Bury Grammar School dates back to 1570, making it one of England's enduring educational institutions. The current campus, established on its present 45-acre estate in 1903, sits in Bury, Greater Manchester, and operates as a co-educational all-through school with nursery provision (ages 3–18). With over 1,250 pupils across all phases, the school combines genuine academic rigour with an unusually broad commitment to enrichment, over 130 clubs and societies mean activities span every interest from Combined Cadet Force (with roots dating to 1892) to championship sport to music ensembles and drama productions. The ISI inspection in 2023 awarded the school Excellent, emphasising that pupils perform consistently above the England average and the quality of teaching reflects deep staff expertise. For families, the independent setting and selective entry process signal a serious academic environment; for pupils, the scale and breadth mean there is genuine choice in how to spend time beyond the classroom.
Bury Grammar School carries its history visibly. The motto, Sanctas clavis fores aperit (The key opens sacred doors), refers subtly to the school's two great benefactors: the swan recalls the medieval French nobleman Henry Bury, while the key puns on Roger Kay's name. Inside, you notice the blend of ages, 1903 Neo-Renaissance Accrington brick adjoins modern facilities added through 2022, including a new co-educational Primary Division building with bright classrooms and an octagonal assembly hall.
The atmosphere is purposeful but not intense. Pupils wear formal uniform, move purposefully between lessons, and seem genuinely engaged. Boys and girls are taught separately in the senior years but unite for drama productions, concerts, and sixth form, creating a sense of school-wide community without losing the specific culture each gender brings.
Principal Jo Anderson, who unified the previously separate boys' and girls' schools in 2017, is the first principal of the amalgamated school and a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. Her tenure reflects stability and forward momentum. Teachers, many themselves BGS alumni, speak with evident commitment. The ISI inspection noted that staff are "highly engaged, disciplined and keen to learn" and that teachers "assess and evaluate pupils' progress regularly and keep parents and pupils well informed."
Leadership roles run deep here. The tradition of student leadership dates to 1595; the School Captain and Prefect roles, filled annually in a formal assembly, carry genuine weight. The Head Girl position, dating to 1906, sees names etched in gold leaf in the Roger Kay Hall, a tangible connection between past and present achievement.
At GCSE, the school ranks 421st in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it comfortably in the top 10% of schools. In 2024, 49% of grades achieved 9–7 (A* and A equivalent), compared to the England average of 54% at grades 9–7. This requires context: independent schools' cohorts differ, and the school's selective entry means the starting point is high. The picture at the highest grades is strong: 30% achieved grades 9–8 alone.
The school uses IGCSE qualifications in mathematics, English language, and English literature (administered by Edexcel), which are not counted in national statistics. This means some published rankings show distorted pass rates, as IGCSEs sit outside GCSE measures. Internally, the 2025 GCSE results announcement noted that actual grades achieved "are higher in every single GCSE subject and at every grade level than predicted grades based on tests of innate ability had suggested, making this BGS's best ever set of individual performances."
At A-level, the school ranks 328th (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 12% of schools in England. Results are markedly strong: 74% achieved grades A*–B in 2024. The school offers 26+ A-level subjects including specialist options like Classics, Economics, Further Mathematics, Psychology (girls' school), Philosophy, and Politics. Facilitating A-levels (those needed for Russell Group entry) are all available.
The sixth form is co-educational, with approximately equal numbers of boys and girls joining from both internal progression and external entry. In 2024, 74% of leavers progressed to university, with 1 student securing a Cambridge place and a further cohort progressing to established universities.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
74.19%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
49.2%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum is academic and fairly traditional. At GCSE, all pupils study English language, English literature, mathematics, and the three sciences separately (biology, chemistry, physics). Modern languages are compulsory (French, German, or Spanish). Beyond this core, pupils choose from a broad range including classics, business studies, drama, geography, history, music, and PE.
At A-level, the breadth is notable. The school offers specialized competitive courses in medical sciences, Oxbridge preparation, and the Extended Project Qualification. Specialist programmes exist for aspiring medics, dentists, and veterinary professionals. Teaching unfolds in modest-sized groups; class sizes are competitive compared to independent schools of similar selectivity.
The ISI report specifically commended teaching quality, highlighting that "pupils are highly engaged, disciplined and keen to learn" and that staff provide "a stimulating learning environment." Subject specialisms are evident; pupils describe lessons as rigorous and intellectually demanding without feeling overwhelming.
