Redmaids' High School GDST

Since 2020, Paul Dwyer BA Oxon PGCE FCCT. Brought up in Accrington, his career was launched by a perceptive and supportive teacher at the FE college where he did his sixth form years. A couple of Sutton Trust summer schools - the teacher’s suggestion - gave him the confidence to apply to Oxford, where he read history and went on to do his PGCE, the first member of his family to go to university. Early years were spent in the state sector, which included a formative spell at one of the dauntingly selective Bucks grammars, Sir William Borlase, followed by a leap into the independent sector and just girls at Putney High and North London Collegiate. But he has remained committed to widening access to academically rigorous education for children who might not ever have considered it or its merits, and contributes regularly to conferences and podcasts on excellence in teaching practice; he was a founding fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. Now equally committed to single sex girls’ education also, this first male head of one of Bristol’s foremost girls’ schools had to fill the tiny court shoes of the previous diminutive but formidable head with his own shiny black loafers – and seems to be smashing it, and not just sartorially in his snappy houndstooth check suit and paisley tie.

Parents thoroughly approve: ‘decisive,’ ‘measured but not preachy,’ ‘authentic,’ ‘understated and softly spoken but gets his point across, not afraid to talk about things we might not like to talk about,’ were some of the remarks that came our way. We found him one of the least glib and most considered heads we had ever met, pausing before answering many of our questions. ‘I have been entrusted with the privilege of running a girls’ school,’ he reflected ‘and I want each Redmaids' High girl to follow a path unique to her and to make a difference in her own sphere of influence. We are not all Greta Thunberg - it could be the local Brownie pack’. Teaches years 7 and 8 and writes a decent blog on wider educational matters such as reforming the university admissions process.

Work and family life – Mr Dwyer is married (his wife originally hails from Bristol) with two small children – do not leave him much time for hobbies but he is a keen reader with two heavyweight political biographies on his bedside table.

Mostly into year 7 by means of the school's own entrance exam held in early January: papers in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning plus report from previous school and interview. Many girls arrive from the junior school through exactly the same process, but good numbers from other schools too. Small numbers into year 9, where the process is more demanding, with papers in science and a language added. At sixth form, a minimum of six 6s at GCSEs are required, with at least a 6 in any subject to be taken on to A level, 7s for maths and sciences. Conditional offers are made based on an interview, predicted GCSE grades and a reference from current school.

About 40 per cent leave after GCSE; some look elsewhere out of curiosity; the opening of nearby partner school QEH’s sixth form to girls has not helped. That said, a few leave and come scuttling back. Sixth formers to a range of courses up and down the land, including to Exeter, Warwick, Cardiff and Newcastle. In 2024, none to Oxbridge; one degree apprenticeship at Jaguar and several to music, drama and art colleges. Two abroad, one to study medicine in Athens, the other to Trinity College Dublin.

Academically selective but claims to take girls who are ‘average or above’ - so those excellent results must be proof of top-class teaching and students’ hard work.

A demanding curriculum in year 7 includes two languages. Girls sit nine or 10 GCSEs with a language and humanity strongly advised. Sensibly, the IGCSE science course starts in year 9 and they can then choose between three separate sciences or dual award. One parent thought perhaps that too much emphasis was placed on GCSE science, and that it might have been part of a legacy issue to ‘get girls into science’, but the school’s commitment to STEM is stated loud and clear on the website – and there’s an observatory in the grounds. That and professor and TV pundit Alice Roberts the most famous former pupil, along with other scientific luminaries. Other options include Russian and dance. We were struck by the exceptional range of choices at A level, with 31 on offer, including five languages.

Teaching space variable in its contemporary appeal, but we were wowed by the food technology room, which boasts the same equipment as Bake Off; food tech and textiles are timetabled in rotation. The lessons we saw – such as a geography class looking at the most heavily polluting countries post COP26 – were engaging and lively, if conventional. Parents like the small class sizes: ‘My kids – one very introverted and one easily distracted – have blossomed’ one told us. Hard work does not go unsupported and year 11 girls are given a staff mentor and an hour a fortnight, but school ‘does not set expectations of its young women,’ one mother reported in approving tones. As the head told us, ‘My aim is that we will have met the aims and aspirations of every student - “this is me and I’m doing what I want.”’ He, meanwhile, has reviewed the A level pathway with an exciting-looking programme of electives to run alongside A level studies from September 2024.

Centrally located in the main building and can count a part-time specialist dyslexic teacher and assessor among its staff; in-class and one-to-one support also. Screening at entry to year 7, at year 10 and again at sixth form reveal dyslexia and phonological processing to be the most common difficulties, but ASC diagnoses are on the rise, which are addressed through pastoral and peer group support. ‘The girls here are able and well supported at home, which means difficulties sometimes come to light later’ the senior SENCo told us, ‘But there is a culture of openness and we run assemblies on topics like neurodiversity’. Every girl on the SEN register has an individual learning profile which teachers act on and some are on a reduced timetable to accommodate their needs. Parents are generally positive and receptive to all the help provided.

