500 Campaign Brochure 2021

aideep Barot

Headmaster

Jaideep is an ambitious and passionate advocate of social mobility through education; a beneficiary of the Assisted Places scheme in the 1980s, he recognises the huge and lasting impact that an education such as that provided at BGS can have on a person’s life.

Before joining BGS, he was Deputy Head (Academic) at Marlborough College, and he previously held leadership roles at Westminster School and Godolphin & Latymer School. He was educated at The Manchester Grammar School and then at St John’s College, Cambridge where he studied Natural Sciences, and at Durham University where he studied Particle Physics as a postgraduate. Before becoming a teacher, Jaideep worked in international banking for Goldman Sachs. He has been the Headmaster of Bristol Grammar School since 2018.

the direct recipients, but for their children and their children’s children. We want to transform lives in Bristol in such a way, while also ensuring that BGS remains full of the most curious, most engaging and most aspiring minds, who in turn add so much to our school. We have a very ambitious target, and there is no quick fix.

The governors, staff and I share a deep and decades-long vision for BGS to be a school where no one is turned away on financial grounds, and the 500 campaign is the is the first, important step in this journey.

grateful for the generosity of all the Old Bristolians, parents and friends who have supported children over the years. With their continued help, and with the help and support of others in our community, we can lead the way in providing an outstanding and rounded education, first class pastoral care, and incredible opportunities – in and beyond school – to all who would benefit from them, regardless of their backgrounds and financial means.

invite you to join us.”

“I hold a fundamental belief in the power of bursaries to transform lives – not just for

We have a wonderful team here at BGS, led by a committed governing board, and with staff as talented and varied as the children themselves. We have been raising funds for many years, especially since the Assisted Places Scheme ended in 1997, and we are

J.Barot

Jaideep Barot - Headmaster

I hold a fundamental belief in the power of bursaries to transform lives - not just for the direct recipients, but for their children and their children’s children.

Changing lives through bursaries

We have always worked very hard to help those without financial means to access an education at BGS. We currently provide assistance equating to over 50 free places in our Senior School of a thousand pupils.

Our aim is to double our current bursary provision, so that one in four of our

Senior School children is able to receive significant means-tested fee assistance (at an average of 50%).

Our ambition, therefore, is to raise £12 million over the next ten years. In this way, we can help to transform the lives of

local children who might otherwise not be afforded the chance, and we can ensure that BGS remains one of the top UK schools, attended by outstanding children who enhance our community, regardless of their background.

As we build towards our 500 th anniversary celebrations in 2032, we encourage the whole BGS community to support this important campaign.

Our mission is to provide an exceptional and rounded education to those who might benefit from it, regardless of their background and financial means.

Bristol Grammar School

Bristol Grammar School was founded by Royal Charter, issued by Henry VIII, on 17 March 1532. Pre-dating the city’s other independent schools and its two universities, BGS has stood for the best in education in the city for almost five hundred years.

Endowed by Nicholas and Robert Thorne, the school was established “for the teaching of literature and good manners” to the sons of merchants and tradesmen of the city. It has evolved considerably since then –most notably, we are now a proudly coeducational school – but the desires

to build an education around academic endeavour and the development of good character, and to include those who might not otherwise be afforded such a privilege, remain as central to our Mission now, as when the school was established.

WHAT WAS THE ASSISTED PLACES SCHEME?

The Assisted Places Scheme was a government initiative providing means-tested free places to fee-paying independent schools - based on the child’s results in the school’s entrance examination.

By 1985, the scheme supported 6,000 students a year and replaced the Direct Grant Grammar Schools which had operated between 1945 and 1976.

Between 1981 and 1997 an estimated 80,000 children participated in the scheme, costing over £800 million. By 1997 there were some 34,000 pupils and 355 schools participating including BGS.

The Assisted Places Scheme was abolished in 1997 which resulted in a dramatic reduction in the social range of pupils able to access an independent school education.

We believe that replacing the Assisted Places Scheme with our own philanthropic drive, creating opportunities for more children with ability and determination, is fundamental to the future of our school.

The Headmaster reported that 181 new pupils have entered the school. There are 30 Assisted Places at 11+, 4 at 13+ and 1 at 16+. The School Roll totals 1008. The committee agreed that this is a most satisfactory situation.

