Wisbech Grammar School A GSG School

Other features

All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.

What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmaster

Since 2022, Mr Barnaby Rimmer BSc (Southampton) PGCE (Roehampton), originally appointed as deputy head academic in September 2021. He is also a former pupil of the school. For 22 years he worked in the maintained sector and gained experience in a variety of posts in east London and Norfolk including leadership in curriculum, pastoral and safeguarding matters. He has experience with all ages, holding the position of executive principal across two local primaries within a multi-academy trust. ‘I am grateful to my former head for allowing me that opportunity.’

Has an engaging, friendly manner and gets on well with pupils and parents alike. ‘He has a fresh approach, very relaxed, and at first I wondered if it would be right as the previous head was more formal, but I think the school is happier as a result,’ was one comment. He is ambitious for the school to be a beacon in the region, noted for excellence and endeavour. Thinks the necessity for adapting to the world as it is developing, especially in terms of AI, is paramount: ‘We can respect the past as we prepare our pupils for the world out there.’ Was struck when he arrived by the nurturing atmosphere of the school, the sense of a ‘Wisbech family’, which is something he wants to retain. Continues to teach his subject, maths, and is very present around the school. His wife teaches at another school and their four children are on their own educational odysseys, including two currently at Wisbech.

Entrance

Informal assessments take place within the school day for entrance to the prep school with pupils participating in two taster days. Entrance at 11+ (year 7) is via an assessment day that includes the CAT4 assessments (verbal and non-verbal reasoning) and an informal interview with the head or one of the deputies. The idea is to discern potential and rule out the possibility of ‘training’ for the test. Not overly selective but acceptance not a foregone conclusion by any means, especially in higher forms. Transfer from prep to seniors is via examination but those who might not make the grade are given plenty of warning and support finding alternative schools. Places also available at 13+ and throughout the school.

Entrance to sixth form dependent on minimum six GCSEs (9-4) with at least grade 6 in chosen A level subjects. All potential pupils (including those already at the school) are interviewed by the head of sixth form or other subject staff.

Exit

Almost all move up from prep to seniors, though a sprinkling leave for Lincolnshire grammars through the 11-plus. Roughly a third leave after GCSE, usually to follow a vocational pathway at college or through an apprenticeship, with the occasional one to the impressive Cambridge state sixth forms. Great majority leave at 18 for university, nearly half to study science-based subjects, many at Russell Group universities. None for medicine this year. Several to read law and good numbers go on to do a variety of performing arts and to study fashion, art and textiles. None to Oxbridge amongst recent leavers but several applications in the pipeline for 2024 and 2025.

Latest results

In 2023, 43 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 22 per cent A*/A at A level (55 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 28 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 15 per cent A*/A at A level (36 per cent A*-B).

Teaching and learning

The school accepts a range of ability but academic expectations are high and plenty gain top grades. Head keen to emphasise this as one of the school’s particular strengths. Despite the pandemic, attainment levels at GCSE and A level have shown improvement and parents have noticed.

Classes kept small throughout the school (between 16 and 20), meaning pupils can receive targeted help: ‘Being noticed by the maths teacher changed everything for my daughter after being forgotten about in large classes at her previous school.’ Setting in maths from year 4 in the prep and in English and languages from year 9. Science taught singly, many taking all three at GCSE and good numbers also at A level. German is the main language, currently taught from kindergarten upwards, with French and Spanish offered in the seniors. A parent did speculate, ‘What about introducing Mandarin or another oriental language since we have International pupils?’ Regular homework from year 3 in prep which parents approve of, ‘partly because it gets them used to working under their own steam,’ as one put it. Highly committed staff praised by parents: ‘Our daughter was offered an online session by her tutor before term started, just to go over things for reassurance,’ while another spoke of staff ‘following up with a call to check on how things were going’.

In the prep school we saw quiet classrooms, all eyes on the teacher (or, in one case, on their tablets as a story was broadcast), and were welcomed in others where pupils easily responded to questions and joyfully pointed out their displayed artwork (Fantastic Mr Fox illustrations). Senior school pupils rather more formal in their class settings but equally friendly and responsive. Lots of drop-in subject ‘clinics’ with timetabled revision sessions in all subjects throughout the exam study period (just beginning as we visited). The benefits of small classes very evident, not least the close, trusting relationships formed between pupils and staff right through to sixth form level, and there is plenty of email contact outside the school working day. Several parents spoke of how conscientious staff were and the ease of communication. Regular parents’ consultations are held, ‘but there is no need to wait for those,’ we were told by staff and parents alike.

