RGS Prep Prospectus

THERE’S NO BETTER TIME

RGS Guildford is a place where every individual has the chance to be their extraordinary self.

It’s a place where every pupil is given an exceptional education within an environment that has a profound sense of identity, community and purpose. 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 pupils that will equip them for a constantly changing world.

Individuals thrive here because they are in a place that challenges them, supports them and knows them in equal measure. Everyone here is part of a like-minded collective which takes joy from learning, and the resulting academic energy is felt by pupils and teachers alike.

Our goal is for RGS Prep pupils, buoyed by their broad achievements and anchored by our long-held values, to carry the distinctive spirit of RGS into the world. They will forever be marked out by respectful intelligence, which will enrich them as individuals and bring benefits to society as a whole.

This is RGS Guildford. For their future, there’s no better time.

Schooldays are to be cherished. This time is to explore, to learn, to grow.

I will never tire of the natural buzz I hear in every classroom and corridor around the school. It stems from a genuine happiness and collective excitement at learning. There’s no doubt that this energy propels RGS Prep pupils on their educational journey. It can be seen in the outstanding academic, creative and sporting achievements of individuals; in the many scholarship awards they secure every year; in the smile of every child; and in the way they conduct themselves with peers and staff.

We see every single child for who they are, and we diligently support them in becoming the best they can

be. This nurturing and supportive environment encourages selfconfidence, emotional intelligence and critical thinking.

Learning takes place not only within school, but during a wide variety of trips and enrichment activities throughout the year, including our many joint activities with local girls’ schools. We are a home for naturally engaged learners, enabling them to go on to great things in the future.

Enjoy discovering more about what makes RGS Prep such a special place, and I look forward to welcoming you very soon.

MR TOBY FREEMAN-DAY

Step through our doors and you will feel the energy and warmth that fill the school.

Everyone joining RGS Prep will have their own unique personality, interests, characteristics and talents. We celebrate, nurture and develop these in every individual and love nothing more than to see them thrive personally and intellectually.

In the early years we place great emphasis on learning through play, both together and individually and on creative expression. We encourage pupils to be curious and inquisitive, and to think for themselves.

From the moment they join the school, our pupils delight in a diverse programme of outings, trips, music and drama performances, workshops, and visits. These are all carefully crafted, alongside the standard curriculum, to expand pupils’ minds and to cultivate their passion for knowledge.

RGS Prep is a lively, happy place where individuals flourish.

RGS Prep is a dynamic environment filled with happiness, enthusiasm and energy.

We are committed to supporting the growth of every individual in order to help them achieve their extraordinary potential.

Our School Values of inclusivity, scholarship, respect, courage, collaboration and integrity are central to life at RGS Prep. These values define the behaviours, attitudes and relationships throughout the school, and they create a positive environment where children feel both seen and heard.

We support our pupils in working towards goals, exercising their creativity, and building their confidence and resilience. Just as important is the fact that we support each other, celebrating success within the community and becoming extraordinary together.

We achieve great things together.

Togetherness, unity, collaboration and mutual benefit are all part of everyday life at RGS Prep. Team achievement and success is valued here as much as individual talent.

Across the curriculum our small class sizes enable groups to be taught in ways that best challenge, extend, and support each member, resulting in raising everyone up together.

Our House system is a thread that weaves itself through pupils’ daily lives. It promotes collaboration, inclusivity, tolerance, teamwork, participation and pride between Year Groups, always focusing on the importance of giving rather than receiving.

Form and whole school assemblies provide a platform to witness and celebrate the achievements and contributions of everyone in the school community. Rewards are given for effort and behaviours as much as for achievements; sportsmanship and participation are equally as important as winning.

The Good Schools Guide 2023

A balanced, big-hearted school where enjoyment of learning is evident.”

THE RGS PREP EXPERIENCE

Our School Values are at the very heart of our ethos.

Integrity Scholarship Inclusivity

We remain loyal to our founding principles to educate bright local pupils, irrespective of background or financial circumstances, and we inherently believe in establishing a culture of diversity and acceptance, and in educating our pupils in a welcoming, tolerant community where each individual is valued and enjoys a deep sense of belonging.

We encourage the growth of intellectual curiosity, independence, creativity, innovation and habits of learning within a scholarly community through inspirational subject specialists who provoke and stretch the pupils’ minds and inculcate a lifelong love of learning.

We promote the development of self-discipline and responsibility, spirituality and a personal moral code, and cultivate an ethos where enduring qualities of decency, honesty, courtesy, humility and good humour are celebrated.

