RGS SECOND FORM BEGINNERS’ GUIDE 2023-2024
Welcome to Reigate Grammar School. I am delighted that you are joining our community as a new Reigatian. You will very soon make new friends, feel looked after by teachers and know that the older students are on your side.
You will meet students in your year group and in other year groups in the course of your daily learning as well as in House activities and at other events. You are embarking on an RGS adventure and I promise you we will look after you every step of the way.
I wish you a happy and successful time at Reigate Grammar School.
Shaun Fenton Headmaster
@rgsheadmaster
We hope you will really enjoy your time here at RGS. At first, the school may seem large and unfamiliar, but I am sure you will find everyone friendly and helpful.
The purpose of this booklet is to help you settle into RGS as quickly and as easily as possible. Please read it carefully and ask your parents to read it too, so that you know what to expect, what to bring and above all, how to get the most out of the RGS experience!
Mrs Sarah Leck Head of Lower School
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Your first day at school will be Wednesday 6th September 2023. You should come to Reception, at the entrance to the main school building, where you will be met by your Form Tutor and buddy.
If your parents bring you by car, on the first day they can use the main entrance and park in the car park. After the first day, please ask to be dropped off nearby (taking account of parking restrictions) and walk the rest of the way.
It may help to practise your journey and drop off/pick up during the summer. There are a number of entrances to the school site and on a normal day your parents cannot bring their cars into the school grounds.
Students are asked not to use the main school entrance, instead using other entry points around the school site. Your first day will include a form time to get to know your form tutor and form group, and your first lessons!
You will need an easily recognisable bag (coloured, customised with a keyring, or with stripes etc.). We recommend a back pack containing:
• your pencil case containing writing pens in green, red and purple, a pencil, a rubber, a ruler, some colouring pencils, a glue stick and a small pair of scissors;
• a padlock for your locker with two keys or a combination code. Please make sure the loop is 40 to 60mm long so it will be sure to fit. One key is for you and the other is for your Form Tutor;
• on other days you may need your PE kit;
• You will need to bring your packed lunch or pay for your lunch. RGS operates on a biometric system which means you only need your fingerprint. Every pupil has a lunch account which will be topped up by your parents.
You will meet many people, but the most important people you will meet are your Form Tutor, Head of Second Year, Miss Carraro and Head of Lower School, Mrs Leck. You will meet your buddy on the first day.
When you are not in lessons or assembly, your form room is your home and main base. Near your form room you will have a locker in which to store your books. At break times you can play in the playground or on Broadfield Lawn, use the library to complete some work or go to one of the many clubs and activities taking place.
Your full school uniform
– be proud of it! Make sure everything you bring to school has your name on it. You are responsible for your belongings - your bag, your games kit, your pencil case, your watch and your books. Of course, you should respect other people’s belongings too.
This small book is full of information about our daily life at school and it tells you when special things are going to happen, such as sports fixtures, plays, concerts and trips. Read it carefully and don’t lose it!
You will be assigned a buddy who is a student in your form group who will help you to learn all about the school. They are there to help so do ask them any questions you have.
Everyone at RGS is in one of four Houses: Bird, Cranston, Hodgson or Williamson. Each House meets each week for an assembly. Throughout the year there are inter-House competitions and challenges, including the House Sports Day in the summer term.
Each week you will attend assemblies; these will be a mix of Church assembly in St Mary’s Church, House assemblies and an assembly with your year group. On those days when you do not have assembly you will spend time with your Form Tutor.
School finishes at the normal time of 3.50pm. If your parents are going to meet you, please arrange with them to pick you up nearby (taking account of local parking restrictions).
The Second Year go to lunch at 1.00pm, slightly earlier than the rest of the school. Whoever is teaching you will make sure you get there in plenty of time. For the rest of the school, their lunchtime begins at 1.10pm. Please note, eating is not permitted in classrooms or corridors. Lunch is served in the dining hall (PMH).
All homework is also set on Microsoft Teams, so this is a great place to check what you have been ask to complete.
You will be given your timetable on Induction Day so you have time to familiarise yourself ahead of the first day of term. You will be taught different subjects by different teachers. Not all your lessons will take place in the same room but you will soon learn where you need to be for each lesson.
