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Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe

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Coordinates:51°38′28″N0°44′20″W/ 51.64109°N 0.73879°W/51.64109; -0.73879
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The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
Address
Map
Amersham Road

High Wycombe
,
Buckinghamshire
,
HP13 6QT

England, United Kingdom
Coordinates51°38′28″N0°44′20″W/ 51.64109°N 0.73879°W/51.64109; -0.73879
Information
TypeSelectiveGrammar School
Academy
MottoLatin:Schola Regia Grammatica
Established1551;473 years ago(1551)
SpecialistsLanguage
Maths and Computing
Department for EducationURN136484Tables
OfstedReports
HeadmasterPhilip Wayne
Staffc. 100
GenderBoys
Age11 to 19
Enrolment1393[1]
HousesSt. James (red), Sandringham (orange), Windsor (yellow), Buckingham (green), Balmoral (blue), Kensington (indigo)
Colour(s)White,San MarinoApprox.(#4165B3)
Former pupilsOld Wycombiensians
Websitehttps:// rgshw /

TheRoyal Grammar School, High Wycombe,is a selective boys'grammar schoolsituated inHigh Wycombe,Buckinghamshire,England.As a state school, it does not charge fees for pupils to attend, but they must pass the 11 plus, anexamthat someprimary schoolsadminister. In February 2011, the school became anAcademy.[2]

Established byRoyal Charterin 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 hasboardingfacilities and was aDfES-designatedLanguage Collegeuntil 2010. From 2007-2010, it was also aMathematics and ICT College.[3]OFSTEDgave it a Good ranking in its 2019 inspection.[4]

History

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Originally established by themayorandburgessesof the town in 1551, in the ecclesiastical premises previously acquired by Sir Edmund Peckham (c. 1495 – 1564) during theDissolution of the Monasteries,[5]the school received itsRoyal charterin 1562 (which still survives today at the school's current location).[citation needed]It was based in the buildings of the formerHospital of St John the Baptistin 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 QueenElizabeth II.To commemorate the visit, the school's main hall becameQueen's Halland bore an engraving to mark the occasion. In 1997 a new building was erected (the Language Block) entirely dedicated to the teaching oflanguages,which was opened by theDuchess of Gloucester.

There are several Royal Grammar School sites in the UK, of which High Wycombe,Colchester,ClitheroeandLancasterhave maintained theirgrammar schoolstatus, whilstGuildford,Newcastle upon TyneandWorcesterare 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 deemedhomophobicafter 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

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

Entry

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In order to gain entry to the school, pupils fromprimary schoolsin the local area are invited to do an entrance exam, theeleven-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

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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 builtFraser 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,[14]who stay throughout the week and return home for weekends. The house is named afteralumniIan Edward FraserandFrederick Youens,who were awarded theVictoria Crossduring theSecond World WarandFirst World Warrespectively.

Sixth form

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RGS has a sixth form. 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).[13]

Available subjects

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

  • Ancient History
  • Art and Design
  • Biology
  • Business Studies
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Design and Technology
  • Economics
  • English Literature
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • History
  • Latin
  • Mathematics
  • Further Mathematics (may only be taken with Mathematics)
  • Music
  • Physics
  • Politics
  • Psychology
  • Spanish
  • Sport BTEC

Facilities

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A music centre was opened in late 2004, so that the school can offerA LevelMusic Technology.

There is an on-siteCombined Cadet Force.[18]Other activities include thePublic SpeakingSociety, music andorchestras,drama,social service,fencingand othersports.The school has two playing fields. The RGS also has its own.2225 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][better source needed]and to renovate the 100-year-old Main Block classrooms.