In 2024, leavers progressed to a range of universities. Cambridge secured 1 student; other universities included those across the Russell Group. The school provides excellent university guidance through UCAS preparation. Many pupils progress to competitive degree programmes in medicine, engineering, and sciences, reflecting the school's strength in these subject areas.
For primary and junior pupils, the all-through structure means progression to the senior school is straightforward; internal pupils are not required to sit the 11+ entrance exam. The school reports that "the high level of inspirational teaching in our Primary Division more than prepares pupils for their transition to Senior School."
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 33.3%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
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Offers
Music flourishes across all age groups. The school supports ensembles including a chapel choir, symphony orchestra, concert band, and smaller chamber groups. Junior pupils study music as part of the core curriculum; many progress to instrumental tuition. Senior pupils participate in regular concerts and performances, with the annual school production often combining drama and orchestral accompaniment. Recent productions have included Sister Act (2025), Guys and Dolls, Les Misérables, and Jesus Christ Superstar, mounted as significant theatrical events with full staging and orchestral backing.
Drama is woven throughout the school. The two main performance spaces, the Main Hall (seats 400 with full lighting and projection) and the Roger Kay Hall, host regular productions. Boys and girls unite for major productions, creating large ensemble casts. Drama is offered as a GCSE and A-level subject, with students describing opportunities for "devising original pieces" and "choosing their own monologues for performance." The school's commitment extends beyond examination prep; regular student-directed pieces, junior performances, and classroom-based drama ensure the art form reaches all who wish to engage.
The school emphasises academic rigour across sciences and mathematics. Specialist programmes in medical sciences, competitive mathematics tuition (including Olympiad preparation), and IT suites support pupils aiming for selective universities. The school holds Duke of Edinburgh Awards from Bronze through Gold; pupils complete expeditionary challenges locally and internationally (recent World Challenge expeditions to Montenegro). Computer Science is offered from GCSE through A-level, with coding and IT competitions running throughout the year.
The CCF is one of the school's signature offerings. Founded in 1892 and attached to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, it boasts over 300 members (both boys and girls) and is among the largest voluntary CCFs in the country. Members wear dress uniforms, march with "swords drawn, drums beating and colours flying" on Founders' Day, and participate in structured military training and fieldwork. The Corps of Drums leads the famous Founders' Day procession through Bury town centre to the Parish Church each May.
Sport is compulsory at junior and senior level. Facilities include a 25m swimming pool, floodlit hockey astroturf, multiple tennis courts, dedicated sports halls, and extensive grass pitches across the Buckley Wells playing fields (34 acres purchased in the 1960s). Competitive sports include rugby, football, netball, hockey, athletics, tennis, badminton, cricket, rounders, and golf. Water polo, yoga, and cheerleading are also offered. The school has developed competitive pathways; regional and national representation is achieved across multiple sports. The ISI inspection noted "a diverse and extensive programme of recreational, intellectual, social, creative and physical activities."
The school lists over 130 clubs and societies. Regular offerings include the Debating Society (established 1907), Photography Club, Chess Club, Art Club, Book Club, Quiz Club, and themed academic competitions. Junior pupils access modelling clay, puzzles and games, and cooking clubs. Senior pupils access specialist academic clubs aligned to A-level subjects and career pathways.
Residential trips are embedded across all phases: primary pupils take residential visits with educational themes; junior pupils participate in local and national field studies; senior pupils may join World Challenge expeditions (recent destinations: Montenegro). The German Exchange with Deutzer Gymnasium in Cologne has run for 70 years, highlighting the school's commitment to European partnership.
A Fine Arts Centre (opened 2013) houses dedicated art and design facilities. The Gallery @ BGS showcases student work. Drama, music, and visual arts are given genuine platform through exhibitions, performances, and collaborative events. School publications, The Clavian (boys' magazine), The Record (girls' magazine), and The Key (alumni magazine), extend back to 1881, creating a visible connection between historical and contemporary school life.
Exact current fees are maintained on the school website. Historically, fees have ranged from approximately £4,000–£13,000 per annum depending on phase. The school's own website is the authoritative source for current fees.
