Staff Voices
from Bradford Grammar School
Opening doors and guiding students towards their future
Sarah Denby, Head of Higher Education and Careers at Bradford Grammar School, shares how BGS supports students in [...]
CCF at Bradford Grammar School: Developing Leadership Beyond the Classroom
Returning to his former school decades after leaving, Chris Conley has helped reshape the CCF at Bradford Grammar [...]
Guiding Bradford Grammar School a governor’s perspective
Jane Disley brings decades of educational leadership to her role as a Governor at Bradford Grammar School. In [...]
The curriculum behind the classroom
As Assistant Head (Curriculum), Gary Woods shapes the curriculum from Year 7 to the Sixth Form. Here, he [...]
Where estates meet excellence
From managing a 30-acre site to driving sustainability initiatives and delivering major redevelopment projects, Estates Manager Ian Clint [...]
The Power of Languages
Elizabeth Kingsley, Head of Modern Languages at Bradford Grammar School, explains why languages remain central to a strong [...]
Food that fuels learning
Dean Winter, Executive Chef at Bradford Grammar School, explains how thoughtful, fresh and expertly planned food underpins student [...]
How the BGS Classics department combines academic rigour with intellectual curiosity.
James Reeson, Head of Classics, explains how Bradford Grammar’s Classics department combines academic rigour with intellectual curiosity, guiding [...]
For more than two decades, Sarah Horsfield has helped shape a department where creativity has no boundaries
Here, she reflects on her own artistic journey — from glassblowing studios in the US to the classrooms [...]
Inspiring political thinking and independent learning at BGS
Angela McOwen, Head of Politics, Head of Sixth Form Enrichment and EPQ Coordinator at Bradford Grammar School, shares [...]
‘PE is not a soft option’
As Head of Academic PE, Heidi Hinchliffe brings a wealth of experience as a teacher, coach and former [...]
Two leaders, one mission – shaping the future of STEM at BGS
Victoria Powne and Zoe Thornton, Heads of Physics and Biology respectively at Bradford Grammar School, reflect on their [...]
Shaping young lives through sport
Georgina Jones, Head of Junior School PE & Games at Bradford Grammar School, shares her insights on the [...]
‘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 many [...]
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 [...]