Royal High Bath Alumna, Chantelle Wilson, chose the school for her own daughter Genevieve who is now in Year 7.

Mother: Chantelle Wilson, Alumna Class of 2004

Alumna Chantelle Wilson (née Williams) attended Royal High School from 1997-2004 alongside her twin sister Charlene. She was in year 8 when Bath High School and The Royal School merged. Chantelle is now a GP.

What made you choose RHSB for your daughter?

I can only look back at my time at RHSB and remember laughing every day. They were truly my favourite days and I made best friends for life that I still see today. I couldn’t imagine not giving Genevieve the same opportunity.

What aspects of Royal High School Bath did you enjoy and find most rewarding?

I loved attended Royal High School. Naturally my favourite part was the friendships I made and still have today. The teachers were also brilliant and treated us all with so much respect, right from year 7.

What was your favourite subject in school?

I had 3 favourites: Latin Biology and Drama

Which teacher had the biggest impact on your life?

Till this day I have never found teachers as interesting and as engaging as my teachers at RHSB.

Spanish lessons with Senora Martinez were great fun. I ate her homemade Spanish tortilla for the first time in her lesson and I love it to this day. I also use my Spanish whenever I go on holiday. I am brilliant (if I do day so myself!) at booking a table for a restaurant over the phone for my family.

Mr Leather used to teach me Physics. Physics lessons were brilliant. I remember him being the nicest teacher.

What is your happiest memory from school?

We used to play a game called swinging round the tree. I am not sure if it is still there, but there is a bushy tree at the top of a small bank, just off the chapel field. Somebody would grab the tree trunk and we would grab each other’s waist (10 of us) and go swinging round the tree down the bank. It usually ended with us all in a heap at the bottom of the bank.

When we finished our GCSEs we put pigeons in the pigeon holes as a little late homework to the teachers. I don’t think pigeon holes exist any more so there should be no problem that prank will get repeated.

What did you aspire to while at school?

I changed my mind all the time. Initially I wanted to be a vet, then an astronaut. I went through a stage of wanting to work in films, and then my real passion was science so I wanted to become a doctor.

How did RHSB empower you for your future?

During my school life I always felt like I could do anything and RHSB supported me in every way. It was expected that we must work very hard, but I was surrounded by my best friends doing it, so it didn’t feel like work. We were always taught if you focus and work hard you can achieve what you want.

How did your studies at RHSB inspire you to follow your chosen career?

I wasn’t sure what career I wanted until after my GCSES, but I had some fantastic Science teachers that made lessons so fun and interesting, so I wanted to carry on with Science in some way.

What has been your proudest moment?

I have never been prouder than when I had my 2 daughters. Watching Genevieve grow up into an independent young lady with her own aspirations and interests makes me prouder than anything I have achieved personally.

What would you say to your 11-year-old self?

To take part in as many clubs as you can and to choose subjects that you really enjoy. When you are deciding what path to take just make sure you choose something that you really enjoy. Therefore, whatever career comes off the back of it, allows you to earn money without it feeling like work.

What are your hopes for the future?

My hopes are still very simple. Continuing to watch Genevieve and my other daughter Amelie become happy, independent individuals.

How do you think you might be different or similar from your daughter at school?

Genevieve is a lot more chilled and sporty than I ever was. Genevieve loves Art and PE and I loved Science. We are total opposites, but I am sure we would have been friends.

How do you feel attending an all-girls' school benefitted you?

I definitely left RHSB with a sense of confidence that I don’t think I would have had without going to an all-girls school.

Daughter: Genevieve

Genevieve joined RHSB this year, and is in Year 7.

How do you think you are different from your mother when she was at school?

I really like art, PE and languages. I am more creative than mum and love sports, my mum always spent her time in the science block.

How do you think you might be similar to your mother when she was at school?

Mum and I both love Latin and Drama. She had a similar personality to me and overall we both love to chat and have fun with friends.

What is your favourite subject in school?

I love too many subjects for there to be one, but my favourite subjects are PE, Art, Latin and drama.

What do you hope to do in the future?

I aspire to have a career in motorsport. I am aiming to be an F1 driver.

How do you feel attending an all-girls’ school benefits you?

I feel I can be friends with everyone no matter what year they are in. Everyone gets along. Everyone understands each other and respects one another. Going to an all-girls’ school will encourage me to pursue my dream career in motorsport, even though it is quite a male dominated career.

What advice would you give to your grown-up self?

Be confident and stay strong. No matter what happens life will tear you down, but you have to keep going. Keep yourself near family and friends, continue what you love and enjoy life.