Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe Explained

The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
Coordinates:51.6411°N -0.7388°W
Motto:Latin: Schola Regia Grammatica
Type:Selective Grammar School
Academy
Head Label:Headmaster
Head:Philip Wayne
Specialists:Language
Maths and Computing
Address:Amersham Road
City:High Wycombe
County:Buckinghamshire
Country:England, United Kingdom
Postcode:HP13 6QT
Urn:136484
Ofsted:yes
Staff:c. 100
Enrolment:1393[1]
Gender:Boys
Lower Age:11
Upper Age:19
Houses: St. James (red), Sandringham (orange), Windsor (yellow), Buckingham (green), Balmoral (blue), Kensington (indigo)
Colours: White, San Marino Approx. (#4165B3)
Free Label 1:Former pupils
Free 1:Old Wycombiensians
Website:https://www.rgshw.com/

The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, is a selective boys' grammar school situated in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. As a state school, it does not charge fees for pupils to attend, but they must pass the 11 plus, an exam that some primary schools administer. In February 2011, the school became an Academy.[2]

Established by Royal Charter in 1562 (originally established as a school in 1551), it is situated on Amersham Hill to the north of the town and has a capacity of about 1,370 boys aged between 11 and 19,[1] open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 3:30pm and later for co-curricular activities. The school has boarding facilities and was a DfES-designated Language College until 2010. From 2007-2010, it was also a Mathematics and ICT College.[3] OFSTED gave it a Good ranking in its 2019 inspection.[4]

History

Originally established by the mayor and burgesses of the town in 1551, in the ecclesiastical premises previously acquired by Sir Edmund Peckham (c. 1495 – 1564) during the Dissolution of the Monasteries,[5] the school received its Royal charter in 1562 (which still survives today at the school's current location). It was based in the buildings of the former Hospital of St John the Baptist in the town centre until 1883. After the old hospital was demolished, the school was moved to new buildings nearby for a short time, and was moved to its current location in 1915.

The school expanded greatly under the headmastership of Edmund Tucker from 1933 to 1964, celebrating the 400th anniversary of its Royal Charter in 1962 with a visit from Queen Elizabeth II. To commemorate the visit, the school's main hall became Queen's Hall and bore an engraving to mark the occasion. In 1997 a new building was erected (the Language Block) entirely dedicated to the teaching of languages, which was opened by the Duchess of Gloucester.

There are several Royal Grammar School sites in the UK, of which High Wycombe, Colchester, Clitheroe and Lancaster have maintained their grammar school status, whilst Guildford, Newcastle upon Tyne and Worcester are now privately funded, private schools.

In 2006, tabloid accusations against then-headmaster Timothy Dingle led to an independent investigation. The school's governors concluded that he should be dismissed for "gross misconduct", but he had already resigned to take the position of head at a private school in Argentina. Dingle did not take up the position.[6] [7]

In 2016, the school made national headlines after a question set in a practice maths test by a volunteer (a retired teacher) was deemed homophobic after it stated "marriage is between one man and one woman, as God intended when he made humans male and female". The school immediately withdrew the practice test when informed of the question by students. Headmaster Philip Wayne apologised "on behalf of the whole school community of governors, staff and boys" and said the volunteer who set the question would not be returning.[8] [9]

Headmaster

The current headmaster is Philip Wayne, who was Headmaster of Chesham Grammar School for eight years before joining RGSHW. He succeeded Roy Page in September 2015.[10]

Entry

In order to gain entry to the school, pupils from primary schools in the local area are invited to do an entrance exam, the eleven-plus exam.[11] RGS admits 182 day boys each year and 10 boarding boys. Entry for boarding is somewhat different, with the school having extra requirements for applications such as interviews beyond the 11+ exam requirement.[12] Prospective boys who did not take the 11+ (e.g. those who join in later years or those who come from different counties or countries not taking the 11+) also take the school's own entry tests, consisting of a test in both their Mathematics and English subject abilities.[13]

Boarding

Though primarily a day school, some pupils have boarded at the school since the 1800s.[14] For most of the 20th century, boarders were lodged in one of three boarding houses: School House, a purpose-built residence on the school premises, and Uplyme and Tyler's Wood, two converted private houses located near the school. In September 1999 the entire boarding facility was consolidated into the newly built Fraser Youens Boarding House.[15] It incorporates en-suite bedrooms, communication technology, three resident Housemasters and a committee of House Tutors.[16] It has room for 70 resident boys, who stay throughout the week and return home for weekends. The house is named after alumni Ian Edward Fraser and Frederick Youens, who were awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second World War and First World War respectively.

Sixth form

RGS also has a sixth form, and most boys in lower years continue to it. All RGS boys joining the sixth form are expected to study four A Levels for the first year and then at the second year drop one or continue with all four. Boys from other schools can join the sixth form but need to have achieved eight GCSEs at grades 5–9 with a grade 6 or above in seven of those (including mathematics and English).

Available subjects

The following subjects are available for A Levels:[17]

Facilities

A music centre was opened in late 2004, so that the school can offer A Level Music Technology.

