Welcome from the Headmaster
 

You may be looking at the RGS Website to try and decide whether the Royal Grammar School is the right school for your son. I do hope that you will find the contents helpful to you in making your decision.

I believe that the RGS is unique in the state sector. If you were to ask current parents why they chose RGS for their son, they would tell you that the boys here are cheerful, balanced, at ease with themselves and each other - yet excited and enthused by the challenges before them. They might add that RGS succeeds in combining academic excellence with a wealth of extra-curricular opportunities, all underpinned by a deep commitment to the individual needs and enthusiasms of each pupil. As Headmaster, I believe passionately in the importance of the individual. Every boy at the Royal Grammar School is valued for his own sake, encouraged to develop his talents to the full in a community where there are no stereotypes and where every achievement, however small, is celebrated.

The recent Ofsted inspection (May 2006) confirmed this with parental comments such as:

• “I feel that alongside the amazing educational achievements, my son has become a well-rounded, confident person, who will have very happy memories of his time here.”
• “The school fosters excellent values and, while disciplined, the children feel safe and happy in the friendly environment.”
• “Senior pupils truly seem to welcome the younger ones and are helpful when they need some guidance.”
• “My son entered the school as a very shy, average boy and has become a confident, successful Oxbridge candidate.”

If this ethos appeals to you and your son, then the RGS would be the right place. I look forward to meeting you.

Roy M Page

Headmaster

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO RGS?

What we have done so far:

• a new building; 9 classrooms, IT Centre, 3 seminar rooms

• new equipment: 33 computers; OHP, TV and VCR in all classrooms; video-conferencing equipment

• 24 languages available via satellite in all classrooms

• extra foreign language assistants to help with speaking the language and learning about their countries

• additional languages in the Sixth Form: Italian, Japanese, Bahasa Malay, Mandarin Chinese

• European work experience to France and Germany

• developed an international ethos throughout the School

  curriculum projects with partner schools in Europe, Africa

  assemblies, Paxman Society talks, website reports from abroad

  tours, visits, exchanges to Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia

• develop previous initiatives

• increase use of IT centre for languages

• introduce Swedish in the Sixth Form

• community projects with other schools in Wycombe:

Further Information

If you would like to know anything further about RGS, a Language College, please contact Miss Munday, Language College Manager or email: admin.staff@royalgrammar.bucks.sch.uk

Boys have been boarding at the Royal Grammar School for over 150 years. Records of the early 1800s speak of there being up to 30 boarders which, at that time, was equivalent to the number of day boys. The tradition of boarding has firmly remained with the school although, with the decline in boarding nationally the R.G.S. finds itself one of only forty maintained boarding schools in the country and the only one left in Buckinghamshire.

Since April 1990 the boarding element at the R.G.S. has had to be financially self-supporting, with no subsidy from the school or the Local Education Authority. With careful restructuring of staff and use of resources, the boarding facility adapted successfully and, contrary to expectations, provided a better and more efficient service. In fact, the boarding element of the R.G.S. has expanded rapidly and competition for places is very intense. Many parents recognise the numerous advantages of weekly boarding for their sons in one of the finest state grammar schools in the country.

With this in mind in September 1999 Fraser Youens House, a modern purpose-built boarding house was opened, catering for 70 boarders.  This new facility incorporates all the best aspects of contemporary boarding establishments, plus a number of innovative features.

The accommodation is designed around a central courtyard and comprises of single study bedrooms for the senior boys with an integration of twin and open-plan rooms for the junior boys. All rooms have en-suite facilities and fitted furniture. There are also communal areas including common rooms, television lounges and kitchenettes, together with many modern features appropriate to a busy, purposeful and stimulating environment.

There are 8 resident Housestaff involved with the boarders, as well as a non-resident Matron, Administrator and domestic staff. Each boy is a part of a small tutor group under the pastoral care of one of the personal tutors.

Medical matters are dealt with by the School Matron, who holds a boarders' clinic three times a day.

Domestic management is the responsibility of the Administrator; this includes the cleaning, laundry and general day-to-day running of the House. All laundry is done in-house by a full-time laundress. All meals, including lunch, are prepared and served in Fraser Youens House and come under the responsibility of the Catering Manager.

