Surrey’s ‘school of the year’ where pupils have been going onto greatness for 350 years

Pupils make up the shape of 350
-Credit:Reigate Grammar School


One of Surrey’s most successful schools is opening the doors and embracing the community as they mark a major milestone. This year Reigate Grammar School turns an impressive 350 years old, allowing pupils and teachers alike to reflect and set some ambitious targets.

Shaun Fenton has been headmaster of the historic school since 2012. He said: “I’m now in my 13th year, and loving it. It’s a lovely part of the world to be and live.”

Over three centuries the school went through a lot of change, going from an independent to state grammar school, before becoming independent again. Shaun Fenton explained: “350 years ago, the first Reigatians started studying literally on this site. It was a farmhouse here in the town. The church at Saint Mary's was where students went for their lessons. The vicar of the church was the headmaster of the school, right the way through, to nearly the end of the Victorian age.

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“The school opened in the same year that Sir Christopher Wren laid the foundation stone for St Paul's Cathedral.”

Picture of the school from 1875
The school has a long history -Credit:Reigate Grammar School

While much has changed since 1675 there are some things that have changed the same. Today, pupils walk down the same path as from the school as their predecessors to have assemblies in St Mary’s.

Shaun is determined that the birthday is not just a time for looking back. He said: “We want to use the 350 celebration to commit ourselves to the local community, our charity partnerships, helping today's children be international citizens in the global village. We're using the 350 not just to have parties and celebrations, but as a way to commit to, to our community,to start to write the next chapter, to create a new legacy.”

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One notable ambition is on bursaries, which the school plans to expand. Shaun explained: “The school started for poor boys of the parish. 12 students got what we call the bursaries. Now we have nearly 200 students getting bursaries. As part of this decade of making a difference we want to double the provision for bursaries between our 350th and not 360th anniversary.”

Pupils with balloons
Pupils will get to take part in a range of exciting activites as part of the birthday celebrations -Credit:Rich Turner

The expansion comes as some independent schools have spoken about cutting back. However, the program is important to Shaun. He explained: “We realise how lucky we are to have been supported for 350 years by the local community through good times and bad. We want to give back. Bursaries are a really good way to help the children from local families, who wouldn't otherwise be able to access RGS.

“There are some outstanding schools in the state sector and great independent schools, but we want to be part of the picture. We want to be the right school for those families. We're certainly not going to be cutting back on something, which is at the heart of our school.”

In the present the school is having a brilliant year. It has been named independent school of 2025 twice, both by the Sunday Times as well as Education Today. Ex-pupil Sir Keir Starmer has also become Prime Minister, and in the summer there was a record set of A-Level results.

Gym class
While the pupils started off as all boys but is now co-ed. -Credit:Reigate Grammar School

Speaking on the awards Shaun said: “None of that is important as the experience of the children in our care each day, and helping to make sure that they enjoy their childhood, learn about themselves and the world, and are well placed for a happy and successful adult life, where they can make the world a better place.”

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As part of the birthday celebrations, pupils will be given the chance to give back, by planting trees, helping out at worthy charities and at local primary schools. Shaun believes his pupils are up for the challenge.

He said: “I think today's young people are astonishing. Of course I'm really proud of the students at my grammar school, but the generation coming through our schools across the area, across the country, they're astonishing. I think they're committed to environmental issues, issues of equality and inclusion. I think they are committed to these sorts of things in a way, which is fundamental to their being. It's non-negotiable.”

Boys play basketball
While the school has changed a lot its relationship with nearby St Mary's church remains strong -Credit:Reigate Grammar School

When asked what made the school such a success Shaun said: “ I think RGS is full of normal bright children who are really lucky to be able to learn from each other and to have the most talented and dedicated group of teachers I've ever worked with. I've worked at seven schools and I've never worked with a better group of staff..

“It's not a rules-based community, it's all about relationships. Children don't tend to know which side of the corridor they need to walk on, they just know not to bump into each other. We look for quiet heroes who are peacemakers, rather than alpha heroes who are in it for themselves.

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“I think it's a kind community, over 12 years, I've worked my hardest to make sure that I appoint kind to teachers because when I talk to the children who are joining us from primary schools and prep schools and say what makes the biggest difference, they so often come back to being about a teacher who's kind.”

It won’t be all hardwork. Pupils are also getting the chance to take part in a range of celebratory activities, including treading the boards of the West End, playing tennis at Wimbledon and hosting an outdoors cinema.

It is all part of the school's mission to create well rounded, hard working pupils. “I shake the hand of every student as they leave St Mary’s Church after their final assembly. Shaun said. “I sometimes wonder if this has happened for 350 years, but I shake their hand as they leave after their final assembly and say do great things, return often and make the world a better place.”