Handsworth Grammar School
Encyclopedia
Handsworth Grammar School is voluntary aided grammar school that admits boys from the age of eleven and boys (as well as girls in the sixth form, since September 1997). The school was founded in 1862 and is located in Handsworth
, Birmingham
, England
. it is situated just off the A41
, near the junction with the A4040
. Handsworth Grammar School is sometimes abbreviated as HGS.
. Three were wooden footbridges and five were wooden carriage bridges. These bridges were Church Bridge, Grove Lane Footbridge, Oscott Bridge, Paper Mill Footbridge, Rector’s Meadow Bridge, Barr Brook Bridge, Perry Barr and Hamstead Hill Bridge. John Hogetts, who owned “The Grove” in Grove Lane, decided that income from 50 acres of land he owned should be used to maintain and repair the bridges in the parish. Any excess money was to be used for charitable purposes within the parish of Handsworth. Thus the Bridge Trust was set up in 1612.
of 1711, which spans the River Tame at nearby Perry Barr
. The badge also includes a depiction of the Staffordshire knot, reflecting the fact that Handsworth was in Staffordshire
until 1911. The badge comprises a black background with the illustrations in yellow, however sixth formers can attain 'full colours' through various wonderful achievements.
4589
Students enter the School at eleven years of age and are placed in one of five parallel ability forms according to information from their primary school and their performance in the eleven plus test. In Years 7 to 9 all students follow a common Curriculum based on the following subjects: Art; English; French; Geography; History; Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Mathematics; Music; Physical Education (PE); Religious Education (RE); Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics); Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) and Technology. Drama is studied in Years 7 and 8 and German is added in Year 8 being continued into Year 9.
During Year 9, students are asked for the choice of subjects they would like to study up to GCSE level. Careers advice is provided in PSHCE lessons and the courses are described in an Options booklet. Staff give information and advice to students to enable them to make informed decisions.
Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11
In Years 10 and 11 all students study a core of subjects made up of English (leading to GCSE English and GCSE English Literature), Mathematics, Science (three GCSEs in the separate Sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics or a BTEC double award), plus option subjects chosen from Art, Business Studies, Design and Technology (Electronics, Graphics or Resistant Materials), BTEC Engineering, a modern foreign language (French or German), Geography, History, Music, RE and PE. This gives a maximum of ten full GCSEs. While every effort is made to enable students to take the subjects of their choice, this is not always possible if the course is oversubscribed or indeed under-subscribed. In addition students continue to study PSHCE (incorporating Careers guidance) and Games.
During Year 11, students attend an information evening with their parents in order that advice can be given regarding Post 16 opportunities. Students are asked for the choice of subjects they would like to study for A level. Extensive support is given to ensure that choices are made which are realistic and appropriate for likely career pathways.
Key Stage 5 - Years 12 and 13
The School has a successful and expanding Sixth Form offering excellent academic opportunities. The vast majority of our students choose to stay at HGS for their AS and A2 examinations before going on to Higher Education. Young women are able to join our Sixth Form and they bring a new dimension to School life.
The vast majority of students are expected to study four AS subjects in the Lower Sixth and at least three A2 subjects in the Upper Sixth, chosen from a range of over twenty possible subjects. In addition, some students take a course of study leading to General Studies A level. General Studies falls under the banner of Broader Studies where students can take options such as YASS (Open University courses) and Accountancy. Every effort is made to enable the preferred choice of course requested by students to be timetabled but where an option is not viable in terms of numbers and/or staffing, the Governors reserve the right to withdraw the subject option offer.
Students are supported through tutorial advice, directed private study, access to our library and extensive ICT facilities, a General Studies programme that incorporates RE and Careers guidance, a variety of study trips and visits, high quality help with Higher Education applications, work experience and the opportunity to continue with or experience new sport and leisure activities. An active School Council representing students' views is well run by members of the Sixth Form. There are also many opportunities for extracurricular activities and taking on roles of responsibility within the School. Throughout the School career of our students, we recognise our responsibility to ensure that they are adequately prepared for adult life and regard the work of the School as complementary to and supportive of the role of the parents.
