The Grammar School at Leeds named North independent secondary school of the decade by the Sunday Times

The school has been given the title as the newspaper published its Parent Power Schools Guide this weekend.

The guide identifies the 2,000 highest achieving schools in the UK, ranked on their most recently published examination results.

GSAL, which was the Sunday Times North Independent Secondary School of the Year in 2020, was pitched against nine other previous winners in this category for the school of the decade title.

The Alwoodley school’s principal, Sue Woodroofe, said: “This is an absolutely wonderful accolade for the staff, pupils and parents over these last 10 years and before.

“The award is not founded on one moment of brilliance, or any one achievement, rather it is a culmination of years of effort and ambition.

“As such, it is not just a team effort, it represents a long list of teams over the years who should all feel proud of what GSAL has become.

“It is a period of significant achievement as well as a time of real reflection and review to ensure that we continue to grow and to develop, always with the aim of being the very best that we can be.”

Parent Power editor, Alastair McCall, commented on the merger between Leeds Grammar School and Leeds Girls’ High School in 2008.

He said: “When two outstanding and long-established schools merge, the results cannot always be guaranteed, but The Grammar School at Leeds shows what can be done when everything comes together perfectly.

“The boys and girls achieve exceptionally well and around 80 per cent of A-level grades earn A*, A and B grades every year.

“With around 2,000 children across all ages from three to 18, the school has the critical mass to offer a range of extra-curricular activities to rival any school and children are encouraged to develop their interests inside the classroom and out.

“Committed and inspirational teaching is backed up by supportive pastoral care to allow the children to be the best they can be.”

The new GSAL Primary School has been created this year which has seen the relocation of Rose Court pre-prep school from Headingley to join the rest of the school at the Alwoodley Gates site.