Welcomefrom
Edward Walker
Headteacher
At St Bernadette’s we pride ourselves on being a vibrant faith community and an ambitious learning community, where everyone is valued and has a part to play. Strong, caring relationships, high expectations and making the most of every opportunity are key features of our school.
We are committed to every child achieving their potential and becoming a confident life-long learner. Our students achieve well. In our school students also grow and develop through the love and teachings of Christ, becoming responsible citizens able to make a positive contribution in society.
Our vision therefore is to provide a successful community of faith and learning that is based on Gospel Values, places the child at the centre and prepares all children to achieve academic and personal excellence.
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR 360 VIRTUAL TOUR
Faith life
At St Bernadette we are proud to be a community of Faith & Learning. As a Catholic school we acknowledge how important it is for our pupils to recognise God's loving presence in their daily lives. Our faith is at the centre of all our work at St Bernadette; everyday starts with prayers during staff briefing, assemblies and registration for pupils led by the form tutors and pupils. We cherish our Catholic belief and identity and at the same time seek to ensure that all pupils have an understanding of the diverse religious cultures in Britain today.
We are a caring community; we provide strong pastoral support and our lay chaplain is a presence with whom pupils and staff can talk. At St Bernadette we take Jesus' call to love our neighbours seriously and we regard works of charity as an essential part of Catholic education. In response to this we support local, national and international charities.
OurCurriculum
-
Maths
Maths
During the Maths GCSE curriculum, we continue to develop the problem solving skills which pupils will have encountered throughout Key Stage 3.
In addition to continuing to foster links between maths and real life situations; we also emphasise and highlight careers in which the skills learnt in maths would be central.
Read MoreX -
English
English
English is both a knowledge and skills-based subject. This means that pupils continue to improve their skills in production of written and spoken English, their ability to receive what they read or hear and their ability to write with technical accuracy.
Read MoreX -
Science
Science
The overarching aim in the pursuit of scientific competency is to prepare students to be active citizens in the wider world in terms of critical engagement with their environment.
Our intent is for all students to develop a curiosity and a scientific understanding of the world around them and the ability to think critically about information presented to them.
Read MoreX -
Religious Education
Religious Education
The aim of the teaching in Religious Education is to encourage all of our pupils to think about different beliefs in God, challenging questions such as the meaning and purpose of life, and to consider issues of right and wrong.
Read MoreX -
History
History
In Edexcel GCSE History you will study Weimar and Nazi Germany, Crime and Punishment in Britain, American West and Elizabethan England.
If you are interested in how the Modern World has been formed and influenced by past events, if you have an inquisitive mind and can connect ideas together, then you will enjoy this course. This course involves looking at a wide variety of sources from photos, videos and written documents and using them to build up a picture of the past.
Read MoreX -
Geography
Geography
We want our students to have a strong sense of time and place, to feel they belong to wider world community, to understand how their local actions can have global consequences. We want them to feel empowered to make positive choices in their lives to help protect and enhance God’s creation, in relation to both nature and culture. We want them to be able to make changes within their communities by understanding the mechanisms of democracy, to become positive citizens with viewpoints that are empathic, tolerant and reflective. We want the students to be able to learn from past mistakes and consider independently a positive future for themselves and the global community.
Read MoreX -
Modern Foreign Languages
Modern Foreign Languages
The Key Stage Four Languages curriculum has been planned to ensure that students are well prepared to meet the demands of the GCSE examination and to continue to study languages later in life if they wish to do so.
There are opportunities to experience the culture of the country first hand through visits abroad, visiting theatre groups, visits to the local sixth form for cultural enrichment days or to local restaurants.
Read MoreX -
Computing
Computing
OCR Computer Science equips students with the required practical and theoretical knowledge that would underpin a career in computer science. The skills of logical thinking, decomposition and algorithmic thinking are applicable to everyday life and will enable students to fulfil their wider personal life journeys. The course covers a wide range of computer science knowledge from the ethics of computers to the understanding of how data is transferred around a network.
Read MoreX -
Information & Computer Technology
Creative iMedia
Creative iMedia embeds an expectation of excellence across students’ learning by inspiring students in the development of vocational creative media skills, and providing learners with essential knowledge and transferable skills and tools to improve their learning in other subjects.
Read MoreX -
Business
Business
The OCR Cambridge National in Enterprise and Marketing equips students with the knowledge and skills to be successful in either further study or work. The range of taught content is applicable to real business and provides a knowledge base for students to continue in to A-Level, undertake apprenticeships or even start their own business.
Read MoreX -
Physical Eduaction
Sports Studies
Sport is a key theme in education. The need for people to lead healthy and active rather than sedentary lifestyles is increasingly prominent, and this is reflected in the schools curriculum, where physical education and sport remains core. This qualifications seek to build upon this provision.
Read MoreX -
Health & Social Care
Health & Social Care
Health and Social Care provides students with the opportunity to acquire key knowledge whilst applying their learning to work related contexts, and to gain the skills they need for further study and employment.
This is achieved through a course structure that allows students to build on and embed their knowledge and to grow in confidence when putting their learning into practice.
Read MoreX -
Catering
Hospitality & Catering
The Vocational Award in Hospitality and Catering has been designed to support pupils in schools who want to learn about this vocational sector and the potential it can offer them for their careers or further study.
