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Our Secret Santa twins have been visiting staff around the school spreading good cheer and Christmas goodies, and are pictured here shortly after parking the sleigh outside the Finance Office. Funny that we’ve never seen the Santa twins in the same room as Miss Bond and Miss Tapscott though… A happy...
A number of our students and staff were singing and playing Christmas favourites in Waitrose in Cheltenham on Tuesday lunchtime. The efforts of the Brass Band and Choir raised a fantastic £158.14 for TiC+ (Teens in Crisis), a charity which supports the well-being of hundreds of Gloucestershire pupils and young people...
So many staff and students had pre-booked a Christmas lunch we had to run several sittings today! Our school caterers Aspens served up a great meal, with perfect roasties, crackers and a selection of freshly baked puddings. The hall was very festive with seasonal tunes playing and the Christmas tree...
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated, outstanding teacher to lead our successful English Department. This permanent, full-time post would be particularly well-suited to an ambitious practitioner ready to progress in their career. The English Department at Sir Thomas Rich’s School comprises teachers who are hardworking, passionate about language...
Christmas preparations are in full swing in the German Department. Our Year 12 students have been busy baking Lebkuchen in the Food Tech building, following traditional German recipes. Year 7 pupils have been learning about the tradition of Nikolaus on 6 December, whereby children leave their shoes outside and good children...
Our next Sixth Form Open Evening takes place on Thursday 30 January; doors open at 5.30pm, with information talks in the main hall at 6pm and 7pm. The event is open to Year 11 pupils currently studying at any school who are considering their Year 12 choices for 2025 entry. It...
Pupils in 7R met with their Year 13 Peer Mentors today for the last time before Christmas. It was an opportunity for students to play games, complete some homework together and have a chat about how school is going. Uno was a popular choice today, and some of the Mentors had...
The House Debate competition took place this week, and was our most competitive round yet. All five Houses fielded strong teams, but Westgate took the crown with, the judges noted, their clear teamwork and strong sense of ethics. The teams debated the following motions: *Northgate vs Eastgate* (Northgate proposing) “This House...
Mia in Year 13 recently competed in the British Gymnastics Classic Challenge Championships, representing the South West. The SW team had a great competition, coming first nationally out of 13 teams from across the UK, at the highest level (Gold). Mia placed 8th nationally on beam, and as a result of...
Some of our Year 8 students enjoyed an entertaining and informative trip to the Gloucestershire Schools' Christmas Lectures at the Bacon Theatre in Cheltenham today. They experienced a variety of STEM experiments and demonstrations, learning about different scientists and their contributions to science. The two expert speakers were Ruth Perkins and...
We are delighted to be recognised as one of the top three state schools in the South West by the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2024. This acknowledgment highlights the exceptional quality of schools in the South West, and we are proud to work closely with schools throughout Gloucestershire. Headteacher Mr...
Jazz Night was a huge success yesterday evening; with performances from the Brass Band, Wind Band, Chamber Choir and Jazz Band, the standard of music was, once again, outstanding. A special mention must also go to our solo performers and singers; the talent they displayed in their individual performances received high...
Last Thursday evening German students in Years 11, 12 and 13 took part in our annual trip to the Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt in Birmingham. Pupils were able to sample traditional German food and absorb the atmosphere of the outdoor market in the evening with its live music. This year, they also took...
Our Chess Team had a fantastic result in the chess tournament at Bristol Grammar School on 25 November, coming second out of 24 teams and qualifying for the regional knock out stages of the English Chess Federation Schools National Competition in the Spring Term. Jovin (Year 11) won all of his...
Year 12 Economists who are considering a future in the field of economics had the opportunity to attend a virtual conference hosted by the Bank of England recently. Students heard from the following distinguished guest speakers: Tim Harford – author of ‘The Undercover Economist’ and presenter of Radio 4’s ‘More or...
The English Department has bought some new titles for the Learning Resource Centre – our school library. A selection of the books are shown here with regular LRC users, Robert and Jadon in Year 7 and Year 13 student Sam. Don’t forget, if you are having a clear out of books...
A huge thank you to the alumni and parents who joined us for the Year 11 mock interview day last week. Every pupil in Year 11 had an interview with one of our visitors, who brought a huge wealth of experience across a range of industries and professions. This is always...
On Thursday 21 November Rich’s pupils played 14 games of rugby against Cheltenham College, with some fantastic results. The 2nd XV and 3rd XV defeated Cheltenham College 19-7 and 17-10 respectively in two excellent games of rugby. The U14Cs also took a dramatic victory 35-34. In the evening at Kingsholm Stadium...
Our popular annual Jazz Night takes place on Thursday 5 December at 6pm in the School Hall. Join us for an evening of music and song featuring the Jazz Band, the Wind Band and many others. Tickets cost just £5 and £3 concessions from www...
Last week students attended workshops run by the Hollie Gazzard Trust on coercive control in the main hall and the sports hall. Specially designed for schools, they covered all the elements of coercive control including a comprehensive insight into the types of coercive control along with the effect on the victim...
Congratulations to members of the Senior Debate Team who won the first round of the English Speaking Union Debates on Thursday, competing against four other schools in the main hall. The team put in an excellent performance, proposing the motion: “The house would introduce a four-day school week”. Their group will...
After much anticipation the German exchange programme is finally underway. Eighteen of our Year 10 pupils and their exchange partners from the Otto-Hahn Gymnasium in Göttingen are enjoying a week full of new experiences, cultural interchange and new friendships. A variety of trips and activities have been organised for our guests...
To mark Anti-bullying Week, in tutor time all students will be considering what it means to be an ‘active bystander’ and will introduced to our new STRS Anti-bullying Ambassadors. The Anti-bullying Ambassadors will be active bystanders against bullying; working together as a team to promote national anti-bullying events, lead assemblies, organise...
This morning we gathered as a School community to remember all those lives lost in war and conflict, those whose lives continue to be affected by war, and to remember the former students and staff of Sir Thomas Rich’s who gave up their tomorrows so we might have our todays. Students...
Tickets are on sale now for the 1st XV charity rugby match against Cheltenham College at Kingsholm Stadium, home of Gloucester RFC, on Thursday 21 November. Kick off is at 7.30pm, with The Prep vs STRS U13 teams playing as a curtain raiser from 5pm. Kingsholm is a big stadium and...
Congratulations to Sophie in Year 12 for her winning entry in the Drama and Art House Competition to design the graffiti that will be used as part of our production of We Will Rock You (11-13 February 2025). Mrs Roberts and Miss Violet were so impressed with the standard of the...
We are pleased and proud to announce that Old Richian Poppy Littler-Jennings has been awarded the Claude Massart Prize for the Best Performance in French Literature across Oxford University for 2023-2024, following her outstanding preliminary examination results. Her French teachers at Sir Thomas Rich's remember her as a highly gifted student...
Pupils have been enjoying visits to the Scholastic Book Fair, which is taking place in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) this week and next. There are lots of great discounts, and the School earns points to spend on new titles for the LRC with every sale. The Book Fair runs in...
Over the past two Wednesdays, Harry (Year 9) and Josh (Year 8) have had the exciting opportunity to participate in a song writing workshop at The Music Works in Gloucester. Alongside students from other schools in the G15 partnership, they collaborated to create and perform an original song. This piece will...
We hosted the ‘Rotary Youth Speaks: A Debate’ competition this week, welcoming students from Denmark Road High School, Pate’s Grammar School, Bournside School and Henley Bank High School. A range of motions were debated – with positions put forward both for and against the motions – including ‘This house would ban...
Pupils in 7S have been enjoying the first day of their Stratford residential trip today: having lots of fun and experiencing some great weather! They played mini-golf, enjoyed a fantastic tour of the butterfly farm and explored the mechanical art and design museum. Tomorrow they have a workshop at the RSC...
Our Year 7 pupils had their first meetings with Year 13 Peer Mentors in the Sixth Form Centre this week. Our mentoring programme provides a great opportunity for our new starters to meet regularly with their mentors in a fun and relaxing environment to talk about all aspects of school life...
All Year 7 pupils have visited Crickley Hill near Gloucester for their first Geography field trip. Students have been completing field-sketches of the view and identifying key human and physical features. Staff and pupils enjoyed some welcome breaks in the rain, and appreciated the fantastic views...
A wonderful result at the U19 county tournament this week for STRS Netball. For the first time ever we have qualified for the nationals in Bournemouth by coming second, with just one loss to Hartpury College. We had wins against Cheltenham Ladies’ College, King’s, Dean Close, Pate’s, Cheltenham College and Crypt...
A huge well done to George P in Year 7 who made the final of the East Glos Tennis Club Championship U14 doubles last Saturday. George is also a keen rugby player in school, and he says that trying to fit play in around the rain is much harder in tennis...
Charlie P in Year 9 scooped two awards in the Under 13 age groups at the Gloucestershire County Cricket awards last night for the 2024 season. Charlie attended with George H, also from Year 9. Charlie won performance of the year for his “performance against a strong bowling attack to win...
Our Year 13 biologists enjoyed a three-day fieldtrip to the Field Studies Council Margam Discovery Centre near Port Talbot last week. The weather didn't dampen spirits, and the trip proved an excellent experience, with an opportunity to put theory into practice. More about the Centre: The FSC Margam Discovery Centre is...
Pupils in 7C were the first tutor group to head off to Stratford-upon-Avon for their two-day residential trip last week. On Thursday they had fun playing mini-golf, enjoyed a fantastic tour of the butterfly farm and were intrigued by the mechanical art and design museum. On Friday they completed some early...
The First VII took on Malvern College last week in the first round of the Sisters N Sport Shield, the team came away with an incredible 49-19 win, with all nine players taking to the court. With Katherine injuring her ankle earlier in the week the team missed a key player...
Our Year 13 Student Leadership Team enjoyed their ‘gowning’ ceremony this week, attended by parents. Every year the Team is elected by the School Community; School Captains and Observators act as role models for the school community, take a lead on school events and initiatives, support the running of the school...
Our next Open Day and Evening takes place on Thursday 26 September; prospective Year 7 pupils and their families are warmly invited to find out more about life and study at Sir Thomas Rich's, the admissions test process and to meet current students and take a tour of the School. Welcome...
Year 4 and 5 pupils taking part in our Shaping Futures Programme enjoyed three days at Sir Thomas Rich’s School this August - two full days filled with 11+ support and fantastic Drama, Music and Science workshops. Students enjoyed drama games, learning to play ukulele, pond dipping and building and launching...
We are celebrating record GCSE results, with 55% of all entries achieving grades 8 and 9 and over three-quarters of grades at grade 7 and above. These are amongst our best ever results at GCSE. 108 students gained at least seven GCSEs at the top grades (7-9) including 15 students who...
This morning A Level Politics students took part in a Q&A session with Baroness Bennett, talking about the work and role of the House of Lords. Students asked a range of questions about the role of minority parties in Parliament, the new government, the passage and making of new laws and...
Charlie in Year 11 has won the National Schools Javelin last weekend throwing a Personal Best of 60.34m. He has been selected to represent England at the SIAB Championships on Friday, where he will compete against the best from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Charlie is pictured here in the centre...
Last week Year 7 pupils had an exciting adventure day at Aztec Adventure, Upton Warren. The end of the school year is a special time for Year 7 students, when they can take stock and celebrate their achievements over their first year at Rich’s. The trip was a wonderful way to...
Language students in Year 9 have been taking part in a series of challenges over the last few weeks that have tested their skills as linguists and provided an opportunity to showcase their creative, sporting and musical talents. Pupils have also learned about career opportunities in languages. Each task has earned...
Senior Governor Mrs Jan Wilton, Deputy Head Mr Lynch and the School Captains joined Mr Morgan for his final whole School assembly this morning. Mr Morgan leaves us at the end of August for a new role as Head of Bishop’s Wordsworth School in Salisbury, and offered these words of guidance...
Our annual Summer Concert is now starting at 5.30pm on Wednesday 10 July, with informal drinks and music in the Quad. We have brought the start time forward by an hour so football fans can still watch most of the England Euros game, which kicks off at 8pm. The main concert...
Year 8 pupils Jonnie, Barney, Ying-Tai and Leon recently represented Rich's at the UKMT Mathematics Team Competition. They competed against 15 other schools, demonstrating excellent team work and quick mathematical thinking. We would like to congratulate them for achieving so highly in the National Junior Maths Challenge, resulting in their selection...
The U14s are County Cup Champions for the second year running! The team notched up a fine 165 with O’Neill blasting 54 from just 30 balls. In reply, Westonbirt were all out for 108. Patel was the pick of bowlers with sensational figures of 4/12. An amazing achievement, well done all...
Year 8 pupils enjoyed fantastic weather for their residential at Buddens Activity Centre in Dorset last week. Pupils in 8S, 8T and 8R attended from Monday to Wednesday, and 8B and 8C from Wednesday to Friday. A wide range of activities included bush craft, raft building, canoeing, abseiling and archery. Feedback...
Last Friday our Year 12 Biologists visited The Museum of Natural History in Oxford to cover work on evolution and classification. Students enjoyed a lecture, which featured live cockroaches, and used some of the displays at the museum to help with their studies. They also had time to visit the eclectic...
Earlier in the year, 46 pupils visited the United Nations building in New York. During the tour they were joined by former pupil Joe Gyte, who talked with pupils about his life journey from studying at Rich’s to working with the UN in New York. Joe left Sir Thomas Rich’s in...
Year 12 mentors have been working with primary pupils recently as part of our Shaping Futures programme. The fourth and fifth sessions in the programme included a music workshop where pupils got to use our music tech Mac Suite to explore drum beats and take part in some singing. In the...
Finn in Year 12 is the winner of the UK-wide Young Talent of Tomorrow Fashion Design Competition (Y12 Category). This means one ‘look’ from his winning collection will be brought to life and showcased on the catwalk at Graduate Fashion Week 2024, 10-13 June. This is an incredible achievement, we’re extremely...
House Netball took place at the end of last term, with all players acquitting themselves well in an extremely hard-fought tournament. Congratulations to Southgate for taking home the win this year, plus of course a huge well done to all the players who took part. 1st Southgate (blue) 2nd Eastgate...
On Wednesday we welcomed the Onatti Theatre Company to perform their German play, Der Babysitter. Students from Years 7-10 were entertained by the interactive language experience, which focused on an evening of babysitting that goes wrong. A highly enjoyable opportunity to enhance our language skills with some great cameo performances by...
Well done to Oskar in 9S who was one of the runners up at the Gloucestershire FameLab Academy final this morning. The prestigious STEM competition is run by Cheltenham Science Festival and schools from all over the county compete. Mrs Mee said: “Oskar delivered an excellent talk on the structure of...
A huge well done to Mia in Year 12, who competed in an elite field the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics English Championships last week. Mia was competing alongside those trying to qualify for the summer Olympics, so it was an extremely tough competition, and she achieved a personal best score as a...
GCSE and A Level German students travelled to Göttingen in Germany at the end of February for the German Exchange, accompanied by pupils and staff from Denmark Road High School. This is the 46th year of the Exchange with Otto Hahn Gymnasium in Göttingen (Cheltenham’s twin town), and the programme is...
We are delighted to announce that after a thorough and rigorous process, Mr Matthew Lynch has been appointed our new Headmaster, effective from September 2024. He will replace our current, longstanding Headmaster, Mr Matthew Morgan, who will be leaving to take up a new role as Headmaster at Bishop Wordsworth’s School...
The final of the Rich’s FameLab Academy competition took place recently, with Year 9 students delivering some excellent STEM talks. Mrs Mee said: “The quality of the talks has improved over the years since we have been running the competition and the judges had a very difficult job of choosing a...
We are incredibly proud to announce that both our U14 Rugby sides have reached the EDF Energy Gloucestershire County Cup Final again this year! The Final takes place on Wednesday 6 March at 6.45pm at Kingsholm – we would love as many parents, pupils, staff and friends of the school to...
Senior rugby players are running an Easter Rugby Camp for pupils in Years 7-10 to raise funds for their South Africa Rugby Tour in July. The Camp takes place at the School on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 April, 9am-3pm, and the cost is just £15 for one day or...
Local primary school pupils have been enjoying workshops at Sir Thomas Rich’s this week in Business Studies, Art and Food Tech. Helped by Sixth Form mentors, they worked in groups to come up with concepts for new chocolate bars, designed the packaging and then brought the product to life! The pupils...
Congratulations to three of our Year 13 students, James, Ollie and Jay, who were part of the winning Gloucester RFC Academy Under 18 team against Harlequins last Saturday at Kingsholm. The final score was 24-17, with Jay scoring for the cherry and whites. Well done to all, your school is very...