Junior School Prospectus

Curious Since 1487 JUNIOR SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

CURIOSITY LEADS

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BEYOND READY AT SGJS, WE GO BEYOND EDUCATION. At SGJS, we go beyond grades.

We equip pupils to go beyond themselves. We challenge them to think bigger, aim higher and push further.

Through rigorous study, real-world experiences, and a focus on resilience, we help pupils build the mindset and strength to navigate whatever lies ahead.

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WELCOME TO STOCKPORT GRAMMAR JUNIOR SCHOOL. We believe that children thrive when their natural enthusiasm for discovery is encouraged in an exciting, challenging and supportive environment where each child is given every chance to do their best. Stockport Grammar Junior School is a happy, inviting place where the children in our care grow to become confident learners.

Established in 1487, Stockport Grammar School has a long and distinguished history, reflected in our commitment to provide a broad education which lays strong foundations for a lifetime of learning.

Through a rich and challenging curriculum, high quality teaching, excellent facilities and an extensive range of opportunities outside of the classroom, we help each child to develop their skills and talents for a lifetime of success.

Our strong links to the Senior School bring many benefits, including access to superb facilities, collaborative teaching and a feeling of security, confidence and continuity for the children. Girls and boys join the Junior School from the age of three. Our state-of-the-art Nursery provides a fantastic start to Stockport Grammar in a safe and stimulating environment.

Content Welcome

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Care, Character and Community

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Music

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Design Technology

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Sport, PE

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Beyond the Classroom

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Stockport Grammar Junior School at a glance

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Nursery

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Senior School and Sixth Form

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Admissions Joining the school

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ISI Inspection

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Visit SGS

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School Values

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Contacts

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It is impossible to describe all the things which make our school special but those who visit the school quickly reach their own conclusion as they see busy, happy children, both at work and at play.

Mr Matthew Copping

Head of Junior School

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“ The school demonstrates a strong commitment to pastoral care, nurturing the well-being of each student through personalised support systems and a caring, inclusive environment.”

Parent Survey

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CARE, CHARACTER AND COMMUNITY At our Stockport Grammar Junior School, we believe every child deserves the very best start – one filled with curiosity, confidence, and a genuine love for learning. Our dedicated staff are not only highly skilled but deeply passionate about nurturing each child’s strengths, guiding them with warmth, encouragement, and expertise.

We pride ourselves on delivering a high-quality, well-rounded education where academic excellence and personal growth go hand in hand. Beyond the classroom, our vibrant range of co-curricular activities and enrichment opportunities allows pupils to explore new interests, develop talents, and build friendships that last.

Our academic standards are high but without undue pressure and there is always someone on hand to provide encouragement and support when it is needed.

Ours is a welcoming and supportive school community in which we expect all children to show kindness and respect to others. Above all, we want children to be happy at school.

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MUSIC At SGJS, music is at the heart of our school community. We believe every child should experience the joy and confidence that music brings. From the first note to the final performance, our music provision inspires creativity, and a lifelong love of the arts.

We offer regular music lessons for pupils who already play an instrument, and for those who may want to learn a new skill. Our lessons are delivered by our Music teacher and peripatetic teachers who visit school.

Whether your child wants to learn a brass instrument, woodwind, strings or enjoys singing there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Our pupils receive a rich and diverse musical education in class and explore music from different historical eras and genres.

Our dedicated music team nurtures talent at every level, ensuring that every child feels supported and challenged.

In addition to the music provided in the classroom, we offer trips to help nurture musical talent.

Each year our Year 5 and 6 choir takes a trip to Cambridge or Oxford where they have

the chance to perform at historical colleges.

Music at SGJS is more than a subject – it’s a vibrant experience that builds confidence, resilience, and joy.

BUILDS CONFIDENCE, RESILIENCE, AND JOY.

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DESIGN TECHNOLOGY At SGJS, Design Technology is where imagination meets innovation.

We believe that every child is a creator, a problem-solver, and an inventor in the making.

Through hands-on projects and exciting challenges, pupils learn to design, build, and refine ideas that bring their creativity to life.

At SGJS we are delighted to have a dedicated space where pupils from all year groups can explore their creativity.

The bright and colourful space kickstarts our pupils’ imagination as they get handson with learning and our Art and DT teacher encourages them to ask questions, be curious and put their theories to the test.

Pupils in the Infants develop an early interest by creating projects using LEGO and finger paints.

In the Juniors pupils evolve their art skills further through still-life drawings, interactive projects and even robotics

which is delivered through external providers. Pupils learn not just how things work, but why, and how to make them better.

In an ever-changing world, having the ability to problem solve and search for new

alternatives is a valuable skill and we believe in teaching children to meet this new world with enthusiasm. While working collaboratively children learn valuable skills in resilience, adaptability and the joy of problem solving.

