Wisbech Grammar School

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

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)

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

In 2024, 39 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 24 per cent A*/A at A level (52 per cent A*-B).

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.