Welcome to Bexley Grammar School!
 I stepped foot into this incredible school for the very first time!
Hi Year 6s and Parents/Carers!
My name is Iyla (Year 7) and just 45 days ago, I stepped foot into this incredible school for the very first time. Just like everyone else, I felt as if I was a tiny fish in a ginormous pond, but everyone quickly settled in!
Finding your way around at first, this feels like a colossal challenge, but I can assure you it is not. Remember, just a year ago I was in your shoes. Now I know what you’re thinking, “How will I find my way around?” I wondered the exact same thing. Turns out it’s really easy! During the first week you’re constantly checking your map and asking teachers and Sixth Formers where your classes are, but by the second week you are more confident but struggling slightly. When you get to your third week, though, you’ll be an expert!
Friends
Personally, this was one of my biggest fears going into secondary school, desperately trying to secure friends from my old school to come here with me, but I only ended up with one, and they are in a separate form group! Thankfully, pupils are lovely and friendly at this age and are in your exact position. So, believe me, it’s super easy to make friends.
The academic stuff, this is something everyone is terrified of, so don’t worry. Homework is really simple and even fun in the first couple of weeks and the teachers ease you in. I barely noticed when it got to proper homework. Lessons are pretty much revision at first, but then you get to learn new and interesting things.
Primary school stress
Teachers at primary school tend to make secondary school sound extremely scary and stressful, but I’ll tell you, that is not true here at Bexley Grammar School. When I was viewing other schools, none of them had the same nurturing atmosphere as BGS.
With the canteen and its food, no matter what your allergies, BGS will always cater to your food choices. I am an extremely fussy eater, so I was terrified, but they have all types of food. From burger to jelly to chicken salad, this school has it all. In addition, you can get a great meal for an incredible price.
Summer School and Transition Day
I found the summer school and transition day extremely useful, for making friends and getting a feel for the classes and the school. We had a mix of lessons and fun. It made my first proper day of school so much easier. I, along with everyone else, settled in so quickly.
Make BGS your first choice, you won't regret it!
Iyla, Year 7
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 The start of Year 7: A new journey
Hello there! My name is Sushruth, and I’m in Year 7. Firstly, congratulations on successfully passing your 11+. I’m excited to welcome you to our community, where you’ll find a friendly environment and plenty of support as you begin this new journey. We’re all here to ensure your transition from primary to secondary school is as smooth as possible. You’ll have the chance to make great friends who will hopefully stay with you for many years to come.
Starting at Bexley Grammar School is an exciting experience where you'll have the chance to meet new people and develop great friendships. While it might feel a bit overwhelming at first, there's no need to worry, as everyone is in the same boat, facing similar challenges and experiences. Rest assured, older students and staff will be there to aid and guide you along the way.
Secondary school can feel very different compared to primary school, as there's a significant leap in what you’ll be learning. However, our fantastic teachers make this transition easier by gradually introducing the fundamentals of Key Stage 3. One of the main differences is that, unlike primary school, you’ll have multiple teachers and will need to move between different classrooms for each subject. Personally, I find this change really fun and exciting, as it gives you the chance to explore more of the school and learn from a variety of teachers who specialise in their subjects.
The canteen at Bexley Grammar School offers a selection of meals and snacks that are sure to keep you energised throughout the day. From warm, hearty meals to quick bites, there’s always something to enjoy. It’s a great spot to catch up with friends during break or lunch and try out different options. Give it a try, and you're bound to find something you love!
Clubs and extracurricular activities: Getting involved
There’s a wide variety of clubs and extracurricular activities to choose from, so there's something for everyone! We’re here to help you find the perfect club that suits your interests. Some exciting options include ping-pong, cooking, football, robotics, debate club, netball, chess club, and even an ice-breaker club designed to help you make friends more easily. It's a great way to explore your passions and connect with others!
Homework: Tips for managing your workload
At Bexley Grammar, we use online platforms like Google Classroom, Dr Frost Maths, and Seneca to help you manage your homework efficiently. If you prefer a physical way to keep track of your tasks, the school also provides planners, which are handy for recording assignments and staying organised. These planners are also a great way for your parents/carers to communicate with your form tutor, ask questions, or receive feedback.
