“The 500 Campaign is an excellent project nurturing future talent. Behind the Campaign is a team of people who dedicate themselves to finding the best students from disadvantaged backgrounds who will thrive at being given an opportunity to step up and into the BGS arena. The impact for all the Bursary Award holders is fundamentally life-changing for them and their families.”
Deborah Hubbard, former parent and donor
Jaideep Barot, Headmaster and
Chair
of HMC
Having reached our £2million fundraising milestone, we are changing more lives than ever for children at BGS, through philanthropically funded Bursary Awards. Our Campaign has touched the hearts of our community who have responded wonderfully to our efforts. The difference that our donors are making is clearly visible in the school, as we welcome more and more talented and motivated children. The impact that these children are having is inspiring, with all boats lifted on a rising tide. Their willingness to learn, to join in, and to take advantage of all that BGS offers is infectious, and the effect ripples across the school, for every child here.
Thank you...
... so much to everyone who has donated. We appreciate your kindness and shared commitment to transforming lives through education. We simply couldn’t do this without you.
Bristol Grammar School has always aimed to be a school for the city, not just a school in the city. Beyond providing life-changing bursaries, we work with the Council on issues such as holiday hunger, reading initiatives and refugee admissions. 12% of our pupils are now on significant, means-tested bursary awards – totalling well in excess of £1m per year thanks to our 500 Campaign – which is on target to ensure that by 2032, our 500 th anniversary, one in four of our pupils will be significant Bursary Award holders. Our Mission remains “to provide an exceptional and rounded education to anyone who may benefit from it, regardless of background and financial means.”
We are founder members of the Bristol Education Partnership, encompassing 14 schools and both Bristol universities, with its aims of overcoming disadvantage and raising aspiration, and our pupils and staff are involved in genuine and meaningful partnerships.
It has not been unusual, in recent times, for independent schools to be portrayed as posh, monocultural, self-interested bastions of privilege. BGS is nothing of the type – we are a modern, connected, diverse, sociallyaware and progressive school, whose aims explicitly include being a school for the city, reflecting the diversity of Bristol, and widening access to what we provide. Our pupils come from all walks of life, as do their families, and they are aware that with the privilege of the education they receive here, comes a duty of service.
Our donor community is integral to our ability to provide access for children who deserve to be here. We are proud of our 500 Campaign, we are proud of our partnership work, and we are proud of our place in the city. With your support, we will realise our goal of raising over £12million by 2032 and continue to create opportunities for children which will last their lifetime, and echo down through the future generations of their families.
Thank you for being part of this inspiring work.
Jaideep Barot
Funds Raised
£2.2MILLION FROM OVER 900 DONORS
Since the start of our Campaign in 2021, every penny raised is used to support children with the brightest, hungriest minds through Bursary Awards.
Bursaries awarded this year
There are 161 children benefitting from means tested bursary awards funded entirely from philanthropic support.
Your support has not only changed my life but has also inspired me to pay it forward and make a positive difference in the lives of others, just as you have done for me. I am truly blessed to have you in my corner, and I will forever be grateful for your kindness.”
Bursary Award holder
Bursary Award Holders
Beyond BGS
Beyond BGS, our Bursary Award holders are attending top universities to pursue their dreams.
Last year’s cohort includes pupils now studying Medicine, Electrical Engineering, Earth Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Politics and International Relations, Accounting and Finance, Zoology and Biological Sciences.
Among our recent leavers is a young man whose family were forced to leave Syria as refugees and who was able to
experience a Sixth Form education at BGS thanks to an individual donor who sponsored him.
He achieved four A* grades in Maths, Biology and Chemistry together with an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) and is now studying medicine at Bristol University. Of his experience at BGS, he wrote this to his donor:
As I reflect on my journey, I’m reminded of the profound impact your sponsorship has had on my life, especially during the pivotal years of my education. I held a dream close to my heart –to attend Bristol Grammar School, renowned a s the city’s finest educational institution
Your support has not only opened doors to academic achievements and extracurricular pursuits but has also paved the way for my future aspirations. Securing an offer from my dream university to study medicine is a testament to the life-altering impact of Bristol Grammar School. As I embark on the next chapter of my journey, I carry with me a profound sense of gratitude.”
PASSING THE TORCH
LEGACY GIVING AT BGS
Since the start of our Campaign, we have received over £440,000 in legacy gifts, together with pledges over £1.1million.
Legacies at BGS have for centuries proved invaluable to the success of our school. They have enabled the creation of buildings and outstanding facilities and supported thousands of motivated and ambitious children to attend the school through bursaries. They have also provided the financial stability to expand and enhance our campus and to ensure long term prosperity.
Total Legacies to Date (£m)
We recognise respectfully that choosing to leave a gift to Bristol Grammar School in your will is a private and personal matter. If, however, you decide to do so, you will not only be avoiding inheritance tax as donations or gifts to a charity are not subject to this, but also, where a charity donation is equivalent to at least 10% of your estate, any inheritance tax payable elsewhere is reduced to 36% from 40%.
Our new legacy leaflet “Pass the Torch” contains all the details about leaving a gift to BGS in your will. Full details can be found here or by contacting us for a hard copy.
