Bristol Grammar School: Senior School Additional Information for 2024 Entry

Life changing

Senior School

Introduction

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 telephone the Admissions Team on 0117 933 9885 or email 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 how to visit can be found at the end of this guide.

We look forward to welcoming you to our school.

Contact

Bristol Grammar School University Road

Bristol BS8 1SR

Head of Bristol Grammar School

Jaideep Barot MA, MSc headmaster@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

PA to Headmaster

Miss Catherine Davies cdavies@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Senior School Reception

Tel: 0117 973 6006

Admissions Office

Tel: 0117 933 9885

admissions@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Finance Office

Miss Sarah Orchard

Tel: 0117 933 9880

sorchard@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Bristol Grammar School is a registered charity, number 1104425.

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 the website.

Our Mission, Aims and Values

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.

Admissions information

Pupils normally enter Year 7 in September of the year in which they are between eleven and twelve years old on 31 August. Nonetheless applications on behalf of mature and able ten-yearolds can also be considered.

In addition to the examination, we ask each candidate’s current school to provide a reference.

Moving to senior school is an important stage in every child’s life, and so, to make sure we know each child as best as we can, we ask that all Year 7 candidates have a ‘getting to know you’ meeting with a member of staff to discuss their hobbies, interests and school work as part of the admissions process. Applicants will be informed of their meeting time with their application acknowledgement.

For further details about the admissions process, please contact the Admissions Office on 0117 933 9885.

Preparation for the entrance examination

For entry in September 2024, the main entrance examination will be held on Saturday 13 January for Years 7–10 and Saturday 20 January for Year 7 only

We believe that the best preparation you can do with your child is to bring them to BGS for one of our events: being familiar with the school can help reduce anxiety on the test day.

Entrance examination for Year 7 entry

Our entrance assessment for Year 7 consists of four tests: Creative Writing (45 minutes) Comprehension (20 minutes) Problem-solving (30 minutes) Arithmetic (20 minutes)

To help your child prepare for the entrance assessments we will send a sample of each of the papers to all those who have applied towards the end of the Autumn term.

Although we would prefer to see a child’s natural ability, we understand that some children may feel more comfortable if they can undertake some additional practice. If you wish for your child to partake in some preparation in addition to the sample papers that we send, we would suggest you purchase the CGP 11+ Maths (GL Assessment) and CGP 11+ English (GL Assessment). Please note that the CGP books are only practice materials, the format of the tests will be similar to the examples in our sample papers.

Admission into Years 8-10 (Space permitting)

Our main entry point to the Senior School is in the Autumn term of Year 7, although entry is possible to other year-groups or at other times of the school year, dependent on the availability of places.

Please contact the Admissions Office for the latest information on the availability of places.

Our Year 8 entrance test consists of three papers: English, Mathematics and Linguistic Competency.

Year 9 and 10 entrance tests consist of four papers: English, Mathematics, Science and Linguistic Competency.

These papers are written by our subject teachers. Aside from a thorough grounding in the subjects, there is no specific preparation necessary. The subjects can be practised from any book that covers the National Curriculum.

Children applying to join Year 8, 9 or 10 will be invited into into school to speak with a member of staff about their hobbies, interest and school work as part of the admissions process. Applicants will be informed of their meeting time when an application has been recieved and once it has been confirmed there are spaces available.

Upon application we will ask for your child’s latest school report and as with Year 7, we ask each candidate’s current school to provide a reference report.

Admissions information continued

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 a test 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.

Registration and charges

To apply for entry, please complete the Senior 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.

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 examination. 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 a member of our Learning Support Department and, if possible, will take place at BGS. If families are overseas, we can arrange for this assessment to take place as a video meeting. Following the assessment, we will advise if parents should proceed with an 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/guardians.

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.

For children over the age of 16, BGS can support a visa application by issuing a CAS should they satisfy all admissions criteria. This includes BGS being satisfied that the guardianship and living arrangements are in the best interests of the child.

Please also see the Fees, charges and methods of payments on page 10 for further details on fees and deposits required for overseas applicants.

2 January 2024 12.00pm

Bursary Awards: Help with fees

At BGS we do not believe your income should be a barrier to your child’s education and ultimately their success in life.

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 worth up to 100% in fee support, plus additional help with the cost of uniform, equipment, and trips as is required.

Applications for assistance must be submitted in advance of the January entrance exams.

