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What it's like

Founded as a result of the merger in 2008 between Leeds Grammar School (founded in 1552) and Leeds Girls' High School (founded in 1876). The junior and senior schools share a site in the north of the city, in extensive, leafy grounds; the nursery and pre-prep are in Headingley. The school has excellent facilities. Pupils are taught using the ‘diamond model': it is fully co-educational from age 3 to 11 and again in the sixth form; between the ages of 11 and 16 pupils are taught in single-sex classes for academic subjects, whilst still enjoying mixed extra-curricular and pastoral activities. The aim is to develop well-rounded, mature young men and women, ready to embrace further education and to face the world as confident caring citizens. Music, drama and art are vigorously supported. There is a wide range of sports and games and high standards are attained. A large number of clubs and societies cater for most extra-curricular activities. Much emphasis is put on outdoor pursuits and for these the school has a well-equipped outdoor centre in the Pennines near Teesdale. All pupils in the lower sixth are involved in local community services and there is also participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18, 2330 day pupils (1340 boys, 990 girls). Junior department 3-11, 730 pupils (340 boys, 390 girls). Senior department 11-18, 1600 pupils (1000 boys, 600 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used. No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 50% senior intake.

Scholarships & bursaries

A number of means-tested bursaries available in senior school, value from under 25% to 100% of fees; over 10% of senior pupils on bursaries.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Michael Gibbons, in post from 2010. Educated at King's College London (history). Previously Headmaster at Queen Elizabeth's (Wakefield), Second Master at Whitgift, Housemaster at Rugby and Assistant Master at Ardingly. Former Governor Lawrence Sheriff Grammar School, Rugby. Teaching staff: 301 full time, 93 part time.

Exam results

GCSE: 246 pupils in Year 11: 99% gained at least grade C in 9+ subjects. A-levels: 206 in Year 13, achieving a final point score of 336.

Pupils' destinations

100% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (17% after a gap year), 13% to Oxbridge. Courses taken range from medicine and microbiology to law, English literature and industrial design.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 GCSE subjects offered; 27 at AS-level, 26 at A-level including business studies (general studies is not taught, though pupils frequently enter). Sixth form: Typically, sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. Key skills integrated into sixth form courses and activities. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Co-ordinator for dyslexia and dyspraxia. Languages: French, German (from age 8), and Spanish available at GCSE, AS and A-level, also classical languages. Regular exchanges to France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Large number of computers for pupil use, networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Extensive arts programme covers music, film, drama, debating and creative art, and includes visiting groups with national reputation as well as the students' own contributions. Music: Up to 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 13 musical groups including orchestra, jazz group, choral society, choir, concert band, various chamber groups. Many winners in local music festivals; finalist in Shell/LSO competition. Choir and orchestra tour extensively. Pupils in National Youth Choirs, National Children's Orchestra and County Youth Orchestra. Drama: Drama offered at GCSE and A-level; LAMDA and Guildhall exams may be taken. Many pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. Pupils take part in the debating and public-speaking competitions eg Cambridge Union Debating Competition, Northern Junior Debating Championships. Art and design: On average, 38 take GCSE, 13 AS/A-level. Design, ceramics, textiles and photography also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, football, cricket, athletics, swimming, tennis, basketball, badminton, cross-country, volleyball, hockey, netball, rounders, squash and golf. RLSS exams may be taken. Regular national, divisional and regional representation of pupils and teams. Activities: CCF (Army & RAF sections); Scout Troop (with Cub Pack and Venture Scout Unit); Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme; Community Service compulsory in sixth form. Strong charity fund-raising commitment; links with school in Malawi; older pupils involved in various out-reach programmes with local schools. 30+ clubs include choral singing, mountaineering, philosophy, astronomy, current affairs, chess, cycling, cultural society, drama.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn, own suit in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy, head of house and house prefects, appointed by Headmaster and student vote. Sixth-form committee. Religion: Non-denominational Christian assemblies/separate other faith assemblies. Sunday chapel optional. Social: Regular tours and visits abroad (music to eg Australia, Eastern Europe, France, Holland and Germany); long-established exchanges with French and German schools. Sixth formers allowed to bring own car, motorbike or bike to school. Meals cafeteria service.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a warning and requirement to complete; any pupil caught smoking cannabis on the premises could expect temporary exclusion whilst parents were contacted and background investigated, with permanent exclusion the most likely outcome.

Association of former pupils

is run by Mrs Bronwen Ashton, the Development Office, c/o the school.

Former pupils

Tony Harrison (film and theatre poet); Lord (Jack) Diamond (Labour/SDP peer); Barry Cryer (comedian); Colin Montgomerie (golfer); Lord Irwin Norman Bellwin (politician); Professor Tim Frazer (Professor of Law, Newcastle University); Ian Ritchie (composer, producer and saxophonist); Christopher Price, Harry Gration (presenters); Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones (Chair of British Joint Intelligence Committee).