Founded 1858. Non-denominational.
Badminton is an independent girls’ day, boarding and weekly boarding school situated in a 15-acre site in Westbury-on-Trym on the outskirts of the university city of Bristol.
Age range of pupils. 4 to 18.
Number of pupils. 550.
Number of staff. Full-time teaching 37, Part-time teaching 16. Teacher to Pupil ratio is currently 1:7.
Educational philosophy. While the school retains an outstanding academic record, its focus continues to be on nurturing the girls’ natural curiosity and fuelling their passion for learning. The enduring excellence that Badminton girls achieve, stems from the positive atmosphere in the School and the holistic approach to education, as well as the exceptional relationships between staff and pupils, which are mature, friendly and based on principles of courtesy and mutual respect. Teachers are highly qualified specialists in their field and encourage girls to develop academic confidence and to become independent learners by taking responsibility for their work and progress.
It is a characteristic of Badminton girls that they are thoughtful individuals, able to evaluate information and decide for themselves. This approach extends beyond their studies and into the day-to-day life of the School, where girls are given a wide range of opportunities to grow, develop and express themselves in an enormous range of activities. Staff also enjoy sharing their enthusiasm for their subject and often involve girls in projects and competitions in the local community and nationally.
The Badminton community gives girls a chance to develop an understanding of the viewpoints of others and to think about contributing to the world around them. Girls leave Badminton ready to face the changing and challenging wider world and, when they do, they take with them a strong network of lifelong friends developed through a wealth of shared experiences.
Boarding. The size of the campus and community at Badminton gives a homely and vibrant feel to the School. This, coupled with excellent pastoral care, leaves no scope for anonymity, but rather lends itself to strong mutually supportive relationships between girls as well as between girls and staff.
The boarding accommodation is split into three areas (junior, middle and Sixth Form) so girls get a good sense of progression and development as they move up through the school. Full-time, weekly or flexi boarding are offered and day girls are welcome to flexi board, allowing girls to easily combine their academic schedules with the many activities that are on offer after school and at weekends.
Bartlett House offers cosy bedrooms for boarders in Years 5–8 and easy access to gardens and play areas. Sanderson House, a modern boarding house opened in 2008, accommodates boarders in Years 9, 10 and 11. The Sixth Form Centre provides the Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth with a more independent environment in double or single study-bedrooms. In each House, boarders have the support of a resident Housemistress, Assistant Housemistresses and Resident Tutors and there is a broad range of clubs and activities on offer every day, as well as a full weekend programme.
The School’s enrichment programme is extremely important in the overall development of the pupils and girls participate in many activities and are encouraged to do so. The activities offered vary depending on the interests of the girls; some have an academic bias, others let the girls explore their creative interests. Girls are very much encouraged to enjoy and value their own and their peers’ successes and triumphs in every area of life.
Curriculum. The School’s broad curriculum provides a rich and varied experience for the girls. Through Art, Drama and Music programmes, each girl has many opportunities to express her individuality and develop her own unique identity. In an increasingly global society, the importance of languages has never been greater and girls have the opportunity to study Mandarin and Greek in addition to more traditional languages such as French and Latin.
Small classes ensure that all the girls receive individual help and attention from their teachers. Badminton girls are proactive and independent learners; they are not afraid to take intellectual risks and are always happy to ask questions. The emphasis at Badminton is on a holistic education, not narrowly academic, and both the curriculum and the timetable are constructed to create a balance between academic achievement, personal development, life skills and other enterprising activity.
Academic record. Badminton has a fine academic record at GCSE and A Level. Sixth Form leavers go on to study at some of the top universities and Music Conservatories in the UK and overseas, including Oxford, Cambridge, the Royal Academy of Music and further afield.
Facilities. All facilities are situated on site and include: a new Sports Centre opened in 2018 complete with fencing piste, four-court sports hall, climbing wall and fitness suite; a 25 m indoor swimming pool; international-sized astro pitch; tennis and netball courts; as well as a fully equipped Science Centre, Creative Arts Centre and self-contained Sixth Form Centre. There are extensive fiction, careers, music and art libraries as well as a Music School.
