- Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School (BRGS) is a selective coeducational academy grammar school in Lancashire. The school, which has a stated vision of “Nurturing today’s young people, inspiring tomorrow’s leaders”, can trace its history back to Newchurch Grammar School, founded in 1703, with the core of their staff forming BRGS at its current site in 1913.
- The school was downgraded from a previous “outstanding” Ofsted rating to “inadequate” in 2022, with inspectors reporting that many pupils and parents had “lost confidence in the ability of leaders and staff to protect them”. In September 2023, the school transferred into Star Academies, a mixed multi-academy trust.
- Each pupil has a personalised learning plan designed to challenge and support them. Progress, behaviour and attendance are monitored carefully and early action is taken in any areas in which a pupil’s progress is causing concern.
- In addition to getting involved with performing arts and music, pupils can partake in a wide range of sports and clubs, from Lego, Rubik’s Cube and crochet, to Dungeons and Dragons. Around 50 students produce the student newspaper, The Squirrel, and there is also a charities committee and anti-bullying ambassadors.
- BRGS offers a university preparation pathway and mentoring, and has also developed a bespoke programme to help sixth-formers to learn life skills. It covers mock university interviews and workshops on how to email and phone university admissions teams.
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