- Work Hard
- 18th Sep 2026
- 0
- 0 minute
Here’s why families are booking the RGS Insights Evening early
- Advertisement Feature
Every parent wants the same thing for their child: a future they’re ready for.
Grades matter, but it’s confidence, character and ambition that turn a good education into a life well lived, and that’s exactly what’s been built at Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle for more than 500 years.
This September, the RGS Insights Evening gives you a look behind that reputation, in person, before you make any decisions at all.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE RGS INSIGHTS EVENING
Thursday 24th September
The RGS Insights Evening is built specifically for families exploring entry in Year 3, Year 5 or Year 7, so whichever stage you’re at, it’s been designed with your questions in mind. It’s an early-evening session, deliberately focused and refreshingly free of filler, giving you a concise yet meaningful introduction to life at the school without asking for your whole evening.
You’ll hear directly from the people who make RGS what it is, not just a slideshow of results. Expect a proper feel for the academic ambition, the exceptional opportunities and the supportive community that sit behind the school’s reputation, and the chance to ask the questions that actually matter to you.
WHY IT’S THE RIGHT FIRST STEP
Rather than a formal presentation, the evening is designed to give families a genuine feel for life at RGS, a chance to walk the corridors, meet current staff and get an honest sense of whether RGS feels right for your child, before any application goes anywhere. Whether you’re weighing up Junior School entry at Year 3 or 5, or Senior School entry at Year 7, you’ll leave with a clearer picture than any prospectus could give you.
“When children join us, they immediately belong to a modern grammar school which educates with challenge and pace.”
Mr Miller, Head of RGS Junior School.
As an independent school offering co-education from Year 3 to Year 13, RGS provides an environment where pupils learn alongside and from one another throughout their school journey.
A TASTE OF LIFE IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL
For families considering Year 3 or Year 5 entry, the Insights Evening is your chance to understand the Junior School’s four RGS Superpowers in action: Able, Strong, Calm and Kind. These aren’t just words on a wall, they shape everything from the timetable to the pastoral care your child would experience day to day.
“The care of our community comes first and foremost; we know that happy children are more receptive and willing to learn.”
Mr Miller, Head of RGS Junior School.
On the night, you’ll get a real sense of a curriculum that runs music, art, drama, languages, design technology and computing alongside the core subjects, plus a co-curricular programme where a child might just as easily find sewing or coding as football.
“I love lunchtime swimming club, it gives me time to do the thing I love the most in the middle of my school day,” says one Year 3 student, and it’s exactly this kind of everyday detail that an evening visit brings to life far better than a brochure.
DISCOVER THE RGS SENIOR SCHOOL DIFFERENCE
If you’re considering Year 7 entry, the Insights Evening is where you’ll start to understand what happens as opportunities widen out. “We aim to create a sense of belonging, to foster a belief in each other, inspire a love for learning and encourage an ambition to succeed,” says Mr Stanford, Headmaster, and that ambition plays out across more than 170 co-curricular activities, four Houses (Eldon, Stowell, Horsley and Collingwood) and a curriculum built to spark genuine curiosity rather than just chase grades.
“There is lots of hands-on learning and opportunity to test out our own theories,” says one Year 7 student, while another adds, “friendships created through co-curricular clubs have made such a difference to my school life.” These are exactly the qualities and experiences families will hear discussed throughout the evening.
WHAT THE INSPECTORS SAY, IF YOU NEED MORE CONVINCING
The Independent Schools Inspectorate’s latest report on RGS found that “all pupils are excellent learners and demonstrate the ability to work on their own with confidence,” and that staff “actively promote the well-being of students.” Inspectors also noted that “pupils are overwhelmingly collegiate, value each other and are very respectful of difference.” It’s independent confirmation of exactly what you’ll see for yourself at the Insights Evening.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR PLACE
Families are warmly invited to RGS on Eskdale Terrace in Newcastle upon Tyne, on Thursday 24th September for the Insights Evening, a chance to discover first-hand how academic ambition, exceptional opportunities and a supportive community come together to help every student thrive. This event is open to all, especially those considering entry into RGS at Year 3, Year 5 or Year 7. There’s no need to book a specific slot, just register your interest ahead of the evening.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
Subscribe
Subscribe now to receive our twice-weekly emails and exclusive offers for High Life North readers.