Bayside Comprehensive School

Bayside Comprehensive School, often called Bayside, is a secondary school located in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory. It is one of three main schools for students aged 11 to 18 in Gibraltar. The school offers education from year 7 through year 13, helping students prepare for their future during their important teenage years.

History

Bayside Comprehensive School started in 1972 when Gibraltar changed to a comprehensive school system. It was formed by combining four older schools, and for a time, it was only for boys aged 12 to 18. By 1974, all students were in one building.

In September 2019, new buildings opened for Bayside, and it became a school for both boys and girls. In 2024, the school was visited by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Subjects

Bayside provides many different subjects for students at various levels. These levels are Key Stage 3 for years 7, 8, and 9, Key Stage 4 for years 10 and 11, and the sixth form for years 12 and 13. During Key Stage 4, students take exams called General Certificates of Secondary Education, or GCSEs. Some students choose to stay on into the sixth form to study A-Levels.

Student body

Bayside Comprehensive School has a special group of students who help lead the school. These students can become the head boy or girl, with some helpers called deputy heads and Heads of House. To join, students need to tell teachers they want the job and then get voted in by older students.

The school also has a student council where students help make decisions. Before 2009, students made their own newspapers with different names like Student World. In 2009, they started making Student Life with special issues each term. Later, in 2016, students made a new magazine called Baywatch, written and designed by older students.