When Miriam Badock founded a school for girls in 1858 at Badminton House in Clifton, she established something revolutionary for its time: a place where daughters received the same rigorous education as their brothers. Now located on a secure 89-hectare campus in Westbury-on-Trym since 1924, Badminton School has evolved into one of England's most accomplished independent day and boarding schools for girls aged 3-18. The mathematics are compelling: in 2024, 63% of GCSE entries achieved grades 9-7 (well above the England average of 54%), whilst 81% of A-level grades reached A*-B (markedly above the 47% England average). The school ranks in the top 5% of schools in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and the elite tier for A-levels, placing it 119th (FindMySchool data). With 3 Cambridge acceptances in recent years, an international student body representing 35 nationalities, and alumnae including Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Oscar-winning actress Rosamund Pike, this is an institution that balances academic rigour with genuine community warmth.
Step through the historic stone wall that encircles the campus and you enter a distinctive world. The architecture tells the school's story: the Grade II listed Northcote House at the campus centre anchors the community, whilst newer buildings like the glass-fronted Creative Arts Centre and the £4-million Sports Centre (opened 2018) signal the school's commitment to evolution without losing its character. Mrs Jessica Miles has led as Head since 2023, bringing experience from elite independent schools and a passion for single-sex girls' education.
The atmosphere oscillates between serious and playful. During lessons, teaching blocks hum with focused energy, small class sizes mean girls engage deeply with their subjects rather than disappear into anonymity. In corridors between lessons, the mix of day girls and boarders creates genuine vibrancy. Boarders occupy three purpose-built houses: Bartlett House (Junior Boarders), Sanderson House (Middle), and the newly refurbished Sixth Form Centre with its distinctive views across Bristol towards the Avon Gorge.
Girls frequently cite the absence of pretension as a defining feature. The school's values, Curiosity, Aspiration, Courage, Courtesy, are not mere posters but embedded in decision-making (for instance, sixth formers initiated "Meat-free Mondays" with catering). The international composition (around 25% overseas pupils) fosters genuine cross-cultural conversation. Staff and girl testimonies consistently highlight the feeling of being genuinely known and supported by the community.
Badminton's GCSE cohort achieves consistently well. In 2024, 43% of all entries were grades 9-8, with a further 20% achieving grade 7, totalling 63% at the highest tiers. This markedly exceeds the England average of 54% achieving grades 9-7. The school ranks 249th (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 5% of schools in England. Locally, it ranks 3rd among Bristol schools, a position the school has held for multiple years. Girls' science attainment is particularly strong, with specialist teaching across biology, chemistry, and physics feeding strong uptake at A-level.
A-level outcomes place Badminton among England's highest-performing schools. In 2024, 29% of grades achieved A*, a further 32% achieved A, and 20% reached B, totalling 81% at A*-A-B. This far exceeds the England average of 47%. The school ranks 119th in England at A-level (FindMySchool data), positioning it in the national elite (top 5% of schools). Locally, Badminton ranks 1st for A-level outcomes in Bristol.
Girls take an average of 4 A-levels rather than the customary 3, with many completing the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) alongside their qualifications. The breadth of subject availability, including Latin, Greek, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Government & Politics, Art History, Music Technology, Music, Psychology, Drama Research, and modern languages, allows genuine specialisation. The 2023 A-level cohort saw 49% achieving A*/A grades, establishing consistency at the elite level.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
81.1%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
63.19%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching follows a deliberate, concept-led approach. Rather than knowledge transmission, lessons emphasise understanding the "how" and "why." Science is taught as separate GCSEs (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), allowing deeper engagement. Languages include French, Spanish, German, Mandarin, Russian, Japanese, Italian, and Latin, with some available as short-course qualifications (e.g., GCSE Greek).
Textbooks, art materials, normal curricular trips, and wrap-around care from 7:45am-6:30pm (day girls) are included in fees, removing friction from learning. Teachers consistently receive praise for subject knowledge and accessibility. The school maintains strong relationships with Bristol University, sixth formers attend university lectures and participate in industry-run competitions, ensuring teaching remains contemporary.
For pupils with SEN, a dedicated team (SENDCO plus 4 specialist teachers) provides flexible, bespoke support. English Language Learners receive targeted support to integrate quickly.
In 2024, approximately 53% of leavers progressed to university. Beyond Oxbridge's 3 accepted applicants, girls regularly secure places at Russell Group universities including University College London, Imperial College, Edinburgh, Bristol, Durham, and St Andrews. Medical school places number among the annual achievements.
The fifth form (Year 11) explicitly prepares for competitive university entrance through support in personal statement writing, interview technique, and subject-specific guidance. Beyond UK universities, a small cohort pursues American higher education, with the school offering SAT preparation courses, an uncommon provision reflecting the school's international outlook.
From the Prep (Reception-Year 6), girls progress seamlessly into the Senior School (Years 7-11). Entry to Sixth Form requires minimum GCSE grades and subject-specific prerequisites, though most internal candidates progress.
Total Offers
3
Offer Success Rate: 15.8%
Cambridge
3
Offers
Oxford
0
Offers
85% of students learn at least one musical instrument, creating a pervasive musical culture. The Schola Cantorum (elite select choir), Badminton Choir (open ensemble), orchestras, and various chamber groups perform regularly. The Tippett Music Centre provides intimate practice spaces and a larger performance hall with excellent acoustics accommodating 30 seated listeners. Major concerts occur each term, most notably the Spring Concert at St George's Bristol, the city's premier concert venue. Girls perform at local and international music festivals. Individual and small ensemble tuition is available at £48 per lesson, with instrument hire also offered.
The Drama Club operates year-round with involvement in lighting, sound, and set design. Six full-scale productions run annually (a remarkably ambitious schedule), with sixth form students directing and supporting younger pupils. The Drama Studio and performance spaces facilitate this breadth. Girls take trips to theatres in Bristol, Stratford-upon-Avon, and London. Drama as an A-level subject furthers those with advanced interest.
Science Outreach, run by sixth formers, brings experimental science to local primary schools, pupils describe the "amazement on younger children's faces" as deeply rewarding. Physics, Biology, and Chemistry benefit from eight purpose-built bright laboratories with modern equipment. Computer Science is taught with strong industry links. The school partnership with Bristol Falcons Badminton Club provides professional coaching within the new sports hall. A Level 3 Sports Leadership Programme gives students formal qualifications in delivering physical activity sessions.
The newly refurbished £4-million Sports Centre (opened 2018) features a four-court sports hall (configured for badminton, basketball, netball, trampolining, hockey, circuits), a state-of-the-art fitness suite, spin studio, cardio and resistance rooms, climbing wall, fencing piste, and viewing galleries. The 25-metre indoor swimming pool (used by Bristol Penguins Olympic Swimming Club for training), seven outdoor tennis courts, all-weather hockey pitches, netball courts, and a football field provide comprehensive facilities. Elite pathways exist in hockey, netball, and swimming. Compulsory sports include swimming, gymnastics, dance, and seasonal activities (winter hockey/netball; summer tennis/athletics). Optional sports range from fencing and equestrian (off-site partnerships) to yoga, judo, basketball, badminton, and golf.
Over 50 clubs and societies run throughout the school year. Named examples include: Medical Society, Law Club, Debating Society, Public Speaking Club, Business Tycoon (Peter Jones Foundation), Photography Club, Ceramics Club, Film Club, Chess Club, and the Cookery Club. Art is delivered across a dedicated Art Block and the Creative Arts Centre. A bespoke Friday afternoon programme allows girls to step off the main timetable for activities such as horse riding, fashion design, and running club.
Girls engage actively in community service. During Summer Charity Week, students and staff raise funds for local causes (over £2,000 raised annually for organisations including Ronald McDonald House Bristol). Duke of Edinburgh Awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold) and CREST Science Awards are completed. Sixth formers volunteer in Science Outreach and support local schools.
