Wolverhampton, Shropshire, Walsall Grammar Schools
- Haberdashers’ Adams
- Newport High School for Girls
- Queen Mary’s Grammar School
- Queen Mary’s High School
- Wolverhampton High School for Girls
Haberdashers’ Adams
Entrance Exam Dates: September https://www.adamsgs.uk/admissions/joining-us-in-year-7
Ofsted Report: Outstanding.Previously Adams’ Grammar School. Same address. Linked on Ofsted.https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/137446https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/123593
Test Type: CEM (Durham)Where can I get my practice papers from?https://www.adamsgs.uk/admissions/admissions-faqs
Specialisation
Day & boarding school for boys.School established in 1656https://www.adamsgs.uk/about-us/our-history
Music
We believe that music should be available to all pupils throughout their time at Adams. Although the school is academically selective, we believe that all our pupils may be enriched by the experience of music, whether in the classroom or within the diverse and extensive range of extra-curricular provision that we offer.
We provide opportunities for pupils to study music to both GCSE and A-level as well as up to grade 8 and diploma levels and beyond, with performing opportunities as soloists and in ensembles. We consider that music provision is a fundamental right for all and that access and opportunity should be available to the highest level.
https://www.adamsgs.uk/school-life/curriculum/music
Maths
The department also helps Cambridge, Warwick etc mathematics applicants to prepare for STEP examinations. Additionally the department provides help for pupils taking the MAT or PAT Oxford entrance exams as well as other university entrance tests such as the BMAT.
https://www.adamsgs.uk/school-life/curriculum/maths-further-maths
Curriculum
Modern Languages – French or German
https://www.adamsgs.uk/school-life/curriculum/modern-languages
Boarding
Haberdashers’ Adams is one of very few selective state schools in the country to have a boarding facility. With no charge for tuition, it offers a very affordable option for many. Around one hundred of our pupils are boarders.
Junior boarders live at Longford Hall which is set in 100 acres of its own grounds including a fishing lake and a wood. Even the most indoors focused boys will find themselves outdoors exploring, kicking a football or climbing a tree before they know it!
https://www.adamsgs.uk/boarding/introduction-to-boarding
Trips
Regular trips are organised throughout the school year to support the classroom learning, from field trips around the UK and theatre trips to university visits, lectures and national competitions. There are also opportunities to travel overseas through our French and German exchange programmes and our sport tours, with a recent rugby tour to Hong Kong and New Zealand and a hockey and netball tour to South Africa. Our annual ski trip in Europe is always very popular as too is our music tour of Australia, with students having the opportunity to perform with a school in Australia and showcase their musical talent in a number of venues.
Combined Cadet Force
The two sections, Army and RAF, are both overseen by experienced military personnel and our musicians have the opportunity to join the CCF marching band.
https://www.adamsgs.uk/school-life/clubs-societies/ccf
GCSE Results
https://www.adamsgs.uk/about-us/performance-data
https://www.adamsgs.uk/news/2018-08-23/Outstanding-GCSE-results-at-Haberdashers-Adams
Newport High School for Girls
Entrance Exam Dates: September https://www.nghs.org.uk/admissions/y7-admissions/
Ofsted Report: Converted to an Academy. Rated as outstanding prior.https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/123561https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/136516
Despite being exempt from routine inspection as an outstanding school, NGHS was visited by a team of senior inspectors in October 2019 under the new, more rigorous school inspection framework.
Test Type: CEMhttps://www.nghs.org.uk/admissions/entrance-test/
Specialisation
The school was founded in 1920.
Music
There is an extensive range of music- making opportunities in the school. In addition to the opportunity to take private music lessons in a wide variety of musical instruments, weekly rehearsals are held for the Orchestra, Junior Choir, Senior Choir, Jazz Ensemble and many other smaller groups. Students are also encouraged to book rehearsal space during break, lunch and after school as needed to prepare for the next performance or recording in the school’s recording studio.
Curriculum
We are one of a few schools still teaching 2 hours of PE a week plus a period of PSHE every week. We also ensure that two languages are taught (French and German) along with three separate sciences from Year 7. The KS3 curriculum is covered in two years at NGHS.
There is very little setting by ability and students are taught in groups of 30 or less.
School Expansion
Our new extension opened in 2018. This welcome investment has complemented recent projects including our music suite and recording studio, additional classrooms, a multi-purpose hall and four humanities classrooms. Some of our Science facilities have also been upgraded and all of this has made an incredible difference to our learning environment. There is more planned for 2021.
We will be looking to develop the school site with the provision of new kitchens, a new dining room, science laboratory, drama studio and a suite of five classrooms including one new computing suite. The building will hopefully be finished by summer 2021 ahead of the new cohort starting at NGHS.
Trips and Visits
There is a wealth of additional opportunities for students. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a popular activity with many students beginning their Bronze level in Year 9.
2018 saw the start of our new German exchange. The languages staff also provide a residential for Y8 in Normandy or the Rhineland area of Germany.
Visits to art galleries both in London and abroad are arranged. These include to Paris, Madrid and Florence. There is also a netball residential weekend at Boreatton Hall for Year 7.
Crafternoon
The school has also set up a Health and Wellbeing student panel who meet each term. As part of this we have offered ‘Crafternoon’ activities for one week each half term to give students the opportunity to try new crafts like knitting, crochet, basket weaving and also to give them some time and space to relax and unwind.
Curriculum Enrichment Week
Curriculum Enrichment Week is held in July and provides opportunities for cross curricular work and to enrich learning in such areas as Environmental Education, Engineering and Enterprise activities.
Careers Information and Guidance
Careers education and guidance is embedded within the PSHE programme and begins with the introduction in KS3 to the world of work and making choices. A programme of independent careers advice is provided for all students from Year 9 onwards. In Year 9 we have a Bright Futures programme on developing economic awareness. In KS4 students take part in a one week work experience and receive guidance aboutchoicesat16+.
GCSE Results
https://www.nghs.org.uk/about-us/news/2018-2019-phenomenal-gcse-results/
http://www.newporthigh.co.uk/?p=8625
Queen Mary’s Grammar School
Entrance Exam Dates: September https://qmgs.walsall.sch.uk/year-7-admissions-2021/
Ofsted Report: Converted to an Academy. Rated as outstanding prior.https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/104262https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/136773
Test Type: CEMhttp://qmgs.walsall.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/2019_apr_sample_questions_familiarisation.pdf
Info taken from the familiarisation guide on the schools website.
https://qmgs.walsall.sch.uk/year-7-admissions-2021/
Specialisation
Boys school.The School was founded in 1554.The School took on Languages status and recently Business and Enterprise Status.https://qmgs.walsall.sch.uk/history-of-the-school/
Curriculum
Modern European Foreign Language (French or Spanish). From September 2015, all students in Year 7 also learn Mandarin Chinese. Pupils will choose which language they wish to continue through to GCSE from the beginning of Year 8.
Other subjects include PSHEE and a generous allocation of time to PE, Games and Swimming.
At GCSE level pupils also have the option to study Philosophy and Ethics (RPE) as part of their core curriculum. The best Mathematicians take GCSE in Year 10 and gain a qualification in Additional Mathematics in Year 11. Games and PE remain a vital part of the school timetable.
https://qmgs.walsall.sch.uk/curriculum-general-information/
Mandarin Excellence Programme School
The purpose of the programme is to deliver a minimum of 5,000 speakers of Mandarin on their way to a high level of fluency by 2020. The programme also aims to:
train a sufficient number of teachers to support the programme;
embed effective, sustainable teaching practices that will continue to increase the number of pupils studying Mandarin beyond the life of the programme
give pupils an immersive experience of China through digital media and visits to China for some pupils.
https://ci.ioe.ac.uk/mandarin-excellence-programme/about/
Sports
A generous allocation of time to PE, Games and Swimming.
Games and PE remain a vital part of the school timetable.
Cricket tour to Dubai & Abu Dhabi 2020
http://qmgs.walsall.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2019_crickettour_u18_dubai_abu_dhabi.pdf
Swimming
Betty & Denise have taught swimming at Queen Mary’s Grammar School for the last 20 years. They teach children aged 4 to 16. Classes are run weekly.
https://qmgs.walsall.sch.uk/betty-denise-swimming/
Full timetable of extra curricular sporting activities.
http://qmgs.walsall.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2019_extra_curricular_sport.pdf
Farchynys
Farchynys, the school’s Welsh Centre, is located on the stunning Mawddach Estuary in southern Snowdonia with views over to Cadair Idris. Purchased for the school in 1963 it has been a centre for adventure and learning in a contrasting setting for the past 50 years.
Typical activities include visits to Harlech Castle, a local slate mine, the Centre for Alternative Technology and creating their own meal one evening.
https://qmgs.walsall.sch.uk/farchynys/
GCSE Results
https://qmgs.walsall.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019_gcse_summer_analytics.pdf
https://qmgs.walsall.sch.uk/exam-results-2019/
Queen Mary’s High School
Entrance Exam Dates: Septemberhttps://qmhs.org.uk/year-7-admissions-entry-for-entry-in-september-2021/
Ofsted Report: Converted to an Academy. Rated as outstanding prior.https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/104261https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/136777
Test Type: CEM
The Test comprises two papers of about an hour each, which assess verbal reasoning/English, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics.
https://qmhs.org.uk/year-7-admissions-entry-for-entry-in-september-2021/
Info taken from the familiarisation guide on the schools website.
https://qmgs.walsall.sch.uk/year-7-admissions-2021/
Specialisation
The school was founded in 1893.
Having been designated as a Language College and been awarded a second specialism in Mathematics and Computing it is clear that the school regards these subjects as areas of strength. Now that specialisms as such no longer exist we have sought to use our experiences in these fields to enhance our specialism in all subject areas with a particular focus on the use of innovative and effective teaching methods to nurture and develop Gifted and Talented students.
https://qmhs.org.uk/about/background-information/
Curriculum
In addition to the usual core subjects the school offers students lessons in:
One Modern Foreign Language from French, Spanish, German or Mandarin Chinese
PSHCE
Enrichment sessions, when the normal lesson timetable is suspended, take place throughout the year. These allow students to learn in different ways often with external speakers and workshop providers. These learning experiences cover subjects such as Tolerance, Staying Safe, British Values, Study Skills and Career guidance.
https://qmhs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Curriculum-Rationale-20193.pdf
More in depth information regarding curriculum for…
Year 7
https://qmhs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/YEAR-7-CURRICULUM-BOOKLET-2019-202.pdf
Year 8
https://qmhs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/YEAR-8-CURRICULUM-BOOKLET-2019-202.pdf
Year 9
https://qmhs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/YEAR-9-CURRICULUM-BOOKLET-2019-202.pdf
Trips
There are a number of trips abroad which have a subject focus; these have included Iceland, Sicily and the Battlefields of Northern France and Belgium. In addition our annual ski trip is a popular feature on the calendar which always attracts great interest from students from all year groups.
https://qmhs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/5_good_reasons_to_choose_qmhs.pdf
GCSE Results
https://qmhs.org.uk/about/exam-results/
https://qmhs.org.uk/2019/08/22/gcse-results-2/
Wolverhampton Girls’ High School
Entrance Exam Dates: September https://www.wghs.org.uk/year7admissions
Ofsted Report: Converted to an Academy. Rated as outstanding prior.https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/104402https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/140798
Test Type: CEM
What does the test involve?
All girls will sit two standardised tests consisting of Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning provided by CEM. Normally, each test paper is 45/50 minutes in length. School administration for each test will normally be one-hour.
https://www.wghs.org.uk/year7admissions
Specialisation
Curriculum
The core subjects of English, Mathematics, separate science lessons in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, the humanities of History, Geography and Religious Studies, two modern foreign languages from French or German, Spanish or Russian, together with Latin from Year 8, Information Technology, Music, Physical Education, Art and Design Technology.
https://www.wghs.org.uk/curriculum
University
Each year the vast majority of our Year 13 students go on to further study including institutions such as Oxbridge and Russell Group Universities. We offer every encouragement to all students in whatever they wish to pursue, whether this be university, higher apprenticeships, employment or a gap year.
The school has an impressive record of students going on to read a variety of degree courses including Medicine and Law; and at some of the best institutions in the country including Oxford and Cambridge, alongside securing prestigious higher level apprenticeships at companies such as KPMG.
Competition
The students have also competed at local, regional and national level in competitions ranging from Geography to Chemistry quizzes to the national Mathematic challenges to the Oxford and Cambridge Union Debating and the national netball finals.
Sports
Competitive sports such as netball, Hockey, Football, rounders, and cricket, form a part of the timetabled curriculum. Alongside these are individual sports such as Tennis, Athletics and Badminton. Whilst girls regularly perform exceptionally well at local, regional and national level though our school teams, there is also a real emphasis upon encouraging students to engage and enjoy sport whatever your level of expertise. Provision also includes access to our fitness studio, yoga sessions, mindfulness, and Judo, amongst others.
Trips
Opportunities to travel add depth and breadth to knowledge and understanding and develop and widen cultural awareness. Students have enjoyed trips to Iceland, China, Russia, France, Italy and Spain in recent years.
Facilities
Wolverhampton Girls’ High School is fortunate to have both traditional buildings and modern additions; including a brand new dedicated Sixth Form Centre which is modern, spacious and architecturally stunning.
There are a number of more recent developments within the school including the Hub (for easy access to House Leaders and other pastoral and administrative staff), interactive lecture theatre (to support innovative learning opportunities), some refurbished laboratories and library in the main school.
The Hub and library can be used before and after school. We also have various specialist teaching areas for art and design, music, sport, a performing
arts studio and two computer rooms. Every Sixth Form student is provided with a one-to-one device to support independent study and learning both in lessons and outside of school.
Whether students’ interests lie in sport, music, art or the sciences, our facilities provide an environment that enriches the academic experience at Girls’ High.
GCSE Results