BRINGING OUT
THE BEST SINCE 1591 IN BOYS
FOREWORD FROM THE
CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
THE
WAKEFIELD WAY As one of a family of three schools that make up the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation, our school follows the Wakefield Way, a shared ethos which defines everything we do, academically, socially and ethically. The Wakefield Way is about developing inspirational learning environments which celebrate and nurture the distinctive needs of boys and girls. It’s about encouraging each individual pupil to look outwards as well as inwards as they become remarkable people with the desire to make a difference in the world. It’s about building confidence, inspiring hearts and minds, and instilling an empowering sense of purpose. But, most of all, it’s about providing an imaginative foundation for life, learning and lasting achievement.
It is my great privilege to be the Chair of Governors for the Wakefield Grammar Schools Foundation, of which QEGS is such a vital part. It is a special place with a rich history dating back to 1591 when the ‘Free Schole of Queen Elizabeth’ was founded during the reign of Elizabeth I. The school’s original charter, which authorised fourteen leading citizens of Wakefield to act as the first Governors, stated: ‘Of our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we do, will grant and ordain for us, our heirs and successors, that hereafter there be and shall be one Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth at Wakefield, for the teaching, instructing and bringing up of children and youth in grammar, and other good learning, to continue to that use forever.’ QEGS has educated generations of boys across the Yorkshire region, and I am immensely proud that the school continues to be an integral part of the locality to this day, with strong partnerships in place with local community groups and organisations throughout the city of Wakefield and surrounding areas. As part of the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation, one of the country’s leading families of independent day schools, boys enjoy the best of both worlds. They thrive educationally from a tailor-made, boys-only environment; but there is also close cooperation with Wakefield Girls High School in drama, music and numerous social and cultural activities, with some joint teaching in the Sixth Form. Looking to the future, the Board and I are committed to delivering this Strategic Vision, together with the overarching Foundation-wide Strategy; it is an important statement about who we are, and who we want to be, and it will help us to continue in the school’s centuries-old quest to enable all pupils, from every walk of life, to be the very best they can be.
Simon Chamberlain CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
INTRODUCTION FROM
THE HEAD
QEGS is one of the top independent schools in the country and has been educating boys for over 400 years. Our school community is made up of people from different backgrounds with different perspectives. We aim for our pupils to have a confident sense of themselves as individuals and to show respect for each other, cherishing their differences in a culture characterised by kindness. From Year 3 to Year 13, QEGS combines a breadth of experiences, both in and beyond the classroom, which nurtures in the boys a sense of personal responsibility and service to the wider community. This is underpinned by a pastoral ethic which places the wellbeing of our pupils at the heart of all we do, enabling each pupil to become the best version of himself. We aim, too, to foster a sense of discovery, of intellectual curiosity. Our teachers revel in the subjects they love and so inspire the young men we are privileged to teach. School days are characterised by energy and challenge, led by staff who are well-placed to unlock each boy’s potential. We provide that educational alchemy which taps into the core strengths of our boys - their innate sense of fair play, their sense of humour and their sheer determination to succeed. We are proud of our school’s heritage and our pupils are aware of their place in our history. When they walk down our hallowed corridors they are inspired by the accolades of our former luminaries and use the accomplishments of the past to inform their own dynamic futures. As we look ahead to the next five years, and beyond to our 450th anniversary in 2041, we aim to ensure we remain accessible to all those who would thrive here, to combine the best of a traditional approach with an openness to innovation, and to be a down-to-earth school which prepares boys to rise to the challenges and grasp the opportunities of the modern world, #MadeinQEGS.
Dr Richard Brookes HEAD
OUR VALUES
CARE We act with kindness, honesty and integrity in all that we do, encouraging others to do the same.
CONTRIBUTE We participate selflessly in our communities, and are committed to making a positive, lasting impact.
ASPIRE We seek to become the best versions of ourselves, ready to live enriched and fulfilling lives.
CARE In our school, we recognise that any success comes from being part of a nurturing environment. On their journey from child to adult, pupils are supported to grow as individuals, to develop awareness of themselves and those around them, and to respect and celebrate each other’s differences. We have a school culture in which everyone is made to feel welcome and valued for who they are and in which we have high expectations around taking responsibility and encouraging others to do the same: success is allied with decency.
AT QEGS... 1
SELF-AWARENESS, SELF-REFLECTION AND RESILIENCE We know that to make a positive difference to the lives of others, we need to guide our pupils to first develop an awareness of themselves. We will promote self-reflection to enable our pupils to become emotionally intelligent young men who are able to make good decisions and be confident in the face of challenges, see set-backs as opportunities and a natural part of life, and have the capacity to learn from failure. We will further develop our leadership and mentoring opportunities to help our pupils grow through their support of others.
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HAPPINESS, WELLBEING AND MENTAL HEALTH We promote our pupils’ happiness and wellbeing through celebration of their personal development and accomplishments. Through access to high quality learning support and counselling provision, we will encourage pupils to see that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. We will enable pupils to be assured users of technology, aware of both the independence it can support and the need for a safe and respectful online presence.
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DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION We know that every pupil in the school is unique and that we are all stronger for being a part of a diverse community. Our culture is one of kindness and inclusivity, in which each pupil will seek to empathise with and show respect for all the people of the world around them, so to find joy in understanding that world. We will listen to and learn from every voice, adapting our approach to meet each pupil’s needs.
