Founded by four fearless suffragists over 152 years ago, the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) is an educational charity with a long history of pioneering innovation. A family of girls’ schools, including two academies and 23 independent schools across the UK, the organisation is recognised as among the global leaders in girls’ education.

Each school in the GDST has its own distinct identity, but all are united in our collective mission to ensure that girls learn without limits, so they can go on to lead lives without limits. Our purpose is to reach as many girls as possible, with the aim of supporting and empowering young women to achieve their full potential.

The GDST is proud to offer excellent academic and pastoral provision in our schools. Every member of staff, regardless of their role, contributes to our success in providing an irresistible education. Individually our schools tailor the approach to how girls learn best, providing them with an environment in which they can flourish, and helping them develop the attributes they need to excel. This means that GDST girls are supported to be happy, confident, and fearless.

Our mission has always been to deliver an education that empowers girls to thrive when they leave us, in a world that remains far from equal. Understanding girls’ perspectives on the challenges they face is central to helping us achieve that mission.

Our pioneering work in girls’ education never stops as we continue to demonstrate that girls-only education leads to higher academic achievement, greater diversity of subject choice, stronger self-confidence and resilience, and enhanced career progression.

Redmaids’ High School is one of the leading schools in the country and a beacon for girls’ education. The school was formed from the merger of two of Bristol’s finest girls’ schools – The Red Maids’ School and Redland High School for Girls. The formation of our ‘new’ school, built on the legacies of two wonderful institutions, has allowed us to continue moving forward with energy, purpose and strength.  

As the oldest surviving girls’ school in the country, we have a distinguished history and longstanding expertise in educating girls. Redmaids’ High School’s core purpose to educate girls in or near Bristol will not change. We have a proud history of 390 years of excellence in girls’ education and this will continue.  

Our school has developed well beyond the imagination of the original founders but has remained forward-thinking in the spirit of their vision. The breadth of curriculum and of opportunities on offer have grown and expanded beyond anything that could have been dreamt of in centuries past. We have been keen to match our curricular ambition in the curriculum with investment in the school site and facilities. We have developed the very best of learning environments that allow our students to excel not only academically but also in sport, drama, art and music. The international links we have developed over the years and our thriving alumnae network are an integral part of the school and are hugely valuable assets for all our students.  

Underpinning the range of curriculum and opportunities for our students is a strong commitment to community. All this adds up to Redmaids’ High School being one of the finest girls’ schools in the South West and in the UK. The opportunities and facilities we provide equip our young women with the skills and confidence to truly make their mark in today’s world. 

The decision has been mutual, with Redmaids’ High School’s Governors and Senior Management Team and the GDST Trustees and Senior Leadership Team recognising the benefits to both organisations. The decision comes following months of positive engagement and discussion, as well as considered reflections on the potential advantages of such a move and the alignment of GDST’s and Redmaids’ High School’s values and mission.

Throughout the history of Redmaids’ High School, the school has been at the forefront of excellence and innovation, taking decisions to preserve that status for the future of girls’ education. This decision is another reflection of that forward-focused approach, centred on ensuring excellence, and one that will bring great benefits to the entire Redmaids’ High community.

Today, Redmaids’ High School is in a strong position in terms of pupil numbers and outcomes for our students at every stage, underpinned by financial stability.  The flourishing of our community is at the heart of our work, defining the standards of what a modern independent school can be.

The welcoming of Redmaids’ High School into the GDST family – formed over 150 years ago and home to some of the leading girls’ schools across the country - is a statement for the future, both for the continued success of Redmaids’ High School and the strength of girls’ education.  The independent school sector faces a landscape that is shifting more than ever before and becoming part of a family of like-minded and successful schools will be of great benefit to Redmaids’ High School now and for many years to come.

The GDST is recognised as a global leader in girls’ education. Being part of the GDST family will allow Redmaids’ High School to collaborate with like-minded and successful schools across the country, sharing expertise and learning from others to ultimately enhance opportunities for students and staff. This will bring investment over the coming years, both in Redmaids’ High School’s educational offer and its facilities, as well as bringing wider learning opportunities and chances for students to participate and compete in GDST wide events.  Joining the GDST will also allow Redmaids’ High School to take advantage of greater purchasing power as part of a group of schools and to benefit from shared services and infrastructure, where it makes sense to do so.

