For many years, John Whitgift Academy has been the highest performing academy in the region with students there making the most progress compared to others, both locally and nationally. The academy also provides excellent opportunities for students to develop personally, as well as academically.

John Whitgift Academy, which is part of the Willows community in Grimsby, has long been recognised as the academy of choice for parents and students in the local area. For the past 5 years the academy, which is part of DELTA Academies Trust, has outperformed all others in Grimsby and Cleethorpes with students there making the most progress in the region compared to all other students locally and nationally.

As well as the excellent academic choices available, students attending the academy also develop their personal skills, experience exciting new places and develop their own ‘cultural capital.’

Principal, Mr Rob Spendlow, at a recent open event for prospective Year 7 students and parents, discussed the outstanding opportunities available at the academy: “It is not only the academic results that count, but also the way we help to prepare students for life after education. John Whitgift Academy’s extra-curricular and personal development offer is second to none and the impact it has on the life chances of our learners is substantial. We are very proud of the opportunities students have to develop both academically and personally.”

John Whitgift’s offer to students includes:

Principal Rob Spendlow said the academy was ever building on the momentum created by its consistently high GCSE results over the previous 5 years:

The school saw 66% of Year 11s gain grade 4 or higher in English and Mathematics, with 81% of students achieving the grade in English and 70% in Mathematics.

The grade 5 or higher figure was 5% higher in 2024 compared to 2023 than the provisional average for North East Lincolnshire. Students at JWA tend to make more progress than any other academy in the county.

Mr Spendlow told students, “I am so proud to be Principal here. Whilst we have fantastic results, it is also about personal development and the opportunities we offer.”

The impressive array of extra-curricular activities offered by the academy, with the support of a large multi-academy trust like DELTA, allows JWA students to broaden their horizons and experience events and places that are usually only available to those in the private sector.

Tom has just started Year 11 and his brother Peter is in Year 10: “The skiing trip to Italy was brilliant and my brother went on the Duke of Edinburgh expedition to Dallowgill,” said Thomas. “It gives kids the chance to do things that they have not done before and takes them to different places.”

Tom and Peter’s parents said: “When we were deciding what secondary school to send the boys to, we quickly realised that JWA was the place to be! The academy’s reputation is now fantastic and we’re so glad we made the right choice of school and they’re both doing well in their studies.”

Mr Spendlow commented, “Students at grammar schools have opportunities available like these, why shouldn’t all children have access to a wide range of experiences, developing their knowledge and understanding of the wider world around them?”

Following the Covid lockdowns, the academy made a concerted effort to actively promote and support students in getting back into the swing of attending extra-curricular clubs, trips, visits and events. Mr Bee, Assistant Principal, said that, “as travel returned to normal, it was fundamentally important that our students had the opportunity to participate in visits both in the UK and abroad. Broadening horizons and giving students experiences outside of the academy and their normal routines, helps create more informed and mature young people ready for the wider world. In 2024 the History department took 80 Year 9 and 10 students to Krakow, Poland, to further enhance their understanding of the atrocities of World War 2. Students and staff explored the city and learned about the Ghetto Square, visited Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, toured Schindler’s Factory and the Krakow Salt Mines. Students left feeling privileged to be able to understand and experience the sites in which such significant historical events took place.”

Along with the outstanding extra-curricular offer, the academy also provides a bespoke personal development programme for all students during their daily tutor period and Ethics, Philosophy and Citizenship lessons. On Mondays, students spend time discussing and thinking about their attendance. It is this, along with the academies rigorous and relentless drive to improving attendance, which has seen it awarded ‘Attendance hub’ status by the DfE for its nationally recognised high attendance.

On Tuesdays, student assemblies highlight the importance of keeping safe and raise awareness of themes such as mental health, PRIDE, national and international events, British values, healthy relationships and being a good citizen. The remaining weekdays focus on students’ ‘cultural capital’ through developing their knowledge and understanding of the Arts, Sport, entertainment, world landmarks, cuisine and religion. These topics then form many of the questions in the half termly quizzes all tutor groups participate in, with awards such as certificates, trophies, sweets, Amazon vouchers and laptops for the winners. Students also work closely with the University of Lincoln to produce the yearly JWA Journal which showcases many of the extra-curricular and personal development activities which take place.

Mr White, Assistant Principal responsible for student personal development, highlighted the importance of what the academy calls ‘cultural capital’ to students, explaining that it is important to leave not only with good academic outcomes but also in having developed a wide general knowledge, personal skills and characteristics such as resilience, respect and empathy, all of which will enable them to be successful. “As teachers, we are not only responsible for ensuring that students have the best grades possible but also the best life chances possible. Research has identified that people with more ‘cultural capital’ progress further in their careers, are happier, well-rounded and tolerant, and understand concepts that they may not have done so before. This is why all of us here at JWA, the staff, students and governors, all try to improve our cultural capital.”

Mr Spendlow summarised the progress the academy has made in the last 5 years, “John Whitgift Academy over the last 5 years has become the academy of choice. Our facilities, extra-curricular programme and wide-ranging taught curriculum are exemplary. The Trust wide support is excellent, and we pride ourselves on providing superb teaching and learning for all.”