Invariably there are more applications than there are funds available, and academic merit is part of the assessment process. The number of awards made each year varies according to the calibre of applicants, and the levels of assistance offered.

Through our 500 Campaign we are we are working towards being able to support 1 in 4 families by 2032, to enable us to make a BGS education accessible to even more families.

Bursary award FAQ’s

Who can apply for a Bursary Award?

Bursary Awards are available for entrants to Year 3 upwards. In the Senior School (Year 7 upwards) they can be worth up to 100% of fees. No Bursary Awards are made to children in our Infant School.

How do I know if I qualify for a Bursary Award?

Bursary Awards are for those who have a family income of less than £85,000. If you would like to discuss whether you should apply for a Bursary Award the Finance Office will be happy to advise.

What information do I need to supply to apply for a Bursary Award?

You’ll need to provide details of the family income for all those with parental responsibility, details of any assets you hold such as property, investment properties and the associated mortgages and income generated from such property. If you are unsure when completing your application, please ask the Finance Office for advice.

When should I apply for a Bursary Award?

You should submit your application as soon as is possible after submitting the application for your child to sit the entrance assessment. This should be received before the application deadline of 2 January 2024 and before any assessment has taken place.

Is it better to wait until I know my child has a place before I apply for a Bursary Award?

No, you must submit your Bursary Award application by the deadline as stated in our literature and in advance of any entry assessments. We always receive far more applications than funds available and these are all allocated in the main admissions sessions.

If I qualify for a Bursary Award, will I get one?

We always receive far more applications for Bursary Awards than we have funds available. Awards are made based on the order of merit as set out by the admissions process, but we are not able to offer bursary awards to all who meet the criteria.

I’ve submitted my Bursary Award application form, what happens next?

Your child will complete the entrance assessment process and your Bursary Award application will be considered alongside their application to join BGS. In some instances, the Bursar may wish to meet with you in your home to discuss your application. The Finance Office will be in touch if they need to arrange this. These meetings take place after any entrance assessments.

When will I hear if my child has received a Bursary Award? You will hear the outcome of your application when you receive the decision letter following the entrance assessment.

Can my child receive both a scholarship and a Bursary Award?

Yes – a pupil can be awarded both a scholarship and a Bursary Award and you are welcome to apply for both for your child.

Scholarships: Talent recognition

At BGS we are delighted to be able to offer non-financial scholarships in recognition of a child’s exceptional abilities.

Historically, scholarships at BGS were awarded with an automatic reduction in school fees. However, scholarships awarded for September 2023 entry and onwards will no longer carry fee reduction, as we divert these funds to our means-tested bursary awards, for families who need financial assistance to attend the school.

Pupils awarded a scholarship for entry into Year 7 or Year 9 will receive an annual grant of £200 to spend on enrichment in the field of their award, and on items such as textbooks, equipment, educational visits.

Pupils will also be invited to join our Scholars Programme, which provides a range of opportunities designed to stretch and challenge them.

Year 7 and Year 9 Scholarships Academic Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded based on academic merit. All applicants are automatically considered for these; those who achieve highly in the January entrance examinations are invited to a scholarship interview.

Creative and Performing Arts Scholarships and Sport Scholarships

In addition to the Academic Scholarships, we offer Creative and Performing Arts Scholarships (Art, Dance, Drama and Music) and Sport Scholarships for entrants showing exceptional ability in these areas.

Heads’ Scholarships

Any applicant who is shortlisted for the Academic Scholarship as well as the Creative and Performing Arts and/or the Sport Scholarship will be considered for a Heads’ Scholarship.

Year 9 Scholarships only

New for 2024 entry is a Scholarship to recognise exceptional talents in the area of Design Technology. This is available for Year 9 only.

How to apply for a Scholarship

If you would like your child to be considered for one of these awards, you should complete the relevant online scholarship application form – a link to which can be found on the last page of this booklet – and submit it to the Admissions Office by 12.00 noon on 17 November 2023 with the exam application form and £30 registration fee. As shortlisting takes place on the afternoon of the deadline day, it is with regret that we are unable to accept applications after this time.

Shortlisting

Applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of their application forms. We plan for successful candidates to be invited into school for an audition/interview and to speak with relevant teaching staff. These meetings will take place in late November/ December for Sport, and early in January for Music, Dance, DT, Drama, and Art.

Candidates applying for scholarships, including those already attending BGS, are also able to apply for a means-tested Bursary Award (details on page 7), when submitting their application if they require financial assistance with school fees.

Further details of all the Scholarships mentioned are available in the Scholarship Booklet,

Scholarship Application Forms

After reading the criteria in the Scholarship Booklet, please click on the relevant link below to submit an application. You may apply for more than one award.

Year 7

Year 7 Creative and Performing Arts Application Form (Art)

Year 7 Creative and Performing Arts Application Form (Dance)

Year 7 Creative and Performing Arts Application Form (Drama)

Year 7 Creative and Performing Arts Application Form (Music)

Year 7 Sport Application Form

Year 9

Year 9 Creative and Performing Arts Application Form (Art)

Year 9 Creative and Performing Arts Application Form (Dance)

Year 9 Creative and Performing Arts Application Form (Design Technology)

Year 9 Creative and Performing Arts Application Form (Drama)

Year 9 Creative and Performing Arts Application Form (Music)

Year 9 Sport Application Form

Scholarship FAQ’s

Can I apply for a scholarship for any year of entry?

No. Scholarships are only available for entry into Year 7, Year 9 and Lower Sixth.

In Years 7 and 9 there are Creative and Performing Arts and Sports Scholarships available, alongside Academic and Heads’ Scholarships. In the Lower Sixth there are only Academic and Heads’ Scholarships available.

Do i have to pay a fee to apply for a scholarship?

No. The only fee payable at this time is the £30 registration fee to sit the entrance exam. A scholarship application will only be accepted once an application for the entrance exam and the registration fee have been received.

How do I apply for an Academic Scholarship?

All children who sit the assessment in January for Year 7 or Year 9, and those who have interviews for Lower Sixth entry, are automatically considered for Academic Scholarship – there is no need to submit a separate application form.

Academic Scholarships are also open to pupils currently in Year 6 and Year 8 at BGS. Pupils currently in the school are required to submit a brief application and these will be sent out from the Admissions Office in September and with a submission deadline of 17 November.

How do I apply for the Sport or Creative and Performing Arts Scholarships?

Applications open in the first half of the Autumn term; the admissions team will send you the relevant forms and confirm the application deadline. You will need to complete a form for each scholarship you wish to apply for (Sport, Art, Dance, Drama and Music) and ensure they are submitted by the deadline.

I’ve applied for a Creative and Performing Arts or Sports Scholarship. What happens next? As soon as the deadline passes, shortlisting of candidates begins –so late applications unfortunately can’t be accommodated. We’ll contact you by the end of November to let you know if your child has been successful in being shortlisted for one of these awards.

When will I find out if my child’s scholarship application has been successful?

Children who have been shortlisted for any of our scholarship awards will find out the outcome in the decision letter, sent by email in early February (or late December for Sixth Form applicants).

What is the benefit of being a scholar?

Through our Scholars Programme, scholars have a range of opportunities to develop as leaders of our community in their area of talent. They also receive a small annual grant, to put towards something that will further their education or training in their scholarship field.

Scholarship application deadline

17 November 2023 12.00 noon

Fees, charges and methods of payment

With effect from September 2023, the fees in the Senior School will be £5,795 per term (£17,385 per annum).

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

The fees from September 2024 will be announced prior to the start of the Summer term. The cost of lunch (Reception to Year 11), stationery and most textbooks is included in the fees.

All children in the Junior School to Sixth Form are allocated an iPad at no extra cost to their parents/ guardians. Junior School pupils leave their iPads in school on a daily basis, while Senior School and Sixth-form pupils use theirs as a resource for learning at home as well as in lessons.

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.

Applicants who require BGS to sponsor a Tier 4 Student (Child) visa to study in the UK

If BGS is sponsoring your child’s visa, fees covering one full academic year will be payable prior to the Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) being issued. This is to satisfy UKVI that you have sufficient funds for your childs’ education whilst studying in the UK.The Admissions Office will be in touch in April to notify applicants of the amount required.

Additional charges Head’s Fund

A termly sum of £4.00 is paid to the Head’s Fund to help subsidise educational trips and visits, and a wide range of other pupil-related activities.

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/guardians are welcomed as members; full details about the Parents’ Association and how to get involved are circulated at the start of the school year.

Pupils’ 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 welcome pack sent to parents/ guardians of pupils joining BGS.

Examinations

Public examination charges will be added to the bill in the Summer term of the year the pupil takes them. The average total cost of GCSE examinations is £700 and the average total cost of A level and IB Diploma examinations is £450.