There is an on-site Combined Cadet Force.[18] Other activities include the Public Speaking Society, music and orchestras, drama, social service, fencing and other sports. The school has two playing fields. The RGS also has its own .22 25 yard indoor range which is used by the shooting team of the school.

In 2013, planning permission for an All Weather Pitch was granted, and in 2014, work began raising £1m to fund the creation of this 3G floodlit pitch,[19] a new grass pitch, which was completed in April 2016,[20] and to renovate the 100-year-old Main Block classrooms.

Activities

Stage Lighting and Sound Team

In 2019 the Stage Lighting and Sound Team (SLST) could be joined by some boys at or after, Academic Year 9.[21]

Combined Cadet Force

The Combined Cadet Force has Navy, Army and RAF sections open for boys in KS4 & 5 (Years 10 and above) where they learn skills such as field-craft, map and compass, drill, leadership and first aid, while also taking part in activities such as weapon handling, sailing and flying.[18]

Music

Senior groups have featured at the National Festival of Music for Youth having been the National Youth Choir of the Year in 2014.[22]

Gilbert and Sullivan operas

In 1947 Bernarr Rainbow directed the first of the Gilbert and Sullivan Savoy operas to be performed at the school. These continued until at least 1976.[23]

Sport

Its alumni founded the town's local rugby club High Wycombe RFC, originally known as Old Wycombiensians FC.[24] Sporting alumni include golfer Luke Donald,[25] 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Matt Dawson,[26] 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens winner Nick Beal.,[27] 400 metres hurdles athlete Martin Gillingham, England Hockey Captain Jon Wyatt, and the cricketers Phil Newport and Saif Zaib.

Rowing

The school has an active rowing club called the Royal Grammar School High Wycombe Boat Club which is based on the River Thames at the Longridge Activity Centre, Quarry Wood Road. The club is affiliated to British Rowing (Boat code HWG) and produced two junior national champion crews at the 2014 British Rowing Junior Championships.[28] [29]

Houses

Starting in the 2016-17 academic year, the RGS has launched a houses system with the naming scheme of royal houses: St. James (red), Sandringham (orange), Windsor (yellow), Buckingham (green), Balmoral (blue), Kensington (indigo).[30] There are 6 houses, and each house has one form from every year in the school with Heads and Deputy Heads chosen from the 6th form for each house. Each year the RGS will also hold a school-wide sports day where all can compete to earn points for their house.[31]

Notable alumni and teachers

Alumni of the RGS are known as Old Wycombiensians, or OWs, and include Chris Grayling,[32] former UK Secretary of State for Transport, the singers Ian Dury and Howard Jones,[33] the comedian Jimmy Carr[11] and the philosopher Roger Scruton.[34] The Old Wycombiensians' Committee hosts an annual reunion dinner for Old Wycombiensians at the RGS. Notable sporting alumni include former England rugby union player Matt Dawson, Ryder-Cup winning captain golfer Luke Donald and sprinter Martin Gillingham.

