friends for life

How many of us can say we are still in touch with a school friend? How many of us have ever been back to our primary or secondary school?

At WGS, such an enquiry is not likely to be met with a blank stare or a scratch of the head. Far from it! In fact rather than be unable to answer you, students and staff are more likely to enthuse about their long association with the School and be proud of it.

Wolverhampton Grammar School has successfully achieved the perfect blend of welcoming and warm to create a home-from-home environment where everyone feels part of a very special community. So much so that many students choose to come back to teach or send their own children to WGS. Sixteen current members of staff are former pupils or as they are affectionately known, ‘Old Wulfrunians’. Between them they span an impressive 34 years of association with the School as pupils from 1983 to 2017.

Another very special part of the School’s make-up is teacher John Johnson who at the of age 71 years has seen 48 years of students pass though the doors. John, known as ‘JJ’, is clearly the font of all knowledge and has seen many a change in Wolverhampton Grammar School’s last 50 years, including the transition to becoming an independent school, the introduction of girls to the Sixth Form and the more recent opening of the infant years in the Junior School.

JJ isn’t the only member of his family to be part of the WGS community, his wife was the former school librarian and their three children have all at some stage either worked or attended the School. His story epitomises the familial spirit at WGS and this is echoed by many a student in comments such as, “WGS is a second family to me.”

Every year the School organises events for students and staff such as reunions, sporting festivals, drinks receptions and dinners. Last year alone over 600 Old Wulfrunians (OWs) returned to WGS. Amongst them were OWs visiting on a school day to help the next generation with careers advice and mentorship. Clearly one of the advantages of attending an independent school is this network that stays with you for life.

The School has made a significant investment in staying in touch with its students and is reaping the benefits for its current students as they consider future career options and university destinations. Not only this but the Old Wulfrunians themselves can further business networking opportunities or simply enjoy the chance to reconnect with old friends. Thanks to the generosity of many former pupils, Wolverhampton Grammar School also offers means-tested bursaries to help prospective pupils with the cost of fees.

Friends for life? If you come to Wolverhampton Grammar School we can almost guarantee it! Find out more by contacting our Admissions 01902 422939 or emailing admissions@wgs-sch.net.

new headteacher announced for shropshire’s wrekin college

A leading independent school in Shropshire has announced a new headteacher has been appointed as work continues to expand facilities in 2023.

Toby Spence, currently Headmaster at Sibford School in Oxfordshire, will take up the role at Wrekin College this September.

He will take over from Tim Firth who announced he would be stepping down at the end of this academic year in a letter to parents last term.

Mr. Spence has been Head at Sibford for seven years where he has overseen considerable growth, reinforced the school’s reputation for outstanding pastoral care and wellbeing as well as developing a highly respected value-added curriculum, and achieved impressive academic improvements.

Richard Pearson, Chairman of Governors at The Wrekin and Old Hall Trust, which oversees both Wrekin College and Old Hall School, said today: “We knew finding a worthy successor to Tim would be a challenge but I am very pleased to report that after a comprehensive recruitment programme, we have found a new head for Wrekin.”

Mr. Pearson said it was thanks to the excellent work undertaken by Tim and his team for the last six years they were able to attract an impressive field of candidates.

“I am delighted to say we were able to select someone in Toby who both understands the winning formulae we have established at Wrekin but equally can articulate a path forward that will further enhance our position.”

Toby, his wife Jill, and their children will be joining Wrekin in September.

“The Governors, families, and staff at Wrekin and Old Hall will warmly welcome Toby and his family to our community.”

Mr. Spence said today he was absolutely delighted to have been appointed as the new Head of Wrekin

College, a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 11-18.

“I look forward to joining the Wrekin and Old Hall community, getting to know pupils, staff, and parents, and to building new relationships. It is an immense privilege to have been selected to lead Wrekin College at a time of ambitious development and growth which will see a new Design and Technology Department added to an already enviable campus of specialist departments and facilities. Wrekin is a school that encourages all to embrace opportunities and to be ambitious for individual and collective achievements. I am very much looking forward to leading this next stage of its continuing success. ”

Mr. Firth said he felt it was the right time to make the move having arrived at Wrekin College in 2016 with a development plan which had not only extended the available facilities but has seen records broken both in numbers of pupils on roll and GCSE and A Level exam results.

“From the day of my first interview for the role of head, I have been impressed with the Wrekin community. The willingness to embrace change and push boundaries has created a positive, strong, and stable environment for staff, pupils and parents. It means a headteacher can be ambitious in what they look to achieve with a school. I believe Toby will continue to build on the success Wrekin can already be rightly proud of.”

Mr Spence will be present at Wrekin’s Open Morning on Saturday 18th March; book your place at www.wrekincollege.com.