14 August 2015

The School was bustling with activity on A Level results day this week! The Boys' Division celebrated the best results in recent years, bucking the national downward trend, while Girls' Division pupils achieved the best ever A* results. In both Divisions, the overall pass rate was 100% and more than half the grades awarded were at A*-A.

The School's ten Oxbridge candidates were all successful in achieving the grades they needed to confirm their offers. These pupils were Sarah Richards, Natasha Hall, Than Dar and Katie Hurt in the Girls' Division and Sohail Daniel, Shyam Dhokia, Alex Johnson, Alex Lawrence, Henry Mitson and Paul Greenhalgh from the Boys' Division.

It has been an exciting summer for Bolton School's saxophonists: the Saxophone Choir and a Saxophone Quartet made up of current and former pupils travelled out to France in early July to attend the World Sax Congress and Festival in Strasbourg. The Saxophone Quartet competed in the semi-final round of the International Quartet Competition, and the Choir was able to perform on stage at the Walle de Bourse as part of the festival.

The Saxophone Quartet and Miss Berry were also selected to join the 'SaxOpen' Orchestra for the Sax 200 Concert, organised for World Sax Day as part of the World Streaming Show. This saxophone orchestra was made up of musicians from around the world, and their performance was part of a concert streamed live around the world.

Last week, youngsters enjoyed the Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy and the Netball Roadshow. Former New Zealand cricketer Iain O’Brien paid a visit to the Academy to meet fifty-two boys and girls aged from 5 to 14 years from across the region! They enjoyed listening to O'Brien's advice and coaching tips as he ran through a number of training sessions on the Bolton School cricket pitches and in the Sports Hall. The group then quizzed him on his life and career.

Children from the Butterfly Room bid Bolton School Nursery a fond farewell this summer with their Leavers' Party. The sun was shining so the children were able to enjoy fun party games and a bouncy castle outside, as well as a show from Mr Tumbles the clown and some yummy treats to keep them going throughout the afternoon! They had a fantastic time and this was a fitting end to their time at the Nursery. These children will go on to start school in September.

A selection of musical performances from the Girls' Division Year 7 and Year 8 Celebration Concert are now available to enjoy on the School's YouTube or Soundcloud accounts. Click the links or press the play button below to hear the music from this fantastic event once again.



In Alumni news, two Girls' Division former pupils have been included on Business Insider's inaugural Women of Influence list! Nicola Rigby is Director at Bilfinger GVA, while Claire Sofield is Sales Director at Four Financial Recruitment. The list recognises the diversity and depth of the north-west's female business community.

The fifteenth Inspiring Mind is former Beech House headmistress Hilary Crawforth. She shares her fondest memories of the School from her time as Head in her interview, and provides an insight into the exciting and vibrant life at the Infants' School.