A school where girls choose between British A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate, perform on Steinway pianos, and gain places at the world’s leading universities.
About the School
Royal High School Bath is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3-18, situated in historic Bath. It belongs to the Girls’ Day School Trust, the UK’s largest charitable education network that brings together 26 schools and over 100,000 alumnae worldwide. The school operates from a neo-Gothic building on Lansdowne Road and an 11-acre parkland campus at Cranwell House, which houses a £2 million Steinway music school, art facilities, and modern boarding accommodation.
Royal High School Bath Achievements
In 2024, nearly half of the graduates achieved the highest grades of 9-8 at GCSE, while 40.9% earned A at A-Level. The average IB score reached 36.24, significantly above the global mean of 30, placing the school among the top 8% of UK institutions. The year before, 82% of leavers secured their first-choice university places, with half pursuing sciences and technology. As one of just 250 Steinway Music Schools worldwide, it offers masterclasses with renowned musicians and partnerships with Bath Philharmonia and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Achievements:
- Ranks in the top 8% of UK schools by GCSE results
- 50% of graduates continue studying natural sciences and technology at university
- Steinway Music School status with access to masterclasses from world musicians
- Partnership with Bath Philharmonia and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
- Average IB score of 36.24 versus global 30
Education
Royal High School Bath follows a continuous education model from age 3 to 18. Younger pupils learn through the Reggio Emilia approach and Cranwell Discovery Curriculum, while older students prepare for GCSEs before choosing between A-Levels and the IB Diploma for their final years.
Education stages:
- Nursery (ages 3-4) — Reggio Emilia approach
- Prep (Reception — Year 6) — Cranwell Discovery Curriculum system
- Senior School (Years 7-11) — GCSE preparation
- Sixth Form (Years 12-13) — A-Levels
Girls in their final years select up to four A-Level subjects from 25 options, including art history, economics, politics, psychology, and photography. Alongside this, everyone studies the Future Skills course, which covers critical thinking, financial literacy, and working with artificial intelligence. International pupils benefit from specialized language support taught by qualified specialists, including the head of the BAWESS research team at the University of Bath. Last year, all Year 11 graduates achieved the top grade 9 in English as a second language.
Extracurricular Life
Girls participate in over 50 weekly clubs, ranging from debates and Model United Nations to African drumming and samba band. Sports include netball, hockey on the all-weather pitch, tennis at Lansdown club, triathlon at Bath University’s Olympic centre, and swimming with Bath Dolphins. Creative pursuits thrive through musical ensembles, theatre productions, the ARTiculation competition, Duke of Edinburgh Award, and volunteering with charitable organizations. Saturdays feature a “sport for all” programme that welcomes participants of any skill level.
Additional opportunities:
- Cricket at Bath Cricket Club
- Gymnastics at Baskervilles Gym
- Orchestra, chamber choir, songwriting clubs
- Participation in Gig Night music events
- Volunteering with charitable organizations
- Duke of Edinburgh Award programme
Boarding
Royal High School Bath accommodates up to 140 girls on full, weekly (Sunday-Friday), and flexible boarding arrangements of 1-3 nights. Younger pupils live on the upper floor of the main building in rooms with mezzanines, while sixth formers occupy twin rooms equipped with study areas, kitchens, and common spaces. International students make up around 20% of the community and immerse themselves in an English-speaking environment supported by experienced housemistresses. Weekends bring a full programme that includes outdoor activities, pizza-making in the outdoor oven, trips to London theatres, rafting in the Mendips, and visits to the Roman Baths and Fashion Museum.
