INDEPENDENT LEADER JUNE 2016 | ISSUE 41 FORWARD THINKING FOR FEE PAYING INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

JUNE 2016 | ISSUE 41 FRAUD PREVENTION | ONLINE SAFETY INNOVATIVE ICT

A gree n future Our energy experts explain what heads can do to cut water and gas bills whilst staying true to the greenest of green credentials

Succeeding Overseas Succession planning We look at what schools Retiring heads advise on are franchising abroad and the planning and protocols the valuable lessons learnt that need to be followed to Brought to you by along the way ensure a smooth transition EDEXEC SPORTSWEAR FOR GUARANTEED SATISFACTION

HYDROCOOL

CLIMASKIN Performance playing layer

Performance base layer

Squadkit is dedicated to providing top quality sportswear our garments are delivered to your parents every time. for the next generation of athletes. With intelligent sizing, high levels of availability and free name-taping, we take the hassle out of sportswear buying. We use the latest breathable and sublimated styles to provide high performance garments uniquely designed to ■ Breathable fabrics help your school stand—out and your teams perform. ■ High performance garments

■ Bespoke designs However our focus on satisfaction doesn’t stop with the ■ Team and staff-wear garments. We’ve partnered with Schoolblazer – the leading uniform supplier to independent schools to ensure that Squadkit - Performance delivered.

Squadkit from Schoolblazer, UK leader in stylish schoolwear and sportswear

Call 01832 280011 [email protected] www.schoolblazer.com

5746 Squadkit Advert Spring 2016(FINAL).indd 1 16/02/2016 09:38 SPORTSWEAR FOR GUARANTEED SATISFACTION

HYDROCOOL Editor’s comment

Summer has arrived and we here at triumphs facing the sector (p9). Something Independent Leader are as anxious as you to mull over the summer months. to escape for a couple of weeks of sun and Or, perhaps summer is time to consider sea. The office is full of the usual holiday the future. On page 32 we speak with heads buzzwords, like France and Italy, as well as who are preparing themselves, and the the more exotic Morocco and Mexico. whole-school community, for their retirement. While Kazakhstan and China may not be Effective succession planning is important to VICKI BALOCH, on the top of your destination wish-list, the ensure a smooth transition for all. PUBLISHER latter is a hotbed for independent schools And, if it’s a superstar bursar that you’re CLIMASKIN that have franchised abroad. We spoke after, we’ve consulted the professionals and Performance playing layer with those who know how best to crack the they shared some key attributes (p24). overseas markets (p14). As always, we appreciate your phone calls Last month we were thrilled to be invited and emails and want to hear your feature to the Boarding School Associations’ ideas or case studies. If you’re interested (BSA) annual conference in Manchester. in joining our editorial panel, please email The association celebrated its golden [email protected]. Thank jubilee by addressing heads and bursars you for another successful school year and and uncovered the biggest challenges and we’ll see you in September!

HILARY MORIARTY JUDITH CARLISLE Hilary Moriarty, educational Head of Oxford High Performance base layer Editorial consultant and inspector, School since 2010, was national director of Judith Carlisle leads the Boarding Schools’ on developing a better Association (BSA) from understanding of how panel 2006 to 2014. She was girls learn, and preparing formerly head of a girls’ day them to ‘have a go’ in life. Squadkit is dedicated to providing top quality sportswear our garments are delivered to your parents every time. and boarding school, and Given the opportunity, her for the next generation of athletes. With intelligent sizing, high levels of availability and free has taught English in FE, passion would be to direct grammar, comprehensive a show in Oxford High’s name-taping, we take the hassle out of sportswear buying. and independent schools. fabulous theatre. We use the latest breathable and sublimated styles to Two of her four children were boarders. provide high performance garments uniquely designed to ■ Breathable fabrics help your school stand—out and your teams perform. ■ High performance garments ALASTAIR GRAHAM ANNA MARIA CLARKE MATTHEW WATTS

■ Bespoke designs Alastair Graham is one Anna Maria Clarke Matthew Watts, bursar However our focus on satisfaction doesn’t stop with the ■ Team and staff-wear of the most experienced read English at Oxford at Thorpe House School garments. We’ve partnered with Schoolblazer – the leading proprietor/heads in the University and embarked in Buckinghamshire, country, having run on a career in advertising held a short service uniform supplier to independent schools to ensure that Squadkit - Performance delivered. his school, Hall Grove before working in limited commission in the in Surrey, since 1981. marketing. She then cavalry prior to university Founded in 1957, Hall moved into marketing and working in the City. Grove is a family school for schools, working for He then worked as a with its own study centre Woldingham School as management accountant on the South Devon coast; marketing director. She on various contract outdoor pursuits, active now runs the operations appointments to gain the learning and field studies and marketing function at necessary expertise for are important elements for St Augustine’s Priory the bursar role. Squadkit from Schoolblazer, UK leader in stylish schoolwear and sportswear all 450 pupils. in London.

Call 01832 280011 [email protected] www.schoolblazer.com

5746 Squadkit Advert Spring 2016(FINAL).indd 1 16/02/2016 09:38 CONTENTS

INDEPENDENT LEADER JUNE 2016 | ISSUE 41 FORWARD THINKING FOR FEE PAYING INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

JUNE 2016 | ISSUE 41 FRAUD PREVENTION | ONLINE SAFETY INNOVATIVE ICT ON THE COVER A gree n future With schools under pressure to reduce costs Our energy experts explain what heads can do to cut water and gas bills whilst staying true to the wherever possible we asked the energy experts greenest of green credentials what can be done to cut energy bills and maintain

Succeeding Overseas Succession planning We look at what schools Retiring heads advise on green credentials. Tim Martin investigated, the are franchising abroad and the planning and protocols the valuable lessons learnt that need to be followed to Brought to you by along the way ensure a smooth transition verdict’s in and it may be more practical and EDEXEC financially feasible than you thought

THE MONTH THAT WAS PROCURE AND PLAN 06 News 28 Fraud Even the savviest of independent schools 14 09 Conference must protect itself against common swindles Following last month’s Boarding School from both internal and external sources Association (BSA) conference, assistant director Aileen Kane highlights the triumphs 32 Retirement and challenges facing the sector Don’t underestimate the importance of succession planning or the relationship 10 Grey matter between the incoming and outgoing heads Anna Maria Clarke, director of operations and marketing at St Augustine’s Priory, London, 34 Saving on energy muses on the modern examination landscape The ‘green’ approach is a surefire way to cut energy bills in your school. Find out how to 12 The big ask best save the pennies through sustainability Should independent schools provide more LGBT training to teachers? ICT MATTERS LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE 38 ICT trends What makes a school’s approach to ICT truly 14 Expansion innovative? Boundary Oak School’s James As more schools open branches overseas we Polansky explains asked what lessons have been learned 41 Online safety 18 Case study Sexting and bullying cases are on the rise When it comes to sustainability and and school leaders are doing what they can environmental awareness Elstree School to protect students’ privacy and mental practices what it preaches. Head Sid Inglis health. We outline the hallmarks of a stellar discusses going green online safety policy MONEY TALKS 44 Techno Geek Martin Bailey discusses how the power of 24 Finance education technology can transform teaching The bursarial role is constantly evolving, but and learning there are key skills that all should possess 26 Fundraising AND FINALLY… Looking to generate additional income for 46 60 seconds with… your school? Consider opening your facilities Frances Mwale to third parties outside of term time 24 Independent Leader, brought to you by the publishers of Education Executive, is a monthly magazine that supports business and financial excellence in modern UK independent schools. Every issue features a host of original content aimed at bursars, heads, marketing directors and development officers, and focuses on issues to do with the management of independent schools.

