Created in 1997, from the merger of two long-established and neighbouring girls' schools: Bath High, founded in 1875 by the Girls' Day School Trust; and the Royal School, founded in 1864. The sixth form which offers both A-level and IB Diploma Programmes, is now co-educational. The senior school has an extensive campus on Lansdown Hill; the junior school is ½ mile away in Hope House, an elegant Georgian mansion. There has been considerable investment in recent years with an art school, gym, upgrading of sixth-form facilties including a café, and a new performing arts building. It is the only GDST school offering boarding and the IB. Academically selective, examination results are very good. It also enjoys a reputation for success in music, drama and sport. It has an extensive programme of extra-curricular activities and outdoor pursuits.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18, 830 pupils, 735 day (15 boys, 720 girls), 95 boarding girls. Junior department 3-11, 174 girls. Senior department, 11-18, 656 pupils (15 boys, 641 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance tests used, plus interview and report. No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 50% of senior intake (few to sixth form); approx 50% of senior pupils from own junior department.
20+ pa scholarships, value 10%-30% of fees, plus exhibitions of 10% of fees. Means-tested bursaries available, occasionally up to 100% of fees; amount will depend on demand and available funding.
Head Teacher: Mrs Rebecca Dougall, in post from 2010. Educated at Charlton Park School, Cheltenham and at the universities of Bristol (English) and London (research). Previously Deputy Head of the school and of Oxford High. Teaching staff: 54 full time, 25 part time. Annual turnover 5%.
GCSE: 93 in Year 11, all gaining at least grade C in 8 subjects. A-levels: 79 in upper sixth: 14% passed in 4+ subjects, 83% in 3 subjects - with an average final point score achieved of 327. First IB results not yet available.
95% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 15% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 25% in science and engineering, 30% in humanities and social sciences, 15% in art and design, 5% in modern languages, 10% in vocational subjects eg occupational therapy, education, accountancy.
GCSE, AS/A-levels, IB Diploma. 20 GCSE subjects, 22 AS/A-level, 18 IB subjects. Sixth form: Some 25% of sixth form take IB. 75% take AS/A-level, mostly 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. Languages: French, German, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin and Latin offered to GCSE and A-level/IB; also Greek AS-level and Russian conversation classes. Regular exchanges to France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Native speaking foreign language assistants. ICT: Taught across the curriculum. 90 computers for pupil use; all sixth formers provided with a free laptop.
Music: Over 60% of pupils learn one or more musical instruments; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include 3 choirs, 2 orchestras, 2 wind bands, 2 jazz groups, ceilidh band, flute ensemble, 6 rock bands. Numerous musicians in leading positions in county orchestras and ensembles; many winners at mid-Somerset Festival. Drama and dance: Both offered; dance lessons at local studio. GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies. Majority of pupils involved in school productions and house competitions. Art and design: On average, 50 take GCSE, 28 in the sixth form. All foundation skills in art are encouraged including painting, sculpture, printmaking and life drawing. Design Technology: on average 30 take GCSE and 15 in the sixth form.
Sport: Hockey, lacrosse, netball, gym, athletics, swimming, tennis, rounders, dance (musical theatre, contemporary, street, company), basketball, trampolining, aerobics, women's rugby. GCSE and A-level PE and GCSE dance may be taken. International reps in sailing, gymnastics, fencing, cross country and athletics; regional reps in hockey, netball, cross country, athletics, swimming and rowing. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award, participate in Ten Tors Competition. Community service optional. Over 50 clubs, a range of cultural, academic, recreational and sporting opportunities and Young Enterprise.
Uniform: School uniform, except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses and house leaders. Head of college (sixth form) and head of school (ages 11-16) and deputies elected from sixth form. Student Council. Religion: Non-denominational. School assemblies twice a week, year group assemblies weekly (parents may withdraw pupils if they wish). Social: Variety of events with other schools - Bath Abbey choir, Bath Bach Junior Choir, Model United Nations, concerts and operas, productions, conferences, film societies, debates, social. Organised trips abroad for skiing, watersports, choir tour (recently to Barcelona) and sports (eg netball and hockey to Barbados and Holland), geography field trips (eg to Wales and Iceland) and exchanges (eg to Normandy and Berlin). Sixth form allowed to bring own car to school. Meals self-service; wide range of food options available; sixth-form has own cafe. School shops, including uniform and tuck shops. No alcohol allowed.
Based on mutual respect: the school has high expectations regarding behaviour and the students almost always meet them. Rewards policy is favoured with a light touch regarding sanctions, unless the misdemeanour is serious.
40% have own study bedroom, 60% share (with 2). Houses of about 50, divided by age group. Resident qualified nurse, visiting doctor. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own food by arrangement. 2 weekend exeats termly plus half-term. Weekend visits to local town allowed, according to age.
Old Girls Associations, c/o the school.
Jean Nunn (Cabinet Office; first woman to receive the Order of the Bath); Dame Veronica Sutherland (British Ambassador to Ireland); Lady (Elsbeth) Howe (Equal Opportunities Commission); Elizabeth Buchan (author); Sheila Gish (actress); Myrtle Maclagan and Audrey Collins (international cricketers); Helen Rollason (sports commentator); Dr Elizabeth Howe (writer and lecturer); Dr Elizabeth Hallam-Smith (Public Records Office).
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