Penistone Grammar School

Welcome to this special edition of our newsletter, dedicated to celebrating the incredible achievements of our students and school community.

From academic excellence and creative accomplishments to sporting triumphs and personal milestones, this issue showcases the talent, dedication and spirit that make Penistone Grammar School such a vibrant and inspiring place to learn and grow.

We are proud of every student who has gone above and beyond, whether in the classroom, on the stage, in competition, or through acts of kindness and leadership. Their achievements reflect not only hard work and perseverance, but also the unwavering support of families, staff and peers.

I hope you enjoy reading about the successes shared in this edition - and that they inspire even more moments of pride in the months ahead.

As we move through the autumn term, I’m sharing some important updates and opportunities in this edition of our school newsletter.

We begin with a look ahead at key dates in our school calendar, helping you stay informed and prepared for the weeks to come. We’re also inviting expressions of interest for Governor vacancies, a chance for former students and members of our community to play a vital role in shaping the future of Penistone Grammar School.

In addition, we’re currently recruiting for several Associate Staff roles, including a Finance Manager and HR Officer - if you or someone you know is interested, please take a look at our vacancies page.

Firstly, many of you will have seen the recent article in the Barnsley Chronicle regarding proposed housing developments near our school (read the article here: Objections over houses ‘not strong enough’ | Barnsley Chronicle). While we welcome investment in the local area, we are disappointed that plans do not include a safe walking path for students travelling to school.

We therefore continue to campaign for a 20mph speed limit around the school, to improve safety for all. We encourage parents, carers, and members of the community to add their support. Sign the Petition: https://forms.office.com/e/yHyvPvJq6y 

Welcome to the latest edition of the PGS Newsletter. As we move further into the academic year, we’re pleased to share key updates and reminders to keep our school community informed and involved.

In this issue, you’ll find important dates in our calendar, alongside a focus on safeguarding at PGS - highlighting how we continue to ensure a safe and supportiveenvironment for all students. We also explore the importance of attendance, and how consistent presence in school directly supports achievement and wellbeing.

We’re excited to announce the upcoming PGS Book Fair, a fantastic opportunity forstudents to discover new reads and celebrate a love of learning. Finally, our curriculum updates provide insight into what’s happening across subjects this term, showcasing the hard work and progress taking place in classrooms every day.

Welcome to our latest school newsletter. As we settle into the rhythm of the new academic year, I’m pleased to share a range of updates and developments from across our school community.

This edition includes a warm welcome to Mr Williams, who joins our leadership team as Assistant Principal and SENDCo. We’re excited about the expertise and energy he brings to this vital role.

We also have updates on My Child at School (MCAS), our parent portal, which continues to be an essential tool for staying connected with your child’s learning journey.

You’ll find important curriculum updates, as well as careers updates to support students in planning for their futures.

Finally, please take a moment to check the calendar section for upcoming events and key dates.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We look forward to a productive term ahead.

Welcome to this week’s newsletter. As we start the new academic year, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students over the summer. Our GCSE and A Level results were exceptional, showcasing the hard work, resilience, and ambition of our young people, supported by dedicated staff and families. These successes set a strong foundation for the year ahead.

In this edition, you’ll find a range of important updates, including attendance expectations, home learning guidance, and links to this term's essential knowledge books. We’ve also included the school calendar for your reference, along with information on upcoming flu vaccinations, policy updates, and our communication methods. There are subject-specific updates, details on this summer's World Challenge expedition, and news about recent staffing changes.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure every student thrives this year.

As the academic year draws to a close, I'm writing to you with a sense of immense pride and gratitude for what we've achieved together at PGS over the past twelve months.

This year has been filled with countless moments of learning, growth, and discovery. I've been consistently impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of all students, who have embraced challenges, celebrated successes, and supported one another with admirable spirit and kindness. From outstanding academic performances, to inspiring theatrical performances on the stage with Legally Blonde, amazing sporting achievements in a variety of sports and fantastic attitude students have shown in over one hundred trips and visits including Duke of Edinburgh, World Challenge and Cadets our students have truly excelled across all areas of school life.

The next of our popular preloved uniform events will take place on Thursday 10 July 15.00 - 17.00, and is open to all. These events are a great opportunity for parents and carers to pick up  good-quality second-hand uniform items, helping to reduce costs while supporting sustainability and reuse. Our last event was a huge success, receiving fantastic feedback from families.

In this final newsletter of the year, you’ll also find important information about term dates for 2025–26, GCSE and A-Level results days, Post-16 enrolment, and updates on PSHE, careers, and community events. Plus, we’re delighted to announce that Steve Howe of Yes and Asia will be headlining PGS Live! on Thursday 17 July - a brilliant way to round off the year.

As we approach the end of term, there’s still lots going on across school. In this edition,we’re inviting you to take part in our Communication Survey 2025, sharing key safeguarding advice for the summer, and asking for volunteers to talk to our Post-16 students about their career journeys.

You’ll also find important updates from Reception and the latest from across the curriculum.

As we head towards the final stretch of the year, there's plenty happening in and around school. In this issue, we’re sharing important updates on our road safety campaign, notices from reception, and curriculum updates for years 9 and 10.  

For Year 11s, we’ve got details on the Post-16 Induction Day, plus key information for Year 12 students preparing for UCAS applications. We’re also taking a moment to celebrate National Thank a Teacher & School Support Staff Day - a great chance to show our appreciation for the incredible team at PGS.  

Welcome to this week’s newsletter - and as always, there’s plenty going on across school!

Year 11 and 13 students are in the midst of their exams, and we’ve been really impressed by the focus and maturity they’ve shown. Meanwhile, our Year 8 students are starting to think about their next steps as they make their mini option choices for Year 9 - it’s an exciting time for them as they begin to shape their future learning.

Elsewhere, we’ve got updates on the Barnsley Schools football finals (well done to everyone involved!), careers opportunities, and information about upcoming immunisation clinics. We're also highlighting the changes to the guidelines for applying for funding from the Foundation Governors.

As we head towards the end of the first half of the summer term, it’s a great time to stop and celebrate everything our students have been getting up to, both in and out of the classroom. From brilliant sporting achievements to fantastic work experience placements and creative successes, there’s so much to be proud of.

This newsletter is packed with highlights that really show what a vibrant and talented community we have here at PGS. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together.

Welcome to this fortnight’s newsletter.

Firstly, a polite reminder to all parents and carers to please park considerately on the roads surrounding school. We ask that you avoid parking in the turning bay or the bus bay at any time, to help keep our students safe and traffic flowing smoothly.

A further reminder that we are a cashless school. We’ve noticed a growing number of students requesting money for the bus home at the end of the day. Please ensure your child has the necessary funds in advance, as we are unable to provide cash from school and this often puts staff in a difficult position.

As always, the newsletter is full of important updates, including details of Year 10 practice exams, Science revision resources for Year 11, how to sign up to the next Compass Be workshop, careers updates, and more. Plus, we’re inviting stallholders to sign up for the next PGS Live event - details below.

As we move through a busy and exciting term, we’ve got plenty of important updates and opportunities to share with you. In this edition, you’ll find details about our recent Vaping Awareness Day, an update on bus service disruptions, and key information for our outgoing Year 11 students. We’re also bringing you the latest on curriculumdevelopments, careers news, and upcoming Compass Be workshops. Plus, don't miss out on what's happening in our Social Enterprise Club!

Be sure to check the calendar for important dates and events coming up.

As we approach the end of the spring term, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to another incredible term at Penistone Grammar School. Our students continue to amaze us with their talent, determination, and community spirit.

Sometimes our students' modesty means we miss out on their extracurricular successes, but we know parents and carers would love to share these stories! If you have positive news about our students, please send the details (and a photo if possible) to enquiries@penistone-gs.uk. 

