Bereavement Services
What our Parents think….Register now for 2021 entry
We are pleased to have been able to help the NHS in a small way by donating hundreds of protective eye goggles. Responding to calls from frontline workers, 450 pairs – out entire stock – have been given to the Princess Royal Health Centre in Huddersfield.
We use eye goggles to protect our pupils in science and technology lessons, but with the current closure and the unprecedented demands on the health service, it is only right that we donate every pair we have to the fight against coronavirus. The NHS staff are doing amazing work day-in, day-out so this is the least we could do.
We are all aware of the problems posed by the outbreak of Coronavirus, Covid-19. At Heckmondwike Grammar School we are taking the issues very seriously in terms of minimising the risk of passing on any type of virus, by encouraging the highest standards of personal hygiene.
Please see our dedicated area on the school website where we will post any pertinent updates.
Coronavirus – Updates & Information
Here are some useful details of Kirklees Services should anyone need them during the school closure.
PM – 19 March 2020
It is with deep regret that I confirm, from Friday 20 March at 3.15pm, we will close for the majority of students until further notice, only remaining open for those children of key workers who would otherwise be forced to stay at home and for the most vulnerable students, as outlined in the government statement.
As I am sure you will appreciate, the implications of the government’s decision to close all schools from tomorrow are far reaching and there are many questions to which we do not yet have the answers, particularly for students in years 11 and 13 who were due to sit their GCSE and A level exams in the summer term. We expect further guidance to be released over the coming days and will share this with you as a priority. Today I have addressed the year 11 and year 13 year groups and reassured them that whatever the government’s decision in terms of GCSE and A level assessments, no student will be disadvantaged and we will ensure that each individual student receives the grades they have so richly deserved. For year 13 students, we will work very closely with universities and employers to represent our students in the best possible light. For year 11 students who may be anxious about achieving entry requirements for our sixth form, I have informed them that all students in year 11 will be given a place whatever the outcome of the summer assessments.
I must also inform you that all educational visits have had to be cancelled for the remainder of this academic year. Please be reassured that we are fully insured and any monies which have been paid, will be reimbursed as soon as possible.
To enable us to plan for which students may be in school from Monday, I would be grateful if parents who consider themselves/their partners as key workers (i.e. NHS/healthcare workers, emergency services, teachers, etc.) would complete a short survey, identifying yourselves as such and sharing your intentions in terms of sending your children to school next week. This will enable us to make appropriate arrangements for those children whilst simultaneously supporting the staff at Heckmondwike Grammar School to care for their own families.
The survey can be accessed via the following link: www.tinyurl.com/hgs2020closure
I would be grateful if those who need to complete the survey would do so by 10am Friday.
Families of the most vulnerable students will be contacted directly.
Tomorrow, Friday, school continues to be open to students in years 7, 8, 11 and 13. We have a tested system for remote teaching using the Microsoft Office Teams platform and all students have been given login details and guidance on how to use it. Work will be set by staff according to students’ normal timetables. Should any difficulty be experienced, students should email their teacher. Please do encourage your son/daughter to do the work very diligently; they can also do further self-supported study using recommended websites, text books and lesson notes.
Finally, I would like to thank you for your kind words, encouragement and offers of support during this time. Never have we felt more part of a community than over recent days, something that I know everyone at Heckmondwike Grammar School has really valued. I would also like to recognise the mature way in which our students have conducted themselves during this time of challenge and would like to pass on my thanks to our incredible staff team who continue to go above and beyond for our children, making me proud every day.
As always, I will continue to keep you updated.
Peter Roberts – Headteacher
AM – 19 March 2020
We are all aware of the very difficult situation facing the country over the coming weeks and in education we have been monitoring the situation with great interest. Last night’s announcement by the government to close all schools from Friday, apart from “Key Worker’s” children and for students who may be vulnerable, was not a surprise. However, we were expecting there to be clear information for Year 11 and 13 students about the plan for this summer’s GCSE and A level exams and if they were not running, what the alternative would be. We are now awaiting for this level of clarification.
Today, we are continuing with our normal provision in school for years 7, 8, 10, 11 and 13, and remotely for years 9 and 12. We have a fully tested system of teaching remotely and this will come in to practice for all year groups from Monday.
Later today, I will communicate with all parents again with a further update about the provision in school tomorrow and next week, and as soon as I can about the alternative plan for this summer’s GCSEs and A levels.
In the meantime, please be reassured that all the students are safe and being very well looked after by an exceptional body of staff who I must give real credit to. I would also like to thank the many parents for the messages of support. During these difficult times, it has been a pleasure to see all students and parents really pulling together with staff and we have never been more so, an outstanding team together.
Peter Roberts – Headteacher
Sixth Form interviews scheduled for the evening of Monday 16 March 2020 will go ahead as planned. If you are unable to attend for any reason please email [email protected]. If you are unable to attend due to illness and would like to rearrange your appointment, please specify this in the email and we will hold a further session at a later date.
Heckmondwike Grammar School has once again featured in the Yorkshire Post’s ‘Top of the Class’ publication. HGS has been identified as one of highest attaining secondary schools in Yorkshire.
*Due to the ongoing circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the open morning has been postponed until further notice.
We will be holding an open morning for old scholars on Saturday 25 April 2020 from 10-12pm. There will be tours of the building and a chance to look at items in the school archives. The event is open to all old scholars and their families however we are hoping to reunite students who joined in 1965 and 1966 for a reunion celebration
We would appreciate if you can let us know if you are interested in attending so we can cater for everyone. Please email us at: [email protected]
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. 78% of the A Level results were at grade C or better and 70% of these grades were either A*, A or B.
There were 168 A* and A grades altogether, including 30 students that achieved 3 or more grade A* or A passes. Extra special mentions go to Sumayya Dabhad, Kyle Dai, Ethan Hall and Eleanor Joyce who achieved 4 A* or A grades in their A Levels. Further congratulations go to Raina D’Souza, Eleanor Matley-Waite and Sara Saloo, all of whom achieved an incredible A* grade in all of their A Levels. Eleanor and Sara also achieved an additional A* in their EPQ.
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 of their choice are exceptionally good this year.
My congratulations and well done to you all.
Peter Roberts
Headteacher