Activities

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Stage Lighting and Sound Team

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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

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TheCombined Cadet Forcehas 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

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

Gilbert and Sullivan operas

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In 1947Bernarr Rainbowdirected the first of theGilbert and SullivanSavoy operasto be performed at the school. These continued until at least 1976.[23]

Sport

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Its alumni founded the town's local rugby clubHigh Wycombe RFC,originally known as Old Wycombiensians FC.[24]Sporting alumni include golferLuke Donald,[25]2003 Rugby World CupwinnerMatt Dawson,[26]1993 Rugby World Cup SevenswinnerNick Beal.,[27]400 metres hurdlesathleteMartin Gillingham,England Hockey CaptainJon Wyatt,and the cricketersPhil NewportandSaif Zaib.

Rowing

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The school has an activerowingclub called the Royal Grammar School High Wycombe Boat Club which is based on theRiver Thamesat the Longridge Activity Centre, Quarry Wood Road. The club is affiliated toBritish Rowing(Boat code HWG) and produced two junior national champion crews at the2014 British Rowing Junior Championships.[28][29]

Notable alumni and teachers

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See also:Category:People educated at the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe

Alumni of the RGS are known as Old Wycombiensians, or OWs, and includeChris Grayling,[30]former UKSecretary of State for Transport,the singersIan DuryandHoward Jones,[31]the comedianJimmy Carr[11]and the philosopherRoger Scruton.[32]The Old Wycombiensians' Committee hosts an annual reunion dinner for Old Wycombiensians at the RGS. Notable sporting alumni include former England rugby union playerMatt Dawson,Ryder-Cup winning captain golferLuke Donaldand sprinterMartin Gillingham.