Read MoreX -
Art
Art
In Art, we acknowledge and celebrate our distinctive place in the curriculum, providing pupils with a creative outlet to express themselves. We are proud to be a practical subject and emphasise the development and mastery of practical skills in our lessons and curriculum.
Read MoreX -
Product Design
Product Design
Design and Technology looks to enable a new generation of pupils that can use creativity and imagination to problem solve for a more sustainable future. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.
Read MoreX -
Textiles
Textiles
Design and Technology looks to enable a new generation of pupils that can use creativity and imagination to problem solve for a more sustainable future. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.
Read MoreX -
Music
Music
The BTEC Level 2 Music Award has been chosen for the students at St Bernadette Secondary School as it equips them with the knowledge and skills to be successful in either further study or work. The range of taught content is applicable to the Music Industry and provides a knowledge base for students to continue on to A-Level, undertake apprenticeships or a Level 3 qualification.
Read MoreX -
Drama
Drama
Drama at St Bernadette's is a creative and ambitious choice for students. The emphasis is on practical work, especially building confidence in performance. We are also preparing students to complete the AQA GCSE in Drama.
Read MoreX
Our Facebook
Both teams delivered outstanding performances and have won the Bristol Schools Indoor Athletics competition!
A huge well done to all the athletes involved — your hard work, determination, and team spirit truly shone through. We are incredibly proud of you!
#SchoolPride #IndoorAthletics #BristolSchools #TeamSuccess
Day 5 of Career Week saw Year 11 students inspired by Beth Lees from the Robins Foundation and the team from Bates Product Design.
The Robins Foundation, the official charity of Bristol City Football Club, empowers young people through education, sport, health, and community programmes. Beth shared a wide range of opportunities, from post-16 courses and apprenticeships to community coaching and development pathways, offering students valuable insight into careers in sport, youth work, and community engagement. During breaktime, the Foundation hosted a pop-up in the Upper Dining Hall, giving all students a chance to ask questions, explore programmes, and discover opportunities they might not have considered.
Bates Product Design introduced students to the creative and technical world of product development, showcasing the full process of bringing ideas to life—from reverse engineering, concept design, and prototyping, to PCB and electronics design, user testing, design for manufacture, manufacturing setup, and packaging design. Students were encouraged to think creatively, problem-solve, and explore the wide range of careers within engineering, design, and innovation.
A huge thank you to both guest speakers for inspiring our students and highlighting how creativity, skill, and determination can lead to exciting futures.
@bates_design @bristolcityrobinsfoundation 1 Likes
Yesterday was day 3 of our Careers Week it packed with excitement and inspiration as students from Years 9, 10, and 11 got a taste of the incredible opportunities waiting for them beyond school!
Charlene from Access Creative College kicked off the day with an engaging session for Years 10 and 11, giving students a real insight into the world of music, media, and creative industries. From sound production to live performance and digital content creation, students were buzzing with ideas and enthusiasm about where their creative passions could take them.
Meanwhile, representatives from the BBC joined some of our Year 9 students for an exciting workshop exploring the wide range of careers available within the media world — from journalism and filming to editing and broadcasting. It was a fantastic chance to see how creativity and technology come together to bring stories to life.
To round off the day, Rolls-Royce ran an inspiring session with some of our Year 10 students, delving into the world of engineering and innovation. Students learned about cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and the different pathways into one of the UK’s most iconic companies.
It was another brilliant day full of energy, ideas, and inspiration — showing our students that the future really does hold endless possibilities!
Access Creative College have opportunities for students to explore careers in the creative industries.
🎨 Take part in our Creative Careers Challenge Workshops
📅 Wednesday 19th November
⏰ 5:30pm – 7:00pm
This is a fantastic chance to get hands-on experience and find out more about post-16 options in creative fields.
Our South Bristol Youth Year 10 students got hands-on with special effects makeup during their exciting visit to SGS Filton as part of their Future Quest programme! From creating realistic wounds to exploring prosthetics, our students dived into the world of creativity and imagination – discovering skills they could take into future careers in film, TV, and theatre.
A huge thank you to SGS for inspiring our young people and showing them just how fun and dynamic learning can be!
#FutureQuest #SouthBristolYouth #SGSFilton #SpecialEffectsMakeup #HandsOnLearning #Year10
South Bristol Youth 1 Likes
Tomorrow, students will take part in our Curriculum Enrichment Day, packed with fun and engaging activities beyond the usual timetable.
Year 7 will get creative with Christmas decorations and tackle challenges in an Escape Room, building teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Year 8 will explore Chinese language and calligraphy in MFL, and develop ICT research skills through BIMH projects.
Year 10 will focus on PSHE topics, including Equality, Homophobia, Domestic Violence, Cancer Awareness, and Contraception, helping students gain knowledge and confidence on important issues.
Year 11 will enrich their learning in Maths and English, including work on anthology poems, boosting exam preparation and analytical skills.
The day offers all students the chance to learn, create, and grow in a fun and meaningful way. 3 Likes
Post-16 Open Day St Brendan's Sixth Form College tomorrow!"
Load More









