Stockport Grammar School

• Location: Stockport, Cheshire, United Kingdom,
• Founded in: 1487,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of education: mixed.

Stockport Grammar School is a co-educational day school for children ages 3 to 18.

The school was one of the first in the northwest of the country to be inspected under the new ISI system, which came into effect in September 2023.

Elementary school is the beginning of an exciting academic journey for children. Teachers in these classes encourage toddlers to explore, discover, and learn. Each child has the opportunity to prove themselves in the best possible way both in the classroom and in extracurricular formats. In some subjects, such as modern foreign languages, computer science, music, physical education and dance, children are taught by subject teachers. Students regularly attend swimming lessons, and the nursery group has a separate playground. Reception children meet their Year 5 buddies through the school’s buddy system.

The progress of each student is carefully monitored, teachers provide advice, support and additional assistance if necessary. In addition, Stockport Grammar School has a dedicated learning support department, so parents are always up to date with regular assessments, reports, and counseling nights. The curriculum offers a wide range of subjects, with the student's choice always being considered a key factor in decision-making. All homework assignments are available online for parents to see.

Graduating classes are a perfectly built system that leads to successful passing of exams and admission to the world's top universities. With a wide range of extracurricular activities, teens enjoy learning, make friends, and build a solid foundation for life. For each student, an individual program is drawn up, which takes into account his interests in all areas: from academic to creative.

Senior School and Sixth Form students have access to a program of academic support and extension activities. It offers workshops in specific disciplines, revision sessions and opportunities to catch up on missed material. Support clinics in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, Geography, Religious Studies and Modern Foreign Languages are available to help students prepare for GCSE and A-Level exams.

The school offers Chemistry Olympiad Preparation and extension classes in Physics, French, German and Spanish. Sixth Form students considering competitive university programs can prepare for admissions tests. Climbing is part of the PE/Games program from Second Year.

Whiteboards, laptops and tablets are used in lessons. The Teaching and Learning Committee regularly shares research in education, psychology and cognitive science with teachers through bulletins.

Children and teenagers at Stockport Grammar School study subject departments, which are located in different buildings and workshops. List of academic subjects is represented by:

• art and design;
• biology;
• business;
• chemistry;
• classic;
• informatics;
• drama;
• economics;
• English;
• cooking and proper nutrition;
• geography;
• history;
• the study of life;
• mathematics;
• modern foreign languages;
• music art;
• philosophy;
• physics;
• politics;
• psychology;
• religion, philosophy and ethics;
• sports, physical education, health and fitness;
• design and technology.

Stockport Grammar School has received a Platinum Artsmark Award from Arts Council England, the highest level of the award. The school’s sports teams achieve national success, and students earn selection for representative teams, including at the international level.

A significant number of students have reached grade 8 or higher in music. The school’s chamber choir has appeared regularly on BBC Radio 4’s Daily Service program. Students have represented the school in the Hallé Youth Orchestra, Hallé Youth Choir, Kinder Children’s Choir, National Youth Orchestra, National Children’s Orchestra, National Children’s Choir and National Youth Choir.

Each year, students may receive Colours and Commendations for their commitment and skills in archery, fencing, climbing, mountain biking and kayaking.

Richard Young, who taught Business and Economics at the school for 17 years, has been made a Life Member of the English Schools Cricket Association.

Stockport Grammar School is one of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom. It was founded by Sir Edmond Shaa, who hails from a rural and remote area in the north-west of England. The man achieved incredible success and became the court jeweler of three English kings, the chief manager of the venerable guild of goldsmiths and the Lord Mayor of London. His legacy has benefited many generations of local young men and women.

In the cafeteria of Stockport Grammar School, children are offered healthy and appetizing meals that meet the standards of a balanced diet every day. Each child will find a dish to his taste, and the chefs will take into account the dietary characteristics and food allergies of students.

For convenience and safe eating, the menu contains the composition of dishes, but the management insists that parents warn the staff in advance about the presence of nutritional characteristics in the child. You can report this immediately upon admission.

Examples of menu pozitions from the cafeteria:

• Soups;
• Paste;
• Meat and vegetarian dishes;
• Sandwiches;
• Jacket potatoes;
• Desserts.

In their free time from lessons and self-study, children and teenagers can attend thematic circles and sports sections at Stockport Grammar School - they have several dozen interest associations to choose from, and their number is growing every year. For example, today among the extracurricular activities are:

• soccer;
• hockey;
• drama club;
• musical groups;
• scientific clubs;
• volunteer associations.

Students attend extracurricular activities at lunchtime or after all lessons. In addition, to diversify school life, staff of the school organize regular thematic events: from discos to talent shows.

• At Stockport Grammar School, every student is valued as an individual. Children and adolescents are given attention, all aspects of personality are developed, intellectual, creative, emotional, physical and spiritual potentials are revealed. Foreign students can always turn to their mentors-teachers for help and support. This support is available to all students,
• The teachers of the school are sure that all children are unique, so they need a personal approach. A small class size helps to implement it: in the lower grades, for example, there are about 20-25 children, in the senior grades - no more than 24 people, and at the graduation stage - 10-15 students in one group. The number of children in a class decreases as they choose and take GCSE exams first and then A-levels,
• All children are admitted to the classes, regardless of their age, origin and religion or lack thereof,
• Educational staff are in constant contact with the parents of students: this allows them to provide children with the necessary support, quickly solve various problems and keep adults informed about the academic progress of their child,
• Children are instilled with high standards of good behavior, which require students to be attentive, polite, respectful and willing to help each other. They learn to be responsible and reliable, to show loyalty and constructively support each other, that is, students have the opportunity to develop not only intellectually, but also creatively, spiritually, and morally. Initiative is welcome here and mistakes are not scolded, because school is a place for trials and experiments,
• School leaders provide ample space for students to socialize and engage in physical and intellectual activities.

