Badminton School
Encyclopedia
Miriam Badock established a school for girls in 1858 at Badminton House in Clifton
. By 1898 it had become known as Miss Bartlett's School for Young Ladies.
Unusually for the time the school developed a broad curriculum, and extracurricular activities, including sport, were encouraged. The school grew steadily in size, and in 1924 moved to the present site, under the headship of Beatrice May Baker (1876–1973).
Miss Baker (known as BMB) was fundamental in shaping Badminton’s ethos and had a deep personal influence on individual pupils. She encouraged the girls to be aware of world affairs and internationalism. A pioneer in many educational fields, she established Badminton as a much-admired progressive school. She insisted on the rights of young people to freedom of expression and encouraged a questioning approach to learning: "in chapel 'Jesus often had to share the stage with Lenin'". The international outlook she pioneered continues to this day.
In 1958, the school celebrated its centenary with the opening of a new Science Centre by Countess Mountbatten of Burma. Dame Sybil Thorndike was president of the school at that time, and a new cantata called "The Crown of the Year" by Michael Tippett
was specially commissioned to mark the event.
By the late 1960s, the progressive aspects of the school had all but vanished (Royston Lambert speech at Exeter University 19 November 1971) and it had become a standard independent academic school.
.
Clifton, Bristol
Clifton 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...
. By 1898 it had become known as Miss Bartlett's School for Young Ladies.
Unusually for the time the school developed a broad curriculum, and extracurricular activities, including sport, were encouraged. The school grew steadily in size, and in 1924 moved to the present site, under the headship of Beatrice May Baker (1876–1973).
Miss Baker (known as BMB) was fundamental in shaping Badminton’s ethos and had a deep personal influence on individual pupils. She encouraged the girls to be aware of world affairs and internationalism. A pioneer in many educational fields, she established Badminton as a much-admired progressive school. She insisted on the rights of young people to freedom of expression and encouraged a questioning approach to learning: "in chapel 'Jesus often had to share the stage with Lenin'". The international outlook she pioneered continues to this day.
In 1958, the school celebrated its centenary with the opening of a new Science Centre by Countess Mountbatten of Burma. Dame Sybil Thorndike was president of the school at that time, and a new cantata called "The Crown of the Year" by Michael Tippett
Michael Tippett
Sir Michael Kemp Tippett OM CH CBE was an English composer.In his long career he produced a large body of work, including five operas, three large-scale choral works, four symphonies, five string quartets, four piano sonatas, concertos and concertante works, song cycles and incidental music...
was specially commissioned to mark the event.
By the late 1960s, the progressive aspects of the school had all but vanished (Royston Lambert speech at Exeter University 19 November 1971) and it had become a standard independent academic school.
Old Badmintonians
Alumnae of the school are known as Old Badmintonians; for a list of notable alumnae, see Old BadmintoniansOld Badmintonians
Alumnae of Badminton School are known as Old Badmintonians or OBsBadminton School is an independent, boarding and day school for girls aged 3 to 18 years situated in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, England.-Notable OBs:* Claire Bloom - actress...
.