Founded circa 1548 and incorporated by royal charter in 1662. A mile from the centre of Bradford, it comprises six main buildings (including a separate junior school building) on a 20-acre site. Excellent facilities include a sixth-form centre, music school, the Hockney theatre, a sports hall, swimming pool and all-weather pitch. The school is fully co-educational: girls have been admitted to the sixth form since 1984 and in all intakes from 1999. It provides a stimulating and challenging academic experience matched by a very wide range of extra-curricular opportunites. It has long been one of the country's most distinguished schools and examination results are excellent. It has formed good links with the local community and enjoys strong local support. Sports and games are played to very high standards with successful regional and national representation in rugby, cross-country, netball, table tennis, tennis and more.
Pupils: Total age range 6-18; 1121 day pupils (699 boys, 422 girls). Junior department 198 pupils (125 boys, 73 girls). Senior department 11-18, 923 pupils (574 boys, 349 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 6-13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, at least 20 points at GCSE (grade B, preferably A, in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. 50% of senior intake from state schools (plus 20% into sixth form).
Some 25 pa means-tested bursaries at 11, 13 and 16. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
Headmaster: Kevin Riley, in post from 2012. Educated at Norwich School and at universities of Aberystwyth, Birmingham, Bristol and Warwick (English). Previously Head of Harrow International School in Bangkok, John Lyon School and Bristol Cathedral School, Head of English at Wolverhampton Grammar and taught at Pocklington. Also governor of a number of schools; Chairman of the Bujagali Trust (supporting education in Uganda). Junior School Headmaster: Neil Gabriel, in post from 2009. Educated at Leeds University School of Ripon and York St John. Previously Deputy Head of the school, taught at Westville House School, Ilkley and ran his own architectural practice in Leeds. Teaching staff: 88 full time, 21 part time. Annual turnover 2%. Average age 41.
GCSE: 120 pupils in fifth, 97% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 142 in upper sixth, 25% passing in 4+ subjects, 75% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 417.
100% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (13% after a gap year), 9% to Oxbridge. 16% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 28% in science and engineering, 56% in humanities and social sciences.
GCSE, IGCSE, AS and A-levels. 17 GCSE subjects offered, 3 IGCSE; 31 AS/A-level subjects; plus own non-examined general studies course. 33% take science A-levels; 39% arts/humanities; 28% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Russian offered at GCSE, AS and A-level; Japanese and Mandarin are offered in sixth form. Regular exchanges to France, Spain and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg graphical packages in maths, internet for research. 228 computers for pupil use (8+ hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Laptops available to pupils, as appropriate.
Music: Up to 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Over 30 musical groups including orchestras, choir, jazz group. Drama: Drama offered and AS, A-level theatre studies may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions, including recently Return to the Forbidden Planet, Little Shop of Horrors and A Streetcar Named Desire. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 10 A-level art. Design and technology also offered; 30 take GCSE, 7 A-level.
Sport: Rugby, cross-country, swimming, athletics, cricket, netball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, basketball, hockey, rowing, dance, outdoor pursuits, water polo, squash. AS and A-level sports studies may be taken. National players in rugby, table tennis and triathlon; many regional, county and city players, particularly in rugby, athletics, tennis, cross-country, table tennis, netball, cricket and hockey; successful cross-country and tennis teams. Activities: Pupils can take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award; CCF and community service also optional. Over 50 clubs, including debating, chess, drama, theatre, philosophy, mathematics, history, classics.
Uniform: School uniform worn to fifth year; business dress in sixth form. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses. Prefects and head boy/girl appointed by the Head. Religion: Non-denominational school. School prayers. Social: Social and fundraising events, including for charities. Numerous trips abroad. Meals self-service. School shop.
Sanctions available are made clear to all pupils but they depend on the nature and circumstances of the offence. Good behaviour is encouraged through a list of 10 expectations of pupils and a reward system of commendations and certificates supports this objective.
Run by The President, BGS Old Bradfordians' Association, c/o the school.
Denis Healey (politician); David Hockney (artist); Adrian Moorhouse (swimmer); Lord (Alan) Bullock (historian); Sir Roger Tomkys (chairman of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce); Sir Kenneth Morrison (Morrison's supermarkets); Charlie Hodgson (rugby player); Alistair Brownlee (world champion triathlete).
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