News from Mr Grady
18th September 2025
Hello everyone!
And welcome back to RHS for the academic year of 2025-26.
For all sorts of reasons, it’s been a busy start to the term, and I hope that this third week of the term is starting to feeling a little more “back to normal” for years 8-11 and 13, and settled for our new year 7 and 12 students.
As we’ve shared widely in the press and in our own social media - our A-Level and GCSE results were superb this year – a testament to the professionalism and skill of our teachers, the tireless support of our inclusion team and support staff, the wonderful and positive support we get from families, and most importantly the hard work and dedication of our students. Well done to all of us!
Over the year, (if you’re new to the newsletter,) I try to share school information, as well as thoughtful reflections at different times in the year that might support students and families through their RHS experience.
I’ve been writing these newsletters since September 2019 now, and am amazed that I still have new things upon which to comment, or more importantly greater and greater successes for our students and our school to celebrate. Long may that continue.
The start of the academic year swings round like an old friend, and after nearly 25 years of teaching, there are things that are so natural to me, I find a curious calm in doing things “all over again.” The welcome back assemblies, looking at a new planner and filling in student names, the first bus duty with our year 7 students as they get used to our queuing systems and routines, seeing colleagues again after the summer. All of these things settle in like a comfortable jacket that you’ve been wearing for years. Also, and this is of course of the greatest importance, my birthday is early September, and so the start of the academic year also brings with it a sense of reflection. I was 49 this September, and so that sense of reflection is all the greater, as (a kind colleague pointed out) I am entering my 5th decade on the planet.
This is my 7th year as Headteacher of RHS, and so, those students that joined us in year 7 September 2019 (my first year as the head) are entering their final year here, and completing year 13. By August of 2026 I will officially have seen one whole cohort through their time here at RHS! What a privilege, and something I’ll take the time to discuss and share with the students over the coming year - it has been a fulsome and eventful 7 years, that has shaped all our characters in one way or another. Plenty to ruminate on there.
That said of course, I only mentioned my birthday to make everyone aware that in September 2026 I shall be 50, to give you plenty of time to start saving for that 50th birthday gift.
Once again - welcome back, students, colleagues and families to another year here at RHS. It will be different to the last, as they always are, but it will be no less successful.
Stay well and safe everyone,
Mr Grady
The RHS Parent Teacher Association (PTA) would like to invite you to its AGM on Tuesday 14th October at 6.30pm in the school hall. This will be followed by our usual committee meeting from 7.45 - 8.45pm and you will be very welcome to stay for this meeting as well. 