The timetable runs from Monday to Friday and is repeated each week. There are no lessons on Saturdays but there are sports fixtures. If you are selected for a team this is an honour as you have been asked to represent the school. If you are unable to attend you must let the sports staff know in plenty of time. You can check if you are in a team by looking on reigategrammarsport.org
There are seven periods (lessons) each day:
MORNING
8:35am Registration
8:40am Assembly/Form Period 9:00am Period 1 9:45am Period 2 10:30am Break 10:55am Period 3 11:40am Period 4 12:25pm Period 5 1:00pm Lunch
AFTERNOON
2:15pm Registration in Period 6 2:20pm Period 6 3:05pm Period 7 3:50pm Finish
From the time you arrive at RGS you are expected to be reading regularly, widely and independently. It is crucial for your academic development that you read books that are challenging for you in content, language and expression. Students who establish strong reading habits will find that it will have a hugely positive effect on their final grades and not just in English, but in all subjects. The Lower School Reading List provides a comprehensive selection of books.
Keep up with the latest news: @RGSEnglish @RGSLibrary
You will be given three pieces of homework each night. Each piece should take thirty minutes to complete. It is very important that you write every piece of homework in your Homework Planner and do the homework on the night that it is set. That way, you will keep on top of your homework schedule. If you are finding homework hard to manage, please speak to your Form Tutor who can help you.
We do understand that many of you will not be used to doing homework every night, so here are a few tips to keep well organised:
• Write your homework in your Planner when your teacher sets it;
• Check the details of each homework on Teams before you begin to complete it.
• Do the homework on the day that it has been given. Don’t leave it all to the weekend as you will find that the homework begins to pile up and becomes unmanageable;
• Pack your bag the night before;
• Check your timetable to see which lessons you have the next day and what books/kit you need;
• If you need to, write a checklist of what you need each day and stick it to your fridge or your bedroom wall. Tick off each item as you put it into your bag. It won’t be long before this becomes second nature;
• At the end of each day check you have the correct books you need to do your homework;
• Mrs Bardell-Roberts, the Head of Learning Support, runs classes to help pupils with organisational skills.
Don’t worry if you feel a bit nervous about joining RGS. You will soon find your way around, get to know people and make friends.
You will be allocated a buddy to help you get to know the school and help you out with any problems you may have. If you get lost, you can ask an adult or an older student to help.
If you feel worried, angry or upset by something be sure to speak to your Form Tutor, Miss Carraro, Mrs Leck, or to any teacher you feel happy to talk to. We will help you as much as we can. When you get home, talk with your parents about any problems you have. If they want to, they can contact your Form Tutor, Miss Carraro or Mrs Leck by calling or emailing the school.
You may not use mobile phones during the school day unless a teacher asks you to.
You may use them at break-time and lunchtime, although we advise you to socialise with your friends and try out new clubs at this time. You will not be allowed to use your phone in designated phone free zones around the school including the library and dining hall (PMH). Please do not ring your parents during the school day unless there has been a change of arrangements to your journey home.
Tell your teacher . You can then sit quietly in the lesson or your teacher may send you to the Health and Wellbeing Centre. If you feel ill during break, tell a friend or go to the Health and Wellbeing Centre. If you are really unwell your parents will be contacted, do not contact your parents yourself.
You must have an Absence Request Form (available on the Parent Portal) if you need to leave school during the day. This form must be emailed to your Form Tutor and absence@ reigategrammar.org by your parents in advance. When you leave the school you must go to School Office to sign out. If you return during the school day you must sign back in.
If you are upset about anything during the school day you should see your Form Tutor, Miss Carraro, Mrs Leck or the Wellbeing Centre. These members of staff are always there to listen to you, no matter how big or how small the problem.
Try to stick together with people from your form but if you do get lost, look at your timetable and your map or ask somebody. If you still can’t find where you are supposed to be don’t worry! Go to the Porters’ Desk next to the main entrance or the School Office and they will help you find your classroom.
On your first day you will be required to scan your finger print so you can use the biometric payment system in the dining hall. This can be topped up through the RGS Parent Online Payment system. Food can be purchased at break and lunch time.
If it is before 8.50am, you should go to your Form, if it is after 8.50am you need to go to the Studio Café. If it is after 9am, you must go to the Health and Wellbeing Centre and register there with the School Office or Pastoral Team.
