A much-loved Assistant Head will be leaving Bradford Grammar School (BGS) at the end of the summer term after 35 years’ dedication to the teaching profession, during which time she oversaw the transformation of the School’s pastoral provision.
Jane Chapman will be retiring next month having started life at the School as a teacher of Latin and Greek in 1989.
During her time at BGS, Jane enjoyed the ‘richly rewarding experience’ of teaching Classics, working hard to keep Greek on the curriculum and overseeing the introduction of Classical Civilisation at A Level. After becoming Head of Department in 2006, Jane then took on the role of Assistant Head (Pastoral) in 2013, where she developed and grew the pastoral provision at the School over the next 11 years, to keep pace with the demands of a changing landscape in education.
“When I arrived at BGS in 1989, it was a very different school,” she said. “I have felt a quiet satisfaction and sense of achievement as the pastoral provision at the School has taken shape. Getting PHSE properly established within BGS and getting a full-time School Counsellor to work alongside our established pastoral team have been important steps.”
Other important developments included a restructured Heads of Year system, an increase in nursing provision, creating the roles of Pastoral Prefects (a team of 20 Year 13 students support the younger year groups), and Pastoral Teaching and Learning Champions. Jane is also excited about the new Learning Support team and their plans for the future of SEND at the School, and says she is sorry not to be staying on to see it grow.
“I’ve been blessed with great colleagues here, not just in the Classics department and the pastoral team, but also within the Senior Leadership Team (SLT),” she said. “We’ve got a hard-working SLT, and I feel privileged to be part of it. I have always felt supported by talented colleagues who put the School first.”
Reflecting on her time at BGS she added: “The joy of teaching is playing a part in the development of young people and knowing you have made a difference. You can do that in the classroom, but also, and importantly, around the edges. There is nothing better than seeing students thrive and feel proud of themselves and happy with who they are.
“I feel lucky to have had my career at a school like BGS. If you look around the School, you will see that the students carry their talents very lightly here. They’re modest and grounded, clever and funny, and they continually surprise you and make you proud to be a part of their journey.”
But while she is sad to leave BGS, Jane is also looking forward to spending more time with her husband Old Bradfordian (OB), Malcolm (1969), and her children, also OBs, Harry (2009), Alfie (2013), and Mary (2011), and grandson Dylan.
“He’ll be coming up one when I retire,” she said. “It will be fun to spend more time with them all. And time for gardening, walking, reading and some overseas travel. I’m looking forward to it. There will always be the question of who exactly am I when I’m not Mrs Chapman at BGS? But I guess I’ll have to work that one out!”
Headmaster, Simon Hinchliffe, said: “Blessed with a fierce intellect, love of Classics and the arts, mischievous sense of humour and deep wells of empathy and compassion, Jane’s influence at BGS has been broad and transformative. She is held in the highest regard by generations of pupils, parents and colleagues, and drew a crowd recently in London at an Old Bradfordian social event to celebrate 40 years of co-education at BGS. The overwhelming sentiments expressed to Jane that evening were ones of gratitude, great respect and affection. We wish Jane good health and fulfilment in retirement and sincerely hope that she might make a guest appearance from time to time in the BGS choir. It has been a privilege to work with Jane.”
“The joy of teaching is playing a part in the development of young people and knowing you have made a difference.”
Be Social!