One School + One Site = One Family
A community that builds Confidence, Curiosity & Connections
At Royal High Bath, GDST, we have always believed that girls flourish when they are known, challenged and inspired at every stage of their education. As the world changes, so too must the environments in which young people learn. Our responsibility is not only to respond to the needs of modern girls, but to anticipate them and ensure every Royal High student develops the skills, mindset and confidence to thrive far beyond her school years.
In this spirit of innovation and care, the Trustees of the GDST have approved an important evolution for our school. From September 2026, Royal High will move to a single site and adopt a new provision founded on a flexible Middle School model, bringing students from Years 5 to 13 together on our beautiful Lansdown campus.
This is a bold and forward-looking step, grounded in strong evidence about girls’ learning, development and wellbeing. It reflects our commitment to strengthening academic outcomes, nurturing confidence and providing a seamless, empowering educational journey for our youngest students. Years 5 and 6 will enjoy dedicated teaching spaces and warm, age‑appropriate support while benefiting from a natural, nurturing bridge into Year 7 and the start of Key Stage 3.
This model allows us to shape a rich and relevant educational experience for the pivotal Years 5 to 8, whilst respecting Year 7 as a key point of transition. This is a period of remarkable cognitive, social and emotional growth. With specialist teaching and exceptional facilities, girls will be both supported and stretched.
Most importantly, this evolution strengthens what lies at the heart of Royal High: sisterhood. Bringing Years 5–13 together creates meaningful connections, wider leadership opportunities and daily moments of collaboration and inspiration.
This next chapter celebrates who we are and confidently shapes who we will become. I look forward to welcoming our community into this exciting new era for Royal High School Bath.
Ms Heidi-Jayne Boyes
Head
–
Royal High School Bath, GDST
The Shape Of Our School
From September 2026, Royal High Bath will adopt a flexible model that uses a middle school structure designed to strengthen confidence, connection and curiosity through Years 5 to 13. This structure brings the final years of primary education together with the early secondary years, creating a smoother, more secure transition into GCSEs and beyond.
How It Will Work
Our flexible Middle School will combine the nurturing support younger girls need with the specialist teaching and wider opportunities of Senior School life. Years 5 and 6 will be taught and cared for by a dedicated team of age expert educators and teaching assistants, with the added advantage of some lessons delivered by subject specialists in purpose‑built classrooms. This ensures every girl experiences high‑quality teaching while still enjoying the reassurance of a close, age-appropriate environment.
Girls will be part of the wider school community—using shared facilities, joining in activities and building friendships across year groups—while still having their own spaces for quieter moments and focused learning.
Transition will be carefully coordinated by the Head of Middle School, working closely with the Heads of Year 7 and 8, the Deputy Head (Pastoral & Boarding) and the Deputy Head (Academic). Together they will oversee wellbeing, academic progress and the continuity that GDST research shows is vital for girls’ learning and confidence.
Why It Matters
A unified yet flexible Middle–Senior curriculum removes unnecessary breaks, creates purposeful progression and offers earlier access to higher-order thinking, STEAM pathways and leadership opportunities. Younger girls benefit from inspiring older role models, while older students develop mentoring and leadership skills that strengthen our whole community.
A new transition programme forming a bridge from Year 6 into Year 7 will focus on wellbeing, study skills and self-advocacy—empowering girls to step into Senior School with independence and confidence.
This joined‑up structure ensures every girl feels known, supported and ready to thrive.
Space For Specialists
At Royal High, specialist teaching is not an added extra — it is a fundamental part of how we prepare girls for the future.
From the earliest stages, our students benefit from subject experts in STEM, Languages, Creative and Performing Arts, Sport and Design Technology. This early exposure builds deep understanding, sparks genuine curiosity and allows girls to develop skills that are increasingly essential in a fast-changing world.
Specialist teachers bring passion, precision and real expertise to the classroom. They introduce advanced concepts in age-appropriate ways, stretch thinking, and fuel ambition. Whether a girl is experimenting in Science labs, learning a language, designing a product, stepping onto the stage or developing leadership through sport, she is taught by someone who knows exactly how to inspire and challenge her.
Very few junior schools can offer this level of specialist provision — and Royal High Bath excels at it.
Our approach ensures that girls don’t just access exceptional facilities; they learn to use them with confidence and creativity from the start.
The Way Girls Learn
With One School, One Site come exciting curriculum opportunities. Initiatives that were previously limited by logistics can now flourish, enabling us to offer more engaging and stimulating learning experiences for girls at every age and stage.
Curriculum for Girls
Royal High is, first and foremost, a school for girls. Everything we do is designed with girls in mind, and being on one site allows us to strengthen our girl-centred curriculum with smooth transitions across key developmental stages. Becoming One School, One Site, One Family means we can introduce a Flexible Middle School Curriculum designed specifically for girls.
In Years 5 and 6, pupils learn within the care of a specialist primary teacher while benefitting from passionate subject specialists and exceptional learning spaces. This gradual increase in independence ensures they are confident and ready for the Senior School experience of Year 7.
Girls mature earlier, thrive on collaboration and flourish in an environment free from gender stereotypes. Early specialist teaching helps every girl discover her strengths and pursue her passions confidently. GDST research reinforces this: girls achieve best when curriculum and pastoral systems are shaped around their developmental needs. Our curriculum reflects our values: Confidence, Curiosity and Connection.
In Year 5, curiosity is developed through enquiry. Class teachers remain central, but specialist teachers and inspiring spaces broaden horizons. The Royal High Learner Qualities – Brave, Reflective, Inquisitive, Collaborative, Kind and Sparky – underpin learning from Year 5 to Year 13.
In Year 6, increased specialist teaching and hands-on STEM experiences ignite curiosity further. We also introduce Problem Based Learning to develop collaboration and problem-solving skills.
By Year 7, continuity ensures girls arrive ready for a full timetable of separate subjects. In Year 8, they bring their skills together, culminating in the Festival of Ideas.
Confidence grows through familiarity and belonging. Leadership opportunities develop gradually, supported by older students who act as role models.
Connections strengthen across the school and the wider GDST. Events such as the Festival of Ideas bring students together with GDST sisters, alumnae and inspiring speakers. Clubs, societies and sport thrive across year groups, helping girls feel part of something larger while remaining known and supported.
Girl‑focused Curriculum For Opportunity
Our new curriculum is built on purposeful progression, with each year offering fresh opportunities for curiosity, confidence and meaningful connections. As pupils move through the school, every stage builds on the last, creating a continuous journey of growth and exploration.
Year 5
Enquiry Finding My Voice
Year 6
Exploration
Awareness
Year 7
Rigour & Wonder Self Advocacy
Year 8
Synthesis Empowerment
★ Subject specialist teaching
★ Royal High Learner Qualities Introduced
★ Support & challenge
★ WOLLOW (Languages)
★ Form Representatives
★ Eco Representatives
★ Specialist teaching
★ Growing independence
★ WOLLOW
★ Project Based Learning
★ Royal High 150 Project Qualification
★ Full specialist teaching with study clinics
★ PBL
★ Royal High 150 Project Qualification
★ Aspire Scholarship (from 2027)
★ Form and Eco Representatives
★ Prefects
★ Form Reps
★ Student Voice
★ UNDIVIDED Reps
★ Sustainability Reps
★ International Reps Buddy roles for Year 5
★ Big Sister vertical pastoral system
★ Whole school assemblies
★ Fortnightly Year 5-8
Middle School assembly
★ Buddy system with Year 7
★ Attendance at selected Year 7 events
★ Bespoke PSHE and wellbeing curriculum
★ Stretch & challenge
★ Study skills & exam technique
★ Specialist teaching with study clinics
★ Middle School Masterclasses
★ PBL
★ Royal High 150 Project Qualification
★ 150 Community Scholarship (from 2027)
★ Big Sister Ambassadors (Years 5 & 6)
★ Form, Student Voice, DEIB & Sustainability Reps
★ Buddies for Year 6
★ Careers events
★ GCSE options planning
★ Leadership opportunities
Opportunities for All (Years 5–8)
★ Academic trips (year‑specific and blended groups)
★ Future Pathways programme (embedded in PSHE)
★ Visiting speakers and alumnae
★ Cross-phase subject workshops (e.g. Music, Drama)
★ Public speaking workshops
★ Summer Project Qualification Showcase
★ Lower School Ambassadors and assemblies
Pathways: Future Ready Skills (Years 5–8)
Curriculum Themes
★ Digital systems and careers in technology
★ Money management, communication and CVs
★ Dream jobs, entrepreneurship and future careers
★ Personal finance, climate careers and success
Co Curricular and Enrichment
★ AI workshops
★ Science and digital clubs
★ Digital Leader Techathon
★ Mini Aspire Talks
★ Leadership roles
★ STEM careers afternoons
★ Royal High 150 Project Qualification
★ Aspire Scholarship Programme
★ Debate and public speaking clubs
★ Year 8 Business Challenge
★ Entrepreneurship drop down days
★ Festival of Ideas
A Nurturing Community...
Royal High Bath is a community where every girl is known and valued for who she is. It is a place where kindness is modelled, friendships are nurtured and wellbeing is central to school life. Here, your daughter will feel part of a family that celebrates her individuality and supports her to excel—academically, socially and emotionally.
Years 5 & 6:
Bridging the Gap
Pastoral care sits at the heart of Royal High School Bath. As your daughter moves into Years 5 and 6 on our Lansdown site, she will continue to receive the warm, individualised support she has known at the Prep School, while gaining the added richness and opportunity of being part of our wider Senior community.
Our dedicated Middle School team is specially trained to support girls at this stage of their development. Class teachers remain central to your daughter’s daily experience: greeting her each morning, guiding her learning, noticing when she needs reassurance, and celebrating her achievements. Alongside them, our skilled pastoral team nurtures young women who are principled, confident and ready to navigate an ever-changing world.
Years 5 and 6 pupils benefit from their own dedicated spaces, including calm, age-appropriate classrooms, social areas and outdoor spaces that feel familiar and secure. At the same time, they begin to explore the wider campus through assemblies, co-curricular
activities and shared events with older students. This balance ensures they retain the nurturing environment they need while embracing new opportunities and forming meaningful connections across year groups.
At Royal High Bath, we believe that pastoral wellbeing and academic success go hand in hand. Confident, happy learners are able to think creatively, take risks and develop independence. Our Middle School acts as a purposeful bridge between Years 5-8, supporting students to become increasingly independent, imaginative and bold.
It is a place where kindness is modelled, friendships are nurtured and wellbeing is central to school life.
...Where Every Girl Is Known
Years
7 & 8:
Growing with Confidence
Your daughter’s move into Year 7 and her progression into Year 8 are carefully guided by our experienced Heads of Year, Dr Anna Jenkin (Year 7) and Mrs Emily Goy (Year 8). Day to day, she will also benefit from dedicated support from her Form Tutor, who mentors her in both pastoral and academic matters, helping her to embed our Royal High Learner Qualities.
Her wellbeing and academic progress is overseen by our Deputy Head (Pastoral and Boarding), Mrs Elizabeth Cunningham, and Deputy Head (Academic), Mr Hadrian Briggs. Together, they ensure that every girl feels known, supported and challenged to achieve her personal best.
We believe in giving students the space to think for themselves and to explore the world creatively. Cross-curricular projects and our innovative Problem Based Learning curriculum, introduced in Year 7, foster autonomy, curiosity and resilience. These qualities support not only academic excellence but also emotional
wellbeing. Attributes such as bravery, kindness, collaboration and reflection form the foundation of well-rounded, grounded and confident young people.
Year group common rooms give students a relaxed space to socialise and unwind during break times. We prioritise face-to-face communication as an essential life skill, and strong friendships are central to good mental health. To support this, the school is mobile-free; all students use a Phone Locker pouch on arrival each morning.
Our Wellbeing Hub offers a calm, restorative environment for girls who need time out from the busier parts of the school day. This cross-year space includes a quiet common room, our Learning Support Zone and a Silent Study Zone for those wishing to focus or catch up on work. Staffed by our Safeguarding and Attendance Lead and our SENDCO, it provides meaningful support for girls who need to recharge or seek guidance.
Our pastoral provision also includes our highly experienced School Nurses and a confidential School Counselling service. Whatever they are facing, girls know there is always someone available to listen.
Here, your daughter will feel part of a family that celebrates her individuality and supports her to excel—academically, socially and emotionally.