Professional Jazz Musicians Inspire -...The Professional Journal for Management & Staff
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In this issue... 04 Routes to Pupil Wellbeing innovative Australian programme 06 Eco-initiatives Transform School Life ban on one-use plastic bottles 08 Outdoor Learning opportunities & benefits for urban schools too 10 Preparing Students for University Life homesickness; etiquette; independent study Performing Arts 14 Making Science Matter scholarship launch remarkable partnership scheme can be introduced elsewhere Polwhele House School, Cornwall, has launched a 24 Profile new performing arts scholarship to provide talented in conversation with Iain Kilpatrick performers in the region eligibility for a bursary plus a range of other opportunities. 36 Sporting High-Achievers & Their Academic Studies Headmaster Alex McCullough, said: “It is important how to strike the right balance to us at Polwhele House to recognise talent in the arts alongside academic achievements. We offer a range of opportunities for our children 44 ‘Throwaway Culture’ & the Teacher Retention Crisis – including tuition, lessons and extra-curricular is there a connection? sessions and our regular performances are always well received. We hope the scholarship will promote the importance of the performing arts and help Plus talented children achieve their aspirations.” 09 Chinese hear of British schools’ extra-curricular expertise The scholarship will allow pupils to receive over 12 How school libraries can evolve successfully 8 hours of tuition in performing arts per week, alongside representing the school in competitions 16 Transport, Travel & Trips Focus Feature and performances, participate in workshops with 26 Finding the recipe for resilience – conference report specialists and develop their leadership skills and 27 Sixth international campus on the way personal progression. 28 Music, Dance & Drama Focus Feature The scheme is run in association with Jason Thomas Performing Arts, a well-established dance 34 Tutoring ‘complementary’ to classroom education school based in Cornwall, which has been providing 35 Top-Tips to get your students into US universities training for students for the last 17 years with 36 Sports & Sportswear Focus Feature many going on to attend prestigious dance schools around the world. In tune As part of Bromsgrove School’s ongoing commitment to the Performing Arts, the School has taken receipt of a state-of-the-art concert 28 Music, grand piano featuring sophisticated VC technology and an independent Capo d’Astro for perfect Dance & Drama 36 Sport & Sportwear adjustment in the descant registry. There are less than 100 such instruments across the world. The Digest; Heads Hunted; Editorial Advisory Board; Key Personnel; Full story page 30 Contact Us pages 46 & 47. Is Your School Mentioned? A-Z on page 47 LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A SCHOOL OR NURSERY National SchoolTransfer For a Professional – Confidential Service www.nationalschooltransfer.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)1980 621251 Independent Schools Magazine 3 The route to wellbeing Head teacher Marina Gardiner Legge explains how Heathfield School, Berkshire, has implemented an innovative Australian programme for happiness, wellbeing and sound mental health. With mental health continuing Accomplishments), it fits well to feature prominently in the with Heathfield’s pastoral care news, the central importance system. In addition to this the of happiness and wellbeing is programme includes a physical never far from our minds. Taking health element looking at sleep, a positive approach to help diet and exercise which are students develop the ‘pillars’ of key aspects of life in a vibrant good mental health to stay well boarding school. and optimise quality of life is The survey included in the key, and with careful planning programme only takes 10 this can become an integral part minutes and can be done as of school life. part of a pupil’s PSHE lesson At Heathfield School we have on their own laptop, slotting in chosen to implement an well to the existing curriculum. such prolonged periods of initially discovered it while innovative mental health and The delivery of individual results contact with pupils – including looking for a process to establish wellbeing programme which takes place with senior pastoral involvement in their sleep and a baseline for mental health and has taken Australia by storm leads and each feedback session nutrition. emotional issues for new pupils and we’re fortunate to be is timetabled to fit in with the at his previous school. Our senior the first UK school to adopt individual pupil’s own timetable; Our Director of Pastoral Care pastoral team has the strong the programme. Rather than this can include use of tutor