Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

The school

Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School (BRGS) is situated on a hillside overlooking the Rossendale Valley in the village of Waterfoot, between Rawtenstall and Bacup, but is easily accessible from Manchester, Preston and the Ribble Valley, and the Yorkshire Dales.  The school has an excellent reputation in the local area, drawing students from a wide catchment area, although its primary focus remains as a grammar school for the valley.

The history of the school can be traced back to Newchurch Grammar School founded in 1703.  The core of their staff formed BRGS on the current site in 1913.  We are proud of our heritage and celebrate our traditions, but alongside this, we seek to embrace positive change and innovation.  BRGS remains at the forefront of educational excellence for teaching and learning, promoting and cultivating an ever-increasing amount of innovative and outstanding practice.

In September 2023, the school joined Star Academies, one the country’s leading multi-academy trusts. As part of the Star family, BRGS collaborates with other Star schools to share expertise and maximise opportunities and experiences for our students.

Today, we can look back with pride upon the dedication of our staff and the achievements of our current and former students. We can look forward with confidence to our future, knowing that BRGS’ long-held qualities of dedication and academic excellence, along with our students’ consideration for one another and for the community at large, will be maintained and passed on to future generations of Rossendale children.

For further information about the school, please visit our website:  www.brgs.org.uk