Seven years ago, Bury Grammar School Girls and Bury Grammar School Boys amalgamated to become one school, with the many benefits that brought – among them, access to more teachers, more facilities, a greater range of subjects and a wider choice of extra-curricular activities. It was also the beginning of new friendships and partnerships among families and staff across all areas of the school.

Working together has been the driver of the latest development in our community, as our Old Boys’ Association (OBA) and Old Girls’ Association (OGA) have decided to join forces to establish Bury Grammar School’s very first Alumni Association.

The purpose is to connect former pupils and teachers from all over the world and to draw on their expertise to provide careers advice and opportunities to current BGS pupils.

This is open to all former pupils of the School and all former colleagues, whether from the BGSG or BGSB side of the School. 

Alumni President

We are delighted and honoured to announce that The Rt Hon Alistair Burt (Class of 1973) has agreed to be the very first President of our newly established Alumni Board. After leaving Bury Grammar School (BGS), he studied at St John’s College Oxford, where he was president of the law society before becoming a solicitor in 1980 and serving on Haringey Council in London from 1982 to 1984 before moving into politics, serving in a number of esteemed positions, among them as MP for Bury North and as a Minister. He is currently Pro Vice Chancellor of Lancaster University. Alistair said,

“I am thrilled to be asked to be the President of our new Alumni structure, which builds on the wonderful work done by Old Girls and Old Boys over the years. The School is richly enhanced by the maintenance of links and friendships, and those at all stages of their journey with Bury Grammar School both benefit from, and contribute to, its success.’

Suzanne Gauge, former BGSG Head Girl, BGS parent and governor, is to be the Chair of the Alumni Board. She said,

‘I am very excited about this next chapter for our alumni and look forward to putting plans in place to encourage further engagement both in the UK and overseas. In addition to staying in touch with one another and the School, as a community I believe we have a lot to offer our younger alumni and current students, in the form of career support. I look forward to meeting with many of you at future events’.

Other members of the Alumni Board are:

Diana Robinson, 1960s representative, Class of 1968

Bill Ullathorne, 1970s representative, Class of 1972

Sarah Humphreys, 1980s representative, Class of 1988

Julie Jones, 1990s representative, Class of 1990

Matt Cooke - 1990s representative, Class of 1994

Richard Chew - International and 2000s representative, Class of 2008

Joe Bangbala - 2020s representative, Class of 2022.

Mrs Jo Anderson, Principal, commented,

‘We would like to thank the Old Girls' and the Old Boys’ Associations for their immense support for Bury Grammar School over the years and in particular to recognise the enormous contributions made by their committees. They have added so much to the life of the School.

The path which BGS has followed over the last seven years has been one along which new friendships have been made and new opportunities have presented themselves, while each side of the road has continued to enjoy their own community and company. The best of both worlds. There is no reason why this shouldn't also be the case for our alumni associations.  We are so pleased to see this positive step into the future - a future during which we will continue to celebrate our shared history, our collective memories and our community.’

Inaugural Event

Friday 20th June is the day on which we plan to hold our inaugural event. Former pupils, current and former members of staff and friends of the School will be coming together to celebrate, tour the school, connect with others, visit our new Archive Room and recognise those who have been instrumental in the success of the OBA and OGA over the years.  Our alumni are leading lights in a wide range of areas- for more information on our alumni, please visit: Homepage | BGS Alumni Community.

If you are a former pupil or teacher and would like to register to join our Alumni Association, please click here: Join | BGS Alumni Community