RGSGI Director - Information Pack by RGS Guildford

CHAIRMAN'S WELCOME

Thank you for expressing an interest in joining the Board of RGS Guildford International.

This brochure aims to give you a flavour of the company and its place in the wider RGS Guildford group. By joining the Board you would help to shape the future of our international development and the future lives of pupils across the world.

I joined the School Board almost 20 years ago, taking on the role of Chairman in 2013. RGS Guildford International was set up in 2015 to undertake our international expansion. As a Board, we represent a range of experience and contribute a variety of skills and qualities to the team; it's incredibly rewarding to work alongside colleagues from a diverse background with a shared enthusiasm.

I encourage you to confirm your interest in joining the Board of RGS Guildford International and hope to have the opportunity to discuss the role in person with you soon.

Mrs Sarah Creedy Chairman of Governors, Royal Grammar School Guildford Chairman of RGS Guildford International

Values

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.

Inclusivity

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

Scholarship

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 students’ minds and inculcate a lifelong love of learning.

Integrity

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.

Respect

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

Courage

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

Collaboration

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.

RGS Guildford International

RGS Guildford is recognised as one of the best schools in the UK. It is a school with a long and distinguished history, founded over 500 years ago and granted a royal charter by King Edward VI. On this foundation is built a forward looking, dynamic and innovative school where students learn the skills needed for success in a rapidly changing world.

In 2015 we started to look beyond the UK. We believe that young people need to understand the wider world and its different cultures to thrive today. By creating a family of excellent schools across the globe, we can learn from each other and grow together. Students overseas can collaborate with each other and with students in the UK while benefiting from a tried and trusted RGS education.

Equally, our overseas schools generate an important income for RGS in Guildford, which is primarily used to help support our bursary programme and which we are aiming to increase in the coming years.

There are now twice as many RGS students overseas as there are in the UK. Our growth and ability to attract this many students in a relatively short time reflects the quality and reputation of these new schools.

We have bold plans for our expansion overseas and wish to continue our success in new ventures.

RGS Guildford’s international schools will enable us to continue to deliver the very finest, rounded education and allow us to share our expertise globally while learning from other cultures.

Dr JM Cox, Headmaster RGS Guildford

RGS Guildford International Board

Our board is passionate about international education and is committed to continuous improvement within the overseas Schools to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students.

Our Directors set the strategic vision and direction of the company, approve the budget and hold the executive team to account. The Directors as a whole, and individually, act as critical friends to the Managing Director and the international team; they have a strategic role with three key functions:

 Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

 Appointing and holding the Managing Director to account for the performance of the company;

 Approving the budget and overseeing the financial performance of the Company.

We are keen to hear from a wide range of individuals. We strongly encourage expressions of interest from all members of our community regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, disability or age (as long as you're over 18).

This is a voluntary position; no special qualifications or previous board experience is needed to become a director. We will offer mentoring and support to help you make the most of this opportunity.

The curriculum is broad and balanced, and richly supplemented with a range of languages, art, music, drama and technology. Students experience a variety of subjects, including the creative, physical and practical.

The curriculum is effectively adapted to meet the needs of all students, who have many opportunities to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau Report 2024

The Board of Directors meet a minimum of three times per year. Meetings generally take place during the day in person in Guildford. There may also be the opportunity to visit one of our overseas schools.

As a director you will not be involved with the day-to-day running of the company. Your commitment would be to attend board meetings, plus read and comment on reports. It is also important that you take the opportunity to visit the School in Guildford to understand the nature of our offer internationally. The term of office is for four years at which point Directors may be invited to stand for re-election. You will have a good understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and a commitment to uphold EDI in all Board activities.

As an RGSGI Director you would receive invitations to visit both the RGS Senior and RGS Prep Schools during the school day to understand and get a feel for the operational side of the School.

Your contribution

The most important requirement for a Director is to have a keen interest in the School and its overseas operations and be prepared to play an active part in the board’s work. You would bring your own personal and professional skills to the overall board, although any advice given by a director to the School is incidental to their professional expertise and is not given in their professional capacity. Comprehensive information is provided and for all directors and there is also the opportunity for an existing, experienced director to act as a mentor for a new director.

Your contribution and commitment to our School could make a massive difference to the future of young people in our international community. You would help the School to continue in its forward-thinking approach and help our students receive the best education possible.

Express your Interest

If you would like to join the RGS Guildford International Board of Directors you are invited to register your interest in the first instance; you will then be asked to provide a personal statement, addressed to Sarah Creedy, Chairman of Directors, outlining your reasons for standing, what you feel you would contribute to the remit of the Board and how you would satisfy the selection criteria (page 10).

We are particularly interested to hear from people with commercial and international expertise and experience of working in another culture. However, the key requirement is an interest in the School and the desire to become an active member of the Board.

Potential Directors will be invited to the School to meet the Chairman of the Board to discuss their application.

“The school provides a high degree of personalised care for its students, with strong relationships supporting their personal, social and emotional development.

The school’s own core values together with British values are at the heart of everything the school does.

A culture of continuous improvement has set the school on a trajectory for even greater success.

BSO Inspection of RGSG Qatar, October 2024

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RGS Guildford International comprises several companies receiving income from our overseas schools. They are wholly owned by the 1509 Group company, company number 4104101 and charity number 1084866.

Further information can be found about each of the schools on the website www.rgsg.co.uk and www.rgsgi.com

Directors of RGS Guildford International

Being a Director of RGS Guildford International has many benefits both personally and professionally. You will become part of an enthusiastic team providing strategic support and oversight to a growing international business. You will work alongside like -minded fellow Directors and school leaders who are truly dedicated to the continuous improvement of the family of schools.

Board Members of RGSGI

Sarah Creedy - CHAIRMAN

Simon Gimson

Tom Lingard

Henry Pearson

John Simpson

Bob Ukiah

Kate Perceval

Sarah Creedy

Board member since 2015

Professional background: Solicitor, Borough Councillor

What do you enjoy most about your involvement with the RGS? Observing and being a small part of the energy and sheer verve for life displayed by the boys and those who work with them.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Walking, sailing and travelling - anywhere, but preferably somewhere with limited mobile reception.

Simon Gimson

Board member since 2021

Professional background: Army and the Rail Industry

What do you enjoy most about your involvement with the RGS?

I enjoy being part of a great school and helping it to improve and grow for the future.

If you could give one bit of advice to your younger self what would it be? Join a choir!

Selection Criteria

As a part of the selection process candidates will be asked to demonstrate all of the following:

• Commitment to the aims and values of the RGS including respect for its private, selective, academic role in education;

• Ability to attend the School in person and sufficient time to devote to the responsibilities required to fulfil the role of International Board Member;

• A period of two years or more since employment (if relevant) at the RGS;

• No significant conflict of interest through employment in competitor organisations;

• A willingness to respect others' cultures and beliefs;

• An interest in international education and its impact;

• Experience of international business development;

• An understanding that the view of the International Board, once established, is to be upheld by all members of that Board.

Extensive individual support enables pupils to...develop a breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm for scholarship. This is a significant strength of the school.

ISI Inspection - 2025

Leaders maintain a school culture that actively promotes inclusion and mutual respect highly successfully. This is a significant strength of the school.

ISI Inspection - 2025