August 2024
Bristol Grammar School had 53% of nearly 500 A Level exams awarded top two grades and over a third of students achieved three or more A*/A grades.
Senior school
Bristol Grammar School
Bristol Grammar School is an independent school for girls and boys in Bristol, offering education from Reception (4+) through to Sixth Form (16 to 18).
Day fees
£12,870 – £22,266
Entry
School Exam + InterviewSelective
At a glance
Key facts
Head
Jaideep Barot
Gender
Co-ed
Pupils
1,377
Location
Bristol
Urban setting
Day or boarding
Day
Age range
4 to 18
Founded
1532
Entry points
4+, 7+, 9+, 11+, 16+
School day
8.30am to 3.50pm
Saturday school
Yes
Wraparound care
Available
Scholarships
Academic, Art, Music +4
Overview
About Bristol Grammar School
Bristol Grammar School (BGS) is an independent co-educational day school in Bristol, England, established in 1532 by Royal Charter from Henry VIII. Founded by merchants Robert and Nicholas Thorne, the school aimed to educate the sons of Bristol's trading families in 'good manners and literature'. ()
The school offers education from ages 4 to 18, divided into the Infant School, Junior School, Senior School, and Sixth Form. BGS provides a broad curriculum, including subjects like Ancient Greek and Classical Civilisation, with teaching groups ranging from 25 students per teacher in lower years to occasionally one per teacher in the sixth form. ()
Notable features include the Great Hall, completed in 1879, and the 1532 Performing Arts Centre, opened in 2016, which houses music teaching and practice spaces, a drama studio, and a recital space with an attached recording studio. ()
BGS has a strong extracurricular program, offering sports such as rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, and tennis, with facilities at Failand providing accommodation for team games and outdoor sports. ()
The school is located in Tyndall's Park, Clifton, Bristol, occupying a triangle of land between the University of Bristol and University Road. ()
Houseroom EditorialOur take
Houseroom Editorial
Our take
Independent co-ed senior school.
Best for
- Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex.
- Internationally-mobile families wanting IB or American-style qualifications rather than only A-levels.
Watch-outs
- SEND provision isn't documented in our profile. If your child has an EHCP or specific learning needs, ask admissions about case-by-case capacity before applying.
- Location detail is sparse in our profile — verify postcode and tube/rail link before counting on commute time.
AdmissionsApplication timeline
Admissions
Application timeline
- Jun9Open dayPassedReception Open Morning
Not yet published: registration opens, registration closes, bursary deadline, assessment, interview, offers, acceptance deadline.
UpcomingOpen events
Upcoming
Open events
Private tours by arrangement with admissions.
Fees & costFees
Fees & cost
Fees
£12,870 – £22,266per year · Day · 2026-27
By entry point · 2026-27
4+£12,870
7+£15,156
11+£22,266
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Questions about Bristol Grammar School?
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Quick answers about Bristol Grammar School
Answered only from Bristol Grammar School's verified details on Houseroom, with sources. For anything else, ask admissions.
Financial supportBursaries & Scholarships
Financial support
Bursaries & Scholarships
Beyond the classroomActivities & co-curricular
Beyond the classroom
Activities & co-curricular
sport
Sports
music
Clubs and Enrichment
drama
The Performing Arts
On campusFacilities
On campus
Facilities
sports
Pavilion event space (Failand)Sports CentreFailand Sports Ground (3G artificial pitch – World Rugby Regulation 22 & FIFA Quality certified)Hockey astro turf pitch (Failand)Netball courts – seasonal (Failand)Outdoor cricket nets – seasonal (Failand)
arts
1532 Performing Arts CentreTheatre (retractable seating 245–320)The Mackay Recital Hall (seats 80–100, with balcony, recording studio, band practice room)Dance Studio (sprung floor, floor-to-ceiling windows)Drama Studio1532 Foyer with bar (can serve as art gallery)
academic
Great Hall (650+ sq m, licensed for alcohol and live music, up to 250 guests)Library (open after school until 6pm)
wellbeing
JCR café (breakfast and after-school)Sixth Form café
DestinationsWhere leavers go
Destinations
Where leavers go
5%
to Oxbridge (2025)
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort | 152 | — | — | — |
| Oxbridge | 8 | 6 | 12 | 12 |
| US Ivy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Medicine | — | 12 | — | — |
Top universities (2025)
University of OxfordUniversity of CambridgeUniversity of BristolUniversity of ExeterUniversity of Bath
CurriculumQualifications offered
Curriculum
Qualifications offered
A LevelIB DiplomaGCSE
In the newsRecent coverage
In the news
Recent coverage
July 2024
Bristol Grammar School's IB cohort had an average score of 37.7, with one student achieving a perfect 45 out of 45, a score attained by under 1% of candidates worldwide.
May 2023
The Independent Schools Inspectorate conducted an Educational Quality Inspection at Bristol Grammar School and rated the quality of pupils' academic and other achievements and their personal development using the ISI descriptors including 'excellent'.
AlumniNotable alumni
Alumni
Notable alumni
Sir David Attenborough (broadcaster and natural historian)Sir Cyril Radcliffe (lawyer and chairman of boundary commissions)Sir John Pople (theoretical chemist, Nobel laureate)Sir Jeremy Heywood (civil servant)Sir Michael Redgrave (actor)Sir Richard Eyre (theatre and film director)Sir John Mortimer (barrister and author)Sir John Hicks (economist, Nobel laureate)
Recommended next step
No open days listed yet
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Fit for your child
Is Bristol Grammar School right for your child?
Score it on travel, academics, support and budget.
Check fit for my childRegulationInspection
Regulation
Inspection
ISI inspection, 10 May 2023
Excellent
FAQQuestions parents ask
FAQ
Questions parents ask
What kind of child is Bristol Grammar School best for?+
Bristol Grammar School suits: Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex; Internationally-mobile families wanting IB or American-style qualifications rather than only A-levels.
How much are the fees at Bristol Grammar School?+
Day fees at Bristol Grammar School are £4,290 to £7,422 a term in 2026-27 (£12,870 to £22,266 a year). Extras such as lunches, uniform and trips are on top.
When is the next open day at Bristol Grammar School?+
No dates are listed yet. Save Bristol Grammar School and we'll email you when booking opens.
How does admissions work?+
We don't hold full admissions details for Bristol Grammar School. Ask the school directly.
Does Bristol Grammar School support SEND?+
We don't hold SEND details for Bristol Grammar School. Ask admissions early if your child has additional needs.
What ages does Bristol Grammar School take?+
Bristol Grammar School takes pupils from age 4 to 18.
Is Bristol Grammar School a day or boarding school?+
Bristol Grammar School is a day school.
Is Bristol Grammar School co-educational or single-sex?+
Bristol Grammar School is co-educational, taking both boys and girls.
Where is Bristol Grammar School?+
Bristol Grammar School is in Bristol, BS8 1SR.
How do I contact admissions at Bristol Grammar School?+
Contact Bristol Grammar School by email at headmaster@bgs.bristol.sch.uk or phone on 01179736006.
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