Latin was removed from the curriculum in 2003, as well as Drama in 2005. Also, in the early 21st century the house system was removed and replaced by inter-form competitions, these comprise of various sports including Football,Table Tennis,Rugby,Hockey and Rowing(indoor)
The school woks with the local community, through various local events such as classroom in the park, and with local primary schools. It is also maintains strong links with other local schools through the well established Handsworth Association of Schools Cluster.
Notable alumni include:
Handsworth, West Midlands
Handsworth is an inner city area of Birmingham in the West Midlands, England. The Local Government Act 1894 divided the ancient Staffordshire parish of Handsworth into two urban districts: Handsworth and Perry Barr. Handsworth was annexed to the county borough of Birmingham in Warwickshire in 1911...
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. it is situated just off the A41
A41 road
The A41 is a formerly-major trunk road in England that links London and Birkenhead, although it has now largely been superseded by motorways. It passes through or near various towns and cities including Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Aylesbury, Solihull, Birmingham, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton,...
, near the junction with the A4040
A4040 road
The A4040 is the Outer Ring Road in Birmingham, England. It is the route followed by the Birmingham Outer Circle bus route. It was formed mainly of redesignated old roads, unlike Birmingham's inner and middle ring road , which were mostly purpose built.Places along the route include:* Perry Barr*...
. Handsworth Grammar School is sometimes abbreviated as HGS.
Bridge trust
In the sixteenth century in Handsworth there were eight bridges crossing the River TameRiver Tame, West Midlands
The River Tame is the main river of the West Midlands, and the most important tributary of the River Trent. The Tame is about 40 km from source at Oldbury to its confluence with the Trent near Alrewas, but the main river length of the entire catchment, i.e...
. Three were wooden footbridges and five were wooden carriage bridges. These bridges were Church Bridge, Grove Lane Footbridge, Oscott Bridge, Paper Mill Footbridge, Rector’s Meadow Bridge, Barr Brook Bridge, Perry Barr and Hamstead Hill Bridge. John Hogetts, who owned “The Grove” in Grove Lane, decided that income from 50 acres of land he owned should be used to maintain and repair the bridges in the parish. Any excess money was to be used for charitable purposes within the parish of Handsworth. Thus the Bridge Trust was set up in 1612.
School badge
The school's badge features a representation of the Zig Zag bridgePerry Bridge
Perry Bridge, also known as the Zig Zag Bridge, is a bridge over the River Tame in Perry Barr, Birmingham, England. Built in 1711, it is said to be the oldest surviving structure in Birmingham. It is a scheduled ancient monument and a Grade II listed building.The bridge was built, in the 18th...
of 1711, which spans the River Tame at nearby Perry Barr
Perry Barr
Perry Barr is an inner-city area in north Birmingham, England. It is also a council constituency, managed by its own district committee. The constituency includes the smaller Perry Barr ward and the wards of Handsworth Wood, Lozells and East Handsworth, and Oscott, which elect three councillors to...
. The badge also includes a depiction of the Staffordshire knot, reflecting the fact that Handsworth was in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
until 1911. The badge comprises a black background with the illustrations in yellow, however sixth formers can attain 'full colours' through various wonderful achievements.
4589
Motto
Haec olim meminesse iuvabit, this is Latin, meaning roughly these "things will one day be pleasing to remember". This is reflecting on the fact that later on in life, trials and tribulations will be looked upon as valuable turning points.Curriculum
Key Stage 3 - Years 7 to 9Students enter the School at eleven years of age and are placed in one of five parallel ability forms according to information from their primary school and their performance in the eleven plus test. In Years 7 to 9 all students follow a common Curriculum based on the following subjects: Art; English; French; Geography; History; Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Mathematics; Music; Physical Education (PE); Religious Education (RE); Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics); Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) and Technology. Drama is studied in Years 7 and 8 and German is added in Year 8 being continued into Year 9.
During Year 9, students are asked for the choice of subjects they would like to study up to GCSE level. Careers advice is provided in PSHCE lessons and the courses are described in an Options booklet. Staff give information and advice to students to enable them to make informed decisions.
Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11
In Years 10 and 11 all students study a core of subjects made up of English (leading to GCSE English and GCSE English Literature), Mathematics, Science (three GCSEs in the separate Sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics or a BTEC double award), plus option subjects chosen from Art, Business Studies, Design and Technology (Electronics, Graphics or Resistant Materials), BTEC Engineering, a modern foreign language (French or German), Geography, History, Music, RE and PE. This gives a maximum of ten full GCSEs. While every effort is made to enable students to take the subjects of their choice, this is not always possible if the course is oversubscribed or indeed under-subscribed. In addition students continue to study PSHCE (incorporating Careers guidance) and Games.
During Year 11, students attend an information evening with their parents in order that advice can be given regarding Post 16 opportunities. Students are asked for the choice of subjects they would like to study for A level. Extensive support is given to ensure that choices are made which are realistic and appropriate for likely career pathways.
Key Stage 5 - Years 12 and 13
The School has a successful and expanding Sixth Form offering excellent academic opportunities. The vast majority of our students choose to stay at HGS for their AS and A2 examinations before going on to Higher Education. Young women are able to join our Sixth Form and they bring a new dimension to School life.
The vast majority of students are expected to study four AS subjects in the Lower Sixth and at least three A2 subjects in the Upper Sixth, chosen from a range of over twenty possible subjects. In addition, some students take a course of study leading to General Studies A level. General Studies falls under the banner of Broader Studies where students can take options such as YASS (Open University courses) and Accountancy. Every effort is made to enable the preferred choice of course requested by students to be timetabled but where an option is not viable in terms of numbers and/or staffing, the Governors reserve the right to withdraw the subject option offer.
Students are supported through tutorial advice, directed private study, access to our library and extensive ICT facilities, a General Studies programme that incorporates RE and Careers guidance, a variety of study trips and visits, high quality help with Higher Education applications, work experience and the opportunity to continue with or experience new sport and leisure activities. An active School Council representing students' views is well run by members of the Sixth Form. There are also many opportunities for extracurricular activities and taking on roles of responsibility within the School. Throughout the School career of our students, we recognise our responsibility to ensure that they are adequately prepared for adult life and regard the work of the School as complementary to and supportive of the role of the parents.
Latin was removed from the curriculum in 2003, as well as Drama in 2005. Also, in the early 21st century the house system was removed and replaced by inter-form competitions, these comprise of various sports including Football,Table Tennis,Rugby,Hockey and Rowing(indoor)
The school woks with the local community, through various local events such as classroom in the park, and with local primary schools. It is also maintains strong links with other local schools through the well established Handsworth Association of Schools Cluster.
Sport
The HGSOB water polo club (Handsworth Grammar School Old Boys) is a water polo team taking part in Midland championships. They have Under 16, Under 18, B and A teams. Unusually the club has little to do with the school, except for its name, and the school's headmaster being president. It was founded in 1919.Notable alumni
The school has an active Old Boy's society that has football, cricket and water polo teams. Old boys are known as Old Handsworthians.Notable alumni include:
- Brian BowsherBrian BowsherBrian Robert Bowsher FRSC FInstP is a British physicist, Managing Director of the National Physical Laboratory, since 2009.- References :...
, Director of the National Physical Laboratory, UKNational Physical Laboratory, UKThe National Physical Laboratory is the national measurement standards laboratory for the United Kingdom, based at Bushy Park in Teddington, London, England. It is the largest applied physics organisation in the UK.-Description:...
from 2009 - Prof Sir David CoxDavid CoxDavid Cox may refer to:*David Cox , former member of the House of Representatives for the Division of Kingston*David Cox , English landscape painter*Sir David Cox , English statistician...
, Professor of Statistics at Imperial College LondonImperial College LondonImperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
from 1966-88, and President of the Bernoulli Society for Mathematical Statistics and ProbabilityBernoulli Society for Mathematical Statistics and ProbabilityThe Bernoulli Society is a professional association which aims to further the progress of probability and mathematical statistics.It does this by taking advantage of an interlinked international network of professionals, focussing on the expansion of theoretical research and applications, the...
from 1979-81 - Roy FisherRoy FisherRoy Fisher is a British poet and jazz pianist. He was one of the first British writers to absorb the poetics of William Carlos Williams and the Black Mountain poets into the British poetic tradition. Fisher was a key precursor of the British Poetry Revival.Fisher was born in Handsworth, Birmingham...