Although school finishes at 3.50pm you may stay on the premises until 6.00pm and, unless you are in a supervised club, you should go to the library. The library is a good place to visit after school has finished, or during break and lunchtime. You can use the library for doing homework as well as for borrowing a wide range of books. The library is open and staffed until 6.00pm each day. Students should be collected by 6.00pm.
If you are ill or for some unexpected reason cannot attend school, your parents should contact absence@ reigategrammar.org copying in your Form Tutor. Always try to catch up on missed class work and homework if possible; teachers are very happy to photocopy work you have missed, which you can then stick into your book, or to spend a lunchtime going over anything you don’t understand.
If you do well at school you may receive a merit which are awarded for a number of reasons: a good piece of work, putting in extra effort, being polite. You will receive certificates when you gain 15 or more merits. There is a prize for the person who receives the most merits at the end of the year.
If you make a mistake, teachers will talk to you about this and sometimes they might give you a Behaviour Point to record that something has gone wrong and you have been spoken to about it e.g. repeated lateness to lessons, not handing in your homework, stopping someone from learning etc. If you amass three or more behaviour points you may be asked to stay in at lunchtime or after school to speak with your Head of Year. They will help you to reflect on why you may have made the mistake and how you can avoid it happening again.
If you commit a more serious offence you might be placed on a school detention for an hour after school. This detention is called a Head of Year detention. There is also a Headmaster’s detention on a Saturday morning for the most serious offences.
They will if you tell them! Let them know each day what you’ve been doing – what you’ve found easy or hard, what you’ve enjoyed or disliked. The school will get in touch with your parents to let them know about your progress. You will also get regular reports.
sal@reigategrammar.org
Mrs Leck is the Head of Lower School. She will ensure that you settle in well at RGS. If you are upset about anything, or want to talk to someone, her door is always open for you.
sja@reigategrammar.org
Miss Arthur is the Deputy Head responsible for pastoral care. She is also the teacher responsible for child protection and safety. You can talk to her about anything to do with life at RGS.
Mrs
SEN kbr@reigategrammar.org
schooloffice@reigategrammar.org
You may also need help from the staff in the School Office from time to time. Mrs Tyson, Mrs Shaylor and Mrs Dewar are first aid trained and will give you any medical assistance that you may need.
Miss Branston Director of Drama
The House system at Reigate Grammar School aims to develop student leadership and vertical integration across all year groups. Students are placed in Houses when entering the school. Siblings are always placed in the same House. There are four Houses named after previous headmasters of the school:
• Bird (Rev John Bird MA 1708-1728)
• Cranston (Rev Andrew Cranston MA 1697-1708)
• Hodgson (Rev Joseph Hodgson MA 1800-1842)
• Williamson (Rev John Williamson MA 1684-1697)
The Houses are led by a team of Upper Sixth Form students who are guided by Heads of House and House staff. Assemblies take place each week and are a mixture of whole House assemblies and those held in House families. House families are vertical groups created in each House with around 20 students in each. New students are allocated a buddy from their House family and all First Form students have an Upper Sixth Form mentor. Houses aim to increase the student voice at RGS. Many ideas are discussed and put forward as students feel able to have discussion in the small family groups. Within the House system students are encouraged to view leadership as consisting of multiple qualities, including:
• Compassion
• Creativity
• Teamwork
• Resilience
• Reflection
• Respect
• Responsibility
Students have the opportunity to display these qualities in the vast range of House events which aim to include all who want to take part. Events include: Sport, House Singing, Drama, Art, Gun Run, Bake-Off, Debating/ Public Speaking, Chess & Quizzes.
Each House sponsors an endangered animal, supports a nominated charity voted for by students and has its own mascot.
My name is Mr O’Donnell and I am very proud to be Head of Williamson House. Our House colour is yellow and our House mascot is the rhino. I teach biology and chemistry and coach a rugby team at school. I love being Head of Williamson House and believe that the House system is important for all of our students. From the start of First Form, the House system helps you to settle in and to feel an important part of your new school. In the Sixth Form you could be a House Captain, and be involved in leading the House. No matter where your strengths lie you will have a part to play in our successes as House events are so varied including sports, art, singing, debating and computer games tournaments to name just a few. You will often see me around school and you are welcome to ask me anything as you settle in. I look forward to meeting you all soon. Welcome to RGS!
