“You don’t have to let your situation define how far you can go. Just because you might not have the same finances at home doesn’t mean you don’t have the same heart and charisma, passion and energy as anybody else.”
Elizabeth Opoku-Denkyi, Bursary Award holder 2022-2024.
Your support has not only changed my life but also inspired me to pay it forward and make a positive difference in the lives of others, just as you have done for me. I am truly blessed to have you in my corner, and I will be forever grateful for your kindness.”
Martina Babazade, Bursary Award holder 2023-2025.
The children featured in this report are among the philanthropically funded Sixth Form Bursary Award holders at BGS today. All volunteered to be part of our 500 Campaign.
Our 500 Campaign is inspiring, and it changes lives in a way that echoes down through the generations.
Our work brings huge benefits to the children who receive financial help, and, further, we recognise that we are a progressive and dynamic place of learning for having these children choose to join us. They help to elevate our community and are amongst our leading lights in all areas of school life.
We are not alone in the UK as a society which suffers from great inequity, with one’s life chances determined disproportionately by the happenstance of one’s birth. We cannot solve this alone, but we can and must recognise the part we are able to play and do what we can.
Because it’s the right thing to do. Because it is the very reason that schools like BGS were founded.
As an Assisted Places boy myself, the only child of an immigrant family that came here from India in the mid-seventies to seek a better life, I would not have had access to the life-changing education I received were it not for financial support. I can trace back directly, all the good fortune I have had to my education. It is why I am committed to widening access to our brilliant school and why I believe so passionately in our Campaign.
Help us to change more lives. Thank you.
Since the time of Henry VIII, countless children have benefitted from an education at Bristol Grammar School. From shaping the minds of explorers of new worlds, to creating Nobel Laureates, doctors, scientists, actors, artists, athletes, judges, ambassadors, authors, financiers and engineers; throughout the centuries, Old Bristolians have made discoveries and contributions to society on a global scale.
In one of the toughest economic climates facing the independent schools’ sector, our need to remain affordable and worth affording is more important to us than ever.
We are committed to supporting motivated and talented children, reflecting our great city with a culture of diversity, inclusion and partnership.
Our mission continues to ensure that every child who would benefit, can be educated here, regardless of their background and financial means.
New Bursary Award holders with awards over 85%
New Bursary Award holders in 2025
New Bursary Award holders with awards over 50%
93 34 37 20 8 Bursary Award holders with awards over 85% Bursary Award holders with awards over 50%
£2,390,183
£119,551 Legacies Pledged Regular Giving Pledged
Excellent pastoral care is about creating a culture where parents, carers and pupils trust us and in turn we can share our immense experience to help them navigate any difficulties they may face”
Aruna, Becki and Fran
It is only when pupils feel safe and supported that they can reach their true potential. Young people across our nation, city and school increasingly have a range of intersectional disadvantages. From adverse childhood experiences, trauma and complex family backgrounds, they need to feel held and to know that their interests and feelings matter.
We are deeply committed to ensuring every child feels they belong here - valued, respected and empowered - regardless of background or circumstance. Our bursary advocate programme seeks to support pupils and their families from day one using our decades of experience to ensure each individual is recognised and receives the support that they need. This may be in providing financial support to access certain co-curricular opportunities, or ensuring that pupils know how to access many aspects of support in school from learning support, or our medical team or counsellors.
Learning at BGS is about bringing ambitious and curious pupils together, so a diverse community is vital for creating a vibrant educational culture with a pupil body with a breadth of perspectives and experiences. Diverse experiences enable pupils to develop the skills for a rich academic and social life and to avoid being in a social ‘bubble’ of homogeneity. Having pupils from a range of backgrounds prepares all our pupils best for adulthood so they can be well-rounded citizens in our increasingly interconnected world.
Bursary Award holder 2023-2025.
The support and encouragement I received from staff, along with the new friendships I built, made my time at BGS enjoyable and memorable.
Beyond the classroom, the wide range of opportunities offered allowed me to grow in confidence, explore new interests, and make the most of my time at the school. I became a member of new clubs such as MUN, Law Society and tried new sports like Cricket.
