Alcester Grammar School

Alcester Grammar School

Alcester Grammar School Logo
Motto	Christus nobiscum state
Established	c. 1499
Type	Academy, Grammar
Principal	Clive Sentance
Chair of Governors	Bob Morgan
Location	Birmingham Road Alcester Warwickshire B49 5ED England Coordinates: 52°13′07″N 1°52′30″W / 52.2185°N 1.875°W / 52.2185; -1.875
Local authority	Warwickshire County Council
DfE URN	136622 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Students	1000+
Gender	Mixed
Ages	11–18
Houses	Dobell, Newport, Spencer and Wells
Colours	Red and Black
Website	alcestergs.co.uk

Alcester Grammar School is a co-educational 11-18 maintained selective grammar school, situated in Alcester, Warwickshire, England. On 1 April 2011, Alcester Grammar School became the first school in south Warwickshire to achieve academy status.^[1]

History

AGS was known as "Newport's Free School" from about 1592 until 1912 because Walter Newport provided in his will for the endowment which, in early years, paid the schoolmaster's stipend and enabled the scholars to be educated free of charge. Newport was a nephew of Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor in 1597, and a relative of Robert, second Earl of Warwick. In 1912, the new coeducational school now known as Alcester Grammar School, on the site in Birmingham Road came into use.^[2]

Admissions

For admissions at age 11 to Year 7 of the school, the Governing Body participates in the Local Authority’s co-ordinated admissions scheme for maintained secondary schools. Admission to Year 7 is determined by the performance of candidates in an entrance examination and by the availability of places. Only students who attain the required standard in the prescribed arrangements for selection by reference to ability or aptitude will be eligible to be considered for admission to the school.

In September 2013 AGS increased its intake to 120 into Year 7, resulting in a 4 form entry of 30 students per form.

In September 2015, the Governing Body decided that it would admit up to 30 additional students into year 7 over the Published Admission Number (PAN) of 120.^[3]

From September 2016 the PAN for entry in year 7 will be 150 students, resulting in a 5 form entry of 30 students per form.

The priority circle for South Warwickshire Grammar Schools is based on the traditional area for application. It is based on a circle with a radius of 16.885 miles running from the American Fountain in Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon to the County boundary south of Long Compton.^[4]

Sixth Form

At age 16 for Year 12 (Sixth Form) students may be admitted providing they achieve a minimum of GCSE Grade B in four subjects and at least Grade C in Mathematics and English Language. Students should achieve at least a minimum of Grade B in the four subjects they select to study to A level. Subject specific variations to this latter requirement (e.g. where the corresponding GCSE subject was not available or an A grade at GCSE is required) will be stated within the school’s Sixth Form prospectus.

Alcester Grammar School offers a unique environment for post-16 education. It offers all students a degree of responsibility for their own learning and personal development, within a strong framework of support and guidance. This increases from Year 12 to Year 13. AGS offers a wide range of A level courses, with the freedom to choose any combination of four subjects, plus an optional EPQ qualification.^[5][6]

Overseas students

AGS may admit to the Sixth Form a small number of students who come from an overseas EEA country that does not take UK GCSEs provided their qualifications are deemed acceptable to and compatible with the GCSE requirements stated above.

Results

The school receives consistently high GCSE results.^[7]

In 2015 99% of GCSE candidates achieved 5+ A*-C grades (or equivalent) including English and maths GCSEs. In 2015 99.8% of A level entries were at A*-E, with 88% of A-Level entries achieving A*-C grades.^[8]

School achievements

In 2012 Ofsted graded the school's Mathematics department as Outstanding.^[9]

In its 2006 and 2009 Ofsted inspections the school was graded as Outstanding.^[10][11]

Improvements

The sports hall was constructed during the summer of 2005 and is used mainly for physical education lessons as well as whole school assemblies.

In 2010 a new building was completed, that houses state of the art Physics laboratories, Business and Economics classrooms and English classrooms.

'The Studio' - the Sixth Form work and social area underwent a major renovation in 2014 to extend the catering facilities.

'The Pitstop' - a years 7 to 11 only catering outlet was built in 2014 to account for the extra intake of students into Year 7.

In 2014 a new building was completed (Spencer), that houses Chemistry laboratories, Food Technology rooms and the languages department.

Centenary

In 2012 AGS, which first opened in 1912, marked its Centenary with a host of celebratory events. A Centenary Celebration group was formed to co-ordinate the events and share stories about the many teachers and pupils who have passed through the school. In a bid to bring past students up to date, the group launched a Facebook Page for Alumni.

On Saturday, 29 September 2012 a day of activities was planned to mark the occasion. The Centenary Celebration group hosted a vintage tea party in the afternoon, with guided tours of the school, and a showcase of music and sports from some of the current students. There was also a fascinating museum of memorabilia on show, display some of the artefacts collected prior to the event. A black tie ‘Centenary Ball’ was hosted during the evening, with a reception, gala dinner, auction and live music.

Notable Alumni

• Sarah Douglas, actress ^[12]
• Simon Davis, comics artist ^[13]
• Andrew Pozzi, Olympic hurdler ^[14]

References

External links

• Alcester Grammar School's Website
• Alcester Grammar School Sixth Form Website
• "Archival material relating to Alcester Grammar School". UK National Archives.