Thomas Horsley, the original settlor of the Royal Grammar School Newcastle (RGS), pledged his legacy to the School in 1525. Almost 500 years later, RGS continues to flourish as the premier independent school in the North-East of England and as one of the country's leading schools. As The Sunday Times’ North East Independent School of the Decade, we regularly lead all northern schools in national league tables and pride ourselves on academic excellence, a high level of pastoral support, involvement in a wide range of sports and other co-curricular activities, and our commitment to bursaries and partnerships.
The RGS has grown substantially and has now been fully co-educational for over 20 years. There are now some 1,320 students, nearly 270 of whom are in the Junior School. The Sixth Form of over 320 students is one of the largest in the independent sector.
The school is based in the heart of the City, immediately opposite Jesmond Metro station. The school occupies over 30 acres of land and has state-of-the-art facilities, including five brand-new art studios, a new library, a new Sixth Form Centre, a 25 m swimming pool, two Sports Halls, a Performing Arts Centre, outdoor football/rugby pitches at Mooracres, an artificial turf pitch for hockey and the former County Cricket Ground.
Curriculum. The aim of the curriculum up to Year 11 is to offer a general education, culminating in GCSE in a wide range of subjects. All students study English (Language and Literature), a Modern Language (French, German or Spanish), Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry to this level and three further examination subjects are taken at GCSE level from Ancient History, Art, Computing, Economics, Geography, German, Greek, History, Latin, Music, Spanish, Engineering Design & Technology and Drama. Additionally, there is a programme of Art, Drama, Music and Technology for all in Years 7 to 9.
Sixth Formers will normally choose three A Level subjects. In addition, students will be required to select either a fourth A Level or a combination of two complementary courses from EPQ or non-examined subject. The range of A Level subjects currently: Ancient History, Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering Design Technology, Economics, English, Film Studies, French, Geography, German, Greek, History, Latin, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Physical Education, Politics, Psychology, Spanish and Theatre Studies. There is also a compulsory series of lectures and talks/workshops designed to provide cultural and personal broadening and development.
Almost all Sixth Formers go on to University, and success in gaining entry at Oxford and Cambridge, and medical schools, has been an outstanding feature of the school’s record.
Physical Education. All students are required to take part in a Physical Education programme which, up to Year 10, includes Rugby, Football, Cross Country, Cricket, Athletics, Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Tennis, Swimming. At the upper end of the School a wider range of activities is offered: in addition to the above students may opt for Badminton, Basketball, Climbing, Fencing, Fitness training, Karate, Orienteering, Squash, Tennis, Table Tennis, Volleyball and Dance. A wide range of activities is available to all through voluntary membership of various Sports Clubs.
Activities. Art, Drama and Music are strong features in the life of the School, all of them overflowing from scheduled lessons into spare-time activity. There is a large number of wide-ranging music groups and ensembles from choirs and orchestras to bands, jazz ensembles and rock groups. There are several productions in the theatre each term. Numerous societies meet in the lunch-break, before or after school, some linked with school work but many developing from private enthusiasms. There is a thriving Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. There is an entirely voluntary Combined Cadet Force Contingent. Annual overseas visits include ski-parties, sporting tours, Classics trips, visits to art galleries and to the battlefields of World War I.
Supervision and pastoral care. Each student is within the care of (a) Form Supervisor and (b) Tutor. The latter will normally be associated with the student throughout their school career, and the aim is to forge a personal link with students and their families.
The Careers programme begins in Year 9; in Year 11 and the Sixth Form every possible care is taken to advise each student individually about Careers and Higher Education.
The School’s Medical Officers are available regularly for consultation; there are also male and female School Counsellors.
Buildings. Some of the School’s buildings date from 1907 and are described by Pevsner as ‘friendly neo-Early-Georgian’. Recent years have seen many developments and improvements, including the opening in February 1996 of a new Sports Centre, a new Science and Technology Centre which opened in 1997, and new Maths and ICT departments in 1998. A new Junior School extension opened in 2005 and a Performing Arts Centre opened in 2006. A new 6-lane, 25 m swimming pool was completed in August 2015 as part of an additional sports complex, which includes a second sports hall, a dance and fitness suite and new indoor and outdoor changing facilities.
A new building on the main site was completed in September 2019 and houses a new library, a suite of rooms for Art, Maths, Science, Engineering Design Technology, and a home for the new Digital Technology and Computing Department. Similarly, a new Pastoral Centre will link this new building with the rest of the School.
In January 2020, we opened our new Sixth Form Centre, which saw the combination of the old Sixth Form Common Room and old Library into a much larger, and modern area. The open-plan style centre comprises individual study pods, a Sixth Form only bank of computers, a space for collaborative working, printing facilities and a new coffee bar.
Junior School. Years 3 and 4 of the Junior School are separately housed in Lambton Road opposite the Senior School playing fields. Years 5 and 6 are housed in a purpose-built extension on the main school site. Junior School students use the Sports Centre, Swimming Pool, games fields and dining hall. English and Mathematics are taught by Form Teachers, while History, Geography, French, Science, Religious Education, Music, Art and Physical Activities are taken by specialists.
Entrance. Entry is by examination. Application is via an online form: www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/prospective-families/admissions.
Junior School at 7+ and 9+. Prospective students attend Assessment Days held in November (9+) and January (7+) when they take part in a number of activities and sit a number of short tests. A reference is sought from previous/current school.
Senior School at 11+. The Senior School examination is held each January for prospective students who will be 11 on 1 September of the year in which entry is desired. Applications by December (later application at School’s discretion). A reference is sought from previous/current school.
Sixth Form at 16+. Applicants are considered for direct entry to the Sixth Form if their GCSE results are likely to form an adequate basis. A reference is sought from the previous/current school, prior to interview.
Each year a small number of places may be available at entry points other than the main ones listed. Please contact the Head of Admissions for details.
Term of entry. Autumn, although a small number of places may become available throughout the year.
Fees per term (2023-2024). Senior School: £5,507, Junior School: £4,639.
Bursaries. Some bursaries, awarded on the basis of parental income, are offered. Details are available from the Head of Admissions.
Charitable status. The Newcastle upon Tyne Royal Grammar School is a Registered Charity, number 1114424.
Governors & Staff:
Governing Body:
Mr A Fletcher (Chair)
Mrs S Green (Vice-Chair)
Mrs J Berry
Mr R H Fell
Mr J Fitzpatrick
Professor M Haniffa
Mr N McMinn
Ms S Milligan
Mr M Robinson
Mr R Sanghera
Councillor T Thorne
Mrs S Woodroofe
Headmaster: Mr G Stanford, MA Oxon, MBA, FRGS
Deputy Head: Mr T E Keenan, BSc Bradford, MSc Northumbria, PGCE
Deputy Head (Academic): Mr C Quayle, BA Durham, PGCE, MEd
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Miss S J Longville, BA Newcastle, PGCE
Deputy Head (Co-Curriculum): Mr A McBride, BA Hons Durham, MEd Northumbria, PGCE Northumbria
Head of Junior School: Mr J N Miller, BA Northumbria
Head of Sixth Form: Mrs N McGough, MSc Imperial College, PGCE, MRes
Director of Finance & Operations: Mrs R Amey, MEng Nottingham, ACMA
Director of Development and Communications: Mrs S Beck, MSc London Southbank, MCIOFCert
Director of Partnerships: Mr J A Smith, BSc Edinburgh, MEd Newcastle, PGCE