Grammar School at Leeds
Encyclopedia
The Grammar School at Leeds is an Independent school
in Leeds
, England
, created on 4 August 2005 from the merger of Leeds Grammar School
and Leeds Girls' High School
.
The schools physically merged in September 2008, at which point the school became open to both sexes. The school is now situated on two sites; the Senior School (ages 11–18) and Junior School (7–11) at the Alwoodley
Site, while the Leeds Girls' High School site in Headingley
is used by the Infant School and a new Nursery
School. The merged school is based on a so-called diamond school formation, meaning that classes for girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 16 remain segregated, but all extracurricular activities are mixed. Classes for all below the age of 11 and in the Sixth Form are co-educational. During the merger consultation process, the student, parent and teaching bodies of both schools decided on the '4 major goals of The Grammar School at Leeds'. These would be to achieve academic excellence, opportunity, care and integrity.
The Grammar School at Leeds is a fee paying school, although bursaries and scholarships are available.
These Houses, of which the pupils of The Grammar School are divided into, are as follows:
Upon physical merger in 2008, four distinct sections of school were created. The Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form now operate from substantially extended buildings at the Alwoodley Gates site (originally Leeds Grammar School). The site was redeveloped from 2007 to 2008, and now contains a new Sixth Form and Maths departments whilst the Lawson Library, Science department and Refectory were extended. Rose Court Nursery & Pre-Prep School operates in Headingley; from a new nursery extension and the refurbished building formerly known by Leeds Girls' High School as 'Ford House'. The rest of the Leeds Girls' High School site, which is now surplus to requirements, is currently the subject of discussion with Leeds City Council planning officers prior to anticipated application for outline planning permission for residential housing. The site currently stands empty.
. Mr Gibbons was educated at the City of Leicester Grammar School and gained his degree from King's College London. He is the founder member of the working party for the Forum of Independent Day Schools. Michael took up the office of Principal at the beginning of the Summer Term 2010, formally taking over on 1 April 2010. He announced upon his appointment that "What excited me about GSAL was the prospect of leading a school which combined the best of modernity with a rich and proud heritage. A fabulous new school possessing exceptional facilities allied to a tradition of excellent education built upon generations of endeavour."
The previous Headmaster was Dr. Mark Bailey, a former Rugby Union
player and bursar of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
. He was appointed Headmaster of Leeds Grammar School
in 1999 amid some controversy. Despite this, his tenure as head saw a sharp increase in entrance applications and financial stability, as well as a number of high profile appointments to Senior Management Levels. He led the merger of Leeds Grammar School
and Leeds Girls' High School
following his appointment as both Headmaster and Chief Executive of the Grammar School at Leeds, in February 2005. He left GSAL in March 2010 to become the Professor of Later Medieval History at the University of East Anglia
and a visiting Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford
.
Plans for the merger were not universally welcomed. As early as 2003, a campaign group called "No Merger in 2007" alleged a "hidden agenda"--a drive to reduce debts incurred from an LGS building programme—and stated that the proposed merger "makes no educational sense". The LGS headmaster, Mark Bailey, claimed that only a fifth of parents opposed the planned merger, whilst the LGHS head Sue Fishburn stated that 80% of parents were in favour of the merger. A number of parents were reported to have stated a preference for strictly single-sex establishments, despite assurances that classrooms would be single-sex. In January 2004, Mark Bailey was reported to have stated that less than 1% of the 1500 families with children at the two schools "wrote to oppose the move". Further controversy was reported in 2005, when plans for the new school crest were released. According to the report "Parents who contacted the Yorkshire Post said many felt dismayed by the merger and the new logo but dared not speak up". One parent claimed the existing crest had been "obliterated by a felt-tip doodle".
Plans to redevelop the Alwoodley site were met with some opposition. Leeds City Council delayed its decision for the LGS planning application until Summer 2006, requiring the physical merger to be put back a year until September 2008. As well as this, there was controversy due to the expected increase in traffic levels at the Alwoodley site, but this was reduced by the drawing up of a new traffic plan. Work began in August 2007 and involved the formation of a new signalised site access junction. The construction of a new pedestrian tunnel
and a 30 mi/h speed limit were also installed to relieve traffic pressure. Controversy persisted into late 2007, however, over the possible need for an additional vehicle entrance at the new school site in Alwoodley and the arrangements for the disposal of the Headingley LGHS site.