Redmaids’ High School’s students will be invited to participate in a range of learning and extra-curricular opportunities from the Autumn term, alongside schools in the GDST family.  Student enrichment thrives across the GDST through events and programmes that bring them together and offer opportunities that transcend individual schools.

The GDST Sports Scholars’ Day gathers over 300 students annually, celebrating athleticism and leadership; while sports rallies draw thousands, fostering resilience and teamwork. Role models, including Olympic champions, inspire girls to excel through dedication. In several sports, GDST Select teams represent the family at the highest level.

In STEM fields, the GDST Junior Science event at the Royal Institution challenges stereotypes. Led by female PhD mentors, it showcases girls’ prowess in science. Initiatives like the GDST Women in Engineering Competition and cross-school Robotics Tournaments further defy gender norms, highlighting talents in traditionally male-dominated arenas.

The GDST Junior Maths Event at Oxford’s Mathematical Institute, and Pure Maths collaborative courses across senior schools cultivate collaborative problem-solving crucial for STEM success.

The arts flourish at GDST, supported by events like the GDST Shakespeare at the Globe event, and the GDST Sing Juniors and Seniors Concerts at the Royal Academy of Music, where students showcase their talents under professional guidance.

Cultural diversity is celebrated at the GDST Languages Festival, inspiring young linguists with global perspectives.

Supported by a collaborative network of educators, GDST students explore diverse career paths through initiatives like the CareerStart webinar series and GDST Oxbridge Conference. These events are more than gatherings—they empower growth, forge bonds, and amplify voices, ensuring every GDST girl can learn and achieve without limits.

Sixth Formers across the Trust have access to two flagship diploma programmes: The Leadership and Enterprise Advanced Diploma (LEAD) is a GDST programme run in liaison with LSE, and involves students from each school working as teams to design, develop and deliver a sustainable social enterprise project. The GDST SpaceTech diploma programme has students working with NASA staff on coding challenges that help to unlock and interpret satellite data.

Becoming part of the GDST family will enable Redmaids’ High School’s colleagues to join the thriving community of teachers and support staff across its independent schools and academies. Redmaids’ High School’s colleagues will have access to centrally offered services and Continuing Professional Development (CPD), as well as additional progression opportunities that are not available in a standalone school.

The GDST Innovation and Learning team are set up to help schools showcase their best practice and learn from others, while always respecting the individual identities of each school. The GDST’s Innovation and Learning team also focus on curriculum developments, research and innovation to ensure schools in the family continue to offer a forward-thinking curriculum. This includes keeping an eye on societal and technological shifts such as the advancement of AI. Whilst staff at Redmaids’ High School have made excellent strides in such areas, having additional resources and expertise to draw on and the ability to share best practices with 25 like-minded and excellent schools will be of great benefit.

Continuing professional development is offered through GDST Learn which provides bespoke training for teaching and support staff.  GDST Learn is calibrated to the Trust’s strategic priorities and informed by each school’s own requirements. The in-house training programme provides a range of courses, programmes, conferences, and forums run over the academic year; and many online courses and webinars, as well as opportunities to gain professional qualifications (professional development grants are available for the latter). The GDST Learn programme is designed to reflect and reinforce the commitment to the education of girls.

The GDST also runs a range of programmes to support staff in their career progression. We are particularly committed to ‘growing our own’ cohort of leaders at every level, for example through opportunities in the form of School Consultant Teachers and Trust Consultant Teachers (TCTs). School Consultant Teachers are defined as those who use their knowledge, skills and dispositions to improve the practice of their colleagues and enhance learning across their school. Trust Consultant Teachers have expert skills in their specialism, which they use to enhance provision for pupils across GDST schools. They do this through offering support to all GDST teachers. They fulfil this role one day a week while remaining in the classroom for the remaining time. Areas covered by current TCTs include: Wellbeing; Diversity & Inclusion; Maths; STEM; SEND; Pastoral; Digital Learning, and Sport.

