‘This is a unique school with many excellent features.’

This is the conclusion drawn by the team of inspectors who visited us in March 2006. As you can imagine we are thrilled with the final report, and I am delighted to enclose a copy for your information.

The inspectors identified the many strengths of the school, complimenting the pupils and the staff who work together so well. I am very pleased that they managed to gain such a good understanding of the school, and that they recognised the very positive relationships between pupils and staff which demonstrate a level of mutual trust enabling learning and an open exchange of ideas.  It is one of our major strengths enabling us to help the girls to achieve their true potential.

The report covers the whole school including the Preparatory School and all areas earned much praise.  The school is said to be highly effective in providing a rich and diverse range of educational opportunities that is appropriate for the interests, aptitudes and needs of its pupils and meets the expectations of its parents.

Pupils were described as highly motivated showing a serious work ethic and approaching their work with enjoyment, leading to very good examination results which pave the way for successful further education and careers. Our careers education was praised for being well managed and of good quality. The  girls’ enjoyment and appreciation of all that is at their disposal was evident.

GCSE results were compared with the national average for maintained selective (i.e. grammar) schools over that past three years and are above, and sometimes well above, in all subjects . Similarly, at A level students continue to achieve very well in relation to their abilities and in the number of higher grades A and B. Teachers were seen to have a very good, sometimes outstanding, command of their subject area. 

Resources to support teaching and learning are described as very good, with the library and sports amenities gaining special mention as facilities to be proud of. All are said to be well- used, doing much to aid effective teaching across many areas of the curriculum.

Comment was made of the effective and successful balance struck between academic provision and the breadth of opportunity offered by the extra-curricular programme. The report describes the evident excellence in the quality of tuition and coaching which enables high achievement in a range of sporting, drama, music, dance and technology activities. The school was said to be justifiably proud of the individuals who go forward to represent their country, and of the teams and individuals who regularly reach regional, county and national finals of competitions in a variety of sporting activities. Pupils were said to value the programme of activities, engaging in it enthusiastically.

The inspectors praised the very high quality of pastoral care, and the nurturing of the pupils so that they develop into young women who are thoughtful, articulate, assured and have high self-esteem. Staff were said to provide excellent support and guidance. The provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development was described as outstanding.

The inspectors were pleased with progress made in areas identified for minor improvement since the last inspection, commenting in particular that the school’s attention to cultural diversity is a considerable strength. They acknowledged our progress both in assessment of pupils’ learning and in identification of pupils requiring learning support.  The inspectors recommend that we continue our work in both these areas to ensure continuing success.

I am sure you will be as pleased with the report as we are.  Thank you, once again, for your contributions via the questionnaire responses.  It will be six years before our next inspection, and many of your daughters will have left us by then, but we shall work hard to ensure that The Girls’ Grammar School, Bradford continues to be seen as one of the leading schools in the country, and a unique school with many excellent features.

Lynda Warrington

Headmistress