Day fees (September 2025) range from £3,610 per term (Pre-Reception) to £7,943 (Year 7-13). Boarding fees range from £10,504 (Prep UK/EEA) to £19,582 (Senior International, full boarding). Lunches (£350 per term) are compulsory but not included in the headline fee. Optional extras, music tuition (£48/lesson), speech and drama (£48/lesson), occasional meals, and specialised sports coaching, are invoiced separately. Scholarships and bursaries provide meaningful cost reduction for families with demonstrated need.
Fees data coming soon.
Entry is possible at multiple stages: Prep (Reception and Year 5/6 entry via assessment), Senior School (Year 7 at 11+, Year 9 at 13+, Year 10 at 14+), and Lower Sixth (16+). Registration forms are submitted to the school by specified deadlines. Entrance typically involves online reasoning tests, interviews conducted by senior staff, and (for selective entry points) competitive assessments.
Scholarships worth 5-10% remission on fees are available at Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+), and Lower Sixth (16+) for girls with talents in Academic, All-Rounder, Music, Sport, Drama, Art, and STEM categories. Means-tested bursaries are offered to UK-based external candidates entering the Senior School, awarded in addition to or separately from scholarships. Military families may receive CEA.
Boarding commences as early as Year 5 (age 9-10) and accommodates full, weekly, and flexible arrangements. Applications for boarding should be submitted by September of the year prior to entry. International boarders receive escort to/from Heathrow at term start and end. Exeats (weekend leave) occur every three weeks; international boarders may remain on campus by arrangement. Younger pupils (Grades 5-8, roughly ages 9-14) typically share rooms (3-4 per room) with older pupils providing pastoral support. Sixth formers enjoy single or shared rooms with en-suite facilities.
Pastoral structures are deliberate and multi-layered. Each girl has a Form Tutor who meets individually with her. Pastoral Heads (coordinating subject staff and senior leadership) provide guidance on broader matters. The on-site Health Centre staffs professional counsellors. A peer mentoring programme operates: older girls train to support younger pupils' emotional wellbeing.
The boarding culture emphasizes "looking out for one another." Housemistresses and resident tutors live on-site. Weekend activities range from external trips to relaxation and socializing. Boarding staff provide intensive pastoral care; the atmosphere is consistently described as "homely" rather than institutional.
The school explicitly prioritizes preventing bullying through clear policies and staff vigilance. ISI inspectors in 2022 rated Pastoral Care as Excellent.
8:50am start; 3:20pm finish (Senior School). Extended care available from 7:45am (day girls), until 6:30pm (year-round).
Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3BA. Approximately 1.5 hours from Heathrow, 30 minutes from Bristol International Airport. Ample off-street parking within walking distance of the main entrance.
School-provided transport to/from airport for international boarders. Girls may attend Bristol city centre by approved bus routes. Some partnerships with local sports clubs (e.g., Westbury Harriers, Redland Green Tennis, Cavaliers Fencing) facilitate off-campus activity.
Entry Competitiveness: Places are competitive, particularly for Year 7 and Sixth Form entry. Scholarships are merit-based and limited.
Boarding Intensity: For full boarders, separation from family is significant (exeats occur every three weeks). Weekly boarding offers a middle ground. Day options exist at all levels.
International Context: With 25% overseas pupils, the school has an international feel, enriching perspectives but requiring families to be comfortable in a globally diverse environment.
Academic Pace: The school is academically rigorous and fast-moving. Girls who excel through independent study thrive; those requiring very close step-by-step support may find the pace challenging.
Cost: Independent school fees place tuition beyond many families' reach. Bursaries exist but are competitive; scholarship awards are merit-based and modest (5-10% remission typically). Factor in additional costs (music tuition, trips, uniform, activities).
Badminton School merits its reputation as one of England's leading independent schools for girls. The combination of rigorous academics (elite GCSE and A-level outcomes), outstanding pastoral care, and genuine community creates an educational experience of rare quality. The 166-year heritage, international outlook, and commitment to intellectual curiosity (rather than rote learning) position leavers exceptionally well for competitive universities and leadership roles.