Musicians exceptionally well catered for. Many schools claim there is something musical for everyone, even the tone deaf, but here the sheer range of opportunity and genre would tempt anyone. From samba to madrigals – it's got the lot. In year 9, girls can study music or music tech; many do both. All sorts of ensembles grouping instruments, genres and levels of skill and experience perform within school - which boasts Redland Hall, a beautiful new performance space complete with a Steinway model D grand piano - and outside its gates in Bristol’s most prestigious venues and beyond. A senior choir rehearsing without copies impressed us greatly – perhaps part of the previous head’s insistence on speaking without notes and strongly encouraging the girls to do the same. ‘My Fair Lady’ was in rehearsal at the time of our visit (it got rave reviews) and when we visited, the choir, strings and woodwind had started to brush up their repertoire in earnest for a tour to Lake Garda.

Drama is timetabled and available as a GCSE option but much takes place off timetable and includes performing beyond Bristol (eg Edinburgh Fringe) as well as closer to home (eg A Midsummer’s Dream outside or at local gem the Tobacco Factory). Very inclusive - there is, after all, no stage without backstage.

Art takes place in a beautifully light series of rooms but displays are hung, mounted and installed throughout the school. Sculpture, ceramics and digital media complement more usual offerings; textiles also strong - we particularly liked the repurposing of paper dress-making patterns as clothing for a mannequin. Lots of extracurricular art including a life-drawing class to destress sixth formers. Trips near and far plus close links to local galleries complete the picture.

Clubs take place before (early run, anyone?) and after school and during lunchtimes - some academic clinics, lots of music and sport practice but also philosophy, debating, creative ballet and the daily ever popular Redmaidio, the school’s radio station with its own studio, plus the newest addition, the Pride group. Outdoor activities apart from sport not pursued with quite the obvious zeal as the junior school, but climbing, caving and orienteering all take place in the nearby Mendips and take-up of bronze DofE in particular is very high.

All the games generally offered by girls’ schools, plus cricket and football. All the Astro and the sports hall are on site, but the school has just purchased a chunk of land for playing fields at the Lawns out towards the major retail development at Cribbs Causeway a minibus ride away, which will secure and greatly enhance facilities, once they are finished. An extensive fixture list against other schools – complete with helpful maps and contact details – means most girls who want a match will get one. Parents like the fact that there are opportunities for individual sports alongside team games, but the wish list for improved facilities is quite long and includes ‘bubbles’ over some netball courts, a decent gym and a 400m athletics track – even the new sports ground at the Lawns will not have space for one – plus a swimming pool, ditto. Netball particularly strong and the school has just been picked to be a nova academy, a regional coaching pathway for talented players. A handful of players are regularly picked for regional development squads in hockey, cricket, badminton and athletics. Routine appearances and success on the local circuit suggest that this smallish school punches above its weight in the sporting arena.

Much effort is devoted to pastoral care and there is plenty of support in place for those who need it through peer or staff mentors, a specialist support teacher or school counsellor. The ‘emotional temperature’ of each girl is also taken twice a year through the AS tracker, an online questionnaire which assesses mental health. Parents feel their daughters are well supported and that the school effectively handles things like friendship issues – a teenage girl perennial - knowing when to step back when necessary. We picked up no whiff of nastiness or bullying whatsoever, though we did hear of a few girls to fleeing to Redmaids’ High from other schools. A discreet eye is kept out in the dining hall for nascent eating disorders. ‘There is room for all and space for all’ one mother told us. Discipline does not loom large here – the focus is very much on positive reinforcement, though another parent observed that she thought that the carrot v stick shtick worked better with younger girls.

Quite diverse in all respects. Relatively modest fees mean the school is accessible to a broader range of families and the ethnic mix is representative of the UK as a whole, with more than 50 languages spoken. The majority come from a five mile radius but some travel from nearby towns and villages, and even Wales. Parents seem down to earth and work hard to fund their daughters’ education, for which they are grateful. And the girls? Chatty, thoughtful, busy and appreciative.

Fees comparable with other Bristol independent day schools, five per cent sister discount. Scholarships, which can be awarded at any entry point, are given at Rose or Denmark level with a fee reduction offered for outstanding ability. No separate papers – all done on the basis of entrance assessments. Internal scholarships for year 7, 10 and 12. Sport, music and art scholarships also available; skill and passion assessed on a given day. No comparable award for the visual or performing arts, however. Redmaids' High’s origins mean it can award at least two fully funded places at year 7 for the super bright, who would not otherwise be able to stretch to independent school fees. The introduction of development grants, ‘financial support to develop a skill, talent or idea at any point in a girl’s school life’, is a welcome innovation and might fund the acquisition of a foreign language, sports or arts equipment or additional music lessons.