The infrastructure of Stockport Grammar School includes the following facilities and amenities for students:

• Rooms equipped with modern appliances and furniture,
• Swimming pool, where you can practice swimming, water polo, kayaking and diving; In addition, rescue and survival skills on the water are taught here,
• A climbing wall named after a former student of Peter Boardman, who is known as one of the greatest British climbers in the Himalayas. The wall is located in the gym and reaches 20 meters in height, has interchangeable sections,
• A field for playing hockey, tennis and football,
• Creative workshops for musical and theatrical productions,
• Scientific laboratories that have all the equipment necessary for practical training, for example, fume hoods, computer equipment, visualizer and interactive whiteboards,
• Dance studio with sprung wooden flooring,
• A gym with free weights, dumbbells and high-quality cardio equipment that can be used by individual students or entire teams,
• The library is a modern learning space that houses approximately 20,000 books, more than 60 periodicals, daily newspapers, audiobooks, DVDs and electronic subscriptions, networked computers and laptops,
• A store that sells books, academic materials, stationery, art supplies, calculators, school swimming caps, high school accessories and colored ties,
• The grounds have numerous grass pitches and an all-weather pitch,
• The school has a large stock of musical instruments,
• Teachers have access to a professional development library and journal subscriptions.

The school is located just off the A6 and can be reached by private school buses, public buses and rail. The 192 service between Hazel Grove and Manchester via Stockport stops directly outside the school. The 199 from Buxton also runs along the A6 outside the school, while the 378 from Bramhall stops at nearby Davenport railway station.

Woodsmoor and Davenport railway stations, on the line from Manchester to Buxton, are a 10-minute walk away. Stockport station is a little over one and a half miles north of the school, with frequent bus services connecting the two.

The school year is divided into trimesters: autumn, spring, summer. Classes begin in September and end by early July.

It is important for parents of Stockport Grammar School students to consider and anticipate additional costs for the following before sending their child to study:

• transfer;
• tickets to the UK and back;
• excursions around the city and beyond;
• school uniform;
• nutrition;
• extracurricular circles and classes.  

The standard admission process to Stockport Grammar School includes the following steps:

• filling out and submitting an application for admission within the deadlines specified by the school;
• passing online interviews;
• Entrance exams (on request for certain age categories);
• Writing and sending resumes;
• waiting for results;
• receiving an offer from management.

In 2024, Stockport Grammar School students received remarkable grades for GCSE exams:

• 23% — 9,
• more than 63% — 9, 8 and 7.

A-level results for the same year:

• more than 48% — A* and A,
• 90% A* to C.

Such results are the result of high-quality and relevant education provided by the school. After successfully passing the final certification, teenagers can choose the universities of their dreams and be sure that they will enter there.

While still studying, the Career Guidance Department, together with class teachers, head teachers, subject teachers and the UCAS team, helps students prepare for future admission to university by providing them with access to a wide range of resources, advice and guidance.

The management of Stockport Grammar School strives to ensure that as many children as possible can receive a high-quality education within their walls, so every year students from 11 to 16 years old are offered a number of scholarships related to the financial situation of their families. The total amount of financial assistance depends on such indicators as:

• the child's results in the entrance exams,
• the amount of necessary financial assistance (based on the annual declaration of income and property).

Other types of scholarships: music and academic. In addition, sometimes the school reimburses parents' expenses for the purchase of school uniforms, meals and travel (the last point is relevant only for those families who live more than five kilometers from the educational campus).

Financial assistance is available to students entering Year 7 and Sixth Form. Around 100 current students receive support through the school’s scheme. More than 400 graduates have received assistance since the Direct Grants and Assisted Places Schemes ended in 1997.

• Families may receive full tuition support and help with uniform, travel, lunches and educational trips,
• Families may receive partial support,
• Families with higher incomes are unlikely to receive assistance due to high demand,
• Awards depend on the funding available each year, and the incomes of families receiving support are reviewed annually,
• Tuition assistance is not available for Nursery or Junior School.

Two Music Scholarships are awarded each year, each covering up to 25% of school fees. Candidates are assessed through an audition, based on a high standard of performance on one or more instruments and outstanding musical potential. Current students may receive free music lessons for all or part of their time at school. Selection takes account of aptitude, potential and a willingness to learn less popular instruments that play important roles in a band or orchestra.

A small number of academic Shaa Scholarships are awarded each year for outstanding performance in the entrance examination. Each reduces annual school fees for the first five years of Senior School, subject to an annual progress review. No separate application or means test is required.

An average of 160 applications for financial assistance are received each year, while funding is available for around 15 students in each year group. The fund is supported by donations from graduates, parents and supporters of the school.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision