RGS Academic Review 2015-2016

ACADEMIC REVIEW 2015-2016

TOP CO-EDUCATIONAL INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL IN SURREY Daily Telegraph & Sunday Times Parent Power

100% PASS RATE AT A LEVEL FOR 17th YEAR RUNNING

MORE GCSE A* GRADES THAN ALL OTHER GRADES PUT TOGETHER! RGS NAMED AS A DESTINATION SCHOOL IN THE TATLER SCHOOL GUIDE ISI INSPECTION 2016 RATED EXCEPTIONAL

R E I G AT E G R A M M A R S C H O O L

A LEVEL RESULTS 2016

TOP CO-ED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL IN SURREY FOR THE THIRD YEAR RUNNING

(DAILY TELEGRAPH)

94% A*-B grades at A Level in 2016 The typical Reigatian secured AAB grades Two thirds of grades were A or A* at A Level 100% record for four years running of an offer for every single medical school applicant

Last year our A Level results were deemed to be ‘Exceptional’ by ISI and were 91% A*-B grades. This year our attainment was 94% A*-B. This is truly fantastic and one of which we are very proud.

The last three years have been the three highest attaining years for A Level results since our records began. ` Reigatians were consistently successful this year. In addition to 94% of grades being A*-B, nearly two thirds of the grades gained were A*-A grades.

Students at Reigate Grammar School have gained more than 93% A*-B grades on average over the last three years.

THE TYPICAL REIGATIAN SECURED AAB GRADES WITH THE FOLLOWING SECURING THREE OR MORE A* GRADES: Gregory Beazley Hugh Blayney Daniel Humphreys Maria Ionescu Benjamin McLaughlin Henry Morris These results are a great tribute to the talented students, dedicated teachers and supportive parents at Reigate Grammar School.

STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES Maria Ionescu, achieved four A*s and is going to Cambridge University to study Medicine. James Hawrych also achieved A*s and As and is off to Oxford University to study Engineering. Many other RGS students are heading to Oxbridge and elite universities.

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A LEVEL SUBJECT ART

% A*-B 100

BIOLOGY

97

BUSINESS STUDIES

83

CHEMISTRY

88

CLASSICAL CIVILISATION

86

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

100

ECONOMICS

80

ENGLISH LITERATURE

100

FRENCH

100

FURTHER MATHEMATICS

92

GEOGRAPHY

96

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

100

HISTORY

94

ITALIAN

100

LATIN

100

MATHEMATICS

95

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

100

PHYSICS

100

SPANISH

100

THEATRE STUDIES

100

THEOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY TOTAL PERCENTAGE

90 94 For more indepth analysis please visit our website

WHY DO WE USE THE MEASURE OF A*-B GRADES? That is because this year, as last, our students hold university places where the grade requirements are almost exclusively all A*-B grades.

Therefore, A*, A and B grades create life chances and secure university places that are aligned with the aspirations of RGS students. It is also the same as national benchmark tables.

R E I G AT E G R A M M A R S C H O O L

GCSE RESULTS 2016

MORE A* GRADES THAN ALL OTHER GRADES PUT TOGETHER! 83% A*-A grades at GCSE 46% of students gained 10 or more A*/A grades 85% of students achieved five or more A*/A grades The typical Reigatian achieved 6 A* and 4 A grades Over half (55%) of all grades achieved were A* 100% Pass rate at GCSE GCSE results at Reigate Grammar School are EXCEPTIONAL, repeating the school’s record breaking successes of this year’s amazing A Level results. This year RGS students have achieved more A* grades than all the other grades put together with the typical Reigatian achieving 6 A* and 4 A grades.

RGS students have secured a 100% pass rate at GCSE with 83% being A*-A grades and, at 55%, over half of all grades achieved were A*. These are record results for RGS.

This truly remarkable achievement highlights the academic strength of our students, the commitment of our staff and the successful implementation of our three-year GCSE programme.

STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES 25 RGS students gained 10 or more A* grades: Anna Anderson, Constance Bambridge-Sutton, Isabelle Brotzel, Camille Du Buisson, Benjamin DunnFlores, Kirsty Gaston, Aaron Gilchrist, Ella-Mae Grayston, Laura Hawrych, Yasmin Herbert, Nicole James, Eleanor Medcalf, Adam Mendoza, Daniel Muir, Leo Nasskau, Isaac Osterreicher, Theo Petitt, Amber Rothera, Bryony Sheridan, Milo Stephens, Oscar Subuh-Symons,

Harriet Tagart, Ava Warriner, Joanna Welsh and Isabel Wood.

Shaun Fenton, RGS Headmaster, said: “What I love is that these top results were earned in a year packed full of drama, sport, music, debating, Model United Nations, D of E, art, CCF and so much more. Although these amazing grades are the students’ deserved rewards for a great deal of hard work, we do continue to fit the academic work in amongst the other important elements of a great education. Well done Reigatians, I couldn’t be more proud of you!”

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KEY STAGE 4: THREE-YEAR GCSE PROGRAMME Reigate Grammar School students benefit from a three-year GCSE programme, a system which has proven results for enhanced academic attainment and increased depth of learning. RGS students are already working at a level ahead of national expectations and for those students who join us in the First Form (Year 7), RGS helps students to work quickly through the important foundation stage in the first two years. This allows RGS to support students to work at the higher level of GCSE study a year earlier than at most other schools.

Students’ higher level of ability and the support framework provided by the school sees RGS students start working at GCSE level from the start of the Third Form (Year 9) rather than waiting until the Fourth Form (Year 10), as in most other schools. Having three years to work at

GCSE level means students get three years to do what other schools rush through in just two years. The extra time supports higher attainment and higher GCSE grades that will open up additional opportunities as students apply to top universities.

The extended three-year GCSE course also enables RGS students to enjoy significantly greater breadth and depth in their learning.

ELECTIVES PROGRAMME The extra time provided by a three-year GCSE programme enables RGS students to benefit from an innovative Electives Programme which contains a wide range of studies and life skills that are valuable but do not require yet another GCSE examination in order to be part of a great education. Examples of Electives include a new language started ab initio, sculpture or ceramics, a programme of art appreciation, French literature, digital design, computer programming or forensic science.

WHAT ARE IGCSEs? International GCSEs (IGCSEs) are similar in many ways to standard GCSEs, but are generally regarded as more rigorous. Originally designed for schools overseas, they are not required to conform to the regulations laid down by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in the UK. They usually involve less coursework, and retain elements of the syllabus which have been removed from GCSEs. In recent years, many leading independent schools in the UK have adopted IGCSEs, at least for some subjects. However, as they are not recognised by QCA they do not appear in government performance tables. This explains why some government league tables suggest that none of our students has five GCSEs!

THE ACADEMY The Academy is now in its third year and attracting speakers and debaters in strong numbers. The student-led academic forum is open to members of the Fifth and Sixth Forms and gives a platform to express and engage further in areas of particular interest.

TSI FRIDAY! RGS’ popular series of talks Thank Science It’s Friday covers topics as varied as: the chemistry of chilli peppers; aerodynamics in the automotive industry; the latest computing developments and the aftermath of the Japanese tsunami at the Fukushima nuclear power station.

Inspired by Plato’s Academy model, each session sees a student give a short presentation on an academic issue that is of particular interest to them. The presentation is then followed by an open discussion on the day’s topic encouraging debating, knowledge sharing and a chance to dig deeper into a range of crosscurricular subjects.

Talks are given by students and staff and offer a rich and interesting diet to supplement science lessons and capture interests of students. TSI Friday talks are open to all year groups.

In addition to the immediate academic gains and enjoyment, The Academy also provides students with the opportunity to practice giving presentations in a relatively informal setting. The forum provides valuable experience for university applications, employment and as a stepping stone to qualifications such as the Extended Project Qualification.

R E I G AT E G R A M M A R S C H O O L

DESTINATION OF LEAVERS

ELITE UNIVERSITIES FOR RGS STUDENTS Almost all of this year’s leavers have chosen to go on to university, either immediately or after a gap year. All Oxbridge applicants secured their places.

The range of institutions is dominated by the top 20 UK universities and those within the Russell Group.

This year’s most popular courses were Medicine, Economics and Geography but leavers span a wide range of disciplines.

COURSES (WITH NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS) Accounting & Finance

4 French & English

1

Actuarial Science

1 French & Russian

1

Aerospace Engineering

1 Geography

7

American Studies

1 History

5

Anthropology & Archaeology

1 International Business

1

Architecture

1 International Relations

1

Biochemistry

2 International Relations & Russian

1

Biological Sciences

4 Law

3

Biology

2 Maths

1

Biomedical Science

3 Maths & Computing

1

Business & Management

2 Maths & Finance

1

Business Administration

1 Mechanical Engineering

1

Business Studies

1 Medicine

6

Cellular & Molecular Medicine

1 Modern Languages

1

Chemical Engineering

1 Musicianship

1

Chemical Physics

1 Nuclear Science & Materials

1

Classics

2 Philosophy

1

Combined Honours

1 Philosophy & Physics

1

Computing Science

3 Philosophy & Politics

1

Dentistry

2 Philosophy & Psychology

1

Economics

5 Physics

4

Economics & Politics

1 Physiotherapy

1

Electrical Engineering

1 Politics

1

Engineering

4 Politics & History

1

English

2 Politics & International Relations

3

English & Law

1 Politics & Sociology

1

English & Modern Languages

1 Psychology

1

Film Studies

1 Veterinary Science

1

MOST POPULAR UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS Bath* Bristol Oxbridge* Durham* Edinburgh* Exeter* Leicester Nottingham Warwick* York * Placed in the top 20 in the Guardian University Guide 2015

