EDUCATION NEWS

UPDATES FROM THE CITY’S SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

Students and researchers have until 14 November to submit their solution for one of four key categories of critical importance to the future of the space sector

A STEP INTO THE SPACE SECTOR

NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona

YOU SAY GOODBYE, AND I SAY HELLO

Maggie Edbrooke, deputy headteacher at Redmaids’ High Junior School, is retiring after 35 years. She joined the year it was founded, when there were just four staff members and three classes. Maggie was instrumental in developing the innovative curriculum, and this month passes the baton to Christopher Haynes, from Oliver House School in London.

Christopher started his career in finance but changed direction after volunteering at a summer camp for disadvantaged children.

Christopher is currently studying part-time for a master’s degree in educational leadership at Cambridge University.

“I am delighted to be moving to Bristol to take up this position,” he said.

“I am passionate about education and look forward to playing my part in seeing every pupil at Redmaids’ High Junior School thrive.”

TAKING THE STRESS OUT OF TUTORING

Local family business Tutor Doctor Bristol has been recognised as the best one-to-one tutoring service provider in the South West at the Southern Enterprise Awards. The service stood out for going the extra mile this year to support students across Bristol.

“The Tutor Doctor approach, and the way in which we tailor our service to our clients, has put us at the forefront of quality tutoring in Bristol,” said business owner Rachael Tan.

“The fully vetted, local tutors we work with have subject matter expertise and are passionate about what they do. They take on not only the role of an academic guide but also a life skills mentor.”

Over the course of the past year, and across intermittent school closures, Tutor Doctor adapted its tutoring model to fit the demands of virtual learning at home. The team focused on making the service accessible, flexible and easy to manage while students were restricted to learning within their homes.

Acknowledging the additional stresses put upon students and families meant providing clients with additional support, such as tuition in additional subjects, tips and resources on maintaining good mental health, and inperson tuition for special needs students over lockdown while managing Covid risks.

If you’d like Tutor Doctor to take the stress of finding the right tutor away, contact Rachael by telephone on 0117 325 3698 or email rtan@tutordoctor.co.uk Cyber and security company Leonardo, based at Bristol Business Park, wants Bristol’s University students to apply for a unique new space technology competition that could be their first step into the global space industry –the chance to see their solutions turned into a live business project.

The #T-TeC 2021 competition, supported by Leonardo and Telespazio, encourages a new generation of scientists and innovators across the globe by creating a bridge between the academic world of research and the innovative space sector.

Students and researchers have until 14 November to submit their solution for one of four key categories of critical importance to the future of the space sector: space exploration, in-orbit servicing, geoinformation applications and platforms and space situational awareness and space traffic management.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges made up of representatives from Telespazio and Leonardo plus industry experts and some of the world’s most important space agencies, with cash prizes of €10,000, €6,000 and €4,000. There will also be the possibility of funding research contracts or collaborations for the most promising ideas.

Leonardo’s space programme manager Keith Barnes supports technology that is being used on NASA’s Bennu Asteroid Spacecraft Osiris-Rex which is currently making its way back to Earth. Keith believes more people are being drawn to the space sector because it operates within such exciting fields of technology, covering everything from space travel and exploration to the environmental monitoring of our own planet. “Working in the space sector could supercharge the careers of a new generation of talent, as they will have the chance to work alongside world leading scientists and engineers, not just in the UK but all over the world,” he said. “We need to grow skills in the UK to bolster our economy and nurture international careers that push the boundaries of space innovation. The challenges set are exciting –I’m betting the solutions will be too!”

• Leonardocompany.com • telespazio.com/en/innovation/openinnovation/ttec-2021

BADMINTON SCHOOL

Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3BA Tel: 0117 905 5271 Website: www.badmintonschool.co.uk

Name of Principal: Mrs Rebecca Tear

Day fees per term: £3,465 - £5,810 – nursery sessional fee: £29 per session. Boarding fees per term: £7,900 - £13,500

Religious denomination: Non-denominational

The curriculum: 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.