IMAGINATION MEETS INNOVATION. 10

“ The teachers challenge the children and engage them in different topics so that my child has been able to grow and enjoy learning.”

Parent Survey

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PARTICIPATION...

ENJOYMENT...

EXCELLENCE. 12

SPORT We believe that movement and exercise are paramount to a child’s learning capabilities. That’s why every pupil from Nursery to Year 6 takes part in at least one hour of PE or Games per week.

Our PE lessons are taught by our full-time qualified teacher who leads pupils through topics such as hand-eye co-ordination, gymnastics, dance, athletics and leadership to name a few.

Once pupils reach Year 3, Games lessons are introduced which are led by our PE teachers both from the Junior and Senior sites. Pupils play games such as football, netball, and rugby where they learn valuable team-building skills – and have fun doing it.

Each pupil in Year 4 to 6 has the opportunity to play for school teams. Every pupil is selected either in mixed ability or tiered teams and they may play fixtures against other independent schools.

Junior School pupils also use the school pool, which is located in the Senior School. We are proud to have two dedicated swimming instructors at school who can help your child learn to swim, gain confidence in the water, or train for swimming galas.

Each year, at the end of the school year, we host a school sports day where parents are invited to cheer on their child as they take part in sporting activities. For the older pupils, the event takes place on the shared school field which boasts impressive athletics facilities. For the younger pupils, more traditional games such as sack and relay races take place on our school Astroturf.

“ Teaching is at a high standard and enjoyable for the pupils. There are plenty of sports and clubs to be involved in. The school has excellent facilities for the different subjects.”

Parent Survey

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BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door, it thrives beyond it.

Our extensive co-curricular programme offers every child the chance to discover new passions, develop talents, and build confidence in a supportive, inspiring environment.

Whether your child is sporty, musical, or wants to try something new, there is an opportunity for everyone.

From yoga to board games, Taekwondo to archery, we offer a wide range of activities that take place both at lunchtime and after school.

We aim to give every pupil the opportunity to take part in an activity. Where an activity is very popular we will rotate the groups to ensure that all pupils have a chance to take part.

Our co-curricular programme develops well-rounded individuals and allows every child to find their spark.

“ My child really enjoys the varied curriculum and the choice of clubs. I feel informed about what’s happening. I know where to look for school information on the website/portal.

Staff are very approachable.”

Parent Survey

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JUNIOR SCHOOL AT A GLANCE 230 JUNIORS

ER

70+

co-curricular activities

ME

of pupils sing in a choir

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0

RS

11

Y

60

F A NT

PUPILS

60%

IN

of pupils play an instrument

370+

30 NU

40%

F MBERS OF STA

Including:

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F

1

Dedicated Nursery building

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

20 FORM TEACHERS

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16

95%

SPECIALIST STAFF

of pupils take part in one or more co-curricular activity

NURSES

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School houses Warren Vernon Nicholson Arden

BEYOND WONDER. INTO WISDOM. 17

NURSERY Choosing the right place for your child to take their first steps in education is one of the most important decisions you will make.

Children may join our Nursery class in the September after their third birthday, following assessment to ensure that they are ready. If places are available, they may be able to join in the term after their third birthday (January or April).

With our encouraging and stimulating environment, along with access to our outstanding facilities, our Nursery is the ideal place for your child to lay the foundations for their move into Reception.

In Nursery they will develop new skills, make new friends, and have fun while learning.

Opened in 2021, our purposebuilt Nursery building provides the perfect backdrop to your child’s entry to education.

The busy, exciting and varied programme includes specialist Music, Modern Foreign Languages, Dance and PE sessions, along with weekly swimming lessons in the school pool, again taken by specialist teachers.

Through fun daily activities, we help children grow in all areas – social skills, early language and maths, awareness of the world, and physical and creative abilities. With generous staff ratios, we can give each child personal attention.

Our Nursery class helps the children settle into school life, providing them with diverse and exciting experiences to enhance their all-round physical, intellectual, social and emotional development.

“ The school is a place where my child thrives. The facilities are brilliant.

She always comes out happy every day. She knows the staff across the building and really does feel like its her little family.”

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ENCOURAGING AND STIMULATING ENVIRONMENT

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SENIOR SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM When you truly inspire a child to be curious about the world and resilient in the pursuit of their goals, you open up a lifetime of opportunity.

Our Senior School provides an exceptional environment where ambition meets opportunity.

Teaching is delivered by passionate subject specialists in small class sizes to ensure that each pupil receives the attention they need.

Further up the school, our Sixth Form provides a launchpad for future success. A broad curriculum is complemented by co-curricular activities, careers support and UCAS guidance which helps pupils to navigate university applications and explore exciting pathways into higher education and beyond.

