The Bolton School Weekly Blog: 30/1-5/2/2010

30 January- 5 February 2010

Chris Difford at Bolton School

Double Ivor Novello winner Chris Difford, of the hugely successful band Squeeze, hosted a much anticipated songwriting masterclass at Bolton School on Friday 5 February. Year 10 students from Bolton School Boys’ Division as well as from local schools, Turton, Canon Slade and Rivington and Blackrod were treated to a string of Squeeze classic hits and some first rate hints and tips on songwriting and succeeding in the music business. Chris then played a packed out gig in the evening at the School’s Arts Centre.

Pupils Numbers Growing but Class Sizes Shrinking

This week we officially announced that the numbers of pupils studying at Bolton School is due to increase, whilst class sizes will become smaller. All of this has been made possible by the recent building programme, which has seen a £1.5m extension to the Junior Boys’ School, the building of a new £5m Infant School and the construction of a state-of-the-art £5m Junior Girls’ School which will be utilised from September 2010 onwards.

Students Celebrate Oxbridge Offers

This year eighteen students – nine girls and nine boys – received offers to study at the universities of Cambridge and Oxford. The offers recognise their hard work and that of their teachers – as well as the holistic education that the School offers and allows them to build unique and interesting CVs and develop self-confident, rounded personalities.

The Bolton School Family

The Bolton School community encompasses a range of activities. Three Sixth Form boys from the 19th Bolton (Bolton School) Scout Group represented the county this week as they met the Prince of Wales at Salford Lads’ Club as he launched a new Youth Initiative. Meanwhile, the School’s Parents’ Choir found their rehearsal cancelled as heavy snow hit Bolton on Wednesday afternoon.

The Bolton School Weekly Report: 23-29/1/10

23-29 January 2010

U13s Football Team Reach National Final

The Bolton School Boys' Division U13 football team enjoyed a comfortable 6-0 win over Millfield to take them to the final of the national ISFA (Independent Schools' Football Association) Cup, which will be held at Burton Albion’s football ground on 4 March. They will place Forest School from London.

How the Boat Was Built Film

This week saw the launch of a new 28 minute film documentary charting how the 60 foot sailing boat, named Tenacity of Bolton, was built by our own pupils, staff, parents, helpers and local businesses over a nine year period (1998-2007). The film, produced by Mr Duncan Kyle, includes extensive interviews with Mr Michael Whitmarsh, Director of the Millennium Ketch Project and ex-Head of Technology at Bolton School, and with Mr Alan Wright, former Headmaster of Bolton School Boys' Division. You can view the film in three parts on You Tube:
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Commendation from English Heritage

Also this week, the school was commended by English Heritage as an example of how historic school buildings should be modernised. Our building was constructed in 1924 although the school's history goes back almost 500 years, and English Heritage has listed it as an example to local authorities to encourage them to refurbish old school buildings rather than demolishing them and rebuilding new ones, as school buildings can symbolise an area's history.

Headmistress of Bolton School Girls' Division, Mrs Gill Richards, said:

"We are immensely proud of our historic building and know that it is of real appeal when pupils are applying to us. Many people - pupils and adults alike - feel inspired on a daily basis when they walk through the centre arch and enter the main quadrangle. The School's neo-Gothic facade and turrets are undoubtedly one of Bolton's best known landmarks. We are currently undertaking an £18 million building project but have been very careful to ensure that the new Infant and Junior Girls' School have been designed in a manner that is sympathetic to the original buildings that were built with an endowment by Lord Leverhulme."

Pupils Numbers Set to Increase as Classes Become Smaller!

The extensive building programme that has been taking place over recent months means that both the Girls' Division and the Boys' Division have been able to increase the number of forms in each year group, reducing class sizes and providing an even better educational opportunity. Parents that are interested in Bolton School can visit all year round to get a feel for the place as well as on Open Mornings and other special events. Anyone wishing to undertake a private tour should call the School on 01204 840201.