Minute

1979

from a Finance Committee meeting of the Governing Board for BGS in

Philanthropy is integral to our heritage and culture; it was in this way that Bristol Grammar School was originally founded, it was in this way that our great and historic buildings and facilities were created and it is in this way that we will change the lives of children, making a difference for them individually, for Bristol, and the for the world beyond.

in the Senior School in the next 10 years

Support for with at least need to raise

Proud to have been at BGS and immensely grateful for my education

Why we need

Bursaries Michael Booker

Though we have always been passionate about widening access to Bristol Grammar School, and we try to help as many as we can, the demand for bursaries outweighs the financial support we can currently offer.

Each year, we have to turn away bright children – who have passed our entry requirements – on financial grounds. This is heart-breaking. The Governors and the Headmaster of the school share a deep and long-term commitment to making entry to the school truly “needs-blind” over the coming years.

We are particularly keen to seek out disadvantaged children, including those from areas where progression rates into non-compulsory education are low, and where accessing an outstanding education at one of the

top-rated schools in the country could not be imagined.

We recognise that many of these children will need significant additional care, support and incidental funding, to ensure that they do not simply cope at BGS, but that they positively thrive here. We continue to work with educational and other partners to engage with such families and communities.

The children who receive bursarial support know that their education at BGS is a life changing. They are amongst our leading lights – star actors and musicians, captains, prefects, heads of school, and contributors in so many other ways – and this continues well beyond their time at BGS.

They inspire others and in doing so, amplify the strong culture of learning, kindness, camaraderie and inclusivity that are the hallmarks of Bristol Grammar School.

WHAT DO BURSARIES DO?

• Encourage children with talent, determination and commitment

• Raise the standards of education

• Create inclusion and diversity

• Increase social mobility

• Create future ambassadors

• Foster belonging

In the last 3 years

Sixth Form prefects have been bursary recipients and all have gone on to study at their preferred universities

Michael Booker was a greatly respected and inspirational teacher at BGS, who dedicated his working life to the school’s students, choosing to direct his talents towards ability rather than privilege. We are keen to preserve the legacy of Michael Booker in whose name, the school has been raising funds for bursaries since 2003. Through the 500 Campaign, we will continue to raise funds in his memory, celebrating the enormous impact that he and all the donors who gave have made to the lives of children at BGS.

It was not until my forties that I realised how influential this man had been in my life. He kept track of old members of his house for years, and I would occasionally get a personal, handwritten letter asking me to contribute to some School appeal of one sort or another and to enquire after my health and prosperity. But what I had not understood was his deep commitment to making the School’s quality education available to children whose economic

circumstances, like mine, did not make them obvious candidates.

I was lucky enough to obtain what, in those days, was known as a (Bristol) City Scholarship. The cancellation of the Direct Grant scheme put schools like Bristol Grammar School beyond the reach of “ordinary” people. When Michael Booker died, the fund set up to grant bursaries to people who might otherwise have no hope of attending the School was named after him.

The respect in which he is still held guarantees a continual income from Old Bristolians who have moved on to higher things.

Michael Booker played an influential role in my life and I would not be the person I am today, at work or at play, if it had not been for him.”

Noel

Austin (OB 1962)

In the academic year 2021/22

The impact of

Legacies

Throughout the school’s history, BGS has benefitted from the foresight and generosity of its benefactors, many of whom have left provision in their will to support children. One of the most generous legacies was gifted to Bristol Grammar School from The Pople Charitable Trust, set up by brothers John and Don Pople, which supports children through bursaries every year and helped to transform our sports and science facilities.

His brother, Don Pople attended BGS between 1937 and 1946. He was an outstanding pupil and a great sportsman and also studied mathematics at Trinity College Cambridge, before returning to Bristol where he built up the family business.

Education was important and seen as a way of moving forward”

Sir John Pople OB 1943

Sir John Pople was one of the world’s scientific pioneers, receiving a Nobel Prize in 1998 for Quantum Chemistry in recognition of his outstanding achievements.

Don always kept his connection with Bristol Grammar School and was integral in not only generously donating to but ensuring the success of the appeal for a new Pavilion at our Sports ground in Failand. In recognition of his continuous support the Don Pople Pavilion was named after him.