Extra-curricular activities: TheEnrichment programme is extremely important in the overall development of the girls at the School, as it provides opportunities to pursue wider interests and to contribute to the community. There are many activities on offer and they range from clubs with an academic bias such as model United Nations, Ancient Greek and science research to those that allow the girls to pursue creative interests, such as Leiths School of Cookery, art and drama. Music is also an important part of school life, with nearly 80% of girls learning at least one instrument during their time at Badminton.

Pastoral care: 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. Badminton wish every girl to feel happy and confident about her school life and work to ensure a well-ordered and supportive environment where girls are asked to take responsibility for themselves and others. This gives them opportunities to face challenge and build resilience.

Outstanding characteristics: While Badminton retains a nationally outstanding academic record, the 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.

BRISTOL GRAMMAR SCHOOL

University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SR Tel: 0117 973 6006 www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk website@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Headmaster: Mr J M Barot

Age of pupils: 4 –18 years Number of pupils: 1,300 approx.

Day fees: £2,992 - £5,159 per term

Religious denomination: Non-denominational

From their first lesson, aged four to eighteen and looking ahead to university and the wider world, BGS supports each child on their educational journey. Inspiring a love of learning and with a huge range of opportunities in and out of the classroom, every child can flourish.

The curriculum: The infant curriculum covers all of the requirements of the national curriculum. Lessons are linked in to a topic-based curriculum, which allows the children to explore a particular area while linking the subjects into a topic. In the Junior School children enjoy a breadth of education that stretches far beyond the national curriculum. In the Senior School and Sixth Form pupils enjoy choice and opportunity. They can discover their strengths through a wide range of optional subjects, within a curriculum that encourages them to realise their potential, explore their ideas and take their learning as far as they can go. Pupils in the Sixth Form can choose to study either the International Baccalaureate Diploma or A levels.

Extra-curricular activities: The curriculum is supported by an extensive extracurricular programme that includes activities such as photography, samba band, Bee Club, various sports, and many more.

Scholarships and bursaries:

Scholarships: A range of scholarships including Academic, Creative and Performing Arts, and Sport are available for entry into Year 7 and Year 9. Scholarships are also available for entry into the Lower Sixth.

Bursaries: Families with a low or limited income can apply for a means-tested bursary through the bursary scheme. For further information or to arrange a visit, please contact Hollie Matthews in the Admissions Office on 0117 933 9885.

BRISTOL STEINER SCHOOL

Redland Hill House, Redland Hill, Bristol BS6 6UX Tel: 0117 933 9990 www.bristolsteinerschool.org

Name of Principal: Nicola Forder

Age of pupils: 3 - 11 years Number of pupils: 128 capacity School fees: Kindergarten £858 - £5,196 per annum. Primary £8,226 per annum

Religious denomination: Non-denominational

The curriculum: Bristol Steiner School is an independent day school for children from the age of 3 to 11. Fundamental to the Steiner Waldorf philosophy is the belief in a child-centred, relational approach to learning and a commitment to promoting the development of the whole child. This is embraced and cherished throughout all aspects of life at school, through lived values rooted in the delivery of contextual learning, with true meaning and purpose. Language and oracy play an important part in school life and children participate in activities that enhance this. Mathematics is taught in class and then used across the curriculum in woodwork, handwork and form drawing. Pupils learn science in class and through outdoor learning in the school garden. Eurythmy is an expressive artform that combines language, music and movement. Physical education, swimming, music and forest school complement the diverse curriculum.

Extra-curricular activities: Outdoor learning in the school’s extensive gardens ais a staple of the curriculum which includes woodwork, handwork, scientific skills through gardening and forest school. Other activities that pupils can benefit from include music tuition, drama and capoeira.

Pastoral care: Strong relationships are nurtured at school, where teaching and learning are seen as relational activities. Over the course of an education at Bristol Steiner School, pupils will be guided by just two class teachers. A kindergarten teacher nurtures pupils throughout their early years from the age of 3 to 6. A main school teacher then moves through the years with pupils from the age of 7 to 11. Pupils know all of the adults on site by name. Small class sizes promote the wellbeing and self-belief of each child.

