Bristol Grammar School: Infant School Additional Information Booklet for 2024 Entry

Life changing

Infant and Junior School

The information contained here is intended to provide detailed guidance on entry to and life at Bristol Grammar School.

Every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate and upto-date at the time of printing; however, changes may occur from time to time. The Admissions Team is available to provide the latest details or any further information you may require to help you make your decision regarding your child’s education. Please feel free to contact the Infant and Junior School Admissions Office on 0117 933 9885 or at admissions@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

The prospectus and this booklet can serve only to give you a flavour of life at BGS. To find out more about our school, we invite you to come and visit us, details of which are at the end of this booklet.

We look forward to welcoming you to our school.

Our Mission, Values and Aims

The BGS Mission

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

The BGS Values

These values were developed following conversation and consultation with our pupils. They were chosen as they are the three values that best encapsulate who our pupils want to be. Then continue with each listed value and aims as is.

Kindness

Being kind to others and oneself, and showing compassion, support, respect, selflessness and humility.

Integrity

Being honest with others and oneself, and doing what is right, even when it is not easy.

Rigour

Striving to fulfil our immense potential, and facing difficulty with courage and resourcefulness.

BGS Aims

1. To nurture, challenge and celebrate each individual.

2. To develop an excitement for learning which goes beyond school.

3. To promote physical and mental wellbeing, and the development of good character.

4. To make a BGS education available to all those who might benefit from it.

5. To be a diverse and representative community, and one which serves Bristol and beyond.

6. To ensure that the school continues to flourish for generations to come.

Contact us

BGS Infants and Juniors

Elton Road

Bristol BS8 1SR

Head of BGS Infants and Juniors

Miss Heidi Hughes hhughes@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Assistant to Miss Hughes

Mrs Lyndsey Tucker ltucker@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Admissions Office

Mrs Catherine Ball 0117 933 9631

cball@bgs.bristol.sch.uk or

admissions@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Main School Reception

Tel: 0117 973 6006

Bristol Grammar School is a registered charity, number 1104425.

Finance Office

Miss Sarah Orchard 0117 933 9880

sorchard@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Chair of Governors

Romesh Vaitilingam

c/o Bristol Grammar School

University Road

Bristol, BS8 1SR

www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

Bristol Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The information included in this booklet and prospectus is intended to provide a guide to Bristol Grammar School. While every effort is made to ensure it is accurate and up-todate, changes do occur from time to time. Please contact the School for the latest details or any further information you may require to help you make your decision regarding your child’s education.

The personal information that you have provided to register an interest in Bristol Grammar School will be used to keep you up-to-date with events and details that may be of interest in relation to admission to the School. If you wish to no longer receive such communications, please email admissions@bgs.bristol.sch.uk and you will be removed from any correspondence lists. Information may be stored on third party systems on behalf of Bristol Grammar School. However, these details will not be passed on to any third parties for their own purposes. Full details are in our Data Protection Policy, which is available on our website.

Admissions information

Children usually join BGS Infants in Reception when they are aged four and BGS Juniors in Year 3 when they are aged seven. We also offer an expanded entrance into Year 5 as a stepping stone for children aged nine who are thinking about transferring to Bristol Grammar School at the start of their secondary education in Year 7.

Infants

Children for Reception entry are required to attend a Stay and Play assessment session where our Infant teachers will spend time getting to know each child. Places are allocated on the basis of this session, supported by a Learning Development Report from the child’s current early learning setting (if applicable).

Juniors

Places are offered on the basis of performance in an entrance assessment. The entrance assessments include Literacy (Verbal Reasoning, Reading and Writing) and Mathematics for Year 3, and Creative Writing, Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics for Year 4 to Year 6 entry.

Each assessment is explained to the children, with some practice questions and examples given and opportunities to ask for help, before they are expected to work alone.

No practice test papers are issued by BGS but there are reasoning booklets, such as the Bond and CGP series, for relevant agegroups. These are available to purchase online bookstores.

For entry to BGS Infants and Juniors in September 2024, assessment sessions for Year 3 and Year 5 are planned for the week commencing 13 November 2023, with an additional assessment session planned for January 2024. Reception assessment sessions are currently planned for Saturday 20 and Saturday 27 January 2024.

Please note Children only need to attend one assessment session. Offers will be made following the assessment sessions, which may impact on the availability of places for subsequent test dates. All offers will be awarded based on performance in the assessments and a child’s school report.

Senior School transfer Children who are in the school, or join the school in the September of Year 5 are not required to sit the entrance examination for entry into Year 7 (unless applying for an Academic Scholarship). Entry into Year 7 will be on recommendation from the Head of BGS Infants and Juniors to the Headmaster, and will be based on a child’s performance and progress during their time in the Junior School.

Children who join the school after the September of Year 5 will be required to sit the Year 7 entrance examination.

Waiting lists

In the event that a year-group is full, names are held on a waiting list following receipt of an application form. Should a vacancy arise, we will take all reasonable steps to contact all those on the waiting list with an assessment date. The place would then be awarded on merit.

Vacancies may occur for any year-group at any time of the school year and the Head is always pleased to discuss entry procedures. Please contact the Admissions Office on 0117 933 9885 for the latest information on the availability of places.

For further details on the admissions process, please see our Admissions Policy, available on the school website: www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

Registration and charges

To apply for entry, please complete the Infant and Junior School online application form

There is a charge of £30.00 for taking the entrance assessments, which is payable on application. This payment is non-refundable and cannot be transferred between schools. The same fee is payable for entry at all ages and covers testing and administration.

Couriering charges are applicable if Junior School children sit the assessments elsewhere.

Admissions process for those with English as a second language.

Children whose first language is not English may be required to undergo an English assessment prior to sitting the entrance assessments. This is to establish whether a child’s current level of English is of a standard that will allow them to successfully access our curriculum. The English assessment will be overseen by our Learning Support Coordinator and, if possible, will take place at BGS.

If families are overseas, we can arrange for this assessment to take place via Teams. Following the assessment, we will advise if parents should proceed to application. Any application received for a child with English as a second language is reviewed on an individual basis and will be discussed with parents.

Applicants who require a visa to study in the UK

BGS is a Child Student Visa Sponsor and can allocate Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for Child Student Visas. We would expect children in our Infant and Junior School (under the age of 11) to move to the UK with their parents, and therefore require them to be a dependent on a parent’s visa. We would generally also expect this to be the case for children in the Senior School up to Year 11 (aged 11–16), however, we are happy to discuss sponsoring a child’s visa under certain circumstances.

Help with fees

Peloquin bursary awards (from Year 3 only)

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

We may be able to offer you financial assistance towards fees through our means-tested bursary awards.

These awards are assessed on both family income and assets held, and can be up to 40% in fee support. Invariably there are more applications than there are funds available, and academic merit is part of the assessment process. The number of bursary awards made each year varies according to the calibre of applicants, and the levels of assistance offered.

Please note Peloquin Bursary Awards are tenable in the Junior School and are governed by the following regulations:

• The award will vary according to the parents’ circumstances, but will be valued at up to a maximum of half the termly fees (the basis of remission takes into account the income of the parents and the number of children under school-leaving age or undergoing full-time education)

• Junior School awards will be made initially for one year. They will be reviewed and renewed annually, subject to parental means-testing and a satisfactory report of the holder’s record of work and conduct.

Fees assistance is also available in the Senior School. Any award made in the Junior School does not automatically transfer to the Senior School, and a separate application must be made. Please contact the Admissions Office on 0117 933 9885 for further information.

Fees, charges and methods of payment

With effect from September 2023, the fees at BGS Infants and Juniors will be:

Reception

£3,362 per term (£10,086 per annum)

Years 1 and 2

£3,671 per term (£11,013 per annum)

Years 3–6

£3,951 per term (£11,853 per annum

There is a discount of 5% for a second or subsequent sibling attending the Sixth Form, Senior, Junior or Infant Schools. The discount will be shown on the older sibling’s account.

The fees from September 2024 will be announced prior to the start of the Summer term. The cost of stationery, lunch and textbooks is included in the fees.

