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Photo of Bristol Grammar School
Reviewed

Bristol Grammar School

Independent school · Bristol, BS8 1SR
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 11-18
  • From £19,527 pa
  • 1,015 pupils
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

For nearly 500 years Bristol Grammar School has educated its city’s sons – and latterly daughters – not only in literature and good manners (true to its founding principles) but a great deal more besides. Respectful of, but not defined by its history and traditions, today’s school is a fizzing mix of top-flight academics, impressive music, sport, dance and drama, meaningful community action and a great deal of fun. A creative, dynamic school with a big heart.

Why read our school review?

Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
1,015 ·
Sixth form numbers
310 ·
Religion
None
Fees
£19,527 pa
Local authority
Bristol City Council
Area guides
Linked schools

Headteacher

Head

Jaideep Barot

Since 2018, Jaideep Barot MA MSc, previously deputy head (academic) at Marlborough College. Educated at Manchester Grammar, ‘I benefited from an assisted place,’ he went on to St John’s College, Cambridge to study natural sciences. Thence to Durha


Entrance

Most join senior school in year 7, just under half from the juniors and the rest from around 40 primaries in Bristol and beyond. External candidates sit January entrance exam tests in creative writing and problem solving and attend a meeting with

Open days
Contact school

Exit

While the vast majority stay on for sixth form and then head to university, school provides plenty of information about alternative routes such as graduate apprenticeships and supports those wishing to explore different options. Seven to Oxbridge


Latest results

In 2024, 74 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 55 per cent A*/A at A level (77 per cent A*-B). IB average score of 37.

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
41%
LA avg.
15%
Eng. avg.
20%
Data highlight

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.


Teaching & learning

Parents are attracted by school’s academic reputation and those we spoke to were unanimous in their praise for teachers and teaching: ‘Absolutely amazing’, ‘We’re constantly surprised by the breadth of different things pupils have access to.’ Resu

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • EPQ
  • GCSE
  • IB

Learning support & SEN

Three members of staff provide individual and group support and ensure every teacher has a list of pupils on the LS register together with personalised teaching strategies for each. ‘Wide range’ of SEND supported including autism, ADHD, dyslexia,

0 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
18 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

‘The standard of music, dance and drama is superb, it’s a real draw.’ A quick scan through The Chronicle, school’s beautifully produced magazine, shows just how much performance of all kinds goes on – music ranges from choirs, ensembles and orches


Sport

There’s an on-site sports hall with gym and squash courts where PE lessons take place; for games (rugby, hockey and cricket for the boys and hockey, netball and cricket for girls) it’s a weekly 20-minute minibus ride to Failand where ‘fantastic’ f


Ethos & heritage

Founded in 1532 by royal charter, the school was endowed by Nicholas and Robert Thorne ‘for the teaching of literature and good manners’ to the sons of Bristol’s merchants. Ex spinis, uvas (grapes from thorns) is the school motto, a play on the fo


Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

Parents say that pastoral care is: ‘Fantastic, especially since pupils have come back after the pandemic.’ ‘They’ve tried so hard to ease them back into the classroom.’ Though on this topic some also voiced concerns, ‘Maybe they’ve even been too g


Pupils & parents

‘A real cross section,’ we were told. ‘Mostly families where both parents are working.’ Much more ethnically, if not socially, diverse than it once was. Several mentions of a competitive edge among parents, ‘Demanding, a bit pushy, but then, it’s

1,015
Number of pupils

Money matters

Relative affordability compared to other Bristol independents cited by several parents we spoke to. Some financial assistance for highly academic junior school pupils from low-income families through the Peloquin Award scholarships. Two Pople Trus

Fee information
£19,527 pa

The last word

For nearly 500 years Bristol Grammar School has educated its city’s sons – and latterly daughters – not only in literature and good manners (true to its founding principles) but a great deal more besides. Respectful of, but not defined by its hist

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Contact the school

Address

University Road
Bristol
BS8 1SR
Get directions

Have you considered?

School data & information Bristol Grammar School University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SR
1,015 Pupil numbers
310 Sixth form numbers
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Bristol Grammar School and is updated annually. See the review

GCSE-level results data is not reliably reported on for independent schools. We have chosen to show only the results achieved in individual subjects. Find out more

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Russian GCSE (9-1) Full Course 20 7
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 26 6
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 25 8
Latin GCSE (9-1) Full Course 15 9
French GCSE (9-1) Full Course 25 8
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 24 8
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 22 7
Dance GCSE (9-1) Full Course 6 9
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 31 7
Classical Civilisation GCSE (9-1) Full Course 23 6
Art & Design (Textiles) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 10 7
Art & Design (Fine Art) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 13 7

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
41%
LA avg.
15%
Eng. avg.
20%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
43.92
LA avg.
33.40
Eng. avg.
35.69

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Psychology GCE A level 36 B
Physics GCE A level 30 A
Physical Education / Sports Studies GCE A level 14 B
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 18 A*
Mathematics GCE A level 50 A
Logic / Philosophy GCE A level 11 A
History GCE A level 24 A
Geography GCE A level 22 A
English Language GCE A level 9 B
Economics GCE A level 20 A
Chemistry GCE A level 41 A
Biology GCE A level 39 A
Art and Design (Fine Art) GCE A level 13 A

Entry and exit data

We do not have entry or exit data for pupils at this school. Find out more


SEN overview

Bristol Grammar School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

Bristol Grammar School welcomes young people with high academic ability and values individuality. We have many pupils with a variety of learning needs such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, Developmental Coordination Disorder, ADHD and Autistic Spectrum Condition and we have experience of supporting pupils with hearing and/or visual impairments. Here at BGS we celebrate neurodiversity and our SEND pupils are supported within the classroom with expert teaching and via their Confidential Information Sheet (CIS). We have two specialist teachers who offer one-to-one tuition outside the classroom. All pupils at BGS are monitored closely and there are in house pre-assessments identifying any underlying learning needs along with whole year group screening tests. Staff receive SEND information about the pupils they teach, and their knowledge is updated through regular INSET. We hold regular parent meetings with the Head of Learning Support and evening events to support the parents/carers of pupils with SEND. Exam Access Arrangements are arranged for eligible pupils including extra time, use of a word processor and the use of a prompt.

Updated Jan 2024
0 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2%
18 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12%

SEN conditons supported

Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.

Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) Provision
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills Yes
HI - Hearing Impairment Yes
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing Yes
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes Yes
PD - Physical Disability Yes
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health Yes
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism Yes
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting Yes
VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired Yes
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