Five-star grammar now top of the list

THE top school in the Examiner Real Schools Guide is the selective Heckmondwike Grammar, with Shelley College in second place.

Pupils need to take an entrance exam to get into Heckmondwike Grammar, which is taken in the autumn term preceding the pupil starting school the following September.

Around 800 pupils take the exam but there are only 180 places on offer, so many end up disappointed.

Around three-quarters of the pupils travel from outside the school’s catchment area.

Its history can be traced back to 1894 when the Building Committee of the Heckmondwike School Board decided to build a large mixed school to accommodate over 900 children.

It cost around £17,000 to build and the school opened on the Monday morning of January 17, 1898 when 907 pupils were led into the main hall from the playground by its first headmaster Mr R S Cahill who was to remain in the role for 26 years.

The school has four houses – Bronte, Clarke, Houldsworth and Priestley.

And it is especially strong at charity fundraising.

Last term alone pupils raised £8,455 for local, national and international charities. on 76 trips or excursions including visits to Amsterdam, Berlin and Wimbledon.

They are also encouraged to do the Duke of Edinburgh Award and this year Shelley College gained more bronze and silver awards than any other school or organisation in Kirklees, with 58 students achieving bronze and 16 silver.

Shelley has a phenomenal background when it comes to drama with two of its former pupils, Lena Headey and Jodie Whittaker, now achieving both national and international stardom.

Lena has a leading role in Game Of Thrones while Jodie has just been revealed as the next Dr Who.