Double Victory for Stafford Grammar School at Prestigious National Awards
There was an air of great anticipation surrounding Stafford Grammar School as representatives arrived at the Independent Schools’ Association (ISA) Awards
Following a successful run last year, where the school was a finalist for Independent School of the Year, hopes were high for the current season.This year, Stafford Grammar distinguished itself as the only school in the country to be shortlisted in no fewer than three categories:
Outstanding Engagement in the Community, Excellence in Performing Arts, and Outstanding Sport in a Large School. Regardless of the final results, being recognized as a finalist across such a diverse range of disciplines was a significant achievement. However, the evening proved exceptional, with the school securing the top prize in two categories.
The award for Outstanding Sport highlights a period where the school has gone from strength to strength. Under the guidance of Director of Sport Mr. Gunnell himself a former pupil who returned to instil his passion in a new generation the school has secured National skiing titles and enjoyed success in dressage, show jumping, and the recently added discipline of pistol shooting. These accolades sit alongside regional titles in core sports including rugby, netball, and football.
The school also took home the Award for Excellence in Performing Arts, crowning a year that saw musicians secure three platinum awards at the National Concert Band Festival finals. The judges were particularly impressed by the department’s community outreach, which included over 40 concerts, a Big Band tour of South Staffordshire primary schools, and an annual choral day for hundreds of local children.
Reflecting on the double victory, Headmaster Nicholas Pietrek said: “I could not be prouder of my colleagues and all the pupils. It has been a team effort all the way. We have always known that our pupils had exceptional talent and these awards let them know we were telling them the truth!”
