THE pride the headteacher of Poole Grammar School feels for each and every one of the pupils is obvious.

Andy Baker has been with the school, off Gravel Hill, for the past 22 years, mostly serving as deputy head and took over the leadership of the students and staff in 2014.

He says that he wants to find something that each young person enjoys to help them grow in confidence. "We want every student to come in feeling really good about themselves about something within the school such as hockey, religion and philosophy or a club we run.

"I think that we get the balance between an academic education and life. They are all really bright. From an academic point of view, we teach a broad range of subjects as D and T (Design and technology) and computer technology. But the students also get the chance to learn outside the classroom, such as a Viking trip they went on recently."

Mr Baker says that at the school, they really push the Growth Mindset, which is about people believing that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, while developing a love of learning.

He said that it is great to watch the students and teachers discovering and learning together and that all of the Poole Grammar School staff give a lot of their time to ensure each young person reaches their full potential.

Mr Baker also teaches lessons at the school, including politics, which he says helps him to hear first hand what the students like about their school and what could make their time in education better.

"I am a head teacher and I would miss teaching terribly if I didn't do it. I would feel a bit of a fraud. I pick up how things are going with the students and how my colleagues are getting on."

He said that the school held a summer fayre last year which was a joint collaboration between the parents association, all departments of the school and the pupils, which was a chance to showcase what the school offers.

Poole Grammar School is the only educational establishment in Dorset to train aspiring secondary school maths teachers. "We have got a very strong maths department and it is about doing something to share those skills.

"I think the teachers are here because they care about the subjects, but they are all passionate about things outside of the subject as well."

What they're saying

1. Tom Jockam, aged 12, in Year 8, said: "There are a lot of parts of the school that are brilliant. My favourite subjects are probably PSHE and drama, which are two subjects that you really get to express yourself with."

2. Rhys Burton, 17, in Year 13, said: "We have the enrichment programme with the compulsory outreach schools and I help at Montacute School every week. There's a massive community atmosphere here and all the year sevens talk to the year 11s for advice and vice versa."

3. Gabby Wills, a parent to one year 9 pupil, said: "I love the supportive nature of the school, which means that I know that if my son has a problem, he can go to talk to the teachers about it. They also get lots of opportunities such as the Viking school trip to Cranborne."

4. Greg Cutbush, parent to a Year 7 and Year 9 pupil, said: "The school is teaching them to become young adults and people outside of the school. It is teaching them to be independent and part of a group."

5. Ed Gibbs, head of Year 13 and a geography and sports teacher, said: "I've been here 16 years and I'd say there is a real community with really good relationships between the students and staff.

6. James Randall, head of religion and philosophy, said: "I am constantly impressed by the students. I am always amazed by their willingness to learn and their willingness to want to learn more. I always get students at the end of the lesson asking questions as they want to know more."

Factfile

Address: Poole Grammar School, Gravel Hill, BH17 9JU

Telephone: 01202 692132

Website: Poolegrammar.com

Type of school: Grammar

Single-sex school aged 11 to 18

Number of pupils: 1187

Latest Ofsted report: June 2014

Rating: Outstanding

What it said: "All students make outstanding progress in a wide range of subjects. These include English and mathematics. Their GCSE, AS and A level results are high.

"The school encourages excellence beyond the classroom. It provides an exceptionally wide range of extra-curricular activities, trips and visits from outside speakers and overseas students.

"The excellent relationship between students and their teachers lies at the heart of the school’s success. Students respond very well to teachers’ high expectations. As a result, students make outstanding progress."