How to get the most from our Senior School Open Morning

Picture the scene. You’re in Year Six and about to visit our Senior School Open Event.  You don’t quite know what to expect and you’re not sure how Senior School differs to Primary School. Here are some top tips for you to get the most from the morning. 

What happens on the day? 

You’ll come to the Redmaids’ High Senior School site together with your parents. There will be a short welcome from the Head, Mr Paul Dwyer, our Head Girls and some of our current Year 7s. After this, your family group will be introduced to two current students who will take you on a tour of the school to learn a bit more about what goes on in Senior School, meet some of our teachers and have a nosey around classrooms and other facilities. You can read more about the day here.  

Here are some things to think about as you tour and some suggested questions you might like to ask your friendly tour guides and any of the students who are demonstrating the activities! 

Redmaids’ High life – Ask your tour guides about the shape of the school day and what life is really like here. They will be able to tell you how long lessons are and what activities are available to join in with at lunchtime or after school. Every student gets their own iPad so there is a good opportunity to ask about the balance between online and offline learning. 

Science – Explore how Science is taught when joining Year 7 or 9. Our dedicated Biology, Chemistry and Physics teachers can show you the sorts of hands-on experiments you will perform and what sort of thing is covered in the different disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. They will also explain what sort of extra-curricular activities are on offer to explore your love of the subject; Dissection Club anyone?! 

Maths – Our dedicated Maths teachers and lots of students will be on hand to talk to you about how Maths is taught in Year 7 and beyond and to describe the concept of sets. They can also show you what sorts of online and engaging tools are used to support your learning. 

Food Science and Nutrition – We have specialist teachers and a recently refurbished space so you can take the time to explore and find out about the skills you will learn and the wonderful dishes you will create. 

Creative and Visual Arts – We have an impressive array of equipment. When in our specialist spaces, ask the guides to show you the sorts of things you can make on our 3D printers and the types of garments you can make in Textiles. When you check out our Fine Art studios look at the sorts of materials you will be using from Year 7 onwards and the range of skills you will be taught.  

Sport – if you have never played hockey, netball or cricket before the team will be on hand to explain how they will teach you the skills needed. They can explain how you can get involved in fixtures against other schools and what lunchtime and after school clubs are on offer. If you’ve played a lot of team sports so far, ask about the various national tournaments we enter for hockey, netball, cricket and athletics. 

English – If literature is your thing, then you will love our library and reading spaces.  Ask the team what sort of books and techniques you’ll study in English and discover what happens in our timetabled library sessions. If you would like to get involved in public speaking and debating, ask about the various competitions we run here in school and enter externally. 

Performing Arts – There are so many opportunities to get involved in both timetabled Drama lessons and as extra-curricular activity. Ask our talented team what sort of thing is covered in lessons and enquire about the productions we put on every year.  If you don’t fancy being on stage, then there are lots of ways to be involved – our students even run lighting and sound! 

Music – You don’t have to play an instrument to get a lot from our Music lessons. There are many activities or clubs to get involved in. For the singers and instrumentalists amongst you, enquire about the various ensembles that you can join or the different concerts we put on and competitions students can take participate in. 

Enrichment – You might like to find out more about our Year 7 and 8 programme where you can spend a morning with a reptile expert to learn about conservation or have a go at broadcasting on our own radio station, Redmaidio, or learn survival skills.  We also have an annual event called ‘Enrichment Days’ where the whole school is off timetable for 3 days. This year’s activities saw students learn construction skills like bricklaying and tiling, create a play in a day, cook healthy meals on a budget and much more. 

Trips and Outdoor Adventure – Our Head of Outdoor Adventures will be on hand to show you all the sorts of things you can try, including Duke of Edinburgh.  We are Bristol’s largest provider to girls and at Redmaids’ High you can do Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Alternatively, you might like to find out more about taking part in Bouldering or join our highly successful orienteering team. 

Learning Support – should you need additional help with your studies; you can meet with our SenCo Dharani Pillay to find out a little more about the range of support measures Redmaids’ High can offer. 

After all that, we have barely scratched the surface.  You'll also see what our Humanities, Computer Science and Business and Economics Departments can offer and much, much more. We think you will have an eye-opening morning exploring life at Redmaids’ High. We genuinely believe that Redmaids’ High is the best choice for girls in Bristol and we cannot wait to demonstrate to you why. 

Please click here to book your place at our Senior School Open Morning on Saturday 4 October.