O N E
S T O R Y ,
F O U R
C H A P T E R S
Welcome to Badminton, an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3-18. Badminton is different from every other school I’ve worked in. When I first came here, two of the Sixth Formers showed me round, and I still remember the discussion they had. They took in each other’s views and were respectful and articulate, with a genuine curiosity about what the other person thought. That was Badminton in action, and I was hooked. At Badminton, we see every day that happy girls make the very best learners and that learning contributes to every part of a fulfilling life. What surprises those who come here for the first time is how girls who achieve such brilliant heights are also so supportive and respectful, of each other and of all those they meet. Respect breeds respect, and respect also breeds success. I am constantly impressed by the girls here: by their talent and hard work, and by how they support one another and take such joy in life.
That is why so many girls and their families choose to write their own Badminton story. Some start at the very first chapter in our ‘Little Acorns’ nursery. Others join us later and quickly find their place in our community. What matters to us is that individuality shines out at every stage. Girls at Badminton are all different, and all will tell you that this is where they have learned to be the very best version of themselves. Badminton is a place I love and that I know you will come to love too. Come and see us, and start your own Badminton story.
Rebecca Tear BSc MA PGCE
B A D M I N TO N P R OV I D E S T H E B E S T P R E PA R AT I O N F O R
GIRLS LIVING AND WORKING IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY
We pride ourselves on a culture of mutual respect and tolerance, underpinned by a strong sense of integrity. We challenge our pupils to be the best they can be and to be intellectually curious. We encourage contribution
from pupils to every aspect of the School. We value integration highly and ensure this is set in a context of responsibility and mutual support. Above all we ensure the community has a good sense of fun!
BADMINTON QUALITIES For over 150 years, Badminton has nurtured and inspired girls to succeed in all areas of life. Our small community is a powerful one, where every girl develops the skills to understand herself and the opportunities she can look forward to in a global society. Badminton girls are distinctly individual but share the Badminton qualities of being:
Curious
Confident
Courteous
Badminton nurtures intellectual curiosity. We believe that time at school should be fun and challenging. We balance academic excellence with the chance for every girl to fulfil her potential in arts, in sport, in anything!
Badminton respects the past and looks to the future. Our international mindset helps girls approach today’s global, competitive society with confidence and excitement.
Our superb pastoral care system teaches respect and tolerance for the whole community. Girls take responsibility for themselves and others. We create opportunities for every girl to make a contribution to the well-being of the School and engage in genuine mutual support.
O NE STO RY F OUR CH A P T E RS Badminton is an expression of what all of us here have in common: our love of learning, our urge to try new things and our enjoyment of the everyday pleasures of being together. Joining Badminton is like being welcomed by an extended family. Come and grow with us.
“I chose Badminton from a shortlist of six. It shone above the others for me because I saw creativity and imagination being used everywhere.” Mrs Couper
LITTLE ACORNS NURSERY (AGE 3-4)
JUNIOR SCHOOL (AGE 4-11)
SENIOR SCHOOL (AGE 11-16)
SIXTH FORM (AGE 16-18)
The Little Acorns is the start of an exciting educational
The Junior School at Badminton is about developing a
Some of the strongest academic results you’ll see in Bristol or
From Creative Writing to Model United Nations or even
journey. From books and stories, to first encounters
love of learning in a happy and encouraging environment.
beyond, as well as the opportunity to train to be a Peer Mentor,
the Leiths Diploma in Food and Wine: the Sixth Form at
with Science in our Forest School, to the chance to
The curriculum expands, and so does the range of other
perform Music and Drama in a range of venues (and languages!)
Badminton is about learning to be ready for the world.
go swimming twice a week. Through imaginative play
activities that girls can enjoy. It’s in the Junior School that
and experiment with liquid nitrogen ice cream in Science Club.
Expert advice from specialists in university applications
and creative activities, it’s time to start learning!
new strings start to be added to our girls’ bows.
The Senior School at Badminton is where it all comes together.
converts the excitement of academic work into success.
FOREST SCHOOL, TO THE CHANCE TO GO SWIMMING T W I C E A W E E K . T H R O U G H I M AG I N AT I V E P L AY A N D C R E AT I V E AC T I V I T I E S , I T ’ S T I M E TO S TA R T L E A R N I N G !
F O R M
TO FIRST ENCOUNTERS WITH SCIENCE IN OUR
S I X T H
E D U C AT I O N A L J O U R N E Y. F R O M B O O K S A N D S T O R I E S ,
S E N I O R
T H E L I T T L E AC O R N S I S T H E S TA R T O F A N E XC I T I N G
J U N I O R
N U R S E R Y
LITTLE ACORNS NURSERY
WE ACCEPT GIRLS INTO LITTLE ACORNS AS SOON AS THEY TURN THREE. OUR E A R LY Y E A R S F O U N D A T I O N S TAG E E D U C AT I O N O F F E R S STRUCTURED LEARNING T H R O U G H P L AY A N D A C T I V I T Y,
I play the violin and it’s my favourite because I like the teacher. I love Art, especially painting. Sienna
WITH SMALL CLASSES AND SPECIALIST TEACHING.
“AT A L L T I M E S P U P I L S WORK TOGETHER WITH E M PAT H Y, C O M PAS S I O N , S E N S I T I V I T Y A N D T R U S T.” INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE REPORT 2015
The building blocks for reading and mathematics are complimented by Music, Dance, Drama, Languages and Technology. All our classrooms have direct access to outside space and we share extensive onsite sports facilities with the Senior School, including an indoor swimming pool. Forest School expands the learning environment, giving girls the chance to experiment and explore in the bug hotel and the mud kitchen!
E N C O U R A G I N G E N V I R O N M E N T. T H E C U R R I C U L U M E X PA N D S , A N D S O D O E S T H E R A N G E O F OT H E R A C T I V I T I E S T H AT G I R L S C A N E N J O Y. I T ’ S I N T H E J U N I O R S C H O O L T H AT N E W S T R I N G S S TA R T TO B E A D D E D TO O U R G I R L S ’ B OW S .
F O R M
DEVELOPING A LOVE OF LEARNING IN A HAPPY AND
S I X T H
T H E J U N I O R S C H O O L AT B A D M I N TO N I S A B O U T
S E N I O R
J U N I O R
JUNIOR SCHOOL
“I LIKE TO LEARN AND THAT’S MY FAVOURITE THING ABOUT SCHOOL. SCIENCE AND MATHS ARE MY FAVOURITE SUBJECTS BECAUSE THEY ARE FUN.” H O L LY
Learning at Badminton is hands-on and holistic. Everyone feels confident to take part, and the emphasis is on learning how to think for yourself. Specialist teachers and small class sizes are the engine of success. We emphasise crosscurricular planning so that pupils quickly make links between subjects.
A BRILLIANT RANGE OF ACTIVITIES MEAN EVERY G I R L C A N E X P LO R E H E R TA L E N T S A N D I N T E R E S T S .
After-school clubs provide the chance to try something new every Term or Half-Term, and our special Friday afternoon activities offer the perfect end to a busy week. Whether it’s Mandarin, Horse-Riding, Squad Swimming or Chess, this is the time to try something new.
YOU’LL SEE IN BRISTOL OR BEYOND, AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN TO BE A PEER MENTOR, PERFORM MUSIC AND DRAMA IN A RANGE OF VENUES (AND LANGUAGES!) AND EXPERIMENT WITH LIQUID NITROGEN I C E C R E A M I N S C I E N C E C LU B . T H E S E N I O R S C H O O L AT BADMINTON IS WHERE IT ALL COMES TOGETHER.
F O R M
S O M E O F T H E S T R O N G E S T A C A D E M I C R E S U LT S
S I X T H
S E N I O R
SENIOR SCHOOL
T H E S E N I O R S C H O O L AT B A D M I N TO N I S W H E R E G I R L S D E V E LO P T H E I R TA L E N T S A N D L E A R N TO S T U DY AT T H E H I G H E S T L E V E L S . We make sure girls are ready for examinations, but we don’t test and test. Small class sizes mean that we can tailor teaching to girls’ needs and interests and frame our subject timetable around their choices. Girls learn to challenge themselves and to take responsible risks within our supportive community.
“ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS ABOUT EACH LESSON AT SCHOOL IS THAT LEARNING IS NOT RESTRICTED TO THE CLASSROOM. BADMINTON H A S R E A L LY H E L P E D M E T O I D E N T I F Y THE SUBJECTS WHICH I ENJOY A N D E XC E L AT. I T S O U N D S A B I T C H E E S Y, B U T I F E E L I F I H A D N ’ T COME TO BADMINTON, I WOULD BE A C O M P L E T E LY D I F F E R E N T P E R S O N .” AYAKA
Learning in the classroom is enriched in every way, from engineering workshops at Clifton’s Suspension Bridge to our Global Thinking Skills programme, where girls hone their reasoning skills while discussing world issues. We also begin, gently, the process of building the girls’ skills and confidence to succeed in life beyond School.
