Deric Burns 1939-2025. BGS 1972-2025.

We are saddened to announce the death of former BGS staff member, Deric Burns. Deric passed way in December 2025 at the age of 86. He will be fondly remembered by generations of OBs, as a teacher of French and German, the longest standing Head of House in BGS history as well as assisting with CCF and a cricket and hockey coach.

Funeral details

We will add funeral details here when they are confirmed.

Deric's leaving articles upon retiring from BGS

James Arthur Frederic Bums (he acquired the name ‘Deric’ at BGS) joined us in January 1972 to teach French with the possibility of some German as well. An accomplished Hockey player (he played for Trinity College), and an officer in the CCF (Naval section), Deric quickly demonstrated his passion for sport and CCF at BGS. His qualities were recognised in 1975 when he succeeded Ron Cockitt as Head of the Black House. His contributions to the CCF were recognised by the award of a CCF medal in 1986. As others did, he mourned the passing of the CCF at BGS, but has remained a supporter of the naval section nationally. As a linguist Deric managed to get the most unpromising youngsters through GCSE. Whatever the innate ability of the student Deric demanded that they give of their best. His careful  guidance ensured that students gained confidence and enjoyed success.

In Deric’s thirty years as Head of House, he has seen three Headmasters and any number of educational ideas come and go. It is the mark of a good House Head that they know the members of their House. Deric knew everyone, whatever they were: hardworking or lazy, gifted or struggling. With that came his passion for working with young people. Deric is, and will be, remembered with great affection by generations of the Black House. He was never afraid to confront those who did wrong, but always ready to congratulate those who
did well or just did their best. At BGS Deric Bums has pursued for thirty-three years the values of loyalty and service that are unchanging and beyond price. We wish him well in his retirement.

Written by former Headmaster, David Mascord

With the retirement of Deric Bums, BGS is losing a unique and inimitable modem linguist and schoolmaster. During his long career he has seen many ideas and approaches come and go in teaching, but he has stayed passionately true to the principles that originally brought him into the profession. Generations of pupils have benefited from his commitment to a clear intellectual understanding of the workings of
French and German and a searching appreciation of their literatures. The rigid confines of a formalised scheme of work and a regular schedule of module deadlines might not always have been to his liking, but his total commitment to his pupils and his subjects has never been in doubt. All agegroups, from the youngest to the oldest, have been encouraged by him to push their grasp of grammar and vocabulary to the highest level of which they have been capable, never accepting anything less than wholehearted ambition and endeavour. 

Deric’s knowledge of his charges and his desire to serve their best interests have been second to none. He has been a wise and shrewd contributor to debate within the modem languages faculty and the pastoral committee, unfailingly guided by the always be paramount in any discussion. His role as a Head of House has extended his commitment far beyond the classroom, and countless among his charges have benefited from his loyal and selfless support in bad times as well as good. The care he has taken over the thousands of beautifully crafted, individual reports he has written over the years is an inspiration to all colleagues who have been privileged to read them. Beyond the classroom and his legion house responsibilities, Deric has taken an active part in all aspects of school life. Drama, music and many sports, in particular hockey and cricket, have consistently enjoyed his selfless support, in terms both of organisation and attendance at performances and matches. His love of the sea and sailing inspired his extensive involvement in the School’s CCF Naval section for many years, and he still found time to run the annual trip to France for pupils in the first two years of the Upper School. Fondly remembered by all who have made his acquaintance over the years, Deric will be greatly missed by BGS. It is hard to think of any aspect of all the things we do that he has not been involved in helping with at some stage in his distinguished career. We wish him a long and happy retirement, and look forward to hearing from him about much enjoyable sailing and other well-earned relaxation to come!