Deposits

An Acceptance Deposit of £300 is payable when you accept the offer of a place (in any year-group) in the Infant School, Junior School, Senior School or Sixth Form. This deposit is refunded, without interest and less any outstanding charges, shortly after a pupil leaves BGS.

Deposits for non-UK Citizens relocating from overseas

If you are a non-UK citizen and are relocating from abroad, in addition to the Acceptance Deposit, an Overseas Deposit will be required. The Overseas Deposit is equivalent to one term’s fees. This deposit is refunded, without interest and less any outstanding charges, shortly after a pupil leaves BGS.

Additional charges Head’s fund

A termly sum of £2.00 is paid to the Head’s Fund to help subsidise House activities, theatre trips, transport costs and other expenses.

Students’ Personal Accident Insurance Scheme

This is the insurance recommended by the Independent Schools’ Council and BGS – along with many schools throughout the country – has adopted this scheme. The premiums cover accidents during both term-time and the holidays, and benefits are payable in defined circumstances. The premium is £4.04 per term and is a compulsory item. Details of the scheme are included in the information pack sent to parents/ guardians of pupils joining BGS.

Parents’ Association Membership

£1.00 is added to the termly bill as a voluntary contribution to the Parents’ Association. This is a very active organisation, arranging social and fundraising events to help the School. New parents are welcomed as members; full details about the Parents’ Association and how to get involved are circulated at the start of the school year.

Uniform

Full details of uniform will be included in the welcome pack, which is sent to parents/guardians who have accepted a place for their child at the school. Welcome packs for September entry are usually sent during the Summer half-term holiday.

Text books and equipment

All books and basic stationery will be provided by the Infant School. For the Junior School an equipment list will be given out before your child joins BGS.

Lunches

Lunch is provided for the children each day as part of their fee package. BGS Infants have lunch between 11.45am and 12.40pm each day. Children can choose from a selection of hot meals and salads and special diets can be catered for. From time to time they may have lunch at Failand.

Methods of payment

The school charges an annual fee but, for convenience, one third of this is payable by the first day of each term. Payments can be made by direct bank transfer or termly direct debit.

An increasing number of parents prefer to make monthly payments and we offer this facility through the School Fee Plan. There is a small fee payable for this facility. Further information is available from the Finance Office.

If you wish to consider fee planning or making advance payments, please contact the Finance Office on 0117 933 9880 who will be pleased to assist.

Before and After-school care

A Breakfast Club is provided for Infant and Junior School children from 7.45am–8.15am. There is no need to book for this.

After-school care runs until 5.45pm; it is managed by the Assistant Head. It is open to all members of BGS Infants and Juniors, and runs daily in term-time.

There is a charge for After-school care, which includes a light tea of sandwiches and fruit.

For further details regarding the costs of before and after-school provisions, please contact the Admissions Office.

School trips

The school arranges various trips in support of the curriculum and a variety of social outings. Many of these will be an integral part of the curriculum. Some trips may attract a further charge, and parents will be informed in advance of any such costs.

Instrumental lessons

Infant and Junior children have the opportunity to learn an instrument at BGS if they so wish. We have a number of specialist Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) who take individual or shared music lessons (depending on there being another child of the same ability).

Although BGS coordinates the application process for instrumental lessons, agreement for lessons to take place is made directly between parents and the VMTs.

LAMDA lessons

Pupils from Year 1 have the opportunity to take LAMDA lessons and examinations in Speech and Drama. These lessons take place during the school day and last thirty minutes. You can express an interest in either a shared or individual lesson. However, there are occasions where a shared lesson is not possible, for example, if there are no other children at the same level as your child; should this be the case, your child will be offered an individual lesson.

For further details and costs of instrumental and LAMDA lessons, please contact the Admissions Office who will put you in touch with the relevant department.

Optional additional insurances

The following insurances are also available to pupils. Please note that BGS does not endorse or recommend any particular policy.

Pupil Absence Insurance Scheme

This facility is able to refund school fees in the event of prolonged absence of a pupil. Cover includes accidental death of a fee payer and accidental death of a pupil. The cost of the premium is 0.74% of the termly school fees. Claims can be made for absence from school for a period of at least five days in term-time.

