WGS Bids Farewell To Its Inspirational Head

The end of this summer term was a particularly moving one for Wolverhampton Grammar School as Dr. Bernard Trafford, left the school after an association of more than 27 years, 18 of which he spent as its head.

A series of leaving events and tributes were paid to Dr. Trafford, culminating in his final, end of year assembly which as one can imagine, was an emotional occasion in which students paid tribute to the man who had been such an integral part of their time at the school.

In his final end of term letter Dr. Trafford looked back on his time at WGS with fondness:

“People have been very generous in their tributes and good wishes as I leave the school at the end of this term. People ask, somewhat disingenuously, "Will you miss the school?" or "Will you miss us?" Of course I will. As I write this I'm preparing for an enormous emotional wrench on Friday, the day you'll get this letter from your children (if they’re delivering it by hand).

It has been my enormous privilege to lead a great, confident and aspirational school (and the wonderful people in it; staff, students, governors and parents) through all the fun, fellowship, companionship, adventures, laughs, noise, tears, highs, lows, lifelong memories and utmost fulfillment.

“As a Head one has to push, shove, cajole, even shout a bit. But I have never felt anything but support, belief and confidence from everyone in the school. And that's why the journey has been such a happy and successful one for the school, and for everyone in it. WGS is an immensely creative, warm and cooperative place.”

Portrait unveiled

One of the things WGS Governors have traditionally done to mark the departure of a Head is to commission a portrait. Bernard Trafford was anxious that we should demonstrate our pride in our art students by having his picture done in-house. Jaiya Bhandari, a top A level candidate in 2007, was asked to do the job: the result is spectacularly good.

Dr Trafford says of it:

'I'm very excited by it. It looks like me, and my family say it captures a typical facial expression: so that's great. But it's a fantastic picture, both skillful and original. It's a genuine work of art in its own right. I think it's wonderful. Thanks, Jaiya.'

Time Line

There are many highlights to pick from Bernard’s time at the school and rather than try and list them here (with the omissions that invariably result from such a task), we have produced a potted history of Bernard’s time here at WGS along with a reminder of what was happening in the world at large.

We hope you will enjoy this trip down memory lane as we bid the fondest of farewells to a man who has helped shape not only the past and present, but also the future of Wolverhampton Grammar School.

1981

A day of joy and celebration for the nation as BT joins WGS as Head of Music.
(oh and Prince Charles’ marriage to Lady Diana Spencer gives the nation something else to cheer).

1987

‘Black Monday’ sees shares plummet as the City records one of the worst trading days in living memory.
WGS’s fortunes fare somewhat better however as BT is appointed Head of Sixth Form.

1990

In the year that the Berlin Wall falls, the world also sees Nelson Mandela take the short walk to freedom after 27 years of incarceration.
Closer to home, Wolverhampton watches as BT is appointed the new Head of WGS.

1991

Operation Desert Storm sees British, US and French troops invade Iraq.
On the home front a rather more tranquil episode sees BT gain his MEd.

1992

Whilst ‘girl power’ ends for one institution (John Major wins his first general election after 11 years of Margaret Thatcher).
With BT at the helm, WGS embraces girl power as it goes co-ed for the first time in its history.

1993

In the same year that the WGS House system comes to an end, BT oversees the official opening of the brand new WGS Sports Centre.
Building work of another kind sees the Channel Tunnel open between UK and France.

1995

The new Sixth Form Centre is officially opened and a new Trafford - Eleanor - joins WGS, making BT’s status at the school officially that of ‘Old Trafford’.
Elsewhere, in the TV trail of the century, OJ Simpson is acquitted of murdering his wife.

1996

A busy year for the Trafford’s as first, Rachel joins WGS then BT celebrates his 40th birthday year by becoming a Doctor of Philosophy.
Not such good news for Charles and Diana who divorce after 15 years marriage.

1997

Tony Blair tells us ‘Things can only get better’ as he becomes PM following a Labour victory at the ’97 election. The nation mourns as Princess Diana is killed in Paris.
WGS loses its assisted places but immediately launches its ‘Sharing the Vision Appeal’.

1998

BT and WGS launch the pioneering OpAL Programme.
Celebrations to mark the signing of the historic Northern Ireland Peace Agreement are tempered by news of British and UK air strikes on Iraq.
A certain Harry Potter makes his first tentative appearance on bookshelves.

2000

BT introduces the first WGS Student Council, however his delight is tempered by the news of the demise of one of his heroes, as Inspector Morse makes his last appearance on our screens.
The millennium bug turns out to be something of a damp squib.

2001

To mark his twentieth anniversary of arriving at WGS, BT takes another leap of faith as he undertakes a charity abseil down WGS’s iconic Tower.
‘9/11’ becomes a byword for global and personal tragedy after the shocking events in New York.

2004

Another bold step for BT and WGS as the first Big Six students come to the school.
A tragedy unfolds in the Indian Ocean as a Tsunami results in the deaths of 29,000 people.

2005

WGS’s new Music Block is opened by Robert Plant: “It was great to meet such a musical legend…” says the former Led Zeppelin singer after meeting BT.
Pope John Paul II dies and Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans.

2006

BT turns 50 and publishes his second book Raising the student voice: a framework for effective school councils which is launched with the help of Lord Adonis.
Protests abound after cartoons of the prophet Mohammed appear in a Danish newspaper.

2007

BT is appointed Chairman of HMC and sadly announces his decision to leave WGS.
Tony Blair, never one to buck a trend, also announces his decision to move on and steps down as PM after 10 years in power.