He attended BGS between 1936 and 1943, leaving to read mathematics at Trinity College, Cambridge before embarking on a long and distinguished career at universities in the UK and the USA.

Both brothers very much appreciated the outstanding grounding that BGS provided and derived huge satisfaction from being able to give back to their school. Their legacy lives on in their scientific achievements and through all the children at BGS, who continue to benefit from their kindness and belief in education.

Legacies change lives and we are grateful to all those who consider BGS in their will.

a total of 15 students are benefitting from support given from legacy contribution and we are grateful to the following:

The Pople Charitable Trust The Bill Brown Charitable Trust The John James Foundation The Denman Charitable Trust

BGS donor, anonymous

I owe a lot to the school. I had a wonderful time there with superb masters. It shaped me into the person I am today and I think about BGS often with huge fondness.”

If you can do something, anything to help someone you really should. The impact it has on their lives lasts forever and as a donor you feel incredibly rewarded.”

BGS donor, anonymous

BECOME A PATRON: SPONSOR A STUDENT

Leading the 500 Campaign are donors who effectively sponsor individuals, particularly at Sixth Form level.

This is an opportunity to support young adults with talent and determination, who understand that their place offered with philanthropy and who recognise the relationship between the donor, school and their own family.

Within two years, a donor can see the difference their gift can make in transforming a 16-year-old with ambition, into a young adult ready for the world. Patrons can support up to 100% of fees for a Sixth Form student either individually or as part of a group.

DONATE SMALLER GIFTS: MICHAEL BOOKER BURSARIES

Donors are encouraged to give small, regular amounts to support children throughout the school.

LEAVE A LEGACY

Legacies have played a huge part in shaping BGS. Most of our building and facilities were constructed because of the far-sighted generosity of donors and endowments have enabled us to support children through bursaries, cherishing the memory of those who included BGS in their Will.

JOIN OUR DONOR COMMUNITY: THE 1532 SOCIETY

Children at BGS How

to support

Though any gift size is appreciated, we welcome £15.32 a month as a starting point. Collective giving like this, means that the whole BGS community can take part and share in the benefit of giving children the opportunity to be educated at BGS.

This exclusive group has been created to acknowledge and thank everyone from our donor community and those who make the decision to leave a gift to the school in their Will.

Members of the Society, are invited as our guests to an exclusive annual event to see the school, hear from the Headmaster and to meet the boys and girls of Bristol Grammar School.

SUMMUS BRISTOLIENSES

The Old Bristolian Community

Together,

we are Old Bristolians, parents, friends, students, teachers and staff, old and new.

We are a global network which includes some of the most successful people involved in finance, law, music and the performing arts, medicine, sport, media and business. We are parents and academics, support staff and families who remain connected to BGS for a lifetime.

At BGS I found a family which stood the test of time.”

Working together with the Old Bristolians’ Society, which has a long and cherished history at BGS, we engage our community to guide students and recent leavers with university and areer choices beyond school.

We provide regular communication and updates to support our OBs at every stage of their career development and produce an annual programme of events, both social and professional, including reunions, online events, lectures and dinners to which everyone is welcome.

Though we are passionate about raising funds to support children at BGS, there are many other ways to get involved.

Offering your time and expertise helping young people with their career journeys and attending the many and varied events on offer is equally valuable to our efforts and very much appreciated.

Our events cater for all ages and all OBs, parents and friends are welcome.

A full programme of what’s on offer can be found on our dedicated website: alumni.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

Ambassadors

We are delighted to launch our new campaign to change lives through bursaries at BGS with the support of old friends and new, donors and respected global professionals among them.

Hannah Vaughan Jones

OB 1999

Emmy-nominated journalist and broadcaster. She has anchored live television news for CNN and Sky News. A sought after moderator with a particular interest in international development and global health; she has hosted summits and fora for multilaterals, the public and private sectors, including a WTO-WHO high level vaccine dialogue, the launch of a global Covid-19 taskforce, a Concordia Annual Summit interview with Facebook’s Sir Nick Clegg, and Alibaba Group’s Gateway to China conference. Hannah moderated at Women Deliver 2019 in Vancouver, and in 2018 she singlehandedly hosted the London CHOGM Malaria Summit featuring Bill Gates, fifteen Heads of State and HRH The Prince of Wales.

