Grammar School at Leeds - Junior to Senior

[rn99]

Hi,

My son might end up going to GSAL but I'm not sure if it's the best school for him considering there are free OFSTED outstanding alternatives. He's reluctant to move to Leeds from where he is now, but it might happen. he may stay in the North-east and stick to an OFSTED outstanding school.

Appreciate any pearls of wisdom and advice. I've read very mixed reviews on schoolsnet about GSAL.

Thanks x

Sorry should have said he'd be entering Y5 in Sep 2015, GSAL junior. I'd like an education which flows through excellence, curricular and extra-curricular all the way from age 9 to 18 ideally.

I know this school quite well and it has pluses and minuses, like all schools I guess!! It really depends what you are looking for.

For example, there isn't a junior state school in Leeds that will provide the level of sport and music that the GSAL junior and senior school will offer, but for some people that's not a huge issue as they can pay for those outside of the school environment. Academics are comparable to an outstanding school although there are separate subjects from y3 and progressively different teachers all the way through.

There are others on mumsnet who know this school well, so I am sure they will come along soon with comments. Good luck with your decision!!

Thank you. My son has OT needs and is classified school action plus and I'm worried about that. Trying to work out whether an OFSTED outstanding school would be best in our current home city from birth rather than Leeds and GSAL... He's very anxious about the move but nothing decided yet...

Hi, unfortunately I am not sure what OT means or what School Action Plus is, I am sorry. I am also not so sure whether the school supports the latter. I am sure they would tell you though if you had a chat with them.

I am surprised nobody else answered on here as there are quite a number of people on here with children at GSAL. I wish you good luck with your choice - having gone through a small number of schools ourselves, I know how daunting it can be x

My Son went to GSAL. We found that if you where not a high flyer and needed extra help is it not the right school for you. We moved him to to Queen Etherburga's in between York and Harrogate. The standard of pastoral care & the Learning Development for children who need a but more help is excellent. I can not praise it highly enough

The facilities on QE are on a par if not better than than GSAL and the staff are very approachable

We have relatives there who think it is absolutely excellent. I don't think there is a better school near there until you get as far as Manchester Grammar really.

Really LotusLight? What about the schools in York? Bootham? St Peter's?

I've had quite a bit to do with the school and I have to say I haven't been blown away by it. I think a lot of the schools in Leeds are pretty lacking though to be honest

Not sure about Bootham, as I know a number of people who have pulled their child out..I have heard St Peter is very good, they certainly excel at sports.

There are pluses and minuses there too!

PS With regards to Leeds schools in general - it is true that there are many underperforming schools in Leeds. However GSAL's catchment is very wide and a significant number of children come from Harrogate, Ilkley and further afield, where there are high achieving schools, state and private.

I don't know a lot about as I'm in London and the relative is in Yorkshire but they are very pleased with the school at primary level and I think it gets good exam results. I don't know how type of university entrance and number of A and A* at A level compares between GSAL and Bootham and St Peter's. May be someone has data.