Classroom To Staffroom - Nicola Clarke

After leaving BCS in summer 2003, I spent 2 years doing A-levels at a comprehensive High School where I gained 4 A-levels and one As-level. Immediately after 6th form I was offered a placement at BCS under Phil (Mr Moon).

In this first year I spent some time working in Primary classes assisting the classroom teachers and some time working with secondary students in English and PE. This year was a fantastic opportunity for me.

The following year they asked me back to continue teaching Girls PE and some other primary and secondary topics. I turned into ‘Miss Clarke’ and was ALLOWED in the staff room! What a strange transition at first but a wonderful opportunity to experience Bradford Christian School from both sides.

I started as a student at BCS aged 6 years when the school first opened and it consisted of just two portacabins and 3 teachers. I have so many fond memories of BCS and it is hard to pick out any that stand out more than others. From my secondary years I remember enjoying the great relationship we students shared with our teachers; not only were they there to educate us but to befriend, nurture and disciple us. In years 9 and 11 I took the opportunity to visit Mangalia in Romania, and get involved in the ministry that the school is linked with out there (to date I have been four times now!) It is opportunities like this one, the excellent relationships shared between pupils and staff, the unique atmosphere and the focus on you as a person as well as the great education possibilities that make BCS the best school ever! (Unbiased view!)

I can honestly say that my school days couldn’t have been any happier, and I know that my solid faith in Jesus Christ has very much to do with the early teaching and nurturing I received whilst at school.

Working at BCS has been a wonderful chance to catch on to the vision the school has, and to view the workings of the school from the opposite end. I have seen first hand the staff’s genuine concern for the discipleship and nurturing of each individual child and have had the chance myself to share in this privilege.

To me personally, education is much more than words written on a piece of paper, it is about taking the hours you are given with each individual child and nurturing them in a way that they will take with them for the rest of their lives. The effect BCS has had on me and my life has been invaluable, the education precious and the memories incalculable.