BGS Developments
What were the key strategic developments in 2024-25 and how did they impact on pupils?
We are always seeking to offer even better opportunities to our pupils - we never stand still! The school year 2024-25 was no exception. Please find a few examples below.
Fully aligned school day for the first time
From September 2024, for the first time in the School’s history, we had a fully aligned school day across Infants, Juniors, Seniors and Sixth Form. Why was this important? Because it allowed older and younger pupils to work together, expert teachers to be deployed across the 3-18 age range and wider access to the campus for all.
New Primary kitchen
Our new kitchen, installed in August 2024, meant Primary pupils no longer had to cross the road for lunch and therefore had more time for clubs and lunchtime activities.
Launch of the Pathways Careers Programme
The new Pathways programme, experienced for the first time by this year’s Year 12 students, has delivered more than we could have anticipated in its first year. Sixth formers are benefitting enormously from targeted careers advice and university preparation programmes designed to set them up for the rest of their lives.
SEND champions established in every department
At BGS, our SEND pupils make phenomenal progress. To ensure this continues, every academic department now has a leader who is championing, alongside all of us, provision for pupils with SEND.
New Primary Maths curriculum
A new approach to teaching Maths in Primary has proven very successful this year. As a consequence, we fully expect to see ever more confident and adept mathematicians in Seniors in the future.
Further pupil leadership opportunities
Whether it be through chairing Student Council in Year 12, being a Peer Mentor in Year 10, a Form Captain in Year 7, a School Ambassador in Year 6 or one of many other roles, pupil leadership has been front and central this year. Thank you to our pupil leaders who have excelled!
New steps for our CCF
The oldest and largest voluntary Combined Cadet Force in the country, BGS CCF has had the most incredible year with lots of firsts: flying experiences for RAF cadets, the inaugural celebratory dinner and cadets being recognised at the highest level by the Lord Lieutenant.
Our first Y11 Celebration Evening
We wanted to give our fabulous Year 11s – a group who left Primary School during Covid - the best possible end to their Senior School years as they head into Sixth Form. We’ve long held celebratory events during the school day, but this evening was a first and involved parents too: one of the loveliest events of the year.
New Parent Ambassador roles
A big ‘thank you’ to parents who have been our first BGS Parent Ambassadors, talking to new parents at admissions events and open days. You have been brilliant!
Establishment of Bury Grammar School joint Alumni Association
Our fabulous alumni associations amalgamated earlier this year. They now reflect the model of the School with both mixed sex and single sex events: the best of both worlds. How does this help current pupils? By providing the most amazing networking opportunities and mentoring links for the future.
‘Looking up and looking ahead’ – our new Pupil Engagement and Careers Programme in Year 10
The middle GCSE year between Year 9, where everything is new, and Year 11, where everything seems to happen, can have its challenges. We are thrilled that our current Year 10s have been making the most of the opportunities being offered to them in this new programme: prefect and peer mentor training, work experience, focus groups, signing up for careers programmes and having Sixth Form taster sessions.
Relaunch of Parent Forum
We’ve loved meeting with parents this year and hearing from you about your experiences. Our relaunched Parent Forum is a great discussion space and we’ve been keen to act on some of your great suggestions!
New BGS Archive
We are humbled to have such an incredible history behind us and we understand the responsibility of telling stories of those who went before us and made BGS the school it is today. Our new Archive Room will be open for visitors in the Autumn.
Updated Parent Portal
We launched a new Parent Portal just a few days ago to give parents even more information about their children and ensure they feel fully involved in school life.
And coming next year 2025-26, following plans we’ve been working on over the course of 2024-25:
BGS Pre-School to be launched
Updates to government funding prompted a re-think for our youngest pupils. BGS Pre-School (renamed from Kindergarten) now offers more flexibility for parents, teaching from the Head of Infants, unrivalled experiences for our 3 and 4 year olds and the very best start to an all-through education.
BTEC sport, Model United Nations, new Primary English curriculum, new Year 7/8 History curriculum, Sports leader qualification
A brilliant development has been the School’s capacity, in challenging times, to grow curricular and extra-curricular opportunities still further. We have no doubt these will enhance pupils’ experiences.
New leaders in Sport
BGS is ready to take on all sporting competitors in 2025-26! Our new staff team of sports leaders are raring to go…more information to follow….
New pupils and new teachers
In September, we are delighted to be welcoming 138 new pupils and 6 new teachers to Bury Grammar School!