In 2025, 75% of A Level grades were from A* - B with 41% earning the top A* - A grades. SGS students went on to courses at prestigious universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, York, Newcastle, and Leeds. They chose to study a wide range of subjects including Medicine, Law, Economics, Politics, Psychology, Archaeology, Music, and English Literature. At GCSE, 58% of the grades were 9, 8, and 7 and 19% were at the top grade of a 9.

We believe that life at Stockport Grammar School is about preparing pupils for the world ahead.

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“ Stockport Grammar School is a vibrant and welcoming community where values of respect and tolerance sit at the core of its ethos.”

ISI Inspection 2023

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ADMISSIONS JOINING THE SCHOOL

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The majority of children join the School in the September following their third birthday (Nursery). Some places may be available for children to start in Nursery at the start of the term following their third birthday (January or April). Please contact us for further information.

We also have a number of Reception places available each year for children who will turn four before September.

We are very happy for children to join us in other year groups if places are available, particularly in Year 3.

Assessment for younger children

Assessment for older children

Most children join the school in our Nursery (one Pre-School year) on a full or part-time basis and automatically move up into Reception the following year.

However, we also reserve some places for children whose parents wish to apply directly for entry into Reception at 4+. Interviews and assessments for entry into Reception begin in the preceding Autumn. An early application is recommended as places are limited.

Children currently in Year 3 or above spend a day in school.

During the morning they undertake assessments in:

Children in Year 2 and below spend time in the classroom, joining in with class lessons and activities and, during their visit, the teacher will spend some one to one time getting to know them and working with them.

• English: reading and creative writing • Maths The remainder of the day is spent with children of their own age, joining in with the normal class lessons and enjoying lunch and play times. This is an ideal opportunity to make new friends, look around the school and get an idea of life at Stockport Grammar Junior School.

Applications You may apply for a place by completing the online application form.

A non-refundable fee of £75 per child is applicable upon submission of the form.

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ISI INSPECTION We are delighted to share the results of our Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Routine Inspection Report from November 2023.

Our school was one of the first in the North West to be inspected under the new ISI Inspection Framework which does not give one-word gradings.

THE INSPECTORS COMMENTED “ Teaching is stimulating and elicits enthusiastic responses" " Pupils make good progress from their starting points"

" Pupils take advantage of the extensive facilities and sports curriculum to develop their physical health" " Positions of responsibility enable pupils to practise their skills in leadership"

Scan the QR Code to read the full report 24

VISIT SGS There are many ways to visit SGS – we would be delighted to see you!

Junior School & Nursery

Senior School

To arrange a visit for a school day tour, please contact the Junior School Head’s PA Miss Andrea Mariet at marieta@stockportgrammar.co.uk or 0161 419 2405.

We hold Senior School open days in September and November.

Individual family school day tour appointments are available. To book an appointment, please contact the Admissions Team on 0161 419 2409 or admissions@stockportgrammar.co.uk.

Our Year 5 Taster Days give children the chance to experience a day in the life of a Senior School pupil.

From science experiments to music sessions and sports activities, it’s a day full of wonder and exploration.

They’ll make new friends, try exciting lessons, and enjoy our famous lunches!

For more information, and a full list of taster day dates, visit the school website.

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SCHOOL VALUES Our values – Courage, Community, and Curiosity – guide how we learn, teach, and support each other.

Happiness underpins these values; a shared sense of wellbeing and purpose that connects pupils, staff, families, and alumni and allows our whole community to thrive.

Courage

Community

Curiosity

We challenge ourselves to step outside of our comfort zones, to try, learn, and persevere even when things don't go as planned.

At SGJS community is lifelong. The connection, pride and experience continues to shape our purpose and journey far beyond the classroom.

We are curious because curiosity turns lessons into discoveries, questions into understanding and learners into adaptable thinkers and innovators who shape the future.

CONTACTS Stockport Grammar School Buxton Road, Stockport, Cheshire, SK2 7AF

Junior School Office: 0161 419 2405 sgjs@stockportgrammar.co.uk

For enquiries about Junior School Admissions and Visits please contact: Miss Andrea Mariet Head’s PA 0161 419 2405 marieta@stockportgrammar.co.uk

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“ Thank you SGS for helping my son to develop into such a happy, thoughtful, independent young man.”

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STOCKPORT GRAMMAR SCHOOL Stockport Grammar School Buxton Road Stockport SK2 7AF 0161 456 9000 sgs@stockportgrammar.co.uk stockportgrammar.co.uk

Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, certain information in the publication may go out of date. Parents wishing to place specific reliance on a statement in this booklet should seek written confirmation of its currency.

Registered Charity Number: 1120199