Red Maids' School
Encyclopedia
The Red Maids' School is an independent school
for girls in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol
. The school is a member of the Girls' Schools Association
and a MyDaughter
school.
at over 375 years old.
His original Red Maids’ Hospital provided a secure home for the orphaned or destitute daughters of freemen or burgesses of the City of Bristol, where they were taught to read and sew.
The entrance lodge dates from 1830 and has been designated by English Heritage
as a Grade II listed building.
During World War I, the Red Maids' School was moved to Manor House, which is now part of the University of Bristol
, while the school buildings in Westbury were used as a Red Cross hospital.
On Founder’s Day all the girls march from Welsh Back, through the city, to the cathedral, where a service takes place. In keeping with school tradition the girls are then allowed the afternoon off.
The secondary school, set in extensive grounds, consists of three main buildings: Main Building, the 300 Building (opened in 1934) and Denmark; there are also a music block and a sports hall. Attached to Denmark is the Whitson Centre, which houses the sixth form; the latter is being extended and refurbished to house increasing student numbers. The junior school was extended in 2008.
There is an astroturf
(opened in 2005) and three additional netball/tennis courts. Hidden under the grounds of the school is a former bomb shelter used during World War II
. It is off-limits to students.
The school has a house system
with competitions in activities such as dance, music, hockey, netball and drama.
The four houses are named after four of John Whitson's ships:
The uniform differs between the junior school and the secondary school. In the secondary school the uniform consists of a distinctive red kilt and matching jumper, with a white blouse. From the year 2008, a black blazer was introduced. In the sixth form, the students may wear their own clothes, though a "smart and sensible" dress code is implemented and clothes such as jeans, strap tops or logo-branded clothes are banned.
Among the main strengths of the school the report noted: "the warm and friendly ethos that is achieved strongly supports pupils’ learning and personal development" and "the realistic and committed leadership of the Headmistress and the Head Teacher" alongside a number of other positive remarks about the school.
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
for girls in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
. The school is a member of the Girls' Schools Association
Girls' Schools Association
The Girls' Schools Association is the professional association of the heads of independent girls' schools in the UK and overseas and is a constituent member of the Independent Schools Council .-History:...
and a MyDaughter
MyDaughter
MyDaughter is a British website set up by the Girls' Schools Association offering advice to parents of daughters on all aspects of raising and educating girls...
school.
History
The Red Maids' school was founded in 1634 from the bequest of John Whitson, Mayor and MP of Bristol, making it the oldest surviving girls' school in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
at over 375 years old.
His original Red Maids’ Hospital provided a secure home for the orphaned or destitute daughters of freemen or burgesses of the City of Bristol, where they were taught to read and sew.
The entrance lodge dates from 1830 and has been designated by English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
as a Grade II listed building.
During World War I, the Red Maids' School was moved to Manor House, which is now part of the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
, while the school buildings in Westbury were used as a Red Cross hospital.
Founder's Day
The Red Maids' School Founder’s Day is the annual celebration of the life and vision of the founder, John Whitson, Mayor and MP of Bristol. The event commemorates the attempted murder of Whitson on November 7, 1626: Christopher Callowhill stabbed him in the face with a dagger on that day. Whitson survived for two years after this attack before dying after falling from a horse.On Founder’s Day all the girls march from Welsh Back, through the city, to the cathedral, where a service takes place. In keeping with school tradition the girls are then allowed the afternoon off.
Facilities and campus
The Junior School and Senior School are separate, but located close together, allowing the junior school full use of the secondary school's facilitation.The secondary school, set in extensive grounds, consists of three main buildings: Main Building, the 300 Building (opened in 1934) and Denmark; there are also a music block and a sports hall. Attached to Denmark is the Whitson Centre, which houses the sixth form; the latter is being extended and refurbished to house increasing student numbers. The junior school was extended in 2008.
There is an astroturf
Artificial turf
Artificial turf is a surface manufactured from synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. However, it is now being used on residential lawns and commercial applications as well...
(opened in 2005) and three additional netball/tennis courts. Hidden under the grounds of the school is a former bomb shelter used during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It is off-limits to students.
School life
The school is divided into three sections: the junior school (7-11), secondary school (11-16), and sixth form (16-18).Houses
The school has a house system
House system
The house system is a traditional feature of British schools, and schools in the Commonwealth. Historically, it was associated with established public schools, where a 'house' refers to a boarding house or dormitory of a boarding school...
with competitions in activities such as dance, music, hockey, netball and drama.
The four houses are named after four of John Whitson's ships:
- Speedwell (Dark blue)
- Maryflowre (Light blue)
- Discoverer (Yellow)
- Seabreake (Green)
Uniform
The uniform differs between the junior school and the secondary school. In the secondary school the uniform consists of a distinctive red kilt and matching jumper, with a white blouse. From the year 2008, a black blazer was introduced. In the sixth form, the students may wear their own clothes, though a "smart and sensible" dress code is implemented and clothes such as jeans, strap tops or logo-branded clothes are banned.
ISI report
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) visited the school in October 2003. Their Inspection Report was published in January 2004.Among the main strengths of the school the report noted: "the warm and friendly ethos that is achieved strongly supports pupils’ learning and personal development" and "the realistic and committed leadership of the Headmistress and the Head Teacher" alongside a number of other positive remarks about the school.
International Baccalaureate
From 2009 Red Maids sixth formers could study for A-levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Red Maids was the first independent school in Bristol to offer the IB.Notable former pupils
- Alice RobertsAlice RobertsAlice May Roberts is an English anatomist, osteoarchaeologist, anthropologist, television presenter, and author.Best known for her TV appearances in the BBC series Coast, Dr Alice Roberts: Don't Die Young, and The Incredible Human Journey, she has also appeared as an expert osteoarchaeologist on...
(born 1973), anatomist, osteoarchaeologist, anthropologist, TV presenter, and author - Kate SedleyKate SedleyKate Sedley is the pen-name of Brenda Margaret Lilian Honeyman Clarke, an English historical novelist. She was born in Bristol in 1926 and educated at The Red Maid's School, Westbury-on-Trym. She is married and has a son and a daughter, and one granddaughter...
(born 1926), novelist — writer of medieval historical whodunnits
See also
- List of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom
- Queen Elizabeth's HospitalQueen Elizabeth's HospitalQueen Elizabeth's Hospital is an independent school for boys in Clifton, Bristol, England founded in 1586. Stephen Holliday has served as Headmaster since 2000, having succeeded Dr Richard Gliddon...
- Red Maids' "brother school", an independent boys' school in CliftonClifton, BristolClifton is a suburb of the City of Bristol in England, and the name of both one of the city's thirty-five council wards. The Clifton ward also includes the areas of Cliftonwood and Hotwells...
.