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WOLVERHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Inspirational education for students aged 7-18

2014 - 2015

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A Foundation for Learning

Wolverhampton Grammar Junior School

Wolverhampton Grammar School

The Sixth Form at WGS

Our Latest Results

Applying to The Foundation

CONTENTS

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We believe that where you spend your school days shapes your life, develops your thinking and offers opportunities to explore new areas of interest that go on to become life-long passions.

With guidance from inspiring teachers and the support of like-minded classmates, here at WGS you will enjoy learning, relishing each new challenge so that when

you come to leave us, you will be equipped with skills, confidence and most of all desire to continue your learning journey. Although we cannot say where that journey will end, we believe the foundation of a Wolverhampton Grammar School education will ensure that you are able to make the most of every single step.

A FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING

Kathy Crewe-ReadHead of The Foundation.

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WOLVERHAMPTON GRAMMAR JUNIOR SCHOOL

The junior school years mark a crucial period in a child’s development. During this time a child lays the foundations for future learning; they begin to form firm friendships whilst becoming more independent and curious about the world around them. Each child is unique and brings a wealth of talents and abilities. Encouraging them to develop talents and to unearth skills they may not have recognised is the key to a successful school.

At WGJS our aim is that children enter into a spirit of community and understanding, recognising other people’s needs as well as their own. We seek to provide all children with opportunities to

lead others and to show initiative. WGJS will challenge and support each child to make the most of their potential and to make learning fun: a busy child is a happy child.

We recognise that many parents lead busy lives and that children need time to rest and enjoy out of school activities. With wrap-around care from 8.00am - 5.30pm, we can therefore offer the flexibility that families need.

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AN ENHANCED CURRICULUMWe know from our current Big Six pupils that they enjoy using Senior School facilities, most notably those in the Arts and Drama complex, Science laboratories and Sports Centre.

LanguagesWGJS offers the opportunity to study French, German and Italian. Immersing primary aged children in a variety of languages offers a rare opportunity at a key phase in their language acquisition.

SkillsOne afternoon a week is devoted to ‘Skills’. The Skills afternoon allows teachers and children to move away from the usual curriculum to take a short series of lessons in subjects as diverse as:

• Chess• Climbing• Cooking • Debating• Film Making• Magazine Production • Music Technology• Photoshop• Printing• Team Building

SportSport plays an important part in life at WGJS. Each year group benefits from a range of fixtures against other independent schools.

Rugby, Football and Cricket are the three major sports for boys whilst Hockey, Netball and Rounders provide the sports for girls but there are opportunities for every child to try all that is on offer.

WGJS enjoys immediate access to WGS’s extensive facilities and benefits from expert coaching by games specialists.

There are further opportunities for pupils to join a variety of after school sporting clubs.

MusicAll children in the school take part in our musical productions. There are further opportunities for the musically gifted to perform in our termly concerts and in the main summer offering.

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LEARNING AT WGJSYears 3-4Young children thrive when they feel secure and valued. Children in Years 3 and 4 are taught the majority of their lessons by their class teacher. This approach allows children to flourish and grow in confidence.

Subject specialists teach some lessons, notably in PE, Music, Games and Modern Foreign Languages. Nearly all lessons are taught in the Junior School: PE lessons are held in the school’s own Sports Hall with Science and Art taught in the school’s dedicated facilities.

Years 5-6 As children move into Year 5 and 6, they begin to benefit from using the wider school campus. Specialists from the Senior School take an increasing number of lessons, notably in Science and some Mathematics groups.

Setting is used in Years 5 and 6 in Maths and English to reduce class sizes and to provide the appropriate support and challenge for all children. Class teachers take their classes for the majority of lessons providing the care and understanding to allow each child to reach their potential.

Unlike most schools facing SATs and entrance tests, children in Year 6 do not have to spend the year cramming for an exam. Whilst retaining academic rigour, the year is spent exploring the breadth of an expansive primary offering rather than following a narrow curriculum.

All children in the Junior School complete a short diagnostic exercise in their first term to assess whether they would benefit from further help or intervention for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. The School employs a full-time learning support assistant to work alongside the special needs co-ordinator to devise and implement a programme of support. Help is often a mixture of in-class support and short, regular withdrawals from the classroom to implement each agreed programme.