T. S. Eliot taught for a term at the school in the autumn of 1915.[35]

Popular culture

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe - GOV.UK. DfE. 29 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201029120008/https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/136484. 2020-10-29. live.
  2. Web site: Open academies map and schools submitting applications. Department for Education. 23 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120118034904/http://www.education.gov.uk/academies/a0069811/open-academies-map-and-schools-submitting-applications. 2012-01-18. live.
  3. Web site: 2006 OFSTED Report. 2008-01-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20080828230813/http://www.rgshw.com/files/ofsted_2006.pdf. 2008-08-28. live.
  4. Web site: Ofsted Communications Team . 2020-10-08 . Find an inspection report and registered childcare . 2022-04-03 . reports.ofsted.gov.uk.
  5. A Note On The Foundation Of The School by Leslie J Ashford, The Wycombiensian, April 1954 http://www.rgs.saund.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=229&p=527#p527
  6. Web site: Governor's response to allegations against Dingle. 2006-02-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20070109004535/http://www.rgshw.com/news2006_1/statement2.htm. 2007-01-09. dead.
  7. News: 'Gross misconduct' head is sacked. news.bbc.co.uk. BBC News. 27 April 2006. 4 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20070516033348/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4950838.stm. 2007-05-16. live.
  8. News: Royal Grammar School 'Homophobic' Maths Test Question Sparks Outrage. 10 April 2017. Huffington Post. 14 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170311174248/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/royal-grammar-school-homophobic-test-question-sparks-outrage_uk_57d92f62e4b0614ca6beb225. 2017-03-11. live.
  9. Web site: Colley . Andrew . Outrage as 'homophobic' maths test handed out at grammar school . Bucks Free Press . 4 August 2020 . en . 14 September 2016.
  10. Web site: Article regarding new headmaster Mr Wayne . 7 July 2014 . 2016-10-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161013220049/http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/11324561.Royal_Grammar_School_reveals_its_next_headteacher/ . 2016-10-13 . live .
  11. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schools/a-class-apart-how-does-this-state-school-get-so-many-boys-into-oxbridge-396507.html A class apart: How does this state school get so many boys into Oxbridge?
  12. Web site: RGS Admission Policy (Boarding places) (Sept 2020) . 2019-04-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190410092848/https://www.rgshw.com/_site/data/files/documents/admissions%20policies/34504455BC61CF68D36CDA3E79ECF7DE.pdf . 2019-04-10 . live .
  13. Web site: RGS Admission Policy (Day places) (Sept 2020) . 2019-04-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190410092758/https://www.rgshw.com/_site/data/files/documents/admissions%20policies/8C3A2D1F873829F68C17985159741C4C.pdf . 2019-04-10 . live .
  14. Web site: Fraser Youens House - Information for Parents. https://web.archive.org/web/20190410143010/https://www.rgshw.com/_site/data/files/documents/boarding/1CC55A4BC67874F9B3776739A15A861E.pdf. 2019-04-10. live. 2019-04-10.
  15. Web site: Boarding . 2008-08-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080723183615/http://www.rgshw.com/node/360 . 2008-07-23 . dead .
  16. Web site: Boarding - Meet The Team. https://web.archive.org/web/20190410142030/https://www.rgshw.com/page/?title=Meet+The+Team&pid=68. 2019-04-10. live. 2019-04-10.
  17. Web site: RGSHW Into the Sixth Form 2019 Entry. 10 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190410093810/https://www.rgshw.com/_site/data/files/documents/sixth%20form/C062D01AF1F604D0965F822B55F8E7B6.pdf. 2019-04-10. live.
  18. Web site: RGSHW - CCF. https://web.archive.org/web/20190410152439/https://www.rgshw.com/page/?title=CCF&pid=41. 2019-04-10. live. 2019-04-10.
  19. Web site: Buy a Square Campaign. 2016-09-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20160829214601/http://campaign.rgshw.com/. 2016-08-29. live.
  20. Web site: RGSHW All Weather Pitch Opening Ceremony. 2016-11-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20161104010810/http://rgshw.com/media/news/article/2674/All-Weather-Pitch-Opening-Ceremony. 2016-11-04. live.
  21. Web site: Clubs, Societies & Co-Curricular Activities (2018-19). https://web.archive.org/web/20190410120850/https://www.rgshw.com/_site/data/files/documents/school%20life/cocurricular/5D2B10A501D71505F44E511D5421B04E.pdf. 2019-04-10. live. 2019-04-10.
  22. Web site: Royal Grammar School pupils crowned National Youth Choir of the Year at the Royal Festival Hall | Bucks Free Press . 24 October 2014 . 7 November 2018.
  23. Web site: The Gilbert & Sullivan Operas. Tony Hare's Website for the High Wycombe Royal Grammar School. 2017-03-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20170324130153/http://www.rgs.tonyhare.co.uk/gands/operettas.htm. 2017-03-24. live.
  24. Web site: HWRUFC History.
  25. News: Donald makes a positive of plodder reputation . The Daily Telegraph . London . 13 July 2005 . Lewine . Mair . 29 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140104022840/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/theopen/2362293/Donald-makes-a-positive-of-plodder-reputation.html . 2014-01-04 . live .
  26. News: World Cup rugby star thanks his Wycombe school. Bucks Free Press. 28 November 2003.
  27. News: Rugby stars in shock report. Bucks Free Press. 20 July 2000. 24 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140407095354/http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/archive/2000/07/20/Buckinghamshire+Archive/5193809.Rugby_stars_in_shock_report/. 2014-04-07. live.
  28. Web site: Club details. British Rowing.
  29. Web site: Juniors defy weather to flourish at Brit Champs. 21 July 2014 . British Rowing.
  30. Web site: Letter to Parents Including Houses. pdf. 2016-09-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170208024533/http://rgshw.com/userfiles/rgshw/2016_09_13_Headmasters_Letter_September_13_2016.pdf. 2017-02-08. live.
  31. Web site: 200 invalid-request. www.rgshw.com. 2016-09-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20160826200037/http://www.rgshw.com/321/sport. 2016-08-26. live.
  32. News: Who is Chris Grayling? Meet the new Transport Secretary. The Telegraph . 26 July 2016. www.telegraph.co.uk. 2018-04-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20180616062953/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/who-is-chris-grayling-meet-the-new-transport-secretary/. 2018-06-16. live.
  33. Web site: UEL History. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110831002659/http://www.uel.ac.uk/about/history.htm. 2011-08-31.
  34. Web site: Rodger Scruton . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20100831023120/http://www.roger-scruton.com/rs-cv.html . 2010-08-31 .
  35. T.S Eliot https://www.chilternsaonb.org/ccbmaps/1319/137/t-s-eliot.html
  36. Web site: Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear stars in town. May 2009 . 4 May 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091120111848/http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/4336389.Jeremy_Clarkson_and_Top_Gear_stars_in_town/. 2009-11-20. live.
  37. Web site: Top Gear Videos - Cars for Teenagers, part 1/3 (Series 13, Episode 2). 3 November 2009 . 2016-09-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20160823184608/http://www.topgear.com/videos/cars-teenagers-part-13-series-13-episode-2. 2016-08-23. live.
  38. Web site: BBC Three programmes - Our War: Ambushed. 10 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110712224225/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011vngx. 2011-07-12. live.

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