Although my journey was for only two years, the sense of belonging and the experiences I gained will stay with me far beyond my time at BGS. I am now looking forward to building on this strong foundation as I take the next step in my education.
I am at University, where I hope to further challenge myself, develop my passion for justice, and continue making the most of the opportunities ahead. Thank you to all the staff and peers that believed in me and pushed me to be the best version of myself!”
Now studying law at Bristol University.
Bursary Award holder 2023-2025.
At the start of Sixth Form, I was worried that I wouldn’t fit and be treated differently because of my bursary.
However, the experience has really helped me grow as part of a crowd of people I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to commune with if not for the support of the bursary campaign. It opened up opportunities I wouldn’t have had elsewhere, and I had big help in my school career especially with access arrangements for exams.
I am so incredibly grateful to those donors who supported my education at BGS. It truly helped knowing there was that support there for my learning as well a whole community of students like me also in the same situation.”
“I have so many great memories of BGS but most of them involve disappointing teachers by messing around with my friends, and minor acts of subversion and naughtiness!”
I found Chemistry difficult in the early years, but we had Ian Rolling, my house master. I think even he might admit he wasn’t the most patient of men on the rugby pitch, but he was kind and somehow, he made the chemistry click for me, and suddenly it all fell into place. I came to really enjoy it and ended up pursuing it at A-level, for which I am forever grateful.
Mike Ransome, head of modern languages who taught Russian was an absolute one-off. A funny, charismatic, intelligent and caring man with infinite patience and a unique style, he could have you rolling in laughter while inspiring you to learn. I have him to thank for my
appreciation for Russian literature. I wish all kids everywhere could have teachers like him.
I was asked what I would like to do in my wildest dreams, I said that I wanted to work for David Attenborough, making wildlife films.
Despite, what I thought was an outlandish idea, I was put in touch with Vicky Nichols, who taught maths and art. She hooked me up with people at BBC Natural History Unit which resulted in some work experience in the school holidays. Her kindness ultimately led to a traineeship at the BBC and a thirtyyear career as a cameraman.
I was able to attend BGS thanks to a governmentassisted place. That scheme has long gone now, which is why the school has bursaries to provide help for bright children who might otherwise not have access to those opportunities - something I support wholeheartedly.
Warwick’s late mother, Moira, became a generous supporter of BGS. Her legacy now supports a new generation of children through bursary awards.
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will be in the forthcoming edition of Bristolienses.
Deputy Head
Rebecca Davies
BGS exuded warmth immediately and professed a commitment which aligned with my own values.
It’s a truly inspiring place to work, rightly deserving the status as an excellent school in the heart of the city.
BGS lives its values and embraces progressivism and change.
I attended a comprehensive in West Cornwall, received free school meals and I couldn’t have dreamed of attending a school like BGS as a child. As an adult I can see that schools with a genuine commitment to transformational change in young people are real beacons of hope and excellence and I am very proud to be part of the BGS family.”
Head of Creative Writing
David has taught English at BGS for twenty years, initially as Head of English, and latterly as Head of Creative Writing.
He founded and still chairs the Writers’ Examination Board, an independent exam board, underwritten by BGS, that offers a Sixth Form programme in Creative Writing to students at BGS and other schools. He has published four collections of poetry with Salt Publishing, most recently including The Odyssey Complex and Other Poems (Salt, 2024).
As someone who benefitted from the Assisted Places scheme in the 1980s –having the opportunity to attend a similar school and experience a thoroughly transformational education – I regard the 500 Campaign, supporting Bursary Awards at BGS, and the ambition of those who co-ordinate it – as an integral reason for my enjoyment of teaching here.”
My father had a limited education in the 1920s and it was his greatest wish that I should, if capable, attend BGS.
Bursaries enable bright and motivated children of present-day modest income families to attend Bristol Grammar. This maintains the wide range of backgrounds so important in a good community. Many of my fellow 1950s pupils benefitted as I did, from the affordable fee levels of their time, and since went on to achieve significant success in many different fields thanks to their BGS education.