We offer girls the chance to relax and enjoy themselves as their studies intensify, enjoying Music, Art and Sport as well as developing friendships that will last for life, and span the globe. Our pastoral care is superb because we feel the most important way that we look after each other at Badminton is by looking out for one another.
S I X T H F O R M
SIXTH FORM
F R O M C R E AT I V E W R I T I N G TO M O D E L U N I T E D N AT I O N S O R E V E N T H E L E I T H S D I P LO M A I N F O O D A N D W I N E : T H E S I X T H F O R M AT B A D M I N TO N I S ABOUT LEARNING TO BE READY FOR THE WORLD. EXPERT ADVICE FROM SPECIALISTS IN UNIVERSITY A P P L I C AT I O N S C O N V E R T S T H E E XC I T E M E N T O F ACADEMIC WORK INTO SUCCESS.
The sheer range of subject combinations and interests that girls pursue make the Sixth Form exciting, while its size means that everyone knows each other well and can be inspired by their differences whilst confident to follow their own path.
WO R K A N D P L AY M I X TO G E T H E R , G I V I N G T H E G I R L S A N U N D E R S TA N D I N G O F H OW TO M A N AG E T H E I R OW N WELL-BEING, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
The teaching is brilliant; my challenging, interactive, and engaging lessons motivated me to select a degree course that encompasses each of my A Level subjects. Knowledgeable, approachable teachers coupled with small class sizes mean that we are always offered individual attention and support and are encouraged to articulate our own ideas. Mollie
Universities and future employers want students who know how to think for themselves, and that is what the Sixth Form at Badminton delivers. Teaching works on a university-style tutorial and seminar model. Add our structured two-year programme of support from experts and professionals, and you have a recipe for confidence and success.
“I FEEL THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES I HAD AT BADMINTON HELPED ME LOOK OUT FOR MORE AND MEANT THAT FROM THE BEGINNING I HAD SOMETHING A LITTLE B I T D I F F E R E N T. T H I S H AS H E L P E D M E TO S E C U R E A P L AC E AT U N I V E R S I T Y, WORK EXPERIENCE, SCHOLARSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS, BUT SO MUCH MORE I M P O R TA N T LY T H A N T H AT, I T ’ S G I V E N ME THE ENTHUSIASM TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY I FIND.” ESME
The Sixth Form Centre at Badminton offers the perfect combination of independence and support. As girls gain a new level of control over their time, staff offer bespoke guidance and mentoring. Study areas for each girl mean that the latest essay can get the attention it deserves, while the Common Room and ‘Brew Rooms’ offer the chance to catch up over tea (and waffles!).
I love that I get to explore my favourite subjects in more depth especially with all the extra-curricular clubs, such as Law Club. Also, I really enjoy having study periods throughout the day which helps me to stay on top of all my work and relax a little bit before the next class. Shivana
BOARDING “You might think that boarding school is a sheltered life, but I’ve had such different experiences here. I’ve learnt how to talk to people, how to be with people, how to be responsible, how to get on with things and get things done but also when to seek help. Badminton has given me that healthy balance between needing help and support (because all of us do), but at the same time being independent enough to get on with things.” Lisa
Badminton is a boarding school, but it’s also where at least half the pupils at any one time are Day Girls. This mixture works brilliantly. Day Girls like the way School doesn’t ‘empty out’ at evenings and weekends, while Boarders enjoy the independence of living away from home alongside the comfort that comes from being with a community of friends. We offer Full, Weekly, Occasional and Flexi Boarding so that girls and their families can find the balance that suits them best. We have three Boarding Houses, each tailored to the needs of girls in different age groups and all offering a home-from-home with the very best facilities. Housemistresses, their Deputies and Resident Tutors live on site in each House to provide dedicated support and superb pastoral care. Weekends are filled with activities and trips, many of which Day Girls also get involved with, but there is always plenty of time left over just to relax and be with friends.
“ B R I S TO L I S A LWAYS M OV I N G ,
A LWAYS C H A N G I N G , A N D I LOV E I T ” Alba
Badminton wouldn’t be Badminton without Bristol
I have had three daughters at Badminton - all completely different personalities and abilities - the main reason I chose Badminton was that it allows each girl to be an individual and they are valued for who they are and what they can achieve. Mrs Coveney
At Badminton, creativity and opportunity join with courtesy and support so that school is somewhere girls want to be. Badminton girls know that they can try anything, study anything, do anything, and they do! Come and let us show you why you’ll love Badminton.
Badminton School, Westbury Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3BA Tel: +44 (0)117 905 5200 Email: admissions@badmintonschool.co.uk
www.badmintonschool.co.uk