By Geoffrey Stanford, Headmaster, RGS Newcastle
The enduring value of a Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle education.
At RGS Newcastle, we recognise that parents make significant sacrifices to afford an independent education and naturally, they seek reassurance that it continues to offer lasting value.
Much has been written about how the decision to impose VAT on school fees has increased the financial burden on hardworking parents striving to send their children to schools like RGS Newcastle. While schools have worked hard to find efficiencies to ease this additional cost, it is also important that students continue to receive the high-quality education that parents are paying forone that delivers not only strong academic outcomes but also a rich array of opportunities, from enrichment and leadership to co-curricular activities that build confidence, teamwork, and character.
We are proud to be Newcastle’s only fully co-educational independent school across every year group, where co-education is not just part of what we do, it is at the heart of who we are in the 21st century. While others may look to emulate this, over the last twenty-five years we have established an RGS community from Junior School to Sixth Form where our students experience genderinclusive collaboration as a normone that enhances learning, fosters mutual respect, and inspires growth. Boys watching their female peers excel in STEM subjects and girls observing male peers flourish in languages or the arts quietly dismantle outdated stereotypes. Indeed, last year, one of our female students achieved the highest mark in the country for English A level, another topped the nation in Computer Science, and a third was the only student in the UK to score a perfect 300/300 in Further Maths.
With an academically selective intake, the key question is: how do we help each student reach their full academic potential and surpass peers of similar ability elsewhere? In 2024, our GCSE results for both boys and girls ranked in the top 1% nationally for value added, and our A level outcomes placed us in the top 10%, even when adjusted for prior attainment. Remarkably, our SEND students were also in the top 1% for value added.
But education is about more than just grades. Life beyond school is co-educational – universities, workplaces, and society are richly diverse. At RGS, students grow up learning side-by-side, developing mutual respect, confidence, and the ability to collaborate with anyone. In classrooms, diverse perspectives spark deeper thinking; in debates, contrasting styles sharpen arguments; and in music and drama, shared rehearsals elevate performance for all.
At a recent new parents’ induction, I shared a belief central to our ethos: academic results should be the outcome of a great education – not its sole purpose. The true value of an RGS education goes far beyond grades or even value-added metrics. While we never take success for granted, parents can be confident in our academic standards and instead focus on the breadth of opportunities available beyond the classroom. We refer to these as co-curricular – not extracurricular – because they are integral to the holistic education we offer. From music, drama, and student-led societies to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Combined Cadet Force, we ensure both wide participation and high achievement. One student, for example, helped win the U19 British national team gymnastics title one weekend, then flew to Texas the next day to earn a Judges’ Award at the VEX Robotics World Championships. Not every student will reach that level, but all are encouraged to explore their passions and develop the teamwork, leadership, and life skills essential for their future.
While speaking to our new parents, I highlighted a key point from our recent inspection report: RGS’s approach to diversity and inclusion was recognised as a “significant strength.” For us, this is not just a statement – it reflects our deep commitment to ensuring every student feels valued for who they are. A strong sense of belonging creates the foundation for happy, confident learners. Co-education at RGS is far more than simple inclusion; it is an energising dynamic in which students challenge one another and lift each other higher. Research consistently shows that mixedgender teams outperform single-gender groups because they draw on broader approaches and problem-solving strategies, something we witness every day at the RGS. The common claim that singlesex schools boost results by removing “distractions” and tailoring teaching to gender, misses a deeper truth: emotional intelligence flourishes when boys and girls learn together. Co-education classrooms promote balanced behaviour, break down outdated stereotypes, and ensure that effective teaching – not segregation – meets the needs of every individual.
The voice of our parents offers a meaningful reflection of our impact on students’ RGS experience – both academically and personally. One parent captures this in their experience of seeing both their children thrive in our co-educational environment: “Watching both my son and daughter thrive at RGS has been incredibly rewarding. My daughter has grown more confident speaking up in mixed settings, learning to assert herself and express her ideas clearly among diverse perspectives. My son, on the other hand, has developed stronger emotional intelligence and communication skills, learning to collaborate respectfully and understand different viewpoints. This balanced environment has helped each of them grow in ways that go far beyond academics.” – RGS Newcastle parent
www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk