Friends of BRGS Edition 37

Bacup & Rawtenstall

Issue 37

Grammar School

Winter 2017

Friends of BRGS A newsletter produced by BRGS for former students, parents & the community

UK’s Future Leaders in Engineering Honoured The Arkwright Scholarships Trust has conducted its annual award of prestigious scholarships to future leader of the engineering profession. 425 sixth form scholarships have been awarded this year with BRGS students Mark, Carl and Eleanor being fortunate recipients.

Arkwright Engineering Scholarships act as a beacon to the most talented STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) students in UK schools and help to ensure that high potential young people stay engaged in the engineering careers pipeline, in the critical 16 to 18 age range. This year’s Scholars come from all educational backgrounds across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and a growing number of British Overseas Schools. A record-equalling 29% of the new Scholars were female.

Dr Kevin P Stenson, Interim CEO of The Arkwright Scholarships Trust, said: “An impressive 1,594 students applied in 2017 and we are delighted to have been able to present a total of 425 students with invaluable scholarships. Each of this year’s scholars is incredibly talented and we hope that their Arkwright Engineering Scholarship will mark the first step in a long and successful career in engineering. Each of the Scholars gains access to a fantastic range of enrichment experiences, including Conferences, Engineering Experience Days, Mentoring, Residential Courses, and University VIP days.”

Scholars are selected for their potential as future engineering leaders by assessing their academic, practical and leadership skills in STEM. These are gauged through a rigorous selection process comprising: an assessed application form including a teacher’s reference; a two-hour, problem-solving aptitude exam; and a university-based interview. The Scholarships support students through their sixth form studies, encouraging them into top universities or higher apprenticeships. Arkwright Engineering Scholarships are highly regarded by university admission tutors and industry recruiters as one of the most prestigious accolades that a talented sixth form student can receive. The Scholarships are supported by more than 200 different sponsoring organisations including commercial and industrial companies and regulators, Government organisations, universities, Professional Institutions, Trade Associations, Training Boards, all three Armed Services and Charitable Trusts.

Congratulations to our BRGS Arkwright Scholars: we look forward to seeing how your STEM careers flourish! www.brgs.org.uk

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Welcome!

Autumn terms are the longest and most actionpacked leaving the most energised of us completely exhausted by the time we reach Christmas! Annual events seem to run on a weekly basis with Speech Nights & Awards Assemblies, Grandparents’ Day, Careers Events, Young Musician Competition, PTA Quiz Nights, Sixth Form Open Evening and not to mention various Christmas activities…the list goes on!

Activities galore Always a popular highlight in our calendar, Year 7 students enjoyed a glorious end of summer term activity day at the Anderton Centre in Chorley. Students participated in all sorts of challenges and activities from cratestacking to archery and canoeing. A great way to cement and build friendships at the end of their first year here at BRGS.

It is a time of optimism and hope: at the start of this busy term we welcomed 180 enthusiastic Year 7 pupils alongside new and familiar faces to Year 12, all eager to fulfil their potential.

Season’s Greetings from all at BRGS and all best wishes for a healthy and happy new year.

Emma Emma Gauntlett Development Director ecg@brgs.org.uk Tel: 01706 234500/01706 234502 (direct) www.brgs.org.uk

New faces At the start of term we welcomed Susan Foster (Geography), Clare Harper (English), Angela Kennedy (Head of Food Technology) and Isobel Clarkson (Teaching Assistant). Kirsty Baines is covering the Learning Support Manager role whilst Celina Sissons is on maternity leave. In October we welcomed children’s author George Kirk as our Learning Resource Centre Manager and in November Natalie McCaffrey joined us as Technology Teacher (Food & Textiles) with Suzanne Gordon joining us as our Music Administrator.