Outstanding characteristics: Bristol Steiner School provides pupils with the healthiest start in life by delivering a vibrant, uplifting, Steiner Waldorf education that integrates the virtues of academic achievement, emotional intelligence, wellbeing and individuality to benefit the whole child. The curriculum is intrinsically broad and effectively planned to engage pupils in their learning. Teachers build a strong understanding of each child and emphasise the personal development, self-confidence and capabilities of the individual. It is a school that celebrates individuality. The nurturing and warm setting, resonant of a village school environment, is what makes the school truly unique, offering a diverse alternative in an urban setting that places connectedness, wellbeing and happiness at the heart of our ambitions. The school provides the time and space to allow each child to grow and develop an appreciation of themselves and a genuine love of learning, as they journey through the school. Education is a journey, not a race.

CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL

College Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3JD Tel: 0117 973 0201 www.cliftonhigh.co.uk

Name of Principal: Mr Matthew Bennett

Age of pupils: 3 - 18 years

Number of pupils: 620

Day fees: £3620 - £5180 per term

Religious denomination: Non-denominational

The curriculum: Clifton High School is a leading independent, selective 3-18 co-educational school. Each year group benefits from a unique offering and small class sizes. There is an educationally focused year-round provision for The Hive; nursey Pre-School, specialist teaching in The Junior School, The Diamond Edge Model of Education in Year 7-9; where boys and girls are taught separately in their core subjects and a forward-thinking Sixth Form which will benefit from a brand new Sixth Form Centre from the beginning of the new academic year 2021-22.

Extra-curricular activities: Clifton High has an outstanding provision of enrichment opportunities for all pupils. Including the newly launched outdoor education Adventure Programme, providing weekly lessons and short courses for the Infant and Junior School and day visits for all senior years too. There are over 100 extra-curricular clubs on offer each week. University of Bristol tennis coaches also provide pupils with elite coaching. World Challenge expeditions and the ever-popular Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme are also offered in the Senior School.

Pastoral care: Clifton High is renowned for its high level of pastoral care. The focus on each child’s individual development as well as their academic success provides an environment in which pupils thrive. The sense of community and family focus is prominent, and allows pupils to be ambitious in their individual pursuits, knowing they are supported. The School aims to equip each pupil with the necessary skills and qualities they will need in the ever-changing world; social competencies, emotional intelligence, global perspective, confidence and respect.

Outstanding characteristics: The School has recently announced the launch of their Complete Swimmer Programme, a cocurricular initiative that looks to progressively nurture all Clifton High pupils, from children, to swimming enthusiasts and athletes, throughout the duration at School. This runs in concurrence with their partnership with Bristol Sport for the Clifton High Swimming Scholarship, with an aim to bolster Bristol’s reputation as a swimming hub for young athletes.

COLSTON’S LOWER SCHOOL

Colston’s Lower School, Park Road, Stapleton, Bristol BS16 1BA Tel: 0117 965 5297 Website: www.colstons.org

Sector: Independent co-educational

Fees: Per term Years 5 & 6 = £3,740 Years 3 & 4 = £3,480 Reception, Years 1 & 2 = £2,885

Religious Denomination: All faiths

Total Number of students: 230

Extra-curricular activities: To find balance in their learning all children are encouraged to explore their strengths in music, drama, languages, sport and art. School sport fixtures, trips, residential visits and clubs all enhance school life and each child’s enjoyment of their community. In the woodland, the Forest School learning resource sees children learn new skills, both within and beyond the national curriculum. They enjoy the time and space to develop their natural curiosity through handson practical experiences.

Pastoral: Pastoral care is at the core of life at Colston’s. Pupils have a form tutor and are part of a deeply supportive traditional house system that celebrates all elements of school life, from sports day to inter-house competitions and regular house gatherings. Older pupils form bonds with Nursery and Reception classes in the weekly reading buddies sessions, which mutually support the reading skills of younger pupils and give Year 6 children a taste of responsibility and relationship building.

Unique characteristics: In 2019 the ISI rated Colston’s as ‘excellent’ in all areas. The inspection team were clear that the excellent academic achievement was observed right from the youngest pupils in EYFS right through to the students taking A Levels in the Upper School. Pupils receive many opportunities on a daily basis to nurture intellectual curiosity and inspire a love of learning, which lay the foundations for a successful transition into senior school. Staff work extremely hard to help each pupil understand the world around them and develop strong values and respect for those around them.

