Learning for life

The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is renowned for the breadth of its approach to education. We pursue academic excellence, but not at all in a blinkered way. Equally important is discovering and developing each pupil’s wider potential, which may set him or her on a non-academic path to self-fulfilment and success.

A Balanced Education

The School provides an excellent curriculum that is well planned, wide-ranging and enriching, together with an outstanding variety of extra-curricular activities. It meets its aim of offering a well balanced education that is suitable for pupils of all ages, aptitudes and interests highly successfully.
Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2011

GSAL genuinely offers something for everyone – a large claim, but one we’re happy to justify. We encourage all forms of talent, and have resources to match.

GSAL also offers an outstanding physical environment for learning. Pupils thrive in spacious and naturally lit classrooms, all enabled for state of the art information and communications technology (ICT). All educational materials are regularly updated to ensure that they remain fresh, relevant and involving.

A significant educational asset is GSAL’s landscaped and well-kept 100 plus acres of grounds at Alwoodley Gates. Whether seen simply as space to let off steam, or as space to let thought and imagination run more freely, few would dispute that attractive surroundings make schooldays happier and more memorable.

We encourage fitness and offer a whole host of sports and games, taught at everything from beginner to international competition level. On site we have an exceptional range of indoor, outdoor and all-weather facilities to ensure a year-round programme of activities. For camping and adventure further afield we have a walking club, the biggest cub and scout pack in Leeds, a Combined Cadet Force, a Duke Of Edinburgh Award scheme and GSAL’s own outdoor centre in Teesdale.

At GSAL, learning is truly for life. It is also about life, in all its dimensions. It is our business to offer every pupil as many opportunities as possible to learn, to develop, to achieve, to forge friendships, and to enjoy.

Faith in diversity

Open Access

We aim for the widest possible social access and this is reflected in our bursary scheme. In many cases we can also welcome pupils with special educational needs, who benefit from individually planned teaching and support programmes.

Religion

GSAL is a resolutely multi-faith school, with assemblies for the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu faiths. Our experience is that when pupils openly celebrate and discuss their different beliefs, they find it much easier to be tolerant and understanding of others.

Ages 11 – 16

Unusually, but very successfully, boys and girls are taught academic subjects separately between the ages of 11-16. (Pastoral groups, assemblies, leisure time and most extra-curricular activities remain mixed.)

Why do we do it? Because it delivers proven educational benefits. It allows us to adapt teaching styles and subject content to the significantly different ways girls and boys learn during those crucial years. And year after year, outstanding GCSE results for both boys and girls justify this common-sense approach.

Our Teachers

“Extremely strong relationships between staff and pupils, coupled with high expectations are common features of teaching, supporting the aims of the School. Teaching styles are generally varied and make a good use of time to maximise learning opportunities for pupils.”
Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2011

A school stands or falls by the quality of its teaching.

At GSAL this starts with small class sizes – an obvious and major advantage for both teacher and pupil. Classes of 18-20 pupils are the norm, reducing to half that size in the sixth form. Teachers can give pupils the right amount of individual attention, which helps them make more rapid progress toward their achievement targets. The more stimulating ambience of a small class also encourages the two-way discussion, questioning and challenging vital to effective learning.

Our teachers are among the most enthusiastic, qualified and gifted in the profession. Many are subject specialists of national stature. Together they constitute GSAL’s most rewarding investment. Outstanding teachers produce an outstanding school, which in turn attracts more outstanding teachers.

We value our staff, and it is evident that our pupils value them too. (Though perhaps not always immediately!)

In later life we all remember the teacher who inspired us, or who went that extra mile for us. For most people, it will be one teacher. We know from experience that at GSAL, many more are likely to be remembered with respect and gratitude.

Beyond GSAL

GSAL prepares pupils for the continuing education or career path of their choice. GCSE and A Level results are consistently well above the national average in all subjects.

Exam results are however only part of the GSAL legacy. University entry is a natural progression for most pupils, but we also recognise that increasing numbers now choose to defer their university years, or want to pursue ambitions and callings that do not necessarily require a degree. Entrepreneurship or e-commerce, for example, are valid and exciting options for many young people, and we will always do our best to enable those with talent and determination to hit the ground running.

Whatever lies beyond GSAL, we ensure that pupils receive the guidance, advice and support they need to achieve their next significant goal.