The many new faces have also resulted in some goodbyes. Debbie Jenkins has been a stalwart of the music department managing timetables for the hugely busy peripatetic team and working with our Finance Team. She leaves us after five years for a change in career and will continue to be multi-tasking effectively with two jobs to keep her busy! We said farewell to Maria King who will continue to work in Learning Resources but closer to home at Salford University and we gave Audrey Jackson an official send-off as she retires after ten years at BRGS. Audrey has had huge success at GCSE and A Level in leading the Food Technology department and has inspired and supported hundreds of students through her enthusiasm for her subject and high expectations of what they can achieve. Her dedication to students is demonstrated through her continuing to teach her Year 13 A level students until the end of this academic year. We wish her every happiness in her retirement.

What are BRGS Values?

Opportunities, respect, ambition and more. The Heads of School (team of elected sixth form students) held a special meeting to work on how we can implement the core values here at BRGS. On Wednesday 11th October, The Heads of School and selected representatives from every year sat down to discuss what BRGS represents to them.

Using questionnaire feedback and consultation with pupils and staff from the previous year, six focal points were decided upon: respect, opportunity, ambition, trust, resilience and support.

Heads of School: Ella & Joseph

Each group of representatives worked on ways we can include these values in the school day, as well as how to promote them to all students.

Holding conferences like this is important, as it gives students a chance to speak for themselves, meaning the actions BRGS takes directly reflect the attitudes and opinions of the community.

As well as the six main values, last year’s questionnaire highlighted a plethora of other principles, from safety and honesty to being united and inclusive.

The above article is taken from the student-led blog The BRGS Post which you can access at https://brgspost.wordpress.com/ After subsequent meetings, we are now finalising what we, as a community, feel are our values statements.

Our next stage is to consider how we engage with these values on a day-to-day basis around school as a framework for our actions.

What values do you think sum up BRGS? Feedback and thoughts welcome to ecg@brgs.org.uk. For the former students and former members of staff reading this, have times changed or do these values still ring true from your time here?

Virtually anything from astronomy to jazz sums up the extra-curricular opportunities available to BRGS students.

New clubs and societies spring up every year, often at the request of the students. We have a huge range of activities to suit all ranging from Trading Card Club to Ukulele Orchestra, Stitch Club to Soul Band or German Film Club to Literature on Film. Music and sporting activities dominate but students can also develop their reasoning and persuasive skills through Debating Clubs and Mock Trials and develop their creative abilities through drama rehearsing and art club. So much to choose from which fits in with our BRGS value of ‘opportunity’!

www.brgs.org.uk

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PTA Stalwart Supporters The PTA AGM on the 21st September was the last PTA meeting for Jeanette and Ian Maden after a number of years of service. Jeanette has been a stalwart supporter of the PTA for the past 14 years as PTA Treasurer and Ian has been Chairman of the Committee for the past year. The school is indebted to them for their support over the years! Thank you and all the very best.

Grandparents’ Day Year 7 students became guides for the day as they shared time with their grandparents and invited guests for our annual tradition of Grandparents’ Day.

BRGS Young Musician Competition A diverse musical treat awaited the audience as talented and hard-working musicians competed in our annual BRGS Young Musician of the Year contest.

Have a listen to the winning performances below with performances from Ian (KS3 winner), Max (KS4 winner), Lily (KS5 winner) and Elizabeth (winner of the audience vote).

To hear their exceptional performances then please go to: https://www.brgs.org.uk/news/latest/2017-1116-young-musician-2017

Class Dismissed Year 10 student Ethan Proops returns to our TV screens as Martin in the new series of Class Dismissed on CBBC as a pupil in the fictional extraordinary school of Dockbridge High. Thankfully, it is nothing like BRGS! (E

Ethan is the judge on the left hand side.

London Theatre Trip BRGS A-Level Drama students found themselves on a spellbinding trip around London’s West End theatres this term. The trip, which involved watching three highly acclaimed plays and going on an in depth tour of London’s oldest theatre, amid seeing many other sights, spanned three days over the last week of October and gave students a rare insight into world-class professional theatre, which will be highly beneficial in their future endeavours as they continue to study drama.

After an early coach journey down to the capital, students and staff were treated to a tremendously terrifying performance of The Exorcist at the Phoenix Theatre which was as spectacularly performed as it was scary. Wonderful acting from all cast members combined with ingenious set design to create a show that was an absolute feast for the senses, so much so the audience found themselves jumping at every shock. Vividly engrossing and somewhat emotionally scarring, the lustre of the piece had an impactful feel which lingered long after the curtains closed. It was a promising start to the weekend that left all students excited for what was to come.

Another early start meant much intense activity could be crammed into the day to come, beginning with a trip to the British Library, an opportunity that meant students were able to view many original copies of documents ranging from Shakespeare to the Magna Carta. Although it was a brief visit due to the time constraints of the day it remained an insightful and interesting view into the world of literature. After a lunch break in London’s famed Covent Garden Markets, the day continued with a hilariously riveting tour of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, a stage which dates back to 1663, making it the oldest active theatre in the city.

It’s also the event of choice for royals and celebrities, as we learned on the tour having been told it has been previously courted by everyone from The Queen to Kanye West. Following this regal experience the culture of the day continued with free time on the South Bank, giving students the opportunity to visit the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, (and grab a quick bite from Nando’s situated nearby).

Following this was the spectacular performance of Agatha Christie’s, Witness to the Prosecution at the County Hall courtroom, a real court!! For many this show was the absolute highlight of the trip and with good reason, the realism created by the actors interacting with the audience as if we were the jury, as intended, in a real working court made the whole piece feel harrowingly true. It was a triumph, a testament to Christie herself that likely far surpassed anything she could have envisioned for the piece.

www.brgs.org.uk

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The third and final day of the break began with some brief relaxation in the Westfield shopping centre, an opportunity for students to enjoy their surroundings, as well as buy some gifts to thank Mr Neve for his skills organising the event. It was as short as it was sweet, however, as the show had to go on, specifically a matinee of The Seagull at the Lyric Hammersmith theatre. For me, this was truly the best part of the weekend. The acting was entirely enticing, bringing Chekhov's words to life in a way that very few would be able to achieve. It was tragic yet resonated with all who watched it, the sign of a play done right. This closed the adventure perfectly, leaving a feeling of contentment and closure.

With that, the long journey back to Bacup began after an entirely successful event. To close, I feel this quote from another student captures the joy of the trip completely “The London Theatre trip was inspiring, exciting, thought-provoking and really quite cathartic; it was lovely to have time to zone out and get lost in these brilliant, compelling plays forming the basis of my drama A-Level and offering much for all English study. An awesome trip seeing some awesome talent!” Overall, a truly wonderful weekend.

Review by Wanda, Year 12.

Drama beyond BRGS   

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Former student Kailey McGowan has starred as Maria Lukianovna in Nikolai Erdman’s The Suicide at The Manchester School of Theatre.

Coronation Street’s Mel Maguire has left the cobbles after the conclusion of Nathan Curtis’s trial. Mel was played by former BRGS student Sonia Ibrahim.

Alex Marlow has been starring at the Kings Head Theatre in London in a critically acclaimed production of Outlaws to In-laws. A review in The Independent refers to the “wonderfully versatile ensemble of six actors” who play all twenty of the figures in the production (below centre).

Talented Shakespearian actor Graham Butler will play the part of Jim Bickley in the film The Isle due to be released in October 2018 (below right).

Lower School Awards Lower School students were presented with various awards primarily for their achievements in the previous year. Effort Awards based on students’ attitude to learning kindly funded by the PTA were awarded alongside 100% attendance badges and subject specific prizes. Congratulations to all.

Mock Trial Regional Champions BRGS students are regular competitors in the Bar Mock Trial Competition, a unique opportunity for students aged 15-18 from all over the UK to gain unparalleled insight into the justice system. Students are immersed in all aspects of a criminal trial, taking on the roles of barristers, witnesses, clerks, ushers and jury members.

Students appear in real crown courts in front of real judges and are assisted in their preparations by professional barristers in a fiercely competitive process run by The Citizenship Foundation.

The competition intends to supplement traditional classroom learning by encouraging the development of core skills such as logical reasoning, clear communication and teamwork. Students do not need to have a legal or debating experience in order to take part.

The Bar Mock Trial Competition is supported by the Bar Council of England and Wales, the Faculty of Advocates, the Bar Library of Northern Ireland, HMCTS, the Circuits and the Inns of Court.

The BRGS Team fought off stiff competition in their regional final in Leeds in November. This is the first time that BRGS students have progressed to the National Final which will take place in March 2018 in Cardiff.

www.brgs.org.uk

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Maths Successes Year 12 & 13 pupils achieved 3 Golds, 7 Silvers and 8 Bronzes in this year’s UKMT Senior Maths Challenge.

Approximately 100,000 UK students UK sat the Challenge, with roughly the top 10% receiving a Gold certificate (12% for BRGS), the next 20% Silver (27% for BRGS) and the next 30% Bronze (31% for BRGS).

Around 1,000 top scorers in the Senior Challenge are invited to take part in the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1 and around 2,000 are invited to take part in the Senior Kangaroo.

We were delighted that Louis and Jack (both Year 13) and Mark (Year 12) progressed to take the Senior Kangaroo. Particular congratulations go to Jack, who has made the biggest improvement compared to the results from 12 months ago when he received a Silver certificate. Only 6,500 students take the paper nationally and qualification is an excellent achievement. Louis went on to achieve a Merit certificate with Jack and Mark awarded Qualification certificates.

Maths teacher Mr Wilbraham, who organises the Challenge, said: “The students have achieved some really good results this year and we are pleased with the level of performance. The Senior Challenge tests mathematical thinking and application, rather than recalling methods and processes, so the questions can be more abstract and difficult than those on A Level examinations. The level of thinking required is also suitable for many degree subjects and the students should include their success on this Challenge when they are applying for Higher Education. The students are required to think about their answers rather than just guess, as they lose marks for incorrect answers to discourage guessing. In the Senior Kangaroo, questions require independent thinking and analysis, in particular the ability to return to the start of a problem when you come up against a brick wall.”

Sample questions from this year’s Senior Maths Challenge are: One of the following numbers is prime.

Which is it?

A: 2017 – 2 D: 2017 + 1

B: 2017 - 1 E: 2017 + 2

C: 2017

The teenagers Sam and Jo noticed the following facts about their ages: The difference between the squares of their ages is four times the sum of their ages. The sum of their ages is eight times the difference between their ages.

What is the age of the older of the two?

A: 15 D: 18

B: 16 E: 19

C: 17

All three-digit positive integers whose digit sum is 5 are listed in ascending order. What is the median of this list?

Pictured from left to right: Mark, Louis and Jack.

Junior Speech Night

Ed Bishop was our guest speaker at Junior Speech Night. Ed left BRGS in 2007 to study Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College. He then progressed into investment banking but decided it was not for him so continued his studying with a Masters in Applicable Mathematics at the London School of Economics.

Ed then started up his own company, CheckRecipient (winner of WIRED's Best Security Startup 2016), which builds software using artificial intelligence and machine learning to stop sensitive information being emailed to the wrong people.

Ed's speech focused on some amusing anecdotes from his time at BRGS as well as those experienced in his career to date. However, he summarised the theme in his concluding statement: "Time is your most valuable resource.

Make the most of it. Focus on your interests at every fork in the road and take every opportunity and dive in head-first." He wished the class of 2017 all the best in their adventures in life.

We were also delighted to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress of Rossendale with the Mayor kindly supporting a progress prize for two students who have made significant progress here at BRGS. Also pictured are Joseph (Head of School), David King (Chairman of Governors). Ed Bishop (guest speaker, centre back), Alan Porteous and Faria (Deputy Head of School).

Zumba for Lepra Year 7 students took part in a sponsored Zumba workout on behalf of Lepra: an international charity working to beat leprosy. If left untreated, the disease causes life-changing disabilities and BRGS Year 7 students have a tradition of fundraising for the organisation on an annual basis. This year was a novel approach with the Zumba workout! www.brgs.org.uk

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Teaching Today Radical changes to the GCSE and A Level Assessment Framework with a graded 1-9 system at GCSE and removal of AS Levels, has resulted in BRGS refining teaching practice to support students through this time of change.

The heightened emphasis on assessment through exams at the end of key stages 4 and 5 alongside the increased challenge at both levels means that our students need to be able to not only accumulate subject knowledge but apply this effectively to questions requiring synoptic responses.

Since September 2017 with linearisation at A Level we have focused in particular on delivering a curriculum using techniques such as spaced learning which is proven to help students remember more in less time.

Instead of students cramming the night before an exam, cognitive research tells us that if we spread out our studying over time, we will learn more than if we were to take the same amount of time to study in one session.

So, how have we been encouraging our students to develop positive learning habits? 

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GCSE students and Year 12 students have learnt about planning a study schedule to help them to space out and reinforce their learning outside of class. Techniques such as using flashcards, mind maps and memory palaces are encouraged depending on the learner’s preferred method of studying.

Old topics are revisited in class over time and interleaved with other topics. This helps students to see similarities and differences between concepts and not to see topics in isolation.

Students are encouraged to engage in ‘retrieval practice’ i.e. remembering prior learning, through frequent low-stake quizzes. Quizzes include questions on older topics so students get used to revisiting material.

Homework assignments which can pull from various topics ensuring that students are increasing their interleaving of knowledge.

Former BRGS student Katie Brown (left) is set to be Commissioning Editor at Orion Books from January 2018. Katie will focus on expanding the commercial women’s fiction list, publishing 8-10 books per year. Managing Director of Orion Publishing, Katie Espiner describes Katie as “passionate, accomplished and dedicated, as well as being hugely loved and admired across the industry.”

Former student Stacey Bartlett’s historical novel The Familiars based on the Pendle witch trials is due to be published in Spring 2019 after nine publishers fought over her debut novel. Stacey is deputy chief sub at Fabulous magazine and started writing the book in summer 2016 and then taking a two-month sabbatical from work to complete it. Her publisher said: “the whole company has been bewitched

by Stacey’s incredible talent for storytelling.” “We have huge ambitions for this novel.”

Pupils in Years 7-9 were entered into the Bebras Challenge which is a series of computational thinking challenges. Only the top 60 in each age category are invited to the second round at Oxford University.

Over 71,000 entered the Intermediate Challenge with three of our Year 9 students (David, Jenson and Louie) progressing to the next round.

Over 41,000 students entered the Junior Challenge and one of our Year 7 students, Dylan, has been invited to participate in the next round in February.

We wish them every success and many congratulations on their achievement.

Former BRGS student Professor L Peter Ormerod has received a lifetime achievement award from the British Thoracic Society. This award is only given to one or two people a year.

Professor Ormerod recovered from childhood tuberculosis and has gone on to become a renowned expert in the field after developing a desire to work in medicine at a young age: “I was fascinated by the medical process. I decided to become a doctor at the age of seven and never diverted.”

He has served on the National TB Committee for 30 years and was Chairman from 1995-2000 and 2012-2015. Many of his pioneering ideas and measures have been introduced nationally transforming health care for tuberculosis.