Hannah remains a vocal advocate for access to fertility treatment and global SRHR, given her own long journey to motherhood. She lives in London, UK, with her son, Sonny, and BBC News anchor husband, Lewis.

was only at BGS for two years of Sixth Form. But they were two of the most formative years of my teens. My classes were small and my teachers encouraging. Coming from a Catholic girls’ school, I remember thinking BGS offered a warm and inclusive welcome into a mixed adult learning environment. The facilities were outstanding, but you take that for granted when you’re 16! What I have never taken for granted though is the culture of the school. I made friends for life - friends I travelled with; friends who followed to my university and visited at theirs; friends who would go on to become relatives; friends who more than twenty years on I still dance, laugh and cry with at weddings, gatherings, christenings and funerals. BGS gave me a family of friends for life. I can think of no better thank you than to act as a mentor and ambassador for the next generation of pupils fortunate enough to experience this school.”

Sir Rabinder Singh

OB 1981

Sir Rabinder Singh (The Right Honourable Lord Justice Singh), is one of 26 Lord Justices of Appeal in the UK. He is President of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, formerly a High Court judge of the Queen’s Bench Division, a Queen’s Counsel and barrister, formerly a founding member of Matrix Chambers, a legal academic and respected author. Rabinder was born in 1964 in Delhi to a Sikh family and grew up in a working-class part of Bristol while attending BGS as a scholar. From an early age he had an interest in law and went on to earn a double first in law at Trinity College, Cambridge. He became a Harkness Fellow at the University of California at Berkeley and developed an interest in constitutional law, particularly misuse of power and how the law holds those in power to account. Rabinder is one of three Lord Justices of Appeal to have attended BGS, together with Sir Tim Holroyde and Sir Mark Warby.

Tony England

OB 1961

Tony left BGS with maths and physics A levels. He joined a Bristol firm of Chartered Accountants and became the Chief Executive for management consultants Coopers & Lybrand in London before setting up an industrial development business back in Bristol in the 90s . Tony is now involved in his family’s small property portfolio, the activities of his South Gloucestershire village, looking after his large garden, time with his family and horse racing.

Rebecca DeNiro

OB 1994

Rebecca is a successful leader in the technology industry, she is Chief Executive Officer at Pure Electric, following being Managing Director at Dyson and is a board member of Newcastle University business school. She is passionate about pushing the inclusivity and diversity agenda and acts as a Plan B mentor for female leaders of the future as well as a judge for the women in sales awards. She left BGS to study Economics at Newcastle University.

BGS gave me the academic platform from which I was able to go to Trinity College, Cambridge to read Law; and from there to become a barrister and now a judge. The school also enabled me to take part in public speaking and debating, which was of enormous help in my later career. I believe that everyone should be able to benefit from the education that BGS can offer, and flourish at the school, no matter what their social or economic background.”

My father, who left school at fourteen with a very rudimentary education, always hoped I could go to BGS. He worked hard to afford the fees and luckily had sufficient brains. Much has changed over the subsequent decades but BGS still provides the same excellence of teaching and the challenging pupil peer groups to draw out the best in students and provide the strong foundation for whatever path lies ahead - academic, professional or elsewhere. This new initiative should allow an even greater range of emerging talent to have the excellent education and ensuing confidence which I have found so beneficial.”

I feel like education is the key to unlocking the world for you. My time at BGS and the opportunities I had gave me the confidence to believe could steer my future in whatever direction I wanted. I learnt by doing, and learnt the most by failing. am a strong believer that you should try the things you think you cannot do. BGS offered me exactly that, a breadth of new , exciting and sometimes daunting experiences. it built my resilience and my belief that if you are hard working , committed and kind you can achieve anything you want. That is however only half of the story, the community and supportive ethos at BGS gave me friends for life, friends went through university with, travelled the world with , lived with and am godmother to their children. BGS was never just a school it is part of who I am.

Stephen Rothwell

OB 1993

Stephen is an entrepreneur and founder of the successful group Eagle Eye Solutions which he set up in 2003. He is the Chief Technology Officer responsible for the product vision and development. An innovator in technology and product design and technology, he left BGS to study Electronic Engineering at the University of Leicester.