Learning support and SEN

Support is often given in class by teaching assistants, especially in the prep, though timetabled withdrawal for one-to-one lessons with qualified SEN staff also available, particularly in the seniors. Currently 170 pupils on the SEND register but most of these are for mild dyslexia or dyscalculia; 10 have an EHCP. Good, frequent contact between staff and parents make it easy for help to be initiated.

The arts and extracurricular

After a review, a decision has been made to move the present arrangement of having extracurricular and sporting activities during period 5 (immediately after lunch) to period 7 on three days a week. Alternative activities after lunch were seen as a welcome break by some parents: ‘It seemed a good idea to offer something different in the middle of the day as a contrast,’ said one. However, sporty pupils like the idea of having games lessons at the end of the day sometimes as it gives the opportunity for longer practices. During our visit we saw cooking, product design and art going on, as well as various sports. Polishing off some homework is also an option but an eye is kept to see it does not happen all the time.

Timetabled drama, art and music all continue from the prep up and ‘opportunities are fantastic. My daughter has been able to start really young on playing her instrument in the orchestra.’ Lots have private individual lessons and the timetable for these varies so no one misses the same thing each week. Everyone gets involved in the house music competition in October. Dance studio with barre and full-length mirrors for budding Darcey Bussells and lots of opportunities to perform in year and whole-school productions. Acting starts in the prep with ‘page to stage’ and un-scary year group productions, nativity plays and the annual Go for Gold, which gives even the most retiring the chance to stand up and do their stuff. ‘I couldn’t believe it, seeing her up on that stage. Her confidence grew so much in the prep.’ Several productions each year, most recently The 39 Steps by the sixth form. Art and design, textiles, and music all offered at GCSE and plenty of takers for art and design at A level. Excellent displays throughout the school including masterpieces by former pupils who have gone on to glory at various art schools.

Sport

In the prep, games include rugby for boys, netball for girls, gym and mixed cricket. Pupils can also take part in mixed touch-rugby festivals. Experience of match play gives confidence and pupils all benefit from use of the senior school facilities. The Sport for All maxim continues in the seniors with hockey and cricket for boys and girls, rugby for boys and football for no one. The school is aware of a need to accommodate a more varied range of sports, especially in the seniors where fitness for life is encouraged and badminton, basketball, spinning, bikes and gym are all on offer. A parent, commenting on a rather ‘elitist’ attitude her daughter had come across when she joined the school in year 7 from a state primary, said, ‘She was at a disadvantage compared with the classmates who came up from the prep. She wasn’t helped to catch up in games she had never had a chance to play before, but things have improved. There does need to be a broad range of sports.’ The fitness suite is popular, especially with sixth formers, for whom sport is also compulsory. Parents keen supporters at home and away matches and staff also get involved. ‘It’s a great way to connect with families, being at the touchline on a Saturday,’ said one of the deputies. Period 5 activities also include fitness, dance (often rehearsing for performances) and team practices.

Boarders

Hazel House, opened in 2019, and another similar house, each housing 12-16 students, are the start of an initiative to develop international boarding at the school. The original ambition to have at least 50 boarders was somewhat derailed by the pandemic but currently close to 30 pupils board – the overflow from the boarding houses in homestay arrangements either with staff at the school or occasionally with other parents. Students are in three-bedded en-suite rooms, functional but without much added decoration, wall displays etc from the students themselves. Large, comfortable sitting and eating areas and a gleaming kitchen for them to cook their own choices at the weekend (‘The trip to Tesco is a highlight,’ our tour guides told us). Pleasant garden with large table that seats everyone – names of former students drawn or carved on table top. Most meals are taken in the school canteen where the chef, lured from an acclaimed Norfolk restaurant, specialises in Asian cuisine. Boarders often begin their time at the school studying on a pre-A level course and/or EAL before beginning A levels themselves, where they progress well and many move on to university in this country. Weekend activities are arranged, including outings such as trips to Cambridge and London. House staff sleep in on a rotational basis twice weekly and there are two graduate students living in permanently so plenty of support around.

Ethos and heritage

Wisbech is a market town in the Fens and the Grammar School is in the historic centre, though lacking an impressive façade, so it’s easily missed. One of the oldest schools in the country, it was founded in 1379 to educate boys, joining up with the girls almost 600 years later in 1970 to form the present school. The boys moved to join the girls at their more spacious site (34 acres) and in 1983 the school became fully independent.

The low-key entrance, approached through a big car park, gives no hint of the interesting collection of buildings of varied ages and styles, the extensive playing fields and really attractive grounds. Pupils get plenty of fresh air as they meander from lesson to lesson and at break and lunchtimes – many eating packed lunches out of doors. The prep pupils have their own designated play areas with lots of apparatus and a forest school enclosure. The school grounds have the advantage of being skirted by wooded pasture for which the school is currently negotiating a lease.

