‘The Grammar School in Bristowe’ existed under a lay master in 1532 in which year, under a charter of Henry VIII, it was endowed with the estates of St Bartholomew’s Hospital by the merchant and geographer Robert Thorne and others. The trust was placed in the care of the Corporation of Bristol and then the Trustees of the Bristol Municipal Charities. In September 2004 the School incorporated as a company limited by guarantee with registered charitable status and is now governed under Memorandum and Articles of Association approved by the Charity Commission in 2004.
Co-educational since 1980, Bristol Grammar School is a day school providing a wide-ranging and challenging education for c. 1,000 boys and girls aged between 11–18, while BGS Infants and Juniors, based on the same site, caters for those in the 4–11 age range.
Pupils learn in an atmosphere that motivates them to enjoy their education and as a result BGS has a deserved reputation as one of the leading academic schools in the South West. The School has a friendly and lively environment and pupils are encouraged to make the most of the wide-ranging opportunities available to them. When pupils join the School at 11+, they are based in the same building in their House form groups, which helps ease their transition to Senior School, as well as providing an important opportunity for the year-group to bond socially. In Years 8–11, each House group has its own base, although teaching is spread throughout the School’s specialist facilities.
Close to the city centre and adjacent to Bristol University, Bristol Grammar School is well placed to take advantage of the city’s many amenities. It is also committed to a continuing programme of investment to ensure its own facilities continue to offer the best possible opportunities to its pupils.
The Houses. The School is divided into six Houses, each organised by a Head of House with the assistance of a Deputy Head of House and House Form Tutors. Form Tutors will typically remain with pupils throughout their time in the Senior School from Years 7–11. Older pupils become leaders within their House, while social, theatrical, musical, sporting and other opportunities allow those from all year-groups to work together in a friendly and cooperative atmosphere. As well as providing continuity of pastoral care and enhancing school/home links, the Houses operate as families within the School community, encouraging a real sense of belonging among pupils.
Curriculum. The School takes note of the National Curriculum but – in keeping with its academic ethos and focus on every learner being enabled to make the most of their individual ability – a far wider range of subjects and opportunities is offered. Setting is used in Maths, the Sciences and some Modern and Classical languages to ensure optimal individual progress, but there is no streaming. In Year 7 all pupils follow a curriculum which includes English, Mathematics, Science, French, Spanish, History, Geography, Design & Technology, Food & Nutrition, ICT, Latin, PRE (Philosophy, Religion and Ethics), Art, Music, Drama, Dance, and Physical Education. In Year 8 the core curriculum is continued but pupils are offered a further choice of languages to include German and Russian. In Year 9 pupils personalise their curriculum, making choices from all subjects studied thus far and other areas such as Classical Civilisation, Greek, Business Studies and Computer Science, and pupils then choose their GCSE options from this broad base. Most pupils take ten GCSEs at the end of Year 11 in the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, a humanities subject and a modern language, together with a selection of other subjects, chosen from a carefully balanced range of options.
BGS currently offers IGCSEs in Mathematics; the Sciences; Geography; History; French; German; Spanish; Business Studies; Food & Nutrition; and Philosophy, Religion & Ethics (PRE). The Sixth Form provides the opportunity to study either A levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. There are a wide range of subjects on offer in the Sixth Form: English Language (A level only), English Literature, Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Design & Technology (A level only), French, German, Russian, Spanish, Latin, Greek, Classical Civilisation (A level only), History, Politics (A level only), Geography, Economics, Business Studies (A level only), Computer Science, Psychology, Philosophy, Drama & Theatre Studies, Dance, Physical Education, Art, Music, and Music Technology (A level only). In addition, many pupils take an elective course; their options include the Extended Project Qualification, a Sports Leadership award, Creative Writing, Further Mathematics, and Mathematical Studies. Many also choose to complete their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. All Sixth-form pupils follow enrichment courses and attend a richly diverse programme of weekly lectures by visiting speakers. Many also attend enrichment lessons to support university preparation for Russell Group and Oxbridge Universities, including for Medicine, Veterinary Science and Law. Our experienced Higher Education and Careers Advisors guide pupils to proceed on a pathway that is best suited to their ambitions, whether that be an apprenticeship, the world of work or attending one of the wide range of universities in the UK and abroad, with the majority securing places at their first-choice universities.
There are frequent opportunities for parents to consult Form Tutors and Heads of Houses and regular meetings are held for parents to meet the teaching staff. The School also has three teachers to support pupils with SEN (including dyslexia and EAL).
