accident insurance,
• School transport,
• School uniform,
• Some extracurricular activities, such as excursions,
• External exams,
• Personal expenses.

Before applying, staff advise visiting the campus or contacting the admissions office online to ask questions and familiarize yourself with the academic system.

When the candidate's family makes a decision on admission, they will have to:

• Fill out a detailed questionnaire, provide the required documents,
• Pay the application fee,
• Pass an interview, entrance exams,
• Receive an official invitation to enroll,
• Arrive on campus to attend orientation events, start your studies.

According to current statistics, the admission of new students to the middle classes is limited to 160 places. At the same time, applicants can be enrolled if there are places available in the middle of the year by submitting an application in advance and getting on the waiting list.

The annual outstanding results of high school students are confirmed by national recognition, the existing awards of Reigate Grammar School - 95% of graduates are admitted to Russell Group universities, TOP-20 Universities, Oxbridge universities, medical schools.

Most candidates enter Reigate Grammar School at the age of 11, the rest are accepted at the age of 13 and 16. To enroll, applicants need:

• Personal documents: child's identity card, health insurance, visa or residence permit,
• Academic reports for the last two academic years, assessment certificates,
• A letter of recommendation from a teacher from a previous place of study,
• Individual achievements.

Teaching is conducted in English, you will need to confirm a confident level.

Reigate Grammar School Scholarships are only available to those who have successfully passed the entrance exams and have distinctive academic ability. So, awards are distributed in several areas: education, sports, theatrical art, music, dance, chess. The scholarship covers up to 100% of tuition fees for the year, can be extended if excellent results are maintained.

The school also offers a 5% discount on the tuition fees of the second child, 10% for each subsequent child studying at the same time at RGS, Reigate St Mary's Preparatory School, Chinthurst School or Micklefield School.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision