Brief History of the School
The Foundation of the Royal Grammar School, Guildford
The school was set up in 1509 after Robert Beckingham, a Freeman of the City of London, left a bequest in his will to establish a free school in Guildford. In 1512, Beckingham's executors formerly conveyed the lands in the bequest to a body of trustees consisting of the Mayor of Guildford and four 'sad and discrete men' who had formerly been mayors. With the rents they were to provide a free grammar school in Guildford with a 'sufficient schoolmaster'.
The Granting of the Charter
The Mayor and Approved Men of Guildford petitioned Edward VI to grant them further endowments for maintenance. In January 1552 Edward VI ordered that there was to be "one Grammar School in Guildford called the Free Grammar School of King Edward VI for the education, institution and instruction of boys and youths in Grammar at all future times forever to endure".
Timeline of RGS History
1509 Robert Beckingham's Will leaves money for setting up of the school
1512 First foundation of governing body of school
1552 The granting of the charter
1555 Purchase of High Street site
1557 Construction of school began
1586 Building of old school completed
1835 Revision of the Statutes
1888 New Scheme of the Charity Commissioners for the Government of the school. Restoration of the Old Building and its continuation as a day school only
1944 Education Act under which the school adopted, "Voluntary Controlled," status; tuition was "free"; and entry was to be by common entrance examination at the age of eleven
1958-63 Construction of the New Building on Allen House Field
1962 Fire in the Old Building
1977 The school withdrew from the State maintained system and became independent and fee-paying
1978 Acquisition of Lanesborough Preparatory School
2009 RGS celebrates its Quincentennial anniversary