CLASS of 2028
Welcome to the Sixth Form
WORKING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT OUR BOYS.
Our priority as a school is your son’s welfare. We want all your sons to enjoy their final two years of school, growing as individuals, and thriving at the RGS. You, as their parents, and us, as a school, are their support team. The aim of this document is to let you know about some of the pastoral topics we cover with the boys, share some common issues we see in the Sixth Form, and ensure you know what to do if you have concerns. We look forward to working with you, in order to give your sons every opportunity to flourish over the next two of years, and beyond.
Mr Jaime Lythgoe Head of Upper School
Miss Gemma Spencer Head of L6 Form
Mr Peter Dunscombe Director of Higher Eduction
WHO TO CONTACT
Your sons are fortunate to have a very experienced Tutor team available to them. Their Form Tutor is your first port of contact, and are the only member of staff to see your son every day - please do get in touch with them if you feel there is an issue that you need to communicate to the School. You can also contact: - Mr Lythgoe Head of Upper School jdnl@rgsg.co.uk - Ms Spencer Head of Lower Sixth Form whns@rgsg.co.uk - Mr Spouge Head of Upper Sixth Form whns@rgsg.co.uk - Mr Gough Assistant Head (Designated Safeguarding Lead and Wellbeing) nwg@rgsg.co.uk - Mr Woodman Senior Deputy Headmaster auw@rgsg.co.uk - Mr Dunscombe Director of Higher Education pjd@rgsg.co.uk
HIGHLIGHTS Here are some key areas that we deal with regularly in the Sixth Form: 1. Timing & Self-Discipline We aim to teach pupils high personal standards; punctuality and appearance are key aspects of looking after yourself and we hope that parents can help reinforce these expectations. Your son is expected to be in their Tutor room every school day; this means that if they arrive after 08.50, they are late. 2. Workload & Working Habits We understand that each pupil is an individual. To help support your son, however, some helpful questions to consider might be: - What is his working environment? - Does he work in a different place to where he relaxes? - Does he have his phone, or other non-essential technology, with him when he is working? - How long does he work for and how often does he take a break? Class of 2027: Welcome to the Sixth Form | 1
As the boys go through the Sixth Form, we expect to see them developing an extra level of maturity, which means that they should be able to recognise what conditions they work best in, and how to be efficient with their time. If you have concerns that your son is not balancing his work and leisure time, please do contact his Form Tutor in the first instance. 3. Personal Wellbeing The recommended amount of sleep a teenage boy should be getting is seven hours or more per night. As we all know, a lack of sleep and exercise can have a detrimental effect on wellbeing and academic performance. We encourage the boys to recognise the importance of sleep and taking responsibility for going to sleep at a reasonable hour. Eating healthily is also important and, by the Sixth Form, we hope that the boys are mature enough to know that looking after their bodies is vital for their long-term health, and has a positive effect on their wellbeing. 4. Technology & Social Media There are numerous scientific studies that explain some of the dangers of screen time, with Gaming in particular, having been declared a mental health problem by the NHS. Many games are built deliberately to feed addiction and it is important not to underestimate their effect. We recommend that boys agree boundaries with their parents which might include: where gaming takes place (where possible, in a communal area) and for how many hours a week it is permitted. Many of the online issues we deal with are related to social media. We explain clearly to the boys that they should be careful with what they write online: tone of voice can be lost, and privacy cannot be guaranteed even on ‘private’ Instagram and WhatsApp messages. We expect that the boys treat each other and the wider community with respect and civility. 5. Social Time The boys receive education about alcohol, drugs, relationships and consent throughout their time at the RGS. As a day school, almost all issues, involving these topics, occur outside of school time and our remit, but there is often an impact on the school community. Our experience is: •
The common issues arising from parties often involve alcohol, consent and substance abuse.
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We feel that it is always a good idea to remove car keys from drivers who are staying the night.
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Parties of over 10 or more young people are likely to have more issues. Legally, you are responsible for the safety of guests under the age of 18 on your property.
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Peer-on-peer abuse is something that all adults should be aware of, especially, if hosting a party.
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We encourage open communication between parents, especially when it comes supervision at parties.
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Guildford has been affected by organised criminal gangs called County Lines, which use young people to traffic drugs, money and weapons.
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There are support structures in place at the School if you become worried about your son and his relationship with substance use, alcohol consumption, and/or gambling.
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In our experience, pupils find it very difficult to be open and honest about their struggles in these areas. It is therefore helpful to be aware of other indicators such as changes in: financial habits, social circles, sleeping habits and weight change.
