Students and staff at Royal High Bath, GDST, have marked International Volunteer Day by celebrating the vital role volunteering plays in school life.
Giving back is a core part of the Royal High ethos, with students regularly offering their time, energy and enthusiasm to a wide range of local and national causes. Volunteers support younger pupils with reading in local primary schools and raise funds for charities including Children’s Hospice South West.
One Sixth Form student, who volunteers with the Bird of Prey Project, said, “It’s a really positive experience that I always look forward to. I’ve made incredible friends, learnt new skills and gained a lot of confidence through volunteering.”
Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, Royal High students committed 1,638 hours of volunteering through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award alone. This represents a social value of £10,482, with many more hours contributed outside the programme.
Volunteering is a key part of Sixth Form life, supported by a wide range of community-focused electives. These include Bath Student Parliament, First Aid training and GDST-wide initiatives such as GDST Lead. Each opportunity helps students grow into outward-looking young adults who understand the positive impact they can make.
Heidi-Jayne Boyes, Head of Royal High, said, “It’s truly inspiring to see so many of our students giving their time to support such a broad range of organisations and causes. Kindness, empathy and service are central to a Royal High education, and the dedication our students show through their volunteering is a testament to those values.”