COLSTON’S UPPER SCHOOL

Colston’s Upper School, Bell Hill, Stapleton, Bristol BS16 1BJ Tel: 0117 992 3194 Website: www.colstons.org

Sector: Independent co-educational

Fees: £5,065 per term

Religious Denomination: All faiths

Total Number of students: 565 Number of Sixth Form students: 140

2021 Exam Results

GCSE % 9-7(A*-A): 58% A Level % A*-B: 85%

Extra-curricular activities: The School is fortunate to have all facilities on a 30-acre site, meaning students can seamlessly combine academic studies and sporting pursuits. With over 50 clubs to get involved in each week, the Colston’s experience is designed to allow students to find and develop their passion beyond the classroom, whether through the pride and spirit displayed on the sports field, the exciting array of activities in Combined Cadet Force or first-rate creative spaces including art studios, the music technology classroom, or design technology workshop.

Pastoral: The Colston’s philosophy is quite simple: happy children do well. This makes the provision of pastoral care of great importance in the school. At the very heart of this provision is the house system. Four co-educational, 11-18 houses provide a structure through which the development, well-being and happiness of all of young people is monitored and supported.

Unique characteristics: In 2019 the ISI rated Colston’s as ‘excellent’ in all areas. In their report they captured the true essence of Colston’s, highlighting the unique culture of the school as well as the less easy-to-measure elements, which combine to make a Colston’s education so special. The statistics have long shown that Colston’s pupils achieve outstanding exam results and make excellent progress. However, it is the strong values pupils develop; their self-confidence, well-developed communications skills and the resilience they show when things get tough that produce what is known as the Colston’s character.

THE DOWNS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Wraxall Bristol, BS48 1PF Tel: 01275 852008 www.thedownsschool.co.uk

Name of Head: Mrs Deborah Isaachsen BEd Hons MEd

Age of pupils: Reception –Year 8 Number of pupils: 259

School fees (per term):

Reception /Year 1 £3,880 Year 2 £4,360 Year 3 £4,780 Preparatory £5,895

Religious denomination: C of E but all demoninations welcome

The curriculum: The Downs is one of the few truly independent 13+ Prep Schools in the South West. The 13+ Common Entrance syllabus is central to the academic curriculum with STEM and Performing Arts new additions to the timetable. In the Pre-Prep, numeracy and literacy are the central focus, with outdoor learning and a topic based curriculum on offer to challenge and engage all pupils.

Extra-curricular activities: The school provides a broad all round education, genuinely inclusive of each child. The standard of all sports is exceptional (six internationals in six different sports in recent years) but there is a team for every child. There is enormous interest and activity in the performing and creative arts: six choirs, 80% play an instrument, 140 attend speech and drama lessons, 9 productions a year, 160 attend dance lessons. There is also an extensive range of clubs, all Prep school children camp every year and regular trips are taken abroad.

Pastoral care: The essence of the school is to really know and understand each of the children – their wellbeing is central to our thoughts. Matrons, tutors, form teachers and pupils themselves play an integral role in the process of providing outstanding pastoral care, supporting each child as they negotiate the inevitable social, emotional and academic challenges associated with modern life.

Outstanding characteristics: Our pupils are outstanding; they are highly motivated and experience considerable all round success. They nevertheless demonstrate humility and unaffected good manners; confidence in contrast to arrogance is applauded at The Downs. The stunning rural estate is unique in the area and essentially used to best effect. The entire community that is The Downs Preparatory School is particularly close and happy in support of one another. Over the last decade almost every child has passed the 13+ entry requirements into the school of their first choice, over 60% with scholarship.

FAIRFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

Allfoxton Road, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 9NL Tel: 0117 952 7100 www:fairfield.excalibur.org.uk

Name of Principal: Mr Nick Lewis

Age of pupils: 11 - 16 years Number of pupils: 1,080

Fee structure: State School

Religious denomination: Non-denominational

The curriculum: The Fairfield High School Curriculum is personalised. It is built around students’ individual needs and rooted in our view that all students should enjoy learning, become positive citizens of Britain and the World, while also leaving the school with the qualifications they need. The Fairfield Values underpin school life and allow students to build skills for a healthy, vibrant, future.

