Why chose our school?

We are a small school that many liken to a primary school environment. Despite it's small size, our outcomes for achievement, reading and personal development are outstanding.

A small but Mighty school - a small community where remarkable things happen!

Bury Church of England High School is, in many ways, like the Parable of the Mustard Seed.

From small beginnings come great things.

Rooted in Zechariah 4:10

Though the mustard seed starts small, it grows into something far greater than its size suggests. Our school is just the same: a small community where remarkable things happen.

By the time our students leave us, they achieve outcomes above the national average, have reading ages significantly above national average and their personal development programme is outstanding. We’re also one of the top schools locally for successful next steps into higher education.

Transition

We are proud to welcome students from a range of primary schools in the local area and celebrate the rich experiences that this brings for all our students. The move to Secondary School at 11 years old is an important step in a child’s educational experience and we seek to make this move as easy as possible.

To ensure an effective and supportive transition, we have regular contact with local primary schools. In the summer term our staff visit the primary schools to meet pupils coming to us in the following September.

Aims of our transition programme:

• To make sure each child is happy when they move from their primary school to Bury Church of England High School.
• To support the parents in preparing for the move from primary to secondary school.
• To encourage each child to become more independent.
• To ensure that any relevant information from the primary school or outside agencies is acknowledged and acted upon.
• To ensure smooth academic transition from Year 6 to Year 7.

Enhanced transition

Some students are invited to an enhanced transition where they have the opportunity to take part in after school clubs in the summer term. This allows for a smoother transition for students who need this extra support. This includes students who who are coming to school as a single entrant from their primary school.

Settling in

We take encouragement from how quickly our new pupils settle purposefully and happily in to the school. Towards the end of the first half term parents of Year 7 pupils are invited to meet their child’s tutor to discuss how your child has settled in to life at the school and the progress being made.

If pupils are to make the most of learning opportunities they must feel secure and valued. One of the ways in which this is achieved is through our tutor group and year system. 

Year 5 and Year 6 programme

We offer a comprehensive transition programme to support your child choosing us for their secondary school.

Year 5:

• Various visits to our school to take part in taster lessons
• English and Maths after school tuition
• Summer transition programme for local primary schools to take part in Art, PE and Food Technology
• The Bury Church Summer Games for primary schools to enter
• The Bury Church Art Exhibition for Year 5 students who attend our Art transition lessons
• Invitation to watch the Bury Church schools productions

Year 6:

• Open mornings
• Open Evening
• Tours of the school can be arranged on request
• Personalised welcome letter for child and parents from the headteacher
• All primary schools will be visited by the headteacher or transition lead
• Taster day
• First day assembly with welcome to being a Bury Church Student

Transition evening and taster day

We can't wait for you to join us for our transition day where your child will get to experience a day at Bury Church of England. We will give them a taste of our amazing ambitious curriculum all focused on our transition text - A Wrinkle in Time.

Prior to the day, we will welcome all our new families to join us in a presentation from the headteacher. At the evening, you will get to know more about our curriculum and teaching and learning practices, expectations of our students and uniform. We look forward to meeting you all!

• Transition Evening - 23rd June 2026
• New Intake Day - 24th June 2026

Transition reading

Here at Bury Church we want to cultivate and encourage a love of reading and embed a culture of reading within the school and the curriculum. Reading can transport you to fantastical lands and feed the imagination, it is also the biggest indicator and booster of academic achievement.

We challenge our Year 6 students to read a Wrinkle in Time over the summer before starting at Bury Church and to apply for their Blue Peter Reading Badge using the below link. Students can wear their badge on their blazer and will be invited to a rewards event with the Headteacher where we will share and celebrate this achievement.

Amazing story! A Wrinkle in Time is a beloved novel by Madeleine L'Engle that has captivated readers for decades. First published in 1962, it has become a classic in children's literature, known for its imaginative storytelling and thought­ provoking themes.
The story follows the journey of Meg Murry, a young girl who is struggling with feelings of insecurity and a lack of self­-confidence. Her father, a scientist, has been missing for some time, and Meg is still trying to cope with his absence. Along with her younger brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin, Meg embarks on a journey through space and time to find her father.
The novel takes the readers on a wild adventure, as the characters travel through different dimensions to rescue Mr. Murry. They meet three eccentric beings, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs Which, who help them in their quest. These three women are manifestations of light and wisdom, and they guide the children on their journey, giving them words of encouragement and advice along the way.

Frequently asked questions

We know you probably have lots of questions about Bury Church of England High School so we have provided some answers below:

How do I find my way around the school?  What if I get lost?
There is no need to panic. Students and teachers can help you find your way, especially the Gold Tie pupils.  Any child with a gold tie is trained to support you if you are unsure. You will also get a map of the school to help you.

What happens in the first few weeks of September to help me get to know the school and make friends?
You will be taught in your form groups so you will get to know each other really well. We have lots of fun events to help you make friends, even a freshers disco in the first week!

What do you do if you need help with something?
You are welcome to ask a teacher or a student with a Gold Tie. You will have your own zone to play in with your head of year present at all times.

Where and how do I get lunch?
You will go to the canteen 15 minutes before the rest of the school so that you can get lunch first and have some extra time to find your way around. You go to the canteen at lunch and you use your fingerprint to pay for your food. Your parents put money on our online system so that you can purchase what you need.

What trips can I go on?
There is a Year 7 Bushcraft Residential Trip for all Year 7 students early in September. We also have a rewards trip at the end of the year alongside many trips offered in yoru subjects.

What clubs can I join?
There are clubs available at lunch time and the library is open. We know how far some of our students travel to school so we make sure we have dedicated curriculum time for fun activities. You will have one period a week at the end of the day where you get to do exciting activities.

Are there detentions and what happens if I get one?
We hope you wont get any detentions but they do exist if students don't follow our rules. If you get a detention then a teacher would come to collect you. Your name will have been sent to a teacher and they will email your parents to let them know.

What is form time like?

Moring form time is time with your form tutor to check in and see how you are. We have daily worship activities and once a week you will take part in year group worship. You don't need to be religious to take part - it just gives you positive messages for the week.

How much homework do you get and what is it like?
We don't set homework for the first couple of week so that we can get you on our online systems and ensure you know your passwords. After that you will be set homework by your subjects but don't worry, it will all be explained to you. 
You can also use the library at lunch to do your homework.

Can I stay in school so that my parents can pick me up later?
Yes! We run an after school prep where you can complete homework, take part in some activities and have a snack until you can be picked up.