EDITORIAL Assistant editor Hayley Zimak [email protected]

Staff writer Tim Martin [email protected]

Staff writer Marie Cahalane [email protected]

DESIGN Head of creative Sarah Chivers [email protected]

Junior designer Billy Odell [email protected]

SALES Vicki Baloch 20 [email protected] Matthew Moore [email protected]

PUBLISHER Vicki Baloch [email protected]

CIRCULATIONS Natalia Johnston [email protected]

@indepmagazine

intelligent media solutions

Independent Leader is published by Intelligent Media Solutions

One Tetbury Place, Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London, N1 0QH

Tel 0203 794 8555 Fax 020 3794 8554

Email [email protected] 34 Web www.intelligentmedia.co.uk THE MONTH THAT WAS

NEWS

Figures show decline Britain’s private in the number of schools are offering pupils at private girls’ schools record bursaries New figures show that the number of pupils studying at private girls’ schools is decreasing as parents see no reason to ‘segregate their children’, Britain’s private schools are offering The Telegraph has reported. record amounts of financial support Figures released by the Independent Schools to middle-class families who are Council (ISC) revealed the number of students at struggling to keep up with above- all-girls schools has dropped in recent years, a inflation fee increases, theFinancial revelation set to reignite the debate over whether Times has reported. children benefit more from co-education or single- Bursaries and scholarships sex schooling. totalling more than £850m were The ISC census showed that this year the total offered to parents last year with number of pupils at girls’ schools is 79,973, a 0.8% more than £700m coming straight drop from 80,578 in 2015. There was also a decline from schools’ funds, according to of 0.2% from 2014 to 2015 while between 2013 figures from the Independent Schools and 2014 there was a 0.5% drop. Council (ISC). Previous research has identified a broad Means-tested assistance increased reduction in the number of all-girls and all-boys nine per cent while overall support schools since 1994. has grown by almost a third in The ISC census also revealed a sharp contrast nominal terms since 2010. Schools in the yearly growth of pupil numbers per region. are offering an increasingly wide It revealed that, while Greater London saw a array of reasons to trim fees, going jump of 1.1% in the number of students attending beyond traditional academic or private schools, the north saw a 0.9% decline. music scholarships for the most able students. Wales was the area that witnessed the sharpest More than a quarter of students now receive some sort of financial support, decline at four per cent. amounting to an average of £5,345 a year each. Fees increased on average by 3.5% in 2015 – the slowest rise since 1994 but average wages are still more than seven per cent lower than in 2008 after taking account of inflation. Although data are difficult to come by many parents have linked the rise in fees to the value placed on a British private school education by the international super-rich whose resources dwarf those of even the most successful professionals. The ISC have said that the proportion of foreign pupils has remained steady over time and stands at about 5.3% of the student population. Susan Hamlyn, director of the Good Schools Guide, said the proportion of children from overseas was higher at boarding schools. Some schools, “Would not survive without taking 40% or even more from overseas,” she stated. The ISC said more children were in private schools now than at any time since 1974 when it started compiling the figures.

06 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 THE MONTH THAT WAS

Independent school students receive more career BRIEFLY advice than state „„ Tottenham Hotspur FC and a leading private pupils, study finds school have proposed a state sixth form in north London. Planned for Independent school students and private sector students 2017, it will use Highgate have a far clearer idea of the receive from businesses and School’s educational careers they want to pursue potential employers. 57% of know how with Spurs’ as thanks to regular careers advice independent school students had main financial sponsor from their school whilst state received help or guidance from and academy school students are external businesses or employees „„ Parents are trying to ‘left in limbo’ according to new about what to expect when they raise £1m to prevent research from Adecco. start a job as compared to just the closure of Lavant Onrec has reported that the 25% of state school and 29% of House School, West research, which explored the academy students. Sussex, which has too views of 14 year-olds across Consequently, independent few pupils to make it the education sector in the UK, school students have clearer after leaving school. financially viable revealed that 45% of independent career goals than state school or The research revealed that school students receive regular academy school students. students are desperate to get „„ Gosfield School careers guidance from their school Whilst 45% of the this advice. 95% of the students headteacher, Dr Sarah compared to just 13% of students independent schools students polled stated that they would Welch, spent an afternoon in state schools and 14% of polled knew which profession benefit from advice from local with royalty at this year’s students in academy schools. or industry they would like to businesses or employees, with Buckingham Palace The research also work in just 21% of state school a further 93% stating that the garden party. Her post as highlighted that there is a huge and 25% of academy students careers advice they had been chair of the Independent gulf between the advice public knew what they wanted to do given had been helpful. Schools Association secured her invitation

„„ Lancing Preparatory Langley Prep and Taverham Hall School has received permission for a state-of- School announce plans to merge the-art, multi-purpose building for their site in headed by Mike Crossley, the current headmaster of The Droveway, Hove. Taverham Hall School. Philip Oldroyd, headmaster This increases the of Langley Prep, will be, “a key member of the school’s capacity from Langley School’s management team”. 270 pupils to 300 Asked how much the merger was guided by financial considerations a spokeswoman said it „„ Sarah Hollingsworth was driven by, “The desire to compete as the best has been appointed the Langley Preparatory School will combine with independent prep school in Norfolk which we new head of Gresham’s Taverham Hall Preparatory School at the latter’s believe is best achieved by bringing together two Nursery and Pre-Prep 100 acre grounds in Taverham from September leading preparatory schools.” School. She will assume 2016, the Eastern Daily Press has reported. Langley Prep is due to vacate its site on her role at the school in The new school will be known as Langley Yarmouth Road in Thorpe St Andrew on July 8 September 2016. Preparatory School at Taverham Hall and will be and discussions about its future are, “on going”.

INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 07 THE MONTH THAT WAS

THEY SAID

“School leaders should think of putting on SEND training as a regular slot in their continuing professional development (CPD) programme as all Leading independent SEND children get most of their education in ‘ordinary’ school pays out after lessons, rather than in their learning support ones.” employment disputes Barry Huggett OBE, chair of ISC SEN Group and principal of the More House Wales Online has reported that Llandovery believed to be worth in excess of £30,000. Foundation, in his blog written for Independent Leader College, in Carmarthenshire, was ordered Claims made by the school’s former bursar to pay £15,000 to a former staff member and a school nurse were also settled before whose grievance was upheld. tribunal and it is believed there are other It has emerged that one of Wales’ oldest cases pending. independent schools has paid out tens of This comes less than four years thousands of pounds to former staff in a after the school’s future was called into FAST series of employment disputes. question by serious financial problems. FACTS In late April the school was involved In 2012 the school managed to keep its in an employment tribunal brought by pupil numbers stable and expanded to < 9:1 its former head of history whose unfair accommodate younger children. The The pupil-teacher ratio in independent dismissal claim was upheld and the school school’s future has been cast into doubt schools is under 9:1 according to the 2016 ordered to pay the claimant £15,000. once more as last year the school was Independent Schools Council (ISC) Census. Another case brought by Llandovery forced to deny fresh funding concerns There are 57,000 full-time (or equivalent) College’s former head of preparatory school when a letter to parents warned of, teachers, 39% of whom are men was settled out of court in an agreement ‘various worrying management issues’.

Arrests over Essex boarding school abuse claims

Two men have been arrested in connection with case to see if they have any information which could historical abuse allegations at a school in Essex, BBC assist them. News has reported. Solicitor Katherine Yates, of Andrew Grove The men, aged 65 and 79, were held amid reports Solicitors, said the civil legal action would be of child abuse at Elmbridge Boarding School in Ongar taken against the organisations which ran or in the 1980s and 1990s. owned the schools. A civil compensation case is under way after Essex Police said allegations into abuse at Oxley more than 30 people came forward to say they were Parker school had previously been investigated and abused at the school in Ongar and Oxley Park school a former teacher was convicted of sexual abuse and in Colchester. jailed for 10 years in the mid-1990s. Essex Police said officers would be speaking to The force said there was currently no active the solicitors involved in the civil compensation police investigation into the school.