Michael Ransome

Selected comments from social media

• This man was an inspiration. He was an excellent teacher, an amazing mentor and always a pleasure to see him after I left on the hockey pitch. Rest in Peace JAF
• I am overwhelmed with emotion reading this. Mr Burns was such a huge part of my school life. Somehow he managed to bring out the very best of me. I was so proud to be house captain with Marcus, Chris and Noelle and we had so much fun. Doing the Timewarp in the house play was a highlight . Simply “Burns are best… better than all the rest”. Thankyou. I hope you knew this. Sending love to Jonny and family.
• RIP Mr Burns. I will never forget you nicking fruit pastilles off my desk during my GCSE Physics exam! I'll buy a tube tomorrow and enjoy them in your memory 
• This is such desperately sad news. He gave me a huge amount of very welcome advice when I joined the inner circle of Housemasters and he remained extremely supportive throughout my career. We had some great laughs, especially at Failand, on trips to France and at many Housemaster meetings. His constant banter with Shaun Holman was hilarious. He was a true legend of BGS and I shall always remember him so fondly. Thank you for everything Deric. XX
• So sad to hear. He was a fantastic head of house during my time in the Black house. Strict but always with a warm heart. Was always great whenever our paths crossed in later life when I worked in Apple in Cabot Circus and he popped in for training sessions. We will miss you, sir
• So sorry to hear this news. Deric taught me German and was my fiercest ‘rival’ as Housemaster. A real character and a genuinely lovely man.
• I am really sorry to hear this news about Deric. He was such a big part of many of my favourite memories from school - as my French teacher he transformed my learning, confidence and enjoyment of the language and I was so proud to be a member of his House. My year group flourished at rugby, football and cricket under his encouragement, although I can still hear his exasperated shouts as I tried to run the ball out of goal in house football. I also still have nightmares of bowling to Deric and Mr Rolling - we could never get them out. I wanted to do well as much for Deric as myself - I can't pay a bigger tribute than that. Thinking of Deric's friends and family at this time.
• Captain of the staff cricket team who could bowl right arm over and left arm round in the same over! RIP skip!
• Sad news. I took over from Deric as HoH and remember our handover well. He told me to never lose at anything, especially not to Rolling, Holman, Edwards, Saunders or Jakobek. I have tried to keep this up 🖤
• My housemaster, French tutor and German tutor. A fine teacher that one remembers forever ❤️
• Sad news. A great man in the old school mould. Never made it easy for me at school and I realised when I matured that it was exactly what I needed. I valued the friendship that we developed over the many years he umpired me on the cricket field as an adult. Even if he did still enjoy talking to me like I was still a 12 year old from time to time. A great man who had a very meaningful impact on my education and taught me some life lessons along the way. RIP Deric. One of the genuine good guys. 💜
• Sad times, he taught me french and provided good banter to a Holmans house member
• My dear house head. Rest in peace. My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time ❤️❤️
• So sad to hear the news. Such a lovely man. RIP Deric 😢
• He was a complete softie beneath that gruff exterior and an absolute rogue. One of the absolute greats. Much love xx
• I feared, respected and loved him all at once - a winning formula.
• I’m am very sorry to hear this. He once threatened to give me an essay on how grass grows because I rebelliously walked across the grass in front of the year 7 & 8 block. At the time I bragged about how I managed to blag my way out of it, but how I recognise the knowing twinkle that I saw in his eyes. It’s a story I re tell to my kids regularly when they walk across grass with wild abandon.
• Very sad an absolutely brilliant teacher (with a very unorthodox style!)
• In all the years I worked at BGS Deric was one of the most supportive colleagues. I will always remember him for giving me opportunities and be thankful to him for his belief in me. I loved my time in Burns’ House. Thank you Deric for being such a kind and thoughtful person.
• I was a house captain in Burns and have many fond memories of Mr Burns as a French teacher too. I won’t ever forget the French trips he took us on or the funny stories. RIP, Sir.
• Great memories as the only female in the CCF. Field days taking the boats down the Feeder Canal towards Bath. One time we grounded the boat whilst trying to moor up at the pub in Saltford/ Keynsham area.
• He was my Housemaster through the 80’s. Before we all came into the school in the third form he wrote to us personally, it was an inspiring letter, welcoming us to the school and Burn’s House. I would run through a brick wall for him to win at any sport on behalf of the House. He was of a breed of teacher the Likes of which we will never see again and I am so proud and pleased I was fortunate enough to learn from him, in and out of the classroom. My condolences to his Family and the wider BGS family that remember him.
• Such sad news. Very glad I got to chat to him at our reunion a few years ago. Proud Burns’ House Captain. RIP Sir. Here we all were - Burns’ house 1983
• So sad to hear this. He was the best housemaster. Honoured to have been his house captain. Fond memories of him running up the sideline during house hockey matches!!! Thankfully we had a good team! RIP Sir 
• He was one of the greats, proud to be a member of Burns house with great sporting memories. Sad news 
• So sorry to hear this sad news - a kind colleague who welcomed me into his House when I joined the BGS staff in 1985 and whom I enjoyed working alongside for many a year - sending condolences to his family.
• So sad, one of the best. Great company, underrated (by himself mainly) cricketer, although his umpiring sometimes questionable,. particularly if it meant pub trip being delayed!
• Couldn't have wished for a better house master. I saw him quite a few times on the hockey umpires circuit decades after leaving school. Always good company. Simply a Top Bloke 
• Sad to hear this. My condolences to his family. Many fond memories playing in and skippering a number of house teams for Sir. Even got me up to Failand to coach rugby to the lower years. Great times Onward to your next adventure Sir
• So sad to hear this. I will never forget my A level German lessons with Burnsy. X
• Probably breaking 114 school rules, a friend and I met our Redland High girlfriends one Saturday lunchtime after school and went to a pub in Clifton. As we sat down at a table, I was horrified to see Mr. Burns - who taught me A-level German - standing at the bar. He, however, just raised both his glass and an eyebrow and gave that half-smile of his before turning back to his colleagues!
• Extremely sorry to hear that. A man with a wry sense of humour and a gift for teaching. Gave me lines once. I asked if I could word-process them. “You can write them on toilet roll for all I care” was the response.
• I’m so sorry to hear this. My fondest memories of BGS are being a member of Burns house led by the best housemaster…and the pride of earning the little black star badges for my hockey skirt. RIP Mr Burns.
• Very sorry to read this. I was a proud member of Burns house and will always remember his incredible support at every house sporting event!
• One of my favourite teachers at BGS who guided me through French A level with patience and humour. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
• Raising a glass to you tonight, Sir
• So very sad to hear this. I loved my time in Burns House especially the inter House Rugby and Football. I always remember he was a big fan of a mince pie at the House Christmas Party. Thanks Mr Burns. Rest in Peace.
• I was in Germany this week and got by thanks to his teaching. Thank you sir. RIP Mr Burns
• I always remember how Burns house had the coolest reputation at school. Sending love and best wishes to his family and  friends during this sad time.
• Very sad to hear. I can still vividly remember his tests that would start with him announcing Number 1 whilst still in the corridor!
• I was lucky to make fantastic memories with Deric on the South Africa sports tour in 2011. He was one in a million.
• Sad news. Always pushed me to be better. Great house master and French teacher, and giver of advice. Rip Mr burns.
• Condolences to the family- a great teacher and I enjoyed his German lessons and his advice he often gave me about hockey. A superb guy 
• Outside my family, no-one had a greater influence on me than Mr Burns. Due to the respect I had for him, I could never bring myself to call him Deric or even Dezza! I loved his wicked humour, which he used to terrorise anyone not in Burns’ house, like Chris Sibley, whom he teased whenever he handed in a good homework, with: “Your mum did well this week, Sibley”. Fortunately I was in Burns’ house, and so always knew that Mr Burns was on my side. Even when he found out I had a crush on Emma Farrar, and he had me ask her out in French in front of the whole class. Mortifying, and character-building.An excellent teacher, an even better house master.
• A colleague for 30+ years and a great friend. We shared many experiences together. My thoughts are with Jonathan, Lucie and their families.
• RIP Mr Burns - proud to wear the black jerseys for Burns house from 1981-1988…
• He was the first teacher to greet me when I arrived at BGS and he taught me French. I disappointed him endlessly. May his family and friends find comfort and peace in the many happy memories.
• The only French lessons I remember were the massed naval exchanges that Burnsey chalked up on the blackboard. Thank you for the Battle of Jutland sir. We will remember you.
• Very sad to read this. As the parent of 2 students in the 90s and although I didnt meet him, I certainly knew all about him. Respected by all, and a man who certainly inspired and influenced my young people.
• Sad times, remember the German lessons he rules with an iron fist, and more recently the beautiful eulogy he gave at Shaun Holmans funeral. He’ll be missed
• One year Mr. Burns coordinated a trip for the CCF to the Royal Tournament at Earl’s Court. He didn’t attend but instead I took a group of cadets to London for the day. We used a military warrant to travel by train but for some reason not everyone turned up so I posted the unused warrants back to Mr Burns. I remember getting a lovely letter in return thanking me for which I was very grateful. Thank you Mr Burns. RIP
• Oh this breaks my heart- we very much had a love / not so much love relationship but he was a softie at heart really. French teacher/ form tutor and house master- I could never get away from him! A force to be reckoned with but never forgotten RIP Mr Burns. Thoughts with your nearest and dearest
• Sad news. We almost never saw eye to eye at school, but I was lucky enough to meet him on several occasions years after school and share a pint or two, and a smoke, and got to know the real him and we got on great each time!! I know he’d say he had a good innings, & I think he’d be happy with that. Rest In Peace DB.
• So sad to see this. He was an incredible house master and always championed me by believing in me even when I struggled to believe in myself. Such sad news. He enthused the mantra of work hard, play hard into me and showed me the value of discipline. A BGS legend. Rest in peace Deric.
• Reading all the posts, it’s easy to see how loved Mr Burns was. He used to give me a lift to school on Saturday mornings, rarely on time, usually late. We had some hair-raising traffic near-misses in his old Volvo estate too! (it’s surprising how fast the old girl could go). I always considered him to be a kind and generous man, which often belied his gruff exterior. Rest in Peace Sir. 
• So sad to hear this. I have many great memories of Mr Burns which started well before I joined the school in 1984 - I met him a number of times with my dad (Phil the maintenance man) on trips to the school over school holidays when I was very young. That progressed to first year seniors when he was my French teacher - he used the knowledge my dad was at school to great effect!! I eventually became joint house captain in 1990 with Ruth Carswell. I will always remember his voice from the side of the rugby field giving us his encouragement! We attended a swimming gala one year and Burns house had a limited team, so I ended up swimming many of the races - by the end of it I could barely get to the other end of the pool, but his encouragement, and lots of laughter, got us though it! Deric was a real inspiration to me and many others, sending lots of love to the family.RIP Mr Burns. 
• My opposite captain in Clifton or QEH staff matches v BGS at cricket. Deric was a great competitor and lots of laughs. I think we shared the spoils. Sad to hear the news, he was clearly a great teacher. Such sad news of a true legend of BGS. I was honoured to be his house captain and relished the rivalries of house competition with him cheering () us on from the  sidelines. RIP Mr Burns. You were definately one of a kind.
• What sad news. Mr Burns was my form tutor in 5th year and sent everyone in the class a personal card after GCSEs- not just a well done but a lovely personal message. You just never knew what you were going to get when he walked in the room but you always left wiser- sometimes terrified - but wiser. A true gent RIP

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