‘Watch this space’ as we will unveil more details about this momentous occasion! Follow us on social media for the latest #RGS500 updates...
2025 marks 500 years since the founding legacy of The Royal Grammar School, Newcastle.
We are inviting the whole RGS family to join our quincentenary celebrations which will officially run from Spring 2025 until Spring 2026. As we countdown to our BIG birthday we are delighted to share with you a preview of how we will be marking this historic milestone.
Get Involved
We warmly welcome all RGS students, staff, families, Old Novocastrians, partner schools and the wider region to join the 500 festivities. Your RGS memories, your stories and your experiences are all threads of our ever-growing tapestry which reflects our rich history and shared vision for the future.
Share Your Memories
We will be sharing lots of stories from the history of the school over the next year, but we also want to hear from you.
If you have RGS stories or memories you would like to share with us, please do get in touch using the link here.
Nominate an Inspiring Old Novocastrian
Throughout our quincentenary we want to highlight the lives and impact of our ONs who are an essential part of our RGS life.
Both former staff and student nominations are welcome here.
Join our exclusive giving clubs
As part of the RGS Family, there are lots of ways you can give back during our 500th year. Explore the options within our RGS Gives campaign, including new opportunities to join the 500 Club and the Quincentenary Club!
You Are Invited
We will be hosting lots of events with a special quincentenary twist, find out more and sign-up below.
'Watch this space' as we announce our RGS 500 programme of events.
![ON Dinner Newcastle - no words]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1726820157/rgsnewcastleschuk/qfqb8anagfj6xwelagi4/ONdinnerNewcastle2025nowords.svg","width":1640}])
RGS 500 ON Dinner Newcastle
Friday 10th October 2025
Join us for a fabulous opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new acquaintances from the Old Novo Community and celebrate 500 years of RGS!
![RGS 500 Garden Party - no words]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1728379900/rgsnewcastleschuk/krqhtelez8ih1plhiehq/RGS500Gardenparty2025nowords.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1728379900/rgsnewcastleschuk/krqhtelez8ih1plhiehq/RGS500Gardenparty2025nowords.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1728379900/rgsnewcastleschuk/krqhtelez8ih1plhiehq/RGS500Gardenparty2025nowords.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1728379900/rgsnewcastleschuk/krqhtelez8ih1plhiehq/RGS500Gardenparty2025nowords.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1728379900/rgsnewcastleschuk/krqhtelez8ih1plhiehq/RGS500Gardenparty2025nowords.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1728379900/rgsnewcastleschuk/krqhtelez8ih1plhiehq/RGS500Gardenparty2025nowords.png","width":1640}])
RGS 500 Garden Party
Saturday 21st June 2025
Join us for a fabulous relaxed night of celebration for RGS parents and Old Novos.
![RGS 500 Garden Party - no words]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1728379833/rgsnewcastleschuk/ulfy3yerab6yn104z9an/RGS500Festivalnowords2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1728379833/rgsnewcastleschuk/ulfy3yerab6yn104z9an/RGS500Festivalnowords2025.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1728379833/rgsnewcastleschuk/ulfy3yerab6yn104z9an/RGS500Festivalnowords2025.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1728379833/rgsnewcastleschuk/ulfy3yerab6yn104z9an/RGS500Festivalnowords2025.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1728379833/rgsnewcastleschuk/ulfy3yerab6yn104z9an/RGS500Festivalnowords2025.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1728379833/rgsnewcastleschuk/ulfy3yerab6yn104z9an/RGS500Festivalnowords2025.png","width":1640}])
RGS 500 Festival
Saturday 28th June 2025
We would love you to join us in a glorious culmination of all that we are and do at this year’s RGS Festival.
![RGS 500 Choir and Orchestra Concert - no words]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1726740143/rgsnewcastleschuk/ufw7ld7yh5u8wixmpvlf/glasshousenowords.svg","width":1640}])
RGS 500 Choir and Orchestra Concert
Wednesday 19th March 2025
We are thrilled to announce that The Royal Grammar School, Newcastle will officially launch the 500th anniversary celebrations at the RGS 500 Choir and Orchestra held at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music.
![London ONA Dinner - no txt]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726044027/rgsnewcastleschuk/zimfpegylqqfgwsdccgq/ONALDNDinner-nowords.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1726044027/rgsnewcastleschuk/zimfpegylqqfgwsdccgq/ONALDNDinner-nowords.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1726044027/rgsnewcastleschuk/zimfpegylqqfgwsdccgq/ONALDNDinner-nowords.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1726044027/rgsnewcastleschuk/zimfpegylqqfgwsdccgq/ONALDNDinner-nowords.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1726044027/rgsnewcastleschuk/zimfpegylqqfgwsdccgq/ONALDNDinner-nowords.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726044027/rgsnewcastleschuk/zimfpegylqqfgwsdccgq/ONALDNDinner-nowords.png","width":1640}])
London ONA Dinner
Thursday 13th March 2025
Join us for a fabulous opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new acquaintances from the Old Novo Community.
![Founders Service 2025 no words]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1726821139/rgsnewcastleschuk/zan6sbszolmhfglbvm81/FoundersService2025nowords.svg","width":1640}])
RGS Founder's Service
Wednesday 15th October 2025
We are delighted to extend an invitation to our wider community for our extra special Founder's Service on Wednesday 15th October 2025. The very special event will reflect the 500-year history of the school and the indelible impact of ONs on the world.
1525, Our Founding Legacy...
In 1525, Thomas Horsley, Mayor of Newcastle, wrote his will within which he generously gifted his estate to fund a grammar school.
Whilst there is debate and mystery around the exact foundation of RGS Newcastle, Horsley’s philanthropic intention has long been connected with our school.
Over the coming months, we will share the story of our school by exploring ten key themes:
Buildings
School Life and Traditions
War
Royal Heritage
Academic
The Arts
Sport
Co-curricular
People
Our Impact in the City