I would strongly encourage anyone who benefitted from BGS, to support the next generation and give what they can. I have personally found it a hugely rewarding experience.”
Tony is a major supporter of the 500 Campaign, having already donated an amount equivalent to funding 15 children with 100% fully funded Sixth Form places over the years.
Barrister, OB 1994, and BGS Parent (2012 - Ongoing)
What makes it special – apart from being academically selective and co-ed – a rare best certainly in this city - is how it draws together all the very best elements from State schools and Public schools and occupies that sweet spot in between; balancing achievement and pride with humility and understanding, opportunity and privilege with respect and a lack of pretension.
I am incredibly grateful for the education I had at BGS, a product of my parents’ endeavour and the support of the Assisted Places Scheme. I am certain I would not be where I am now without that experience, and having translated that into a career I love, and which enables me to provide that opportunity to my own children, is a source of immense personal pride.
I passionately believe that the privilege of an education at BGS should be borne of aspiration and ability, not financial means, and I am delighted to support the 500 Campaign.”
Since the start of our Campaign, we have received over £840,000 in legacy gifts, together with pledges over £2.3million.
Legacies at BGS have, for centuries, proved invaluable to the success of our school. They have enabled the creation of buildings and outstanding facilities and supported thousands of motivated and ambitious children to attend the school through bursaries. They have also provided the financial stability to expand and enhance our campus and to ensure long term prosperity.
Legacies to Date (£m)
We recognise respectfully that choosing to leave a gift to Bristol Grammar School in your will is a private and personal matter. If, however, you decide to do so, you will not only be avoiding inheritance tax as donations or gifts to a charity are not subject to this. Also, where a charity donation is equivalent to at least 10% of your estate, any inheritance tax payable elsewhere is reduced to 36% from 40%.
Our legacy leaflet “Pass the Torch” contains all the details about leaving a gift to BGS in your will. Full details can be found by scanning the QR code or by contacting us for a hard copy.
Only looking back do you realise how brilliant a school BGS was to grow up in, and I would not have been lucky enough to do so without the bursary scheme. Here’s to another 500 years.”
Giving Day Donor
380
Number of donors
This incredible giving total has been invested immediately to support children through Bursary Awards throughout the school including 8 new Sixth Form pupils with awards up to 100%. A huge thanks to everyone who got involved!
£232,048 (inclusive of Gift Aid)
Giving Day is a wonderful opportunity for the whole school community to share our passion and commitment for changing lives through bursaries at BGS.
(every donation of £200 and above is acknowledged with a personal plaque as illustrated)
BANK TRANSFER:
Bristol Grammar School Foundation
Account: Currency GBP
Branch Sort Code: 401413
Account Number: 14020367
IBAN: GB32HBUK401413144020367
UK Swift: HBUKGB4B
WRITE A CHEQUE TO:
Bristol Grammar School Foundation, Bristol Grammar School, University Road, Bristol BS8 1SR
DONATE ONLINE:
Scan the QR code to donate to the 500 Campaign.
USA donations can be made through the British Schools and Universities Foundation (BSUF) www.bsuf.org
Bristol Grammar School is a registered UK Charity number: 110 4425
Independent schools need to pay 20% VAT on school fees. At BGS, we have done all we can to mitigate these costs to support our families, many of whom make huge sacrifices to send their children here. The need to support children through means tested bursaries is greater than ever. All donations will be used to support means-tested bursaries and will not be subject to VAT. In all cases, where the donor is a UK taxpayer and through the Government’s Gift Aid scheme, BGS can claim an additional 25p for every £1 you donate. Donors can therefore increase the value of donations by 25%, at no extra cost.
Growing up, I’ve always dreamed of attending a school where I could receive an exceptional education and pursue my passions to the fullest. However, due to financial constraints, that dream seemed distant and unattainable. Your selfless act of kindness has not only made that dream a reality but has also opened doors of opportunity that I never thought possible.”
Bursary Award holder
