Why Badminton?

Bristol has its share of very good schools, and we know that choosing somewhere for your daughter is not easy.

We offer a holistic approach to education; to put it simply, we encourage our girls to get "hands on" with their subjects, ask questions and really get stuck in. Above all, learning is fun at Badminton and this, coupled with our homely community and excellent pastoral care, leaves no scope for anonymity.

Your daughter will be known and fully supported in whatever her talents or interests may be. We often get asked what the characteristics of a Badminton girl are and the truth is, there is no one ‘type’! Badminton girls are treated like the individuals that they are; we inspire them to pursue their own interests and expand and explore their ambitions, both in their academic work and in co-curricular activities.

The School consistently achieves impressive academic results which enables the girls to access a wealth of world class universities, Music Conservatoires and Art Colleges but the real aim at Badminton is to encourage the girls to become curious, confident and enthusiastic lifelong learners.

We are proud to be a Bristol school. Badminton’s site is larger and (we think!) more beautiful than that of many city schools, and yet we are just minutes from the centre of Bristol.

In 2017, Bristol topped the Sunday Times rankings of best places to live in Britain and was listed fourth in the Rough Guides’ top ten cities to visit worldwide. It is easy to see why. The city has charm and beauty, and is innovative in its culture and economy, drawing more and more families to move here from London. Bristol is the perfect place to be educated.

Girls can enjoy the safety of their community yet have access to some bright lights

Tatler Good Schools Guide 2017

At Badminton, our mixture of old and new buildings is surrounded by glorious gardens that we love to use for alfresco learning, for playing and relaxing, and for community fetes and events. It is a safe and welcoming campus. The girls here love it, and they are clear that one of the reasons they enjoy Badminton so much is Bristol. The city’s theatres, museums, galleries, street art, parks and shops are very much part of what makes a Badminton education so special. There is even a rumour that Sixth Formers have been seen heading en masse, coats over their onesies, to their favourite local cinema to enjoy a classic weekend movie or two…

It is always a pleasure to welcome Bristolians to Badminton, whether you are thinking of allowing us to educate your daughter or whether you just feel like coming to our Christmas Bazaar. Badminton would not be Badminton without Bristol.

We live in Bristol and I would say to local parents, pop in and see the School for yourself. A first class education that happens to be on our doorstep!

Mrs Gardhouse, Parent

So what is different about Badminton?

Our history, our unusual ethos of teaching and learning and our careful balance of intellectual firepower with courtesy and support all set us apart. There is an important place in the world for strong female communities, and Badminton is one of these. We have excellent facilities and some of the best boarding and pastoral care provision of any school. Girls at Badminton come from all over the globe and know that they can try anything, study anything, do anything, and they do. No one here is judged on superficialities, and Badminton girls rightly learn that their future can be anything they want it to be.

My daughter made me choose Badminton! She came home buzzing from her Taster Day and said that she really, really wanted to go. We were attracted by the small class sizes, a welcoming Headmistress and the way our daughter was treated as an individual.

Mrs Gardhouse, Parent

Our academic results have been phenomenal and many Sixth Form girls achieved the university place of their choice. Girls at Badminton are as interested in learning as they are in creative arts, sport and friendships. Our culture of highly interactive teaching means we can attract subject specialists who are excited to be here. We are a relatively small school with 550 pupils from Reception to Sixth Form. A small school means the benefit of small class sizes, that are always under 20, until the Sixth Form, at which point classes effectively become university-style tutorials. Everyone feels confident to take part, and the emphasis is on learning how to think for yourself rather than simply absorbing facts. All girls have strengths, of course, but we also make sure that they also feel confident building their skills in areas where they may not be so naturally talented. Learning here is hands-on and holistic, whether it is building a glider, writing a poem or being outside in Forest School. Excellent examination and league table results are a happy consequence of the way that we teach and learn at Badminton.

What I love most about being at Badminton is that we have such a rich global community with girls from all over the world.

Flora, Upper Sixth

At Badminton we believe that the best way to take your place in the world is to get to know the world as early as possible. We have a long history as a School with a strong European and international outlook, and Badminton girls from all places become part of each other’s lives while experiencing the very best of an English school education. Some international schools can find it hard to make sure that everyone mixes, but one of the many strengths of the small scale here at Badminton is that the girls really do know each other well. Our small community is a powerful one, where every girl develops the confidence to understand herself and the challenges she will face in a global society. Alongside this are the finishing touches that make life for our girls even better: learning Mandarin while still in the Junior School, or attending lectures at Bristol University in the Sixth Form. Put all of it together, and you have a recipe for girls who understand that hard work, friendship, freedom and responsibility all contribute to success and happiness.