6. Anxiety & Mental Health The Sixth Form brings increased freedom, responsibility and, inevitably, a degree of academic pressure. The boys will receive a talk about how to manage high-performance stress, and we encourage them to communicate with each other, with you, and with their Form Tutors, to get the support they need. If you are worried about how your son is feeling, then please let the School know. It will never negatively affect a university application. If you are concerned that your son is suffering with a persistent low mood, then please take him to see his is GP and notify the School. 7. Communication The most important theme running through the pastoral speeches, that you have heard this evening, is that the School would like to encourage open communication between parents, boys and the school around pastoral issues. The pastoral team are here to help support RGS families – not to judge them.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
ROAD TO 2035
Class of 2027: Welcome to the Sixth Form | 2
8. School Policies We encourage all parents of Sixth Form students to take a moment to review some key School Policies including Driving, Paid Work and Substance Use and Missue policies. These were sent last week and outline how the School will support your sons in making responsible choices and staying safe over the next two years.
SUPPORT WITH DECISIONS During the Sixth Form, your son will need to make an increasing number of decisions. Some of these relate to day to day study habits, time planning and so on; some are much bigger, such as those relating to the university application process. As a parent, you can help your son become increasingly thoughtful, effective and confident in his decision-making. The best way to do this is to take an open-minded interest in the small decisions - as well as the larger ones. The more often a teenager talks through the thinking behind their decisions, the easier they will find it to make sensible choices.
THE UNIVERSITY APPLICATION PROCESS Of course, one of the critical aspects of your son’s time in the Sixth Form will be preparing for and then making his application to university. There is no question that this remains a highly competitive process and, as such, the school recognises the need to provide a carefully structured programme to support your son’s aspirations. With much of the press painting a rather depressing picture about the chances of success perhaps one, if not the most, important things to stress at this stage is that you should not believe everything you read. Last year 92% of our students secured places at a Russell Group or Times Top 20 University or at Medical School. When one looks at offers made before students make their final choices, 96% of all offers last year were to the same group. The application process is essentially a twelve-month preparation period starting in November this year when we will launch the programme with an evening presentation to all students and parents. This is followed in January with an Oxbridge specific event. Students will then begin their research, visit universities, draft personal statements and finally submit their applications. They will have regular training sessions and seminars at all key points to make sure that they are on track. Mr Dunscombe is always available for the students to drop into his office and have a chat and many students and parents also arrange longer meetings with him to discuss plans. We pride ourselves on giving each student detailed, individually tailored guidance; this is one of the significant strengths of the RGS. We are also conscious that some students may wish to make applications overseas or choose instead to follow an apprenticeship route after school. Once again, individual tailored advice and support will be given. When Mr Dunscombe spoke to the students at the start of term he lightheartedly mentioned to them that the ‘U word’ (university) is banned until November. The reason for this is very simple: we want them to spend their first few months in the Sixth Form learning what it means to study A Levels without worrying about what lies beyond the Sixth Form. Encouragingly many of them are already looking at ways of broadening their learning beyond the classroom and this is important for those looking to apply to the most competitive institutions. We would draw your attention to Mr Dunscombe’s fortnightly Careers and Higher Education bulletin which contains a wealth of information and opportunities.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
ROAD TO 2035
Class of 2027: Welcome to the Sixth Form | 3
CLASS of 2028
Welcome to the Sixth Form
The RGS believes in the value of education and the difference it can make to a young person’s future. Bursaries help ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent talented students from taking up their place at the RGS. The Class of 2028 Bursary Appeal aims to bring families together around that shared purpose. All gifts, however large or small, help make an RGS education possible for someone who would otherwise miss out.
The Class of 2028 Bursary will mark your son’s time at the School in the most RGS way possible ... working together to open the door to those less fortunate. £7 for Seven The idea is simple. If families across the Class of 2028 each give £7 a month for seven years, you would offer substantial support towards an RGS education for a student otherwise be unable to attend. Seven years supports a student through their entire RGS education. Your regular commitment helps us plan with confidence and, importantly, gives a student the security of knowing that their place at the RGS is provided for the years ahead. And this is not just about one student. After seven years, we ask your sons to take over your family gifts to allow the Class of 2028 bursary to help another bright local boy. A gift at this level from all 141 families in the Class of 2028 would create a 60% bursary (more with gift aid) for a deserving boy to take up his place and graduate with flying colours. Why it matters The RGS opens doors to universities, professions and careers that can shape a child’s future, and gives them the skills, experience and connections to make the most of their opportunities. Alongside academic achievement, we place real emphasis on character: developing resilience, leadership, and ingenuity. For a student who could not otherwise afford an RGS education, a bursary makes all this possible. It gives them access to an education, a community and opportunities that would otherwise be beyond their reach. How to Give If you would like to join the Class of 2028, you can set up your Direct Debit here. https://secure.edirectdebit.co.uk/Royal-Grammar-School-Guildford/Cof2028 Champions The Class of 2028 bursary is a collective endeavour, and it’s success lies in the friendship of the families. If you would like to get involved and help champion the Class of 2028 bursary amongst your friends, please do get in touch at rgsfoundation@rgsg.co.uk. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to getting to know many of you over the next two years.
Monica Popa Development Director www.rgsroadto2035.co.uk Class of 2027: Welcome to the Sixth Form | 4