Reigate Grammar School

Infobox UK school
name = Reigate Grammar School


size = approx 850
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established = 1675
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founder = Henry Smith
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street = Reigate Road
city = Reigate
county = Surrey
country = England
postcode = RH2 0QS
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gender = Male/Female
lower_age = 11
upper_age = 18
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colours = Blue & White
publication = [http://www.reigategrammar.org/news/rgs-review.pdf The Review]
School Magazine = The Pilgrim
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website = http://www.reigategrammar.org
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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 direct grant grammar school, providing access on the basis of academic ability as measured by the 11 plus examination. In the mid 1970s, it gained its current fee-paying private school status and 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. The current headmaster is David Thomas.

Academics

In 2006, the Daily Telegraph placed the school 81st in its league table of independent school A Level results, with 81% of pupils gaining A or B grades at A Level [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2006/08/26/ngcse.pdf] . At GCSE an overall pass rate at grades A* to C of 99 per cent was achieved in summer 2006.

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 fulfill 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.

* [http://www.reigategrammar.org/about/pdf/ISI_Inspection_summary.pdf Click here to view a summary of the report (58 KB)]
* [http://www.reigategrammar.org/about/pdf/ISI_Inspection_Report.pdf Click here for the full report (314 KB)]

Current 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.

Mr Thomas is currently away for a year studying and writing a book, and John Manfield is acting headmaster.

chool fees

For the 2007-2008 academic year, school fees are £4,424 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.

Noted alumni

See also
*Susan Gritton, singerhttp://www.schoolsguidebook.co.uk/schools/Reigate_Grammar_School.html]
*Trevor Kavanagh, political editor of The Sun
*David Walliams, co-writer of Little Britain. [ [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/story/0,,1814880,00.html The Guardian profile: David Walliams | Life and style | The Guardian ] ]
*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 [ [http://www.independent.co.uk/student/career-planning/getting-job/passedfailed-an-education-in-the-life-of-ray-mears-survival-expert-464447.html Passed/Failed: An education in the life of Ray Mears, survival expert - Getting a Job, Career Planning - The Independent ] ]
*Lord Sterling of Plaistow, Conservative peer and one time chairman of P&O
*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

Heads of School

;2000–2001: Laura Berry and Roger Day;2001–2002: Helen Mumby and Tom Shelswell;2002–2003: Charlotte Dumas and Anil Patel;2003–2004: Sudakshini Perera and Mark Frith;2004–2005: Amanda Ingram and Daniel Jalapour;2005–2006: Karina Sharples and Jonathon Wiltshire;2006–2007: Pippa Dinnage and Jamie Harris;2007–2008: Camille Sage and Hugh Bradbury;2008–2009: Emily Horn and Simon Hope

References

External links

* [http://www.reigategrammar.org Reigate Grammar School website]
* [http://www.reigategrammar.org/ora2/index.htm Old Reigatians Association]