Children in Need 2025

We will once again be supporting Children in Need, and this year, we are going BIG.

All students have been challenged with raising £10 each and have come up with some fantastic ideas to raise money including bake sales, staff football matches, and the making and selling of bracelets and key rings etc.  There will also be a variety of events in school including a Pudsey Party, a staff ice bucket challenge and of course a non-uniform day (all students and staff who take part are asked to pay £1.00 for the privilege).

Students are asked to bring cash or donate via the following link. https://app.parentpay.com/ParentPayShop/Foc/Default.aspx?shopid=19003

 

 

On 11th October the HGS Soul Band once again performed at the Marsden Jazz Festival.

This is an international music festival that has been running since 1992, with HGS performing there since 1998. Throughout the whole weekend there were a range of pro-musician concerts, supported by a wide range of free performances all around the town of Marsden.
We performed our set during the Saturday lunchtime slot at the Bandstand in the Park to a large and supportive audience, and even the weather was lovely and sunny for a change! This year our 21 piece ensemble had almost half of the 21 band members new to the band, after the larger than normal annual turn-over of players leaving for university. In fact, we even started with a completely new rhythm section of Matthew Tillotson (drums), Will Thornton (bass) and Mehaan Roy (Guitar). Other newcomers included Sienna Xu and Linus Lightfoot, both in year 8.
We started our set with an energetic performance of ‘Soul Man’, featuring Ben McNally on vocals – his first time performing at the festival.  Also debuting with the band on vocals was y12 student Praise Nduka-Obiora, giving a super performance of ‘In the Midnight Hour’. Lily Stirk, Caitlin Tolan and Isobel Roberts once again sang a range of songs including Jazzman, Spooky and California Dreaming.  We had improvised solos from Lily Dillon, Arthur Dye, Harvey Cole and Helena & Mary Kernick, bringing that wonderful jazz atmosphere to our performance. Well done everyone!

In the recently published government national league tables for GCSEs in 2025, Heckmondwike Grammar School has been ranked the 2nd highest performing state coeducational school in the country.

Headteacher, Peter Roberts congratulated ‘an exceptionally talented year group, who had worked incredibly hard during the last 5 years’. He went on to say, ‘we are blessed with very supportive parents and a dedicated staff team who all go the extra mile. With incredible students, we have helped put a northern school on the national map’.

The students in the photo all achieved 9, 10 or 11 GCSEs all at grade 9 and are now studying for their A levels in the school’s sixth form.

We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of one of our Sixth Form students who recently excelled in two internationally renowned essay competitions: the Trinity College Cambridge Law Essay Competition and the John Locke Institute Essay Prize. Through rigorous research, thoughtful analysis, and a passion for justice, Eesaa explored complex legal questions ranging from universal legal aid to the ethics of punishment. His work placed him among the top entrants globally, earning recognition from leading academic institutions and an invitation to Trinity College, Cambridge.

Eesaa’s story:

“Earlier this year, I participated in two essay competitions the Trinity College Cambridge Law Essay competition in April and the John Locke Institute Essay Prize in June.

For Trinity, the question was, “Should governments provide a publicly funded legal service which is free at the point of access, as many governments provide a free public health service?” I argued that access to justice should be understood as a basic constitutional right, not as a charitable offering. I used the analogy of health care, noting how legal issues can appear very suddenly and again, without professional assistance, can lead to very serious consequences, such as deportation, imprisonment, and homelessness. I interjected cognitive sciences research which shows that legal language is so abstract and technical, only the most legal-trained minds can even attempt to make sense of it alone. This made the case that lawyers are, in a sense, translators of the law, in the same way that physicians are translators of medical knowledge to treatment.

I also wrote about the principle of subsidiarity, and the necessity of proximity of legal assistance to the community. I cited examples of mobile legal clinics in France and examples of student-run legal services in Uruguay as models saving costs in government funded legal services, while also increasing community trust in the legal processes. I then compared various systems abroad, such as Finland’s hybrid model of legal insurance and income tested aid, Brazil’s constitutionally provided public defender service and Canada’s dual national and provincial systems. All of this fed into the conclusion that universal legal aid is achievable, practical, and necessary if we are to have rights that are real rather than theoretical. That essay put me in the top ten percent of entries and I received an invite to Trinity for the prize giving in July.

The day itself was really nice. There were about fifteen of us there, and once we had all received our certificates, we had about twenty minutes of open discussion with the Fellows. We spoke about the ideas brought up in our essays and how different people had dealt with the same question, as well as more broadly about law and Cambridge life. It was relaxed but it was definitely stimulating to hear how other people thought about the same issues from completely different angles. After that we were shown around some of the college gardens and then refreshments were served in one of the halls, including sticky chocolate cake which somehow made it feel even more friendly.