A huge and happy welcome to RGS! I am Miss Paine and I am proud to say I am Head of Bird House.
Our colour is green and our mascot is the Harpy Eagle. I teach English and help with both boys and girls Rugby, as well as Cricket in the summer, so you are just as likely to see me with a book in the library as on the pitches at Hartswood. Hopefully you will see me (or hear me) all over school, please say hello, it always makes my day.
I am really looking forward to meeting you in September and getting stuck in to some great House activities and competitions.
Welcome new pups! I am Head of Hodgson House, and I am so excited to be welcoming you to our wonderful family. Our house colour is red, and our mascot is a red wolf (shame its not a turtle, my favourite animal!). I am a biology teacher and help with DofE and netball. I love to try new activities, no matter how skilful I am at it, and I would love you all to do the same this year in House. There are so many different house activities and events that I can’t wait for you to be involved in. I really want you to throw yourself into every house event, give something new a try, make new friends and most importantly have lots of fun! Your house families will have lots of friendly faces from every year, who will be there to support and encourage you throughout your time at RGS. I look forward to meeting you all in September and seeing you represent Hodgson at lots of events next year.
My name is Mr Leck and I am Head of the mighty purple army that is Cranston House and our mascot is a Snow Leopard. I am the Head of Cricket and teach Physical Education. The House system is an integral part of the school with a range of events that take place throughout the year and the responsibility of overseeing a quarter of the school is a great honour. I look forward to welcoming you into the Cranston family where we will enjoy years of fun!
Life at RGS isn’t all about academic work, and students are encouraged to make the most of the vast range of opportunities available to them. The RGS extra-curricular programme is the heartbeat of the school and we hope that parents will join us in encouraging students to get involved in whichever club or activity appeals. It is never too late to try something new, and staff are always keen to hear from students themselves about starting up new clubs and ventures.
Your games session will be every Tuesday afternoon. PE lessons will be at a range of times throughout the week depending on which form you are in and you need only come in your PE Kit. There is no need to wear specialist equipment to PE lessons. On days when students have PE or Games they should come to school in kit including the tracksuit bottoms and their blast fleece. All kit must be labelled. Your games session will be Tuesday afternoon. You should wear:
GIRLS: Games/hockey polo shirt (school design), blast fleece top and bottoms (school design), games skort, blue and white games socks, sport specific trainers or hockey astros, gum shield and shin pads.
BOYS: One reversible rugby shirt (school design), navy blue shorts (school design), blue and white games socks, blast fleece games top and bottoms (school design), rugby boots (or trainers) and gum shield.
There are school teams in most sports with fixtures throughout the week, including Saturdays. If you want to be in a school team you will be expected to attend training sessions, some of which are after school. If you are not selected straight away, don’t give up. The teams change round a lot during the first year and you may find yourself moving teams!
There are also many clubs on offer at RGS, both at lunchtime and after school. There will be a clubs fayre in the first week where you can find out about all the clubs and activities on offer at RGS. Try out the different clubs and see what you like whether they are sport clubs or others. You may find that Art Club or Weather Club is the one for you, or you may want to show your political side at the Junior MUN. There is something for everyone.
Pre-season training for Years 8-13 (Second Form – Sixth Form) runs prior to the start of the academic year and this year will take place from Wednesday 30 August – Saturday 2 September.
For those keen to get ahead with their hockey and cricket, we will be running sports camp on the RGS Hartswood pitches.
RGS uses Opro as a mouthguard provider. We will liaise with you prior to the end of the summer term.
The RGS Sports department delivers a programme that promotes excellence through sport for all and creates good people through sport. We are extremely proud to provide opportunities for excellence and lifelong participation, through a student centred approach, within a varied sporting programme.
Find out more by downloading the RGS Sports booklet Follow the action: reigategrammaractive @RGSSport
Music plays a vital part in the life of RGS. The Music department values all students who are interested in music, whatever their experience and whatever style of music they are interested in.
Whether you are new to music or an accomplished player, RGS Music lessons are a fantastic opportunity to develop your talent, learn something new and have fun! With numerous instrumental ensembles and choirs, concerts and overseas trips, there is always something going on and plenty of opportunities to develop and perform.
Lessons are offered on all orchestral instruments as well as piano, organ, singing, drums, saxophone, acoustic guitar and electric guitar. Lesson duration is usually 30 minutes, charged at a rate of £23.50. Applications for lessons can be made via rgs.to/musiclesson
Places available for violin, cello, double bass, singing, guitar, clarinet, sax, piano as well as choir, string ensemble and wind ensemble. There are regular concert opportunities and visiting masterclass experts.
Saturday mornings during term time in the RGS Music department. Register via rgs.to/saturdaymusiccollege
Contact Keri Smith, Music School Manager via kes@reigategrammar.org for details.
Find out more by downloading the RGS Music booklet
Keep up with the latest music news: @rgs_music
Extra-curricular drama is a great strength of RGS, with a busy programme of annual theatre events.
There are usually three or four major productions each year in addition to evening showings, competitions, performances of examination pieces and visiting shows.
There are strong links with the Music department with musicals staged regularly. Productions in the last few years have included: Oliver!, Monstrous Stories, Hansel + Gretel, Treasure Island and Marmalade Atkins.
Find out more by downloading the RGS Drama booklet Follow the action on Twitter @RGSDrama
From sports tours in Spain to Geography expeditions in Iceland, students at Reigate Grammar School enjoy a wide ranging and enriching programme of extra-curricular trips. The schedule below provides a taste of the wonderful opportunities on offer.
TERM
TRIP NAME
Autumn 1 Senior Girls Hockey Tour
Autumn 1 DofE Bronze Qualifying Expedition
Autumn 1 Rugby Tour to Lille
Autumn 1 Tangier Woods Army Camp
Autumn 1 Junior Girls UK Hockey Tour
October Half Term DofE Silver Qualifying Expedition
October Half Term History Trip to New York and Washington
October Half Term Music Tour to Barcelona
October Half Term Rugby Tour to Spain
Christmas Holiday German Trip to Berlin Christmas Markets
Christmas Holiday Canada Cup Ski Trip
Christmas Holiday Ski Trip 1 to Switzerland
Spring 1 Junior Boys UK Hockey Tour
February Half Term Art Trip to Paris
February Half Term Geography Trip to Iceland
February Half Term Senior Boys Hockey Tour
Easter Holiday Tangier Woods Tri Service Exercise
Easter Holiday Science Trip to Azores
YEAR GROUPS/S
Third to Lower Sixth Form
Fourth Form
Second Form
Second Form to Upper Sixth Form
First and Second Form
Fifth Form
Lower and Upper Sixth Form
Third Form to Upper Sixth Form
Third Form
Third Form to Fifth Form
Second Form to Upper Sixth Form
First Form to Fifth Form
First and Second Form
Sixth Form
Fourth to Fifth Form
Third Form to Upper Sixth Form
Second Form to Upper Sixth Form
Third Form to Lower Sixth Form
TERM TRIP NAME
Easter Holiday Spanish Trip to Canary Islands
YEAR GROUPS/S
Second Form
Easter Holiday Theology & Philosophy Trip to Amsterdam Sixth Form
Easter Holiday Diving Trip to Lanzarote
Summer 1 Girls Cricket Tour
Summer 1 Rock Climbing Trip To Peak District
Summer 1 Bronze Practice Expedition
Summer 1 Bronze Mop-Up Expedition
Summer 1 Navy Adventurous Training Weekend
May Half Term Tangier Woods Army Camp
May Half Term French Trip to Château Du Broutel, France
May Half Term Boys Cricket Tour
Summer 2 DofE Silver Practice Expedition
Summer 2 DofE Gold Training Expedition
Summer 2 Nettlecombe Ecology Fieldwork Trip
Summer Holiday CCF Summer Camp
Summer Holiday DofE Gold Qualifying Expedition
Summer Holiday Golf Tour
Summer Holiday Boys and Girls Football Trip
Second Form to Upper Sixth Form
Third Form and Fourth Form
First Form to Upper Sixth Form
Third Form
Third Form
Second Form to Upper Sixth Form
Second Form to Upper Sixth Form
First Form
Second Form
Fourth Form
Lower Sixth Form
Lower Sixth Form
Second Form to Upper Sixth Form
Lower Sixth Form
Fourth Form to Sixth Form
First to Third Form
Welcome to the RGS community! The PFA is your organisation and we always welcome new faces and fresh ideas – all parents are members while they have children in the school.
• We run social events to bring the RGS parents and friends together
• We fundraise to provide students with additional resources and opportunities.
It is run by a committee of volunteers from the parent body, organising a series of events at school during the year, including:
• New Parent's Drinks (13 October 2023)
• Lower School Social (10 November 2023)
• Sale of Christmas trees (Order in November, collect 2 December 2023)
• Quiz & Curry Night (November 2023)
• A Ceilidh (January 2024)
• Termly nearly new uniform sales
• Other social events including a Ball will be held in the Summer Term (June) and the committee is open to ideas as to the types of event you would like to attend
Becoming involved with the PFA is a great way to meet other parents from across the school, and to feel part of the school community. You can provide support by:
• Attending events to meet other parents and have fun
• Joining the committee
• Volunteering to support the running of events
DOWNLOAD THE APP to stay up to date with our events and activities
The PFA together with the RGS Foundation would like to invite you to the ever-popular New Parents’ Drinks for all new First, Third and Sixth Form parents joining RGS in September 2023.
Come along to this informal evening to meet other new parents and share a few drinks and nibbles.
Further details on how to book will follow.
Nearly New Sales are run by the PFA and provide a termly opportunity to buy good quality second hand uniform and games kit at very reasonable prices. There will be one soon after the start of the Autumn Term. The sales give parents a chance to recycle their children’s uniform when they grow out of it, as well as making some money from selling the items if they want to. It is best to arrive early as stock sells fast.
For general information on the sales and how they work please visit rgs.to/nearlynewsales
As a new parent of a Reigate Grammar School student, we welcome you to our vibrant Reigatian community (current and former parents, former pupils, staff, Governors, friends of the school), and we encourage your connectivity and involvement.
There are so many ways to get involved:
• Join the Reigate Grammar School Professionals group via LinkedIn and become part of a connected networking group of 2,000 like-minded members. We hold industry-specific events as well as social activities
• As your child progresses through RGS, the Foundation can help connect them with members of our community for work experience placements, or to seek advice on career path decisions. We are here to help and to do that we need your involvement!
• Can you offer work experience, careers advice or become a mentor to current and former RGS pupils?
• We offer student leadership roles when your child reaches the Sixth Form. Our Foundation Ambassadors attend Foundation events, deliver their own fundraising campaigns within school and help create content to support our initiatives
• Over 400 Reigatians are currently studying at university. We can draw upon this huge resource to give your child the inside track on university life, degree courses and even university choices
• This is a global community! Reigatians spread far and wide. We can provide business links both in the UK and overseas. If your child is looking to travel or work abroad, we can assist, connect and support your child with their exciting plans.
The RGS Professionals Group was set up back in 2012 as a way to connect and reach our wider network of alumni, parents, supporters and businesses. Now with over 2,000 members, we continue to drive focus to strengthen and grow our community. With events from golf days and school trips to overseas gatherings, we are fortunate we have established strong foundations within our network.
Inspiring Minds is just one of the many events we host throughout the year. We are so grateful to have a broad wealth of experience to draw upon and we recently invited five individuals to join our esteemed panel from across our Reigatian community to share advice that helped them to achieve in their chosen field.
From mentoring to coaching, hosting to work experience, advice or networking, there really is something for everyone to benefit from or add value to. If you would like to join our Professionals Group, please scan the QR code.
The award-winning Changing Lives campaign launched in 2014 and has supported 92 bursary students to date. To celebrate the school’s 350 anniversary in 2025, we set ourselves a target of having 50 fully-funded Changing Lives bursary students in the school at any one time. Thanks to our amazing community, we achieved our target 3 years early! For more information visit rgs.foundation/changing-lives or scan the QR code.
We take this process incredibly seriously. It’s not about sales-patter, box-ticking and vague check-ins. It’s about building real relationships and understanding the why behind your wants and needs. We’ve helped many RGS parents relocate, so if you’re looking to move, then please do reach out to one of the team.
