The charitable governing body of Wisbech Grammar School was reformed a year ago as the Wisbech Educational Foundation (WEF). The Foundation no longer runs the School which has allowed the Foundation to focus on its core charitable aim of allowing gifted and talented local children to access the benefits of an independent education through the provision of grants.
When it ran the School the Foundation had a long-established history of providing bursary support to help children attend the School who would have otherwise not been able to due to fee affordability.
In continuation of this history and In line with its charitable aim WEF will be making a grant to WGS to enable it to award a free school place for one academically gifted pupil wishing to enter the School’s 6th form from a state–funded school. WEF also recognises the need for ongoing financial support to ensure children can take advantage of all the opportunities that Wisbech Grammar 6th Form has to offer.
The fully-funded 6th Form place is just the start of WEF’s aims, and as the scheme develops, WEF hopes to consider providing bursaries for younger pupils and to ensure these funded places enable children to reach their full potential. Discretionary funding for the extra expense of attending an Independent School may be awarded e.g. cost of exams, appropriate school trips.
A look back across Wisbech Grammar School’s illustrious 640-year history provides numerous examples of bold decision-making by Governors that have driven the evolution of the School. In 1970 the Boys’ School moved across the river to merge with the Girls’ High School creating a co-educational School on North Brink. In 1983 the Governors acted again, taking the school out of the state sector and into the independent sector. In 1997 they stepped in when St Audrey’s Prep School closed and from this Magdalene House Prep School (for pupils between 3yrs-11yrs) was born and welcomed into the WGS family.
Previous pupils at Wisbech Grammar School have, for example, gone on to study at various Russell Group Universities including Cambridge and Oxford, Guildford School of Acting and to take part in a professional sport such as Rugby and Formula 1.
What enables a school to survive since 1379? It is the ability to be aware of and plan for challenges on the horizon and make the most of opportunities as they are presented. Ultimately, a school must evolve and move with the times. Innovation and change have always been part of the School’s DNA, ensuring pupils and their families remain at the heart of the schools’ ethos.
The application process for this fully funded sixth form place will have two strands; applicants will need to present their academic achievements by way of grades and references, and the household will need to meet the criteria for a fully-funded place.
If you are interested in applying for this award to join Wisbech Grammar School’s 6th Form, please contact admissions@wisbechgrammarschool.com in the first instance to register your interest for entry as the first Foundation Scholar.