The school day

Infants

The BGS Infant day starts at 8.30am. Children may arrive from 7.45am for Breakfast Club.

Breakfast Club takes place in the Infant kitchen where your child will be offered a selection of drinks, cereals and toast.

There is no charge for Breakfast Cllub for Infant children.

Lunch is provided for the Infant children between 11.40am and 12.40pm each day in the Great Hall. They choose from a selection of hot meals with carrot and cucumber sticks served alongside. Special diets can be catered for and we cater for all the main food allergens.

The day ends at 3.15pm for Reception and at 3.30pm for Years 1 and 2. For children requiring After-school care (Stay and Play) runs daily in term-time from 3.45pm until 5.45pm.

Stay and Play is held in a Year 2 classroom, and the children are looked after by our Teaching Assistants, so your child will be in a familiar environment with familiar faces around them. Places must be booked at least 24 hours in advance, and the cost for sessions will be added to your termly bill. If your child stays past 4.15pm, this charge includes a light tea of sandwiches and fruit.

Juniors

The BGS Junior day starts at 8.30am. Children may arrive from 7.45am for Breakfast Club or from 8.15am in the main playground.

There is no charge to attend Breakfast Club. Breakfast is not provided but may be purchased if required.

BGS Juniors have lunch in the Great Hall from 12.00pm each day and can choose from a selection of hot meals and salads. Special diets can be catered for and we cater for all the main food allergens.

The day ends at 3.40pm and children should be collected by 3.55pm. The playground is supervised until this time, so that children who have siblings in the Senior School can be collected at the same time. From Monday to Friday all remaining children will be taken to Homework Time, which runs until 4.30pm. The children will be taken to Afterschool care at 4.30pm, which runs daily in term-time until 5.45pm (see Additional charges).

If your child will be making their own way home from school, we ask you to confirm this in writing.

When delivering or collecting children, we ask all parents to park with consideration for other road users and with the safety of our children in mind.

Unfortunately, there is no parking available on the school site.

School policies

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our children. We have a comprehensive Child Protection Policy, which can be found on our website, and all staff regularly receive appropriate training. All staff are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before employment. These are scrutinised by the Senior Leadership Team and no one will be employed by BGS who is on Children’s Barred List (which contains details of teachers considered unsuitable or banned from working with children) or the Sex Offenders’ Register, or about whom the enhanced DBS check gives cause for concern over their suitability to work with children.

A copy of this policy, and other key policies, are available on request from the Admissions Office, and can also be downloaded from the school website

www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

While our first priority is to educate the student body, staff development is also of high importance to us so we hold six INSET Days during the school year.

Learning support and pastoral care

Learning support

At BGS Infants and Juniors we strive to ensure children will fulfil their potential, whatever their strengths and skills.

Our pupils are taught in small, mixed-ability classes with additional support for children who may want to expand their learning or who will benefit from extra help, if ever and whenever they may need it.

A wide range of learning needs are recognised and catered for at BGS. These most commonly are dyslexia, dyspraxia and exceptional ability.

It is the aim of the school to provide every child with the opportunity to achieve their full potential by means of a nondiscriminatory policy of inclusion, making reasonable adjustment for all pupils with specific learning needs, in a positive environment of care and respect for the individual.

Parents will be advised if it is deemed necessary for a child to have a detailed assessment. On production of a report, your child may be offered additional oneto-one tuition with a specialist teacher. There may be additional charges for this.

If your child has any specific learning needs, please let us know by contacting the Admissions Office, who will be happy to make an appointment for you with our Learning Support Coordinator. This will allow us to always provide appropriate support, starting with the entrance process and continuing throughout your time at BGS.

Pastoral care

Life in BGS Infants and Juniors is about helping your child grow into a well-rounded member of both our school community and the wider community.

We understand that growing up is not always plain sailing and that sometimes life can throw up unforeseen difficulties. Whatever their age or stage in the school, however small or big that difficulty may be, there is support available tailored to your child.

Our small class sizes mean that your child will be well known and supported by their Form Tutor and also by the Teaching Assistants.

