RHB Festival of Ideas 2025: Celebrating Buoyancy in School Life

Last week, Royal High School Bath was filled with energy and inspiration as we celebrated our annual Festival of Ideas. The theme for 2025 was Buoyancy, encouraging students to explore the academic, emotional and personal qualities that help us stay afloat during the ups and downs of school life.

Year 8 Project Days: Thoughtful, Creative and Full of Spirit

On Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 June, Year 8 took part in two days of exciting project-based learning. The event began with an inspiring launch in Memorial Hall, where students heard from Katy Parrott, ultra runner, endurance athlete and former combat medic. Katy, who appeared in the BBC series Special Forces: Ultimate Hell Week, shared her journey of resilience, adventure and determination, setting the tone for the days ahead.

Following this, students rotated through academic challenges in science, languages, music and geography, each designed to help them think deeply about what keeps us steady and resilient at school. They then worked in teams to reflect on their learning and create exhibits for the Ideas Fair, held on Wednesday afternoon.

We were also pleased to welcome visitors from our sister school, Redmaids’ High GDST, who joined us to explore the exhibits and take part in the celebration. Their presence added a valuable sense of community and shared purpose to the event.

With parents and staff in attendance, the fair showcased creative and thoughtful work on everything from friendship and motivation to time management and wellbeing.

Around School: Quotes and Chocolate Prizes

In the lead-up to the Festival, students took part in a buoyancy-themed quote hunt, identifying inspirational figures featured on screens around the school. With a tie-breaker question and chocolate prizes at stake, competition was strong and entries were thoughtful and well researched.

Coming Soon: Speakers' Week (9 to 13 June)

The Festival continues next week with Speakers' Week, where students will hear from five guest speakers with unique experiences of resilience and perseverance. Talks take place each lunchtime in the Hudson Centre and are open to all years.

Thank you to all staff who supported the Festival and to the parents who joined us for the Ideas Fair. Above all, well done to Year 8 for approaching the theme with curiosity and maturity.

As we move into Speakers’ Week, we look forward to hearing more perspectives on how people in different fields stay afloat and what we might learn from them.