● Genuine international collaboration and ongoing involvement
● Being part of a global community of more than 3,600 students
● A partnership with a dedicated team, highly experienced in helping a new school excel in its local area
MR BOB UKIAH CHIEF EXECUTIVE, RGS GUILDFORD INTERNATIONAL
Our family of schools bring together the best of RGS
Guildford and local cultures to deliver a market-leading international education.
We are tremendously proud to have created thriving RGS Guildford schools in Dubai, Qatar, Oman and China. Together with our home school in Guildford, we are an established, successful and flourishing family.
But this is just the beginning. Our aim is to continue to expand our family of outstanding schools in new locations. We have ambitious long-term plans for a growing family of RGSG schools which collaborate with each other and provide a first-class RGSG education internationally.
Royal Grammar School Guildford (RGSG) has a proud history of over 500 years of academic excellence. We are ranked as one of the top schools in the UK at both A level and GCSE. Each year, all our pupils secure
places at the best universities. More than 250 RGSG graduates have gone on to study at Oxford and Cambridge Universities over the last 10 years alone.
As in the UK, our international schools deliver an inspiring UK curriculum including STEM, sports, art, drama, music and a full extra-curricular programme. Our international schools bring together the best of RGS Guildford and the best of local culture. Each school shares the RGSG ethos and values. This, accompanied with a first-class education will fully prepare students for the next stage in their lives.
If you would like to be part of the RGSG family of high quality, premium schools please do get in touch.
+44 01483 880 600
rau@rgsg.co.uk
500 years of history
RGS Guildford was founded in 1509 when Robert Beckingham, a prosperous London merchant, left money in his will to establish a free school in the historic town of Guildford, UK. In 1552 King Edward VI granted the school a Royal Charter whereby the school acquired the right to call itself the Royal Grammar School. Whilst the school has grown a lot over the years, the original Tudor school building remains the focus of RGS Guildford and is still used daily for teaching. Standing at the top of the High Street it continues to be one of Guildford’s most iconic and instantly recognisable landmarks.
We are proud that, throughout history, our students have gone on to succeed in a wide variety of professions, from politicians and business leaders to elite sportmen musicians and actors.
Our alumni include:
● Rodney Allam MBE, Chemical Engineer and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate;
● New Zealand Premier, Sir George Grey;
● The Rt Hon Lord Justice Philip Sales KC, Justice of the Supreme Court of the UK;
● Dr Maroof Ahmed, MD and co-founder of Pelago Health;
● Olympicmedallist,AngusGroom;
● PresidentofNewYorkUniversity, Professor Andy Hamilton.
1552
Edward VI grants a School Charter that there should be “one Grammar School in the said town of Guildford which shall be called the Free Grammar School of King Edward Sixth for the Educational Institution and Instruction of Boys and Youths in Grammar at all future times forever to endure.”
1586
Building of Old School is completed.
1509
Robert Beckingham, a prosperous London merchant, left money in his Will to “make a free scole at the Towne of Guildford.”
1557
Construction of the Schoolhouse begins, consisting of a schoolroom with great chamber and a garret above, and houses for the Schoolmaster and Usher.
1573
John Parkhurst, Bishop of Norwich, a former pupil, bequeathed books to the School library which is now known as the Chained Library.
1608
George Austen drafts first Statutes.
1881
The School falls into disrepair and decay. The Guildford Municipal Charities established a committee which reported that the School had no funds available for repairs and that there were only nine boys “instead of 100”. The committee raised £2,238.15s.4d towards the restoration of the RGS, ensuring its survival.
1890
1962
The old RGS building is severely damaged in a fire in December. The building is restored and reopened in 1965 by the Duchess of Gloucester. School reopens with 44 boys on the original site.
1944
Education Act is passed under which the School adopted a “Voluntary Controlled” status; the tuition is “free” and entry is by common entrance examination at the age of eleven.
1977
Final Charity Commission scheme is sealed on 20 January and the School becomes independent of the state system in September of that year.
1958
Construction of the New Building on Allen House Field begins.
2016
Opening of the first RGSG International school in Qatar.
Looking to the future
RGS Guildford is rich in history, but is a forward-looking school at the forefront of innovations in education.
All our students will grow up in a fast-paced world where, through travel and technology, they have access to global events more easily than ever.
Our international presence helps our whole community to develop global perspectives on issues which will shape all our students’ futures.
2020
RGSG Nanjing opens.
2023
RGSG Muscat opens.
2021
RGSG Dubai opens.
A partnership with us provides strong benefits.
THE RGS GUILDFORD BRAND LINKS TO THE RGS FAMILY
Synonymous with academic excellence and an inspirational all-round education. An exclusive licence to use the brand in your territory.
SUPPORT
From our dedicated international team during the planning, development, and implementation phases of a project. After the school opens we provide genuine ongoing support and advice through regular meetings, visits and quality assurance reviews.
Coverage on the RGS Guildford website along with links to your school. Sharing of events and activities on social media.
A WIDE RANGE OF RESOURCES
A complete set of guidelines, regularly updated, to include school policies, schemes of work, brand guidelines, and photographs of the daily life at the school and the iconic RGSG buildings.
COLLABORATION
Students and staff collaborate both with the UK school and our international schools. Working together on projects, competitions and visits help our students to consider global perspectives on issues shaping their futures. Our staff share best practice and new thinking to benefit the education on offer in all of our schools.
PLANNING
When setting up a new school we provide comprehensive feasibility, business and education planning built on our experience in education.
A UK education is globally recognised and RGS Guildford is one of the top private schools in the UK.
In partnership with you, we will develop a school that will thrive in the context of your country.
RGS Guildford students go on to study some of the best degree courses at the best UK universities
TOP DEGREE COURSES
Sciences
Business / Management / Finance
Economics
Engineering
Medicine / Dentistry
Geography
Maths / Computer Science
Combined Honours
Modern Languages
Politics / International Relations
History
Philosophy / PPE
Classics
English
Sociology
Law
Music
Our students leave RGS Guildford well equipped for the next stage of their education and future careers.
We are incredibly proud that our students go on to the very best institutions in higher education, including Cambridge, Oxford, leading Russell Group and Ivy League universities and top medical schools.
NANJING
We are built on centuries of heritage, but our students are inspired to embrace the future.
RGS GUILDFORD
1509 FOUNDED
LOCATION
1,300 STUDENTS DR JON COX HEADMASTER
rgsg.co.uk
Set in the heart of Guildford, the RGS was founded in 1509. Though much has changed since then, our pride in our School Values remain constant.
Our students achieve exceptional academic results, and we are delighted to consistently be placed amongst the best schools in the country. In 2023, at GCSE 74% of all grades awarded were the very highest grade 9 and 8. At A Level 75.4% of all grades awarded were A* or A.
From those joining the Prep school aged 3, to those leaving the Senior school aged 18, we encourage curiosity and creativity and nurture community and collaboration.
We are immensely proud of both our 500-year-old heritage and our inclusive, forward thinking outlook, and are committed to creating an experience for our students that will not only achieve academic success but, as importantly, will equip them for a constantly changing world.
RGSG QATAR
m2
CAPACITY
al-qamra.com
rgsgq.com
Our first international school opened in 2016, the culmination of a partnership between RGSGI and leading Qatari corporation Al Qamra Holdings (AQH).
A day school for children from 3–18, the school attracts both Qatari and international families. Since its beginning the school has provided a superior, all-round education which prepares its students for the demands and challenges of today’s fast-paced world.
The school has over 800 students aged from 3–18. In 2021 the school opened a new, dedicated secondary school, allowing it to grow further and continue its success. We were immensely proud to see the first cohort graduate from RGSG Qatar in 2023.
Collaboration, community and innovation are the key principles that unite RGS Guildford with its international partners.
NANJING
The valuable exchange of experiences and insights through regular visits continue to strengthen the bonds between our schools.
RGSG NANJING
2020
1,500
STUDENT CAPACITY
57,000m2 FOUNDED SIZE
GEMDALE EDUCATION
PARTNER
rgs-nanjing.com
RGSG Nanjing opened in China in 2020 in partnership with Gemdale Education, part of the Gemdale Corporation, a major Chinese property developer. Pupil numbers have already grown to over 550.