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 out towards the end of the Summer term.

Breakfast and lunch

Breakfast is available to purchase for pupils, parents and guardians between 7.45am and 8.15am.

Lunch for pupils from Reception to Year 11 is included in the termly fee.

Instrumental lessons

All 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, the agreement for lessons to take place is made directly between parents and the VMTs.

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

LAMDA lessons

Pupils at BGS 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.

Costs per half-hour lesson in 2023 are:

Individual: £19.50 Shared: £15.25

Optional additional insurance

The following insurance is also available to pupils. Please note that BGS does not endorse any particular policy.

Pupil absence insurance

This facility is 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.

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. Payment can be made by direct bank transfer or termly direct debit. An increasing number of parents/guardians prefer to make monthly payments and we offer this facility through the School Fee Plan. There is a small fee payable for this facility.

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.

School trips

The school arranges various compulsory and optional trips in support of the curriculum, and a variety of social outings. Parents and guardians will be informed in advance of any appropriate costs and how and when they will be charged.

Outline of the curriculum

The following outlines the curriculum for Years 7–11. For more detail, please see the Curriculum Policy available on our website.

Year 7

Activities (including Dance, Food & Nutrition, Swimming and Bike Skills)

Art

Computing Design & Technology

Drama

English

French Games

Geography

History

Latin Mathematics

Music

Philosophy, Religion and Ethics

Physical Education

Science

Spanish Wellbeing

Year 8

Year 8 follow the same curriculum as Year 7 but with Science taught separately as Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Pupils consider language options based on two decisions:

1. To study French or Spanish

2. To study French*/German/ Russian/Spanish*.

* only if not selected in decision 1. Note: German and Russian cannot be chosen together.

Year 9

Pupils in Year 9 follow a personalised curriculum. Pupils will choose eight ‘optional’ subjects to study alongside our ‘core’ curriculum, comprising of English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This gives a broad curriculum of thirteen subjects (in addition to Wellbeing, and Physical Education and Games as studied in Years 7 and 8) Optional subjects are as follows:

Art

Business Studies

Classical Civilisation

Computer Science

Dance

Design & Technology

Drama

Food & Nutrition

French Geography

German

Greek History

Latin

Music

Philosophy, Religion and Ethics

Physical Education

Russian

Spanish

Please note, to choose a language, including Latin, at Year 9, pupils must have been studying it in Year 8.

Years 10 and 11

At GCSE level all pupils will take 10 Subjects to include English, Mathematics and Science. They can choose to study the Dual

Science Award (studying all three Sciences with reduced content and leading to two GCSEs) or the Triple Science Award (leading to GCSEs in all three Sciences).

Pupils choose one language from the following: French, German, Russian, Spanish, Ancient Greek or Latin. Please note, to choose a language for GCSE, pupils must have been studying it in Year 9.

Pupils also choose three or four ‘option’ subjects depending on the Science Award they have chosen:

Ancient Greek

Art & Design (Fine Art)

Art & Design (Textiles)

Business Studies

Classical Civilisation

Computer Science

Dance

Design & Technology

Drama

Food & Nutrition

French

Geography

German

History 1 (Germany, Superpower Relations, Vietnam and Warfare)

History 2 (Russia, Civil Rights in the USA, South Africa, and Changes in Medicine)

Latin

Music

Philosophy, Religion and Ethics

Physical Education

Russian

Spanish

Please note, to choose a subject for GCSE, pupils must have been studying it in Year 9.

Year 10 and 11 pupils also follow a (non-examined) Religious Studies course and participate in Physical Education, Wellbeing and Games.

Full details of the options available in Years 9 and 10 are sent to pupils during the Spring term prior to entry to that year-group. Every effort is made to ensure that pupils can follow their first-choice options, and most are able to do so. However, some courses may be oversubscribed and others may clash in the timetable; this is always discussed with parents/ guardians and pupils.

All Year-groups

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)

BGS offers CEIAG to pupils in Year 8 upwards with an emphasis on providing support to make informed decisions as they progress through the school. Years 8 and 9 focus on understanding what pathways are available in the future, explore what may influence their choices, as well as beginning to identify individual skills and attributes.

Appropriate careers information and guidance continues throughout Years 10 and 11. Pupils use sophisticated computer programs to help them make choices for their post-16 education, along with further lessons in small groups. They are also introduced to higher education options, and we invite undergraduate students into the School to share their experiences. In addition, we arrange a Sixth Form Experience Day for pupils to explore career or higher education options. They are also encouraged to seek out suitable taster courses or to participate in work experience.

