Welcome

This year marks a very special point for Derby Grammar School with the opening of our co-educational sixth form. I would like to welcome all the girls to the School and hope they will be happy and successful.

This school year we aim to build on the excellent results obtained at both GCSE and A level in summer 2007. These results can be found under the School button on the Sixth Form and Upper School sections. The theme for the year is that education also brings with it a spirit of adventure and you will see in the news section, reports on the many activities and events as they develop throughout the year.

If you would like to know more about the School please complete the
contact form and we will send you further information including a DVD. You can also watch a short video clip of the School on the BBC Derby website.

Mr Roger D Waller, Headmaster.

Few decisions are more important than the choice of school for your child.

Why choose us?

Look through the sections on the web site to find out what Derby Grammar School can offer you and your son or daughter.

• A continuous single sex education for boys aged 7 to 16.
• A co-educational sixth form.
• A school small enough so that all pupils and staff can know each other and yet large enough to offer a wide range of subjects, activities, sports and other extra curricular activities.
• An exceptional pastoral care system for all pupils.
• An environment where your child can be happy.

You can request a DVD about the School and further information by completing the contact form on the web site.

For each boy who comes to the Junior School we aim to foster a love of learning that will last through senior school, higher education and into adult life. At Derby Grammar School we will give your son every opportunity to widen his experiences, both academic and in the wider curriculum, such as art, music, sport, drama and debating. As well as building a secure foundation in numeracy and literacy, our teaching encourages imaginative thinkers who are eager for new challenges.

Junior School Curriculum

The National Curriculum provides the basis for the Junior School's broad curriculum, which focuses on developing excellence in literacy and numeracy, whilst affording every boy the opportunity to discover his own individual strengths across many subject areas. Preparation for the ever-changing modern technological world is paramount and ICT underpins teaching in all subject areas. Expectations are set above the national average for boys and close monitoring by staff through regular assessment ensures that each boy's progress is closely monitored and that every boy is suitably challenged and guided to maximise his potential. The curriculum also provides a firm foundation in preparing boys for life in the senior school. Regular homework activities also help to extend and reinforce learning and allow boys the opportunity to explore areas of interest and to deepen knowledge and understanding. Termly trips, visits and school-based activities also stimulate boys' interests and enrich the curriculum further.

Junior School Activities

Beyond the classroom there is ample opportunity for boys to relax and to develop wider interests through a busy program of extra curricular activities. Popular clubs include chess, model making, backgammon and a wide range of environmental, musical and sporting activities. Clubs take place mainly at lunch times, with some activities at the end of the School day. The Junior School boasts its own choir and band, both of which practice and perform regularly. A team of qualified teachers also visits the School each week to give lessons across a wide range of musical instruments including woodwind, brass and percussion. Private tuition in speech and drama can also be arranged. There is frequent opportunity for boys to take public examinations with the Associated Board of Music and LAMDA. Parents and friends of the School are invited to our termly class assemblies, musical and dramatic performances and to our art exhibitions, which allow us to celebrate together the wealth of talent in School. There is also a competitive house system with regular competitions.

Boys in Years 7 to 9 are looked after by a Head of Year and a team of tutors who try to create an environment where the boys discover their potential, are recognised for their achievements and enjoy school life. It is this approach that makes Derby Grammar School unique and successful.

Lower School Curriculum (Years 7 to 9)

The curriculum in Years 7 to 9 is broad and yet sufficiently demanding to stretch the most able. Year 7 start with a common curriculum and as they progress through Years 8 and 9 a limited options system is introduced in the expressive arts and in languages. This flexibility maximises the boys strengths and allows them to receive extra support in areas where it may be needed.

The subjects studied are: Art*, Biology, Chemistry, Citizenship, Design Technology*, English, French*, Games, Geography, German*, History, ICT, Latin*, Mathematics, Music*, PSHE, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Education, Spanish*.

(The subjects marked with an asterisk form part of the options system in Years 8 or 9).

Lower School Activities (Years 7 to 9)

Through their participation in lunchtime and after School clubs and activities, boys discover new skills that help them as they move through the School and into later life. There is the opportunity to represent the School in national competitions and activities including music, science and debating. The House system creates further opportunities during the year for all boys to compete for their House in almost all activities, covering art, essay writing, chess, basketball, swimming, and rowing to name a few.

Supported by tutors in small teams, the boys in the Upper School are encouraged to reach the highest academic standard of which each is capable as they move towards their GCSE examinations. Both inside and outside the classroom, the boys are valued as individuals and encouraged to make a positive contribution to the School.

The Upper School is managed by a Head of Year and supported by a team of six tutors who try to create an environment in which the boys recognise their potential and enjoy their school life.

Upper School Curriculum (Years 10 and 11)

The curriculum is divided into a core curriculum and a set of options, which allow the boys to study nine subjects to GCSE in Year 11 and a short course in citizenship in Year 10.

As part of their core curriculum all boys study the following subjects: English Language and English Literature, mathematics, a modern foreign language, and either all three sciences (physics, chemistry and biology) or the dual award science course. In addition they all take part in Games, PE and in Year 10, citizenship.

As part of their options, boys may have the opportunity (depending on the option blocking system) to select from the following additional subjects: art, classical civilisation, design technology, geography, history, Latin, music, physical education religious studies and a second language (French, German or Spanish depending on their core choice).

Upper School Activities (Years 10 and 11)

Through their participation in lunchtime and after School clubs and activities, boys should be starting to take a leading role in many of the activities on offer and setting an example to their younger peers. There is the opportunity to represent the School in national competitions and activities including music, science and debating. During the autumn and spring terms, we have a series of outside speakers from a wide range of professions giving fortnightly careers talks to which all boys are welcome. The House system creates further opportunities during the year for all boys to compete for their House in almost all activities, including art, essay writing, chess, basketball, swimming and rowing to name a few.

Over these two crucial years the sixth former will emerge as an individual, accountable for their own actions, capable of self-discipline, happily self-reliant and increasingly self-aware. Many processes will assist this: taking responsibility within one of the Houses for the organisation of events and competitions, the election as a committee member to serve and represent others, the appointment as secretary or captain of a club or team, and selection by the Headmaster to be a prefect.

These are also the years when future citizens learn to be tolerant of others, their views, their idiosyncrasies and their modes of behaviour. The smaller class sets and the style of teaching at Derby Grammar School allow each sixth former to air their views, to discover their beliefs and to come to terms with their feelings.

Sixth Form Curriculum

Students entering the Sixth Form normally opt for four subjects to AS and then carry on with three to A2. In addition, General Studies is taken in the Lower Sixth, and Critical Thinking offered in the Upper Sixth. The range of subjects ensures a wide curriculum to meet most students strengths and university requirements. For September 2006, the subjects offered are:

Art, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Design Technology, Economics, English Language, English Literature, French, Geography, German, History, Latin, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Music, Music Technology, Physics, Religious Studies, Sport and PE.

Sixth Form Activities

The Sixth Form provides an opportunity for all students to take a leading role in many of the whole School activities. They organise all the inter House activities and are responsible for the School's main charity week culminating in the Children in Need concert which raised £7,000 in November 2005. The students also continue with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme to silver and gold level and in 2007 we will be running our third World Challenge Expedition to Northern Chile. In addition, Young Enterprise provides a good opportunity to get involved with a "real business".