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PASTORAL CARE We recognise our shared responsibility for safeguarding the welfare of every child in our school, and we are committed to best practice in all that we do. The strength of our relationships between staff, pupils and parents provides the foundation for our pastoral structures and provision. Combining innovation with the best of traditional approaches, and communicating effectively with parents, we will ensure that we support the personal development of all pupils and address their pastoral needs.
CONTRIBUTE In our school, we recognise that we are part of a diverse community and that we are all stronger for that. We appreciate that everyone does not have the same opportunities, and we seek to make a positive difference both inside and outside school. We understand that through co-operative partnerships, we can develop our own and others’ self-worth, and we aim for our pupils to leave us committed to making a life-long difference to the global community.
AT QEGS... 1
FUN AND ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME We believe that prioritising fun and engagement is central to ensuring each pupil has a positive experience at school, and we understand that our pupils can learn as much outside the classroom as they learn within it. We will continue to promote pupils’ commitment to a broad range of opportunities, through our QED and House programmes, so that they become independent and optimistic young men. We will ensure that through dramatic, musical and artistic endeavour, pupils are equipped with the creativity they need for their lives ahead.
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BELONGING, TEAMWORK AND LEADERSHIP We understand the value of teamwork and we know that through participation in school life pupils gain confidence, self-esteem and a sense of belonging. We will provide an exciting co-curricular programme in which every pupil can find his “home”. Through competitive sports, trips and visits, and more, we will ensure a range and depth of opportunities through which pupils can build their social, interpersonal and leadership skills, and a generosity of spirit, preparing them for the roles they will inhabit in their working lives.
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GIVING, COMMUNITY AND PARTNERSHIP We are proud to be part of the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation. Through this, and through building educational partnerships with organisations locally and further afield, our pupils benefit from understanding others. Through charitable activities and the volunteering of time and talents to local, national and international partners, we will embed in our pupils a commitment to the service of others and an understanding of their social responsibilities. We will enable them to develop a global perspective, aware of their impact on the natural environment, so as to strive for a more equitable and sustainable future.
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REMAINING DOWN-TO-EARTH AND ACCESSIBLE We are grounded and down-to-earth. Our pupils are strengthened by sharing their QEGS journey with pupils from a wide range of backgrounds. In all areas of school life, they support each other to be the best they can be. We will preserve access to our school through the provision of financial assistance to those who would not otherwise be able to afford us. We will prepare all our pupils to leave us ready to play their part in wider society, understanding how to initiate change and make a difference.
ASPIRE In our school, we strive for excellence in all that we do, to make the most of the potential we all have. Our teaching challenges and inspires pupils to aim high whilst being tailor made to meet the needs of each individual. Our pupils recognise the value of working hard and value effort. Through a broad and balanced curriculum, our curious pupils can identify what excites them and develop their interests, instilling in them a sense of discovery and joy in learning that will enable them to shape their futures.
AT QEGS... 1
CURRICULUM, TEACHING AND LEARNING, AND ATTAINMENT We are curious. Our pupils learn both independently and collaboratively, and ask probing questions. Our curriculum will provide a strong foundation of knowledge, to enable them to make links between subjects and form their own, reasoned opinions; we will keep the curriculum under review, combining a traditional approach with an openness to innovation. Through personalised feedback, we will instil a reflective approach that requires the pupils to aim high, show enthusiasm when faced with challenges, and ask when “good enough” is actually “not good enough”.
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HIGHER EDUCATION, CAREERS AND THE WORKPLACE We thoughtfully consider our own ideas and experiences, helping us to understand our strengths and weaknesses and how we can develop both personally and academically. We understand the range of skills and attributes pupils will require to secure personal and professional fulfilment. We will promote creativity, critical thinking and collaborative ways of working. We will ensure that our academic approach, thoughtful and creative careers’ advice, and links with universities, employers and alternative pathways produce pupils who are ready to thrive beyond school.
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TECHNOLOGY, DIGITAL LITERACY AND INNOVATION We build resilience and adaptability in our pupils, enabling them to be confident problem-solvers and show initiative when faced with challenges. Through well-embedded use of technology which supports high quality teaching and learning, we will enable them to be digitally assured, aware of the risks and benefits of the online world. We will remain agile and innovative in our response to the impact of artificial intelligence and other new technologies, ready to grasp the opportunities they will create.
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STAFF DEVELOPMENT We are a caring school with a cohesive staff community, where positive staff wellbeing is core to enabling staff - and so pupils - to thrive. We know that exceptional teaching is integral to pupils’ progress, so we will refresh our recruitment, induction and training processes to enable us to recruit, develop and retain diverse and high-quality staff. Across the Foundation, we expect our staff, as role models to all the pupils in their commitment to lifelong learning, to be creative and open to new approaches, and we will support them through high quality professional development.
BRINGING OUT
THE BE SI
IN B
EST INCE 1591
BOYS
CARE CONTRIBUTE ASPIRE
154 Northgate Wakefield WF1 3QX T: 01924 373 943 E: qoffice@wgsf.net wgsf.org.uk/qegs @QEGSYorkshire