Badminton School Prospectus 2022

Welcome to Badminton, an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3-18.

Badminton is different from every other school I have worked in. When I started here, was struck by the boundless energy of the pupils and their extraordinary willingness to embrace new opportunities. They had a natural curiosity about the wider world and respectfully took in each other’s views; there was a genuine interest in what others thought. I saw first-hand Badminton in action, and was hooked!

That is why so many pupils and their families choose to write their own ‘Badminton story’. Some start their journey with us in our first chapter, our “Little Acorns” Nursery. Others join us in later years but quickly find their place in our community.

Each day, we see that contented pupils make the best learners, and that learning contributes in every way to a fulfilling life. What surprises those who visit Badminton for the first time is how pupils who achieve such brilliant heights are also so supportive and respectful of their community and those within it. Respect breeds respect but respect also breeds success. I am constantly impressed by our pupils; by their distinctive talent and continuous hard work, how they support one another and take such joy in life at Badminton.

What matters to us is that individuality shines through each pupil at every stage of their Badminton journey. Pupils at Badminton are all different but all will tell you that this is where they have learnt to be the very best version of themselves.

Badminton is a special place. We look forward to welcoming you and for you to start your own Badminton story with us.

Mr Stuart Dalley, BA Hons, MA, PGCE Acting Head

BADMINTON PROVIDES THE BEST PREPARATION FOR THRIVING IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY

We pride ourselves on a culture of mutual respect and We challenge our pupils to be the best they can be and

tolerance, underpinned by a strong sense of integrity. to be intellectually curious. We encourage contribution

from pupils to every aspect of School life. We value of responsibility and mutual support. Above all we

integration highly and ensure this is set in a context ensure our community has a great sense of fun!

BADMINTON QUALITIES

For over 160 years, Badminton has nurtured and inspired pupils to succeed in all areas of life. Our small community is a powerful one where every pupil develops the skills to understand themselves and the opportunities they can look forward to in a global society. Badminton pupils are distinctly individual but share the Badminton qualities of being:

Curious

Badminton nurtures intellectual curiosity. We believe that time at school should be fun and challenging. We balance academic excellence with the chance for every pupil to fulfil her potential in arts, in sport, in anything!

Confident

Badminton respects the past and looks to the future. Our international mindset helps pupils approach today’s global, competitive society with confidence and excitement.

Courteous

Our superb pastoral care system teaches respect and tolerance for the whole community. Pupils take responsibility for themselves and others. We create opportunities for every pupil to contribute to the wellbeing of the School and engage in genuine mutual support.

ONE STORY FOUR CHAPTERS

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.

LITTLE ACORNS NURSERY (AGE 3-4)

JUNIOR SCHOOL (AGE 4-11)

SENIOR SCHOOL (AGE 11-16)

SIXTH FORM (AGE 16-18)

Little Acorns Nursery is the start of an exciting educational journey: from books and stories to first encounters with Science in our Forest School, to the chance to go swimming twice a week. Through imaginative play and creative activities, it is time to start learning!

The Junior School at Badminton is about developing a love of learning in a happy and encouraging environment. The curriculum expands and so does the range of other activities that pupils can enjoy. It is in the Junior School that new strings start to be added to our pupils’ bows.

The Senior School at Badminton is where it all comes together. Our academic results are the strongest you will see in Bristol and beyond, as well as the opportunity to be a Peer Mentor, perform Music and Drama in a range of venues (and Languages) and experiment with liquid nitrogen ice cream in Science Outreach.

From Creative Writing to Model United Nations or even Leiths Diploma in Food and Wine; the Sixth Form at Badminton is about learning to be ready for the world. Specialists offer expert advice with university applications which converts the excitement of academic work into success.

“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

LITTLE ACORNS NURSERY IS THE START OF AN EXCITING EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY: FROM BOOKS AND STORIES TO FIRST ENCOUNTERS WITH SCIENCE IN OUR FOREST SCHOOL, TO THE CHANCE TO GO SWIMMING TWICE A WEEK. THROUGH IMAGINATIVE PLAY AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES, IT IS TIME TO START LEARNING!

I play the violin and it’s my favourite because I like the teacher. I love Art, especially painting.

Sienna

WE ACCEPT GIRLS INTO LITTLE ACORNS AS SOON AS THEY TURN THREE. OUR EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE EDUCATION OFFERS STRUCTURED LEARNING THROUGH PLAY AND ACTIVITY, WITH SMALL CLASSES AND SPECIALIST TEACHING.

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!

“AT ALL TIMES PUPILS WORK TOGETHER WITH EMPATHY, COMPASSION, SENSITIVITY AND TRUST.”

JUNIOR SCHOOL

THE JUNIOR SCHOOL AT BADMINTON IS ABOUT DEVELOPING A LOVE OF LEARNING IN A HAPPY AND ENCOURAGING ENVIRONMENT. THE CURRICULUM EXPANDS AND SO DOES THE RANGE OF OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT PUPILS CAN ENJOY. IT IS IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL THAT NEW STRINGS START TO BE ADDED TO OUR PUPILS’ BOWS.

“I LIKE TO LEARN AND THAT’S MY FAVOURITE THING ABOUT SCHOOL. SCIENCE AND MATHS ARE MY FAVOURITE SUBJECTS BECAUSE THEY ARE FUN.” HOLLY

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

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 is Mandarin, horse riding, squad swimming or chess; this is the time to try something different.

GIRL CAN EXPLORE HER TALENTS AND INTERESTS.

SENIOR SCHOOL

THE SENIOR SCHOOL AT BADMINTON IS WHERE IT ALL COMES TOGETHER. OUR ACADEMIC RESULTS ARE THE STRONGEST YOU WILL SEE IN BRISTOL AND BEYOND, AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PEER MENTOR, PERFORM MUSIC AND DRAMA IN A RANGE OF VENUES (AND LANGUAGES) AND EXPERIMENT WITH LIQUID NITROGEN ICE CREAM IN SCIENCE OUTREACH.

THE SENIOR SCHOOL AT BADMINTON IS WHERE PUPILS DEVELOP THEIR TALENTS AND LEARN TO STUDY AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS.

We make sure pupils are ready for examinations but we do not test and test. Small class sizes mean that we can tailor teaching to pupils’ needs and interests and frame our subject timetable around their choices. Pupils 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 HAS REALLY HELPED ME TO IDENTIFY THE SUBJECTS WHICH I ENJOY AND EXCEL AT. IT SOUNDS A BIT CHEESY, BUT I FEEL IF I HADN’T COME TO BADMINTON, I WOULD BE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSON.”

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 pupils hone their reasoning skills while discussing world issues. We also begin, gently, the process of building the pupils’ skills and confidence to succeed in life beyond school.

We offer pupils 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.

SIXTH FORM

FROM CREATIVE WRITING TO MODEL UNITED NATIONS OR EVEN LEITHS DIPLOMA IN FOOD AND WINE: THE SIXTH FORM AT BADMINTON IS ABOUT LEARNING TO BE READY FOR THE WORLD. SPECIALISTS OFFER EXPERT ADVICE WITH UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS WHICH CONVERTS THE EXCITEMENT OF ACADEMIC WORK INTO SUCCESS.

The sheer range of subject combinations and interests that pupils 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.

WORK AND PLAY MIX TOGETHER, GIVING THE PUPILS AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO MANAGE THEIR OWN WELLBEING, 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 BIT DIFFERENT. THIS HAS HELPED ME TO SECURE A PLACE AT UNIVERSITY, WORK EXPERIENCE, SCHOLARSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS, BUT SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY THAN THAT, IT’S GIVEN 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 students gain a new level of control over their time, staff offer bespoke guidance and mentoring. Study areas for each student 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 is also where at least half the pupils at any one time are Day Girls. This mixture works brilliantly. Day Girls like the way School does not ‘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 pupils and their families can find the balance that suits them best.

We have three Boarding Houses, each tailored to the needs of pupils in different age groups and all offering a home-from-home environment with the very best facilities. Housemistresses, their Deputies and Resident Tutors all 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.

“BRISTOL IS ALWAYS MOVING, ALWAYS CHANGING, AND I LOVE IT”

Alba

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.

At Badminton, creativity and opportunity join with courtesy and support so that School is somewhere pupils want to be. Badminton pupils know that they can try anything, study anything, do anything… and they do! Come and let us show you why you will love Badminton. Mrs Coveney