Memorable Moments of 2024
Here are just a few of our 2024 memorable moments...
January
Our Year 11 pupils and Year 13 students worked extremely hard in their mock examinations and later celebrated fantastic examination results in the summer, where their dedication certainly paid off. Best of luck to our current Year 11 and 13s!
We held our 11+ Entrance Exam for prospective Year 7's. We do hope that the afternoon of enjoyable activities balanced out the morning of hard work during the Entrance Exam!
Many of our pupils volunteer through our extensive community service programme and by doing so make a real impact on the lives of others in our community. Our brilliant Year 9 and 10 pupils have been making a positive impact by volunteering at a local care home through our Enrichment programme. Pupils visit Abbeydale Care Home where they help co-ordinate activities and play games with the residents. This programme aims to develop pupils’ communication, planning, leadership and teamwork.
February
We held our interviews for prospective Year 7’s who then later joined the School this September. Pupils have settled in incredibly well and a couple told us:
"School has been very exciting. It is a safe and academic environment."
"I have enjoyed the range of clubs at school and the sense of belonging they have given me."
Bury Grammar School's Primary Division Achieves Silver: Rights Aware School Accreditation. Rights Aware is the second stage of the Rights Respecting Schools Award. This accomplishment reflects our commitment to instilling an understanding of Children's Rights within both our curriculum and the daily lives of our pupils.
March
We celebrated glowing inspection results from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). The ISI inspection, which took place in December last year, covered every aspect of the School's operation, from academic performance to pastoral care, extracurricular activities, and overall school management. We are proud that our school has excelled in all areas, solidifying our reputation as a leading educational establishment in the region.
Please read the full report here: Inspection Reports - Bury Grammar School
Bury Grammar School pupils and teachers celebrated World Book Day in true style, and took part in a ‘Book Swap’ in support of Manchester Children's Hospital as well as local charity shops!
On the 9th March, the local community gathered for the highly anticipated annual Ramsbottom Music Festival. This event is always special as it provides a platform for budding musicians to show off their talents and celebrate the music! Several pupils from Bury Grammar School participated in the festival, showcasing their skill and dedication. Their performances were very well received from both judges and spectators.
The Joint Choir proudly took to the stage in the Roger Kay Hall to perform movements from Handel's Messiah, joined by musicians from the local community, BGS Alumni, parents, current pupils and students, staff and friends of Bury Grammar School, in what was a wonderful community performance.
We enjoyed some of the great choruses from this marvellous work and were delighted that Jenny Lucking (Friend of BGS) and Jay Broadhurst (Old Boy) returned to sing some of the solo arias.
On March 15th, the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) of Bury Grammar School (BGS) proudly participated in a Field Day and Biennial Inspection.
Our CCF contingent stands as a beacon of strength and tradition, boasting a membership of two hundred and fifty officers and cadets. Renowned as one of the largest and most historic CCF Contingents in the country, Bury Grammar School's commitment to excellence is emitted through its longstanding legacy within the CCF community.
This year, we were privileged to welcome Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris CBE, Director Support and Chief Engineer of the RAF, as our distinguished Inspecting Officer.
The day began with a meticulous Inspection of Cadets, accompanied by a March led by the Corps of Drums. Our esteemed guests were then treated to a buffet lunch, followed by engaging Cadet activities, and a final parade.
Following the final parade, we took a moment to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our individual pupils. We are delighted to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mykola (Year 12) for being honoured with the Silver Cyber Award, Chloe (Year 13) for her accomplishment as GP Rifle Marksman, Cole (Year 11) for his well-deserved promotion to Cadet Sergeant, and Sophie (Year 12) for her advancement to the esteemed rank of Master Cadet. Each of these accomplishments reflects their dedication, skill, and commitment to excellence, and we are immensely proud of their achievements.
On Sunday, the 24th of March, Bury Grammar School's Senior Public Speaking team travelled to Frodsham to take part in the District Grand Final of the Rotary sponsored Youth Speaks competition.
The team, comprising of Grace, Emily and Lucy (Year 11), had already secured two wins in previous heats to get them to the final.
