Founded in 1379, Wisbech Grammar School is a co-educational day and boarding school. It draws around 600 pupils aged 3 to 18.
The School is set in 34 acres of magnificent grounds in a conservation area. Open, friendly and welcoming, the School is small enough for staff to know all the pupils individually, but large enough to provide an impressive range of opportunities. All members of the Senior School and Preparatory School are encouraged to develop their confidence and unlock their true potential, both inside and outside the classroom, as well as engaging with the wider community.
‘On visiting for the first time, our immediate impression was of a school where pupils showed a real sense of purpose and where they were clearly enjoying their lessons and activities.’ This comment, by parents looking for a school, is typical of the feedback we are delighted to receive.
Recently, the School has been through a number of transformation projects which include:
•An upgrade of the whole school IT infrastructure in summer 2021 to support a more technological approach to teaching and learning. All new 1st Form pupils receive iPads as part of the everyday school toolkit and AI has been introduced into online and classroom teaching via platforms such as Century.
•The redesign of school classrooms based around Harkness tables – a method of teaching and learning that involves 12–14 pupils seated around a large oval table which encourages pupils to discuss ideas, work collaboratively and shifts the focus away from the more traditional, teacher-at-the-front-of-the-class approach.
•A new 6th Form Centre which allows pupils to have a dedicated space for specialist 6th Form subjects, collaborative and silent working spaces, a lecture facility, plus a café and common room space; all with the aim of supporting academic success at A Level.
•The transformation of the old 6th Form house into a new International Boarding House for overseas pupils.
•The establishment of Science, Maths and Humanities Creative Hubs, so pupils benefit from having focused academic environments that utilise the expertise of specialist teaching staff and resources.
Senior School admission. The main entry is at age 11 by a competitive entrance examination. The test, which consists of verbal and non-verbal reasoning, spatial, quantitative tests and English, is designed to discover potential. Pupils can also enter at 2nd, 3rd and 4th Form levels. Offers of 6th Form places are made on the basis of interview and a report from a pupil’s current school and final GCSE results.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Senior School (including 6th Form): £5,666; Prep School: £3,899–£3,999.
Bursaries and scholarships. Wisbech Grammar School offers a bursary programme which provides financial assistance to pupils who would not otherwise be able to take up the offer of a place, allowing them to achieve their full potential. Bursaries are means tested and will require the parents to make a detailed statement of their income and assets. Awards range from 5% to 85%. In exceptional cases, an award of 100% may be granted.
The School also offers scholarships for children entering Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12. Scholarships are awarded to children who excel in a number of areas (Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport); this includes financial support and may be awarded alongside a bursary.
Travel to school. The School’s catchment area embraces King’s Lynn, Hunstanton, Downham Market, March, Whittlesey, Peterborough, and Spalding and Long Sutton. School buses run from a number of these places, visiting villages en route. The School is also well served by local buses.
The 6th Form experience. The School has a first-class track record in enabling pupils to realise their university and career aspirations. Entrusted with a greater degree of independence, 6th Formers are encouraged to make their mark and develop leadership qualities, both within the house system and at a wider level. The 6th Form centre has been transformed into a modern contemporary space for pupils.
Sport. WGS offers an all-inclusive sports curriculum that gives every pupil the opportunity to engage in sports at all levels. The School offers team sports including Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Cricket, and Athletics, as well as a range of individual sport and fitness sessions.
With the Elite Sports Programme, pupils can pursue sports at a higher level with expert coaching and player pathways with professional Sports Team partnerships.
Performing Arts is an extremely popular element of our extended curriculum and many of our pupils take advantage of the variety of school productions and stage performances; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Shout, were a huge success and played to a nightly full house at The Angles Theatre in Wisbech.
The Music Department also plays a prominent role, with orchestras, choirs, steel bands, bespoke instrument tuition and performances throughout the year, showcasing the multitude of musical talents within the School. Our Dance Studio offers pupils access to top level coaching from visiting dance companies.
Co-curricular. We offer many options for pupils to enjoy an extensive array of clubs as part of their timetabled curriculum within the school day – from Archaeology to Astronomy, Philosophy to Politics, Shakespeare to Steel Band and Young Enterprise to Young Engineers.
The Art and Design department is a highly visible presence in the School, mounting exhibitions on site and at the Reed Barn at the neighbouring National Trust property, Peckover House. Our talented artists and designers regularly win places at the top art colleges.
Around 130 pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, with those at the highest level mounting expeditions to the Lake District, Snowdonia and Mont Blanc. The Senior School adventure begins with an outdoor activity weekend for the 1st Form.
Wisbech Grammar School Prep caters for pupils from Kindergarten (age 2) to Prep 6. As well as access to many of the Senior School facilities, they also have their own dedicated computer room and a light and spacious hall.
Wisbech Grammar School is a trading name of Wisbech Grammar School Limited. The Company is registered in England and Wales with company number 11454188.
Registered Office: Chapel Road, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE13 1RH
Governors & Staff:
Senior Team:
Headmaster: Mr B J Rimmer, BSc, NPQH
Bursar: Mrs N J Miller
Senior Deputy Head, Prep School: Mrs K Neaves, BEd
Senior Deputy Head, Senior School: Mr P W Timmis, BSc
Deputy Head Academic: Mrs V A Garment, BA, MA, NPQSL
Assistant Head Data and Digital Innovation: Mr R D Killick, BSc
Assistant Head Staff Development, Teaching and Learning: Ms E Semper, MA
Assistant Head Sports & Partnerships: Mr P J Webb, BA
Head of Admissions and Marketing: Mr P A Lewis, MCIM