Issuu

ISSUE 268 January 2026

FROM THE HEADMASTER As January is synonymous with new beginnings, so it was wholly appropriate that our Staff Development Day this week should focus on our recent announcement of our move to co-education. Having had a chance to absorb and process this news over the holiday, I thank you all for your incredible support and overwhelming positivity to this announcement, and yet I know that there was also a whole range of emotions from our community: from enthusiastic support to cautious approval, from surprise to concern. I can fully empathise with all these emotions because, over the past two years that we have been meticulously planning and strategically preparing for this move, I have experienced all of these reactions, and more! I am now in my twentieth year at the RGS and, having spent two decades leading this wonderful community, it is inevitable that I look back with a sense of nostalgia that the School which I know and love, and which has been such an important part of my life for so long, is now going to change in some respects. Nevertheless, I am absolutely confident that this is the correct decision and that the School is going to change for the better: it is going to be fit and ready for the future, and it is going to prepare our young people even more effectively for the life ahead of them. It is right that we are all proud of the School’s history and current successes, but communities cannot stand still on the basis of nostalgia, particularly when the world is changing so fast around them. Some of you have asked for a little more detail on the rationale for our move to co-education, which is entirely reasonable. The first thing to recognise is that society’s attitudes towards single-sex education are changing, and have changed rapidly over the past five years. As you will all be aware, over the past decade or so there has been a marked growth in social movements focused on promoting gender equality in all aspects of life, such as Me Too, Everyone’s Invited, and HeForShe. This change in attitudes has been reflected in a steady reduction in the number of singlesex independent schools, and a marked increase in co-educational schools. Whilst demand for the RGS remains high at all entry points, the reality is that in twenty years there are unlikely to be many boys’ schools left in this country. My duty as Headmaster of this fine school is to ensure that the RGS remains relevant to future generations of students and their parents. The societal attitudes to all-boys’ education expressed by many over the past five years is not going to change and it is therefore beholden on me as Headmaster to take action which will ensure that RGS continues to flourish, provides the very best education for its students, and remains the school of choice in this area. As I stated in our announcement in December, we want an RGS education to be reflective of today’s society – one where equity and equal opportunity for the sexes are promoted and in which both girls and boys are able to have equally ambitious aspirations, to work collaboratively, and to set themselves up for fulfilling, enriching, happy futures. We feel these things are best achieved in a co-educational environment.

“

We are built on centuries of heritage, but our students are inspired to embrace the future.

”

Across all age groups, co-education will bring a wider set of viewpoints and perspectives into the classroom, creating richer and more diverse debate. From a social development perspective, there are also positive social benefits from boys and girls learning together, particularly in reducing gender stereotyping and encouraging better communication. We engaged with current and prospective parents to understand their views. In our most recent parental survey conducted last spring, it was evident that the single-sex nature of the School is not a key driver of choice, or indeed a strong preference. Of the diverse range of potential factors influencing parents’ choice of senior school, the single-sex environment was rated of lowest importance. We also conducted research with prospective parents, including those who recently accepted a place, and those who had considered us but decided to send their sons elsewhere. The attitudes among these groups were very similar, with some parents specifically mentioning that they did not choose the RGS as they were concerned about the single-sex nature of the School. What current parents did rate highly, however, was the School’s ethos and values and this remains one of the most important factors when parents choose the RGS. I can reassure you that we will continue to offer the very best education for our current students and to innovate as appropriate to ensure the RGS remains one of the finest schools in the country, whilst remaining rooted in its core ethos and values. We are extremely mindful of maintaining a positive experience for our current students throughout the transition period. That is why we are deliberately phasing in co-education gradually, with co-educational admissions only at our key entry points. We have established several projects to deliver the changes, which will consider all aspects of transition, including pastoral care, curriculum, teaching and learning, co-curricular activities, sport and facilities. We have been very mindful over the past year to avoid starting other non-essential initiatives to ensure our leadership team has capacity to manage the transition whilst still focusing on the critical business of the day-to-day running of the RGS. I can also assure you that my Senior Team and I have been working on the introduction of co-education for a couple of years and we are confident that it can be delivered without major disruptions to the education of our students. As we quote in our prospectus, “We are built on centuries of heritage, but our students are inspired to embrace the future.” And this could hardly be a more exciting and fitting message for January. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a belated Happy New Year and I hope 2026 is a rewarding, healthy and enjoyable year for you all and your families.

Happy New Year! 2026

Our Values INCLUSIVITY SCHOLARSHIP INTEGRITY

RESPECT COURAGE COLLABORATION

Our Vision A high-performing and inclusive independent day school, which provides a great education so that students can lead happy, successful lives and have a positive impact on society.

Our Strategic Priorities Integrate our pastoral and wellbeing offer, and tailor this to meet the needs of a modern-day student community.

Enhance our academic strength, in terms of exam results, developing minds and preparing students for higher education.

Develop a more focused co-curricular offer, organised around a character development framework based on our school values.

Maintain a healthy pipeline and transition effectively to co-education, ensuring a positive experience for all students (current and future).

NOTICES

Sports Fixtures With freezing temperatures forecast for this weekend, please read the Sports Cancellation Policy which has been circulated. Always check the RGS social media platforms before leaving home. Please note that transport will not be provided to Churcher’s College for the hockey fixtures, as per the School’s policy. Your sons should make their own way there for away matches and check carefully for the meet time on the team sheet. Please may we also remind parents that no spectators are permitted at Broadwater School for matches that start during the school day due to their Safeguarding Policy. Any spectators who turn up will be regrettably requested to leave the premises. In addition, no dogs are allowed at Broadwater School: we apologise for any inconvenience caused. Thank you for your continuing support for RGS sport this season: it is always very much appreciated.

Forthcoming events Wednesday 21 January Junior Piano Concert in the Recital Room. Thursday 22 January Charity Stand-Up Comedy Evening in the Auditorium. Book your tickets here.

THE GALLERY: SKI TRIP