‘I’ve really enjoyed my first year, it’s a really friendly environment.’

The transition from one school to another can be daunting for both children and parents – but it doesn’t have to be.

Bradford Grammar School places a premium on ensuring families feel welcomed and comfortable from the moment a relationship is kindled with us – before young people walk through the door.

And the school family is expanding. From next year we are offering education for pupils from the age of four to 18. You can find out more by visiting in person, as we are opening our doors to prospective students and their families in the coming weeks. Those attending an open event will be shown round our magnificent buildings and grounds and have the opportunity to speak to pupils, parents and staff who will answer any questions you may have.

Ahead of forthcoming open events, local newspaper, The Yorkshire Post caught up with the Collinge family to ask them more about their Bradford Grammar School experience:

‘Year 8 student, Will has just gone back into the classroom, having completed his first year at BGS. We asked him how he felt about transitioning to a new school after primary education.

“I had a couple of doubts at the start of Year 7,” he said. “I was very nervous going in on the first day, I didn’t really know many people who were going there, but once I got into it and the routine of the school day, I loved it.

“I’ve really enjoyed my first year, it’s a really friendly environment.”

With just 18 people in his form, he soon became familiar with his classmates and has particularly enjoyed the sport, taking up rugby for the first time and securing a place on the school team.

Will, whose elder brother Sam is also a pupil, travels by train from Burley-in-Wharfedale. Mum, Claire and dad, Damian – a former Bradford Grammar pupil – explained that the school considers where pupils live and tries to include some children from the same area in a given form group so that they have friends close by outside of schooltime. Will met six fellow new pupils on his way into school on that first day and they have since become firm friends.

More than academic achievements

Both Claire and Damian were confident the school would help their sons achieve the best they could academically – they knew the results were good – but it was also important that the school nurture and develop well-rounded, happy individuals. After an initial look round where Will got to try out lots of activities and meet pupils and staff, Claire and Damian had a second visit to the school to talk in more depth with staff and meet the head.

“We liked the ethos,” Claire said. “They really reassured us that they were focused on what the child was interested in, whether that was music or drama or sports, and on helping each child achieve their potential.”

Extra-curricular activities

The school day runs from 8.45am to 4pm and there is a longer than usual lunchbreak, of about an hour and a half where pupils are encouraged to join in at least three extra-curricular clubs or activities each week – and there’s lots of variety. It’s a way for pupils to quickly find friends who share their interests, but also helps children from different year groups to mix and get to know one another.

Damian said a lot had changed since he was a pupil. Whilst the academic excellence and encouragement remained a constant, the school was now a thriving co-educational one and was much more focused on pastoral care too. Communication between school and parents was also excellent.

Support and care

“There is a very supportive and helpful head of year,” Damian said. “Anytime we have needed to contact her or a teacher by email or phone we have had a quick response.” He said the head was a very visible presence in school and seemed to get to know the pupils individually very quickly.

Claire said: “There is a mix of age and experience in terms of teaching staff, and it feels very forward thinking.”

Bradford Grammar School calls itself a family and its size, accessibility and ethos certainly support that, they said. With the focus on participation and encouraging interest, not just ability, it means everyone gets a chance to try, and improve, on something they enjoy.

Mobile phones are banned during the school day – something Damian says helps pupils get involved with other activities and making friends rather than being glued to a virtual world. Formal exams were held at the end of Year 7 – providing pupils with valuable experience of sitting formal assessments in a big hall, so they get used to it gradually as the years progress, and long before GCSEs and A Levels.

“We’re delighted with the school experience that both our boys are receiving,” Damian said.’

Come along to one of our open events – and see for yourself what BGS could do for your child.