As expected, the standard at the Youth Speaks final were exceptionally high, and the BGS team certainly felt the pressure. However, they rose to the occasion admirably, channelling their nerves to deliver a prize-winning performance, which resulted in them winning the competition in the senior category!
We celebrated the success of our Year 13 students who completed an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Thirty students in Year 13 worked on their projects throughout Year 12 and then submitted them last November.
These results truly are worth celebrating as an impressive 20% of the projects achieved the highest A* grade with every student awarded a grade in the A*-B band.
🏆 Congratulations to the U14 netball team who are the Sisters n Sport Shield National Champions! 🏆
The U14 team played in the ‘Final 4 Day’. Winning their first match against Woodlands School, the team went into the final against St.Bede’s and returned to Bury as National champions! 🌟Congratulations to the whole team who performed brilliantly and to Bella for being awarded Player of the Final by the event organisers! A fantastic achievement for this team. 🏐👏
April
The Year 12 Young Enterprise participated in the final of the Young Enterprise competition and returned to #BuryGrammarSchool as overall winners! 🏆
The judges loved the product they had created and the quality of their business plan and presentation. 👏
Pupils participated in an array of enrichment activities, competitions and school trips including the French Spelling Bee, the Robotics Club Lego League Competition, the Ski Trip to Italy, the Year 6 Football Tour to Madrid, the Primary Division Easter Hat Parade, the Year 12 Geography Trip to Cranedale Centre in Yorkshire, and CCF RAF Section Camp to name just a few!
Pupils also enjoyed trips this year to Blackpool, Plas Menai, Grasmere, Nepal, Castleton, River Bollin, Chester Zoo, Wimbledon, London Art, Jorvik, Jodrell Bank, Llandudno, Tatton Park and High Adventure.
On the morning of the 28th of April, several cadets from our Army section took part in Bury's annual Gallipoli day commemorations. This involved a parade through Bury town centre joining members of the regular and territorial battalions of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, the veterans association, the Fusilier band, Sea cadets representing the naval vessels involved and Fusilier cadets from the ACF.
May
Six Years. One School.
After centuries of being separate schools, Bury Grammar School officially became one school on the 23rd of May 2018. So, on the 23rd May this year, we celebrated six years of Bury Grammar School as one school and reflected on how BGS has progressed and developed since the joining of all seven schools!
Founders’ Day is when we pause to say ‘thank you’ to our founders and donors for the wonderful education and great opportunities they have given to the young people of Bury and the local area, a truly memorable day for the BGS community.
We were pleased to host the annual GCSE & A Level Art Exhibition, 'Actually...' showcasing the incredible work of all our Year 11 pupils, Year 12, and Year 13 students. The Art Department celebrates a strong sense of individuality and creativity that echoes the diversity of our artists. The pupils and students benefit from working in a shared studio space, combining a wealth of ideas across a range of disciplines. They have embraced this opportunity and take pride in their work exploring and experimenting thoroughly.
Our new prefect appointments were announced.
Bury Grammar School’s Senior Prefect Team for 2024-25 is now:
Lydia T – School Captain/Head Girl
Monty W – School Captain/Head Boy
Louisa Y – Vice Captain/Deputy Head Girl
Mykola-Vasyl B – Vice Captain/Deputy Head Boy
Ismail S – Vice Captain/Deputy Head Boy.
The roles of the School Captains are highly honoured positions in our School. The tradition of Head Girl dates to 1906 and the role of School Captain for the Boys’ dates to as early as 1595.
June
On Monday 24th June, Bury Grammar School was visited by The Rt. Hon. Alistair Burt, BGS Old Boy (Class of 1973) and esteemed politician.
During his visit to school, Alistair Burt held an engaging question-and-answer session with pupils from Years 10 to 12, who are currently studying Politics, Economics, or History. He emphasised the importance of being aware of one's geographical and social surroundings, highlighting that politics is neither boring nor irrelevant. Then the School Captain Team proudly gave Alistair a tour of the School before he met with the Senior Leadership Team for an enjoyable Afternoon Tea.
We would like to thank The Rt. Hon. Alistair Burt for taking the time out of his busy schedule to visit our school. His words left a lasting impression on us all.
