Badminton School

Whilst at Badminton, I’ve met people that I never want to lose touch with. They’re my family, because I grew up here, with them. I’ve learned everything I know here and it’s been a fantastic journey. You might think that boarding school is a sheltered life, but not at Badminton. I’ve learnt how to talk to people, how to be with people, how to be responsible, how to get on with things and get things done but also when to seek help. Badminton’s given me that healthy balance between needing help and support (because all of us do), but at the same time being independent and confident enough to be myself and go in the direction I want to go in.What first struck me about Badminton was the beauty of the campus and the warmth of the staff and students. I cannot overstate how welcomed I felt upon my first visit. With the rose bushes and majestic Northcote building, I remember the atmosphere being calm and intimate, despite Badminton’s central location in Bristol.I got the sense that the mindset of Badminton students is to embrace opportunity without being inhibited by the fear of failure. There are so many chances to put yourself out of your comfort zone and for me, this meant signing up to Gold D of E, despite having no prior D of E experience. The memories of my days in Dartmoor and the Brecon Beacons and the challenging expedition conditions will stay with me forever, along with the friendships we strengthened and life skills we learned. My time at Badminton has given me the strength to be myself, the curiosity to continue learning throughout my life, the confidence to pursue my ambitions, and the motivation to give back and support others. At Badminton, I am constantly inspired by my peers and teachers and love being a member of a community that cares about the individuality of each student and draws upon our unique strengths and experiences. As a diverse body of students, our voice is valued and I feel I have learned to express my views, take a proactive role in improving the community, and aspire to make a difference. Badminton has given me the courage to step out of my comfort zone, embrace new challenges, risks, and opportunities, and adopt a more global mindset.