Final thoughts
I hope this guide has given you a good idea of what to expect as you start your journey at Bexley Grammar School. Remember, this is an exciting time filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and make lasting friendships. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it – everyone here is ready to support you. Wishing you the very best of luck, and I look forward to seeing you around!
Sushruth , Year 7
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 My journey so far...
I’m Aarush, and I recently transitioned from primary school to secondary school. It’s been a huge step, full of excitement and new challenges. I enjoy learning, exploring new subjects, and meeting new people in this next stage of my educational journey.
The gigantic leap into secondary school life: A whole new world
Joining secondary school after primary was an exciting yet overwhelming experience. The school felt enormous, with more classrooms, teachers, and students. There was so much to take in with the new subjects, different timetables, and having to navigate the school campus for different classes. As long as you keep on timetable and stay out of trouble, grammar school will be pretty easy.
The older students: Towering giants or secretly helpful guides?
At first, the older students seemed intimidating. They moved confidently in the halls and knew their way around everything. But soon enough, I realised they weren’t as scary as they seemed. Some were helpful when I needed directions or advice, and the initial fear faded with time.
Tips for thriving in Secondary School
- Stay Organised: With so many classes and teachers, keeping track of homework and deadlines is key.
- Be Social: Don't hesitate to make new friends. Everyone is trying to find their place, so connecting with others helps.
- Ask Questions: If you feel lost, whether it’s about a subject or where a class is, ask a teacher or fellow student for help.
Aarush, Year 7
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 I’m really enjoying Bexley Grammar School
Starting secondary school is such an exciting time! You’re stepping into a new chapter filled with opportunities to learn, make friends, and explore your interests.
I’m really enjoying Bexley Grammar School: the “big and scary” older students and teachers have been so understanding during these first confusing/daunting/scary/exciting few weeks and offer help before you even ask for it. While it’s reassuring for your old primary school friends to attend the same secondary school as you, all the other Year 7s are basically in the same boat as you and are all attempting to settle in and make new friends.
If you don’t meet anyone you “click” with, or particularly like, don’t worry! There are a variety of clubs for you to join and discover those who share similar interests and hobbies. You’ll discover subjects you might not have had before, like science, history, art or a new language!
Don’t hesitate to ask questions and dive into what interests you most. There are so many activities; sports, drama, music, and more. Participating will help you find your passions and make school more fun.
The teachers go easy on homework and deadlines for the first few weeks and even then, when you start to get homework, there’s not much assigned, so nothing to fret about. You’ve all passed the 11+ test which shows you’re all bright and love to learn, so you’ll find yourself in an environment where everyone else enjoys learning.
On top of that, clubs have been set up specifically to help with homework; homework club, maths clinic etc. Every Friday, we have assemblies for the whole of Year 7. Of course, the theme varies every week, but the teachers always go back to one key message. Ours is: ‘Always do your best, even if it is not the best (though that would be nice)’.
House assemblies also take place every week, with House captains at the front, which enables you to get to know people in your House better. You are also informed of House events taking place and House news. Recently, I participated in the House Harvest Box competition, which was great fun (we came third out of six Houses).
P.S. Whether you had scrumptious/mediocre/disgusting school lunches in primary school, the lunches at BGS are delicious and definitely something to look forward to.
Safaa, Year 7
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 Making friends is very easy!
My experience at Bexley Grammar was a mixed bag; a bit of excitement and happiness but also a bit of nervousness and anxiety. But after a couple of days, I eased into the lovely environment of this school so much that it felt like I had been there forever! The teachers are really kind and helpful, and they never mind if a student ever needs help, either academically or personally.
There is a wide range (and I mean really wide; there are 30+ clubs) of clubs, and I am sure that you will find one suitable for you. If you have any ideas for new clubs, please feel free to contact your DoS (Director of Studies) and SAM (Senior Academic Mentor) (Heads of Year) and they will surely acknowledge your idea.
One of my favourite subjects is PE; we play a variety of sports, including basketball, football, tennis etc. and our PE teachers make us the very best we can be.
You might feel a bit shy or even scared by the older students, but I assure you that they are very kind and won’t hesitate to help you get to lessons if you’re lost, so don’t feel afraid of them.