Kathryn de Ferrer and Director foundations needed to deliver identifying those in distress or ‘at time, PSHE time and boarding of Boarding John Gale, both the programme. risk’, the ‘Flourishing at School’ time, making Flourishing at hugely experienced individuals, programme aims to promote And the cost of the programme Schools well suited to the take the lead in delivering the wellbeing from the outset. in time and money? The ease of boarding environment. The programme and individual application of this programme As Flourishing at School is based results are scrutinised and an feedback sessions, which we have and survey is surprising given the on leading psychologist Martin individual plan is created for been able to integrate seamlessly vast positive impact it has. When Seligman’s work on PERMA each student, regardless of her into our school day. They are mental health is flourishing, (Positive emotion, Engagement, ‘score’. supported by the PSHE team and you are better able to deal with Relationships, Meaning, Form Tutors, all of whom are The results the pupils receive problems or issues and develop skilled at delivering high quality are taken directly from their resilience and grit. Some may wellbeing initiatives and have own answers, as opposed to argue that Flourishing at Schools adapted their experience readily the results the senior pastoral comes at a significant cost but to the Flourishing at School leads see. This is done to protect for us the cost of running the programme. the pupils from comparing programme is negligible, as its themselves against average John Gale has worked with the value is incalculable. scores, and shows us where our founder of Flourishing at School, Heathfield is the first school pupils are already flourishing, Jason van Schie, for over a year in both the UK and Europe to while also identifying any areas and a half now, bringing the introduce Flourishing at School, that need further development programme to fruition. Jason and we hope to lead the way in or pastoral intervention. has come over from Australia creating a Flourishing at School Crucially, this is a primary level to spend time with us and has network for schools in the UK intervention to make sure our worked with our staff, pupils and that adopt the programme, pupils are mentally fit and parents, educating them with with John Gale and Jason van healthy – and is proactive rather regards to the Flourishing at Schie recently speaking to the than reactive. It is particularly School programme. John also has HMC Wellbeing Committee useful in a boarding school strong background knowledge on its success and ease of environment where we have about the programme, having implementation at Heathfield. 4 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] The route to wellbeing Pupils ‘thrive’ on workshop A Yorkshire prep school has seen its Mother of four Mrs Jones said: Year 5 and 6 pupils “thrive” thanks “The Thrive Programme is all to their participation in a unique about teaching people to create wellbeing workshop. good mental health, and it was The taster session at Ashville Prep marvellous being able to deliver this School saw the children participate session here at Ashville Prep School. in a fun and interactive session to “The programme can be used to boost self-esteem, reduce social overcome many different issues, Rugby’s Nigel Owens speaks anxiety and give them greater self- including exam stress, lack of awareness, led by teacher Esther confidence, phobias and anxieties.” Dauntsey’s School, Wiltshire, discussion with Nigel over dinner. Jones. pupils and members of the local Conversation ranged from his “It is also highly beneficial for The Thrive Programme, of which community enjoyed a fascinating early family memories, his views any children or teenagers who are Mrs Jones is a consultant, is a fun talk from Welsh international on modern day rugby, through to struggling to cope with a new and interactive programme which rugby union referee, Nigel Owens how it felt to officiate his 80th diagnosis or manage a chronic or gives children, teens and adults MBE. Nigel gave an enthralling international rugby match this alike the skills to gain a sense of life limiting condition. It’s about and inspiring talk about his prolific month during the NatWest Six power and control over their lives. getting people flourishing and refereeing career and then spoke Nations Championship. enjoying life.” frankly about his life, his struggle Ashville is the first junior school in Following dinner, Nigel delivered with mental health issues, and the the country that the organisation Ashville Prep School Headteacher his lecture to some 1,000 people, importance of accepting yourself has worked with, and the plan is Simon Bailey said: “The wellbeing packed into the School’s Memorial for who you are.