BGS Infants and Juniors
BGS Infants and Juniors
Org 1: IAPS
Elton Road, Bristol, BS8 1SR
Telephone: 0117 973 6109
Age Range: Pre-Prep/Infants, Prep/Junior to 11
Day or Boarding: Day, Day Only
Gender: Co-ed
Chairman of Governors: Romesh Vaitlingam, BA Hons Oxon, MBE
Head: Miss Heidi Hughes, BA Hons, MEd, PGCE
Deputy Head: Mrs Veryan Rookes, BSc Hons, PGCE
Deputy Head: Mrs Vicky Drew, BA Hons, QTS
Assistant Head: Mrs Lucy Bendall, BA Hons, PGCE
Assistant Head: Mrs Kate Conway, BA Hons, PGCE
Age Range. 4–11.
Number of Pupils. 336. Infants 108; Juniors 228
Fees per term (2023-2024). Juniors: Years 3–6 £3,951. Infants: Years 1 & 2 £3,671, Reception £3,362. Fees include lunch.
BGS Infants and Juniors is an independent co-educational day school. It was founded in 1900 and since 2010 has offered Infant as well as Junior provision. The School occupies self-contained buildings on the same site as the Senior School, Bristol Grammar School (see entry in HMC section). The School's facilities include a Hall, Library, Music, Art, Science and Technology rooms. Some facilities are shared with the Senior School, particularly the Sports Hall, Performing Arts Centre and Dining Hall. The School now thrives on the happy and purposeful demands of approximately 340 girls and boys aged 4–11 years.
Entry into BGS Infants is by an informal assessment session. Entry for the Junior School is by test and is normally at seven or nine years old (entry to other age groups is subject to the availability of places). Peloquin bursaries are awarded annually and are means-tested. Children who have been members of the School since the start of Year 5 or earlier are offered places in the Senior School following continuous assessment of their progress; other children take the normal Senior School entrance test.
BGS Infants and Juniors aims to provide a rich, broad and balanced curriculum while also maintaining a nurturing environment for children to flourish. The School encourages all pupils to develop their own ideas, giving support so they gain skills and confidence and offering challenges to stretch their thinking. Many subjects are taught by subject specialists, including specialists from the Senior School. Music, art, dance and drama are particularly encouraged with the annual MADD Evening being a particular highlight. There are many clubs and activities including Lego, Gardening, Mindful Colouring, Russian, Board Games, Ukulele, and Coding, as well as extra sports and musical opportunities. One afternoon per week is dedicated to the Activity programme, where children can choose a new challenge or a favourite hobby. In addition, all children in the Infant School, and many Juniors, take part in Forest School and swimming lessons. The children have many opportunities to develop leadership and responsibility; the Infant and Junior School Councils meet regularly with the Head and there is a Charity Committee as well as an Eco-Committee.
A wide range of sports is offered to the pupils at the School’s superb playing fields at Failand with its state-of-the-art pavilion. The impressive purpose-built Sports Hall on the main campus provides facilities for indoor PE and has a climbing wall. Pastoral care is provided by the Form Tutors and the Assistant Heads, supported by all teaching staff and the Head. Form Tutors take a lead in ensuring that children are learning and progressing well. A prosperous House system produces many friendships between age-groups, with mentors and buddies showing new pupils the ropes, making sure that things are running smoothly for them. This leads to a strong sense of family and community within the School owing much to the warm and trusting relationships between children, with each other and with their teachers.
Charitable status. Bristol Grammar School is a Registered Charity, number 1104425. The object of the Charity is the provision and conduct in or near the City of Bristol of a day school for boys and girls.