(b.1930), poet and jazz musician - Dr Nigel FortuneNigel FortuneNigel Cameron Fortune was an English musicologist and political activist. Along with Thurston Dart, Oliver Neighbour, and Stanley Sadie he was one of Britain's leading musicologists of the post-World War II generation...
, musicologist - Denis HowellDenis HowellDenis Herbert Howell, Baron Howell was a British Labour Party politician.Born in Birmingham, Howell was educated at Handsworth Grammar School, Birmingham and became a clerk and chairman of the Clerical and Administrative Workers Union standing orders committee. He was a Football League referee and...
(1923–1998), Labour MP - Larry (cartoonist)Larry (cartoonist)Terence "Larry" Parkes was a popular cartoonist from the United Kingdom. His work, consisting largely of single drawings featuring an absurdist view of normal life, was published in many magazines and newspapers, particularly Punch and Private Eye...
- Dave Martin (screenwriter)Dave Martin (screenwriter)David Ralph Martin was an accomplished television and film writer. He was born in Handsworth, Birmingham, England and contributed numerous scripts for the Doctor Who television series between 1971 and 1979 including:...
, wrote for Doctor Who, and created the canine character K-9K-9 (Doctor Who)K-9, or K9, is the name of several fictional robotic canines in the long-running British science fiction television series, Doctor Who, first appearing in 1977... - Siôn SimonSiôn SimonSiôn Llewelyn Simon is a British Labour politician, who served as the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Erdington from 2001 to 2010. Simon was the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Creative Industries...
(b.1968), Labour MP - Geoffrey TemplemanGeoffrey TemplemanGeoffrey Templeman CBE DL FSA was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent at Canterbury, 1963–1980. He was awarded an CBE in 1980.- References :...
CBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of KentUniversity of KentThe University of Kent, previously the University of Kent at Canterbury, is a public research university based in Kent, United Kingdom...
from 1963-80 - Robert WeirRobert Weir (athlete)Robert Weir is a retired English discus thrower, who is a twelve-time national champion. Weir attended Handsworth Grammar School in Birmingham....
, 1982 Commonwealth GamesAthletics at the 1982 Commonwealth GamesAt the 1982 Commonwealth Games, the athletics events took place at the QE II Stadium in Brisbane, Australia from 3–9 October 1982. A total of 39 events were contested, 23 for men and 16 for women athletes.-Men:-Women:-Medal table:Key:...
winning discus throwerDiscus throwThe discus throw is an event in track and field athletics competition, in which an athlete throws a heavy disc—called a discus—in an attempt to mark a farther distance than his or her competitors. It is an ancient sport, as evidenced by the 5th century BC Myron statue, Discobolus... - Prof John WhitfieldJohn WhitfieldJohn Whitfield may refer to:*John Whitfield , British musician and conductor*John Whitfield , Oxford Professor of Poetry*John Whitfield John Whitfield may refer to:*John Whitfield (conductor) (b. 1957), British musician and conductor*John Whitfield (poet), Oxford Professor of Poetry*John...
, Serena Professor of Italian Language and Literature at the University of BirminghamUniversity of BirminghamThe University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
from 1946-74 - Harry B. WhittingtonHarry B. WhittingtonHarry Blackmore Whittington FRS was a British paleontologist based at the Department of Earth Sciences, Cambridge, and was affiliated to Sidney Sussex College. He attended Handsworth Grammar School in Birmingham, followed by a degree and Ph.D in geology from the University of Birmingham...
, paleontologist and Woodwardian Professor of Geology at the University of CambridgeUniversity of CambridgeThe University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
from 1966-83 - Joe WilsonJoe Wilson (footballer born 1861)Joseph James Wilson was an English footballer who played at outside left. During his 15-year playing career he represented several teams from the West Midlands region, both as an amateur and a professional...
, footballer - Jack PayneJack PayneJack Payne was a British dance music bandleader.-Career:John Wesley Vivian Payne was born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, the only son of a music warehouse manager...
, bandleader
External links
- Official HGS Website
- EduBase
- HGS Careers Website
- HGS History & Sixth Form Website
- Handsworth Grammar School inspection report conducted February 2002
- Handsworth Grammar School inspection report conducted October 2009