All pupils are able to make contact with the Future Pathways Department to arrange oneto-one sessions on any topic or query. The deaprtment is extremely well-resourced and pupils are encouraged to make good use of it.

Activities and clubs

Our Activities programme takes place on an afternoon each week in Years 7 and 8. Pupils are in their House-groups for these sessions, which are run on a rota basis so that everyone is able to try the same variety of Activities throughout the year.

Pupils in Years 9 to 11 do not have timetabled Activity lessons, but have the opportunity to get involved in any of the huge variety of scheduled clubs (available for all year-groups) that take place at lunchtimes three days a week. Activities and clubs are a good opportunity to develop new skills and interests.

Additionally there is a variety of after-School clubs, which vary from small, special-interest groups to larger sports clubs.

Sports provision

We have over twenty sports on offer at BGS. For Years 7 to 11 the main sports are:

• Girls: hockey, netball, cricket

• Boys: rugby, hockey, cricket.

Full details of our sporting provision can be found on our website

Learning support and pastoral care

Learning Support

From the entrance examination onwards, a wide range of learning needs are recognised and catered for at BGS. These most commonly include dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit disorder, visual and hearing impairments and other physical disabilities, as well as exceptional ability, and potential for linguistic vulnerability for pupils whose first language is not English.

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.

To help identify some specific learning difficulties, all pupils are screened for spelling and reading at the beginning of Year 7 and again in Year 9 (or when they join the school, if this is after the screening assessments).

Concerns about a child may be raised at any stage by teaching staff, pupils or parents. The pastoral team and the Head of Learning Support will work with the family to draw up key strategies to best support the pupil. Staff in the Learning Support Team keep in close contact with all children with learning needs and their parents.

English as an additional language In cases where families have recently moved to the UK, pupils whom English is not a first language may choose to meet with a specialist literacy teacher for general one-to-one tuition during their first year in the school. Pupils with exceptional ability may be identified at entry to the school, by subject teachers working with them in school, or by routine monitoring.

We want to ensure that every child gets the support that they need and therefore we are able to arrange, at an additional cost, the services of specialist teachers to provide one-to-one tuition in English and/or Mathematics for pupils during the school day. These lessons are very popular and are tailored to meet specific needs of the individual.

The Learning Support Team are always happy to offer advice and support. Should you wish to set up a meeting or discuss your child’s needs prior to the entrance examination, please contact the Admissions Office and they will arrange this for you.

Pastoral Care

The House system is one of the great strengths of BGS; it provides continuity of pastoral care throughout the school. There are six Houses and pupils join one of the Houses, following family connections, and remain in it during their time at the school.

Each pupil has a Form Tutor who is responsible for all aspects of day-to-day pastoral care and academic supervision. Form Tutors will normally move up each year with their form-group providing continuous pastoral support. The Form Tutor takes an overview of a pupil’s pastoral care and academic progress.

Wellbeing is also taught by the Form Tutor; these lessons occur every other week for pupils in Years 7 and 8, and weekly for those in Year 9 and above. These sessions cover a wide range of important subjects including social relationships, emotional wellbeing and bullying; they also offer health, sex and drugs education.

Our School Counsellors offer a quiet, comfortable and confidential space where children can talk about anything that is troubling them. Pupils can explore their concerns and anxieties, think about how they feel and find a way forward that is right for them.

Our Peer mentoring system provides an extra avenue of communication for any pupil who may wish to talk through an issue. These Sixth-form students are trained to listen carefully and offer advice.

The school day and school policies

In the Senior School the day starts with registration at 8.30am and ends at 3.50pm.

The day is made up of five hourlong lessons, divided by a morning break from 10.55am to 11.25am and by lunchtime from 12.25pm to 1.20pm. Following lunch, pupils have opportunity to take part in the many scheduled clubs on offer. Year-group assemblies also take place at this time.

Each year-group has Games at Failand on one afternoon a week. On these days they will have a lesson from 12.25pm to 1.20pm. They will then have lunch in school before travelling to Failand for their Games lesson.

Throughout the week there are meetings with Form Tutors before lessons start. A Breakfast Club runs from 7.45am–8.20am everyday. At the end of the school day there are facilities for pupils to stay on-site until 6.00pm.

