RGS shortlisted in the UK Social Mobility Awards
Reigate Grammar School has been shortlisted in the School/College of the Year category in the UK Social Mobility Awards (SOMOs) 2021. These awards recognise organisations that have created initiatives to advance social mobility within their establishments. RGS has always been embedded in the heart of the community. The school’s drive to improve social mobility underpins its ethos: to provide world-class education to children from all backgrounds.
The SOMOs were the first national awards introduced to acknowledge organisations which were raising awareness and making a difference within their community. RGS’s Changing Lives fundraising campaign is an award-winning initiative that provides bursaries to talented children whose families may not be able to pay RGS fees. Headmaster, Mr Shaun Fenton said,
“We currently have over 170 children in the school on means-tested bursary support as we strive to support access and social mobility.”
The school raises and spends millions on fee reduction every year, including through events, philanthropy clubs, will bequests and personal donations. Despite the upheaval of Covid and the disruption to fundraising events.
The Nightingale Fund was established in 2020 to provide bursaries to talented children of essential, lower-paid key workers. Sixth Form bursaries were also established for those students wishing to study A Level courses to access medicine and related studies at university – nurturing the next generation of NHS Heroes. Mr Fenton remarked,
“Our school recognises the outstanding contribution that NHS key workers make to the health of the British people, particularly during the Covid crisis. We are eternally grateful for their continued bravery and aim to educate the next generation of these incredible people.”
Mr Fenton added,
“The pandemic has redefined our values and re-embedded our school’s commitment to making a difference, it has changed us for the better.”
The winners will be announced on October 14 2021.
