Welcome to our Virtual Open Morning

It is our aim to unlock the potential of each individual.

We do this by offering every pupil life-changing opportunities and an
environment in which academic excellence is promoted through learning and
shared experiences.

With excellent facilities for teaching and learning and committed and well
qualified teachers, our pupils are encouraged to fulfill and often exceed their
potential. Woodhouse Grove is both academically ambitious and academically
sensitive. Pupils are challenged to make the most of their abilities and take
responsibility for their progress. Those in need of specific additional support
are identified and provided for in a well-established learning support unit.
Pupils are encouraged to think ahead, to prepare not merely for GCSE and A
Level, but also for the challenges and opportunities beyond school. Careers
guidance is embedded in an extensive programme of personal and social
education.

Every individual child in this school counts; we ask nothing more from them
than that they have the courage to be, not ordinary, but extraordinary and to
strive to do their very best. To be confident and proud of their academic
achievements and to believe that there is no glass ceiling to their academic
attainment.

Subject Curriculum Guides for GCSE and A Level can be downloaded at the end of the Virtual Open Morning Journey.

Exam Results 2022

GCSE

We are delighted that 2022 saw pupils at Woodhouse Grove once again achieving GCSE results of which they can be proud, with a pass rate of 96%, 40 pupils achieving at least 6 high grades (7 or better) and 78 pupils gaining at least one top grade (8 or 9).

A Level

Nearly half of the 2022 Year 13 cohort  achieved ABB or better. They have been a tremendous group of young people to teach.

The Sixth Form at The Grove’s Pathway Programme does not just lead to University. One of our 2022 leavers has now begun a three year degree apprenticeship for Kraft Heinz in Business Management, working at the Head Office in The Shard, London. Another is enjoying a dual study programme, combining a university degree in Industrial Engineering with an apprenticeship at Proctor & Gamble in Germany.

3 Year Rolling Results 2019-2022

GCSE

% achieving at least 6 top grades (A* or A; 7 or above): 33%

% of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSEs, including English and Maths: 97%

A Level

% of pupils achieving ABB or above: 48%

A*-E pass rate: 98%

A*-A pass rate: 43%

Further examination results and details are available on request to the Admissions Team.

Every child in this school counts.

The range of specific educational needs we currently cater for include:

• Dyslexia
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Visual Impairment
• Hearing Impairment
• English as a Second Language
• ADHD
• SEMH
• Dyscalculia
• Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

As an equally academically ambitious and sensitive school, Woodhouse Grove has had a Learning Support Unit for over 30 years and approximately 10% of our intake receives support.

A visit to the school provides the opportunity to discuss strengths and weaknesses with staff.  It is helpful to see any specialist reports, such as Educational Psychologist or medical reports, at this time.

The previous school report is the most important source of information about current needs and how they can best be met in school e.g. which strategies were successful, both within class and in any withdrawal group.

All prospective pupils sit an exam in January (a one hour English paper and a one hour maths paper).  These can be taken in a small room with access to computers if it is helpful to type and two members of staff will be on hand to assist with instructions and understanding.

“Believe you can and you’re half way there.”

We offer two levels of support:

Watching Brief: We invite parents and pupils to provide a profile of strengths and weaknesses, hobbies and interests.  This will be given to all teachers so they are aware of pupil needs.  A link teacher will be assigned so that parents know who to contact at school.  This teacher will have an overview from other subject teachers.

Pupils joining in Year 7 will be invited to the Chocolate Biscuit Club.  This meets one lunchtime a week and is an informal way of pupils and staff meeting to help the settling in process in a new school.

Pupils on ‘Watching Brief’ are monitored through reports and school testing and can speak to Learning Support staff whenever they need to.

Withdrawal to the “Unit”:  This typically accounts for 10% of the timetable.

Years 7 to 9: Pupils are withdrawn, usually from a language, to join a small group supporting mainstream English language skills, study skills and personal organisation.

Years 10 and 11: All pupils choose four options at GCSE, in addition to English, maths and science.  One of these can be Learning Support.  One GCSE is traded for “Unit” time which has proved to be very effective in boosting other grades.  Time is spent on exam technique, consolidation and organisation of notes and reinforcement of learning.

Sixth Form: Student and staff timetables can be cross-referenced to allow for individual support as necessary.

GCSE & A Level Exams

Annual testing is carried out throughout the school so as to build up a history of need and provision in order to apply for Access Arrangements.  These include word processing, extra time and/or a reader in exams.  In addition to test results, the exam boards require subject based evidence throughout the course.  This may take the form of unfinished work in timed conditions.

Stretch and Challenge at the Grove.

What is Stretch & Challenge?

‘Stretch and challenge’ essentially means ensuring that all pupils at the Grove have the opportunity to fulfil their academic potential by following a rigorous and varied curriculum in a stimulating classroom environment. It also means enabling pupils to take part in a wide-range of both curricular and co-curricular enrichment opportunities. Promoting a stretch and challenge culture at the Grove ensures that we are getting the very best out of every single one of our pupils and nurturing their love of learning.

Some of our Stretch and Challenge opportunities include…

Art

• Photography Club
• Crafts Club
• Trips to art galleries and museums

Design and Technology

• Lego Robotics club
• DT Christmas Design Club
• STEM club (Shell ‘Bright Ideas’ challenge)
• Opportunity for pupils to use professional standard Computer Aided Machinery (CAM) in the form of a laser cutter and CNC router – giving them insight into the machinery used in university and industry.

English

• Reading and Speaking Competition
• Creative writing competitions
• Debating and public speaking, including the ‘Youth Speaks’ competition.
• Poetry by Heart competition
• Underground Poetry Club
• Theatre trips

Maths

• Parallel Maths Project
• National Cipher Challenge
• UKMT Maths Challenge
• Maths Pop Quiz at the Leeds Festival of Science
• Maths Inspiration interactive lectures
• The Royal Institution of Mathematics Masterclasses

Science: Physics, Chemistry and Biology

• Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad
• Cambridge Chemistry Challenge
• ‘Top of the Bench’
• Excellence Hub events
• Royal Society of Biology Olympiad
• Ecology fieldtrip
• D.N.A workshop at The University of York

The Grove’s Athlete Mentoring Programme

The Grove’s most gifted athletes are invited to join our athlete mentoring and development groups. These are split into two categories: Junior (Years 7 – 9) and Senior (Years 10 – 13). Each pupil within the programme is assigned a staff mentor to offer advice and guidance on their development as an athlete. This programme includes termly meetings with athletes, regular fitness tests to monitor progress, and additional seminars on subjects such as sports psychology & goal setting, strength & conditioning and sports nutrition.

Music

• Battle of the Bands
• Youth Music Festival
• Biennial Senior Music Tour
• Wednesday breaktime concerts
• Associated Board of Music examinations
• ‘Music and Lights’ concert at Fountains Abbey

Music clubs/groups:

• Grove Singers
• Junior Pop Choir
• Barbershop Group
• Girls’ Choir
• Concert Band
• Chamber Orchestra
• Junior Orchestra
• Junior String Quartet
• Year 7 Rock and Pop Band
• Year 8 Rock and Pop Band
• The Senior Rock Band
• Soul Band
• Junior Music Tech Club – “Wired”
• Year 10 & 11 Music Tech Club- “Re-Wired”
• Swing Band
• Brass Group (Junior and Senior)
• Senior Chamber Ensemble
• Clarinet Group
• Flute Choir (Junior and Senior)
• Saxophone Group (Intermediate and Senior)
• Senior Strings

Drama

• Junior Drama Club
• Senior Acting Club
• Dance Club
• School productions
• Theatre Trips
• Links with local professional theatres
• ‘Wednesday Workshops’ delivered by professionals (actors/designers/directors)
• Speech and Drama/Acting lessons (Trinity)

Business and Economics

• Leeds Enterprise Advisory Programme (LEAP)
• Target Two Point Zero – The Bank of England Interest Rate Challenge
• Fantasy Share Programme

Other Stretch and Challenge activities…

• EPQ – extended project qualification
• Finance qualifications
• Careers and Work Experience programme
• Community Service programme
• Green Grove
• Anti-bullying ambassadors programme.
• Charity work – expeditions to Uganda.
• D of E Award Scheme (Bronze and Gold)