North Independent Secondary School of the Year 2020 North Independent Secondary School of the Year 2021 North Independent Secondary School of the Year 2021

Your questions answered

What time does the primary school day start and finish?

Nursery and Reception both have a flexible start to the day between 8.30-8.50am and finish at 3pm. Years 1 to 6 start at 8.25am. Year 1 finish at 3.20pm and Years 2-6 finish at 3.25pm. Our classrooms are open and supervised between 8.30am and 3.30pm.

Children can be dropped off from 7.45am for free. Wraparound care is available after school until 6pm, at an additional cost. There is also a wide range of co-curricular activities on campus after school.

What is the class size at GSAL primary school?

In Reception to Year 2, our classes are capped at 20 children. For Year 3 to 6, our maximum class size is 22.  This gives our experienced teachers the opportunity to get to know each child well, helping them to recognise and develop their talents.

Where do the families live who send their children to GSAL primary?

Our school is popular with families in Alwoodley and the local north Leeds area. We also have many children come to us from across Leeds, Harrogate, Wetherby, and the surrounding Yorkshire towns and villages.

GSAL is a friendly, welcoming community. Our calendar of events helps forge connections. Our students feel a sense of belonging which lasts throughout their school life and beyond.

Is my child able to catch the school bus to GSAL?

Pupils in Year 3 and above can use our school bus service. After school, children must be met at the bus stop by a responsible adult, unless they have travelled on the bus with a senior school sibling.

Find out more about travelling to GSAL.

Does my child need to sit the entrance exam for Senior School?

Children in Year 6 in our Primary School do not need to sit the entrance exam for senior school.  Children are only assessed once before they join the school. On the rare occasions we have concerns that our senior school may not be suitable for a particular child, we will work with families to help them to find an alternative senior school.

Where will my child eat lunch? What food do you serve?

We have a dedicated Nursery – Year 2 dining room, as well as a dining hall for Year 3 –6 children. Children have a healthy choice of meals, with hot and cold options. Children can also bring a packed lunch, should they wish.

Our catering team are experienced in preparing meals which meet a range of dietary requirements.

Do you have specialist teachers in the primary school?

Yes, we have specialist teachers for PE, music and art. These professional teachers lead lessons across all age groups in our purposefully designed facilities. For example, our primary school children take part in PE lessons using our sports barn, Astroturf pitches and 25-metre swimming pool.

In addition, our two well-resourced libraries are run by our school librarians who help our pupils develop a love of stories and reading.

Does GSAL support children with additional needs?

We have an experienced individual needs team that works throughout the whole school. Their role is to support students who can access the curriculum but have specific additional needs. Staff in the department hold a wide range of SEND qualifications, including specialist assessment qualifications.

If you have questions about whether GSAL can support your child’s individual needs, please contact us. We can then give you tailored information about whether the school can provide the support they need in order to thrive.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Or, if you prefer to chat to someone please call our admissions team. For Senior School call 0113 228 5121 and for Primary School call 0113 228 5113.