Reigate Grammar School
Independent selective day school · Est. 1675
Reigate Grammar is the rare school that manages to be genuinely academically elite without any of the social stiffness or pressure-cooker atmosphere that often accompanies that status. The school is warm, energetic, co-educational, and — by strong reputation — genuinely good fun. It is famous for the belief that happy kids learn well, and the results prove it: the school consistently ranks in the top 35 co-educational schools in England by A-Level outcomes.
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Reigate, Surrey
The Complete Admissions Timeline
Every key date, deadline and decision point — with insider intelligence you won't find on the school website. Click any item to reveal verified insider knowledge.
The critical window:
Academic Results
Selected academic results for RGS Reigate. Figures relate to the reporting years shown; check the school for its latest published results.
A-Level A* Rate
Not published
Reporting year not specified.
A-Level A*/A Rate
Not published
Reporting year not specified.
GCSE Attainment 8
Not published
Reporting year not specified.
A-Level A*-B Rate
Not published
Reporting year not specified.
A-Level Results vs National Average
RGS Reigate vs England average (%)
What this means: 33.9% A* and 70.6% A*/A at A-Level (2024) — ranked 31= nationally. The national average for A*/A is approximately 58%. RGS Reigate's outperformance of that benchmark is consistent across years.
GCSE Grade Distribution
RGS Reigate vs National distribution (%)
What this means: 89.7% of grades at 9–7 at GCSE (2024) — ranked 44= nationally. A strong record that places RGS among the top co-educational day schools in the country by this measure.
University Destinations
Where RGS Reigate leavers go: % of cohort
Notable Academic Achievements
Ranked 31= nationally at A-Level as a co-ed day school
Competing alongside single-sex schools, boarding schools, and London schools with far denser catchments, RGS Reigate's consistent position in the top 35 nationally is a genuine distinction.
Automatic academic scholarship consideration for every 11+ sitter
There is no separate scholarship exam. Every child who sits the January 11+ entrance papers is automatically assessed for academic scholarship. A strong performance may result in a scholarship offer without any additional application process.
Private coach network spanning Surrey and South London
RGS operates an extensive private coach service covering Dorking, Epsom, Banstead, Horsham, and South London — making the school practically accessible to families well beyond Reigate itself.
Bursaries up to 100% of fees
RGS is strongly committed to social mobility. Means-tested bursaries of up to 100% of fees are available. Families must declare interest at the point of November registration.
Famous pastoral ethos: 'happy kids learn well'
RGS is consistently cited in parent communities as the co-educational school that successfully combines elite academic outcomes with a genuinely warm, low-pressure culture. It is frequently the first choice for families who want both.
League Table Position: RGS Reigate ranked 31= nationally at A-Level in 2024 — an exceptional position for a co-educational day school. The school consistently outperforms most of its southern independent peers at both A-Level and GCSE, and does so while maintaining a reputation as one of the least pressure-heavy environments in selective Surrey education.
The RGS Reigate Interview: A Joiner and a Collaborator
The RGS interview is a two-part process in late January for shortlisted candidates. It is one of the more distinctive interview formats in the Surrey independent school sector — combining a warm 1:1 conversation with a group session directly led by the Headmaster. The school is assessing two complementary qualities: whether the child is a genuine 'joiner' (curious, engaged, interested in people and activities) and whether they can collaborate naturally with peers in a spontaneous group setting.
Format
Two-part interview
Duration
Not published
Role in Admissions
Eliminatory — a strong pass is required
What They Are Actually Looking For
The group interview with the Headmaster is the format element that catches most families by surprise. It is not adversarial — it is observational. The Headmaster and other candidates are in the room together, and the school watches how each child behaves naturally: do they listen to others? Do they add to what has been said rather than just waiting for their turn? Do they share the spotlight or attempt to dominate? A child who is warm, curious, and collaborative will stand out far more than one who is polished but self-focused.
What Makes a Strong Impression
What Each Part Covers
Compiled from parent reports (2023-2025)
- Part 1 — 1:1 with a staff member: Hobbies, interests, and passions. What they do outside school, what they enjoy, what excites them. The school is checking whether this child is a 'joiner' — someone who engages with activities, communities, and ideas rather than drifting passively.
