Polly Enevoldson's vision for The Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle's Sixth Form
As we celebrate our quincentenary, RGS welcomes Polly Enevoldson as its new Head of Sixth Form – a leader passionate about shaping students into well-rounded individuals ready for success beyond the classroom.
The RGS Sixth Form is a special place to study beyond GCSE, widely renowned for its academic excellence and breadth of opportunities for students to discover their passions for life after school. Under Polly’s leadership, our Sixth Form will combine academic success with personal growth, ensuring students thrive in their chosen careers.
Polly’s career in education began in the North East, where she initially trained as a teacher before moving South to join Paddington Academy. From a dedicated science teacher to a key pastoral leader and Head of Sixth Form while working in London, she has always been drawn to helping students develop both academically and personally. “My passion is helping students to grow – not just as learners but as people,” she says. “I love helping students to solve problems, guiding them through challenges, and watching them leave school with confidence in their abilities.” Returning to the North East was both a personal and professional milestone. “RGS is such a well-respected school, known for its academic achievements and strong sense of community. My dad is actually a former RGS student – he was Head Boy – so coming back feels like coming full circle.”
With around 350 students, including 40-50 new entrants each year, RGS Sixth Form offers an enriching environment. Polly shares our core values – a sense of belonging; love of learning; belief in each other and ambition to succeed – and our aim to balance academic excellence and students’ personal development. “The RGS Sixth Form team and I work hard to ensure that students are prepared for life after school, not just with A-levels, but with a sense of independence, leadership, and community spirit,” she explains. “We provide an exceptional range of opportunities – from academic enrichment to leadership roles and extracurricular activities.” A distinctive feature of the RGS Sixth Form is its PLUS Programme, which introduces students to external speakers, career workshops, and university preparation support. Additionally, the Complementary Studies program allows students to explore diverse skills, from sports leadership to environmental initiatives and practical skills like cooking.
Beyond the classroom, students are encouraged to broaden their horizons, explore their passions, and explore our many co-curricular activities. Whether through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Combined Cadet Force, music, drama, charity initiatives, or student-led societies, RGS fosters an environment where students develop confidence, leadership, and teamwork. “For me, the Sixth Form is about more than studying – it’s about broadening horizons, trying new things, and creating lasting memories,” Polly adds.
Ensuring every student feels valued is key for Polly. RGS takes a personalised approach to Sixth Form life with tailored UCAS guidance, career mentorship, and academic clinics for subject-specific help. “We want to make sure no student is left behind,” Polly explains. “The transition from GCSE to A-levels can be daunting, and our dedicated teamfrom tutors to pastoral leadersprovides individual support. Through mentoring, study skills workshops and wellbeing initiatives we ensure every student thrives.” The Sixth Form also has a buddy system for new joiners, helping those from other schools feel part of the RGS family from day one. “We encourage a strong sense of peer support and opportunities to build meaningful friendships and networks,” Polly added.
As the school marks its historic 500th anniversary, Polly is eager to contribute to RGS’s legacy. She views her role as helping students become the best versions of themselves. Focused on leadership, personal growth and community engagement, she is determined to uphold the school’s tradition of excellence while fostering an environment where students can truly flourish. “Education isn’t just about grades,” she says. “It’s about preparing young people to enter the world as confident, capable, and kind individuals. That’s what I aim to do at RGS Sixth Form.”
www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk