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, created on 4 August 2005 from the merger of Leeds Grammar School
Leeds Grammar School
Leeds Grammar School was an independent school in Leeds established in 1552. In August 2005 it merged with Leeds Girls' High School to form The Grammar School at Leeds. The two schools physically united in September 2008....
and Leeds Girls' High School
Leeds Girls' High School
Leeds Girls' High School was an independent, selective, fee paying school for girls aged 3–18 located in Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
.
The schools physically merged in September 2008, at which point the school became open to both sexes. The school is now situated on two sites; the Senior School (ages 11–18) and Junior School (7–11) at the Alwoodley
Alwoodley
Alwoodley is a civil parish and suburb of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. It is north of central Leeds. The name Alwoodley is said to be a corruption of 'Aethelwaldley', as it was originally known in the Middle Ages, meaning the woodland clearing , at Aethelwald's farm...
Site, while the Leeds Girls' High School site in Headingley
Headingley
Headingley is a suburb of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. It is approximately two miles out of the city centre, to the north west along the A660 road...
is used by the Infant School and a new Nursery
Nursery school
A nursery school is a school for children between the ages of one and five years, staffed by suitably qualified and other professionals who encourage and supervise educational play rather than simply providing childcare...
School. The merged school is based on a so-called diamond school formation, meaning that classes for girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 16 remain segregated, but all extracurricular activities are mixed. Classes for all below the age of 11 and in the Sixth Form are co-educational. During the merger consultation process, the student, parent and teaching bodies of both schools decided on the '4 major goals of The Grammar School at Leeds'. These would be to achieve academic excellence, opportunity, care and integrity.
The Grammar School at Leeds is a fee paying school, although bursaries and scholarships are available.
House structure
A key element of the new school is intended to be the foundations of eight School House, each with Head Boy and Head Girl.These Houses, of which the pupils of The Grammar School are divided into, are as follows:
- Eddison House - Named after Mrs. Anne Eddison,on the Yorkshire Ladies Council of Education who helped set up Leeds Girls' High School.
- Ermystead House - Named after William Ermystead, a priestPriestA priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
who donated properties to Leeds Grammar School in 1552. - Ford House - Named after John Ford, a founding member of the LGHS Council.
- Harrison House - Named after John HarrisonJohn Harrison (Leeds)John Harrison was a prominent inhabitant of Leeds, in Yorkshire, England, in the sixteenth and seventeenth century, variously as one of the early woollen cloth merchants, and as a benefactor of the town.-Commercial and municipal life:...
, benefactor of Leeds, who built Leeds Grammar School's third site on North Street in 1642. - Lawson House - Named after Godfrey Lawson, Mayor of Leeds, who endowed Leeds Grammar School the Lawson Library, the oldest Library in Leeds.
- Lupton House - Named after Francis Lupton, who helped established the committee which established Leeds Girls' High School, and also Elinor Lupton, who funded the Elinor Lupton Centre at the Headingley site.
- Powell House - Named after Miss. Powell, the second Headmistress of Leeds Girls' High School. It was she who established its move to Headingley, where it remained until 2008.
- Sheafield House - Named after William Sheafield, who is traditionally thought of as the founder of Leeds Grammar School in 1552.
Locations
The Grammar School at Leeds was established via the legal merger of Leeds Grammar School and Leeds Girls' High School in 2005. Both these schools operated on two separate sites which were some distance between each other; Leeds Girls' High School operated from 3 separate sites in Headingley, whilst Leeds Grammar School ran from a 138 acre (0.55846668 km²) modern campus situated in Alwoodley.Upon physical merger in 2008, four distinct sections of school were created. The Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form now operate from substantially extended buildings at the Alwoodley Gates site (originally Leeds Grammar School). The site was redeveloped from 2007 to 2008, and now contains a new Sixth Form and Maths departments whilst the Lawson Library, Science department and Refectory were extended. Rose Court Nursery & Pre-Prep School operates in Headingley; from a new nursery extension and the refurbished building formerly known by Leeds Girls' High School as 'Ford House'. The rest of the Leeds Girls' High School site, which is now surplus to requirements, is currently the subject of discussion with Leeds City Council planning officers prior to anticipated application for outline planning permission for residential housing. The site currently stands empty.
Senior Management Team
The current Principal and Chief Executive is Michael Gibbons, the previous Headmaster of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, WakefieldQueen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School is an independent school in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. QEGS is distinct from most other schools in that it was founded by Royal Charter of Queen Elizabeth I in 1591 at the request of leading citizens in Wakefield 75 in total and some of whom formed the...
