Chapters
There's a running gag among a certain set of New York City parents. Something to do with wanting the best school placement for their child. It jokes about parents having to register before their child is even born. As it turns out, New Yorkers aren't the only ones having those conversations. All over England, parents vie for the best placements for their kids, too.
Many have their sights set on Badminton. They only need to consult the government league table to find out how well Badminton students perform on exams. But that is by far not the only outlet touting this school's wonders. Like the Godolphin School, Badminton consistently ranks high in the Financial Times Top 1000 schools. The Good School's Guide touts Badminton as an educational success story due to its relatively small size. And also, the high degree of individualised attention is lavished on each student.
What does Badminton School have and/or do that other schools fall short on? We need to look at:
- the school's amenities
- the calibre of education
- the extracurricular activities
- Badminton's admission procedures
Here are our top tips and tricks for parents and students on how to get into Badminton School.
About Badminton School
Badminton School is an independent day and boarding school for girls in Bristol, England. The school was founded by Mrs Miriam Badock in 1858. She wanted to provide girls with the same quality of education as their brothers. The school celebrates its 150-year heritage with pride at having achieved the perfect balance between old traditions and new practices and facilities.
Badminton’s values centre “on a culture of mutual respect and tolerance, underpinned by a strong sense of integrity [and] . . . above all . . . a good sense of fun!” This ethos is engrained even in the school's youngest pupils; those enrolled ahead of their Reception years. And they must live up to their word. Badminton school counts among its alumni one Prime Minister (Indira Gandhi), a former Member of Parliament (Charlotte Leslie) and a princess - the daughter of King Hussein I of Jordan.
Badminton’s prime location and facilities make the school a popular destination for many students. Located in Bristol, Badminton enjoys the safety and beauty of a college town and the accessibility of London. The campus includes many amenities, such as an indoor swimming pool and a Music School. It also boasts a Creative Arts Centre, an all-weather pitch and Fitness Centre, a recent extension to the Sixth Form Centre and a newly renovated Bartlett House for Junior Boarders.
A Curious Historical Twist
Badminton School is only five years younger than Cheltenham Ladies' College. That college was established in 1853 when two gentleman educators proposed a facility for girls' education. They, along with four other men, decided everything from the school's setup to its curriculum. Once they had everything in place, they hired a headmistress to oversee operations.
By contrast. Badminton school got its start from one woman's vision of equality in education. Mrs Badock believed that girls were just as capable and deserving of quality education as boys. The curriculum she insisted on included maths, science and other 'typically boy' subjects. She avoided courses in the Domestic Arts, preferring her girls to have access to a broad range of extracurricular learning activities. And sports, too. Educators of her day thought she must have been loony. Badminton School is currently enjoying the last laugh.
How to Know if Badminton Is Right for You
In many ways, Badminton is a pioneering school. It was among the first to offer female students education in science. In fact, Countess Mountbatten of Burma opened the school's Science Centre in 1958. That's just one of Badminton's many distinctions. This school's strong affinity for creative arts has inspired many illustrious personae, from Dame Iris Murdoch to Rosamund Pike.
Stardust and glitter aside, Badminton School is serious about providing the best educational facilities for your daughter. They were among the first independent schools to have a purpose-built Sixth Form Centre. They established ties with Model United Nations to teach about diplomacy and international relations. Shortly thereafter, a Badminton student delegation became the first British representatives in the European Youth Parliament.
These statistics shouldn't fail to impress but what do they mean for you? Prospective students and their parents need a more personal connection with this school to truly appreciate it. That's why Badminton School hosts four Open Mornings and one Open Evening. They begin in autumn and continue into the spring. These events will allow you and your daughter to tour the school, meet students and staff, and experience Badminton’s culture firsthand.
Badminton School Admissions Policy
Admissions for Badminton School require that you pay a £50-100 registration fee. Also, you must complete a 10-minute online survey or download and return a 10-minute paper survey on behalf of your daughter. After your registration has been processed, your daughter will sit several examinations, about which you can read more below.
What are Badminton School interviews and examinations like? How can your daughter do well on them? If possible, Badminton asks that all girls book a visit before sitting their entrance exams or submitting papers. They would like to get to know your daughter a little better as much as you need to know what Badminton is all about. This step is not unusual, comparable schools such as Downe House School have adopted the same policy.
For the youngest pupils, Nursery to Year 6, Badminton recommends registering as early as possible, preferably during the autumn term. They should also take part in a Taster Day to give the school a chance for their informal assessments. Year 3 to 6 pupils will further sit a reasoning test online, as well as short Maths and English tests.
Year 7 through 13 admissions also call for those exams though, obviously, they will be level-appropriate. These pupils' online test is more expansive, testing their cognitive abilities as well as reasoning. They will further submit to an interview with a senior staff member, who will also request references from your daughter's current school. All of this should happen at least one year ahead of their date of anticipated entry.
Sixth Form girls will also need to allow two days, one year before their anticipated entrance, to allow for the admissions procedures. They entail writing entrance papers in two A-level subjects of their choosing, as well as a general English paper. As with the other levels, there will be interviews and performance assessments from your daughter's current school.
Badminton has a policy against releasing previous papers. But your daughter should still benefit from practising verbalizing her interests to prepare for the interview. To help her prepare, you might quiz her on her skills and co-curricular and her thoughts on work, shopping and school, of course. You may find other essay and exam resources by hiring a Badminton Entrance tutor.
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