While British athlete Emile Cairess forges a career as a talented long-distance runner, his love of the sport was cultivated from a young age at Bradford Grammar Junior School. Headteacher Richard Ribeiro talks about the specialist support the school gives children from the moment they join.

I’m delighted Old Bradfordian Emile Cairess (2016) has accepted my invitation to be our special guest at our Junior School Prize Giving event this term. I’ve been reflecting on Emile’s journey from BGS pupil to successful international athlete, overtaking Sir Mo Farah to be the first British athlete across the line in this year’s London Marathon in a superb time of 2:08:07!

Emile was a budding footballer before focusing his attention on cross country running. His talent for running was discovered while a pupil at BGS and his early steps nurtured by the specialist sports staff under the expert eye and mentorship of teachers such as Mike McCartney and Tony Kingham. Tony also mentored the Olympic medal winning Brownlee brothers at the school.

Back in 2019 when Emile returned to BGS to coach pupils, he said the staff had made a big impact on him.

“I got my first taste of competing at the Junior School when Mr Reddish entered me in a race. I came second and got the taste for it from then,” he said.

“The school invested in me, and I was delighted to go back, to help them in any way I could.”

There are many budding runners, artists and musicians who benefit from our specialist staff who provide Junior School children with the chances to explore and develop their talents and interests from a young age.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

One of the joys of my working week is happening upon one of our musical ensemble groups in the Clock House Hall during the lunch break, be it String Group with Mrs Davis or Samba Band with Mr Stevens. The Year 2 and 3 African Drumming group is hugely popular, led by Mrs Alderson.

Meanwhile netball is always a fixture on the Junior School playground and interest often starts with friendly competition during breaktime. Our U11 girls are current HMC North champions and five are in the West Yorkshire netball team. Their development has been nurtured by our Head of Junior School PE and Games, Mrs Jones and our specialist netball coaches.

Jaina, in Year 6, says: “I love netball because it helps bring friends together and it’s really fun.”

We’re always looking to add new areas for the children to explore their talents and our recently introduced ‘one-to-one’ tennis programme is proving to be a ‘smash hit’.

“We all want to get from the soft ball to the orange ball,” laughs Year 4 pupil, Ben. “My favourite part of it is the serve and the smash” adds Ishaan, also in Year 4.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Elsewhere, Mr Crabtree, an experienced maths teacher, leads a thriving Junior School Table Tennis Club, organises volunteer A Level students to support learning in Clock House and runs the Maths Enrichment Club for budding mathematicians.

It’s our role as educators to create growth environments for pupils, to take time to notice individual interests and to encourage and support their development.

Our specialists continue to be a vital ingredient in supporting children on their journey. It sets the conditions, behaviours and attitudes for future success. And, as Emile has shown, you never know where the seeds sown at Clock House can take you!

Bradford Grammar Junior School will welcome its first Reception and Year 1 children from September 2024. To find out more, contact the admissions team at admissions.jnr@bradfordgrammar.com or call 01274 553713/553702. To register for a future open event, visit bradfordgrammar.com/signup