- Part 2 — Group with the Headmaster: Peer interaction assessed in a real-time group setting. How the child communicates with other candidates, shares the conversation, listens actively, and contributes constructively.
The pattern: Warm and conversational rather than formally academic. The school is not testing curriculum knowledge in the interview — they are assessing social intelligence, enthusiasm, and collaborative instinct. The atmosphere is deliberately low-pressure.
What Actually Wins Offers
- 1Have a genuine conversation about the child's real interests before the interview — not a rehearsed answer, but actual fluency talking about what they love
- 2Practise collaborative conversation at home: ask the child to build on someone else's idea rather than just give their own opinion
- 3Encourage the child to listen as actively as they speak — the group interview rewards listeners who engage, not those who dominate
- 4Do not over-script the interview. RGS is looking for authentic personality. Polished performance without warmth is quickly identified.
“The group interview with the Headmaster was not what we expected at all — it was remarkably relaxed. My daughter said it felt more like a chat than an interview. The Headmaster was genuinely interested in what the children were saying to each other.”
“They asked my son about his hobbies and he ended up talking about his football team for about ten minutes. He got an offer. I think they just wanted to see that he was genuinely enthusiastic about something.”
Insider Intel: What Other Parents Don't Know
These are the insights you will not find on the school website, in Good Schools Guide, or from any single tutoring agency. Each insight is compiled from official documents, parent reports, and tutoring industry data.This is the intelligence that gives ClassAce families an edge.
The Riyadh franchise is the biggest research trap for RGS applicants
Searches for 'Reigate Grammar School admissions' frequently surface documents from reigategrammar-riyadh.com — a non-selective Saudi Arabia franchise that describes itself as 'inclusive' and admits 'without reference to general ability or aptitude.' Every one of those PDFs is irrelevant. The correct domain is reigategrammar.org.
ISEB is explicitly not used — prepare for written bespoke papers only
RGS states this directly in the parent guide. Digital adaptive test platforms, ISEB practice tools, and GL-style computerised practice resources do not apply. Prepare for handwritten, timed, paper-based conditions using the correct RGS format.
Showing working in Maths is not optional — it is explicitly assessed
The parent guide states the school 'wants to see the working out' and is 'testing understanding of concepts rather than simple rule recall.' A child who produces a correct answer with no working will score worse than a child who shows clear method on a question they do not fully complete. Build the habit of annotated working from Year 5.
The group interview with the Headmaster is the format element families miss
Most interview preparation focuses on solo 1:1 performance. The RGS group session rewards entirely different qualities — collaborative listening, the ability to build on what others say, and the willingness to share conversational space. A child who has only practised solo interview performance may be well-prepared for Part 1 and unprepared for Part 2.
Automatic scholarship consideration — no extra action needed
Every child who sits the January entrance exam is automatically assessed for academic scholarship based on their performance. There is no separate scholarship exam, no additional form to fill, and no extra process. A strong candidate just needs to perform well in the main papers.
Bursary interest must be declared on the November registration form
Means-tested bursaries of up to 100% of fees are available, but interest must be declared when the November application is submitted. It cannot be added retrospectively. Families who register without declaring bursary interest and later discover they need support face a much more complicated route.
Common Mistakes Parents Make
The errors we see most often from families preparing for Reigate Grammar School. Avoid these and you're already ahead of the majority of applicants.
RGS Reigate vs Competitor Schools
How does Reigate Grammar School compare to the schools your child is most likely also applying to? This analysis covers the key factors that actually matter to families.
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| School Type |
| Co-educational |
| VR in Exam |
| Annual Fee |
| 11+ Difficulty |
| Interview Style |
Why Parents Choose RGS Reigate
Points to Consider
Scholarships & Financial Support
| Scholarship Type | Value | Available Places | Selection Method | Stackable? |
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The Preparation Roadmap
Everything here is built around Reigate Grammar School's specific exam format, interview style, and selection criteria. This is not generic 11+ advice. Every recommendation is calibrated to this school.
Year 4 / Early Year 5
Year 5
September–October, Year 6
November–December, Year 6
Early January, Year 6
Late January, Year 6
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