Ages
A well-rounded school, not just an academic machine; these girls are happy and receiving a broad education. ‘Nice things happen to nice people,’ says school, and the girls are nice. Hard to see where the competition is locally, and why pay when you’ve got this on your doorstep?
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,268 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 299 ·
- Local authority
- Lincolnshire County Council
Headteacher
Headteacher
Mr James Fuller
Since September 2019, James Fuller, previously deputy principal at Ormiston Bushfield Academy. Despite piloting the school to an Ofsted grading of outstanding across all categories in 2023, he still keeps his hand in the classroom, specialising
Entrance
Entry into year 7 after sitting the 11+ in September. This test is standardised across Lincolnshire to select the top 25 per cent. About 320 take it, 220 achieve the target grade and 174 are admitted. Allocation is based on distance from the schoo
- Admissions policy
- Academically selective state school
- Open days
- Sixth form open evening is planned for early November whilst our year 5/6 open days take place in early July.
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Around 20 per cent leave after GCSEs, mainly to study more vocational or creative courses at the local college. A handful into employment. Most sixth form leavers go to university – Newcastle, both York universities, Leeds and Manchester most popu
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2024, 56 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 35 per cent A*/A at A level (69 per cent A*-B).
% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
What is this?
Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.
Teaching & learning
Most girls take 10 GCSEs in a wide range of subjects, with the vast majority taking at least one language. French, German and Spanish are the options. High quality framed artwork displayed throughout the school, including a charming mural done by
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Learning support available for those who need it. There are 125 on SEN register.
Arts & extracurricular
Despite the school being an unashamedly academic hothouse, the girls are encouraged to broaden their horizons.
Music and art well represented. More than 200 learning musical instruments. Lovely to hear piano practice as we toured. School ha
Sport
Lots of sport available, with significant recent investment into facilities. All the usual for a girls’ school and then a bit more. Active equestrian team in addition to water polo being well supported. One parent felt it is better lower down the
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1910 and still on the same site overlooking the town of Grantham. Attractive Edwardian main building, evocative space with Chesterfield sofas and high ceilings, with boards of head girls’ names mounted around the old hall. One name stan
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
‘Pastoral care is superb', ‘the head of pastoral care is an absolute diamond’ and ‘I’ve never had to worry about them’ are some of the comments from parents. Says it all, really. Every parent we spoke to had glowing praise for the systems in place
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review
The school accepts no responsibility for mobile phones and undertakes no responsibility to investigate misplacement, loss or theft.
• Mobile phones may not be used at any time during the school day on school premises, ie between the hours of 8.50 am and 3.40 pm. (Parents needing to contact students can do so, either by calling the school office with URGENT messages or by sending a text message which can be checked at 3.40 pm).
• Mobile phones must be switched off and out of sight at all times. If a phone rings, or is seen by a member of staff, or if inappropriate use is made of the phone, it will be confiscated. The only exemption to this is when the student has been given special permission to keep their phone with them for specific health or learning related reasons.
• Parents will be contacted to inform them of the confiscation and arrangements will be made for them to collect the phone from the school office. If the parent confirms that the phone is needed for their bus pass, alternative arrangements will be made. This will usually be that the phone will be returned to the student at the end of the school day and the student will then hand their phone in to the pastoral office by 08:50 and collect it as 15:40 for an agreed number of days.
Students should not use their mobile phone to photograph or record (either in sound or video) whilst on the school site UNLESS they have been given specific permission to do so by a member of staff in connection with an official lesson or extra – curricular activity.
Pupils & parents
Pupils are from Grantham and the surrounding villages. Some come from as far as Melton Mowbray and Nottingham. There are 76 feeder schools, mainly within a 15 mile radius (which has shrunk in recent years). Bright girls from quite a broad spectrum
The last word
A well-rounded school, not just an academic machine; these girls are happy and receiving a broad education. ‘Nice things happen to nice people,’ says school, and the girls are nice. Hard to see where the competition is locally, and why pay when yo
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Outstanding
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
