Why being named by The Sunday Times as Bristol's top academic school is just a small part of our story

In December last year, we were thrilled to announce that Redmaids' High School had been named by The Sunday Times as the top school in Bristol for academic excellence. It is a league table that is based on the GCSE, A Level and IB Diploma results of all state and independent schools from the summer of 2024. For the third year in a row, we finished top in our city and placed in the Top 10 schools across the South West.

But this academic success is just one part of our story and reflects more than outstanding results. It celebrates the strength of our pastoral care, the power of our partnerships and the dynamic support system that underpins every girl’s aspirations and achievements at our school. Here we explain more… 

A foundation of pastoral excellence

Our students thrive because they are supported every step of the way throughout their journey with us. Exceptional pastoral care is at the heart of all that we do, ensuring that every girl feels valued, understood and equipped to navigate the challenges in her life. We know that a happy and confident student is one who will achieve their full potential, and every member of our community works to create a nurturing environment where this is possible. We strongly believe exceptional academic results would not be possible without this pastoral foundation.

For more about the pastoral care at our school, click HERE to meet our Head of Pastoral Ms Stimson.

Experts in girls’ education

For nearly four centuries, we have been a leader in girls-only education, offering a space where young women can excel without limits. The latest report from the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST), titled Designing the Future of Girls’ Education, highlights the importance of creating learning environments tailored to girls' needs to further confidence, leadership, and academic excellence. It goes on to report that girls in single-sex educational settings are more likely to pursue subjects traditionally dominated by males, such as STEM fields. These findings align with our commitment to creating an environment tailored specifically for girls, where they can explore their interests, whatever they may be, without limitations and have the freedom to define what their own success looks like.

Endless extra-curricular opportunities

Our extensive extra-curricular programme ensures that every student has the chance to explore her passions, develop new skills and enjoy different experiences. The previously mentioned GDST report strongly reinforces this viewpoint, highlighting that involvement in extra-curricular activities encourages essential life skills such as teamwork, creativity, adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving while promoting a positive 'can do' attitude and a willingness to try new things. It is these experiences that help our students find an important balance between studies and all other areas and interests in their lives, enabling them to thrive.

Exceptional Sixth Form Centre

Our Sixth Form is a vibrant and supportive environment where students are encouraged to reach their highest potential both academically and personally. Beyond academic challenges, we focus on helping each girl discover her unique strengths, develop her individuality, and define her aspirations. The School's dedicated staff provide tailored guidance, listening closely to students’ needs and celebrating their diversity and individuality. Our Sixth Form is a close-knit community where girls feel empowered, valued, and free to express themselves without limits. This collaborative approach develops a sense of ownership and comfort, ensuring students feel genuinely at home. This bespoke support and freedom create an environment that naturally promotes success among our students.

A partnership with parents

In addition to working closely with our students, we believe that education reaches its highest potential when there is a strong partnership between school and home. By developing close collaboration with parents and carers, we create an environment where students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Through our unique initiatives, such as Parenting in Partnership and our involvement with Tooled Up Education, we actively build strong, trusted relationships with families, ensuring that every student receives the tailored support she needs to be happy and successful.

For more about the provision at our school, please click HERE.