Professor Ormerod’s academic accolades include the first time recipient of the degree of Doctor of Medical Science from Manchester University in 2000 for his operational and clinical research and the Weber-Parkes Prize by the Royal College of Physicians in 2002. He was elected President of the British Thoracic Society in 2008 and has written an extensive number of scientific papers in the field of TB. Musician and former student Tom Hyatt is a unique live artist whose song-writing was shaped whilst studying Physics and Philosophy at Oxford: “I’d emerge bleary-eyed from the library post-midnight ready for bed, but head first to the college chapel piano to sing into the darkness.” Tom has been described as “one of the most intelligent, relevant singer-songwriters in the country” (Louder Than War). Have a listen at http://tomhyatt.co.uk/music/ Michael Giverin is another former student who is having real success in his field of music as one of the leading mandolin players in the UK. Along with his band, Jaywalkers, Michael reached the finals of the BBC Young Folk Awards 2009 and was 3rd in the European World of Bluegrass 2012 in Holland. As well as touring with Jaywalkers, he has recently joined the folk band 4Square even performing live on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch.

www.brgs.org.uk

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Sports Reports For all the latest BRGS Sports News then do follow BRGS PE Department on Twitter @BRGS_PE

England Debut Max Broughton left BRGS after his GCSEs in the summer to pursue a football apprenticeship at Bolton. In August he made his England debut, captaining England’s Under-17s to victory in their match against Turkey.

Badminton Success U16 Girls’, U14 Girls’ & U16 Boys’ Badminton Teams progressed through to the County Finals!

Netball News Years 9 (left) and 7 (right) Girls’ A Teams became Rossendale Champions (left) with Year 7 B Team Runners-Up. The U14 Team then went on to become Lancashire Schools’ Netball Champions!

Football News Year 9 footballers showed great discipline, organisation and spirit in the fourth round of the ESFA Cup winning 1-0 against Kirby High School.

Obituaries We were saddened to learn of the following since publication of our last newsletter: Donald Entwistle passed away aged 85 years old in September 2016. A former architect and talented photographer, he was secretary of Bacup Camera Club between 1959-2009 as well as being a longstanding member of the Bacup Natural History Society.

Barbara became a parish councillor, chairing the local Women’s Institute for six years as well as serving as church warden.

Barbara’s love of maths was evident in her kindly funding an annual Speech Night Prize in her name and she will be fondly remembered by many who she taught both here and at Notre Dame.

Donald was a member of the Whitworth Town Twinning Committee and was formerly the secretary of the Whitworth Wheelers cycling group.

Donald had been married to Claire for 51 years. At the time, his wife said: “He was a very funny man with dry sense of humour but he could be serious when he wanted to be. He loved his grandchildren.”

Joyce Lawman née Taylor died in May 2017 at the age of 89. Joyce attended BRGS from 1939-1946.

After BRGS she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from Leeds University in 1949 followed by a Diploma of Education in 1950.

Barbara Jean White née Spencer died on the 10th January 2017 within two weeks of her husband of over 60 years.

Joyce commenced her teaching career in London meeting her husband John who was employed by Walls Ice Cream, Unilever. Anthony was born in 1953 followed by Sarah in 1956 and the family moved to Sydney in 1959 due to John’s work. John later moved to Melbourne to manage the Streets Ice Cream factory in Victoria and it was there the family remained, embracing the Australia lifestyle.

Joyce recommenced her teaching career in 1964, teaching Geography and English in various private Former student Barbara enjoyed playing tennis, but at the age of 17 was struck with rheumatic fever and schools for approximately 20 years (including Shelford Grammar, Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar, Avila was hospitalised for months. After repeating her lower sixth year as a result of illness, she went on to College and Mentone Girls’ Grammar) and was a teacher training college in Derbyshire, specialising in passionate supporter of education for young women, forever grateful that her parents had seen the merit mathematics. in her continuing her education.

Soon after the war, in 1953, Philip and Barbara were married and in 1958 Barbara took a job at BRGS where she was known as Ma White for her motherly persona.

After a considerable length of time at BRGS, the couple moved in Norfolk in 1980 where Philip assumed a management post at Laurence Scott and Electromotors and Barbara started a post at Notre Dame High School where she worked for the next 14 years. www.brgs.org.uk

Before and after retirement she enjoyed playing bridge, reading, travelling and supporting John with his love of sailing. They were actively involved in the running of the local yacht club, near their holiday home in Warneet.

