Planning Permission for the 'Hub' received

We are delighted to report that BGS has received planning permission for its new landmark building - ‘The Hub’. The three-storey development will replace the existing Sixth Form and Library, and will become the heart of BGS - with the main throughfare, reaching through all three floors, linking the whole school site from East to West and North to South. Architecturally it will provide a visionary statement for the future of the school, balancing the magnificence of the past with excitement of the future.

The Hub is one of a series of bold initiatives launched for BGS's 475th anniversary celebrations and which form part of a ten year plan. The projects also include a new sports pavilion at the school’s Failand site. The projects build on the school’s reputation as a leading academic school in the region, balancing its traditions and strong history with its forward looking and ambitious approach to teaching and learning that embraces modern technology.

Dr David Mascord, Headmaster of BGS commented

‘I am delighted that we can now proceed to make our ambitious plans for the future of the School a reality.  BGS already has excellent standards of teaching and learning and this new development ensures that those standards will be enhanced still further.’

The new ‘Hub’ has been designed to bring the School’s vibrant and increasingly popular Sixth Form to the centre of School life.  The building will also accommodate a modern Library, Art School and a 160-seat lecture theatre. The building provides 3000m² of space in total and has been planned to enable ‘learning grazing’ and encourage informal interaction of all ages - the areas are open plan to facilitate this.

Don Pople, Old Bristolian, Benefactor and President of the Campaign, says

‘This is great news for the BGS and for Bristol.   By rebuilding at the centre of the campus BGS will be well placed to face the demands ahead for quality education in the city.  

‘The ‘Hub’ will greatly enhance education at BGS and will also have a strong community focus – there are huge possibilities for local people to use the Hub for cultural and educational purposes outside school hours. ‘

The expected cost of the project is in excess of £9 million. BGS launched its ‘Anniversary Campaign’ initiative at Easter 2007 to help finance the project, and is now very close to £2 million of its £3 million fundraising target. Work is due to start in July 2009, with the building opening in September 2010.

Tom Wraith, Upper Sixth student and Head of School said ‘I am really pleased that the 'Hub' has gained planning permission.  It puts BGS closer to achieving its goals and ensures it remains at the forefront of modern education in Bristol.  The fantastic design will enhance Sixth Form learning and the new facilities, library and lecture theatre will improve the life of all pupils.  Getting planning permission is a great step forward for this project and a reward for all those who are working so hard to make it a reality which will benefit pupils at BGS for many years to come.’