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THE RGS PROFESSIONALS NETWORK

CAREERS

The RGS Professionals Network group is run by Reigate Grammar School’s Foundation Office, in partnership with the Careers Department, to help RGS students with their career choices while they are at school and beyond, and to encourage networking between Reigatians.

CAREERS PROGRAMME

UNIVERSITY LINKS Over 300 Reigatians currently studying at university are available to provide details about their course and university to RGS Sixth Form students. Reigatians at university provide an invaluable source of extra information to current Sixth Form students giving an inside track on university life, different courses and a depth of knowledge that reaches far beyond universities’ official brochures and websites.

Each summer, Reigatians at university return to RGS for a UCAS Day, organised by the Careers Department, which gives current Lower Sixth Form students the chance to question them as a panel and individually about their experience of university, their course and their recommendations for a successful UCAS application and transition to university.

BUSINESS LINKS Members of our Reigatian community (parents, former pupils and RGS friends), who are established in their own careers are a vital source of advice, encouragement and mentorship.

The RGS Professionals network has well over 1,500 members and they are keen to provide support with careers advice, work experience and potential job opportunities.

As part of the RGS Professionals Network, parents and former students also provide invaluable support through participation in the school’s annual Careers Convention and the popular lunchtime careers speaker’s programme which runs throughout the year.

 Reigate Grammar School Professionals

The primary purpose of RGS London Professionals is to foster meaningful friendship and network support. The group supports the school by providing a pool of experienced professionals willing to provide guidance and potential job contact opportunities to students at the school.

The 2015-2016 programme included: Accountancy Dedicated careers in finance with speakers from: accountancy, actuaries, finance directors, banking and delegates from the Insurance industry.

Media & Publishing Toby Mundy on ‘Careers in Journalism and Publishing’.

Engineering Dedicated engineering careers evening with seven outside speakers from across the many different fields of engineering.

Finance: Douse Associates’ Scheme Representatives from Douse Associates talk about their Gap Scheme.

LONDON PROFESSIONALS RGS London Professionals brings together members of the Reigatian Community working in the London area including parents, alumni and friends of RGS.

RGS’ Careers Department runs a programme of lunchtime talks throughout the year with experts and guest speakers providing insight and advice on a host of different possible paths ahead. The programme is augmented by the RGS Careers Convention and Higher Education Convention which run annually on rotation and between them welcome representatives from over 50 professions and universities to RGS.

The group also offers an enjoyable forum for Reigatians to stay in touch with friends and colleagues involved with the school and to meet and network with new friends working in complementary businesses.

As part of our rich and diverse programme, recent events have included: an Advertising and Marketing event at VCCP, RGSLP End of Summer Drinks at Canary Wharf and an evening at The Reading Room in Holborn. In the year ahead we are looking to hold an evening to celebrate the five year anniversary since the launch of the RGSLP along with our first ever Medics event. To join our LinkedIn group, please search for Reigate Grammar School Professionals or if you would like to find out more about the group please contact: foundation@ reigategrammar.org

Law Dedicated careers in Law evening with current Law students and career lawyers.

Medicine Dedicated careers in Medicine evening with talks from medical students, young doctors and career medics. Dr Sandeep Cliff-Patel, Brighton & Sussex Medical School assisted with interviews for medicine and Sarah Davidson (OR) on degrees in Veterinary Science.

Psychology Dr A Banks on ‘Degrees in Psychology’ US Universities Kristin Dreazen on US universities and the admissions process.

Oxbridge Dedicated programme for students applying to Oxbridge, open to all students.

Please contact Dr Carter or Mr Buzzacott for further information.

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Definitely One to Watch The Good Schools Guide

Exeptional for Achievement and Learning Independent Schools inspectorate 2016

Top Co-Educational Independent Day School in Surrey Daily Telegraph & Sunday Times Parent Power

RGS is rocketing up the rankings: 93% A*–B at A Level and in the top five per cent nationally for value-added.

Tatler Schools Guide 2016

“Thank you for giving me the chance to join RGS Sixth Form. I have had an incredible two years, amazing opportunities and met so many incredible people. I will always be grateful.”

– RP, an RGS student who has just finished her A Levels

Reigate Grammar School, Reigate Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0QS 01737 222231 info@reigategrammar.org

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