Making friends is very easy; usually everybody is in the same situation as you, so if you are not a very sociable person, you can make friends that can last your whole secondary school journey or even your lifetime.
Never, and I mean never, get even the slightest bit worried about your homework, as you get a tiny bit first and gradually, when you get heaps of homework you are more likely to know how to manage your time and send it before the due date.
We have a really wonderful library; it has a wide range of books, from manga to classics, and we have an amazing librarian who knows this library inside out, so if you want a good book selection you can always go to her. So if you are a book lover like me, this is the perfect place to spend those rainy afternoons snuggled up with a book.
Our canteen is a huge room bustling with students munching on our amazing menu, so this is also one of the best places to socialise with new people.
I hope this passage helped you as an insight into what we do in this lovely school and always remember that you have worked hard to get in this school so make the best of your time in BGS. See you soon!
Shaurya, Year 7
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 Welcome to Bexley Grammar School!
Hey! I’m Mariah and welcome to Bexley Grammar School. I know that joining a new school is scary, so I’d like to tell you about my experiences starting at Bexley Grammar School.
To start, I’d like to tell you all about the teachers and lessons at Bexley. I was really nervous when starting my lessons at BGS; I was worried that I wouldn’t be good at my lessons and I would fall behind in class, but when I started, I learnt the lessons were stress-free and extremely easy to understand. The teachers at BGS are really fun to learn from and never fail to make us laugh!
The transitions from primary school to secondary school can be daunting, and many children worry about making new friends, but honestly, making new friends was super easy because everyone was kind and considerate, and even if you’re struggling, there are lots of older kids that can help you, and you can talk to if you’re feeling lonely.
Clubs are entertaining, and I would 110% recommend joining some. They are a great way to make new friends and meet tons of new and interesting people. When I joined, I was scared that I wouldn’t be great at doing clubs, but I decided to join the netball team. If I’m being honest, I had no idea how to play netball, but everyone was really nice, and in no time, I figured out the rules!
Usually, I don’t particularly like eating school food, but BGS was certainly an exception. There are many options to choose from, and as someone who eats halal food, BGS was the perfect place for me! The lunch ladies and chefs are really friendly and overall good at their jobs.
To conclude, I would just like to say that BGS is an amazing place to be, and they offer so many fun and interesting things to do, so if you’re thinking about going somewhere else, come to Bexley Grammar; we won’t disappoint!
Mariah, Year 7
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 Clubs are the best part of Bexley Grammar.
Hello! My name is Neev and I know how you’re feeling. Going from primary school to secondary school isn’t easy, but it is very exciting.
I felt that my old friends from primary school were the only ones who understood me, but I had no idea how much I would fit in at BGS. In fact, in two days I had made lots of friends! And the “scary” big kids? If anything, the older children are your assets. Lost? Ask them. Confused with homework? Ask them. They are not Godzilla, they will not chomp you up. They are incredibly nice and will help you with anything and everything.
Everyone is petrified at the thought of detentions when they first start secondary school. Trust me, there is nothing to worry about - as long as you are not rude, you will be fine. Everyone gets lost in the first few weeks of the new school year. I did a whole circle of the school looking for my classroom on my first week! Anyway, after the first two weeks, it feels like you’ve been there for decades.
Clubs are the best part of Bexley Grammar. There are many clubs you can go and try out.
The beauty of this is that they are free and if you do not enjoy it, no one will force you to continue. I am currently part of the school football team, House band, the rock band and the book club. So have a shot, it won’t hurt, for all you know, you could find a new hobby.
So why come to BGS?
Speaking from my heart, it’s where you feel comfortable. I felt at ease here, but it might be different for you. One of the reasons I knew BGS was for me was the fact that it makes you feel part of a family. Another reason I knew I belonged was that BGS makes you enjoy school. Yes, I know it is hard to believe, but at first, when I came to Bexley Grammar I felt a bit anxious. However, I am now eager to go to school. Why come to BGS?
Well, you’ll have to come and see…
Neev, Year 7
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 My experience so far at Bexley Grammar School has been…
B – Breathtaking because of the massive size of the school.
E – Exhilarating to be with my friends and learn so many new things.