Children in Big Six may be able to access the Senior School’s OpAL (Opportunities Through Assisted Learning) programme. The OpAL programme is designed to support bright dyslexic pupils. A decision to provide OpAL support would need to be made following detailed assessments and after discussion with parents.

MEETING NEEDS

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The school follows a holistic view of education, encouraging learning beyond the classroom. Early in the Spring Term, Big Six spend a week sampling a variety of activities in the Welsh mountains, whilst children in Years 3-5 also enjoy a residential experience in the summer term challenging themselves both as individuals and as part of a group. The lessons learned in such situations are invaluable in helping define a child’s character and independence.

A range of extra-curricular activities are also offered for children whilst in the school environment. As well as sports clubs for each year group, the children will have the opportunity to select a number of other clubs, held after school and at lunch times.

Whilst by no means exhaustive, the following gives an indication of the type of clubs on offer:

• Aerobics• Art and Design• Athletics• Badminton• Climbing club (supervised instruction

using WGS’s climbing wall) • Cricket• Dance • Drama• Football • Hockey• Junior Concert Band• Netball• Quiz club• Rounders• Rugby • Running• String Group• Volleyball• Gymnastics• Speech and Drama

LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

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All children in the Junior School can be assured of a place in the Senior School provided they continue to work hard and make progress. Whilst some children will undoubtedly take the scholarship exam, WGJS pupils are not required to sit the entrance exam to progress to the Senior School.

Children in the Senior School speak fondly of their year in Big Six. The progression of children from WGJS to WGS encourages those in the Junior School to feel very much a part of the wider school. Shared facilities, shared vision and a united spirit all help to foster this sense of community.

Children moving on from WGJS leave safe in the knowledge that they are ready for the next phase of their education. We aim to help instill confidence to embrace the next challenge and a determination to succeed.

MOVING ON TO WGS

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At Wolverhampton Grammar School we place learning at the heart of all we do, but this does not simply take place in the classroom.

A rounded education is made up of a broad range of experiences, some taught, some achieved through active participation, and it is this ethos along with a sense of self awareness, responsibility and a curiosity that runs through our school.

Students come to Wolverhampton Grammar School from all sorts of schools and families, and we celebrate their diversity.

It is a place where we build on the skills of each individual, equipping them with a real desire to make a difference as they interact with the world around them.

WGS - SHAPING LIVES, INSPIRING MINDS

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Students who come to WGS are proud of their school and what it stands for. A feeling of shared responsibility ensures all age groups respect, support and encourage one another, and a real sense of community thrives.

Crucially, such a strong sense of community fosters an environment in which individual achievements are actively pursued and celebrated. As an academic school this naturally

comes through success in the classroom, but just as importantly it also shows itself in those areas that enable students to explore their own interests, passions and limits.

Competitive sports, theatre, arts, music and outdoor activities all thrive here and students are encouraged to get involved in order to test themselves against their own, and others’ expectations.

A COLLECTIVE SPIRIT WHERE INDIVIDUALITY THRIVES

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Students at WGS are eager to learn and to involve themselves in the wide range of activities on offer. When they leave, they are equipped with the confidence that comes from attending a school that is not afraid to support students in exploring their abilities both inside and outside of the classroom.

In the intervening years, students choose from a wide range of academic subjects (16 at GCSE, 27 at A Level), as well as a broad spectrum of extra-curricular options which span everything from sport, drama and art to debating, music and film.

A CHALLENGING JOURNEY

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SUPPORTED LEARNING, EXCELLENCE FOR ALL

WGS students do superbly well in public examinations. Our latest set of excellent GCSE results saw a third of students achieve nine or more passes at A* and A grade, with 66% of all passes at A* - A.

Similarly, A Level students built on the success of previous years, with more than 76% of this year’s passes being at grades A* - B.

Of course, examination results are a key indicator of what makes a good school, but in addition, that feeling of achievement students get when they surpass new goals, is also a measure of success.

We also recognise that students may have differing abilities and we believe Wolverhampton Grammar School is able to meet the needs of all its students.

