The Grammar Stream “Engage, Contribute and Lead”
The Grammar Stream continues to evolve and is about to enter an extremely exciting stage of its development. Rather than comparing the old and new versions, we would like to focus on what your son may wish to participate in from October 2021.
The aims of the Grammar Stream:
- Develop the ‘academic breadth and ability’ of students beyond the normal provision of most secondary schools
- Encourage holistic growth of those individuals to help them succeed in whatever they choose to pursue in the future
Expectations of students and parents:
Set 1
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GS
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Set 2
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Set 3
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Set 4
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Set 5
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Set 6
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The Grammar Stream (from 2021 onwards) will consist of students who rank in the top echelons of their respective Year group and who commit to participate in certain ‘academic’ and ‘non-scholastic’ strands. The Grammar Stream runs parallel with Set 1, consisting of students from the top 60 of their Year group. Grammar Stream students not only fall within the top academic rankings, but they also strive to develop their all round character, as epitomised in the Grammar Stream motto ‘Engage, Contribute and Lead’.
Academic strands: Grammar Stream students will have access to an enhanced curriculum offer in the form of an additional twilight lesson per week. Lessons will follow academic ‘core’ subjects such as classics, politics, German or Italian. Students within the Grammar Stream will also experience additional introductory academic sessions within global perspectives, economics, sociology, psychology and philosophy. The aim of these sessions is to give students a broader curriculum, as well as offering them a taste of what they could eventually study at A-Level.
Grammar Stream students will then have the option of completing any of their chosen ‘core’ academic subjects to GCSE level from Year 10.
Non-scholastic strands: In addition to the academic strands, all Grammar Stream students will be expected to participate in two extra-curricular sessions per week. One of these ‘non-scholastic activities’ will be offered by Glenmoor and Winton Academies, and could include: music tuition (specific instruments TBC), elite sports coaching in cricket/football/rugby/netball, as well as robotics club and archery. The remaining activity can involve participation in a school club such as sports teams, debating club, student council, music, performing arts, Forest school etc. or a personal hobby or activity outside of school, such as dance, gymnastics, athletics, youth clubs and young carers.
Being a Grammar Stream student requires a commitment from both students and parents to fulfil the academic and non-scholastic criteria strands. Maintaining a position within the Grammar Stream will be reliant on meeting Grammar Stream criteria. This will be reviewed at the normal Academies’ assessment points.
Entry and retention, 2021 onwards:
All Year 7 students will complete a suite of baseline testing during Autumn term. The selection of students for the Grammar Stream is based upon the following (and will remain the same throughout Years 7-9):
- Having an overall rank above 60th
- Being in the top 30 for at least 3 subjects (not necessarily English, maths and science)
- Full participation in the academic and non-scholastic strands
- Maintaining an average attendance above 94%
- Maintaining high standards of behaviour, conduct and being a role model for others
After we have consulted the data, linked to the criteria above, we will contact those students who qualify for the Grammar Stream (in a descending order). There are 30-32 places available.
NB: There is no longer an early-entry system into the Grammar Stream at Glenmoor and Winton Academies, and the ‘golden tickets’ (based on other grammar school passes) are no longer valid. This means that all students are given equal opportunity to participate in the GS.
Glenmoor and Winton Provisions:
As you can see, being part of the Grammar Stream does require a lot of commitment and effort, but in addition to the expanded curriculum and non-scholastic activities, GS will receive the following:
Enrichment: This occurs during morning tutor times and varies from the normal provision for other tutor groups; Grammar Stream students participate in peer-mentoring, life skills, current affairs and careers. Every cohort also gets the opportunity to visit a university each year (Merton College in Oxford, Bournemouth and Southampton), as well as other trips which are subsidised.
Scholarship programme: We have established links with two prestigious Independent schools, which have resulted in an array of opportunities for those who graduate through our grammar stream. Surbiton High (near London) offers our students the chance to participate in workshops and a residential trip. Bryanston School (Blandford Forum) also offers workshops, as well as providing support for the non-scholastic activities including horse-riding, rugby and rowing (TBC).
Bursary: A financial bursary is available to support Grammar Stream students who wish to purchase a musical instrument or need support to pursue a particular activity – subject to a written application.
Mental Wellbeing: Support is provided for students and families, to help cope with the expectations of being in the Grammar Stream
Graduation: At the end of Year 9 all Grammar Stream students will receive a commendation, which describes their efforts over the previous years, an excellent addition to support applications to colleges and universities.
Key Stage 4 Enrichment: In Years 10 and 11, Grammar Stream students participate in academic tutor groups based on their individual needs eg. English, maths, science tutor groups. Alongside this, students will continue to receive enrichment support related to careers, further education destinations, mentoring and sessions including ‘Preparing for A-Level in…’, Joining the Armed Forces, Life at University and Finances & banking.