X – Xenial nature of teachers, staff and students is great.
L – Learning various subjects in theory and practically.
E – Exciting to be part of multiple sports, various music & a variety of arts.
Y – Yearning to go to school every day because I love it.
I was extremely nervous the first few days, but as things progressed, I started enjoying it. I wished it wouldn’t be tough and hoped to be accepted, but it turned out everyone thought the same way and I made a lot of friends. I really liked wearing a blazer and tie, it made me feel confident and professional. The first week was very tiring as we had to walk to different classes and figure our way out.
There is a big difference in how and what we learnt in Year 6 compared to Year 7 and the jump to complex topics is sudden. I assumed that the learning would be difficult, but as days progressed it turned out to be easy. Even though we had to write a lot, it was smooth, and the topics are understandable.
The teachers and the staff are very kind and helpful. I was afraid of homework, but once we got into the groove, it became manageable. There is so much to do and learn, but not enough time.
The food on the first day was absolutely delicious with a lot of variety. There are enough options for everyone and once you get into clubs and other activities, lunch becomes an afterthought.
I made a lot of friends quickly, and I was nervous that the older children would be rude, but they were very kind and caring. They helped us and showed us around the school if we needed help or didn’t know the way.
It has been a very good experience so far, and I am looking forward to my years at BGS. My identity now is STUDENT OF Bexley Grammar School for the next 7 years !
Kovendhan, Year 7
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A Message from Mr Gilmore, Headteacher, to Year 6 Pupils 2024
 Hello and welcome to this Open Day special edition of our school e-newsletter. I hope you find it full of informative information from our current Year 7 student ambassadors, who are the best people to tell you what you need to know about starting our school. I have been at Bexley Grammar School for 20 years and I can honestly say that every day I'm proud of how our students are so friendly and warm. I'm sure that you will find it much less daunting than you imagine when you join a school with such welcoming children and young adults, and dedicated staff who will help you to settle in. There are no silly questions when you start our school, just things that you don't know yet, and there are plenty of Year 7 staff and Sixth Form Peer
Mentors to support you. Our school e-newsletters demonstrate many of the excellent opportunities, visits and extracurricular clubs that are on offer at BGS and I encourage you to read through some previous additions here. However, there is nothing like experiencing things for yourself, and I'm sure you will have lots of fun and make many friends when you become part of our exciting community. From September, you will be able to participate in trips, sports and music concerts as well as enjoying lessons in a range of subjects, some of which will be familiar to you and some of which will be brand new. There really is something for everyone, inside and outside of the classroom, at BGS. There is a great deal to look forward to when you start school here. Parents / Carers will have the pleasure of meeting your Form Tutors to touch base after your first few weeks and then further opportunities to meet the Parents' Association and attend school events in the Autumn Term. We really are a community built on relationships and I look forward to welcoming those of you who are successful in joining us in September 2025, 70 years after our school opened its doors to its very first cohort of intelligent young people such as yourselves.
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Key Stage 3 News Articles
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.png) | 07 Feb 2024 Congratulations to the pupils listed below, who are now Year 7 media correspondents. We wish them all the best and look forward to seeing what their enthusiasm brings to the role.Mr MackleDirector of Studies, Year 7 |
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 | 26 Feb 2024 Before half-term on 7th February, House Drama took place and there were some impressive performances! Apart from being a great opportunity to perform, it's always fun to represent your house in a competition. From what has been said, it was an enjoyable experience which was great fun for eve... |
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 | 23 Jul 2024 On the afternoon of 14th July, a team of seven Year 7 boys took on seven girls from Newstead Wood School, brought over by Dr Beaven, who recently taught some maths at BGS. This was the first inter-school chess competition that has happened at the school in more than eighteen years. It... |
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Drama Productions 2023 ~ 2024
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20 Dec 2023 School production; the reviews are in! |
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22 May 2024 Our school auditorium was filled with excitement and enchantment as our talented students from Year 7 to Year 9 took to the stage to perform William Shakespeare’s 'The Tempest'. This production captivated an audience of proud parents and eager primary school students, leaving... |
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Click on the link here to view the Tempest Photo Gallery.
