By Geoffrey Stanford, Headmaster, RGS Newcastle.
As Headmaster of the Royal Grammar School (RGS), Newcastle, I am frequently asked what sets our school apart. The answer lies not only in our academic results or historic reputation but in the transformative impact we have on the lives of both our pupils and the wider North East community.
Education, at its best, is transformational. At RGS, we see this every day, whether it is a Year 7 pupil discovering a passion for science in our labs, a Sixth Former leading a community partnerships initiative, or a student with special educational needs thriving in a supportive and ambitious environment. Our pupils’ transformative RGS journeys are countless and compelling. We do not just teach subjects – we shape futures.
This is why RGS is worth the investment. In a time when families are rightly scrutinising the value of independent education, we stand firm in our belief that what we offer is not just excellent but essential. Our commitment goes beyond exam results. We invest in character, resilience, and curiosity. We nurture leadership, creativity, and compassion. And we do so with a deep sense of responsibility to every child who walks through our doors – because at RGS, every student is known as an individual, nurtured with care, and empowered to unlock their full potential.
Of course, we are proud of our academic achievements. Our results consistently place us among the top schools nationally.
More significantly, we are in the top 10 percent of schools in the country for adding value at A-Level – meaning our students outperform peers of similar ability elsewhere. At GCSE, we are again in the top 1 percent nationally for value added, a testament to the quality of teaching and support across the school.
In a recent analysis by The Telegraph, RGS was the only school in the North East recognised for providing excellent value for money at both GCSE and A-Level. This recognition is particularly meaningful in a region where educational challenges are acute – from funding pressures to rising SEND needs and attainment gaps. The region faces some of the most severe educational disparities in the country, yet RGS continues to buck the trend.
This is not by chance. It is the result of strategic investment in staff, facilities, and support systems. It is the product of a culture that refuses to settle for “good enough” and instead strives for excellence in all things. It is also a reflection of our belief that every child, regardless of background or ability, deserves the opportunity to flourish.
Here at RGS we have made inclusion a priority. We are particularly proud of our work with pupils who have special educational needs and disabilities. Our Learning Support team works tirelessly to ensure that barriers are removed and students are given the tools and confidence to thrive. The results speak for themselves – not just in grades but in confidence, independence, and wellbeing.
This year, as we celebrate our Quincentenary, we also mark a milestone in our bursary programme. We now support 100 students on transformational bursaries – young people whose lives are being changed through access to an RGS education. Since the foundation of our bursary campaign just over twenty years ago, hundreds of students have benefited. This is not just charity – it is a mission. We are committed to being a school for Newcastle and the North East, not just a school that happens to be in Newcastle.
So yes, RGS is worth the investment. More importantly, however, it is an investment in people – in young minds, in future leaders, in the kind of society we all want to build. In a time of uncertainty, we offer clarity. In a region facing challenges, we offer hope. And in every classroom, corridor, and conversation, we offer the chance to change a life.
That, I believe, is something truly worth celebrating in our 500th year. I warmly invite prospective families to join us for our Open Morning on Saturday 15th November 2025, from 9.30am to 12.30pm. You will be able to discover first hand why there’s more to life at RGS Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form, and to be part of a milestone moment in our school’s remarkable journey.
www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/admissions