For the John Locke Institute competition, I chose the question “Should the law treat offenders better than they deserve?” In this essay I focused on whether strict retributive theories of justice work in practice. I began by outlining the basic retributive idea that punishment should reflect what a person deserves, then went on to suggest that the idea is more complicated by concepts like moral luck, where something that is out of the control of an individual shapes the choices they made, and the way they /others were judged. I then covered ideas like restorative justice, which is focused on being restorative repairing harm and reintegrating offenders – as opposed to predicting/describing previous actions to see what they ‘deserve’. The concluding thought I came to was that sometimes the law should treat offenders better than they deserve, not to be soft, but to better realize proportionality, rehabilitation, and ultimately a fairer society overall.

That essay was shortlisted – which means I was in the top 18.65% of entries, out of 63,000 of entries from all over the world! The final results of if I received a prize will be released in October, but ultimately just getting shortened given the competitive nature of the field is already rewarding.

Both competitions allowed me to step outside the mainstream A-level syllabus, and to interpret law in a much more independent and creative way. The Trinity essay made me really think about the law as a part of the basic infrastructure of society, and the John Locke essay let me, for a little while, go in search of the big ideas surrounding justice and punishment. The prize giving at Trinity also allowed me to glean a sense of what studying law at Cambridge would be like, which was both motivational and memorable.”

 

Our Sixth Form Open Evening for 2026 entry will take place on Thursday 23 October 2025 between 5pm and 8pm.

Prospective students are invited to attend our Sixth Form Open Evening for September 2026 admissions. The evening will consist of talks from the Headteacher, the Head of Sixth Form, and provide an opportunity to visit departments to find out more about about out A level courses and see our fantastic facilities.

 

At Heckmondwike Grammar School Sixth Form, our main aim is to provide the best possible conditions for teaching and learning so that students can reach their full potential both inside and outside the classroom. It’s a place where students are given the tools and support they need to excel academically and grow into well-rounded individuals, ready to take on whatever challenges life throws their way.
A Proud History of Academic Success
 
At Heckmondwike, academic achievement is at the forefront, and our results speak for themselves. Year after year, our students achieve fantastic A-Level results that exceed the national averages. This year, an amazing 85% of students scored A-Level grades of C or higher, and 80% of those grades were A*, A, or B. Eleven of our students picked up three A* grades, and five of our students bagged an incredible four A* grades!
But what’s even more impressive than the statistics is the environment that helps make this possible. The teachers here are committed to helping students reach their full potential, and our ethos of ‘work hard, play hard’ runs through everything we do. Whether you’re aiming for top grades or just trying to be the best version of yourself, you’ll find all the support you need.
One of the things that really sets Heckmondwike Grammar School Sixth Form apart is the sheer number of students who go on to study at some of the UK’s most prestigious universities. This year, 148 students chose to go onto University, of those, 93% managed to get into their first choice which is a phenomenal achievement. 78% were Russell Group Universities. The school has a track record of sending a higher percentage of students to Oxbridge than the national average, with a unique support system in place for those students wishing to apply for Oxford and Cambridge. As Degree Apprenticeship grow in popularity, we are proud to have supported many students to successfully gain placements at KPMG Finance, Mott Mcdonald, Turner & Townsend, Coke Cola, Airbus Engineering and the Ministry of Defence.
All this is credit to how well-prepared students are when they leave us. Having the confidence needed to pursue their dreams, with the knowledge and skills they need to make those dreams a reality.
The Jo Cox Sixth Form Centre: A Space to Learn and Grow
 
When you walk into the Jo Cox Building, you immediately get a sense of what makes Heckmondwike so special. This modern, purpose-built facility is at the heart of Sixth Form life. Whether you’re looking for a quiet study space, an area to learn with friends or a place to hang out, it’s all there. The design of the building encourages both focused learning and social interaction, our students consistently feedback that studying at HGS Sixth Form is like being part of a supportive and friendly community.
One of the best things about Heckmondwike’s Sixth Form is the flexibility it offers. Most students opt to take three A-Levels, and the school provides a wide variety of subjects, so there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re passionate about the sciences, humanities, or arts, you can tailor your studies to suit your future plans.
We proudly provide our students with access to our Sixth Form Pathway Program. This initiative is a real game-changer because it gives them access to specific career-focused guidance in the following pathways:
  • Oxbridge
  • Medical Sciences
  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
  • Humanities and Arts
  • Business
  • Apprenticeship and Employment.
Through talks, seminars, educational trips, and one-on-one guidance, our students can get the insight and experience they need to pursue their chosen career path.
It’s not all about hitting the books, though. Heckmondwike Grammar School is passionate about enrichment, so you’re encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities. Whether it’s sports, arts, or leadership roles, there’s plenty to dive into outside the classroom. These opportunities allow our students to develop new skills, explore their interests, and make friends along the way.
By the time our students leave, they have an impressive academic record and the kind of personal growth that makes a real difference in the world. The school is as much about building character as it is about achieving top grades, making it a special place.
Our incredible teaching staff and dedicated Sixth Form team really know our students, their happiness and welfare are paramount to successful learning, we believe in this. Whether you’re aiming for a spot at a top university, exploring degree apprenticeships and employment…Heckmondwike will give you the tools to succeed.
It’s a community where you’re encouraged to aim high and reach your full potential wherever your passions lie, we are proud to be part of your unique journey

Please visit the Sixth Form area of our website for more information.

In the summer term of the last academic year, seven of our students competed in the UKMT Junior Mathematical Olympiad (JMO). As the follow-on to the Junior Mathematical Challenge, the JMO tests students’ mathematical and problem-solving skills with a higher level of difficulty. The structure of the 2025 paper was slightly different from previous years, with the removal of the shorter questions and focus being on the longer ones, resulting in what the UKMT feel was a slightly more challenging paper. Our students responded brilliantly to the updates, with Aarush Maniyar (8P2) achieving Merit and Arnav Gupta (8P2) achieving Distinction.
The UKMT also award medals to the highest performing students in the competition. Abdul Cheema (7B2) and Sienna Xu (7H1), pictured left and right, have been awarded Bronze medals for their performance. Both of them were very close to receiving a Silver medal, which is especially impressive considering they were in Year 7 at the time of the JMO. Paarth Vashishta (8P1) (pictured middle left) has also been awarded a Bronze medal for his performance and Yusuf Shah (8C1) (pictured middle right) is one of around 40 students nationally that has achieved the highest award – the Gold medal.
These students have shown incredible commitment to their studies and their rewards are well deserved. On behalf of the Maths Department, congratulations to you all!

Congratulations to all our students on achieving outstanding GCSE results again this year. Indeed the 2025 results are the best ever for the school.

Students are once again to be congratulated for their outstanding successes at GCSE. 84% of grades were awarded at grade 7 or above, and of these 43% were grade 9.

As well as some overall excellent results for the school, with 100% of our Year 11 students securing at least five good GCSE grades, there were also 91% of our students who achieved five or more GCSEs at grade 9-7. In addition, 78% of our Year 11 students secured an impressive eight or more GCSEs at grade 9-7.

There are also some exceptional individual stories. Well done to Phoebe Alexander, Eric Ani, Ananya Chinchalkar, Leanne Lai, Husaina Lokhandwala, Harshith Mavuri, Qandeel Mehmood, Siddhartha Mondal, Praise Nduka-Obiora, Aayush Prakash, Taha Siddiqui and David Ukaobasi who all achieved an incredible ten GCSEs at grade 9. Well done also to Ayesha Ahsan, Noel Crowther, Shreya Patel, Tara Sah, Om Suryawanshi, Jennifer Tillotson and Vishaka Vijayaruban who all achieved an impressive nine GCSEs at grade 9, along with Simrik Bohara, who not only also achieved nine GCSEs at grade 9 but was also the highest performer in OCR’s GCSE Design and Technology this summer.

These excellent results do not just happen automatically. They are evidence of the exceptional commitment and determination of Heckmondwike’s students who received outstanding support from the dedicated staff and hugely supportive parents.

Some impressive overall statistics include:

769 grades awarded were grade 9.

116 students with ten or more 9-7 grades

160 students with eight or more 9-7 grades

187 students with five or more 9-7 grades

My congratulations and well done to you all.

Congratulations to all our students on achieving outstanding A level results again this year.

As always the profile of our grades shows a very strong bias towards the upper range of grades. 82% of the A Level results were at grade C or better and 80% of these grades were either A*, A or B.

There were 263 A* and A grades altogether, including 47 students that achieved 3 or more grade A* or A passes. Extra special mentions go to Mohammed Ahmed, Ayan Gupta, Suchir Gupta, Arnav Maniyar and Rishi Mikkilineni who achieved 4 A* grades. Further congratulations go to Cora Bromby, Luke Drury, David Grigorjanc, Safa Khawar, Daniel Lilley, Zahra Mahdi, Oliver Marques, Mohamad Mobayed, Roshni Pahal, Zoiya Shahzad, Anish Srikanth and Sadie Tidswell who achieved an incredible A* grade in 3 A Level Subjects.

These superb results reflect the hard work and dedication of our students and staff, and will enable the students to take their next steps with confidence. The outcomes in terms of students being placed at universities and high calibre apprenticeships of their choice are exceptionally good this year.

My congratulations and well done to you all.

Our Music and Drama Department is proud to present Shrek the Musical.

Join us on 8th, 9th or 10th July 2025.

Tickets on sale now https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/heckmondwike-grammar-school/e-vxrboz

 

We are delighted to invite you to one of our open evenings on Wednesday 18 or Thursday 19 June. The evenings are aimed at parents and their children currently in school year 5.

Register for the entrance exam before 12 noon on Monday 23 June 2025.