Few things play a bigger part in a school’s success than its staff, and Wolverhampton Grammar School’s wide range of initiatives to improve staff development and opportunities are truly impressive – and their achievements have recently been recognized with a top award.
Wolverhampton Grammar School has won ‘senior leadership team of the year’ at the prestigious Times Educational Supplement (TES) Independent School Awards. Projects that have engaged staff include a fund to support postgraduate training, research grants for teachers and a review of staff engagement in strategic planning, as well as new CPD (continuing professional development) opportunities, and media and external relations training.
Comments in a recent staff survey demonstrate how this has paid off: “It’s important to enjoy coming into work, find your role rewarding and see you can make a difference”; “this is the best school I have ever worked in”; and “the environment we work in is first rate and I believe the senior team will take the school to even greater heights”.
This was just one area where Wolverhampton showed TES judges it could meet the criteria required to ‘demonstrate excellence in strategy and direction’. Low student fees, an excellent ISI inspection report, the depth of community outreach and the achievement of pupils all confirmed the senior leadership team as worthy winners.
Wolverhampton Grammar head Kathy Crewe-Read says, “To be selected as the best of the best by our peers and industry experts is a great testament to the hard work and commitment of every member of our community.”
Chair of the board of directors Philip Sims adds, “For me, there’s an undoubted link between being judged ‘excellent’ in all categories of the school’s activities by the Independent Schools Inspectorate last year and our senior management team being recognised as the best team nationally by the TES this year. Our head and her team illustrate outstanding leadership every day, ensuring that we provide the very best education for all our students.”
Winners attended a black-tie event at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, hosted by broadcaster and University Centre Shrewsbury chancellor Gyles Brandreth, where more than 400 attendees celebrated all that is outstanding in independent schools.