The RGS is a kind, inclusive, tolerant community where diverse opportunity, personal development, high achievement and collaborative partnership define who we are, and where our values underpin all we do.

Collaboration Courage Respect

We nurture an atmosphere of mutual respect between all members of our community, and foster self-respect and selfesteem in terms of physical health, emotional maturity and personal well-being, while establishing lasting friendships in a positive, happy environment.

We develop leadership, teamwork, resilience and life skills through a diverse range of activities where all pupils, regardless of their talents and attributes, are encouraged to challenge themselves, take appropriate risks and work hard to fulfil their potential.

We work closely with others for mutual enrichment, and encourage a spirit of generosity and service, a sense of perspective, and a firm belief that we can work in partnership with others, locally and internationally, to make a difference and have a positive impact on society.

Wellbeing and pastoral care are the cornerstones of the RGS Prep experience.

Children will learn best when they feel happy and secure. Our staff have the understanding, patience and compassion to ensure individuals thrive and our focus on emotional wellbeing across the school gives pupils the tools and support that they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.

We recognise the importance of physical activity in wellbeing and our House and buddy systems teach pupils how to be positive role models and the importance of considering others.

In a busy school day the opportunity for pupils to have quiet time to

reflect is equally valuable. We have dedicated wellbeing spaces, such as our Science Garden and Wellbeing Hub, which provide an area for boys to connect with nature and a sense of responsibility for the environment.

Children feel comfortable when they are in a safe, supportive environment where they can thrive. Our relaxed yet focused atmosphere creates an eagerness to learn and a thirst for knowledge. It allows individuals to grasp learning challenges with positivity and determination.

Pupils benefit from being taught by subject specialists in a wide variety of subjects from DT to art, science to Latin and Spanish to music.

As a result, achievements are outstanding. Our remarkable teachers motivate individuals to excel, inspiring them through their engaging teaching and subject knowledge, enhanced by a range of guest speakers and enriching trips.

Our teachers are both subject specialists and passionate educators.

You’d be hard pressed to match the education on offer here.”

WHAT WE INSPIRE

Preparation and practical work go hand in hand.

From woodworking to circuit building, soldering to laser cutting, pupils develop a wide variety of skills and techniques in our DT workshop.

Under the guidance of subject specialists, pupils learn that the planning and evaluation of a project is as important as its construction, and they learn to evaluate the work of themselves and their peers critically and constructively.

From trips to museums and commercial kitchens, to workshops where pupils build bridges and airpropelled vehicles, boys experience DT in action and the power of change through innovation.

WHAT WE INSPIRE

We believe sport’s inspiration can be felt universally.

Our School Values, which promote respect, teamwork and integrity, lay a strong foundation for fostering good sportsmanship among our pupils, and everyone is given the opportunity to represent the school and their House.

Our timetable covers a wide variety of sports: athletics, cricket, rugby, tennis, hockey, and swimming, making full use of our own fields, astroturf pitch, Sports Hall, and beautiful 20-acre grounds at Bradstone Brook. There are also opportunities to go on rugby, football, and cricket tours; to go on watersports and skiing trips; and to join friends on whole-of-year outdoor activities.

We are incredibly proud of the results our pupils achieve at school, county and national level, and with national-level experience among our sports staff, we support advanced coaching of those with outstanding talents.

Ultimately, however, RGS Prep pupils know that, whatever their strengths, they will feel empowered to take part and to strive for their best, all within a framework of inclusivity, fairness and fun.

WHAT WE INSPIRE

Echoing our approach to sport, we encourage every boy to explore and develop their potential in music.

Under the guidance of specialist teachers, pupils participate in music lessons comprising ensembles, choirs and orchestras, and perform in an array of concerts, services, festivals, competitions and galas, whatever their level of musical achievement.

Pupils can learn to play a wide range of instruments, with the expertise of individual tutoring from our many visiting music teachers. Many boys routinely gain distinctions in the higher ABRSM Grades and join county and national groups, while our Maestro programme prepares elite musicians for scholarship.

RGS Prep is proud to be the choir school of Guildford Cathedral. Our choristers receive first-class training from the Cathedral and all benefit from the experience of teamwork and sense of achievement the choir gives them. Many of our choristers go on to become professional musicians.

Music fills the school every moment of the day.

An outlet for selfexpression, a medium for collaboration and a source of sheer enjoyment.