At weekends weekly boarders can stay on a Friday night but for them the House will close at 1pm on Saturday and not reopen until 7pm on Sunday. During the week it is generally accepted that all boarders stay onsite apart from approved visits or activities. Full boarders are supervised and catered for throughout the weekends.

European boarding provision (Initiative zur Förderung des Europäischen Internatswesens) is on offer for Sixth Formers (16+) from EU countries with good English who wish to follow an academic curriculum. They will have the opportunity for extended stay over the weekend, with self catering provision and specific cultural trips to London, Oxford and other centres.

Details of the fees and all other information can be obtained from the Admissions Office telephone 01494 524955 or email admin@rgshw.com.

Fraser Youens Boarding House

On Sunday 10th October 1999 the new boarding house (seen in the picture above) was officially opened. The house was named Fraser Youens House in honour of RGS's two illustrious Victoria Cross winners, Frederick Youens and Ian Fraser.

BOARDING ADMISSIONS POLICY AND PROCEDURES

The Royal Grammar School is in a unique position in Buckinghamshire in that it has a Boarding provision attached to the school. Ten places in each year group are designated as boarding places. Bucks County Council carries out the selection procedure for the 182 day places and the school is in charge of the admissions for the 10 boarding places. It is important to ensure that the testing for boarding places is equivalent to the normal 11+ procedure so that all pupils at the school are of suitable ability for a grammar school place. To facilitate early decision making regarding boarding places, the RGS will be carrying out testing, the results of which will be known at the beginning of December. This will enable parents of prospective boarders to make early decisions regarding their son’s secondary education.

All boarding applications should be made direct to the school, which will be the main information point for parents regarding boarding applications and procedures (see below).

The testing done by the school will be the Bucks 11+ Testing Procedure and approved by NFER. Familiarisation and practice packs will be available in good time before the test dates, to enable parents or teachers in the child’s current school to work through in advance. The tests can either be taken at your son’s own school or on two separate dates at the RGS.

Can a boarding place be obtained through the normal Bucks testing procedure?

Yes. Those who have put boarding at RGS as a preference on the County Common Application Form and have qualified, will be offered a boarding place, subject to the stated oversubscription criteria.

What should be put on your LEA Common Application Form?

If you just put Royal Grammar School on the Common Application Form, it will be assumed that you are applying for a Day place.  If you wish to have a Boarding place you must put down Royal Grammar School Boarding on the Common Application Form.

Will there be provision for late testing?

Yes. Testing will be arranged under the normal procedures for those who apply during the year prior to the year of entry, as long as there are still places available.

Can a Boarding place later be converted to a Day place?

No.  Boarding places are offered and accepted on the understanding that the pupil will stay in boarding until the end of Year 11.  A pupil cannot be given a day place if the parent withdraws him from boarding before the end of Year 11.  Boarding is optional in the Sixth Form. 

Oversubscription Criteria

·      Priority will be given to those who have only applied for a boarding place.

·      If more boys qualify than there are places available, then places will be offered first to those who have passed with siblings already in the school, and then on VRT score. A waiting list will be established of those who have qualified but who have not been offered a place.

·      Once boys have been offered places and these have been accepted late testers cannot replace them.  A waiting list will be established.

Testing Dates:

                        Saturday 7 October 2006

                        Saturday 14 October 2006

The tests are of 50 minutes duration and are the Bucks 11+ tests - familiarisation and practice packs are available for practice, as already stated above.

Registration for the RGS Boarding Tests

A Royal Grammar School Registration Form must be filled in and returned to the School’s Admissions Office. This form is seen to be a legally binding commitment as outlined on the form. Full details of the test dates and other relevant information will then be forwarded.

You also must register with your own Local Education Authority.  This is a requirement under the DfES School Admissions Code of Practice for school places from September 2005.  Just contact your LEA and ask for a Common Application Form.  You must complete and return it to them.

Any application received after 8 October 2006 would be regarded as a Late Application.

Visits to the Boarding House are welcome, prior to the tests or prior to registration, by arrangement with the Boarding Administrator and the Head of Boarding who can answer all queries concerning boarding.

Roy Page

Headmaster