08 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 THE MONTH THAT WAS > BSA CONFERENCE

The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) held its BuildingBuilding annual conference in Manchester in May. Hayley Zimak attended on behalf of Bridges,Bridges, Independent Leader and speaks to Aileen Kane, assistant director of the BSA, about the challenges ChangingChanging and triumphs facing the LivesLives boarding school sector

he three-day event was held in the partnerships. Examples include running joint historic Manchester Midland Hotel; extra-curricular programmes, providing GCSE or the intricate gold interior was a A-level revision classes and offering shared subject fi tting tribute to the Boarding School workshops and masterclasses. Associations’T (BSA) golden jubilee. The theme this It was interesting to watch clips from ITV’s year was ‘Building Bridges, Changing Lives’ and School Swap – The Class Divide in which featured keynote addresses and presentations from The press Warminster School head Mark Mortimer switched heads and industry leaders across the country. likes to play places with former Bemrose School headteacher Jo Aileen Kane, assistant director at the BSA, says Ward. Speaking to delegates Mark said both sectors one of the highlights was the charitable outreach the sectors can learn from each other – something echoed by that’s going on in the boarding sector in both state against each other Aileen. “The press likes to play the sectors against and independent schools. “Many of our schools each other but, in reality, that doesn’t happen; we have children who are classifi ed on the edge of but, in reality, that get feedback all the time about how we can learn care so they work with many charities like Buttle doesn’t happen from each other. We have an academy state school UK, Springboard and the Royal National Children’s that’s sponsored by Eton and they work together on Foundation. We’ve just launched our ‘Boarders joint ventures and staff training; they share ideas. for Barnardo’s’ drive which encourages children At the end of the day you’re dealing with children to help children; schools can hold fundraisers and – and children have the same issues regardless of pupils can get involved with any of the projects to their backgrounds.” gain life and work experience.” Nick Gibb MP, minister of state for schools, Focusing on charitable endeavours is an area joined the conference via video link and spent of focus for the BSA, as is quelling some of the 87% time answering questions from delegates which misconceptions that Aileen says are exacerbated by of ISC schools are in included queries about the current grading press coverage. “One of the biggest misconceptions mutually benefi cial system, teacher recruitment and training, mental is that boarding schools aren’t supporting their partnerships with health and compulsory language lessons. The local state partners – which just isn’t true. The state schools and local minister was also asked about the BSA’s ongoing majority of our members share facilities and communities, according to offer to house and educate unaccompanied teachers. There’s a lot happening in the community Schools Together website minors from the Syrian refugee crisis. “As a and the sector needs to start shouting about it.” sector we’ve really been pushing for it – and have To get the message out the Independent 80 places ready to go,” Aileen explains, “so it’s Schools Council (ISC) has created a Schools encouraging to hear that there’s work happening Together website which allows schools to record in the background so that we can take these what they’re doing in terms of collaborative children and help them develop.” 

INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 09 THE MONTH THAT WAS > GREY MATTER

INDEPENDENT CLOUD SERVICE BROKER

No obligation, free consultations available in June and July! So many clouds,

Are you the parent of youngsters in the throes of examination prep? Is it so little time bringing you out in a vicarious cold sweat? Here, Anna Maria Clarke, director of operations and marketing at St Augustine’s Priory in London, muses on the modern examination landscape and exam nightmares past and present It is widely accepted that cloud IT & Telephony is the future, but how do you fi nd time to research the many service providers in the market to make the give back to the community. had a chance to get a degree. determine the subsequent path. informed choice for your school? Finally, they’re the bullseye Unbelievably, university was They understand the intensity target audience for every social completely free and graduates of competition and the speed of You don’t have to! Into The Cloud do that for you. media and gaming developer’s exploded into a buoyant job change. They understand that marketing department. And market enjoying, for the fi rst few their children face a journey on Into The Cloud Ltd is a trusted, independent Cloud Service their prize? Graduating into years of their careers, the tail a more challenging path than Broker that can help your school with making the right decision. a shrinking job market and end of the eighties boom. On the they did. We only work with best of breed Cloud IT and Telephony an economy that seems to be whole, they avoided the techno However, they don’t providers and by acting as an intermediary we add value Anna Maria Clarke, perpetually on the cusp of explosion and look back fondly really understand how to help by helping you to clearly defi ne your business and technical director of operations and recovery but never quite in the on their early working days of them manage other pressures. requirements while carefully evaluating the infrastructure marketing at St Augustine’s Priory in London bloom of prosperity. faxes and yellow post-it notes Crucially, they struggle to capabilities, security policies, and unique differentiating Their parents observe on desks. understand the correlation features offered by each provider. odern British this miasma of demands with However, this generation between the skills tested by teenagers are in helplessness. Their path to were dealt a blow when the modern examinations and the We will not only evaluate and recommend an unenviable the job market was fairly recession hit. Already saddled skills valued by the world. Cloud Service Providers but negotiate contracts M predicament; they’re straightforward – they were with mortgages and babies when Teaching and learning are on your behalf and document cloud vendor the global generation, competing the fi rst candidates of the new, the crunch came, it was critical constantly evolving and parents deliverables. for examination success, for cushioned, coursework-led that they adapted to stay in the are encouraged to be involved university places and for jobs GCSE experiment. As students, employment game. Glancing in their children’s education Unlike Managed Service Providers who market themselves as a with young people from every they revised using pocket size furtively behind them, they more than ever before, so it’s one stop shop and are affi liated to a specifi c provider, we take corner of the planet. They’re copies of Brodie’s notes and understood that a new breed of no surprise that they feel the a technology neutral view and will only recommend the best fi t the young people whose diverse foolscap paper. Dyslexia didn’t young, hungry, techno savvy same way about examinations. solution that works for you. cultural imperatives may elicit exist. No one understood how graduates equipped with a very Their challenge is to provide very different approaches to your brain processed or recalled different set of skills were ready the foundations and support We can make it easier, more secure and a less costly method of study and whose ambitions may information so students just had to relieve them of their jobs. for their children so that they choosing and managing your cloud services. translate into a sharper hunger to get on and study anyway. It This is the anxiety which have the confi dence to tackle for success. Equally, this is the was OK to be brow beaten into fuels today’s parents with examinations successfully mindfulness generation, urged sitting at your desk and no one respect to their children’s without transferring their consistently to grow as a whole understood about resilience examinations. They understand unconscious anxiety that if the person, to cultivate a breadth or skills for life. Polytechnics that the tree of success has children fail to do well they of interests, to participate fully were transmogrifying into deep roots and choices made have fallen at the very fi rst in sport and the arts and to universities so everybody at an early stage increasingly possible hurdle.  Get in touch today to fi nd out how we can [email protected] intothecloud.co.uk help you choose the right cloud solution 0203 457 1940

10 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016

THE MONTH THAT WAS > BIG ASK

Should independent schools provide more LGBT training to teachers?

Delegates at the recent ATL conference in Liverpool called for more training to handle transgender issues in schools. The evidence shows that more pupils are coming out as LGBT and this could be difficult to deal with in single-sex schools. Critics say there’s no precedent or agreed process and that schools are “ill prepared” to deal with the issue while many schools are reconsidering dress codes and investing in youth-focused organisations that educate on LGBT issues. We asked our readers for their thoughts on the subject

The progress made toward LGBT equality in the 16 years since the repeal of Section 28 has seen an exponential increase in honest, open and appropriate training and education for all staff working in education. However, the range of subjects covered in most training can, perhaps, lead to shallow investigation of complex areas and one of the most unhelpful aspects of the LGBT ‘label’ is that it groups together sexuality and identity as one and the same. Training that combines these two separate aspects doesn’t allow for Graham Easterlow Deputy head of social education, in-depth, targeted training to explore and educate staff on Breckenbrough School and ATL gender identity or improve gender literacy for those working national executive member to support young people. Effective and targeted training North Yorkshire should be the bedrock of a school looking to improve its policy and protocols to support trans children and young people. It’s about more than gender neutral toilets; we need a systemic and cultural response to supporting children and young people to be safe, secure and happy.

12 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 THE MONTH THAT WAS > BIG ASK