. Mr Gibbons was educated at the City of Leicester Grammar School and gained his degree from King's College London. He is the founder member of the working party for the Forum of Independent Day Schools. Michael took up the office of Principal at the beginning of the Summer Term 2010, formally taking over on 1 April 2010. He announced upon his appointment that "What excited me about GSAL was the prospect of leading a school which combined the best of modernity with a rich and proud heritage. A fabulous new school possessing exceptional facilities allied to a tradition of excellent education built upon generations of endeavour."
The previous Headmaster was Dr. Mark Bailey, a former Rugby Union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player and bursar of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. It is notable as the only college founded by Cambridge townspeople: it was established in 1352 by the Guilds of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin Mary...
. He was appointed Headmaster of Leeds Grammar School
Leeds Grammar School
Leeds Grammar School was an independent school in Leeds established in 1552. In August 2005 it merged with Leeds Girls' High School to form The Grammar School at Leeds. The two schools physically united in September 2008....
in 1999 amid some controversy. Despite this, his tenure as head saw a sharp increase in entrance applications and financial stability, as well as a number of high profile appointments to Senior Management Levels. He led the merger of Leeds Grammar School
Leeds Grammar School
Leeds Grammar School was an independent school in Leeds established in 1552. In August 2005 it merged with Leeds Girls' High School to form The Grammar School at Leeds. The two schools physically united in September 2008....
and Leeds Girls' High School
Leeds Girls' High School
Leeds Girls' High School was an independent, selective, fee paying school for girls aged 3–18 located in Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
following his appointment as both Headmaster and Chief Executive of the Grammar School at Leeds, in February 2005. He left GSAL in March 2010 to become the Professor of Later Medieval History at the University of East Anglia
University of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
and a visiting Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford
All Souls College, Oxford
The Warden and the College of the Souls of all Faithful People deceased in the University of Oxford or All Souls College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England....
.
| Principal and Chief Executive | Mr. Michael R Gibbons |
| Director of Finance | Mr. David Naylor |
| Deputy Head (Pastoral) | Mrs. Christine Bamforth |
| Deputy Head (Academic) | Dr. Ian Hotchkiss |
| Deputy Head (Activities) | Mr. Steve Field |
| Deputy Head (Staff Welfare) | Mr. Barry Brindley |
| Deputy Head (Systems) | Mr. Eric Medway |
| Assistant Deputy Head (Pastoral Care) | Mr. C. Freeman |
| Assistant Deputy Head (School Evaluation) | Mr. P. Lunn |
| Head of Junior School | Mr. Robert Lilley |
| Head of Rose Court Nursery & Pre-Prep | Miss. Anne Pickering |
Merger controversy
The school administrations of Leeds Grammar School legally merged with Leeds Girls' High School on 31 August 2005 with the schools physically merging in September 2008.Plans for the merger were not universally welcomed. As early as 2003, a campaign group called "No Merger in 2007" alleged a "hidden agenda"--a drive to reduce debts incurred from an LGS building programme—and stated that the proposed merger "makes no educational sense". The LGS headmaster, Mark Bailey, claimed that only a fifth of parents opposed the planned merger, whilst the LGHS head Sue Fishburn stated that 80% of parents were in favour of the merger. A number of parents were reported to have stated a preference for strictly single-sex establishments, despite assurances that classrooms would be single-sex. In January 2004, Mark Bailey was reported to have stated that less than 1% of the 1500 families with children at the two schools "wrote to oppose the move". Further controversy was reported in 2005, when plans for the new school crest were released. According to the report "Parents who contacted the Yorkshire Post said many felt dismayed by the merger and the new logo but dared not speak up". One parent claimed the existing crest had been "obliterated by a felt-tip doodle".
Plans to redevelop the Alwoodley site were met with some opposition. Leeds City Council delayed its decision for the LGS planning application until Summer 2006, requiring the physical merger to be put back a year until September 2008. As well as this, there was controversy due to the expected increase in traffic levels at the Alwoodley site, but this was reduced by the drawing up of a new traffic plan. Work began in August 2007 and involved the formation of a new signalised site access junction. The construction of a new pedestrian tunnel
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
and a 30 mi/h speed limit were also installed to relieve traffic pressure. Controversy persisted into late 2007, however, over the possible need for an additional vehicle entrance at the new school site in Alwoodley and the arrangements for the disposal of the Headingley LGHS site.