Music, Drama and Creative Arts. All girls are involved in the Arts, both within the curriculum and as extracurricular activities, and the School attaches great importance to the development of musical and artistic talent.
Music is extremely popular at Badminton with over 85% of all pupils studying at least one musical instrument. There is a wide range of choral and instrumental groups to join including Junior and Senior Choir, Schola (choral group), orchestra, swing band, string ensembles, woodwind ensembles and other mixed musical groups. With visiting peripatetic teachers, all of whom are professional musicians, the students can study any instrument of their choice. There are a wide variety of performance opportunities including informal concerts and concerts for the local community.
There are several drama productions every year including plays directed and produced by the girls. Many girls take optional Speech and Drama lessons and LAMDA examinations.
There is an excellent Creative Arts department, with a wide choice of subjects for the girls to pursue including Fine Art, Pottery and Sculpture, Textiles, Design, Jewellery-making and Photography.
Clubs and societies. A wide range is offered including: Extended Project Qualification, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Italian GCSE, Sports Leaders Award, Leith’s Cookery Course, Modern Languages, Debating, Drama, Musical Theatre, Mandarin, Young Enterprise, Art and Crafts, Science Outreach and The Prince’s Trust.
Games and activities. Specialist PE teachers and coaches offer timetabled and optional sport including Hockey, Tennis, Netball, Swimming, Athletics, Rounders, Gymnastics, Badminton, Basketball, Self-Defence and Judo.
Optional extras. All girls participate in activities which include the full choice of Games, Creative Arts and Clubs as above and boarders have the opportunity of additional activities at weekends.
Badminton is fortunate in being sited on the outskirts of the university city of Bristol; regular visits are arranged to concerts, lectures and theatres and there is considerable contact with Bristol University. Community and voluntary work is strongly encouraged, with girls assisting with Science Outreach and reading in local primary schools, volunteering in local hospitals and charity shops.
Admission. Girls sit the Senior School entrance assessments in the November or January prior to year of entry. Entrance assessments are taken in English and Mathematics as well as an online reasoning test. Girls are also interviewed by a senior member of staff and the girls’ current school is asked to provide a reference.
Girls sit Sixth Form entrance papers in the November in the year prior to joining. They choose two academic subjects they are intending to study for A Level and also sit an online reasoning test. They too will be interviewed by a senior member of staff and the girls’ current school is asked to provide a reference.
Prospective Junior School pupils are assessed by spending a day in the school during which they are observed and assessed informally by staff and the Junior School Headmistress. This also helps the girls to make initial relationships with their prospective peers and gives them a real taste for life at Badminton. From Years 3–6, the tests are more formal and written papers in English, Maths, Reading and a Reasoning test are completed during the assessment day. Entry for Little Acorns (our pre-reception class) is by appointment with the Junior School Headmistress, and girls will also have a short observation session in our Little Acorns class.
Prospective parents are encouraged to visit the school individually or attend one of our Open Mornings. To obtain a prospectus and arrange a visit, please contact the Admissions Department via email at admissions@badmintonschool.co.uk or call 0117 905 5271. Scholarships. Academic, Music, Sport and All-Rounder scholarships are available for girls entering Badminton in Years 7, 9 and 12. A STEM scholarship is also available in Years 7 and 9 and an Art scholarship is available in Years 9 and Year 12. Scholarships for entry into the upper end of the Junior School are also available. Parents of girls who are awarded scholarships are also eligible to apply for a means-tested bursary. Other awards are also available.
Bursaries. Bursaries are means tested and awarded on the basis of parents’ financial circumstances. Application forms may be obtained by emailing admissions@badmintonschool.co.uk. Fees per term (2023-2024). Day: Juniors £3,860–£4,420, Seniors £6,470. Boarding: Juniors £8,800–£10,100, Seniors £12,870–£15,590.
We provide a fee discount to the daughters of military families who receive Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) funding, which caps the full boarding/tuition fees so that the parental contribution remains 10% of the total fee payable.
Charitable status. Badminton School Limited is a Registered Charity, number 311738. It exists for the purpose of educating children.