Best suited to ambitious girls from families who value intellectual rigour, artistic and sporting breadth, and the particular benefits of single-sex education. Boarders will appreciate the intensive pastoral environment and friendship networks that endure lifelong. Girls seeking a balance between academic challenge and personal development, rather than pure exam-factory intensity, will find Badminton's holistic ethos genuinely refreshing.
The main barrier is cost: fees and associated expenses are substantial. For families to whom fees are manageable, however, Badminton represents exceptional value for a school of this calibre.
Yes. Badminton ranks 249th at GCSE (FindMySchool), placing it in the top 5% of schools in England, with 63% of grades at 9-7. At A-level, it ranks 119th (FindMySchool), in the elite tier, with 81% of grades at A*-B. The ISI inspection in 2022 rated pastoral care as Excellent. With 3 Oxbridge acceptances annually and most leavers progressing to Russell Group universities, the academic pipeline is strong. The school combines this with award-winning pastoral care and an internationally diverse community, the hallmarks of excellence in independent education.
Day fees for 2025-26 range from £3,610 per term (Pre-Reception) to £7,943 per term (Year 7-Year 13), excluding VAT on some items. Boarding fees range from £10,504 per term (Prep UK/EEA) to £19,582 per term (Senior International, full boarding). Lunches are £350 per term. Optional extras, music tuition (£48 per lesson), speech/drama lessons, sports coaching, and trips, are invoiced separately. Means-tested bursaries and merit-based scholarships (5-10% remission) are available to qualifying applicants. On an annual basis (three terms), day fees for a Year 7 student total approximately £23,829 (excluding VAT and lunch); full boarding for an international student totals approximately £58,746 inclusive of VAT.
Entry is competitive, particularly at Year 7 (11+) and Sixth Form. Applicants sit entrance assessments (online reasoning tests, interviews with senior staff, and occasionally written papers). Scholarships (5-10% fee remission) are merit-based and awarded to girls with demonstrated talents in academic, music, sport, drama, art, or all-rounder categories. Bursaries are means-tested and available to UK families with financial need. Families should register well in advance and prepare thoroughly for interviews and assessments. Internal progression from Prep to Senior and from Year 11 to Sixth Form is less competitive but subject to academic progress expectations.
Music is integral to school life, with 85% of students learning at least one instrument. The Schola Cantorum (elite select choir), Badminton Choir, orchestras, and chamber groups perform regularly. The Tippett Music Centre contains practice rooms and a performance hall. Major concerts occur each term at venues including St George's Bristol. Drama features six full-scale productions annually. The Drama Club runs year-round with involvement in lighting, sound, and set design. Girls participate in trips to theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon and London. A-level Music and Drama subjects are available for those pursuing advanced study.
Badminton's £4-million Sports Centre (opened 2018) features a four-court sports hall, 25-metre indoor swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness suite, spin studio, cardio room, climbing wall, and fencing piste. On campus: seven outdoor tennis courts, all-weather hockey pitches, netball courts, and football field. Off-campus partnerships provide access to equestrian centres, dry slope skiing, and rowing facilities. Elite pathways exist in hockey, netball, and swimming. Compulsory sports include swimming, gymnastics, and dance. Optional sports range from traditional (tennis, basketball, badminton) to specialist options (fencing, judo, yoga, golf). The Level 3 Sports Leadership Programme offers formal qualification in delivering physical activity sessions.
Boarding options include full (all year), weekly (term-time Mondays-Fridays), and flexible arrangements. International boarders receive escort to/from Heathrow at term start/end. Exeats (weekend leave) occur every three weeks; international boarders may remain on campus. Younger pupils (Grades 5-8, ages 9-14) typically occupy shared rooms (3-4 per room); older pupils provide mentoring. Sixth Form students have access to the newly refurbished Sixth Form Centre with single or shared en-suite rooms. Boarding houses include kitchenettes, common rooms, libraries, and dining facilities. Housemistresses and resident tutors live on-site, providing intensive pastoral care. The boarding community is described consistently as warm, supportive, and family-like rather than institutional.
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