We are delighted to report that we have retained our status as a Centre of Excellence for Inclusion for the second consecutive year. The Inclusion Quality Mark Award provides UK schools with a nationally recognised validation of their inclusive practice and ongoing commitment to developing educational inclusion.
‘Pupil voice shows that pupils benefit from and appreciate the open-door policy and welcoming environment.’
Our exceptionally talented Primary Division pupils in Years 3 to 6 treated families to an outstanding performance of Shrek Jr in their summer show. We were transformed to a land of fairy tale creatures, where Shrek, our resident ogre, saves the Princess Fiona and they find their one true love. 💚
On 24th June the Year 13 Prefect Celebratory Dinner and Speech Night Prizegiving Celebration took place in school. Thank you to our guest speaker, The Rt. Hon. Alistair Burt (Class of 1973), who spoke to our guests about his time at BGS, and to everyone who attended the celebrations for this wonderful year group where Year 13s received many School and Academic prizes - congratulations!
Our talented pupils in Year 7 Drama Club enchanted us with a performance of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. The pupils put on a fantastic show, which would not have been possible without the dedication and resilience of their wonderful cast and backstage helpers. Their passion for drama and performance really shone through! ✨
Our Sports Days were filled with BGS spirit and comradery. Through our House System, pupils learn the joy and value of team participation, and the valuable lessons of dependability and having to give your best. Pupils learn to win with modesty and accept defeat with good grace, and that participation is far more important than winning
July
🎵 Our annual Orchestra Day was a musical extravaganza! Over 100 musicians from Years 3 to 12 gathered in the Primary Division Hall to perform. Pupils were tutored by expert instrumental specialists and were supported by our brilliant BGS Music team. Thank you so much to everyone who made this event a successful and enjoyable experience. 😊👏
The World Challenge expedition began their Nepal trek in July. From experiencing new cultures to trekking in the wild, the day-to-day challenges of expedition life encourages pupils to develop life skills and build deeper confidence, resilience, and empathy – and what an incredible experience this was!
Congratulations to all participants for completing this impressive 27 night trip! 👏
Three of our talented Year 9 pupils travelled to Cambridge University to compete in the National Final of the MFL (Modern Foreign Languages) Translation Bee.
This marks the third consecutive year that Bury Grammar School pupils have earned places in the National Final. Notably, Sahar competed last year in French and this year switched to German. This year’s event saw outstanding performances from all our participants. Sarah faced a nail-biting tie-breaker with four other pupils, ultimately finishing just outside the top four. Ellie delivered a strong performance in French, while Sahar triumphed in the German category, emerging as the National Champion.
Our BGS cadets attended the CCF Summer Camp this July. Many challenging, exciting, adventurous, and educational activities were offered, including climbing walls, zip-lining, water activities and many other challenges, where cadets had the chance to further develop their personal responsibility, leadership, and self-discipline.
CCF Army Cadet Colour Sergeant Sarmad (Class of 2024) successfully completed the Army Cadet Master Cadet course at Frimley Training Centre. He is the first Bury Grammar School CCF Army Cadet to have ever completed the course.
CCF RAF Cadet Flight Sergeant and this year’s Drum Sergeant Major Sophie has had a busy summer attending the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford where she formed part of the logistical team to help run this World-renowned event. Sophie was then selected to attend the Air Cadets annual 'Air and Space Camp' at RAF Syserton taking part in cyber and engineering projects run by the RAF. Cadets at camp even got to experience their own air show excellently delivered by the RAF.
Finally, the CCF Army's Cadet Skill at Arms team were training at Wathgill Training Camp last week, fine tuning their marksmanship skills ahead of the North-West Competition on 15th September at Altcar Training Camp. We wish them luck!
The summer break is always one of the busiest times in school for our IT and Estates teams who undertook a wide range of projects this summer, all improving the experience and facilities for our pupils.
The outside spaces in the Senior Girls’ site have been upgraded with outdoor shelters, seating and secure fencing. The Rose Garden outside the Senior Boys’ Hall has been given a much needed re- surface making the journey between the two sites much safer, work continued in the Physics department upgrading the labs, new lockers were installed in the Senior Boys’ site and the Geography corridor underwent some important remedial works which have resulted in some fantastic new classrooms. The installation of a new kitchen in the Primary Division site provided a new lunchtime structure, allowing for extra curricular activities to flourish throughout the entire School!