Creativity and freedom of expression are central to RGS Prep, and drama and the performing arts bring depth and richness to our learning experience.

A key part of the curriculum, our pupils immerse themselves in a mix of theatrical performance, dance, music, and visual arts under the guidance of a specialist teacher. Our dedicated performance studio provides boys with a wonderful, well-equipped space to develop their skills and build their confidence.

Across each year there are many opportunities for the children to practise performing to an audience, with assemblies, concerts, productions and informal displays to both their peers and to parents. We also host performances from visiting theatre and opera groups across the school, feeding an appreciation for culture and underlining the inclusive nature of the arts.

Our Art Studio is an exciting, visually stimulating, creative space where inquisitive pupils enjoy exploring the many different art techniques and materials.

Our specialist teaching provides not only an understanding of artistic styles and techniques but, above all, inspires pupils to express their own ideas visually, building selfconfidence and belief. Using clay, felt, papier mâché, card, paint, chalk, pencil, collage or wire, the children love to see their imaginative ideas come to life.

Experimentation is balanced with inspiration, with an active schedule of trips to exhibitions, galleries and activity centres giving boys a broad appreciation of art in all its forms to foster a love of art that will last a lifetime.

WHAT WE INSPIRE

Visitors to RGS Prep are immediately struck by the variety and quality of art on display.

Inspire is a programme unique to RGS Prep. It gives pupils the opportunity to try whatever it is that most appeals to their passions and interests. It complements our extensive enrichment programme, supporting how we tailor our teaching and learning for every individual.

Some of the many activities pupils have participated in include: coding and flying drones; making terrariums; rock climbing; skateboarding; an immersive space experience; animal handling; and beehive art installations.

WHAT WE INSPIRE

The wide range of extracurricular clubs and activities add to the richness of the RGS Prep experience.

Every individual will enjoy opportunities to embrace a wide variety of interests and new experiences, irrespective of where their passions lie. Pupils can rest assured they will be inspired, encouraged, challenged, and supported through our vast co-curricular programme.

A vast range of clubs and activities give every individual plenty of opportunity for discovery. From the skills of futsal to becoming a greenfingered gardener or a budding entrepreneur, there is truly something for everyone.

During their time at RGS Prep our pupils will experience exponential growth physically, emotionally and intellectually. On their departure they will be able to reflect on an extensive range of academic, creative, and sporting accomplishments.

For us, however, the most rewarding outcome of an RGS Prep education is in the development of an individual’s character – something to which we devote as much energy as we do the transfer of knowledge and the extension of skills.

RGS Prep pupils will progress to the next stage of their education as confident, well-mannered individuals that act with integrity and who can innately rely on their sense of endeavour, their ethical code, and their strong values that will underpin their choices in life.

For their future, there’s no better time.

Our admissions process.

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Offers Assessment Registration

To register your son for entry to RGS Prep please complete the online registration form and pay the non-refundable registration fee. Our main entry points are Nursery, Shell/Reception and Year 3.

We occasionally have space for mid-year entry or in other Year Groups. To find out what places are available please contact Admissions on 01483 880489 or by email to prep-admissions@rgsg.co.uk

RGS Prep aims to provide a happy, purposeful environment for pupils and we try to demonstrate this on assessment days by putting boys at their ease and making it as pleasant an experience as possible. No special preparation is required. During the admissions process, boys are identified whose academic and other abilities appear to match the ethos and standards of our school and whose personal qualities suggest they have the potential to positively contribute to the school community and benefit from the many opportunities that are offered at RGS Prep.

Parents are notified of the outcome within 14 days. Those in receipt of offers will have an acceptance deadline, at which point a deposit will be required to secure the place.

We are delighted you are considering RGS Prep for your son. We hope we have given you a feel for what is such a vibrant, dynamic and welcoming community.

The assessment process can seem daunting, so we have outlined the steps below. Please do get in touch if you have any questions.

REGISTRATION ASSESSMENT

*We occasionally have space for mid-year entry or in other Year Groups. To find out more please contact Admissions.

We strongly believe in recommending the right senior school for each individual. Throughout RGS Prep, pupils’ progress is continually monitored alongside their interests, ambitions and aptitude and recommendations are made to apply for the senior school(s) in which we believe individuals will thrive.

RGS Prep Maori Road

Guildford Surrey

GU1 2EL

rgsg.co.uk

General Enquiries

rgsp-office@rgsg.co.uk

+44(0)1483 880650

Admissions

prep-admissions@rgsg.co.uk

+44(0)1483 880489