New junior for Wolverhampton Grammar

One of Wolverhampton's most prestigious private schools is creating its own junior school, it was revealed today.

Wolverhampton Grammar Junior School will open in September 2011 for pupils aged seven to 11.

It will be set within the grounds of Wolverhampton Grammar School, in Compton Road, and bosses say it will offer "junior school spirit with grammar school attitudes".

The move comes as a result of parent demand for more junior provision at the highly sought-after school. Grammar school headmaster Vincent Darby said: "We believe the school's forthcoming 500th anniversary is the ideal time for Wolverhampton Grammar School to provide exciting new educational provision for the region's seven to 11-year-olds."

Entry to the junior school is not based on selection tests and does not guarantee entry to the senior school, for which pupils are required to pass an entrance exam.

Chiefs say junior pupils would be "continuously monitored" to see if they could cope with the pace of learning in the senior school.

Youngsters not offered an automatic place at the senior school would be able to sit the senior school entrance test.

Work to transform the school's modern languages block, the Hallmark Building into a junior school will get under way at the end of the summer term.

The languages department will move to the former art and PE block, which is being refurbished during the summer holidays.

Wolverhampton Grammar School already offers one junior year - known as Big Six - and the scheme to create a junior school will be self-financing.

Mr Darby said: "As we look forward to its opening in September 2011, we firmly believe Wolverhampton Grammar Junior School will capture the essence of what has made WGS such an outstanding school for almost five centuries, in an offering that is geared perfectly for our younger students."

Mr Darby said the school had a junior school in 1944. A search is now under way for a new head.

Mr Darby added that the new school would be innovative, offering a broad, educational experience for young learners