Reigate Grammar School

Our View

A good all round school with a strong head. Not at all posh.

Head

Since 2001, Mr David Thomas MA (forties), educated at Magdalen College School, Oxford where he was a chorister and later an organ scholar at Queens College, Oxford. Followed a musical teaching career and was previously deputy head at Trinity, Croydon. Married to Andrea, an historian, who also teaches part time at the school; they live in a beautiful house adjacent to the school. 'One of the main attractions of the job,' he jokes. Very business-like but friendly and easy to talk to, he enthuses about his school, 'I'm a big fan of co-ed and I love the atmosphere of this place.' Mr Thomas is very visible around the school and the children respect that – 'he comes to loads of sports matches,' said a pupil. 'A top man,' said one parent. 'The kids really like him and he's turned the place around,' said another.

Academic Matters

Strong. 90 per cent A/B grades at A level, GCSE results equally good with 71 per cent A*/A grades. Head believes the school is about more than just academic work. Generally good standards of teaching and super IT facilities with networked classrooms and interactive whiteboards. The aim is for all pupils to leave with IT qualification from the Microsoft Academy – very useful in the real world. Mr Thomas is a big fan of IT and it shows throughout the school – electronic registration is very efficient and the staff even have their own IT trainer. Well-stocked library stays open after school for homework and private study.

About 40 students with a range of needs receive help from two part-time SEN teaching staff. School is happy to discuss whether it can provide the right support for those who need it. But careful consideration needed as to whether an SEN pupil would be happy here as there is quite an academic pace. Those who receive extra tuition do so at extra cost to parents.

Games, Options, the Arts

Sports teaching is exceptional. A new indoor pool at the main school site is complemented by stunning 32 acre sports complex at Hartswood (about two miles from the school), complete with Astro pitches, cricket field, athletics track, golf course and pavilion. All pupils are bused there to spend at least one afternoon a week taking part in a variety of sports. Netball, hockey and rounders for the girls, rugby, cricket, hockey for the boys. School is renowned on the rugby pitch and proudly claims to field up to 18 teams on match days. Most matches are played on Saturdays, the school is mega competitive and always up there at inter-school sporting competitions – the high numbers who take part are expected to show a huge level of commitment. Surprisingly little complaint from the less sporty souls as swimming, tennis and visits to the local leisure centre for badminton and squash are also on offer.

Music, art and drama receive a lot of praise from parents. Art building has an impressive range of facilities, students' work is frequently exhibited within the school and often achieves some of the best exam results. Music teaching is excellent; good facilities, opportunities for all to join in. The head continues to teach some A level music classes. 'It's my haven in the week,' he says, 'and it's a good reminder of the staff workload.' Super drama department led by 'an inspirational teacher' according to parents, puts on several productions each year. Lots of individual drama successes including four students who have won places at the National Youth Theatre. Numerous after school activities including all the usual; CCF is well supported as is DofE.

Background and Atmosphere

Founded as a boys' school in 1675 and became a grammar school in the nineteenth century. Girls in the sixth form from 1976 when it became independent and fully co-ed from 1993. Located minutes from Reigate town centre, school is housed in 'hotch potch' of buildings – some very old and in need of replacement but many newer and very attractive. Outside space is at a premium. Quite a walk from class to class and to different buildings. Our pupil tour guides were none too keen on the footpath by the cemetery in the winter!

'The food is good,' say pupils and staff alike. Lots of choice. All meals served in a light airy building – 'the best place in the whole school,' said one pupil.

Pastoral Care and Discipline

Head only gets involved in really serious issues and readily involves parents. Sixth formers apply each year to become mentors to the younger ones through their first years at the school. 'My mentor's lovely,' said one pupil, 'she even bought me a Christmas present!' 'It's a very good idea,' commented one parent, 'although I'm not sure they get involved in serious problems – it seems to be more about going bowling and having fun.' New pupils are invited to an admissions evening in June when they are formally welcomed to the school by Mr Thomas in full cap and gown. 'Parents love it,' commented staff, and 'it's an excellent photo opportunity,' said one proud father.

Comprehensive parents' handbook of school life and each term parents are invited to a parents' forum to discuss issues such as bulimia, exam stress, drugs etc. Pupils discuss the issues during the day and parents are invited in the evening. Parents find these very informative and useful – but several comment that they would like more time to discuss their child's progress on an individual basis.

Discipline fairly relaxed, pupils are given space to 'get it right' and are encouraged to feel they can talk to teachers about any problems they have. Clear alcohol, drinking and smoking policy – the head and staff have dealt with occasional breaches swiftly. Very little evidence of bullying – in fact quite the opposite – but staff don't pretend it doesn't happen. Bit of a crackdown on uniform recently but generally not overly strict – 'life's about more than uniform,' says the head. On the whole pupils look smart – a few need reminding to tuck their shirts in and Mr Thomas does so quite regularly. More relaxed for sixth formers but still within guidelines – quite unusual but popular especially with parents. Sixth formers wear their own suits with sixth form tie for the boys.

Pupils and Parents

A very unpretentious place – parents say it is just like the state grammar schools they used to attend. Pupils are a likeable bunch – confident but not full of themselves and very honest. Pupils mainly from the affluent Reigate and Redhill area and the surrounding Surrey towns. Parents from a wide variety of backgrounds: professionals, former pupils, but also plenty of first time buyers. Mega cool rating for its former pupils with many notable Old Reigatians: Norman Cook (aka DJ Fat Boy Slim), Ray Mears, Kier Starmer (Director of Public Prosecutions) and BAFTA winning writer and comedian David Walliams the most famous. Many old pupils return to the school to talk about their careers and experiences – a recent visit from David Walliams and his Little Britain co star Matt Lucas was very popular with pupils and staff alike!

Entrance

Selective but not excessively so, although two applicants for every place in 2009. Majority enter at 11, small number at 13. The school sets its own entrance exam in verbal reasoning (this is now computerised with sample questions on the school's website), English and maths. Interview is given equal importance as is the report from previous school. The school places emphasis on academic achievement but wants to give more children an opportunity to apply, so a new test has been designed in consultation with several local state primary schools who gave it the thumbs up. Approximately 50 per cent of the pupils come from state schools, particularly Reigate Priory Junior. The rest from local preps including St Mary's Prep, which is now amalgamated with Reigate, although admission is by no means automatic. Other regular feeders include Mickelfield and The Hawthorns.

Exit

About 10 per cent leave after GCSE, usually to attend the large local sixth form college. Of those who stay, around 98 per cent go on to traditional universities eg Durham, Edinburgh, York and Exeter; five to 10 students each year to Oxbridge.

Money Matters

Scholarships have a fixed value of £1,000 pa but parents can apply for a means tested additional fee reduction up to 100 per cent. In addition, the school operates its own Assisted Places Scheme for gifted children whose parents cannot afford the fees; again this is means-tested.