Two past female pupils of mine expressed a wish at a young age to wear the boys’ uniform. One pupil made it a precondition to her entry to the school that she be allowed to wear trousers rather than a dress; she wore trousers every day except for my last day at the school when she voluntarily and symbolically wore a dress. Another much younger pupil asked to wear the boys’ uniform but we withheld permission. It’s sometimes Ed Balfour diffi cult to identify the motivations behind these Headmaster Ben Evans Beechwood Park School requests; some are straightforward and others are Headmaster Hertfordshire much more complex. In some ways these issues Edge Grove shouldn’t be decided on by policy and procedure Hertfordshire but by detailed knowledge and understanding of the child and his or her individual circumstances. Being a prep school ourselves some might argue that such training is more relevant to a senior school setting where children We wholeheartedly advocate specifi c LGBT+ are older. However, alongside other crucial training for teachers, staff, governors and parents. and sensitive issues such as child protection Our recent Educate & Celebrate surveys found that and radicalisation, we simply can’t ignore 40% of schools have ‘no subject areas’ where LGBT+ transgender issues and assume it isn’t is present, 49% aren’t teaching the defi nitions of important. Right now I believe staff are lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans and only three percent massively ill-prepared and lacking in the of schools have LGBT+ activity in two or more subject expertise and confi dence to either identify areas. Schools are legally expected to make reasonable or begin to deal with transgender issues adjustments for all their students with schools free appropriately. I also believe that the training Elly Barnes to take special steps to meet the needs of trans+ needed goes far beyond looking at dress codes CEO and founder pupils. We’ve worked with many schools where trans and uniforms; this may attract column inches Educate & Celebrate students have transitioned successfully in the school and interest on social media but it’s not dealing environment. There have been challenges when the effectively with the whole picture. Obviously school hasn’t accepted the trans student’s gender it goes much deeper and needs staff who have identity as valid or hasn’t respected their pronoun, the time to spend talking with children and for their name, their preferred dormitory, bathroom or children to have staff around them who they even their preferred uniform. Therefore, putting trust and want to talk to. In the early stages policy into practice is absolutely key to ensure all our this should start with the pastoral teams and students are treated equally and fairly. form tutors – we must look at who children spend the most time with and who has the best chance of identifying if a child is The BSA and our member schools are very active feeling isolated or needs in providing LGBT awareness training for staff and extra support. we encourage all schools to develop/update their LGBT policies and training in the light of the latest guidance. In addition to BSA provided training, schools can and do access such specialist inset through charities such as Stonewall. BSA member schools have access to day seminars, lectures at our annual conferences and example policy Alex Thomson OBE documents. In February BSA released a guidance Deputy chief executive and director of training paper regarding LGBT policies in member schools The Boarding Schools’ and this month are releasing an updated Boarding Association (BSA) Briefi ng Paper entitled: Gender identity and sexual orientation – how to make your boarding school LGBT+ friendly, written by Elly Barnes, the CEO and founder of Educate & Celebrate.

INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 13 LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE > GOING GLOBAL Succeeding overseas

Managing an overseas expansion is no easy task; countless considerations need to be taken into account and it’s a massive team eff ort on both sides of the proverbial pond. In this feature Hayley Zimak turns her attention to schools’ franchising and investigates what valuable lessons have been learned along the way

arrow School may have been one Almaty. They agreed to invest in the construction of of the fi rst major private schools to the building and Haileybury provided educational expand overseas and begin catering to input, determined the academic direction of the the foreign elite but they won’t be the school and pledged governance.” Three years later, last.H Whilst Harrow has a Shanghai branch due to in 2011, Haileybury Astana was founded in the open this summer, Wellington College, Dulwich country. Colin Bell, CEO of the Council of British College and Malvern College also have a presence International Schools (COBIS), is well aware that in the Far East, with Haileybury in Hertfordshire expanding overseas is becoming more popular an example of a school that’s taken the road less among British independent schools. “There’s travelled with two schools in Kazakhstan. motivation to export their reputation and brand and to look for new opportunities to provide GOING GLOBAL an exchange opportunity for staff and students. Haileybury Almaty was founded in Kazakhstan Schools can also use it as a source of revenue which in 2008 by a parent of a former Haileybury pupil, will allow them to fund more bursaries in the UK. explains Kathryn Walsh, the school’s overseas “It’s important to ensure that schools don’t contracts manager (OCM). “There were a number just export the same DNA that might be present of Kazakh pupils at Haileybury at the time and so in London or Manchester,” he warns. “While the school, the ethos and our name were familiar they need to export the values of the school but to a group of Kazakhstani families. recognise that they might need to adapt them to fi t “Our founding sponsor approached the (then) with local conditions.” director of development and proposed that he and Gordon Slaven, head of education and society a group of like-minded business colleagues build a at the British Council, expects the numbers school in their home city, the former Soviet capital, to continue to increase. “I believe that this is

14 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE > GOING GLOBAL

IINSIDER INSIGHTS

Kathryn highlights the key differences for schools 80% operating overseas: • The majority of pupils don’t have English as a 10 years ago approximately 80% fi rst language of students at British international • Recruiting teaching staff is more time consuming so leave extra time to advertise, schools were British expats; this interview and place staff number is now around 20%, • Procurement of educational resources can according to COBIS be more expensive due to transportation and customs costs.

indicative of a number of trends: the overall fully on board and connected. There needs to be a growth in private education globally, the increasing robust case and business model and due diligence number of middle class parents in emerging is crucial; do your research to ensure your chosen economies who are prepared to signifi cantly location is viable. invest in their children’s education and the strong “You also need a clear idea of how you’re going reputation that UK education has internationally. to recruit staff and all the related HR implications,” These make a UK education, delivered in the home he continues. “Make sure you can get visas, work country, a very desirable commodity.” permits and housing. Then there’s the curriculum to focus us; are you able to have complete INTERNATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS autonomy and choose the curriculum? Can you However viable, setting up a school in another It’s choose the resources and books or are you going to country certainly won’t be without its challenges important to be constrained by conditions in different parts of and there are several regulatory, fi nancial and the world? That can often happen and needs to be miscellaneous factors to consider. ensure that accounted for.” “It’s a long list,” Colin admits. “Are you able schools don’t just Kathryn says one of the challenges that to own land and property? Who’s your business Haileybury faced was conforming to a timescale partner? Can you trust them? Do you need to be a export the same set by investors. “A building can be constructed resident to be the offi cial sponsor of the project? DNA that might be within a relatively short time frame but it takes There are several important questions to ask. longer to do market research, set up a marketing “You need to think about the terms and present in London plan and recruit staff and pupils. All that takes conditions of building and running a school as or Manchester time and needs to be completed thoroughly before well as hiring lawyers and translators. Your school any fi nancial decisions can be made. An example community and the governing body has to be of this would be the length of time it takes to

INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 15 LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE > GOING GLOBAL PUSH IMAGINATION TO ITS LIMITS

CASE STUDY

Wycombe Abbey in Buckinghamshire’s sister school is set to open the lessons learned from other independent boarding schools who’ve its doors in Changzhou come September, an expansion that’s been ventured abroad. China was the right path for us to follow. carefully considered and implemented over the last few years. Rhiannon says Wycombe Abbey International School’s (WAIS) Headmistress Rhiannon Wilkinson says China was chosen because of students will be introduced to a unique blend of the English and its rising prominence on the global stage. “China is becoming ever more Chinese curricula. “The staff and teachers will be a mix of British and infl uential and will soon be the world’s largest economy. The Chinese Chinese people too. Some classes will be delivered in English; others in are very keen on British education and we believe that our approach Mandarin.” has something to offer them. Wycombe Abbey has recruited an international director who will “We also already have a small number of girls from mainland take the lead on managing relationships from the Wycombe Abbey side China at Wycombe Abbey and a long-standing relationship with Hong and monitor standards in the new school. Two members of Wycombe Kong. We’ve been teaching Chinese in the school for a number of Abbey’s governing council will be on WAIS’ fi ve-strong advisory board. years and girls can now study Chinese GCSE and A-level as part of the “It’s no secret that British boarding schools have an outstanding mainstream curriculum.” international reputation and are consistently considered among the best Breaking ground in another country isn’t something to be taken in the world,” Rhiannon says. “In countries where education is highly lightly and researching the market thoroughly, and speaking to regarded it makes sense that British teaching values and systems are potential partners, is key to a successful expansion. “We’ve conducted sought after. China is growing rapidly and more Chinese families are thorough research into the education sector and have taken note of now able to invest even more in their children’s education.”