The prep’s cheerful premises have large, light classrooms full of displays and interesting experiments in husbandry – minibeasts, caterpillars and even chicks hatching. The wide corridors in the main prep give a light, spacious feeling to the building and the atmosphere is noticeably calm even at change of lessons. Senior school buildings have proliferated around the site in a mix of styles, mostly modern, and include the Russell Hall (whole school squeeze in for assembly each week), the Dwight Centre (sixth form and drama studio), the school canteen, humanities and science buildings. The sixth form facilities include a common room with cafeteria, enough space for the whole sixth form to gather for briefings and quiet study areas. We wondered if the deliciously comfortable, high-backed squashy seating provided in another study area might make ‘collaborative’ working less likely… That senior management offices are all in an old building that has clearly seen better days is proof that they are not wasting money on vanity projects.

The head speaks of the ‘Wisbech family’ and quite large numbers of pupils do in fact have parents or grandparents who were at the school, but there is no sense of an ‘in crowd’. Many pupils come from the state sector, either at 11+ or slightly earlier, and the school’s unpretentiousness is seen as a strength by parents. ‘It’s not one of those schools chosen by parents for its social cachet. Actually the school could probably blow its trumpet a bit more.’ It is the only independent school in town but there is competition from the Lincolnshire grammars and, especially at sixth form, the Cambridge schools, and the head is very aware of the importance of emphasising academic success as well as maintaining excellent pastoral care.

Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline

The recent drive to raise the academic profile of the school has not been at the expense of the highly regarded pastoral care of pupils. ‘Going the extra mile’ sounds corny, but parents say this is what staff really do: ‘They follow up on problems and don’t just leave things,’ said one parent. The small classes mean subject staff really know individual abilities and ’not just the attention seekers’, said another. Remarking on the exceptional care given her daughter when she returned to school after an illness, a parent said, ‘They cared as much that she was happily with her friends and fitting back into the class socially as well as catching up with work. So important.’

Lots of attention given to helping new pupils integrate, especially in year 7, with trips and outings plus mentoring for pupils from sixth formers. Tutor groups are given an annual mix-up to ensure social groups don’t become too static – not popular with some but everyone understands the sense behind it. Sixth form in the same tutor group for two years, vertically across the two years so advice and support readily available and tutors have the knowledge to offer serious help with university applications in year 13. Pupils belong to one of four houses for sport, music, art and debating contests.

Prompt action taken in the (rare) instances of unkindness or bullying. A parent spoke of what happened when one of his children had some trouble on the school bus: ‘I went to the head of year who tackled it straightaway, involved the parents and followed it up later to make sure all was well.’ Plenty of awareness of current social issues and pressures on young people, which can be discussed in weekly PSHE lessons. Student Voice is the community discussion forum for any matters – big or little – of concern in the school and there is a school nurse and mental health counsellor.

Pupils and parents

Pupils travel to the school from distances of at least an hour by car from Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. There are 10 school buses covering the whole catchment area. Traditionally a school for offspring of Lincolnshire farmers, and there are still plenty of these, plus a large cohort from King’s Lynn and the environs of north-west Norfolk. Lots join the school at 11+ from the state system and most families are dual career, working hard to pay the fees and looking for ‘a decent education rather than for social cachet’. Some settle on Wisbech after having toyed with the various Cambridge schools – ‘We feared the intense pressure pupils can be under.’ Rather more modest fees also presumably play their part. Although there are plenty from families of former pupils and there is a down-to-earth pride in the school, this is an open, friendly place that is ‘easy to join and get to know people’. Good support from parents on the touchline for Saturday matches and other school events. ‘They do put on phenomenal food for the Saturday sports,’ said a father, so obviously there is another inducement.

Early drop-off at 7.45 and late collection at 5.30pm is available from the nursery upwards. Traditional uniform (blazers, ties, sensible shoes) up to sixth form where the expectation is ‘smart dress’. ‘It boils down to no jeans or scruffy T shirts,’ we were told by pupils. The twelve school prefects stand out, intentionally, in their Henley Regatta-style striped blazers, as a beacon for other pupils to know where to go for help and advice

Money matters

Academic, drama, art and music scholarships are awarded at 11+, 13+ and 16+ and bring a £1000 fee reduction. Sport scholarships are offered at 14+. Means-tested bursaries up to 100 per cent in exceptional circumstances. The no-frills fees do not include lunches, trips and other extras but they still represent excellent value.

The last word

This is an unflashy school that serves a range of pupils very well. Academic pressure is increasing but not to the exclusion of the broad curriculum. Good leadership, highly committed staff and happy pupils.

Special Education Needs