We look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in the upcoming half term! #beproud

As we approach the final stretch of the spring term, there’s a lot happening at PGS! Next week, our talented students will be taking to the stage for Legally Blonde (Tuesday 1 – Thursday 3 April), and we can't wait to see them perform after months of hard work.

We also have key updates on attendance and important information for Year 11 and 13 students; plus details about an upcoming Revision and Wellbeing Webinar designed to help students stay focused, manage stress, and make the most of exam season.

Lastly, congratulations to our Year 11 internal applicants for Post-16, who have received their offer letters this week – well done!

Read on for all the latest news and updates from PGS.

I hope this message finds you well. As we move into a busy few weeks, I wanted to share some important updates and reminders. Please take note of key dates in our school calendar, including upcoming assessments, events, and deadlines.

We are once again aware of some concerns regarding parking around the school site. We understand that parking around the school can be challenging. However, we kindly ask that you avoid blocking driveways on nearby streets, as residents need access in and out. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Our recent Knife Crime Awareness Day was a success, and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to South Yorkshire Police for their invaluable support and engaging presentations.

I hope this newsletter finds you well as we settle further into the spring term. There’s plenty to share this week, including exciting opportunities and important reminders for students across all year groups.

First, I’m delighted to announce the development of a Friends of PGS community group! This initiative aims to raise funds for both the school and local charities, and we’d love to hear from anyone interested in getting involved. Being part of the group would involve attending occasional virtual meetings (once or twice per term) and helping to plan events like a car boot sale or an Easter Fair. If you'd like to participate, please complete this short form: https://forms.office.com/e/HwS8BThuVJ.

In other news, our Year 11 students are focusing on GCSE strategies to help them prepare effectively for their upcoming exams. We’re also conducting Post-16 interviews to support them in planning their next steps.

As we reach the end of a busy and exciting half-term, I am incredibly proud of the achievements of our students, both inside and outside the classroom. This newsletter highlights just a few of their outstanding accomplishments, demonstrating their resilience, dedication, and passion.  

From Alfie’s impressive debut at the Welsh Ski Championships to Harry’s incredible comeback in BJJ, securing national and international titles, our students continue to push themselves to new heights. Our Year 9 prefects have also been making a difference through their research project, leading to improvements in school facilities. Meanwhile, preparations for our much-anticipated production of Legally Blonde are well underway, with tickets now on sale for what promises to be a fantastic show!  

Welcome to this edition of our school newsletter. As always, there is plenty happening across our school community, and we are delighted to share some key updates with you.

This week, our Year 10 French and Spanish students have been taking part in mock speaking exams, giving them valuable practice ahead of their final assessments. We know this can be a nerve-wracking experience, and we encourage students to make use of the support available in the Languages Department.

We also have an exciting opportunity for one more student to join our World Challenge Expedition to Norway in 2026. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore the fjords by kayak and camp in the mountains—if your child is interested, please get in touch as soon as possible, further details below.

What a fantastic start to the term! Last week saw a range of impactful events, including Luke Ambler’s inspiring resilience sessions, workshops on young passenger and driver safety, and Year 9 students beginning their options process—an important step in shaping their future.

We’re also delighted to announce the arrival of our new mini-bus, generously funded by the Penistone Grammar School Foundation Governors. This wonderful addition will open up more opportunities for trips and activities. Our thanks go to Neville Shiggins, Chair of the Foundation Governors Trust, and the team for their support.

This newsletter covers key updates, including the Post-16 application deadline, vaccination consent forms, curriculum updates for Key Stages 3 and 4, extra-curricular clubs, and information about the Penistone Youth Hub.

Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful holiday season. As we step into 2025, it’s been a frosty start with the recent snow day closures on Monday and Tuesday. We appreciate your understanding as we prioritise the safety of our students, staff, and parents / carers. With icy conditions persisting, I’d like to remind everyone of the importance of staying safe around the school site and while travelling to and from school. Please take extra care, particularly on untreated paths, and encourage your children to do the same.