process staff visa application documentation and can’t be a vanity project. You have to be careful the tendency for rules to change frequently and at to maintain and protect the brand so, whatever short notice. agreement you have with partners, you need to “There can also be frustration when dealing Be sure be able to control the academic side of it because, with the bureaucracy of the host country.” if anything goes wrong, it could damage your Bring learning to life with connected print technologies you’re not reputation in the UK.” MAKING IT WORK in it for the Kathryn says that, at Haileybury, they Once the project is ‘green lit’ it typically takes appointed a dedicated OCM to liaise with each Latest editions for the classroom Exclusive Visit to the Science Museum 18 months for a school to be able to open its wrong reasons – of the schools on a daily basis. “Having a regular Every printer a primary school buys from the PIXMA, doors to pupils. Gordon says different markets point of contact for staff was vital; this gives it can’t be a MAXIFY and i-SENSYS ranges gives the school entry come with different challenges and a successful them confi dence that they have direct links to the into a prize draw. school will undertake ample research and vanity project ‘mother school’. We also have regular visits from practice due diligence before committing to governors who sit on the governing body in the The prize is one of five exclusive trips to the Science any business initiative. “This includes having a UK which gives continuity and consistency and Museum worth £3000. deep understanding of the political, economic, enables staff to feel genuinely supported by the UK education and business contexts as well as an school rather than operating remotely.” understanding of the legal status of private and She says establishing a good relationship with Canon Points for Schools international education institutions in that market. the founding sponsor, and maintaining an open “Ensure there’s independent due diligence dialogue with key local staff and sponsors, is also Open to Parents and the public across the UK and research on any partners you may choose to important. “Schools need to have an understanding Ireland. Parents or the public can buy Canon printers work with and that your business planning of the importance of adhering to local educational and gain points which schools can convert for free Canon technology. includes realistic fi nancial planning and a deep requirements whilst avoiding compromising on the risk analysis.” He says that, despite the fact you need to deliver the British curriculum.” E&OE Duration: 14th March 2016 to 30th June 2016 might have done all the necessary preparation, Having been established in an international “...understand that there will still be unexpected market for the past eight years she shares a valuable MAXIFY MB5050 Canon i-SENSYS For more Information please visit : www.canon.co.uk/education-technology complications you’ll have to deal with”. lesson learned along the way: “Don’t underestimate MF728Cdw “I think it’s really important to know the reasons the need to have English as an additional language why you’re expanding,” Colin says, “and be clear (EAL) provision when the majority of pupils don’t when communicating your intentions to parents have English as a fi rst language. Start as a primary SET Office Supplies has been trading since 1974 and are the largest independent office in the UK – and to governors, teachers and staff. school and grow into a secondary if the majority of supplies company in the UK. We work closely with local and national schools / academies Be sure you’re not in it for the wrong reasons – it pupils are not native English speakers.”  providing Office stationery, Business machines, Printed Stationery, Office furniture, promotional products, embroidered workwear and PPE.

Tel : 02920 225555 Fax : 02920 221922 E-mail : [email protected]

16 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 Website : www.setoffice.co.uk PUSH IMAGINATION TO ITS LIMITS

Bring learning to life with connected print technologies

Latest editions for the classroom Exclusive Visit to the Science Museum

Every printer a primary school buys from the PIXMA, MAXIFY and i-SENSYS ranges gives the school entry into a prize draw.

The prize is one of five exclusive trips to the Science Museum worth £3000.

Canon Points for Schools

Open to Parents and the public across the UK and Ireland. Parents or the public can buy Canon printers and gain points which schools can convert for free Canon technology.

E&OE Duration: 14th March 2016 to 30th June 2016 MAXIFY MB5050 Canon i-SENSYS For more Information please visit : MF728Cdw www.canon.co.uk/education-technology

SET Office Supplies has been trading since 1974 and are the largest independent office supplies company in the UK. We work closely with local and national schools / academies providing Office stationery, Business machines, Printed Stationery, Office furniture, promotional products, embroidered workwear and PPE.

Tel : 02920 225555 Fax : 02920 221922 E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.setoffice.co.uk LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE > CASE STUDY

Elstree School’s head, Sid Inglis, is determined that sustainability and environmental awareness are themes that will run through the school’s ethos. Hayley Zimak spoke to him about the changes that have been made both inside and outside of the school and how students are leading the way to a sustainable future

ou’d be hard pressed to fi nd a school REUSE, RECYCLE, REDUCE that’s as environmentally friendly as “Overall the school has made huge strides in Elstree School in Woolhampton in energy and water savings by reducing waste and Reading. The co-educational boarding using recycled products,” explains Elstree’s head, schoolY is the proud recipient of two awards, Sid Inglis. “I’m proud of the community work the the Eco-Schools’ Green Flag and Woodland boys do as part of their Elstree Award; the Year 7 Trust’s Gold Green Tree Award, as well as being boys help maintain the churchyard at St. Peter’s the champion of several contests including the church in Woolhampton and recently took part in Primary Earth Summit, Spirit of the Rainforest art the Keep Britain Tidy ‘Clean for the Queen’ event.” competition and the Veolia Recycle competition. “The children have very much embraced the And it’s no wonder that the school is such a changes and continue to do so. There are recycling trailblazer – its students make regular visits to the bins in each room; the school recycles plastic, local recycling plant, grow their own wild fl owers, card, paper, metals, electricals, textiles and glass, juicy strawberries and plump tomatoes and and students are encouraged to use recycled replant oak trees native to the area. Eco-friendly materials in subjects and classrooms. improvements have been made in the school In addition, the school has also taken steps grounds, such as creating a home for bees, whilst to reduce the use of water and energy. “We’ve energy and water effi ciencies continue to remain at fi tted sensor lights, installed software that turns the top of the school’s SLT agenda. off the computers at the end of the school day and

18 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE > CASE STUDY

replaced old light bulbs with LED light bulbs,” Sid “We’ve also been planting bee friendly explains. “There are water butts for the gardens, gardens, have designed and installed animal the water meters are regularly monitored and homes, created a reading garden and undertaken push button taps have been fi tted. Again, we use a full biodiversity study of the grounds. These recycled products wherever possible and use steam types of activity are a great way to get the boys cleaning instead of chemicals.” involved and give them a better understanding of The school boasts a new science block, built in the environment.” 2013, that’s designed specifi cally to keep energy costs down by including thermal panels, waterless urinals A POSITIVE ENERGY and fresh air circulation systems – innovations that The scope of such extensive projects can’t be are certainly not lost on the students. successful without careful planning and Sid says the main challenge is ensuring that changes are carried out in an environmentally-friendly way. We use recycled “Being in a listed building does bring products wherever constraints; you have to be sympathetic to the surroundings and that naturally leads to higher possible and use costs.” He says the school worked closely with steam cleaning instead of architects to ensure all regulations and guidelines were met and that any changes were introduced in chemicals an environmentally-conscious way. “There are so many ways to make a real FOOD FOR THOUGHT difference. We involve the boys in coming up with It’s not just the inside of Elstree School that the ideas and have an ‘eco action team’ made up of promotes sustainability and environmental 10 volunteers – the boys are the ones who hold the awareness; the outside also plays its part. “In key to the future.” terms of healthy eating, pupils are taught how While Sid says it’s diffi cult to estimate the to grow fl owers, fruit and vegetables through the savings made because the school now has more gardening club. Menus are carefully planned and boarders than before, and energy prices continue are refl ective of parent and pupil feedback.” to rise, he does cite one small saving that has had Each year there’s also an annual ‘waste week’ a big impact on student involvement. “We saved event which involves a food waste reduction over £300 in energy by switching off appliances competition, Sid explains. “Food waste from and lights during Big Energy Saving Week last each table gets weighed and the table with the October. This is something all schools can do – and least waste over the week wins. We also have benefi t from in the long term.” a ‘trashion show’ where a boy from each form Even though Elstree has been focusing on gets dressed up in recycled materials. The boys sustainability since 2010 there’s still more work showcase the recycled materials their outfi ts have to be done, says Sid. “Much of our environmental been made from and, of course, the best dressed and sustainability programmes are ongoing; boy wins!” our latest programme is to replace windows Although Elstree School was founded in 1848 with double or secondary glazing. We also plan staff and students moved to Woolhampton House in to continue to glean ideas from the children Berkshire when war broke out in 1939. The 150-acre about ways in which we can raise awareness of estate proved so ideal that, at the end of the war, environmental issues.” Woolhampton House became Elstree’s permanent So whether it’s by introducing a relaxing home and the school remains there today. “It’s reading garden or setting up a boisterous dining- vital that we look after the beautiful estate,” says hall competition, your school can reduce its carbon Sid. “Work is constantly ongoing and, in the last footprint too. Reuse what can’t be recycled, switch two years, we’ve replanted over 600 hedgerows off what you don’t need to be on and, above all including hawthorn, fi eld maple and hazel in else, engage your students in an environment that addition to more than 100 native trees such as oaks.” promotes sustainability from dawn till dusk. 

INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 19 LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE > CASE STUDY

t’s been six years since St Joseph’s dropped its all-girls convent St Joseph’s cloak and donned a metaphorical technicoloured coat – that’s to say, it openedI its doors to a co-ed cohort of more than 400 three to 18-year-olds. The all-girls model had been dispensed with once and for all. The technicolour following year brought a new bursar and head who set in motion a raft of improvements to early years, prep and sixth form facilities. Prior to these impressive changes, in 2009 to be exact, the board transformation of governors decided to slash fees by 17% and so make school places more affordable. Headteacher Andy Colpus and marketing manager Helen Bligh refl ect on the school’s St Joseph’s College in development and explain why they think they Reading was recently crowned wowed the TES judges.

