A Level success stories
Head Girl and Head Boy set the finest of examples.
Ellie K and Sam A, the departing Head Girl and Head Boy, have secured top A Level results following a year of inspirational student leadership. All at RGS thank Ellie and Sam and wish them all the very best for their future.
Ellie K gives her maths teacher the good news
RGS’s departing Head Girl takes home an extraordinary four A* grades and is on her way to Pembroke College, Cambridge to read Natural Sciences. While in the Sixth Form, Ellie was a mentor to fellow students, went on tour with the Ultimate Frisbee team, and completed her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Ellie’s prize cabinet includes the Gooch Memorial Prize and The S Arbury Prize for Physics.
“The support from all the staff has been wonderful.”
Ellie says: “The support from all the staff has been wonderful. Everyone is right there with you when you get up to speak as Head Girl, and the staff do give you space to try to change things, make things better. It’s really sad to leave, it’s hard to believe that this period of my life is over. One of the great things about RGS is that all of us are genuinely very sad to leave, which just shows how amazing it is.
Sam A, Head Boy 2018/2019
RGS’s departing Head Boy has successfully secured his place at Durham to read Philosophy & Politics following his impressive grades: A*A* and A. A keen contributor to the drama department, Sam took the lead role in the school’s production of Guys and Dolls in 2018 and won the Lower Sixth Form Drama prize and the Westcott Drama Trophy. He was also a member of the school Ultimate Frisbee team.
When addressing the whole school at the Leavers’ Assembly, Sam urged his fellow students: “Carpe diem, make the most of every opportunity life throws at you.” We look forward to seeing the outcome as Sam follows his own advice.
Speaking as he collected his results, Sam said: “It’s a massive relief to get my results, it’s been a long summer! It’s been the most amazing experience being Head Boy – so many opportunities that it’s led to and such a great laugh too. When my Head Boy speeches went down well (not every time!), it was the best feeling. I’m excited for the time ahead and will leave with many, many happy memories.”
No drama for Jarrett as he opens his envelope…
Jarrett M talks to Headmaster Shaun Fenton
Having received an unconditional offer from the University of Kent to study Drama, keen actor Jarrett M is the proud owner of an A* in Drama, an A in Philosophy and a B in History.
Jarrett was Vice Captain of Cranston House and will be much missed, especially in the Drama department. He started off in Annie in Third Form, going on to take lead roles in Molly and the Stardust and The History Boys in the Sixth Form. Jarrett received the Helen Mumby Drama Award, and was heavily involved with production at The Pendley Shakespeare Festival.
Not content with treading the boards, Jarret was also captain of the 1st XI football team.
Jarrett said: “I’m very sad to be leaving, and particularly to hear that the school is doing Les Misérables this year! I’ll definitely be back to watch that one. Every show week, you get so close to the people involved, I will really miss that school show element. My Drama teacher was a real friend and an amazing support and knew exactly when to give me that extra push, so I feel proud to give her and my other teachers these results as a way of saying thank you. As for friendships formed? I have unbreakable bonds with my friends from RGS.”
Kate goes to Medical School… via Hong Kong!
Kate G (r)
Our loss is the medical world’s gain: Kate G has secured her place at Leeds Medical School with her excellent grades of A*AA.
Kate has elected to defer her studies for a year to work in Harrow International School in Hong Kong, keeping a close eye on the news, of course.
While at RGS, Kate acted in all our school productions, played hockey in the 3rd XI and was a talented musician.
“I’m absolutely devastated to be leaving RGS, I’ve had an incredible time here.”
Speaking just before she rushed home to pack her bags for tomorrow’s flight to Hong Kong, Kate said: “I’m so excited to study at Leeds but I’m absolutely devastated to be leaving RGS, I’ve had an incredible time here. This school has been the school for me, and it has completely changed me as a person for the better. I feel ready to go out into the world now!”
Happy Bursary student Jemima is set for her medical career
Jemima W (centre)
With her three A grades, Jemima W is looking forward to her medical studies at her first choice, the University of Nottingham.
One of RGS’s Bursary students and immensely involved in all aspects of school life, Jemima was Head of Williamson House and excelled at generating a sense of community and team spirit. She led on a number of successful fundraising initiatives for RGS’s charity partners.
A keen vocalist and guitarist, Jemima was also a Colour Sergeant in the CCF.
“Reigate Grammar School is a wonderful school, I cannot fault it.”
Jemima was winner of the Sixth Form Henry Smith Prize as well as the Headmaster’s Sixth Form Prize. Speaking soon after the opening of the all-important envelope in the school’s Old Library, Jemima’s mother said: “Reigate Grammar School is a wonderful school, I cannot fault it. To get to where we are today… I’m overwhelmed.”
Jemima added: “I’m very lucky to be here because I’m a Harrison scholar. When my friends and I finally knew our results, and two of us confirmed that we are both off to Nottingham to study medicine, I’ve had the biggest hug I’ve ever had!”
Emma is off to read Classics at Balliol College, Oxford
Emma S
With three straight A* grades under her belt, Emma S has secured her place at Balliol College, Oxford to read Classics.
At RGS, she was a Senior Prefect, a member of Polyphony, a debater at the school’s Modern United Nations (MUN) meetings, and bravely took to the stage to present to prospective parents visiting the school on Open Mornings.
Speaking just after she’d collected her results, Emma said: “I’m very excited – the admissions process at Balliol was very nerve wracking so it’s so nice to know that it’s all paying off and I’m going there. My teachers have been incredibly supportive and I’m enormously grateful – my time at RGS has been so rewarding. It feels very strange to leave but I’m going to keep in touch with people for a long, long time.”
A Level results are a work of art
Charlotte B’s piece, inspired by her local park, aiming to capture a sense of isolation through her painting.
Art students secured 100% A*-B grades in 2019’s A Level results.
They worked in a range of media from oils to textiles and from photography to ceramics en route to another year of excellent results. Students regularly progress to prestigious Art Colleges such as St Martin’s or to Art Foundation courses.
The commitment of RGS to art can be clearly seen in the excellent and well-equipped Art Centre but also by touring the school: there is student artwork dripping off the walls in every corridor, meeting room, office and even in the dining room. The whole school is seen as one big art exhibition space, which is needed because of the sheer quality and quantity of work produced by very many talented student artists.