Extra-curricular activities: Extra-curricular activities build confidence and character in an environment where students are supported and nurtured. Fairfield High School is proud to offer a wide variety of clubs which change and evolve on an ongoing basis.

Pastoral care: Fairfield High School has a professional pastoral support team who provide group and individual interventions to support positive behaviour and emotional resilience. Each year has an assigned achievement manager. Tutors are also a key adult in the school life of a student and the aim is for each tutor to stay with their group for the duration of the students’ time at Fairfield. Each tutor meets their students every day and is responsible for registering and monitoring attendance and delivering a programme of personal and social education.

Outstanding characteristics: The focus at this inclusive school in Horfield remains on supporting the students, aged 11 to 16, to develop as successful, happy, active global citizens. FHS celebrates its diversity: the flags of more than 80 countries hang in its atrium to represent the backgrounds of staff and students. Environmental issues, gender and racial inequality and social disadvantage are just some of the issues that FHS students are prepared to tackle.

MONMOUTH SCHOOL FOR BOYS

Almshouse Street, Monmouth NP25 3XP Tel: 01600 710433 Website: www.habsmonmouth.org

Name of Head: Mr Simon Dorman MA (Oxon) MPhil

Number of pupils: 501

Day fees: £5,533 Boarding fees (per term): £10,489-£11,389

Religious denomination: Anglican but all faiths welcome.

The curriculum: Pupils are introduced to a wide range of subjects in their early years at the school and they usually go on to take nine or 10 subjects at GCSE. Around 25 A level courses are offered in the Sixth Form.

Extra-curricular activities: All boys are encouraged to take full advantage of lunchtime and after-school activities and clubs. They develop confidence and make friends through chess, karate, reading, choir and many other activities. Through the diamondshaped Monmouth Model, boys also benefit from invaluable interaction with Monmouth School for Girls, sharing many trips and expeditions, events and community projects.

Pastoral care: Each pupil is allocated to a tutor who is drawn from the academic staff. Both tutor and housemaster are able to get to know each boy well over a period of years and provide experienced and sympathetic guidance throughout his school career. We ensure pupils gain the utmost from their time at Monmouth, not only in the classroom, but through all the other experiences on offer.

Outstanding characteristics: With around 60% of offers for Russell Group universities, we recognise the importance of getting the best exam results for each boy. We make the most of the area’s wonderful natural resources and the excellent facilities on offer for sports, culture and the arts.

Founded in 1614, an endowment income ensures outstanding facilities and highly competitive fees, with around one in five pupils receiving financial support. Co-educational teaching in Monmouth Schools Sixth Form and in the Prep School from September 2021 brings day and boarding boys and girls together at the start and finish of their educational journey.

MONMOUTH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

Hereford Road, Monmouth NP25 5XT Tel: 01600 711104 Website: www.habsmonmouth.org

Name of Head: Mrs Jessica Miles MA (Oxon), PGCE

Number of pupils: 463

Day fees: £5,169 - £5,533 Boarding fees (per term): £10,122 - £11,389

Religious denomination: Anglican but all faiths welcome.

The curriculum: A wide range of subjects is offered to Years 7, 8 and 9 to stimulate academic and personal development. Care is taken to ensure that no girl closes off the choice of a whole range of subjects for GCSE and A level.

Extra-curricular activities: There is a wealth of lunchtime and after-school opportunities which gives every girl a balance between work and play, helps develop some fantastic skills and truly enriches their learning. Through the diamond-shaped Monmouth Model, girls benefit from the invaluable interaction with Monmouth School for Boys, sharing many trips and expeditions, events and community projects.

Pastoral care: Staff aim to create a caring and supportive environment both in and out of the classroom, helping each pupil to feel valued as an individual. Pastoral philosophy is to develop resilience, confidence and skills which take the girls through later life, while offering each pupil bespoke care.