Independent School of the WHAT’S YOUR BACKGROUND, ANDY? Year at the TES awards. I was appointed in 2011 and took up my position as head in September 2012 so I guess the part I Tim Martin speaks to head played in winning the TES Award was making the Andy Colpus and marketing new model work. I was absolutely convinced that we should go out and market the school; there’s no manager Helen Bligh about point being a co-educational school if no one knows the secret of their success and about it. Similarly, there was no point in cutting fees if no one knew about that, either, and all this a recent initiative which led to meant changing perceptions to show people that the a 17% reduction in fees school had undergone a bit of a transformation.

20 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE > CASE STUDY

WHAT CONTRIBUTION DID YOU MAKE TO THE which meant we didn’t have to increase staffi ng TES INDEPENDENT SCHOOL OF THE YEAR costs. Once that calculation was completed we PRIZE? could turn our attention to the question of fi gures. Andy: Without a doubt it’s been a team effort. We At that stage the governors could be as brave as received the award for turning around the school possible and really open up clear water between us over the last fi ve years, which pre-dates my and other independents in the area. arrival here. Some of the key decisions were made before my time – one of which was the governors’ AS AN INDEPENDENT OF PARTICULAR REPUTE, decision to turn the school from a girl’s convent WHAT OUTSTANDING CHALLENGES DOES ST. to a co-educational school and, at the same time, JOSEPH’S FACE? start a programme of cutting fees for the senior Helen: That’s diffi cult because, after winning the school. They phased this in over four years with The Independent School of the Year Award, where an overall cut of 17%. This was fundamental do you go from there? We see it as just a starting to saving the school which was on a downward governors point – there’s plenty more that we can achieve. spiral in 2009 with a drop in pupil numbers. could be as Improving exam results is obviously something These were brave decisions that needed to be that we, like all other schools, are constantly made at that point in time. brave as possible focused on but we also want to develop confi dent and really open young people; that’s a key end result for us WHAT, SPECIFICALLY, DID ST JOSEPH’S DO TO beyond A-Levels. INCREASE PUPIL NUMBERS? up clear water Andy: We introduced a big campaign called, between us and WHAT MARKETING APPROACHES HAVE ‘Things are happening at St Joseph’s’. We wanted HELPED IMPROVE THE SCHOOL? that to be a talking point and to prompt people to other independents Helen: Our new branding and new colours have ask, “Well, what is happening at St Joseph’s?” The in the area prompted a lot of interest from parents. We also measure of the campaign’s success was determined funded an outdoor advertising campaign and put by the number of people dropping the phrase into advertisements in the local newspaper. We are casual conversation and it was really pleasing to trying to do more marketing online so we have a hear. We also used it in big adverts in The Oracle presence on Facebook and Twitter; we use both, shopping centre, on the sides of buses and at often. The Facebook click campaigns that we run various local train stations – wherever we felt it have always resulted in a big response and are very would make an impact. good value. Our parent’s hang out on Facebook so our campaigns are defi nitely targeting the right DO YOU THINK THIS CAMPAIGN HAD A DIRECT demographic. There’s nothing formal in place, IMPACT ON PUPIL NUMBERS? in terms of a parent’s ambassador, but word of Andy: I think so. It got people talking and mouth is growing hugely; we ask for source codes noticing us and we made the school much more in everything that we do and our key source has visible. The next part of that whole process was consistently been word of mouth. getting people through our doors. It’s great having a campaign but it had to be followed by hard IN TERMS OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, WHAT work from our marketing and admissions team. CAN WE EXPECT FROM ST JOSEPH’S? The focus for them was turning initial enquiries Andy: On the academic side we’re always looking into successful applications and the growth of at how we can improve and we’ve recently the school refl ects their collective work over that amended our scholarship programme. We’re no period of time. Back in 2010 we had under 300 longer going to give a fee discount to our scholars; pupils and now we have just under 500; come I wasn’t convinced that giving a 10% discount September we’ll have just over 500. was the best use of fees and, also, we believe that being a scholar should refl ect the tradition of being HOW DO YOU STRIKE A BALANCE, THEN, IN a scholar rather than simply attracting a fi nancial DETERMINING A COST FOR FEES? discount. This change ties in with our model of Andy: I suppose a lot of it’s based on supply and trying to use parent income as carefully as we can demand; there isn’t really a simple model from and I hope that making this change will enable us which schools can work. Part of what we worked to celebrate our scholars to a greater extent than on was moving from half full classes to full classes, has been the case in the past. 

INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 21 Misco work with the leading brands in the I.T market Freefone: 0800 035 0799 who can provide any education establishment with the most up-to-date products and solutions at some of the Email: [email protected] best prices. Visit: www.misco.co.uk/schools-out Misco has almost thirty years’ experience in providing ICT services to schools across the UK. As one of Europe’s leading IT resellers of technology products and solutions, our team has the scope and ability to provide full service and support for the whole ICT life- ICT solutions for the classroom cycle.

1 7 3

7. APPROVED SELECTION HP 8200 6 ELITE SMALL FORM 2 FACTOR REFURB PC

1. APC NETSHELTER 2. HAMA HK-5619 3. STARTECH.COM 6. KODAK SCANMATE · Intel® Core™ i5-2400 SX42U – 750MM X OVER-EAR STEREO 4K HDMI 2-PORT I1150WN SCANNER 3.10Ghz processor 1070MM HEADPHONES VIDEO SPLITTER · 4GB RAM / · Connect with USB, 250GB HDD · Integrated high density · Volume control for · Supports Ultra HD Ethernet, wireless · Windows® 7 cable individual, continuous video resolutions up to infrastructure or wireless Professional 64bit · Cable protection and volume adjustment 4K @ 30Hz ad-hoc networks · 2 year warranty pass-through · Closed design that · Support for 7.1 · Use the Web API to · Smooth plastic fingers completely covers the surround sound audio integrate to the provide proper bend ears for shielding out · 2x HDMI outputs scanner directly radius exterior noise · Solid aluminium without the need for £177.95 Ex VAT · Optimised enclosure · 6M cable, especially housing driver £213.54 Inc VAT design for side-to-side designed for · Small footprint · Work with thick client Sku: 2329671 airflow connecting to · 2 year warranty or cloud-based · Improved cable access computers and TV’s business applications

£1,285.00 Ex VAT £5.59 Ex VAT £40.95 Ex VAT £255.19 Ex VAT £1,542.00 Inc VAT £6.71 Inc VAT £49.14 Inc VAT £306.23 Inc VAT Sku: 2541072 Sku: 2568495 Sku: 2361809 Sku: 2598005 4 4. IIYAMA PROLITE 5. BROTHER 8. SURFACE PRO 4 B2282HD-B1 22” MFC-8520DN MONO CORE I5 128GB 4GB VGA DVI-D HEIGHT LASER ALL-IN-ONE W10 EDU BUNDLE – ADJUST FULL HD PRINTER 8 COMES WITH BLACK MONITOR 5 TYPE COVER · Print, copy, scan and · 22” display fax Education · Intel® Core™ i5 Please contact the Misco · Full HD 1920 x 1080 · Up to 36ppm print and Exclusive · Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Education team for more resolution copy speed · 128GB / 4GB information on this product: · 3 year on-site · Up to 1,200 x 1,200dpi · 12.3” touchscreen [email protected] warranty print resolution · Up to 9 hours battery life · Eco LED backlit LCD · Automatic 2-sided · Includes Surface Pen, · 5ms response time print, copy, scan and Black Type Cover & fax 1 year warranty

£80.95 Ex VAT £128.67 Ex VAT* £696.00 Ex VAT £97.14 Inc VAT £154.40 Inc VAT* £835.20 Inc VAT Sku: 2561164 Sku: Q575411 £100 Sku: 2561032

*Price displayed after cashback. Cashback amount illustrated includes VAT. Terms & conditions apply. Cashback Advertised product price excludes VAT & excludes delivery cost. Terms & conditions apply. For full details visit www.misco.co.uk/terms. Prices are correct at time of publication but are subject to change. Misco is a registered trademark of Misco Germany Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Copyright©2016 Misco UK Limited. All rights reserved.

