Joining Bruton

Hello, my name is Olivia and I am 11 years old, nearly 12.  I have just started in the senior school at Bruton School for Girls.  I came from a local primary school and was quite nervous about making the move.  However, I need not have worried as I have now been here just over a term and thanks to all the friendly girls and staff I have settled in and am really enjoying life at the school.

I first looked around the school when I came to an Open Day with my parents.  We were shown around by an older girl who was very helpful and able to answer lots of questions.  The school did seem very big at the time and I wondered how I would ever find my way around!  I also remember seeing all the different classrooms and meeting some of the teachers who told me a little about their subjects.  I began to feel excited about learning more about things like sciences and languages.  I also loved the music block with all the different instruments I could learn.

Soon after the Open Day there is a “taster day” which is when you get to see what  secondary school life is about. I spent the day at the school and took part in lessons and sports. If you are going to become a boarder you would spend a night in the junior boarding house called Old Vicarage.  The girls, who do that all have a really fun time.

Following the ‘taster day’ is the entrance exam day, no need to worry though.  There were tests in, English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning. This is also your chance to meet all the girls coming up into Form 1. Then it is lunch time, the food is delicious and you have a fabulous range to choose from, it is always a difficult choice!

In the Summer Term, during your last term at Primary School you will spend another day here. It is called your “Induction Day”. This is the day when you find out which Hall you will be in, and the people you will be spending most time with come September. You will also have a chance to find out what the Senior School subjects are like, such as Home Technology and, Music and Art. I enjoyed Music the most on my ‘Induction Day’. The teachers seemed really nice, and so many of them!

September came round very quickly.  On my first day I was met by my Head of Hall, Mr Reid, who is in Stourhead. Mr Reid was my tutor for the first half of term, looking after the new girls while we settled in.  We were helped to work out our timetable, shown which classrooms we would be in and to find our way round. Your Head of Hall can be someone that you can tell your problems to, if you have any that is! They really help you settle in and answer all your questions.

Anyway I wish you all good luck. If you are a bit nervous at first that’s nothing to be worried about because the nerves will soon fade away. I think I definitely made the right choice coming here and I have made some great friends.  I feel very glad and lucky to be here. Good luck again!