IMPACT OF GIVING DAY
NUMBER OF DONORS 468
This incredible giving total has been invested immediately to support children through Bursary Awards throughout the school and 13 new Sixth Form pupils (including two Ukrainian refugees) with awards between 80-100%
A huge thanks to everyone who got involved!
£442,500 (inclusive of Gift Aid)
Giving Day is a wonderful opportunity for the whole school community to share our passion and commitment for changing lives through bursaries at BGS. Last year staff and children aged between 4-18 enjoyed a “playground carnival” with juggling, candyfloss, games, music, dancing and of course the finale - “soak the teacher”. Our content was shared online and through social media engaging thousands of Old Brisotlians, parents and friends throughout the world.
Next year- 3-4 April 2025 will be even bigger! 2023
We thank BGS not only for an incredible education and foundation but for some of our best memories and lifelong friends. Proud to be part of this community and to support this wonderful initiative.”
Giving Day donor 2023
OUR NEW FILM!
We have recently created a new promotional film featuring seven Old Bristolians (of all ages and each with very different experiences). Please watch! We invite you to make a donation to support our 500 Campaign and provide the opportunity for more bright and talented children to attend this great school.
To donate: Please give what you can on Giving Day, or click here to donate now
BGS PARTNERSHIPS AND OUTREACH
SETTING A SPARK!
Serving our community and working in partnership with committed and passionate education leaders in Bristol is a huge part of our cultural ethos and identity. We are proud of the strong relationships created between BGS and partnership State Schools across the city. By creating a vibrant educational community, our aim is to enable both pupils and staff across the education sector to share in learning.
VICKY
Vicky is our Deputy Head of the Infant and Junior School and has gained trust and built relationships with state primary schools, who make regular use of our facilities and participate in productions, art clubs, workshops, games activities, cookery lessons and clubs.
In providing workshops and enrichment programmes for our partnership schools we can set a spark for these children - some of whom have never experienced what it’s like to have a go on a climbing wall or set foot in a theatre. Spending time and sharing advice with their amazing teachers, is wonderful and makes me proud of the work we’re doing at BGS”.
CHARLIE
Charlie Morris is one of our talented music teachers at BGS committed to inspiring a love of music in all children.
The concert became more than just a performance, we were aware that some pupils had never seen an orchestra so we introduced instruments from the stage and encouraged children to listen out for lyrics, converting a traditional concert into a collaborative learning platform.”
Our music outreach programme develops partnerships with local primary schools where Charlie has taken BGS music scholars to create collaborative music making and performance experiences with young children.
Projects have included musical workshops and the creation of larger ambitious concerts held in Clifton Cathedral. To ensure children were able to take part in the concert, and that their families were able to see them perform, we also facilitated coach costs, and provided free tickets for those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend for financial reasons.
Charlie also provides support for teachers, who may feel they lack the specialist knowledge to deliver music teaching and helps to provide the resources and confidence to do it themselves.
Charlie’s aim is to develop a programme that supports and complements the music provision on offer to schools across Bristol and to inspire a love of music in children; providing them with experiences and performance opportunities they might not otherwise have.
BGS PARTNERSHIPS AT A GLANCE
300
100%
372
people per week regularly impacted by Sixth Form service in activities
38
staff provided regular outreach projects delivering teaching, leading partnership activities and providing governance of partners agreed strongly or agreed with the statement “our partnership with BGS provides a positive impact for people within my organisation
staff actively involved in BGS outreach and partnership work voluntary activities through DofE and IB Diploma
205
£24,000 6,248
was saved by local community groups and charitable enterprises through free or heavily discounted use of our facilities, including our sports campus and theatre
hours were donated by staff and pupils across the year to support local projects and charitable initiatives
Giving back to BGS
Growing up, I’ve always dreamed of attending a school where I could receive an exceptional education and pursue my passions to the fullest. However, due to financial constraints, that dream seemed distant and unattainable. Your selfless act of kindness has not only made that dream a reality but has also opened doors of opportunity that I never thought possible.”
Bursary Award holder
Within the past three years, thanks to our incredible donors and legacy gifts, we have raised over £2.2 million. The aim of our 500 Campaign is to create the opportunity for one in four children to access life changing education at BGS through bursary awards by 2032, the 500th anniversary of the school.
Our Bursary Award holders have been championing our Campaign; volunteering at events, appearing in our promotional films and in our literature. We have received support from Old Bristolians, parents and friends and the whole school community including teaching and support staff have been actively engaged in our work. We are so grateful to everyone who has got involved.
Beyond our fundraising efforts, we have worked together with the Old Bristolians’ Society to produce meaningful events to provide a service for OBs for life.
Our London Networking event is as popular as ever - together with our new “speed networking” event for Sixth Form students, which takes place in the Great Hall. Our Annual Dinner continues to bring OBs of all ages together and from all over the world. The Beyond BGS Mentoring Platform supports OBs looking for friendly professional advice with careers and universities and together we are strengthening a community of volunteers, experts and friends who care about BGS, the children who are here and the OBs who leave becoming a part of the BGS family for life. Thank you.
