Anyone got kids at Leeds Grammar School, Bradford Grammar School or Gateways?

[hermioneweasley]

Thinking we may need to go private for secondary. Anyone send their kids to any of the above? What's their ethos like? Are you happy with the culture and other families as well as the academic side?

Thanks

Have you had a look at Woodhouse Grove?

We picked this over Leeds & Bradford as it had a more friendly feel. Didn't look at Gateways since we have a DS as well as a DD (i want to be at the same school eventually).

I want them to be at the same school!

Thanks OldBeanBagz. I haven't heard of Woodhouse Grove - will check it out. Are you happy with it?

Only 4 weeks in and we're very happy

There's an open morning on the 19th October.

Thanks

Apologies have name changed. I have had a number of kids at leeds grammar for years, and know lots of kids at Bradford and gateways. The only kids I know at woody grove are those who failed to get into any of the other schools mentioned!
Leeds is a fab school, I am just back from their sports presentation evening, a celebration of their best sports stars, and a really stellar line up with 10 current students having represented England in their chosen sport. Academic results are also very very good ( I teach as well but not in the indi sector) the music evenings are eye wateringly good and the house system wonderful. My kids have done really well there, and I have had 2 with dyslexia who have been well supported. Lots of buses, and late buses across the region.
Bradford grammar is also a very good school ( though we usually beat them at rugby ) and handily close to a train station for getting the kids there. Both schools are also very multicultural, with the multifaith assemblies at leeds being another good reason to go there. Their A level results are better than GSAL's but their sixth form is much more selective , you need 6 As to enter as opposed to 5 Bs for Leeds.
Gateways is a much smaller, very nurturing school but has let a lot of very good teachers go in recent years as they have been hit in numbers by girls opting for GSAL. Parents and students are very supportive of the school, and I have yet to meet a girl from gateways who wasn't polite and charming.

We actually turned down a place at the exam factory that is GSAL in favour of Woodhouse so it's unfair to say we're there because we couldn't get in anywhere else!

I can see that each school has it's own merits.

GSAL is a fantastic new building with great facilities and is academically ahead BUT that assumes that you want your children to end up with a string of GCSEs and 4 A levels.

Bradford would be great if i only had boys who were keen on sport but i don't. I had originally thought this would be our second choice but came away from visits disappointed.

As i said i don't know much about Gateways as my only experience was an old college friend who went there. She was of course very polite and charming (if a bit dizzy at times).

Academically i know that Woodhouse is not up there with GSAL and Bradford but that's because they pride themselves on their inclusive ethos. Sporting wise they also have students who are currently or have gone on to represent their country.

Personally i think that my DC will do well there as it will suit both their (very different) natures/interests and i was merely offering it forward to hermioneweasley as an alternative to the ones she mentioned.

OldBeanBagz and Clyde2, I really appreciate you both taking the time to share your thoughts and experience. I want DCs to achieve their potential, but DS is not top stream in his state primary so something with less academic pressure might suit him. It's a few years away but we need to start planning now financially and might need to hire a tutor. He's only interested in Lego!

I am struggling to decide between chosing Brdaford Grammar and GSAL for my 10 year old. Any help is appreciated.