At the heart of any school lies the teaching and learning that take place in the classroom, the journey of shaping young minds across a broad and evolving curriculum.
For over five centuries, RGS has delivered outstanding education to pupils in the city of Newcastle.
In its earliest days, this meant a traditional classical education, focused almost exclusively on studying Latin and Greek. Although Classics remains a valued part of the RGS experience, our curriculum has continually grown and adapted to meet the demands of a modern education.
The school year follows a familiar rhythm, beginning each autumn and moving through entrance exams, subject assessments and summer prize-giving ceremonies. This cycle is central to the academic life of the school.
This section delves into the rich history of academics at RGS, highlighting our library, various teaching departments and remarkable student projects that have shaped the unique learning experience here.
Explore our academic life over 500 years:
![RGS Curriculum]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747906286/rgsnewcastleschuk/aybifj7sdehxmoyqxqwb/RGSClassroomScene1960s.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747906286/rgsnewcastleschuk/aybifj7sdehxmoyqxqwb/RGSClassroomScene1960s.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747906286/rgsnewcastleschuk/aybifj7sdehxmoyqxqwb/RGSClassroomScene1960s.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747906286/rgsnewcastleschuk/aybifj7sdehxmoyqxqwb/RGSClassroomScene1960s.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1747906286/rgsnewcastleschuk/aybifj7sdehxmoyqxqwb/RGSClassroomScene1960s.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1747906286/rgsnewcastleschuk/aybifj7sdehxmoyqxqwb/RGSClassroomScene1960s.jpg","width":2200}])
RGS Curriculum
Discover how our curriculum has adapted and developed over five centuries of educating pupils in Newcastle.
![Classics at RGS]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747045039/rgsnewcastleschuk/tpdmhrxbxeekzsczf88z/C17-21_Suidas_04.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747045039/rgsnewcastleschuk/tpdmhrxbxeekzsczf88z/C17-21_Suidas_04.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747045039/rgsnewcastleschuk/tpdmhrxbxeekzsczf88z/C17-21_Suidas_04.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747045039/rgsnewcastleschuk/tpdmhrxbxeekzsczf88z/C17-21_Suidas_04.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1747045039/rgsnewcastleschuk/tpdmhrxbxeekzsczf88z/C17-21_Suidas_04.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1747045039/rgsnewcastleschuk/tpdmhrxbxeekzsczf88z/C17-21_Suidas_04.jpg","width":2200}])
Classics at RGS
Explore the RGS classical curriculum across five centuries with our Classics department, by learning more about some of the oldest books in the library.
![Libraries]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747649269/rgsnewcastleschuk/dcble5da5zbbvk9wgzwe/Ref411_Library_c1970s.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747649269/rgsnewcastleschuk/dcble5da5zbbvk9wgzwe/Ref411_Library_c1970s.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747649269/rgsnewcastleschuk/dcble5da5zbbvk9wgzwe/Ref411_Library_c1970s.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747649269/rgsnewcastleschuk/dcble5da5zbbvk9wgzwe/Ref411_Library_c1970s.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1747649269/rgsnewcastleschuk/dcble5da5zbbvk9wgzwe/Ref411_Library_c1970s.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1747649269/rgsnewcastleschuk/dcble5da5zbbvk9wgzwe/Ref411_Library_c1970s.jpg","width":2200}])
Libraries
Browse the shelves of RGS knowledge by learning more about the history of our library, both as a physical space and our incredible book collections.
![The Three L's]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747392232/rgsnewcastleschuk/w4gtz8cxfm1hvnch5rhk/REF782_1709_Library_Catalogue_01.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747392232/rgsnewcastleschuk/w4gtz8cxfm1hvnch5rhk/REF782_1709_Library_Catalogue_01.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747392232/rgsnewcastleschuk/w4gtz8cxfm1hvnch5rhk/REF782_1709_Library_Catalogue_01.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747392232/rgsnewcastleschuk/w4gtz8cxfm1hvnch5rhk/REF782_1709_Library_Catalogue_01.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1747392232/rgsnewcastleschuk/w4gtz8cxfm1hvnch5rhk/REF782_1709_Library_Catalogue_01.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1747392232/rgsnewcastleschuk/w4gtz8cxfm1hvnch5rhk/REF782_1709_Library_Catalogue_01.jpg","width":2200}])
The Three L's
Latin, Learning and Libraries at the RGS. Find out more about one of our earliest manuscripts and what it reveals about our 18th century academic life.
![Prize-Giving]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747650392/rgsnewcastleschuk/xsxgkyqbgf3qebktazwl/Medal_Translation_Prize_1792_Front.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747650392/rgsnewcastleschuk/xsxgkyqbgf3qebktazwl/Medal_Translation_Prize_1792_Front.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747650392/rgsnewcastleschuk/xsxgkyqbgf3qebktazwl/Medal_Translation_Prize_1792_Front.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747650392/rgsnewcastleschuk/xsxgkyqbgf3qebktazwl/Medal_Translation_Prize_1792_Front.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1747650392/rgsnewcastleschuk/xsxgkyqbgf3qebktazwl/Medal_Translation_Prize_1792_Front.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1747650392/rgsnewcastleschuk/xsxgkyqbgf3qebktazwl/Medal_Translation_Prize_1792_Front.jpg","width":2179}])
Prize-Giving
Prize-giving ceremonies are a long-standing tradition at RGS. Discover more about how we have rewarded academic achievements across our history.
![Teaching Technology]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747400479/rgsnewcastleschuk/ibzjh8wfovq7u7ura6tq/Acc0011_Barlow_Woodwork_Photos_c1960_02.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747400479/rgsnewcastleschuk/ibzjh8wfovq7u7ura6tq/Acc0011_Barlow_Woodwork_Photos_c1960_02.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747400479/rgsnewcastleschuk/ibzjh8wfovq7u7ura6tq/Acc0011_Barlow_Woodwork_Photos_c1960_02.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747400479/rgsnewcastleschuk/ibzjh8wfovq7u7ura6tq/Acc0011_Barlow_Woodwork_Photos_c1960_02.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1747400479/rgsnewcastleschuk/ibzjh8wfovq7u7ura6tq/Acc0011_Barlow_Woodwork_Photos_c1960_02.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1747400479/rgsnewcastleschuk/ibzjh8wfovq7u7ura6tq/Acc0011_Barlow_Woodwork_Photos_c1960_02.jpg","width":2200}])
Teaching Technology
From Woodwork to Digital Technology, explore the trajectory of our Engineering, Design and Technology Department over the last century.
![BBC Young Scientist]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747401088/rgsnewcastleschuk/v1igb3zztqxabgrbfx0x/Ref576_BElliott_Hovercraft_on_Trial_Dissington_1978.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747401088/rgsnewcastleschuk/v1igb3zztqxabgrbfx0x/Ref576_BElliott_Hovercraft_on_Trial_Dissington_1978.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747401088/rgsnewcastleschuk/v1igb3zztqxabgrbfx0x/Ref576_BElliott_Hovercraft_on_Trial_Dissington_1978.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747401088/rgsnewcastleschuk/v1igb3zztqxabgrbfx0x/Ref576_BElliott_Hovercraft_on_Trial_Dissington_1978.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1747401088/rgsnewcastleschuk/v1igb3zztqxabgrbfx0x/Ref576_BElliott_Hovercraft_on_Trial_Dissington_1978.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1747401088/rgsnewcastleschuk/v1igb3zztqxabgrbfx0x/Ref576_BElliott_Hovercraft_on_Trial_Dissington_1978.jpg","width":2200}])
BBC Young Scientist
RGS made history when it became the only school in the BBC Young Scientist of the Year competition to win twice. Read on to find out more about the projects that took the Faraday Trophy in 1978 and 1980.
![Computer Science]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747661159/rgsnewcastleschuk/tsh30ip1yhrjlofifpq6/Computer_Science_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747661159/rgsnewcastleschuk/tsh30ip1yhrjlofifpq6/Computer_Science_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747661159/rgsnewcastleschuk/tsh30ip1yhrjlofifpq6/Computer_Science_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747661159/rgsnewcastleschuk/tsh30ip1yhrjlofifpq6/Computer_Science_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1747661159/rgsnewcastleschuk/tsh30ip1yhrjlofifpq6/Computer_Science_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":1414}])
Computer Science
Explore our ONA Magazine Issue 112 focusing on Computer Science at RGS. Includes articles on how we teach Computer Science today, as well as memories from the early days of introducing computers to the school.
![Junior School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747661119/rgsnewcastleschuk/qr4blndt7oipmv19wfb3/Jun_School_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747661119/rgsnewcastleschuk/qr4blndt7oipmv19wfb3/Jun_School_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747661119/rgsnewcastleschuk/qr4blndt7oipmv19wfb3/Jun_School_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747661119/rgsnewcastleschuk/qr4blndt7oipmv19wfb3/Jun_School_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1747661119/rgsnewcastleschuk/qr4blndt7oipmv19wfb3/Jun_School_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":1414}])
Junior School
The Junior School is where the journey begins for many of our Old Novo, starting school from aged 8. Explore ONA Magazine Issue 109 all about the history of the Junior School, and some of the key people who have taught our youngest students.
![Economics]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747661139/rgsnewcastleschuk/f8ypttmc311am9xb4eee/Economics_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747661139/rgsnewcastleschuk/f8ypttmc311am9xb4eee/Economics_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747661139/rgsnewcastleschuk/f8ypttmc311am9xb4eee/Economics_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747661139/rgsnewcastleschuk/f8ypttmc311am9xb4eee/Economics_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1747661139/rgsnewcastleschuk/f8ypttmc311am9xb4eee/Economics_ONA_Mag_Coverpdf.jpg","width":1414}])
Economics
Explore our ONA Magazine Issue 111 celebrating 60 years of Economics at RGS. Includes articles exploring the foundation of the subject in 1962, the teaching staff over the years, and reflections on recent Economics trips to London.
RGS500 Gives
As part of the RGS Family, there are lots of ways you can give back during our 500th year. Explore our exclusive giving clubs below, as well as our sponsorship and advertising packages.