August
A golden year of A Level results for BGS students.
This is one of Bury Grammar School’s strongest sets of A Level results outside of the Covid era with a perfect 100% pass mark, nearly four in ten grades at A*-A and three quarters of A Level grades at the ‘gold standard’ of A*-B.
Many congratulations to our students, their families, our teachers and support staff for a stunning collective effort and outstanding outcomes. With 111 A*-A grades in total this is certainly an impressive year group and a cause for celebration!
The vast majority of students have gained a place with their university of choice: BGS University Destinations
A Level results were closely followed by equally fabulous GCSE results. A third of all grades were stellar 9s and 8s (A**-A*), over 50% of results were at the very top level of 9-7s (A**-A).
Grades are sensational at the top end. A grand total of seventy BGS pupils have more grades at 9-7s (A**-A) than any other level. Twenty-seven pupils have ‘straight As’ (all 9-7s) and twelve of these have ‘straight A*s’ (all 9-8s). While most pupils studied nine GCSE subjects, four pupils have an exceptional set of ten grades at 9-7 (A**-A). And perfection has been reached by two pupils who each have a dazzlingly perfect score of nine grade 9s (A**).
A group of pupils with such bright futures ahead!
September
We welcomed new pupils and students throughout the School, and thoroughly enjoyed our Induction Days for Reception, Year 7 and Year 12.
We were thrilled to announce that Bury Grammar School’s Eco-Committee has once again been awarded the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction! An enormous thank you goes to our staff and pupils who have worked very hard to promote Eco Awareness in our school and fly the Eco flag! 
We are proud that Bury Grammar School’s Geography Department has been awarded the prestigious Secondary Geography Quality Mark (SGQM) with Centre of Excellence for Fieldwork by the Geographical Association. This recognition highlights the department's commitment to delivering a dynamic and engaging geography curriculum.
We held our annual Open Events! Many visitors were welcomed by our magnificent BGS Ambassador pupils! During a visit to our school visitors no doubt heard about the core values of BGS, what makes us unique, our aims and objectives and how we unlock the potential of every pupil, so they achieve academic success. A visit to school and a tour from our pupils confirms what makes us so special!
Congratulations to the U14 netball team who won their first Sisters n Sport National competition match. The team played against Wright Robinson and won 41-12! Well done to all players and good luck for the next round.
This summer, our geographers took on an epic adventure in Iceland! 
From exploring stunning glaciers, breath-taking waterfalls, erupting geysers and learning about the island's fascinating volcanic landscape, the trip was filled with learning and adventure from start to finish.
Fundraising is an important part of school-life at Bury Grammar School for our pupils, students, staff and and wider community and we are always overwhelmed by the support we receive. This year, Bury Grammar School is excited to partner with the charity Village by Village to raise funds to build a Junior High School in Parko Junction, Ghana! Find out more here: Fundraising - Bury Grammar School
October
We held our Sixth Form Open Event!
During a visit to our school visitors no doubt heard about the core values of BGS, our aims and objectives and how we unlock the potential of every pupil, so they achieve academic success. Additionally, visitors attended talks held by subject experts for our A Level options, heard about life in Sixth Form, and what makes our Sixth Form unique!
Pupils in Years 3 to 6 were treated to a magical performance of Twelfth Night by the Young Shakespeare Company. They brought to life William Shakespeare’s work in our Roger Kay Hall. The perfect venue for this fantastic, interactive performance.
Thank you to the Young Shakespeare Company!
A huge congratulations to our Year 13 students who successfully completed their Assessed Expedition for the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the Yorkshire Dales! 
Over the course of four days they walked for approximately 8 hours each day, showcasing incredible determination, endurance, and teamwork.
We are proud of their outstanding achievement and their commitment to pushing themselves through this challenging journey! 
Our Year 8 Girls Rugby Team participated in the Bury Schools Tag Rugby Tournament at Sedgley Park Rugby Club. 
The team demonstrated tremendous development throughout the tournament, improving game by game, and showcasing excellent teamwork, tactics, and communication. Every player gave 100% effort, and a special shout out goes to Hannah, who was selected as 'Coaches' Player' for her incredible speed in attack! 
