Founded in 1932, we celebrate and retain important links to our traditional past, with cherished pieces of our history still very much part of the school. The school was officially opened on 21st October 1932, one of the oldest schools in the area.
We enjoy excellent facilities, ranging from a 3G football pitch and a climbing wall, to our very own edible garden. In this expansive and modern environment, we have preserved the original values and ethos that are at the very heart of the school
We are very proud to share our school motto with the City of Manchester: ‘Concilio et Labore’, meaning ‘by wisdom and effort’. This dates back to 1842 when Manchester was first granted city status.
As you enter the school site, you will see that we have preserved the original stone heraldic achievement that was placed proudly above the entrance to the school when it was opened in 1932.
The heraldic achievement at Burnage Academy for Boys
The heraldic achievement includes arms, a crest, supporters and the motto, each representing specific historical details about Manchester. The arms can be seen on the Town Hall, the Corn Exchange and other prominent city buildings.
At the centre is a shield with stripes, representing the three rivers of Manchester: Irwell, Medlock and Irk. This is derived from the Lords of Manchester who ruled the city prior to 1301. At the top of the shield is a ship in full sail, representing the city’s growing global trade and enterprise.
On either side of the shield are a pair of supporters, an antelope and a lion derived from the arms of King Henry IV, Duke of Lancaster. The lion symbolises bravery and strength, whilst the antelope stands for peace, harmony, courage and discipline.
At the top, the crest consists of seven bees flying over a globe. This symbolises Manchester’s industry being exported across the world.
More recently, the worker bee emblem has gained huge popularity across the UK and has become a public symbol of unity, one that we are honoured to share. Our very own Burnage Bee welcomes visitors into reception each day, and was displayed in Manchester Cathedral as part of the Bee in the City tour in 2018.
At Burnage Academy for Boys, our students continue to respect our traditional values and those of our great city. We believe that young people should be prepared for success in life beyond Burnage, to make the best decisions for themselves, and to understand the world in which they live.