Romesh Vaitilingam

MBE, OB 1979

Chair of the Board of Governors & Chair of the 500 Campaign

Robert Lacey

OB 1962

Professor Steve Duck

OB 1964

Education is much more than just grades, it is about opportunities to try many things, discover your interests and to gain confidence in yourself. I have been asked many time about my journey as a successful entrepreneur to which my answer is always the education School empowered me to try to be who I wanted to be. Now as a parent my main ambition is to give my two daughters the same opportunities as I had. Bristol Grammar School changed my life, as I am sure it has for many others, this campaign will help to share the power of education and the values of BGS to more children.”

Romesh Vaitilingam is an economics writer and communications consultant. He is the author of several books and reports in economics, finance and public policy, including The Financial Times Guide to Using the Financial Pages. Romesh has advised a wide range of economic research and policy institutions, including the Centre for Economic Policy Research, the European Central Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In 2003, he was awarded an MBE for services to economic and social science.

The opportunity to attend BGS as a scholarship boy in the 1970s had a hugely positive impact on my life. The School continues to provide a wonderful education – and am delighted that we have recommitted to widening access to youngsters across the city, whatever their background.

Robert Lacey is a British historian and biographer. He is the author of a number of best-selling biographies, including those of Henry Ford, Eileen Ford and Queen Elizabeth II, as well as several other works of popular history. He is best known for his work as historian to the Netflix award-winning drama The Crown. Lacey was educated at Selwyn College, Cambridge where he studied history.

Steve attended Bristol Grammar School as a Gloucestershire County Scholar in 1957 before gaining a place at Pembroke College, Oxford and achieving his PhD from the University of Sheffield. He is a highly respected academic and widely published social psychologist having made significant contributions to the scientific field of social and personal relationships.

BGS transformed my life. I was a scholarship boy. In those days we talked about the ’11-plus’. Now we lucky OBs can help others enjoy the opportunities that we were offered. I am proud to support this chance to give back.”

My father, who left school at fourteen with a very rudimentary education, always hoped I could go to BGS, he worked hard to excellence of teaching and the challenging pupil peer groups for whatever path lies ahead - academic, professional or elsewhere. This new initiative should allow an even greater range of emerging talent to have the excellent education and ensuing confidence which has been so beneficial to myself.”

Tuppence Middleton

OB 2005

A critically acclaimed actor working in film, television and theatre, nominated for the London Evening Standard Film Awards for Most Promising Newcomer in 2010; Tuppence has featured in many successful productions including Tormented (2009), Chatroom (2010), Cleanskin (2012), Trance (2013), The Lady Vanishes (2013), The Imitation Game (2014), Jupiter Ascending (2015), Downton Abbey (2019) as well as in television series such as Bones (2008), New Tricks (2010), Friday Night Dinner (2011), Sinbad (2012), Spies of Warsaw (2013), Black Mirror (2013), War and Peace (2016) and Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams (2017).

During her time at BGS she was involved in school plays, often playing the lead and she subsequently studied acting at the Arts Educational School in London, graduating with an honours degree.

One of the most important things that BGS gave to me was confidence. As well as providing a well-rounded education, I felt supported in my exploration of the arts and my eventual career choices outside of the academic arena. It is so important that students feel free to pursue and develop their passions, whatever they may be, and I am so grateful that I was able to do so in a friendly, inclusive environment like BGS.”

Tim Hailes

OB 1986

Tim is General Counsel at FinTech innovator Five Islands Capital Limited and former Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase & Co. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the Central London Area in March 2013, elected Alderman for the Ward of Bassishaw in May 2013 and served as Sheriff of The City of London (pictured) in 2017-18.

My memories of my time at BGS are overwhelmingly positive, inspiring a life-long love of learning and providing the best preparation for adult life - including instilling values of mutual respect, personal integrity and open mindedness. I am proud to support this important campaign to widen access for children from less advantaged backgrounds in Bristol.”

Getting in touch

To find out more about the 500 Campaign to support children at BGS through bursaries, to speak to us about events or professional networking, mentoring opportunities, visiting the school or to discover more about the history of BGS, please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

With thanks to all our donors, volunteers and members of the Old Bristolian Community.

The OBS & Foundation Team: Pete, Nadine, Carrie, Caitlin, Anne and Tony

Bristol Grammar School University Road Bristol BS8 1SR