We will work as a home/school partnership to develop your child’s emotional resilience and equip them with problem solving strategies, but there may also be times when you or your child are looking for help.

We have a structured and accessible support system in school comprising of the Form Tutor, Teaching Assistants, Support Staff, and the Infant Pastoral Lead - Mrs Kate Conway.

It is normal that some children need extra support during their time at school. This might be to support a particular concern, such as a bereavement or family separation, or it might be to support a longer-term situation such as general anxiety or enhancing social interactions. We offer ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistance) to these children, which is a 1-1 intervention delivered by one of our trained ELSA assistants in school. For children with more complex or longer term concerns, we can also refer to our in-school counselling service.

Outline of the curriculum

The school curriculum includes coverage of all of the requirements of the National Curriculum and extends beyond it.

Infants

Reception

Reception children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. The three prime areas of learning are: communication and language; physical development; and personal, social and emotional development. Children learn through a balance of adult- and child-led activities with purposeful play opportunities. Their learning focuses on literacy, numeracy, understanding of the world and expressive arts and design.

Year 1 and Year 2

We offer a diverse and inclusive curriculum which encompasses lessons in English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, History, Geography, Religious Studies, a Modern Language, Physical Education and Games, Music, Dance, Art, and Design & Technology. These are linked to a topic-based curriculum, which allows the children to explore a particular area e.g. Fairy tales, Rain Forests, the Great Fire of London, and Roald Dahl, while linking the subjects in to the topic in a relevant way. In addition, there is a PSHE session for each class (Personal, Social and Health Education, which incorporates Relationships and Sex Education), and this is taken by the Form Tutor and forms an integral part of the pastoral care provision.

Forest School and Games

With our excellent pavilion facilities, sports ground and woodland at Failand, these weekly trips will occur throughout the year. The children’s learning is enriched by engagement in a variety of outdoor learning activities, such as nature trails, welly walks and weekly Games sessions and Forest School. All of the children have the opportunity to participate in a range of team events.

PE, Dance and Swimming (term of each)

We use the Sports Hall on the main site for PE sessions. Dance is taught by one of our specialist Dance teachers in our Dance Studio. Swimming sessions take place in the pool at Henbury Leisure Centre.

All children should have the correct kit to take part in PE, Dance and Swimming; full details will be supplied before your child joins the school.

Music, Art and Drama

There are many opportunities for the children to participate in music, art and drama. The Infants perform their Nativity and Summer concerts in the Mackinnon Theatre.

From Year 2 children have the opportunity to learn the violin with a specialist teacher as an integral part of the curriculum. There are Teatime concerts for Years 1 and 2. Class Drama lessons will include all children,

and parents and families are warmly welcome to attend regular performances and concerts. Individual instrumental tuition is available to Infant children and Speech and Drama lessons are also available to children from Year 1.

Clubs

Staff also run a number of clubs after school for the children. These have included Gardening, Ballet, Choir, Art, Lego, Mulitsports, Yoga, Construction, Jewellery, Crafts, and Board games. Attendance is voluntary but in most cases the children are expected to attend regularly once they have signed up.

Educational trips and visits

During the course of each year, your child’s studies will be complemented by various trips and visits to places of interest. Parents will be notified of the costs of these trips, which are optional. If your child goes on a trip, costs will be added to the school bill. We welcome parents who wish to accompany these trips – help in this way is much appreciated.

Home Learning

In Year 1 this will be only a short task each week, consisting of additional spellings and reading. In Year 2 it will increase so that by the time the children reach Year 3 they will be used to being set Home Learning tasks on a regular basis three times a week (approximately fifteen to twenty minutes).

Juniors

We offer a diverse and inclusive curriculum which encompasses lessons in English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, History, Geography, PRE, Physical Education, a Modern Language, Games, Music, Dance, Drama, Art, Design & Technology. In addition, there is a PSHE session for each class (Personal, Social and Health Education, which incorporates Relationships and Sex Education) and this is taken by the Form Tutor and forms an integral part of the pastoral care provision.

During Years 3, 4 and 5 each class have swimming lessons at Bristol University swimming pool.

