Bury Grammar School Boys
Bury Grammar School Boys is an independent day school for approximately 765 boys aged 7 to 18. Our aim is to provide a stimulating and challenging experience within the security of a genuinely family environment. We hope to educate for the present, translating potential into real achievement, but also to prepare boys for the future - for responsible citizenship, a rewarding career, a fulfilling role in society and a worthwhile use of leisure time.
We combine relatively low fees with teaching and facilities of high quality. Academic success, progression to university and a professional career are of course of the greatest importance, but we hope also to promote the virtues of honesty, integrity, industry, respect for others, independent thought, self-discipline, personal responsibility and leadership.
Bury Grammar School Boys is a happy and
friendly school - warm, lively and supportive.
General Character of the School
Bury Grammar School has a very long history with indisputable evidence that it existed as early as the sixteenth century. Throughout its time the School has developed in response to the needs of the community in which it stands. The growth of the town of Bury, first in the manufacture of paper and textiles, then as a centre of commerce closely linked to the diverse and bustling Manchester conurbation, continually increased the demands made upon the School. The School has risen to this challenge by enlarging its pupil intake, increasing its staff and extending its facilities. Now an independent grammar school with its own Junior School and a four form entry at eleven-plus, Bury Grammar School Boys enjoyed Direct Grant status until the end of that scheme in 1976.
Extensive involvement in the Assisted Places Scheme from 1980 provided financial assistance with fees. Following the decision of the Government in 1997 not to award any further Assisted Places the Governors have instituted a limited number of awards to be made to eleven-year-old boys on the basis of their academic performance and their parents’ financial need.
The School provides a broad and balanced education in a lively and friendly environment. Each pupil is encouraged to develop his individual talents and abilities as far as possible in a community which strives to respond to the challenge of change whilst retaining traditional grammar school virtues - hard work, sound learning, sensible discipline and good manners. Although the School is a Christian foundation there are also many members of other faiths and of none; all boys, whatever their background, are welcomed and encouraged to maintain a proper respect for the beliefs and opinions of others. Separate assemblies are arranged for Jewish and Muslim boys on a regular basis.
The impressive results of recent years both at GCSE and A-level combined with the considerable success of Old Boys in Higher Education have put the academic quality of the School beyond doubt. Excellent academic standards however have not been reached at the expense of other activities; music and drama have flourished and school sport has become increasingly diverse and successful. Even more important is the friendly atmosphere which pervades the school; staff and boys work together in a spirit of good-humoured cooperation. The stability of a highly qualified and dedicated teaching staff and the presence of representatives of many families which have been connected with the School for generations contribute to the great affection in which the School is held.
Our most important resource is our highly qualified and dedicated teaching staff, each of whom is a specialist in his or her own subject with a central loyalty to a single department. Academic staff are supported by technicians and other ancillary staff as well as the administrative and bursarial departments.
All staff contribute to the wider life of the school, so promoting both a broad variety of activities and good relations between boys and teachers.
The current teacher/pupil ratio is approximately 1:12. Form sizes in the first three years are about twenty-five, but groups are smaller for Art and CDT. GCSE candidates are invariably taught in classes of fewer than twenty and A-level sets only rarely exceed twelve, with most groups being in single figures.