This month’s newsletter is packed with key updates, events, and reminders to help us all begin the term with focus and enthusiasm. Highlights include details about the Year 9 GCSE Options Evening, the Year 11 post-16 application deadline, and careers support sessions to assist students in planning their next steps.

As we approach the end of the autumn term, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to another incredible term at Penistone Grammar School. Our students continue to amaze us with their talent, determination, and community spirit.

Sometimes our students' modesty means we miss out on their extracurricular successes, but we know parents and carers would love to share these stories! If you have positive news about our students, please send the details (and a photo if possible) to enquiries@penistone-gs.uk. 

We look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in the upcoming half term! #beproud

Mr Crook

Welcome to this week’s newsletter, where we share the latest updates and highlights from our school community. As the festive season approaches, we’re proud to showcase the generosity and spirit of our students, staff, and families. From supporting local families at Christmas to celebrating the success of our recent Christmas Fair, it’s clear that kindness and collaboration are at the heart of Penistone Grammar School.  

In this issue, you’ll find important calendar updates, information about music lessons, and a vital message about cold water safety. There’s also news and updates from our Post-16 and curriculum teams.

Thank you for your continued support as we move closer to the holiday break. We hope you find this week’s newsletter both informative and inspiring.

As we approach the festive season, I’d like to take a moment to update you on the latest news from PGS.

This year, we are once again supporting Sheffield Children’s Hospital by collecting donations for their Christmas hampers, which are distributed to staff and parents on the wards over Christmas. If you would like to contribute items, such as non-perishable food and toiletries, please refer to the donation news item below for more details.

Our PGS Christmas Fair is just around the corner, and it promises to be a wonderful event. We look forward to seeing you there for some festive fun, great entertainment, and opportunities to support our school community. It's always a highlight of the year, and we are grateful for your ongoing support.

Welcome to the latest edition of the PGS Fortnightly Newsletter! In this issue we have implemented a variety of your suggestions arising from the latest communications survey - you can read more about the results in the "You Said, We Did" section below. We also have the first instalment of a regular series highlighting the work done by staff from different departments around school - first up are our fantastic Achievement Leaders.

In this issue, the Post 16 update provides important information about the upcoming progress exams and the deadline for Year 12 work experience registration, so be sure to check those out, as well as a report from our successful Post 16 Open Evening.

As we approach the end of the first half term of 2024-25, we want to extend a huge "well done" to our students, staff, families, and the wider community for all they have accomplished over the past eight weeks. A special shout-out goes to our Year 7 students, who have embraced the transition to secondary school with such a positive mindset. To learn more about what we've achieved this term, be sure to read our new half-termly Student Celebration Newsletter. We're confident you'll be amazed by just how incredible our students are.

When we reached out for updates on our students' accomplishments, we already recognised the exceptional talent within our school community. However, we have been truly amazed by the number of students achieving success both academically and beyond.

To honour these achievements, we will be providing a student achievement update at the end of each half term, highlighting all that our students have accomplished in the weeks prior.

In this edition of the PGS Fortnightly Newsletter, you will find important updates including: information on Restart a Heart Day; a Parent / Carer feedback form regarding our communications; and details about available school governor vacancies. We also address parking concerns, provide curriculum updates, and highlight our enrichment activities.

In this edition of the PGS Newsletter you'll find a number of important updates, including updates to our curriculum web pages and effort grade descriptors, the upcoming Year 11 practice exams, and Year 12 work experience. Please do read the attached information in these sections, particularly if your child is in Year 11 or 12. Parents of Year 12 students will need to make sure they have completed the work experience consent form. 

As we head towards the middle of this first half term we have a number of items requiring your attention - below you will find the vaccination schedule and link to consent forms, updates on uniform, ParentPay, and attendance. We are also sharing with you the contact information for Penistone Food Buddies, who are performing an amazing service in our community. This service is available to anyone living in the Penistone East or West wards, not just those whose children attend PGS, so please do feel free to pass the information to anyone who you think may benefit.