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21 Feb 2024 This week at KS3 Creative Writing Club, the English Prefects and Mr Griffin had the proud opportunity to award our following members with their certificates for “The Glitch” writing competition. They are all now published writers!As well as the following three (who didn’t a... |
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20 Mar 2024 For this year's annual World Book Day, the busiest day in the English Department’s calendar, we all went out with events and activities galore! As always, we had our most enthusiastic readers dress up as their favourite book characters. This event took place on Thursday 7th of Mar... |
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Faith, Belief, Culture & Society Department News
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 | 10 Jul 2024 |
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Geography Department News
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28 Feb 2024 Over the half-term, 40 BGS students and four teachers eagerly left Heathrow and flew to the Azores in the Atlantic for 5 days. What ensued was a fantastic trip! All 40 students were outstanding ambassadors for BGS and many people we met commented on how our students were the best group they ha... |
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27 Mar 2024 Year 8 geographers have been very busy showcasing their creativity and research skills by creating projects on one of the following rivers: Nile, Colorado, Yangtze or the Ganges. Whilst there was so much knock-out work, each teacher selected 2/3 projects from their classes.The Geograp... |
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Year 7 Geography Diploma (Docklands)
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Click on the link here to view the Docklands Diploma Photo Gallery.
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 | 08 Nov 2023 When we commemorate those who lost their lives in the First World War and other conflicts over the course of the 20th century on 11th November at 11.00am (the time when this conflict came to an end), this has come to be a moment when we reflect upon the nine million soldiers and seven mill... |
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Year 7 Students studied the Tudors
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Click on the link here to view the Tudor Times Photo Gallery.
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Mathematics Department News
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 | 23 Jul 2024 8NRC ended the year with a Maths group project, where students collaboratively researched famous mathematicians from various centuries. They explored the significant contributions and lasting impact of figures like Euclid, Ada Lovelace and Terence Tao. Each group presented their findings through det... |
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Click on the link here to view the Year 8 Maths Diploma Photo Gallery.
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Modern Foreign Languages News
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 | 07 Feb 2024 On Tuesday 23rd January, we were delighted to welcome students and teachers from Dartford Boys Grammar, Beths Grammar and Townley Grammar to compete in the ‘Inter School Spelling Bee Final’.All Year 7 and Year 9 (MFL2) students competed in ‘in class Spelling Bee heats’ in... |
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Click on the link here to view the Year 7 MFL Diploma Photo Gallery.
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13 Mar 2024 On Tuesday 12th March, 12 students from our KS3 Orchestra visited St Stephen’s Primary School to rehearse in advance of our upcoming concert on Monday 18th March. We rehearsed ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ with around 20 students from the Primary School, with our musicians shadowin... |
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29 Jul 2024 What a show!Congratulations to all the cast and crew on an amazing 4 nights. The quality of the performances was simply amazing, and we are still receiving compliments from audience members about just how amazing it was.All the hard work paid off! The Mayor of Bexley who attended the... |
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Legally Blonde Summer Performance 2024
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Click on the link here to view the Legally Blonde Photo Gallery.
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Physical Education Department News
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 | 02 Nov 2023 Year 7 RugbyA first game win! Well done to the Year 7 Rugby Team, who beat Beths 20–15 thanks to tries from Jean-Andre, Ryan and Kevin (2). For 15 of the 16 player squad, it was their first ever rugby match.Congratulations and well done!Year 10 Rugby A tough d... |
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Kent County Finals U13 & U15 Girls' Cricket
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Click on the link here to view the Girls' Cricket Finals Photo Gallery.
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Science & STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) Department News
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24 Mar 2024 Rocket ScienceScience has always been amazing but on Wednesday last week we had an extremely amazing show: The rocket show that we’re writing about today. The show consisted of multiple experiments and a lot of fire. But don’t worry, it was very safe.Charlotte’s favouri... |
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16 Jul 2024 In the last few weeks, Year 8 got to go on a trip to Wildwood for science. While we were there, we got to do a CSI investigation where we got to figure out who killed Mr Rabbit. There were a series of clues such as fur, feathers and paw prints to help us with this. Additionally, we went on a wildlif... |
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STEMFEST Engineering Programme
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Click on the link here to view the STEMFEST Photo Gallery.
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