T. S. Eliottaught for a term at the school in the autumn of 1915.[33]

[edit]
  • In 2001, the school was used as one of the sets in the 2001thriller filmThe Hole,as a county prison. Various scenes were also filmed inside the school's old boarding house.
  • In 2003, the school served as the location for two seasons of the television seriesThat'll Teach 'emforChannel 4.The school was re-branded as "King's Grammar School" and took thirty sixteen-year-olds for a summer of '50s styleboarding schooleducation. This first series was nominated for aBAFTA.The second series in 2004 saw thirty sixteen-year-olds of lesser academic achievement experience '60s styleSecondary Modern Schooleducation; in this case the school was re-branded "Hope Green Secondary Modern". However, different parts of the school were used in each series, giving the impression that the school used in the second series was not that used in the first.
  • On 1 May 2009 BBC TV showTop Gearrecorded at the school. They filmed in the Quadrangle (teacher's car park) against the old main building and clock tower for a segment whereJeremy Clarkson,Richard HammondandJames Maywere undertaking the challenge,Finding the perfect car for 17-year-olds.[34]Clarkson used a Volvo estate, Hammond a Hyundai S-Coupe and May a Volkswagen Golf. The episode was aired in June 2009.[35]
  • In 2011 the corridors of the same building appeared in the opening and closing scenes of the BBC Documentary series,Our War,in which former history teacher and CCF leader Bjorn Rose talks about the tragic loss of comrade Chris Gray during his service for theBritish ArmyinAfghanistan.[36]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ab"The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe - GOV.UK".DfE.Archivedfrom the original on 29 October 2020.Retrieved29 October2020.
  2. ^"Open academies map and schools submitting applications".Department for Education.Archivedfrom the original on 18 January 2012.Retrieved23 May2011.
  3. ^"2006 OFSTED Report"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 28 August 2008.Retrieved30 January2008.
  4. ^Ofsted Communications Team (8 October 2020)."Find an inspection report and registered childcare".reports.ofsted.gov.uk.Retrieved3 April2022.
  5. ^A Note On The Foundation Of The Schoolby Leslie J Ashford, The Wycombiensian, April 1954http:// rgs.saund.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=229&p=527#p527Archived2015-07-24 at theWayback Machine
  6. ^"Governor's response to allegations against Dingle".Archived fromthe originalon 9 January 2007.Retrieved12 February2006.
  7. ^"'Gross misconduct' head is sacked ".news.bbc.co.uk.BBC News. 27 April 2006.Archivedfrom the original on 16 May 2007.Retrieved4 August2020.
  8. ^"Royal Grammar School 'Homophobic' Maths Test Question Sparks Outrage".Huffington Post.14 September 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 11 March 2017.Retrieved10 April2017.
  9. ^Colley, Andrew (14 September 2016)."Outrage as 'homophobic' maths test handed out at grammar school".Bucks Free Press.Retrieved4 August2020.
  10. ^ab"Article regarding new headmaster Mr Wayne".7 July 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 13 October 2016.Retrieved13 October2016.
  11. ^abA class apart: How does this state school get so many boys into Oxbridge?Archived2017-09-23 at theWayback MachinePublished 7 October 2007 inThe Independent,retrieved 28 November 2016
  12. ^"RGS Admission Policy (Boarding places) (Sept 2020)"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 10 April 2019.Retrieved10 April2019.
  13. ^ab"RGS Admission Policy (Day places) (Sept 2020)"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 10 April 2019.Retrieved10 April2019.
  14. ^ab"Fraser Youens House - Information for Parents"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 10 April 2019.Retrieved10 April2019.
  15. ^"Boarding".Archived fromthe originalon 23 July 2008.Retrieved22 August2008.
  16. ^"Boarding - Meet The Team".Archivedfrom the original on 10 April 2019.Retrieved10 April2019.
  17. ^"RGSHW Into the Sixth Form 2019 Entry"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 10 April 2019.Retrieved10 April2019.
  18. ^ab"RGSHW - CCF".Archivedfrom the original on 10 April 2019.Retrieved10 April2019.
  19. ^"Buy a Square Campaign".Archivedfrom the original on 29 August 2016.Retrieved8 September2016.
  20. ^"RGSHW All Weather Pitch Opening Ceremony".Archivedfrom the original on 4 November 2016.Retrieved2 November2016.
  21. ^"Clubs, Societies & Co-Curricular Activities (2018-19)"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 10 April 2019.Retrieved10 April2019.
  22. ^"Royal Grammar School pupils crowned National Youth Choir of the Year at the Royal Festival Hall | Bucks Free Press".24 October 2014.Retrieved7 November2018.
  23. ^"The Gilbert & Sullivan Operas".Tony Hare's Website for the High Wycombe Royal Grammar School.Archivedfrom the original on 24 March 2017.Retrieved5 March2017.
  24. ^"HWRUFC History".
  25. ^Mair, Lewine (13 July 2005)."Donald makes a positive of plodder reputation".The Daily Telegraph.London.Archivedfrom the original on 4 January 2014.Retrieved29 December2012.
  26. ^"World Cup rugby star thanks his Wycombe school".Bucks Free Press.28 November 2003.
  27. ^"Rugby stars in shock report".Bucks Free Press.20 July 2000.Archivedfrom the original on 7 April 2014.Retrieved24 January2013.
  28. ^"Club details".British Rowing.
  29. ^"Juniors defy weather to flourish at Brit Champs".British Rowing. 21 July 2014.
  30. ^"Who is Chris Grayling? Meet the new Transport Secretary".The Telegraph.26 July 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 16 June 2018.Retrieved5 April2018– via telegraph.co.uk.
  31. ^"UEL History".Archived fromthe originalon 31 August 2011.
  32. ^"Rodger Scruton".Archived from the original on 31 August 2010.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  33. ^[T.S Eliothttps:// chilternsaonb.org/ccbmaps/1319/137/t-s-eliot.htmlArchived2018-09-30 at theWayback Machine] Published by Chilterns
  34. ^"Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear stars in town".May 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 20 November 2009.Retrieved4 May2009.
  35. ^"Top Gear Videos - Cars for Teenagers, part 1/3 (Series 13, Episode 2)".3 November 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 23 August 2016.Retrieved8 September2016.
  36. ^"BBC Three programmes - Our War: Ambushed".Archivedfrom the original on 12 July 2011.Retrieved10 July2011.
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