Our OpAL (Opportunities through Assisted Learning) is a nationally recognised programme unique to WGS which offers support to able dyslexic students.

Established in 1998, OpAL enables students to benefit from a strong academic education whilst receiving specialist support for their specific learning difficulties. All OpAL staff are trained specialists and students who are part of the programme receive individual and small group tuition during the regular school timetable.

The OpAL programme itself has not only gained a national recognition as a model of support for students with dyslexia, but it is also a continuing source of pride for everyone at WGS.

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Teaching at Wolverhampton Grammar School is specifically designed to provide all our students with as full and broad an academic experience as possible. Work in subjects often goes well beyond what is required of students in public examinations. This is because as a school we want students to develop intellectual curiosity.

During the first two years at school the curriculum consists of:

Art & Design Biology Chemistry Design & Technology English French Geography German HistoryICTMathematics Music PE/Games Physics PSHE Theology & Philosophy

At the end of Year 7 students can select to choose Italian or Latin in Year 8.

THE CURRICULUM AT YEARS 7 & 8

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As students progress through the school, there are increasing opportunities for them to follow their own interests.

In Year 9, boys and girls continue to follow a broad-based curriculum, though some mini-options start to appear in creative subjects. In some subjects, students start work on GCSE courses, particularly in the sciences which are taught separately as Chemistry, Biology and Physics throughout the 11 to 16 age-range. During Year 9 students may choose to have the opportunity to study the following subjects:

Art & DesignBiology Chemistry Design & TechnologyEnglish French Geography German History ItalianLatinMathematics MusicPE/Games Physics PSHE Theology & Philosophy

At GCSE, in addition to English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, students can choose from the following options:

Art & DesignDesign & Technology French Geography German History ItalianLatinMusic Religious Studies

THE CURRICULUM AT YEARS 9, 10, & 11

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THE SIXTH FORMYoung people wishing to advance to the next stage of their education should look no further than WGS Sixth Form.

The philosophy of the school has always been to promote achievement through involvement and to develop self-awareness in the young people who come to us.

WGS achieves outstanding A Level results and our value added statistics, compared with similar institutions in our region and nationally, are exceptional.

Outdoor education, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, leadership skills, global expeditions, gap placements, AQA Bacc, EPQ, IFS Certificates, OV Short Science courses and ASOAN Community Volunteering Qualification complement and extend our A Level offering, whilst a wide variety of school clubs all enrich Sixth Form life.

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THE POST-16 CURRICULUM Students can choose to study for AS and A2 level examinations in any of the following subjects:

Art BiologyBusiness Studies ChemistryClassical Civilisation Design & TechnologyEconomics English Language English Literature FrenchFurther Mathematics GeographyGermanGovernment and Politics History (Early Modern)

History (Late Modern)ICT ItalianLatinMathematicsMusicMusic Technology Physical Education PhysicsPsychology Theatre Studies Theology & Philosophy

In addition to A Levels, students can opt for two exciting programmes of study which enhance their academic endeavours and enrich their learning experience.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)EPQs allow post-16 students to focus on areas of particular interest to them. It is also an opportunity for students to add breadth to AS and A2 subjects and do something completely different, perhaps by following a sporting, musical, artistic or other extra-curricular interest.

University admissions tutors are unanimous in their support of the EPQ as it facilitates development of those skills that learners need in order to be successful undergraduates, serving as strong evidence of a student’s ability to undertake independent research, a skill which is highly valued in higher education.

AQA BaccalaureateThe AQA Baccalaureate, known also as the AQA Bacc, celebrates the achievements of well-rounded post-16 students. The AQA Bacc comprises four elements: depth of study represented by A Levels; breadth of study achieved through AS General Studies; independent learning demonstrated through the completion of the EPQ and personal development recognised through enrichment activities.

Enrichment plays a key role in the composition of the AQA Bacc and WGS facilitates opportunities for students to cover the main requirements in each area: work-related learning (work experience and part-time jobs); community participation (volunteering, coaching and mentoring) and personal development activities (music, the arts, sports and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award).

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Students work hard in our Sixth Form - you cannot get good A Levels if you don’t - but we believe the balance between exam success and extra-curricular opportunity here at WGS is just right.

