The School

The school has an excellent reputation based on examination results, a progressive approach to educational development and a strong sense of community. The school has a reputation for academic excellence both locally and nationally. At our last inspection in September 2022, Ofsted judged us as outstanding. The standards that students achieve at every level are exceptionally high and the students’ personal development is excellent. Our exam results in 2022 were exceptional at GCSE (94% Grades 9/7) and at A-level (90% Grades A*/B). We add good value, which we are proud of considering the high starting points of our students (Progress 8 was 0.93 in 2022, 0.69 in 2019 and 0.84 in 2018). The quality of destinations for our students is also outstanding, with ever increasing numbers successfully applying to Oxbridge and others gaining a place on high quality, degree level, apprenticeships.

The school became a stand-alone academy in August 2011 and moved at the same time to vertical tutoring. Our pastoral care is a real strength and is often cited as a further reason why parents and students recommend and choose us. We are outward-looking, value breadth and encourage students to take up a wide variety of extra-curricular opportunities. Parent support for the school is very good: 97% of our parents would recommend us to other parents. The school also benefits from an engaged Governing Body.

The school is located in the small village of Shottery on the outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon, just ten minutes easy distance from junction 15 of the M40 and less than an hour from Birmingham, Coventry and Worcester. It is based in the grounds of Shottery Manor, a fifteenth century manor house which accommodates our sixth form. The school buildings are quite compact, which gives it a friendly feel, and the entire site is arranged around a very attractive central lawn.

We are always looking for ways to enhance the facilities for our students. The school has expanded considerably since converting to a stand-alone academy. In 2015 a £3.5m project facilitated a remodelled assembly hall, kitchens, dining room, full-size sports hall, fitness suite and changing rooms, Drama studio, three classrooms, offices and school reception. This development followed soon after Phase 1: a £1.5m extension comprising six classrooms, offices and a new library. Several successful CIF bids have also allowed us to update the school with new windows and doors, heating systems, fire alarm system and a new roof on the Manor. We are about to begin the refurbishment of our 1950s Science laboratories and the windows in the Manor House due to another successful bid last year.

Further to site development, we installed a new IT network system in 2019, which allowed us to move easily between in school and remote education when the pandemic hit. We also invested heavily to overhaul all of our teaching IT, with all classrooms benefitting from new projection and audio equipment. In addition, all teaching staff have new laptops that can wirelessly project lesson content and use digital ink to capture notes. These new laptops were also configured with a VPN, allowing seamless working from home. Our staff and students benefit from and expect reliable, robust IT systems.

If we sound of interest, further details about the school can be found on our current website (www.sggs.org.uk). Our Twitter feed (@Shottery) or Instagram (@sggslife) are other excellent sources for a feel of the school. Examination results for 2022 are available on the website, and a link to our most recent Ofsted report (September 2022) is here.