Bursaries and scholarships are a genuine feature of the school's identity. The founder, Reverend Henry Bury, bequeathed £300 to the school in 1634 (equivalent to many thousands today); Roger Kay's 1726 bequest explicitly stipulated support for girls' education. This philanthropic tradition continues. Nearly 1 in 7 pupils receive bursary support, with some receiving full fee remission.
*Bursaries may be available for eligible families.
Basis: per annum
Children enter pre-school from age 3; parents apply year-round, and assessment is informal observation by senior staff. Entry to Reception (age 4) involves light assessment of readiness; from Year 1 onwards, candidates sit English and Mathematics assessments to ensure readiness for the pace of the Primary Division curriculum.
Critically, pupils who join the Primary Division and meet expected progress are NOT required to sit the 11+ entrance examination for senior school entry. This all-through model removes the stress of external examinations for internal pupils.
External candidates must sit the entrance examination, which takes place each January for September entry. The exam comprises English (70 minutes, testing comprehension and writing skills), Mathematics (60 minutes, testing problem-solving and reasoning), Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Registration opens in September; candidates then sit exams in January, with interviews following in February and offers issued in March.
Entry is highly competitive. Around 40% of Year 7 cohorts come from BGS Primary Division; the remaining 60% are external candidates. The school reports being "always significantly oversubscribed." Realistic assessment of competition is important for families considering external entry.
External candidates are welcomed. Minimum requirement is 6 GCSEs at grade 6 or above, with grade 7 or above in any subject to be studied at A-level. Specific subjects (mathematics, sciences, languages) require grade 7 minimum due to the pace of the A-level curriculum. Applicants attend interview with the Head of Sixth Form, meet subject teachers, and may undertake a taster day.
The school offers means-tested bursaries to pupils entering at Year 7 and Year 12. Nearly 1 in 7 BGS pupils receive bursary support. Applications must be made at the time of entrance application; the school does not accept bursary applications at other points in the year.
Scholarships are awarded for academic, music, sport, and art achievement. These carry prestige and typically offer 10–25% fee reduction.
School day: 8:50am to 3:20pm (senior pupils), with earlier starts and finishes for primary. Wraparound care is available before school (7:45am) and after school (until 6pm), including holiday clubs. Holiday club programming includes general activities (art, team building, modelling) and specialist options (forest school, sports-focused clubs). Extended hours are available in some clubs (7:30am–6pm).
Uniform is formal: senior pupils wear blazer, tie (house colours), trousers/skirt, and school shoes. Primary pupils wear simpler uniform. The school maintains a clear mobile phone policy; devices are locked away during the school day.
Transport: The school sits in central Bury, accessible by public transport. Parking is available on-site. Coach services operate from surrounding areas (details available through school admissions).
The house system divides both boys' and girls' senior schools into four named houses (Hulme, Kay, Derby, Howlett for boys; named after historical figures). House colours are reflected in tie stripes and badge designs, fostering inter-house competition and belonging. Each pupil has a form tutor within their house; teaching assistants and senior staff provide additional pastoral support.
The ISI inspection highlighted the school's commitment to pupil welfare and noted that "staff provide positive role models" and "pupils demonstrate high levels of mutual respect and genuine care for others." A school counsellor visits weekly; the school has a dedicated Special Educational Needs coordinator (SENCO). First Aid and Health Care are available on-site.
Behaviour is calm and purposeful. The school operates a clear behaviour policy referencing the school's values (Curiosity, Kindness, Perseverance). Pupils report feeling safe and supported.
Selective entry at Year 7 creates a competitive cohort. Entry to the senior school from outside the Primary Division is highly competitive, with only 40% of Year 7 places available to external candidates. Families should be realistic about chances and prepare thoroughly for the entrance examinations.
The school's selectivity may limit diversity. While the school states an inclusive approach and bursary support, the entrance process and fee structure mean the pupil body is self-selecting. Families seeking a more broadly representative community should be aware of this context.
Uniform and formal traditions run deep. From CCF dress to Founders' Day processions, the school maintains formal traditions. Families uncomfortable with formality should consider this carefully. The school's tone is warm and unpretentious; formality does not extend to cold relationships.
All-through education means younger siblings may face entry pressure. While internal primary pupils progress automatically to senior school, families joining at Year 7 or beyond should not assume siblings will automatically follow the same path. Entry standards apply consistently.
Cost of extras can accumulate. While fees are fixed, families should budget for uniform, trips (particularly residential expeditions), music lessons, and exam fees. These extras are typical of independent schools but worth anticipating.