We worked closely with Gemdale in the construction and development phase of the school and ahead of its opening advised on the curriculum, policies, appointment of the International Principal and other international senior staff.
Gemdale Education share our educational ethos and values: to help our pupils to develop into independent and confident adults who behave with integrity and respect.
INTERNATIONAL PRINCIPAL
MR ALEX SHEN
CHINESE PRINCIPAL
MR MATT FORD NANJING
LOCATION
The school boasts worldclass facilities and offers both day and boarding options. It benefits from strong international teaching staff, many of whom have been with the school since its inception. 2023 saw the first cohort graduate from the school and students have succeeded in securing an impressive set of A Level results enabling them to start university courses in the UK, US and other international destinations.
RGSG DUBAI
2021 FOUNDED
40,000m2
2,100 STUDENT CAPACITY
SIZE DUBAI LOCATION
cognita.com
PRINCIPAL COGNITA
MR SCOTT BRYAN
PARTNER
rgsgd.com
RGSG Dubai has quickly become established as a flagship school in the UAE region. Opened in September 2021 in partnership with Cognita, the school has already grown to over 1,200 students. It embodies and reflects the same standards and inspiring ethos of RGS Guildford.
A school for children from 3-18, we are proud of the world-leading facilities enjoyed by its students: RGSG Dubai was awarded Energy Project of the Year in the Big Project Middle East Awards 2021 and won Best Architecture Environment, Design and Sustainability in a UAE School 2021-22.
The strong partnership established between RGS Guildford and Cognita throughout the development and opening of the school has flourished, and we are enjoying witnessing our students and teachers collaborating in many ways throughout the year.
An RGSG education prepares our students for the opportunities and challenges of our rapidly changing and complex world.
SC AT
Our desire is to see our family of RGS Guildford schools continue to grow and provide a first-class education internationally.
RGSG MUSCAT
2023
FOUNDED
1,500 SIZE
MUSCAT
LOCATION
rgsgm.com
RGSG Muscat is our fourth international school. It opened in 2023 and provides an education for boys and girls from 3 to 18.It offers state of the art laboratories, libraries, art and activity rooms, as well as first-class sports facilities.
The school, developed in partnership with Sama Educational Company: a top provider of education in the region, provides a premium education which will equip students for the future by developing skills, sparking imaginations and inspiring young minds.
1,900
STUDENT CAPACITY
MISS LAURA GRIFFITHS
HEAD OF SCHOOL
SAMA EDUCATIONAL COMPANY
PARTNER
Working closely with the school’s interior designers, we ran a competition for RGS Guildford students to design an item of furniture that highlighted the links between all of our schools and reflected both RGS Guildford’s history and the culture and natural beauty of Oman. The winners will have their designs installed in the school.
Working with us, we provide:
● A dedicated international team
● Support for both the planning and development of a new school
● Continued collaboration as the school grows and matures
Key People
Get in touch
If you have any questions or would like to discuss opportunities, then please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.
Bob Ukiah
Chief Executive rau@rgsg.co.uk
Bob is chief executive of RGS Guildford International. He is responsible for originating, developing and supporting our overseas partnerships. He has led the growth of RGS family schools in the Gulf Region and China, overseeing all aspects of their establishment. Bob is highly experienced in international education. He has spent 15 years on senior leadership teams at high achieving UK schools, following 15 years of investment banking expertise with global market-leading institutions.
Chris Lee
International Operations Director cjl@rgsg.co.uk
Chris will work with you to develop the relationship with RGS Guildford and ensure a strong and successful partnership. Chris will introduce you and your teams to RGS Guildford and our wider family of schools. This will ensure that you are able to access all of the resources to enable your school to offer an experience that is true to RGS Guildford’s heritage and ethos in the context of your own region.
Nina McCoy
Marketing and Communications Manager
Nina is an experienced marketer and has worked in both commercial and educational settings. Nina and her team will provide you with a comprehensive set of brand guidelines during the set up of the school. They will support you by providing examples of how the UK school is marketed and regular content and up to date images of school life in Guildford.
