Staff Voices
from Bradford Grammar School
‘History isn’t just a subject to me—it’s a way to understand the world’
Chris Tapscott, Head of History at Bradford Grammar School, leads one of the school’s most popular departments, inspiring [...]
BGS Teacher Sarah Flaherty Secures Spot in 2025 World Marathon Championships
BGS teacher secures spot in world marathon championships, driven by family passion for running CHEMISTRY teacher Sarah Flaherty [...]
Building Character Through Sport at BGS
At Bradford Grammar School (BGS), sport is at the heart of our school life. It’s not just about [...]
Good Governance
These are undeniably challenging times for independent schools. With the Government poised to impose VAT on school fees [...]
‘Music is thriving at GCSE and A-level here’
Elizabeth White built a distinguished career in music education before joining Bradford Grammar School in 2014. Here, she [...]
‘I’m passionate about the future of Bradford Grammar School’
Katy Owens reflects on her first academic year as the HR Manager at Bradford Grammar School, highlighting the [...]
‘Telling our students’ stories is a rewarding part of the job’
Senior Communications and Marketing Executive, Jessica Alred, plays an active role in Bradford Grammar School’s communications team. As [...]
‘Our archives provide a great insight into BGS life over the years’
Deputy Library Manager, Tracy Lord, has taken on responsibility for BGS’s archives, which date back 500 years. She [...]
‘Children with special learning needs will thrive here’
We’re an academic school and I think there used to be a perception that we wouldn’t accept children [...]
‘Their wonder and awe is everything to me’
As Bradford Grammar Junior School undergoes exciting expansion plans, its newly appointed Early Years Foundation Stage Lead, Laura [...]
‘It’s important neurodiversity is seen as a personal superpower’
As Head of Learning Strategies and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) at BGS, Laura Johnson and [...]
‘The adrenaline and the risks play a part in why I love it’.
When he’s not supporting BGS staff as an IT Network Technician, Ryan Hills can be found firing the [...]
Five Benefits of a Private School Education
Choosing the right school can be a difficult decision. Independent education is not always the first choice for [...]
The bittersweet transition to big school
As celebration assembly came to a close, the music started and Mr Ribeiro dismissed the Year 6 children [...]
How the seeds of success are sown at Bradford Grammar Junior School
I’m delighted Old Bradfordian Emile Cairess (2016) has accepted my invitation to be our special guest at our [...]
The club creating future leaders at BGS
In 1972, I joined the Army Cadets, which offered a wide syllabus and numerous adventures, including rock climbing [...]
‘I am brave, I am fierce, I’ve got this.’
For many pupils at Bradford Grammar Junior School, the residential trips are the first time away from home. [...]
The Junior School family and its spring growth spurt!
The Bradford Grammar Junior School family is growing. We are welcoming Reception and Year 1 children from September [...]
Ten top tips for better revision
As exam season looms, we spoke to Deputy Headmaster, Mr Boardman to share a few tips on how [...]
The important role schools play in the wider community
Bradford Grammar Junior School Headmaster, Richard Ribeiro, talks about the important role schools play in the wider community. [...]
Discovering our unique gifts (mine are jazzy shoes)
I have a passion for shoes. Bright shoes, jazzy shoes, jolly shoes. One morning, as I went across [...]
Why the great outdoors is about to get even bigger at BGS
Arriving at Clock House in the early morning takes me through our wooded outdoor area, across the lower [...]
‘Launching rockets across the school hall is another fun experiment …’
BGS’s Head of Chemistry, Rob Moody, has been teaching chemistry for 15 years, in the state, FE and [...]
‘At our school, it’s cool to be nerdy…’
The Competitive Admissions Programme derived from a need to start supporting applications for competitive courses at the most [...]
‘Good PHSE is not just about imparting knowledge – it’s about developing personal attributes’
Prior to coming to BGS, I worked in Botswana teaching biology for seven years. That’s possibly where my [...]
“No one should have to fit into a mould in order to thrive.”
A few years ago, I went on an Aspiring Heads course. There were around 100 of us and [...]
Last Christmas…
… is definitely a distant and hazy memory. Part of this is maybe due to my aging brain, [...]
‘BGS is a superb reflection of how communities and faiths come together to learn and flourish’
From a very young age, teaching was something that I always wanted to do. It was almost like [...]
The changing face of pastoral care – and how BGS has adapted to a changed landscape
When I took up the role of Assistant Head Pastoral (AHP) eight years ago, I knew a lot [...]
Why I’m sad that Ramadan is ending…
Over the last month, Muslims around the world have been observing Ramadan. As we approach the final few [...]
Learning from the past to support rugby’s future
Running in the foot deep snow on the top pitches is a memory I hold onto from my [...]
‘Working at BGS is so varied … and that’s what I love about it!’
‘I was born in North London and my parents were both immigrants from Pakistan. Growing up, there was [...]
‘Our students have a lot to give to others and it’s great to see’
It’s very rewarding helping to do things for other people and I’m keen to encourage our students to [...]
44 not out – things to try with your family during lockdown
At the start of the period of school closure, I wrote about how the tough task of combining [...]
Pastoral care continues during these unprecedented times
I hope that you are managing to keep home life relatively sane at this extraordinary time. There is [...]
‘It’s not just a job, it’s a way of life’
I’ve worked here for five months and I manage the daily work activities of the Estates Department to [...]
‘School should be a place where magic happens’
It’s a real privilege to be in charge of young minds. It’s special when you see those eyes [...]
‘You can really make a difference in this job’
I’ve worked here for five years and I manage the whole of the estate and a large team [...]
Supporting our teens in a tough world
The pastoral landscape has changed hugely during the six years that I’ve been in my current pastoral role. [...]
‘We’re a world away from making a spice rack for your mum’
I can remember one student coming to our department once saying they had double Maths, Physics and Further [...]
‘There’s nothing like simple food using fresh ingredients’
“I first got into the catering industry through my uncles who were in the RAF. One of them [...]
Reading – the power to build strong bonds and minds
I can always remember my mother reading to me as a child, until long after primary school age. [...]
The wonderful things sport has taught me
As a child with a very sporty father, sport was not an activity but a way of life. [...]
Why we’re keeping kind in mind
I remember when I was aged about 10 going to visit an older lady with my mum in [...]
Why playing tag is as important as design technology
Looking out into the playground I can see a group of our Year 5s playing tag. They’re screaming [...]
Crocodiles and comfort zones
‘Are there crocodiles in here?’* It’s not the average question we’re asked at Clock House, but that was [...]