We are proud that WGS students leave us to pursue a vast array of courses and careers. The vast majority of our Sixth Form students go on to secure a place at their first choice of university to pursue traditional academic subjects, but some leave us for specialist courses; artistic, musical, technical or vocational.

Over the past three years more than 80% of our students have achieved a place at Russell Group universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.

Whatever they choose to do, we hope that the students who leave us look back on their time at WGS with affection, seeing it as the stepping stone that made their future success a real possibility.

AFTER A LEVELS

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Pass rate Grade A* 34%Pass rate Grades A*-B 89%

GCSE RESULTS

Pass rate Grade A* 12% Pass rate Grades A*-A 44% Pass rate Grades A*-C 89%

A LEVEL RESULTS

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COUNCIL MEMBERSChairmanP Sims, ACIB

MembersThe Mayor of Wolverhampton (ex-officio)Mrs A BrennanM Brooker, BARev S CawdellR Cooper, OW (ex-officio USA)Mrs M CrispDr S J L Gower, MA, PhD (OW) Appointed by the University of BirminghamD J Hughes, MA (OW)P A Hawthorne, CBE, MA (OW)Professor K Madelin, OBE, MSc, CEng, FICE, FIHTP Magill Appointed by the Merchant Taylors’ Company Dr M Nicholls, BA,MA, PhD Appointed by St John’s College, Cambridge A Phillips (OW) Appointed by the Old Wulfrunians AssociationJ PatelR Purshouse LLB (OW)S Sanghera, MA (OW)E A Sergeant, BSc, BTh (OW)C Tatton, BA, ACMADr S Walford, MA, MD, FRCPMrs C Wood, JP, LLB

HeadMrs K Crewe-Read, BSc, Aberystwyth University

Deputy HeadP A Hills, BA, University of Nottingham N J C Anderson, BSc, University of Leeds

Head of Junior SchoolA Hymer, BA, DipEd, MA, NPQH, University of Sheffield, Birmingham City University

Teaching StaffM R Allen, BA, Edge Hill UniversityMrs K E Baker, BA, Swansea UniversityT Baker, BSc, Edinburgh UniversityB M Benfield, BA, GCD, Universities of Leeds and BirminghamDr N J Bradley, BSc, PhD, University of Nottingham Mrs S F Brentnall, BA, University of BirminghamM Brooker, BA, Jesus College, CambridgeT J Browning, BSc, University of LondonMrs K H Burden, BA, Worcester College, OxfordN T Burden, BSc, University of ReadingDr J-P Camm, BSc, PhD, University of SheffieldA P Carey, BSc, University of LondonR B Charlesworth, BA, Lady Margaret Hall, OxfordS M Clancy, BSc, Loughborough UniversityT Cothey, BSc, Lancaster UniversityMiss A Cousins, BA, Nottingham Trent UniversityN H Crust, BA, University College of North Wales, BangorMrs H S Dalzell, BA, University of Birmingham