Full details of the daily structure are sent out to parents/guardians of new pupils before they arrive, with information regarding uniform, homework, trips, instrumental and LAMDA lessons, school policies etc.

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 the Children’s Barred List (which contains details of people considered unsuitable or banned from working with children) or the Sex Offenders’ Register, or about whom the enhanced DBS checked gives cause for concern over their suitability to work with children.

A copy of this policy, and other key policies, are available to download from the website.

Next steps

How to visit

We are pleased to be able to offer you the following ways to learn more about life at Bristol Grammar School:

Open events, individual tours and taster days

BGS holds a number of events throughout the year, including regular visits and open events. Details are available on our website: www. bristolgrammarschool.co.uk and from the Admissions Office.

Alternatively if the dates of these events are not convenient, we offer tours of the school most weekday mornings. Tours offer you the chance to look around BGS during a normal School day. Contact the Admissions Team on 0117 933 9885. Tours must be booked in advance.

You can also find out more about life at BGS from our Admissions Team.

Get in touch with them at admissions@bgs.bristol.sch.uk or call 0117 933 9885 if you’ve got any questions about joining BGS.

If you have a specific enquiry and would prefer to make an appointment to speak with the Head, Mr Barot, we would be happy to arrange this.

We look forward to welcoming you to Bristol Grammar School.

Important Dates

Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship and Sport Scholarship deadline*

Friday 17 November 2023, 12.00 noon

Years 7–10 application deadline** Tuesday 2 January 2024

Entrance Examination***

Saturday 13 January 2024 (Years 7–10), or Saturday 20 January 2024 (Year 7 only)

*Applicants for the Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship or Sport Scholarship will be shortlisted on the basis of their application forms. We plan for successful candidates to be invited into school for an audition and to speak with relevant teaching staff. These meetings will take place in late November/early December for the Sport Scholarship, and in early January for the Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship (Dance, Drama, Art, and Music); full details are included with the scholarship application form.

**Applications for a means-tested Bursary award must be submitted along with your application form and by the deadline of Tuesday 2 January 2024. Funds are limited and are usually allocated following the January entrance exams. The Admissions Office will be pleased to give you up-to-date information on the availability of funding.

*** Please choose your preferred entrance examination date when submitting your application form.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying, please complete the online application form

To complete your application you will also need to pay the £30 registration 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. This registration fee is non-refundable. It covers testing, interviews and administration.

Admissions timeline

Visit us

Most families visit the school in the Autumn term prior to joining the following September:

Open Evening

Friday 6 October 2023 4.00pm–8.00pm

Open Mornings are held regularly throughout the year. Please contact the Admissions Office who will advise you of these dates.

Taster days

Taster days are a fantastic opportunity for your child to experience lessons, led by BGS teachers, to give them an idea of what School life in Year 7 at BGS is like.

For further information and availability, please contact the Admissions Office on 0117 933 9885.

Scholarships

Individual Tours

We warmly invite you to visit us on a normal school day and meet some of our pupils and staff. Children are welcome to attend tours, allowing them to see BGS in action.

Your visit will be followed by a meeting with Mr Barot, the Head, or another member of his Leadership Team, who will be delighted to answer any questions you may have.

The application deadline for the Sport Scholarship and Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship is Friday 17 November 2023, 12.00 noon Links to the Scholarship Booklet can be found below:

Scholarship Booklet

Apply to sit the Entrance Examination

The closing date for applications for September 2024 entry is Tuesday 2 January 2024.

Application Form

Once an application, along with the £30.00 registration fee is received, you will be sent an email acknowledging your application along with the date and time of your child’s ‘Getting to know you’ meeting.

How to apply for a Bursary Award

We are currently developing a new online system to submit Bursary Award applications and we will be updating families of the process in due course. We anticipate this will be available early November. In the meantime, the guidelines for applying for a Bursary Award are below.

Bursary Award Application Guidelines and Bursary Award Conditions of Award

Getting To Know You Meetings

Applicants will be informed of their meeting time with their application acknowledgement. These meetings will take place on a normal working day in January.

Year 7 Entrance Examination

Saturday 13 January 2024 and Saturday 20 January 2024

Your child only needs to attend one date. Please choose your preferred entrance examination date when submitting your application form.

For further details of the tests, please see page 5 of this booklet

Head’s Decision

The outcome of your child’s application will be sent on Friday 3 February 2023. These might be received after the end of the working day.

University Road

Bristol BS8 1SR

0117 973 6006

www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk