All-girls boarding school for A levels

[pinkhibiscus]

I have been tasked with helping my sister look for a school for my niece. She lives abroad and plans to come to the UK to do her A levels. They want an all-girls boarding school. The school should be pretty academic and with good pastoral care preferably with a Christian ethos. She hopes to study Economics at university.
For easy access to me in Bristol (!), the short list so far is
Badminton
St Mary's Calne
Godolphin
RHS Bath
St Catherine's Bramley (not exactly close, but dear sis likes the website!)

I have 2 boys, so not much knowledge about girls' schools. I would really appreciate any personal views about any of these schools or any other suggestions. Thanks

We know a bright girl at the RHS she's come from abroad to do her A levels. She absolutely loves it, she lives in a boarding house only for 6th formers so all started together, they come from all over the world, the atmosphere is excellent, she's doing really well, and is just so happy. She too is a Christian.
Do PM me if you want to know more.

Downe House as near you in Bristol and also Heathrow for flights home.
If your sister is looking for full boarding I would also check that there is Saturday school. IME there is not such a need for hundreds of activities at the week end at this age as after my DD had played matches on Saturday afternoon etc the rest of the weekend was used to complete academic work and spend time with her friends.

Cheltenham Ladies College?

St Mary's Calne, fits the bill very well. It's very definitely a full boarding school with activities or socials every weekend.

The disadvantage of Bath schools is that they only teach Mon-Fri and seem to have more flexi boarding so they empty out at weekends.

Easy travel on train to Bristol from Chippenham (school travel office will book taxi to station) and good access to M4.

Also has swanky new purpose built 6th buildings with single occupancy study bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.

Academic standards are high and not heard of anyone failing to get on to Uni course of their choice in the last couple of years.

The town is small and quiet though, does that suit?

Thanks for your helpful comments, lots to think about now!

Benendon also worth looking at as many overseas girls.
Wycombe Abbey great if she's academic and sporty!

I came on to recommend St Catherine's!
Nice school. Definitely Christian. Inspiring head teacher (talked about "Girl power" when I last visited for a non-recruitment event).
It seemed pretty busy when I was there at a weekend, and the girls their (Sunday morning breakfast) were not all overseas girls, so not likely to be a ghetto for any one nationality.
Easy travel from the airports.

RHS Bath is no longer all girls at sixth form I believe.

I also know a boarder at the RHS Bath, it's definitely girls only. There are 60+ girls boarding in the 6th form, I don't know it well but I was a surprised at the number full boarders, the vast majority it would appear and the girl I know seems very happy there I don't know any more than that I'm afraid.

That's so weird-they definitely started taking boys into the sixth form a few years ago!

Just looked at their website and you're right, no boys. Seriously weird. I am an old girl and there was uproar a few years ago when they took boys in (no one likes change less than alumni!). They must have changed their minds?!

It mention

s the boys here-

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/3511497/Town-vs-Gown-Royal-High-School-vs-Beechen-Cliff-School-in-Bath.html so I'm not imagining it!

RHS Bath something like triples the number of boarders per year in Sixth form. A lot of girls from overseas - either expats or girls whose parents want them to have a British sixth form education.

It's not got the same cozy, boarding school feel as other girls schools. In fact on my visit there they went to great lengths to stress they don't have a public school ethos, as they are a GDST school with boarding.

I think the sixth formers are very independent. Academically the school is very strong, and Bath is a lovely city. But I really would urge a visit, as it's a bit different. Though I'd be more confident recommending it for a Sixth Former boarder than a boarder lower down.

Definitely look at St Mary's Calne and perhaps Downe House. Friends with a daughter at St Mary's (just about to leave) loved it.