Games. The Games options – which vary for different age-groups – include rugby, hockey, netball, football, cross-country, cricket, athletics, tennis, and weight training. Facilities for orienteering, aerobics, climbing, dance, judo, fencing, badminton and squash are also available. There is a Pavilion and extensive playing fields at Failand, which includes an all-weather 3G pitch, two AstroTurf hockey pitches and netball and tennis areas. Below the Sixth Form, all pupils participate in School games sessions; the full range of sports is available to Sixth-form pupils. Major sports tours are run on a three-year cycle: recent destinations have included New Zealand, South America, South Africa, and Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Activities and Societies. Pupils take part in a wide-ranging programme of activities (this forms part of the compulsory curriculum for some year-groups), and there are many clubs and societies at lunchtimes and after school, including Astronomy Club, Model United Nations (MUN), Beekeeping, and Architecture Club. There are flourishing choirs and orchestras; individual tuition can also be arranged on a large number of instruments. Drama and Dance productions are regularly staged by different age levels and by the Houses. Pupils may join the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme in Year 10 and there is an active Community Service unit.
Admission. Entry to the School is normally in September at age 11+ following a satisfactory performance in the entrance examination held in the previous spring and a creditable school report or reference. All Year 7 applicants are also invited to meet with a member of staff to discuss their school work, interests and hobbies. A small number of places become available each year at age 13+, with a further thirty–forty places at 16+. Pupils may also be accepted into the School during the year at other points, subject to the availability of places.
Applications should be made to the Admissions Office at the School. Prospective entrants and their families are always welcome to visit; please see the website for information about open days, tours and taster days.
Bursary Awards. The School’s Bursary Award scheme is able to offer substantial financial assistance towards the fees of able pupils whose parents have limited means. The scheme is kept under regular review by the Governors who constantly seek to extend it.
Scholarships. Scholarships are available for entry at 11+ and 16+ and are awarded for academic ability; all applicants who take the entrance assessments in January are automatically considered for these, there is no separate assessment. Scholarships are also available at 11+ for Sport and Creative & Performing Arts.
From September 2023 onwards pupils awarded a BGS scholarship will receive an annual grant to support development in the field of their award, and join our Scholars Programme. The scholarships will no longer carry an automatic fee reduction, but all pupils (including those awarded scholarships) are eligible for fee assistance through the Bursary Award scheme.
Our Scholars Programme is designed to meet the educational needs of its most gifted pupils. This programme offers extended individual learning opportunities, group activities and mentoring in and out of School by the Heads of Scholars. At 16+ pupils may apply to become specific Subject Scholars and work more closely with Heads of Subject.
Fees per term (2023–2024). Senior School £5,975. Juniors: Years 3–6 £3,951. Infants: Years 1 & 2 £3,671, Reception £3,362. Fees include the cost of most textbooks and stationery and lunch for Reception to Year 11 pupils.
BGS Infants and Juniors. The Junior School extended its provision to include Infants, with its first Reception class in September 2010. The School admits children from 4–11 and is housed in its own buildings on the same site as the Senior School. (For further details see entry in IAPS section.) Old Bristolians Society. Close contact is maintained with former pupils through the Old Bristolians Society whose Honorary Secretary can be contacted at the School.
Charitable status. Bristol Grammar School is a Registered Charity, number 1104425. It has existed since 1532 to provide an education for Bristol children.
Governors & Staff:
Governors:
M Alkerstone
Dr M Boulton
I Chesham
Ms M Crayton
Miss H Drake
Dr M Gainsborough
S Harvey
P Huckle
Mrs S Hutchison
Mrs E Leggate
J May
A Moore
Mrs L Parr
N Pickersgill,
Ms K Redshaw
D Shelton
Mrs M Simmons-Bird
J Sisman
Ms S Speake
Dr D Thompson
R Vaitilingam
M Wilson
Senior Leadership Team:
Headmaster: J M Barot, MA, MSc
Head of BGS Infants and Juniors: Miss H Hughes, BSc, MEd
Deputy Head: P R Roberts, BSc, MSc
Deputy Head: Ms R L Davies, BA, MSc
Deputy Head: M L Pattie, MA MLitt
Deputy Head: Miss F A Ripley, BSc
Deputy Head: D J Stone, BSc
Bursar: G Mitchell, BA
Assistant Head: G S Clark, BSc
Assistant Head: J S Harford, BSc
Assistant Head: O L Chambers, BSc
Assistant Head: A N Gunawardana, BA
Assistant Head: B Schober, BSc, MA
Assistant Head: T Yates, BA