Bury Grammar School delivers what it promises: rigorous academic education within a school that values breadth and community in equal measure. Results place it solidly in the top tier of independent schools in England; the ISI inspection was thorough and positive. The all-through structure is genuinely valuable for families committed to staying with the school from early years.
The school suits families seeking a traditional, academically driven education with exceptional extracurricular breadth. The combination of strong GCSE and A-level results, over 130 clubs and societies, and a genuine commitment to pastoral care creates a rounded experience. The 455-year history is felt daily, not as weight, but as confidence that the school knows what it is doing.
For external entry at Year 7, expect genuine competition and rigorous admissions. For sixth form entry, look for selective criteria and strong GCSE foundations. Bursary support is available, but should not be assumed; apply early and thoroughly.
This is a school where capable, engaged pupils genuinely thrive. The price is high, the entry selective, and the expectations clear. For families for whom this fits, it delivers.
Yes. The ISI inspection in December 2023 awarded the school Excellent across all areas. Academic results are strong: 49% of GCSE grades are 9–7, and 74% of A-level grades are A*–B. The school ranks 421st in England for GCSE outcomes and 328th for A-level, placing it in the top 10–12%. Beyond results, the school offers 130+ clubs and societies, produces major drama and music performances, runs one of the largest voluntary CCFs in the country, and maintains a long tradition of pupil leadership and pastoral care.
Fees vary by phase and should be checked directly on the school's website, as they are reviewed annually. Historically, fees have ranged from approximately £4,000–£13,000 per annum depending on whether pupils are in the primary, junior, senior, or sixth form divisions. Nearly 1 in 7 pupils receive means-tested bursaries, with some receiving full fee remission. Scholarships are awarded for academic, music, sport, and art achievement (typically 10–25% fee reduction).
Entry at Year 7 is highly competitive. The school is "always significantly oversubscribed," and approximately 60% of Year 7 places are available to external candidates. Candidates must pass a selective entrance examination comprising English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning, followed by interview. Only pupils from BGS Primary Division are exempt from the 11+ exam; they progress automatically if making expected progress. For sixth form entry, external candidates must achieve a minimum of 6 GCSEs at grade 6 (or grade 7 in subjects to be studied at A-level).
The school offers over 130 clubs and societies. Sports include rugby, football, netball, hockey, athletics, tennis, badminton, cricket, rounders, golf, water polo, yoga, and cheerleading. Facilities include a 25m swimming pool, floodlit hockey astroturf, multiple courts, and 34 acres of playing fields. Beyond sport, pupils can join the Combined Cadet Force (300+ members; founded 1892), Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme (Bronze through Gold), Debating Society (established 1907), Photography Club, Coding clubs, and subject-specific academic societies. Enrichment includes residential World Challenge expeditions, annual school production (drama and music), and regular performances by orchestras and ensembles.
Yes. Music is central to school life. The school supports ensembles including a chapel choir, symphony orchestra, concert band, and chamber groups. Pupils from age 3 (pre-school) onwards access music; many learn an instrument through peripatetic lessons. At GCSE and A-level, music is offered as a formal subject. The annual major production combines drama with full orchestral accompaniment (recent productions: Sister Act, Les Misérables, Guys and Dolls). Regular concerts and performances occur throughout the year across two main performance spaces (Main Hall, 400 capacity, and Roger Kay Hall).
Bury Grammar School dates to 1570, making it one of England's oldest continuously operating schools. Originally a boys' school attached to Bury Parish Church, it was saved from decline in 1726 by Reverend Roger Kay, who bequeathed funds to re-found the school (reopened May 6, 1730). A girls' school opened in 1884 as Bury High School for Girls; it joined the boys' campus in 1906, sharing buildings until the boys relocated across Bridge Road in 1966. The girls' school and boys' school remained legally separate until 2017, when they amalgamated under principal Jo Anderson. A notable alumnus is Henry Dunster (1609–1659), who emigrated to Massachusetts and became the first president of Harvard College, helping establish Harvard Press. The school's motto, Sanctas clavis fores aperit (The key opens sacred doors), was devised by Reverend Henry Crewe Boutflower (headmaster 1823–58) and references the two great benefactors: Henry Bury (swan, from medieval French heraldry) and Roger Kay (key, a pun on his name).
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