Outstanding characteristics: Access to superb educational opportunities to engage, enrich and inspire pupils. Sport, music, drama and art supplement academic achievement. An endowment income provides outstanding facilities and competitive fees. Scholarships and bursaries mean one in five pupils receive financial support. Co-educational teaching in Monmouth Schools Sixth Form and in the Prep School from September 2021 brings day and boarding boys and girls together at the start and finish of their educational journey. The school offers around 25 A level subjects and many joint activities. The vast majority of pupils get their first choice university and around 60% of offers for Russell Group universities.

QEH BRISTOL

Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital, Berkeley Place, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1JX Tel: 0117 930 3040 www.qehbristol.co.uk

Name of Head: Mr Rupert Heathcote, BSc (Nottingham)

Age of pupils: 7 - 18 years, boys aged 7 – 16 with a co-educational Sixth Form Number of pupils: 782 Day fees: Juniors: £3,420 per term (£10,260 per year) including pre and after school supervision until 5pm. Between 5pm and 6pm, there is a fixed charge of £6.80 which includes light refreshments. Seniors: £5,100 per term (£15,300 per year). Fees include text and exercise books, and essential education trips but do not include public examination fees or lunches.

Religious denomination: Church of England, embracing all faiths

The curriculum: The curriculum is broad but also offers the chance to study subjects in depth. The school expects pupils to work hard, believing a good education is a voyage of discovery to be enjoyed. Pupils are stretched but not stressed.

Co-curricular activities: QEH prides itself on the range of activities it provides, reflecting the wide interests of students and the commitment of the staff. Variety is key and all pupils should find activities that interest them. QEH is also committed to outdoor pursuits, with around 150 pupils taking part in Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme, many attaining Gold Award.

Pastoral care: Pastoral care is second to none. Pupils need to feel happy and safe and, at QEH, they are free to enjoy their learning, exploring new opportunities with confidence. People often comment on how self-assured and well-mannered our pupils are. Their friendly spirit and good behaviour are partly the result of unobtrusive but strong pastoral care

Outstanding characteristics: QEH is recognised for its outstanding academic record and the friendliness and confidence of our pupils is notable. The school is not socially exclusive, having a good mix of people.

Open mornings: Open events to be held on Saturday 9 October 2021 and Friday 5 November 2021, 10am – 12noon.

REDMAIDS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Redmaids’ High School Westbury Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3AW Tel: Senior School & Sixth Form 0117 962 2641; Junior School 0117 962 9451; www.redmaidshigh.co.uk

Name of Principal: Mr Dwyer (Senior and Sixth Form), Mrs Brown (Junior School)

Age of pupils: Girls aged 7 - 18 Number of pupils: 750 Fees: Years 3 - 6: £3,505 per term; Years 7 - 13: £5,150 per term

The curriculum: Redmaids’ High provides the best opportunities in Bristol and beyond for academically able and ambitious girls who aspire to achieve their full personal, social and academic potential. The school seeks to help students to truly know themselves, to understand each other and to forge meaningful futures, through outstanding facilities, high quality teaching and an exceptional range of subjects and qualifications. In the Junior School, the girls enjoy a broad and rich curriculum, engaging enthusiastically in activities and achieving excellent results in national music, speech and drama exams. In the Senior School and Sixth Form, a wide choice of subjects is available through GCSE, A Levels and the IB Diploma.

Extra-curricular activities: In the Junior and Senior Schools, an extensive programme of clubs and societies offer important personal development opportunities, discovery of new talents, hobbies and interests.

Pastoral care: This is of the upmost importance. Small classes feature throughout all year groups. In the Senior School, students are supported by a head and assistant head of year, form tutors and assistant tutors. The girls’ health and well-being is the responsibility of every member of the school community.

Outstanding characteristics: Redmaids’ High’s family friendly Junior School provides the perfect newstart for girls rising up into Year 3, featuring iPad learning, competitive team sports, robotics, and many other progressive learning options. In the Senior School, bursaries and scholarships are awarded to students from all backgrounds. Redland Hall, a state-of-the-art auditorium, opened in September 2017, is a busy and modern hub at the heart of the school, and the recently redeveloped sports ground, The Lawns at Cribbs Causeway, provides excellent facilities to support the many sporting successes of the school. As the first International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in Bristol, Redmaids’ High has guided its Sixth Form students to world-beating IB Diploma results, alongside its established and successful A Level programme supplemented by bespoke additional course in medical sciences, liberal arts and a Foundation MBA.

SIDCOT SCHOOL

Oakridge Lane, Winscombe, North Somerset, BS25 1PD Tel: 01934 843102 www.sidcot.org.uk

Name of Headmaster: Iain Kilpatrick

Age of pupils: 3 - 18 years Number of pupils: 601

Day fees: from £2,900 (Reception) to £6,510 (Year 13) per term. Nursery £24.50 per session

Religious denomination: Quaker

The curriculum: A creative and stretching education that inspires children to want to learn. To achieve this, the curriculum is shaped to meet government requirements without an exam-obsessed, prescriptive syllabus.

Curriculum and teaching methods are designed to foster students’ intellectual curiosity and creativity. The aim is to educate students, rather than simply train them to pass tests. Throughout their time at Sidcot, students develop the self-motivation to enable them to take responsibility for their own learning.

It’s no surprise that these personal qualities go together with academic excellence. Results have been consistently excellent with average points per candidate always significantly higher than the world average scores.

Extra-curricularactivities: At Sidcot, pupils are lucky in having an excellent rural location and top-class facilities for sport, arts, crafts and environmental studies. The Programme of Activities for Sidcot Students (PASS) takes place every Wednesday afternoon and has been designed to provide all students throughout the school with an exciting opportunity to live adventurously, to live out the school’s core values, to play an active part in being an Ashoka Changemaker school, to develop leadership skills and to further enhance their ability to be excellent team players. The programme has been designed to be fun and active which will help boost the students’ health and wellbeing. It will enable them to be happy, positive individuals and equip them with the skills and attitude to be able to thrive at school and enjoy their learning experience.

Pastoral care: The Quaker value of equality is evident in the open and friendly relationships between staff and students, and between students of all ages. It’s often remarked that students are extremely supportive of each other, making newcomers, students, teachers and visitors quickly feel at home.

Outstanding characteristics: Sidcot offers its Sixth Form the choice of the International Baccalaureate, BTECs and A levels. The ethos of the IB, with its broad curriculum and emphasis on study skills, community service and internationalism, fits well with Quaker values.

TOCKINGTON MANOR SCHOOL

Tockington Manor School, Washingpool Hill Road, Tockington, Bristol BS32 4NY; Tel: 01454 613229 www.tockingtonmanorschool.com

Name of Principal: Mr. Stephen Symonds BAED (Hons)

Age of pupils: 2 - 13 Number of pupils: 226 Day fees: Lower School £3,440 Upper School £4,670 - £5,360

Religious denomination: Church of England

The curriculum: The pupils from Nursery through to Year 8 are taught a full range of academic subjects. The school introduces French and Spanish from Nursery, Latin from Year 5 and geography, history and science as separate subjects from Year 1. Tockington Manor has an exceptional record of achievement in the common entrance exam. The new music and performing arts suite allows each child access to state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated music tuition.

Extra-curricular activities: A diverse and wide-ranging choice of activities is available in break times and as part of the school’s wraparound care. Activities are led by teaching staff and external subject specialists and include judo, archery, football, tennis, drama, computing and horse riding. Educational trips support classroom activities e.g. SS Great Britain and Chepstow Castle. Extra-curricular excursions are also offered with the schools educational partners The Bristol Hippodrome and Wild Place Project, including career workshops. Residential camps in the UK and France form part of summer term activity week.

Pastoral care: The school’s aim is to provide a caring, safe environment where children develop their individual abilities and enjoy an effective education tailored to their needs and interests. The school adheres to traditional ‘family values’ with small class sizes encouraging strong bonds between year group and teacher and a sense of community and respect throughout the school.

Outstanding characteristics: Shortlisted in several awards including Independent School of the Year and AMCIS, the school strives to allow children to be children for as long as possible while preparing them with the attitude and aptitude for senior schools and beyond. They help ensure a smooth transition, offering parents and pupils personalised guidance in choosing their next step, resulting in an enviable success rate in first choice senior school entry, many with scholarships. The 28-acre grounds lend themselves to sports with cross-country trails, national standard all-weather pitch, cricket/rugby/football pitches and an indoor heated swimming pool.