Teacher of Chemistry

Queen Mary’s Grammar School is an invigorating and rewarding place to work: the pupils are intelligent and committed to study; the staff are friendly and forward looking. It is far more than just a place of work – it is a thriving community, proud of its past and confident of its future. In November 2008, it was recognised as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

There are currently nearly 1150 pupils on roll, including 422 in the Sixth Form. The School has an outstanding academic record and regularly features in the upper reaches of the national league tables. In 2019, 76%  of GCSE grades were 7-9 (A*/A) and 62% of A Level grades were A*, A or B. Our value added scores are particularly impressive (with a Progress 8 score of +0.76 in 2019); we do not rest on our laurels, but encourage all our pupils to take up the challenge of realising their full potential. 

In June 2011, the School converted to Academy status and we have undertaken a series of exciting building projects over the past 8 years, including a new Sixth Form Centre, Science labs and a Humanities wing, music and PE refurbishments, as well as a new dining room and reception. We were a founding member of the Mercian Multi Academy Trust (along with five other schools) in January 2018.  Over the past year, we completed projects to add additional capacity through the building of extra science rooms and improving Design Technology and Art facilities. 

The School encourages an enterprising and international outlook: we have enjoyed trips, expeditions and exchanges all over the world in recent years and have many successes in national competitions but also carry out a wide range of vibrant and formative trips and experiences closer to home such as theatre visits, visiting speakers and the mental health ambassadors programme. In fact, we are incredibly proud to appear in Ross Morrison McGill’s new book Just Great Teaching, showcasing our mental health work with staff and pupils.

We want our own pupils to lead happy and fulfilled lives. Learning here is not just about passing exams, but about enjoying the life of the mind. We also encourage all our pupils to take part in a wide range of enrichment activities in sport, drama and music, in the Combined Cadet Force and at our Field Centre on the Afon Mawddach in Southern Snowdonia.  We have just been named in the Top 100 cricket schools by the Cricketer magazine for the second year in succession.  

You will notice a relaxed working atmosphere as you walk round the school. Our pupils come from diverse backgrounds, but they all thrive on the sense of support, encouragement and care that characterises Queen Mary’s.