The Grammar School at Leeds

The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is one of the leading schools in the north and traces its history back to 1552. In the last five years GSAL has twice been named North Independent Secondary School of the Year, and North Independent Secondary School of the Decade in the Sunday Times Parent Power League Table. The school aims to inspire all members of our community and to instil values of responsibility, respect and resilience in all of our pupils.

‘Be inspired’ is the ethos behind our teaching and learning at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL). We nurture all our pupils to make the most of their talents, realise their potential and develop into confident young people ready to rise to any challenge. These values have been at the heart of our school life for over four centuries.

Our history began with the foundation of Leeds Grammar School for boys in 1552. GSAL was created in 2008 following the merger of the boys’ school with Leeds Girls’ High School, founded in 1876.

GSAL provides a high-quality independent education for over 2,100 pupils aged 2 to 18. Our purpose-built campus at Alwoodley Gates in north Leeds spans an impressive 140 acres, offering extensive green space alongside excellent facilities. These include the newly refurbished Lawson Library, the oldest library in Leeds, housing over 60,000 books and our state-of-the-art performing arts centre, The Cryer.

For teaching colleagues, GSAL offers a genuinely supportive and sustainable working environment. Class sizes are small, typically between 16 and 22, allowing teachers to build strong relationships with pupils and deliver high-quality, personalised teaching. We also offer significantly higher levels of PPA time compared to the state sector, supporting colleagues to plan, collaborate and develop their practice effectively. In addition, most meetings take place within the school day, helping to protect time outside of work and promote a healthier work-life balance.

GSAL is academically selective, with consistently excellent A-level and GCSE results. After merger, the school introduced the diamond model of teaching, through which pupils learn together up to age 11, then in single sex classes between Year 7 and Year 11, and come together again in sixth form lessons. Form time and extracurricular activities are mixed throughout. Class sizes are usually between 16 and 22.

Academic achievement is at the heart of a rounded education at GSAL, which offers our students personal development opportunities and broad experience beyond the classroom. We pride ourselves on a rich co-curricular programme encompassing sport, music, drama, scouts, CCF, Duke of Edinburgh, debating and much more. We offer an outdoor learning programme and a wide variety of trips at home and abroad. Our lively house system encourages students to get involved and have fun.

This success can only be achieved with committed, professional and well-qualified colleagues who are focused upon excellence in the classroom and contributions to the wider life of the school. We reward our colleagues with a good degree of autonomy in their teaching, outstanding learning resources and an attractive benefits package. A large school offers opportunities for CPD, career progression and leadership roles in academic, pastoral and extracurricular areas.

GSAL provides a friendly, fun and supportive working environment, while retaining high expectations of our colleagues and students. With our diverse student body, drawn from the city of Leeds and surrounding areas, we promote a strong sense of mutual respect, integrity and social responsibility. Colleagues and students throughout the school are active in charitable work locally and internationally.

Leeds itself is a thriving and dynamic city, offering a vibrant mix of cultural, social and sporting opportunities. With the Yorkshire countryside on the doorstep, it provides an excellent quality of life and the perfect balance between city living and access to green space.