Joyce is survived by her children, their partners and four grandchildren. Sarah and husband Philip recently visited the UK to stay with Joyce’s cousin Lesley (Taylor) and her husband Norman Slater, both of whom attended BRGS.

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Who? What? Where? When?

The photo of Port Erin prompted Howard Robson to kindly write in. Howard believes that the photo was taken around 1961 and from the left adjacent to the teacher (although name unknown!) are Howard Robson, Michael Lister, Malcolm Rogan and Brian Williamson, all of whom were probably about to enter the upper sixth form (Year 13). Howard remembers it being a most fruitful week although claims that they were not all the most diligent of the group!

For this edition, any suggestions regarding the names of those featured in a photo below from the stage production of Jack O’Lantern approximately 1966? Please contact Emma Gauntlett at ecg@brgs.org.uk.

Please do get in touch at ecg@brgs.org.uk if you spot anyone you recognise.

Message Board 

Congratulations to Matthew Hoyle who has graduated from Oxford University with a First Class Honours Degree in Law. Matthew is now reading for a Masters in Law at Oxford.

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Harry Taylor has achieved a first class degree in Film and Television Production at Westminster Film School.

Since graduating he has been working on productions such as the feature film Phantom Thread which stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Nike commercials and TV programmes such as First Dates Hotel for Channel 4.

Harry has also been working with another BRGS alumnus, Kieran Moore, who is working in the UK northern TV industry.

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Rebecca Healey has graduated with a 2:1 in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status from the University of Chester. In September she started teaching a Year 1 class at St. Peter’s Church of England Primary School in Rochdale.

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Robyn Kay has also graduated with a 2:1 in Primary Education with Mathematics and has also started teaching a Year 1 class at a local school.

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Charlene Duff has graduated with a 2:1 BA (Hons) in Criminology and Sociology and is due to graduate with a BSc in midwifery in 2018.

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Lindsey Murray has graduated with first class honours in physiotherapy and is now working a paediatric physiotherapist.

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Janet O’Driscoll left BRGS in 1973 and graduated from the Open University in 2014 with a BA in Humanities with Art History and Classical Studies.

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Saurav Kataria has graduated with first class honours (BSc) in Sports and Exercise Science from Aberdeen University.

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Former student Tara Sultan graduated with a 2:1 in Human Nutrition from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2016. During her course Tara also volunteered as a nutritionist in the two main refugee camps (Azraq and Zaatari) in Jordan working with Syrian refugees. This inspired Tara’s dissertation focusing on the diet of a refugee living in a refugee camp. Since university, Tara has worked as Commercial Manager at Park Cakes where one of the accounts she manages is for M&S.

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Do get in touch with BRGS with any news regarding university graduations or career news.

Follow us: Do follow us on twitter @BRGS_1701 and on our Facebook site which is BRGS (Official Facebook).

www.brgs.org.uk

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Next Steps Careers Fairs have been organised this term to help support Years 9-11 students in exploring their thinking about next steps beyond BRGS. A wide range of professionals from various career sectors including the NHS, Law (Crown Prosecution Service and a barrister), Lancashire Constabulary, the arts, IT, Finance, Engineering, the Army and the RAF as well as local education providers were all on hand to provide expert careers advice and guidance to our students.

If you are able to help at any of our Careers Events or if you are able to offer support to our students in advising them as to the skills required for different career sectors then please do get in touch with our Careers Advisor Laura Grenaghan at lhg@brgs.org.uk. Even if you are not geographically close to BRGS we can look at arranging a Skype session for students to find out more about your chosen field of work.

We look forward to hearing from you.

BRGS American Adventure: NY, Atlantic City & Washington with 79 students

Glen Road, Waterfoot, Rossendale, Lancashire BB4 7BJ

T: 01706 234500 E: enquiries@brgs.org.uk W: www.brgs.org.uk

Sixth Form: T: 01706 233400 E: sixthform@brgs.org.uk