Founder's Day booklet

FOUNDER’S DAY

RGS FOUNDATION | FOUNDER’S DAY

What is Founder’s Day?

Founder’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of our founder, Henry Smith, and the rich history of Reigate Grammar School.

RGS was founded in 1675 after Henry Smith, the great philanthropist, left £1,000 in his will to “educate the poor boys of Reigate”.

In 2025 RGS will celebrate its 350th anniversary. In preparation for this milestone, we are keen to emphasise the importance of Founder’s Day, which will be celebrated in May each year – the month of Henry Smith’s birthday.

Founder’s Day provides the opportunity for everyone in the Reigatian community to engage and connect with each another; to bring together the entire community and forge stronger relationships.

Founder’s Day acts as a reminder to the benefits of being a Reigatian: the sense of belonging and shared values; the journey you have experienced at RGS; the opportunities and friendships that you enjoy as a result of your relationship with the school, no matter what your connection.

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“This day celebrates the heritage of our great school and its founder, Henry Smith. It is fitting that the school song is To be a Pilgrim as I believe that being a pilgrim means being on a special journey with a good purpose. Since 1675 (the same year that the founding stone at St Paul’s Cathedral was laid) Reigatians have followed in our founder’s footsteps, moving forward as Reigatian Pilgrims and making the world a better place.

Join me in raising a glass to Henry Smith on Founder’s Day.” Shaun Fenton Headmaster

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Who was Henry Smith?

FACT OR FICTION? Find out about our founder

Little is known about our founder, Henry Smith (1549-1628), but colourful myths are intertwined with his remarkable legacy:

• Henry Smith established a tradition

of philanthropy that continues to this day through The Henry Smith Charity, one of the largest independent grant-makers in the UK, which gives around £27m a year.

• A member of the Salters’ Company, Reigate Grammar School was founded in 1675 through the vision, generosity and philanthropic support of Henry Smith, a successful London merchant and alderman.

Henry Smith was born in Wandsworth in May 1549 and went on to accumulate great wealth through the acquisition of land and estates throughout the City of London and the South of England, including his wife’s home county of Surrey.

Henry died in 1627 and declared in his Will that a gift of £1,000 be used for relief of the poor and to educate local children in Reigate. In 1675 RGS was founded to educate boys in reading, writing and simple calculations. What is remarkable is that the school remains, to this day, upon its original site.

did Henry make his fortune as a salt merchant? Remember this was an era when salt was the only way of preserving food, which made it a rich commodity!

• The few pictures we have of Henry

Smith are of him wearing the prestigious robes of an Alderman, however, he only held this position for a matter of months (from February to May 1609).

• Henry was heavily involved in the

controversial practice of money lending – especially to members of the aristocracy – which would be key in bringing him to the centre of political and court power.

• Ill health in his final years meant he

was unable to attend church. Henry was indicted for ‘Popish Recusancy’ and risked fines and the confiscation of property. Thankfully, his lawyer intervened and the case was dropped.

• Henry is buried in Wandsworth, the

place of his birth. A memorial was erected at All Saints Church after his death in 1628. Dressed in his alderman’s robes, he holds a skull – the traditional memento mori of the time.

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RGS FOUNDATION | FOUNDER’S DAY

The History of Reigate Grammar School

1675

1700

1780s

1862

1904

1907

1945

1976

Reigate Grammar School was founded

A Board of Education inspection showed that there were 121 boys on roll, including five boarders

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Robert Bishop, a local resident, died and stipulated in his Will that an income from rents should be used ‘for the free teaching of four poor boys’

New buildings were opened, which included the gymnasium. These additions were built in front of the old building line, which accounts for its proximity to the road

Hours of teaching ran from 7am-11am and from 1pm-5pm. Each morning and afternoon session started with a roll-call

Under the Education Act of 1944, the School was taken over by Surrey County Council. To meet the increase in demand, Broadfield House was acquired

The school was re-formed as a Grammar School, with a full board of governors

Converted back to fee-paying independent status and girls were admitted to Sixth Form

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1871

1878

1890

1900

1983

1993

2009

2018

The Headmaster’s House and schoolroom were built and opened

Hartswood Sports Ground officially opened.

The 32-acre site, with large pavilion, provides outstanding facilities for hockey, rugby, cricket and football

Headmaster, Reverend John Gooch was dismissed from his post, after 16 years of service

The school became fully co-educational

The addition of boys funded by Surrey CC scholarships significantly increased the numbers attending and the influence the school had in the district

The indoor swimming pool opened

The school had 50 pupils when Robert Stuart Ragg took over as Headmaster.

He raised standards and the school began to gain local and national significance. The Pilgrim was first published

The Harrison Centre was opened and now houses the library and Sixth Form common room

2025

RGS will celebrate its 350th anniversary

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RGS FOUNDATION | FOUNDER’S DAY

Why is Founder’s Day important to us?

Whether you are a current pupil, alumni, current or former parent, member of staff, friend or partner, Reigate Grammar School is the glue that binds us together.

Former pupils

Governors

Current pupils

REIGATIAN COMMUNITY

Parents of former pupils

Staff

Parents of current pupils Friends of the school

Founder’s Day is a tradition that cements the relationship that current students, parents and staff have with the school to make sure that it continues. Founder’s Day will be an annual event, and everyone will know that wherever they are in the world, they can raise a glass and remember their connection to Henry Smith and RGS. Join us to celebrate the life-long pride of being a Reigatian.

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“As part of the Reigatian community we appreciate all that RGS has done for our children. They have matured into fine young adults and RGS has prepared them to embrace the next stage of their lives.”

Laurie and Amanda Kerr Parents of former RGS pupils

“My career has been a long a winding road, which was rewarding and rich in life experience. I thank Reigate Grammar School for laying the basic foundations that made my journey possible.”

David Woodward (RGS 1961-1968)

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How to engage and connect with us Join us on social media throughout May to share memories and photographs of your time at the school, see what classmates have been up to, reconnect with old friends and help us impress upon current students the far-reaching benefits that being a Reigatian delivers.

“I loved my time at Reigate Grammar School and will always be grateful for the many benefits its very fine education brought me. I owe my abiding interest in geography to Mr Farries… he taught me to love maps and the landscape they depict, a joy I have carried with me throughout my life.”

Clive Wilkinson (RGS 1952-1959) 11 times great-nephew of Henry Smith

“I was fortunate to receive an excellent education at RGS, not confined solely to classroom studies. I also sang in the choir, played in the orchestra and acted in the plays. It is easy to forget how much these activities contribute to young lives and continue to enhance your later years.”

Get in touch to let us know what your connection to RGS means to you.

Our community is only as strong as the sum of its parts, so we thank you in anticipation of your support.

Email: foundation@reigategrammar.org

@foundationRGS   RGSFoundation  @rgsfoundation

Graham Samuel (RGS 1958-1966)

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To be a Pilgrim He who would valiant be ‘gainst all disaster, Let him in constancy follow the Master.

There’s no discouragement shall make him once relent His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.

Who so beset him round with dismal stories Do but themselves confound – his strength the more is.

No foes shall stay his might; though he with giants fight, He will make good his right to be a pilgrim.

Since, Lord, thou dost defend us with thy Spirit, We know we at the end, shall life inherit.

Then fancies flee away!

I’ll fear not what men say, I’ll labour night and day to be a pilgrim.

Foundation Office Reigate Grammar School Reigate Road Reigate RH2 0QS Telephone: 01737 222231

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Registered Charity number 1081898