The Royal Grammar School, Newcastle, which has an academic record second to none in the North East, takes pupils from a wide area, as far as 50 miles away. This is made possible by particularly good public transport links. Entry is normally at 8, 11, 13 or 16 though vacancies will occasionally occur at other ages. A small number of bursaries awarded on the basis of parental income is available.
The curriculum is kept as broad as possible throughout the school. Most pupils will do 10 GCSEs, with a majority (over 65% in 1997) of results being at A* or A grades. In the Sixth Form, the RGS has always been a leading user of AS levels to encourage academic breadth, without the quality of results being affected: in 1997 more than 69% of A level grades were at A or B. Significant academic success has recently been achieved in national and international competitions, and there is a wide range of foreign exchanges and trips.
Extra-curricular breadth is also encouraged. Music and drama are very strong and 20 sports are on offer with over 60 teams; there has been recent national success in such diverse areas as rugby, athletics, gymnastics, rowing and cross-country running. There are also many active societies - from Amnesty International to bridge, and debating to chess, in which the school has a national reputation.
The school's aim is to encourage and enable each individual to make the most of his ability and potential, both academic and non-academic, within an environment in which self-discipline, self-motivation and a concern for others are fostered.