J G David, BA, University of Newcastle-upon-TyneO P Davies, BSc, University of BirminghamMrs K A Dyer, BSc, University of GloucestershireDr J D Edlin, BSc, PhD, University of Manchester Mrs K L Finn, BA, University of ManchesterDr K J Flavell, BSc, PhD, University of WolverhamptonMrs V E Fogarty, BSc, University of SalfordMrs D Gibbs, BA, University of BristolMrs P D Grigat-Bradley, Erstes und Zweites Staatsexamen, Ruhr-Universität BochumDr T D Guard, MA, M.St, DPhil, University of St Andrews, Hertford College, OxfordMs N T Guidotti, BA, Anglia Polytechnic UniversityMr J Hall, BA, University of Newcastle upon TyneMrs E S N Harris, BA, University of Southampton Mrs H Hills, BSc, University of NottinghamDr S Hinchliffe, BA, PhD, Med FRSA, Universities of Durham, St Andrews, Edinburgh & Open UniversityMrs M I Howard, BA, University of Leicester, Dip RSA J M Johnson, BSc, University of AstonP Johnstone, BA, University of HullMiss C Jones, BA, Nottingham Trent University, Dip RSA L J Judson, BSc, University of Leeds T King, ICC, Senior CoachMrs A J Kingshott, BA, MA, Royal Holloway & Bedford New College, LondonMrs R M Laurino-Ryan, Cert Ed, University of LondonMrs P K Mahey, BA, University of Central EnglandMrs P Manzai, BA, University of TurinR W Mason, BA, University of NottinghamMiss A M McAllister, BSc, MA Universities of Birmingham and WolverhamptonJ J Millichamp, BA, MA, University of WolverhamptonN P Munson, BSc, University of BirminghamMrs R E Munson, BA, University of LeedsDr C O’Brien, BSc, PhD, Imperial College, LondonS L J O’Malley, BA, University of Wolverhampton R A Pawluk, GRAM, LRAM, LTCL, ALCM, Royal Academy of MusicMrs J Pawluk, LRAM, Dip Ram, Royal Academy of MusicM R Payne, BA, University of WarwickJ W Perkins, BA, Manchester Polytechnic Miss R Platt, BA, University of BirminghamMrs C A Preston, BSc, University of SheffieldA A Proverbs, BA, Huddersfield Polytechnic School of Music, ALCMV P Raymond-Barker, BA, University of KentJ P Ryan, BEd, Crewe & Alsager College, MEd, Adv.Dip. SNE, Open University, AMBDA, SpLD APCMiss A Shukla, BA, University of WolverhamptonT Smith, BA, Strathclyde UniversityMrs L E Stanley, BSc, University of ManchesterJ A Sutherland, BA University of OxfordMiss J R Trevor, BSc, University of WalesS Turnbull, MA, BA, University of HuddersfieldMrs D Tyler, B.Ed, University of BirminghamI H M Tyler, BA, MEd, Universities of Saskatchewan & Birmingham, Dip DA, RADAK Uppal, BA, MPhil, Wadham College, Oxford, & University of BirminghamMrs K I Wainwright, BA, MSc University of BirminghamMrs D M Ward, BA, MA, University of Birmingham Miss H V Whittaker, MChem, University of YorkJ R Wood, BA, Royal Holloway, London

OUR STAFF

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Applications at all entry points are always welcome. In the first instance please complete the appropriate registration form - available to download directly from the school website www.wgs.org.uk/admissions, or by contacting Jane Morris, Admissions Registrar on 01902 421326. Once you have registered your child, we will ask his or her current school for a confidential report.

Completed forms along with a £25 registration fee should be sent to Jane Morris, Admissions Registrar.

For further details on how to apply for a place at the WGS Foundation, including information on fees, and WGS’s bursary and scholarship offering, please see the accompanying information sheet – Applying to WGS 2014-15.

Tours and taster daysThese provide an invaluable way of getting to know more about the school and allow students to meet with potential classmates and get a real flavour of what it is like to be a student here at the WGS Foundation.

If you would like to arrange a tour of the school, or a taster day, please contact Jane Morris on 01902 421326 who will make suitable arrangements.

Junior SchoolAll children are assessed as part of the application process. Tests will be conducted in English and Mathematics over the course of a morning. Children in Year 5 seeking a place in Big Six (Year 6) will continue to take a further assessment in Verbal Reasoning.

After they have taken the assessment, children usually spend time in lessons engaging in a range of activities.

Senior SchoolAdmission to the senior school is by entrance test. The entrance test for Year 7 comprises papers in English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning with additional papers in each of the Sciences and a Modern Foreign Language for students seeking to join at Year 9 and above.

Senior School assessments are usually held on set days each year, however individual assessments can be arranged for those unable to make these dates or for later applications. Those taking individual assessments will be invited to spend a whole day at the school, taking part in lessons and engaging in a range of activities.

Sixth FormPlaces in the Sixth Form are offered to students who are predicted to achieve 6 B grades or above at GCSE.

Places are offered on an individual basis following receipt of a confidential report from the student’s current school.

APPLYING TO THE FOUNDATION

40WGSWolverhampton Grammar School, Compton Road, Wolverhampton, WV3 9RB.01902 421326www.wgs.org.ukwww.twitter.com/wgs1512

Wolverhampton Grammar Junior School, Compton Road, Wolverhampton, WV3 9RB.01902 392960www.wgjs.co.ukwww.twitter.com/wgjs2011