On 14th October 2022, Bury Grammar School (BGS) was delighted to hold the official opening ceremonies for our vibrant new co-educational Primary Division and The Courthouse, a new Academic Centre for Sixth Form. The ceremonies were attended by pupils, staff, parents, governors and friends of the School, along with our two very special Guests of Honour, Mrs Diana Robinson BEM and Mr Derek Calrow OBE, who are both highly regarded members of the BGS community.

Primary Division

Our new co-educational Primary Division means we now have one central modern base for all our primary pupils. Co-educational groups mean pupils are no longer separated from their classmates at age seven when they go into Juniors but will continue to grow and learn alongside their peers, allowing for a smooth transition from Infants to Juniors. Indeed, as an 'all through' 3-18 school where transition from Primary to Seniors is the norm, the next major decision for BGS parents regarding their child's education is not until age 18.

Pupils are thoroughly enjoying an exciting array of new facilities, including a bespoke new beautiful library at the heart of the School,  brand-new play areas full of interesting resources to inspire young, inquisitive minds, new classrooms, and a grand new entrance and reception area to welcome everyone. The purpose-built facilities create the ideal environment to inspire our primary children, further enhancing the already outstanding teaching and learning in our Primary Division.

Primary Principal, Mrs Howard, said: “I am so proud of our new Primary Division, it is most certainly a positive, friendly place to inspire awe and wonder for all our pupils and are already enjoying making the most from their new spaces. It has been exciting to see them explore and enjoy the many new areas our fantastic school has to offer. This is an important time for Bury Grammar School as we move to  primary co-educational provision, and I believe the time could not be more perfect for our pupils.”

The Primary Division was officially opened by Mrs Diana Robinson BEM, BGS Old Girl and Former Head of the Kindergarten. During her 35 years at BGS, including 25 years as Head, Mrs Robinson oversaw the building of a Pre-school and Kindergarten centre at the School, which provided additional facilities for pupils including a music room and a new library, so it seemed appropriate to welcome her back as Guest of Honour at this historic event to cut the ribbon and declare the new facilities open.

Mrs Diana Robinson BEM, Old Girl and former Head of Kindergarten, was thrilled to be invited to open our Primary Division. She spoke of our new facilities being second to none and our 'magnificent new school'. Mrs Robinson also reminded us of the way the school has changed enormously over the years, from a time when boys did football and girls did sewing, to the present day when everyone has equal opportunities.

The heart of our school, however, remains the same.

The Courthouse

The Sixth Form at BGS also continues to strengthen and expand and the Courthouse is an exciting new facility which will not only ensure a suitably academic environment but will provide a plethora of opportunities for our Sixth Form students. It is so named as the former courthouse of Bury. Our existing Sixth Form Centre has been re-defined as a base for careers, study areas and recreation, allowing The Courthouse to become a centre of academic excellence for our students.

The Courthouse has new faculty-based learning zones with unique subject-based hubs where our students can learn collaboratively and interactively. There is a Sixth Form Study and Careers library which houses a full catalogue of course materials, subject journals, super curricular and competitive course materials.

Central to this contemporary working environment is the magnificent former courtroom itself, which will provide a unique and versatile space to house our weekly assemblies and can also be used by subject specialists to deliver lectures, in addition to invited external speakers, aligning with the university style learning environment and supporting the super curricular and competitive course programmes.

The Courthouse was officially opened by BGS Old Boy and former governor, Mr Derek Calrow OBE. Mr Calrow was awarded the OBE in 2021 for his charitable and political services and is one of BGS’ finest ambassadors.

Derek Calrow said: “It gives me great pleasure as a past governor to witness the vast improvement in facilities at the Bury Grammar School combined with excellent academic achievement in recent years. My congratulations go to the team of Governors, Heads and staff."

We are immensely grateful to Mrs Robinson and Mr Calrow for their support for the School, its future direction and future possibilities.

Mrs Jo Anderson, Principal, remarked, 'Bury Grammar School is all about our pupils first and foremost. I am thrilled that these new facilities give the young people of today and of the future such a splendid, inspirational environment in which to grow and learn. Monumental efforts on the part of our staff meant that both major projects progressed from inception to fruition in just seven months - this just shows what our talented team can achieve at BGS! The key motivation for my colleagues, of course, is to provide the very best education to our pupils - their positive reaction has been the icing on the cake of a forward-looking and exciting project.  I hope many future generations of pupils and parents enjoy our new facilities.'