St. Bede's Grammar School
Encyclopedia
St. Bede's Grammar School, in Heaton
, Bradford
, West Yorkshire
is a Roman Catholic boys' Secondary school
and specialist science college close to Bradford
city centre.
. Its first Headmaster was Rev. Dr. Arthur Hinsley
, later Rector of the Venerable English College, Rome
, Apostolic Delegate to Africa
, and Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster
(1935–1943).
In 1919 the school was moved to its present site at Heaton Hall. The old Hall, home of the Rosse family, proved unsatisfactory as the number of pupils continued to grow and a new school was opened in 1939. Since then many additions and alterations have been made to the accommodation. A new technical wing was built in the 1950s, a new refectory and sixth form centre were added in the 1960s, and a Maths/English block was built in the 1970s. New Science laboratories were opened in 2001 and new ICT facilities were provided. By 2008 a new sports hall was opened.
St. Bede’s continues to be an oversubscribed Catholic
boys’ comprehensive school where modern approaches have been integrated into a school based on traditional values. Amongst some pupils and teachers there is a strong family atmosphere with a shared faith and common purpose. Religion is taught according to many of the doctrines and traditions of the Catholic faith. Each day begins with an act of worship. It is expected that all boys will take part fully in the religious activities of the school. Pastoral care
is strong and boys are encouraged to fulfil their own potential and live up to the 'very strong' academic and sporting traditions of the school.
The full range of National Curriculum subjects is offered. There is a relatively excellent record of university entry, with many of the most promising students progressing to local universities such as Bradford or Huddersfield. At Post-16 there is a co-educational Sixth Form with St. Joseph’s Catholic College. Most students in year 11 successfully progress onto the Sixth Form, college and modern apprenticeships.
Heaton, West Yorkshire
Heaton is a Ward of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. It includes the villages of Frizinghall, Heaton and Daisy Hill, extending to Chellow Heights reservoir on the western edge and the Bradford-Shipley railway line on the eastern edge...
, Bradford
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
is a Roman Catholic boys' Secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
and specialist science college close to Bradford
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
city centre.
School history
St. Bede’s Grammar School opened on 12 June 1900, in Drewton Street, BradfordBradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
. Its first Headmaster was Rev. Dr. Arthur Hinsley
Arthur Hinsley
Arthur Hinsley was an English prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Westminster from 1935 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1937.-Biography:...
, later Rector of the Venerable English College, Rome
Venerable English College, Rome
The Venerable English College, commonly referred to as the English College, is a Roman Catholic seminary in Rome, Italy, for the training of priests for England and Wales...
, Apostolic Delegate to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, and Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster
Archbishop of Westminster
The Archbishop of Westminster heads the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster, in England. The incumbent is the Metropolitan of the Province of Westminster and, as a matter of custom, is elected President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and therefore de facto spokesman...
(1935–1943).
In 1919 the school was moved to its present site at Heaton Hall. The old Hall, home of the Rosse family, proved unsatisfactory as the number of pupils continued to grow and a new school was opened in 1939. Since then many additions and alterations have been made to the accommodation. A new technical wing was built in the 1950s, a new refectory and sixth form centre were added in the 1960s, and a Maths/English block was built in the 1970s. New Science laboratories were opened in 2001 and new ICT facilities were provided. By 2008 a new sports hall was opened.
The school today
'Grammar school' is actually a misnomer: the school has had comprehensive status since the 1960s, and by no means restricts entry to those of academic or sporting talent.St. Bede’s continues to be an oversubscribed Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
boys’ comprehensive school where modern approaches have been integrated into a school based on traditional values. Amongst some pupils and teachers there is a strong family atmosphere with a shared faith and common purpose. Religion is taught according to many of the doctrines and traditions of the Catholic faith. Each day begins with an act of worship. It is expected that all boys will take part fully in the religious activities of the school. Pastoral care
Pastoral care
Pastoral care is the ministry of care and counseling provided by pastors, chaplains and other religious leaders to members of their church or congregation, or to persons of all faiths and none within institutional settings. This can range anywhere from home visitation to formal counseling provided...
is strong and boys are encouraged to fulfil their own potential and live up to the 'very strong' academic and sporting traditions of the school.
The full range of National Curriculum subjects is offered. There is a relatively excellent record of university entry, with many of the most promising students progressing to local universities such as Bradford or Huddersfield. At Post-16 there is a co-educational Sixth Form with St. Joseph’s Catholic College. Most students in year 11 successfully progress onto the Sixth Form, college and modern apprenticeships.
Notable former Bede's boys
- Mark BowerMark BowerMark James Bower is an English professional footballer. He plays for Guiseley.Born in Bradford, he played for more than a decade with his hometown club Bradford City as a central defender until his release in May 2009. He moved to Darlington, where he spent just one season, then dropped into...
, footballer - John BraineJohn BraineJohn Gerard Braine was an English novelist. Braine is usually associated with the Angry Young Men movement.-Biography:...
, novelist - Lord BrennanDaniel Brennan, Baron BrennanDaniel Joseph Brennan, Baron Brennan, KCSG, QC is a life peer and barrister.Brennan was educated at St. Bede's Grammar School, Bradford, and graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree from Manchester University, where subsequently he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in 2000...
, lawyer and parliamentarian - Johnnie CassonJohnnie CassonJohnnie Casson is an English comedian who has appeared on numerous occasions on British television, notably on ITV's The Comedians and many guest spots on Des O'Connor Tonight.- Early career :...
, comedian - Mike HellawellMike HellawellMichael Stephen "Mike" Hellawell is a former professional footballer who played two games for England in 1962 against France and Northern Ireland.His brother John was also a professional player.-Career:...
, professional football player who played two international games for England in 1962 - Peter MarksPeter MarksPeter Vincent Marks is a British businessman, who is the current Chief Executive of the British member-owned retailer The Co-operative Group.-Early life:He went to St...
(1961–67), chief executive of The Co-operative GroupThe Co-operative GroupThe Co-operative Group Ltd. is a United Kingdom consumer cooperative with a diverse range of business interests. It is co-operatively run and owned by its members. It is the largest organisation of this type in the world, with over 5.5 million members, who all have a say in how the business is... - Stephen MurgatroydStephen MurgatroydDr. Stephen John Murgatroyd is a writer, broadcaster and consultant.Murgatroyd was educated at St. Bede's Grammar School and University College Cardiff, where in 1972 he graduated with honors with a bachelor of arts in research methodology. After graduating, he became a special needs teacher in...
, academic - SmokieSmokie (band)Smokie is an English rock band from Bradford, Yorkshire who found success in Europe in the 1970s.-Early years:Originally called The Yen, then The Sphynx and later Essence, the band was formed in 1964 at St. Bede's Grammar School in Heaton, Bradford as The Yen. The Yen's first gig was at Birkenshaw...
, 1970s pop music group - Steven Taylor, writer and prison reform campaigner
- Dave HalleyDave HalleyDavid Halley is a rugby league player who currently plays for English club Bradford Bulls in the Super League competition...
, Rugby League player - Nick DoodyNick DoodyNick Doody is a British stand-up comedian. He features frequently as a guest on radio broadcasts such as Political Animal and vox-pop television shows, although he is known primarily as a live stand-up comic....
, comedian and writer - John Riley-Schofield (John Riley), English baritone, German Wikipedia link