At RGS, life outside of the classroom is just as varied, challenging and rewarding as life within it. Our Co-curricular programme is second to none, with first class opportunities in sport, music, drama, clubs and societies, and much more. All students are encouraged to get involved in a wide range of activities, regardless of ability or previous experience. The possibilities are endless and students themselves are encouraged to make suggestions and introduce new opportunities. Our Co-curricular programme is something we pride ourselves on as we firmly believe that those students who involve themselves fully in co-curricular life usually excel within the classroom too – and have fun along the way. Below is an overview of what is available, here is a link to the current Term's programme.
RGS offers an impressive range of sports to students at all levels and the school benefits from superb modern sporting facilities on site including two large sports halls, a state-of-the-art artificial turf pitch, an indoor 25m swimming pool, climbing wall and an Olympic weightlifting room. To read more about our sports facilities and our current building programme click here.
Sport is an important part of school life at RGS and in addition to PE lessons, all Senior School students take part in one compulsory Games afternoon per week. Outside the timetable, there are a whole host of clubs and teams for students to join in with, ranging from traditional sports like cricket and hockey, to more modern alternatives such as trampolining and frisbee. Our students are all individuals and there really is something for everyone.
Our ethos is ‘sport for all’. The school has a flourishing house system which ensures that students of all ability levels can enjoy taking part in a diverse range of sports. We are rightly very proud of our sporting achievements and our students regularly succeed at national and regional level. Many RGS students have also had notable individual success in their chosen sports outside of school. Our teams enter competitions such as the Natwest Rugby Cup, Rosslyn Park 7s, the Lord’s Taverners Cricket Cup, the ISFA Football Cup and National Schools' competitions for hockey and etball.
Music and Performing Arts really flourish at RGS, with endless opportunities for students to explore different outlets and express their creativity. A large number of students choose to take advantage of individual music tuition which ranges from beginner to advanced level. Tuition is offered in most instruments, as well as in singing and drama (LAMDA). There are bands, orchestras, choirs and ensembles for all age ranges and students are actively encouraged to join groups of an appropriate standard.
There are also lots of exciting opportunities in dance and drama. The school has a busy Performing Arts diary with concerts, musicals and plays taking place all year round. The quality of these productions is exceptional and many students choose to be involved whether on stage, behind the scenes or in sound/lighting.
These opportunities are matched with outstanding facilities and the school has a dedicated Performing Arts Centre complete with a professional theatre and dance studio. To read more about our current programme of activities click here.
RGS has a number of outdoor programmes for students to take part in including the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award Scheme, World Challenge, Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and climbing club amongst other opportunities. DofE is very popular at the school, with more than 80 students volunteering to undertake the challenges of the gold or silver award each year. Recent World Challenge expeditions have included diving in Honduras and Malaysia, whilst forthcoming expeditions will head to Ghana and India to complete community projects. The CCF is a very popular option for students who are interested in experiencing military and adventure training activities. We have both an army and naval division, with the aspirations of an RAF one to come. CCF camps take place at Easter and during the Summer holidays, plus there are numerous field days/weekends and experiences organised throughout the year.
The school has an extensive range of clubs and societies catering for all interests and age groups. From Debating Society to Manga Club, anything goes! In true RGS spirit, students are encouraged to ‘give it a go’ and try new things. At the start of each autumn term the Senior School runs an extra-curricular fair which is an opportunity for clubs and societies to showcase themselves and for students to come and see what is on offer. To see a typical example of the range of clubs, societies and activities on offer at the school please click here.
Throughout the year, students have access to a wide variety of trips, ranging from museum and theatre visits to sports tours and Year 7 camp. Destinations are both near and far, with recent examples including history trips to Russia and Belgium, an Art trip to New York, Geography field trips to the Lake District and a rugby tour of Ireland. Year 7 Camp is an important event in the calendar when the whole year group goes away together in the summer term to the Lake District for a week of outdoor pursuits and team-building activities.
The school places a strong emphasis on charitable giving and the importance of altruism, with impressive results. This year the school raised over £12,000 for local and national charities including Josie's Dragonfly Trust, the Great North Air Ambulance and Children in Need. Students and staff alike embrace opportunities for fundraising throughout the year with non-uniform days, bake sales, talent shows, sponsored readathons and more. Our annual Charities Week is an important opportunity for the whole school to come together and focus their efforts on ways to raise as much money as possible (and have as much fun as possible too!).
We are delighted that we have now opened up bookings for our Autumn admissions events, for entry to RGS in September 2025 (and beyond).
We really look forward to giving you a taste of all that we have to offer, at what we hope, is the start of an amazing journey with us!
