Welcome

Stratford Grammar School for Girls is one of the best state schools in the country, and is recognised nationally as a centre of academic excellence. Our most recent Ofsted report describes attainment as “consistently high across the school”, and reports that “students benefit from a wide curriculum and an excellent programme of extra-curricular activities, clubs and events”. Teaching is described as “good, and frequently outstanding” and relationships between students and adults are described as excellent.

We believe that there is more to education than exam results, however: we believe in a holistic approach, developing the whole person – and there is a real sense of enjoyment here in the business of learning together. We were delighted, therefore, when Ofsted recognised this, referring to the caring ethos of the school in the opening sentence of the report: “This is an extremely inclusive, caring and supportive school”. Furthermore, “students’ personal and social development are outstanding, as is the care, guidance and support they receive”.

There are accolades for the girls themselves, too: they “are enthusiastic, highly motivated and determined to do well in everything they do” and they “make an outstanding contribution to the school and local community”. “The school is very well led,” says the report, and particular mention is made of the impact of the school’s dual specialist status in languages and science and its international perspective. Parents are supportive of the school, too: "My daughter loves school; she is happy and so are we" was one comment reported by the Ofsted inspectors; another was "My daughter came home from her first day smiling".

This is a small and very friendly school, the sense of community is strong, and the staff know individual pupils well. Something of the spirit of Shottery can perhaps be gained from checking out some of the photos elsewhere on this website: the decorated classrooms at Christmas, for instance, or the World Book Day costumes – when staff as well as girls dress up as literary characters for the day. We know how to have fun learning together! All kinds of opportunities are made available to girls through a wide range of extra-curricular activities, too – and the take-up is impressive. Girls are encouraged to use their initiative – and do, to excellent effect. One good example of this has been the transformation of an overgrown piece of waste-land to a tranquil cottage garden – the result of the imagination (and hard labour) of a group of sixth-form girls. The school is set in beautiful grounds around the fifteenth century Shottery Manor, which itself forms part of the school buildings. Tradition has it that the betrothal ceremony of Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway took place in the room that is now the Geography Room, and which for many years was used as a chapel. Our environment is truly inspiring!

You should not simply take my word for any of this. Explore the website for yourself and check out the details. Much of it has been put together by the girls themselves – and, as always, they are the school’s best ambassadors. Best of all, come and visit us in person. You will be made most welcome.

Kate Barnett

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