Headmaster Designate

Message from the Headmaster Designate, Mr Roderick MacKinnon

I feel privileged to have been offered the leadership of this exceptional school, and look forward to getting to know all members of the school community so that I can appreciate fully their many talents, interests and aspirations.

Bristol Grammar School today provides outstanding educational opportunities for talented young people, and I wish to build on these already impressive achievements. Learning and involvement in all aspects of school life have always been at the heart of Bristol Grammar School’s provision, and I intend to develop further these key elements through encouraging students’ confidence in their own particular abilities and through fostering their sense of responsibility to society at large. Today’s students at BGS are the future leaders of society and the School will continue to provide opportunities for all children to develop their leadership skills and aspirations.

Academic excellence and impressive extra-curricular provision are key qualities of Bristol Grammar School. I will work to promote the quality of learning at the School; my experience in education has shown me that happy children, well taught, will do very well. It is equally clear to me that happy children are children who are fully involved in school life, both in and outside the classroom: hence the vital importance of a broad and exciting range of extra-curricular provision which will ensure that all children find their enthusiasm kindled in some area – or, better still, areas – of drama, music, sport or dance.

As a School we need to play our part in the community of Bristol and we will continue to seek to work collaboratively with local schools in both the independent and state sectors, with the university, and with local commerce and business; all with a view to extending the educational variety available to our students and promoting within them their sense of personal responsibility and commitment to serve others.

The past achievements of Bristol Grammar School provide an inspiration for the future; we have exceptionally sound foundations upon which we can continue to build for the future, securing for each and every child an exceptional educational experience, which will equip them to fulfil their potential in every sphere of their lives.

Mr MacKinnon will succeed Dr Mascord as Headmaster of Bristol Grammar School in September 2008