WELCOME

I thoroughly enjoy writing the introduction for our annual review as it gives me time to look back and reflect on all the incredible achievements of the students, staff and wider RGS Community over the last year. Twelve months ago, when I wrote the welcome for the 19/20 review, I talked about how challenging the year had been. While navigating a pandemic is not something any Headmaster would wish to repeat, it was certainly a year at RGS of which I am incredibly proud.

We started the 2020/21 academic year welcoming all students and staff back on site, only to find that, five months later, we would once again be closing our doors and returning to the world of virtual learning. Again, it became a world without summer exams for our GCSE and A Level students, one where performances and parents’ conferences were attended online and, sadly, sporting fixtures with other schools were cancelled. However, despite all the restrictions, what I hope the following pages in this review will demonstrate is how the four pillars of our school ethos have remained central to all we have accomplished as a community: inspiring a sense of belonging, love for learning, belief in each other and ambition to succeed.

While the review is simply a snapshot of the school year, I am sure you will agree it shows an impressive range of activities, made possible by the energy and enthusiasm of our students, staff and parents. Once more I must praise the community for remaining strong, able, calm and kind throughout these tough times. These values which we embed in our Junior School and build on in the Senior School helped us all to overcome what have been some of the pandemic’s most challenging months. I hope you enjoy looking back on the memories of the 2020/21 academic year and join me in feeling a sense of satisfaction and pride regarding the resilience and maturity with which the RGS Community has approached this period of time.

GEOFFREY STANFORD HEADMASTER