We’re thrilled to announce that BGS finished as Runners-Up! Well done to all involved! 
Elite Athlete Programme for Senior School & Sixth Form
We were thrilled to announce the launch of the Bury Grammar School Elite Athlete Programme for our Senior School and Sixth Form students this academic year! This exciting initiative is designed to provide additional support for students who excel in their chosen sports, helping them achieve their full potential both on the field and in the classroom.
A very excited group of Year 10 and 11 pupils made BGS school history as the first mixed Spanish language enrichment trip to Madrid.
They explored the historical town of Toledo, shopped at Madrid's famous “El Rastro” market, and braved thrilling rides at Parque de Atracciones. Visits to the iconic Bernabeu Stadium and the stunning Royal Palace left them in awe, while a tour of Las Ventas bullring sparked thought-provoking cultural discussions. Pupils put their Spanish skills to the test throughout our half term school trip!
The Mathematics House Challenge saw over 40 pupils from Years 7 to 13 showcasing their mathematical skills by tackling 18 multiple-choice questions from the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Maths Challenge papers.
With half an hour to complete their entries, the competition was fierce! After tallying the scores, the winners were:
1st Place: Kay/Perigo
2nd Place: Howlett/Nield.
A big thank you to all participants for their enthusiasm and determination!
November
We held our Senior School Experience Day!
Pupils enjoyed many activities from our Year 7 curriculum, delivered by our highly qualified teachers, and made lots of new friends along the way!
BGS pupils had a fantastic time hosting students from our partner school, Gymnasium Deutz in Cologne, for our annual German Exchange!
From lessons at BGS to a trips to Liverpool, Manchester, and beyond, plus baking scones in Food Tech, it was an unforgettable week.
A group of Sixth Form students recently represented the School at the Sir Rhys Davies Mock Law Trial Competition at the Crown Court in Manchester.
One of our teams triumphed in both of their trials, while our second team achieved an impressive 86 out of a possible 90 marks—setting a benchmark of excellence and earning high praise from the judges.
Our aspiring Year 13 Medics, Dentists, and Vets participated in a Mock Multiple-Mini Interview (MMI) afternoon in the Roger Kay Hall in which they visited 10 stations, each one run by either a visiting doctor, dentist or a BGS teacher.
Members of the BGS Charity Council visited the Porch Boxes warehouse and helped pack over 500 Christmas bags for care leavers.
For the past three years, we have been proud to support this cause. We’ve seen first-hand the positive impact it has on our pupils and how important it is to support this local food bank.
December
Congratulations to our Charlie and the Chocolate Factory cast and crew on another incredible show - what a triumph! A special thanks must go to the entire cast, crew, Directors, and all our behind-the-scenes assistants! You can see more photographs from the show here: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Bury Grammar School
Our Head of Sixth Form, attended the unveiling of a Blue Plaque honouring BGS Old Boy, Sir John Charnley, at Wrightington Hospital.
Sir John Charnley, a true pioneer, revolutionised medicine with his development of the hip replacement operation. The hospital's specialist centre is proudly named in his honour, celebrating his extraordinary contributions to healthcare.
Read more about his achievements here: https://tinyurl.com/2w23wj2s
We had our Whole School Christmas Dinner!
A special thank you to our brilliant Catering team for serving over 1,200 Christmas dinners! All meals are made fresh on-site, using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
Thank you to all the families who joined us to support the Kindergarten Nativity, the Infant Christmas Show, and the Junior Christmas Show. Our talented Primary Division pupils worked incredibly hard to deliver wonderful festive performances. We hope you enjoyed the shows! 
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make both the ‘Carols by Candlelight’ Christmas Concert at Bury Parish Church, and the Senior Christmas Concert truly magical! 
We loved celebrating the festive season with traditional carols, beautifully sung by our school choirs.
Special thanks to our incredible Music department for leading such impressive events - it’s always a highlight of the year!
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our Senior School and Sixth Form Christmas Concert!
The performances from all the ensembles; Concert Band, BGSBeatz, Flute Ensemble, Cello Ensemble, Festival Choir, String Ensemble, Lads' Vocal, and the Orchestra, were truly outstanding.