Further training and development opportunities are also available through the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools.  As GDST is a founder member, colleagues are able to connect and collaborate globally with individuals, schools, and mission-aligned bodies dedicated to educating and empowering girls.

Initially, you may not notice any changes as daily life at the school will continue as normal under Redmaids’ High School’s current leadership and the excellent teaching and support staff work will continue.  

Over this academic year, you will notice small changes to aspects of signage and branding, but without losing the identity of Redmaids’ High School. We will be working with parents and stakeholders when other areas of change specific to them begin to take place.    

There will be many opportunities for students to participate in GDST events and conferences and for staff to network and share training and teaching expertise. These will continue to develop and grow. As we work together, additional mutual benefits will continue to be identified and delivered, and we look forward to discovering and sharing those with you throughout this journey.  

Mrs Brown and Mr Dwyer remain the Heads of the Junior and Senior School respectively and will continue to be responsible for all matters relating to the education and welfare of students at Redmaids’ High School. As part of the GDST, they will be supported by the Trust CEO and senior leaders to keep building on the strength established in the school so far.

Each GDST school is proudly independent but united in GDST’s mission to reach as many girls as possible. As global leaders in girls’ education, the GDST’s mission has always been to deliver an education that empowers girls to thrive when they leave their school, in a world that remains far from equal. Understanding girls’ perspectives on the challenges they face is central to helping staff and students achieve that mission.  Each school tailors their approach to how girls learn best, providing them with an environment in which they can flourish, and helping them develop the attributes they need to excel. This means that GDST girls are supported to be happy, confident, and fearless.

Each school’s leadership has autonomy in setting the curriculum and the shape and structure of the educational offer. The GDST Innovation and Learning team, led by GDST Director Dr Kevin Stannard, seeks to support each individual school to be excellent in its own right, and beyond that to help Redmaids’ High School gain by virtue of being part of the network of excellent schools. For example, the educational offer available to Redmaids’ High School students, and indeed the professional opportunities available to Redmaids’ High School colleagues, will be enhanced through cross-Trust collaborations on the impact of AI and EdTech more broadly, and pupil programmes like LEAD and SpaceTech. The GDST Innovation and Learning team is also focused on the crucial part that research in schools plays in underpinning the advocacy for equity in girls’ education.

Each school in the GDST family has its own identity, branding and ethos and the Redmaids’ High School’s name and heritage will not change. This autumn, Redmaids’ High celebrates 390 years of excellence in girls’ education with a significant contribution to Bristol’s history. This will not change and will continue to be celebrated.

There is an excellent team at the School and every member of staff at Redmaids’ High, regardless of their role, will continue to deliver the best outcomes for the students. The strength and excellence of the teaching and support staff at Redmaids’ High School is recognised and valued. 

The decision to join GDST will not result in job losses.  All staff will transfer in their current role on their existing terms and conditions of employment.  

The GDST and Redmaids’ High School have legally agreed to join together and the GDST will become the employer of all staff employed by the school (as part of Redmaids’ High Charity) upon completion of the transfer, which is expected to be completed in February 2025. The transfer of staff to a new employer in this way is covered by a piece of law called the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment regulations (commonly referred to as TUPE). We will follow the process set out under TUPE in the Autumn term.  Part of this process will involve discussions with unions and staff representatives. We will share further information, and the consultation will outline any changes expected as a result of the transfer.  

More widely, staff will become part of the GDST family with all that this entails, including access to resources, training sessions and other opportunities.  Following the TUPE process, the GDST will be the employer of all staff at Redmaids’ High.   

There will be a range of opportunities for the Redmaids’ High School community to meet with the GDST leadership team in the coming months. A full programme of events is currently being created, with presence expected by the GDST in the early weeks of the academic year, as well as at key marketing events such as Senior School and Junior School Open Mornings.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the stakeholder events and we welcome questions and feedback in advance here.