Year 5 has a Food Preparation and Nutrition lesson once every two weeks and Year 6 have Textile lessons in the Senior School Art block and science lessons in the Senior School science laboratories.

Games and PE

The children have weekly Games sessions at our extensive playing fields in Failand. The on-site Sports Hall is used for PE lessons. All children should have the correct kit to take part in Games and PE; full details will be supplied before your child joins the school.

All of the children have opportunities to participate in a range of team events.

Music and Drama

There are also opportunities for the children to have extra tuition in music and drama. There are Teatime concerts in the Autumn and Summer terms, and a Performing Arts Day and MADD Evening (music, art, dance and drama) in the Spring term. Parents and families are warmly welcome to attend all performances and concerts.

Activities

We offer a comprehensive Activities programme on Friday afternoons during the Autumn and Spring terms; the children choose one from a selection of Activities to take part in every half-term. These have included Engineering, Coding, Baking, Golf, Orienteering, Sewing, Pantomime and Bush Craft. They may choose the same Activity or vary what they do each time. Most of the Activities are run by BGS staff, although some are run by professional instructors so there is a cost for these, which is added to the end-of-term bill (if applicable).

Clubs

Staff also run a number of clubs for the children during lunchtime and after school. Attendance is voluntary but in most cases the children are expected to attend regularly after they have signed up.

Please see below a sample of the clubs that children can take part in:

Art, Board Games, Chess, Choir, Coding, Comic Club, Eco Club,

Extra Hockey, Extra Netball Fencing* (invitation only), Football Gardening, Lego, Mindful Colouring, Musical Theatre Orchestra, Latin, Top Trumps, Ukulele and Yoga.

* Indicates that there is a charge for this club.

Educational trips and visits

During the course of each year, your child’s studies will be complemented by various trips and visits to places of interest. Residential trips are organised for Year 5 in the Autumn term, Year 4 in the Spring term, and Year 6 at the end of the Summer term. Parents will be notified of the costs of these trips, which are optional. If your child goes on a trip, costs will be added to the school bill. We welcome parents who wish to accompany these trips – help in this way is much appreciated.

Home Learning

In Year 3, children will receive a short Home Learning task (lasting approximately fifteen to twenty minutes) three times a week. The time spent on Home Learning increases as the children get older, so that by Year 6 the children should expect to do about thirty minutes of Home Learning each evening. Home Learning is noted in the Pupil Planner, which may also be used as a channel of communication between home and school.

Admissions process and key dates

Visit us

Individual tours

Heidi Hughes, Head of BGS Infants and Juniors, warmly invites you to visit our school on a normal school day.

Infant and Junior School tours start at 9.00am, and are by appointment only. You will be shown around by Catherine Ball, our Infant and Junior Admissions Officer. If you’d like to meet with Heidi Hughes during your tour, please let us know at the time of booking.

Visiting Events

Whole School Open Morning: Thursday 9 November, 10.00am-12 noon

Reception Open Mornings: Tuesday 26 September and Tuesday 21 November, 9.30am-11.30am (by appointment only)

Children are very welcome to attend any visit you book - it’s a great way to see the school.

If you would like to arrange a visit or would like any further information, please contact Catherine Ball, Admissions Officer, on 0117 933 9631.

Application forms

For Reception entry, the application form can be found below:

Application Form

To complete your application you will also need to pay a £30.00 application fee. You can pay via bank transfer; details are available at the end of the application form and on request from the Admissions Office.

Please include your child’s name as a reference with the bank transfer. This application fee is nonrefundable. It covers the informal assessment process and administration. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2024.

Please note that your child’s present nursery/pre-school will be contacted prior to the entrance assessment for a reference, which will form part of the decision-making process.

Reception entrance assessment

The Reception entrance assessments will be in the form of a Stay and Play session where our Infant teachers will spend time getting to know each child. Places are allocated on the basis of this session, supported by a Learning Development Report from the child’s current early learning setting (if applicable). These sessions will take place on:

Saturday 20 and Saturday 27 January 2024

Offers will be made following the Stay and Play session.