810921 UK Smallprint - Education Executive DPS - Education campaign_v3.indd All Pages 5/19/2016 5:14:57 PM Misco work with the leading brands in the I.T market Freefone: 0800 035 0799 who can provide any education establishment with the most up-to-date products and solutions at some of the Email: [email protected] best prices. Visit: www.misco.co.uk/schools-out Misco has almost thirty years’ experience in providing ICT services to schools across the UK. As one of Europe’s leading IT resellers of technology products and solutions, our team has the scope and ability to provide full service and support for the whole ICT life- ICT solutions for the classroom cycle.

1 7 3

7. APPROVED SELECTION HP 8200 6 ELITE SMALL FORM 2 FACTOR REFURB PC

1. APC NETSHELTER 2. HAMA HK-5619 3. STARTECH.COM 6. KODAK SCANMATE · Intel® Core™ i5-2400 SX42U – 750MM X OVER-EAR STEREO 4K HDMI 2-PORT I1150WN SCANNER 3.10Ghz processor 1070MM HEADPHONES VIDEO SPLITTER · 4GB RAM / · Connect with USB, 250GB HDD · Integrated high density · Volume control for · Supports Ultra HD Ethernet, wireless · Windows® 7 cable individual, continuous video resolutions up to infrastructure or wireless Professional 64bit · Cable protection and volume adjustment 4K @ 30Hz ad-hoc networks · 2 year warranty pass-through · Closed design that · Support for 7.1 · Use the Web API to · Smooth plastic fingers completely covers the surround sound audio integrate to the provide proper bend ears for shielding out · 2x HDMI outputs scanner directly radius exterior noise · Solid aluminium without the need for £177.95 Ex VAT · Optimised enclosure · 6M cable, especially housing driver £213.54 Inc VAT design for side-to-side designed for · Small footprint · Work with thick client Sku: 2329671 airflow connecting to · 2 year warranty or cloud-based · Improved cable access computers and TV’s business applications

£1,285.00 Ex VAT £5.59 Ex VAT £40.95 Ex VAT £255.19 Ex VAT £1,542.00 Inc VAT £6.71 Inc VAT £49.14 Inc VAT £306.23 Inc VAT Sku: 2541072 Sku: 2568495 Sku: 2361809 Sku: 2598005 4 4. IIYAMA PROLITE 5. BROTHER 8. SURFACE PRO 4 B2282HD-B1 22” MFC-8520DN MONO CORE I5 128GB 4GB VGA DVI-D HEIGHT LASER ALL-IN-ONE W10 EDU BUNDLE – ADJUST FULL HD PRINTER 8 COMES WITH BLACK MONITOR 5 TYPE COVER · Print, copy, scan and · 22” display fax Education · Intel® Core™ i5 Please contact the Misco · Full HD 1920 x 1080 · Up to 36ppm print and Exclusive · Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Education team for more resolution copy speed · 128GB / 4GB information on this product: · 3 year on-site · Up to 1,200 x 1,200dpi · 12.3” touchscreen [email protected] warranty print resolution · Up to 9 hours battery life · Eco LED backlit LCD · Automatic 2-sided · Includes Surface Pen, · 5ms response time print, copy, scan and Black Type Cover & fax 1 year warranty

£80.95 Ex VAT £128.67 Ex VAT* £696.00 Ex VAT £97.14 Inc VAT £154.40 Inc VAT* £835.20 Inc VAT Sku: 2561164 Sku: Q575411 £100 Sku: 2561032

*Price displayed after cashback. Cashback amount illustrated includes VAT. Terms & conditions apply. Cashback Advertised product price excludes VAT & excludes delivery cost. Terms & conditions apply. For full details visit www.misco.co.uk/terms. Prices are correct at time of publication but are subject to change. Misco is a registered trademark of Misco Germany Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Copyright©2016 Misco UK Limited. All rights reserved.

810921 UK Smallprint - Education Executive DPS - Education campaign_v3.indd All Pages 5/19/2016 5:14:57 PM MONEY TALKS > FINANCE Band of bursars

With the bursarial role ever-evolving Tim Martin explores what attributes and backgrounds the most skilled bursars offer by speaking to superstar bursars Mark Taylor and Matthew Watts

he old perception For anyone considered opportunity in a great setting of a bursar conjures to be of the superstar bursar and close to family. My family an image of a variety a quite obvious love had spent six years in Germany T 40-something male for the role must be evident. and we felt it was time for a in a cushy offi ce with a set of Currently wearing that title change in the UK.” golf clubs hiding out of sight. is Mark Taylor of The King’s However, after major changes School, Canterbury. Now in his SKILLS TO PAY THE BILLS to safeguarding children and seventh year at King’s, Mark The steep learning curve of child protection regulations, boasts impressive professional his state school experience is the modern bursar is more experience as a bursar – more remembered fondly and certainly likely to be found working than 20 years – and is incumbent shaped his future independent under increased pressure; a far chair of the ISBA. work. “During my three years cry from shouting ‘fore’ at the at Cranbrook; we were very nearest country club. FROM A(RMY) TO B(URSAR) focused on improving the trading These days workloads A former Lloyds re-insurance accounts,” he explains: “So we are less prescriptive and broker and army Major; Mark looked at developing lettings, responsibilities cover a whole began life as a 29-year-old bursar summer schools and making sure range of fi nancial areas. at Cranbrook School – a state we could generate as much non- Consider, for example, how school – in Kent. Alongside a fee income as possible. Working the Independent Schools’ core set of bursar responsibilities there was a fantastic experience.” Bursars Association (ISBA) his superiors at Cranbrook were For Mark, a skilled bursar attempts to defi ne the role, with keen to have him run their cadet will exhibit certain skills: “The job description sub-sections force, help with extra-curricular capacity to lead by example, to including fi nance, accountancy, activities and manage media inspire others and to work as part general management, relations. Despite all this he of a team are really important,” administration, school buildings says it didn’t feel daunting at he says: “As is an ability to and school grounds. the time. “It was a wonderful develop good relations with staff,

24 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 MONEY TALKS > FINANCE

THORPE HOUSE’S BURSAR EXTRAORDINAIRE A recent convert to the bursar profession, Thorpe’s Matthew Watts explains how Band of he’s adapting to his new role and the joys of a simple ‘thank you’.

WHAT’S YOUR BACKGROUND? I started in the armed forces before moving into accountancy and banking. I then volunteered as a fi nance manager for a charity abroad before taking on a public bursars sector management role and I now fi nd myself a bursar.

HOW HAS THE ROLE CHANGED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS? Business acumen is becoming more crucial, as is the requirement to be able to cope with ever-increasing regulation.

To put it into perspective, 15 WHAT ARE THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECTS OF YOUR JOB? years ago there were only six Keeping the plates spinning and keeping requirements that our schools smiling. were inspected against – now it’s 430! WHAT’S THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT? When a plan comes together and a new project is delivered. I also really enjoy pupils, parents and governors. A MAZE OF REGULATION interacting with the boys, sticking on One also needs excellent oral and Mark is clear about bursars my medals and delivering an assembly written communication skills and needing to understand increasing marking Armistice Day. Oh, and I love it a willingness to play a full part regulation, he’s quick to when someone says, ‘Thank you’! in the life of a busy and vibrant point to specifi c examples of school. Most important, I’d say, is over-regulation in relation to HOW CAN SCHOOLS GET THE MOST having a good sense of humour.” safeguarding children and child FROM THEIR BURSARS? As far as training is protection. “This is a hugely Ensure the bursar’s supported by concerned, Mark sets out a emotive issue; which started with receptionists who can fi lter out number of key requirements: the Soham murders and moved unsolicited telephone calls and post. “I’d include a good third level on to Baby P and Haringey. Since Adequate fi nance resources are essential qualifi cation and, evidence then we’ve had the Bichard as are a reliable estates and domestic of substantial and wide- Report, the Laming Report staff. Plus, the headmaster and board ranging continued professional and two reports by Sir Roger need to be clear in what they want. development (CPD). Relevant Singleton. Heaven only knows experience of management how many recommendations FINALLY, IS THE OLD PERCEPTION OF and previous work on a whole they all contained, and the A BURSAR PLAYING GOLF AT EVERY range of business issues are also government accepted virtually OPPORTUNITY NOW OUTDATED? important while outstanding all of them. To put it into Unless the bursar has access to a fl oodlit fi nancial management skills and perspective, 15 years ago there course and can play at night when all the evidence of budget ownership were only six requirements work is done, then yes! are crucial. Finally, possessing that our schools were inspected excellent ICT skills is essential.” against – now it’s 430!” 

INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 25 MONEY TALKS > CASE STUDY

Put your assets to the test

With outstanding facilities and extensive grounds many independent schools have a bounty of assets at their disposal. MARIE CAHALANE talks making the most of what you’ve got to increase non-fee income with MAT PARKER and MARIE WALLACE of Tonbridge School

chools are becoming more imaginative and business TONBRIDGE SCHOOL savvy in their approach to fi nances and exploring how Tonbridge School, Kent, is a shining example of a well-run enterprise non-fee income can be increased by harnessing prime department. A leading boys’ boarding school, it benefi ts from extensive S assets: land and buildings. estates and a considerable catalogue of facilities. Recognising its By opening a school’s facilities to third parties outside of term commercial ability, Tonbridge established an autonomous commercial time – for events such as weddings, conferences or courses – a well- department to manage and develop this potential. run commercial outfi t can generate substantial income to reinvest in the school. The challenge for schools and their commercial directors PUT YOUR ASSETS TO THE TEST is striking the right balance between enterprise and education, “At Tonbridge we host well over 200 events a year including one-off essentially holding true to the school’s core values and its primary private functions, like weddings, right through to residential courses focus – the students. that run for a number of weeks,” says business development manager

26 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 MONEY TALKS > CASE STUDY

Marie Wallace, who has worked at Tonbridge School for over 10 years. COVERING YOUR ASSETS “We’re very lucky that we can ‘sell’ the majority of the school’s facilities A robust contract and comprehensive externally and, importantly, outside of term times.” insurance are indispensable. However, Marie is keen to point out that, “...the events side of Mat says: It’s a case of having on-going things is just a small part of the commercial element.” Tonbridge discussions with your brokers to ensure boasts residential facilities consisting of over 360 beds across that what you’re doing is right and you’re the boarding facilities; lettings have proved to be a great income fully covered. generator and are busy throughout the summer at Tonbridge. Where previously student accommodation might have remained TAXING NON-FEE INCOME empty, and facilities unused, the school now generates a healthy income. ‘Non-primary purpose trading’ comes “The events department turnover is approaching with tax and charity law considerations. £500k per annum, with £300k of that attributed If non-primary purpose trading exceeds to residential lettings,” commercial director Mat There are £50,000 a subsidiary trading company can Parker says, “with surpluses generated contributing be established to manage tax. to the operation and development of the school.” a number of small projects The best way forward is to seek GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP that have evolved professional advice. Built in 2008 for the boys of Tonbridge, the school boasts state of the art sports facilities and developed that also play a large part of Tonbridge’s over the past few commercial endeavours. These facilities GOING COMMERCIAL? REMEMBER: generate a year-round income, a large part years which are 1. Prioritise students of which comes from the member’s leisure supported by the Mat says: Lettings should not be to the club which has almost 3,000 members. Mat income that we detriment of, but should complement attributes this to, “...the mix of facilities students’ use of facilities. available as part of club membership – it’s of a generate 2. Safeguard values standard you expect of such a club”. Marie says: ensure those who use your The school’s sports complex offers a unique facilities refl ect your school. opportunity to open Tonbridge up to the community. Impressively, over 3. Know who you are the past eight years, Tonbridge has hosted organisations including, but Mat says: you don’t run it just as a school not limited to, the local under 11 football team and Athletics Australia, facility; you run it in a professional who trained on site for London 2012 and subsequently in 2013. sense also. The school also runs a successful brand under the auspices of the 4. You must spend money to make money sports centre called Recre8 that offers term time and holiday courses no matter your commercial outfi t, costs which, Mat explains, “...are a big part of what Tonbridge has to offer will be incurred. the community”.

SCHOOL CROSSING AHEAD As deputy safeguarding lead Mat is aware of the issues that can arise when a school is opened to the public. To address this the commercial FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS outfi t organises activities by time slots to minimise student-public “Financially, the commercial aspect of what we do generates in crossovers. This is a collaborative process, Mat advises, one based on excess of £2m per annum although much of that is consumed by the examining the needs of students, demand on facilities and one that running costs incurred,” says Mat; the outstanding profi t is returned must be integrated into the school’s own policies. Marie confi rms this, to the school. explaining, “The guidelines and policies that we put in place for all “We have managed to reinvest in the gym, doubling its size, built external lettings go through the school.” an athletics pavilion and moved the main car park from the school The commercial team is also determinedly selective of who uses campus to the sports centre,” Mat continues. “There are a number the school’s facilities, as Marie says: “We are keen that the clients of small projects that have evolved and developed over the past few refl ect the school so we usually accommodate associations, national years which are supported by the income that we generate.” youth organisations and other independent schools.” Actively engaging a school’s assets commercially is a sensitive Tonbridge’s commercial arm allows enterprise to be developed matter but, where done right, enables a school to deliver educational separate from the school but both Marie and Mat are keen to point excellence and maintain outstanding facilities to the benefi t of the out that education remains the priority. school community. 

INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 27 PROCURE AND PLAN > FRAUD PREVENTION

One step ahead

From unscrupulous suppliers to threats of a cyber variety, HAYLEY ZIMAK takes a look at some of the most common school swindles around and speaks to those in the know about how to protect your school from both internal and external fraud

28 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 PROCURE AND PLAN > FRAUD PREVENTION

magine the elation that follows a successful build; the CASE STUDY project has been wrapped up on time and to budget… Jo Marshall, SBM at Uplands Infant School in Leicester, now, picture the heartbreak and despair you feel when knows that schools can often be a target for unscrupulous I you realise thousands of pounds had been transferred companies looking to make a quick buck. “While we into the wrong supplier account. Instead of paying your construction have responsibility for a wide range of areas we can’t be company for a job well done, your entire budget has just gone into experts in everything – particularly when it comes to the the pocket of clever fraudsters. selection of the best ICT hardware – and so we turn to All it could take is a fake invoice bearing the company logo suppliers for expert advice. informing the recipient that bank details have changed along with “It’s important to choose reputable companies; I often a simple request to update the account number and sort code. An work on recommendations from fellow colleagues in independent prep school in Hertfordshire counts itself among the the area. Companies that are registered with the ESPO unfortunate victims after paying over £240k into a fraudulent account framework or approved by NASBM are also a good while St Aldhelm’s Academy in Poole reportedly lost £1m after starting point,” she advises, “and if all else fails remember responding to a phishing e-mail with their full bank account details. the old adage; ‘if it’s too good to be true, it probably is’. Countless schools have also lost money through internal fraud, “I’ve heard of a school which went through the including Ashford’s Phoenix Community Primary School where the proper process of tendering for new touchscreens and, office manager and ex-head used school money to purchase alcohol, having practiced due diligence, went for the cheapest food and petrol. quote. Unfortunately, the school in question was blind-sided by the company as the price didn’t include Senior leaders should ensure training or even installation and the screens were just left outside the front door! that security software is up-to- “It’s really important to check what you’re quoted date and that regular for as some quotes don’t include installation, training, disposal of old equipment, delivery or even cables and financial monitoring checks plugs,” Jo explains. “When these essential elements are taking place are added in the cost soon shoots up so the ‘cheapest’ option may end up being far more expensive than you first thought!” KNOW THE RISKS “Scams carried out on schools in recent years include hacking into phone systems and redirecting calls through premium rate numbers, tricking staff into unwittingly signing up to long-term leases, and posing as banks to convince staff to share sensitive account Senior leaders should ensure information,” Marianne Pope, researcher at The Key warns. “We’ve that security software is up-to- also heard of scams involving bogus invoices where schools are either sent requests for goods or services they haven’t received or date and that regular financial genuine invoices are intercepted and the payment details changed.” monitoring checks are taking place Ian Buss, UK head of education at Lloyds Bank says one of the most common areas of fraud in schools is the improper use of cheques. “A cheque can so easily be altered or stolen. Every time you post one, PROTECT YOURSELF you’re advertising your bank account number and sort code. Knowing the risks is half the battle and so too is recognising potential “Someone can take a blank cheque and fill it out or they can scams and knowing how to safeguard against them. “Identifying the get one that’s made out to the window cleaner for £10 and make warning signs is clearly the best way to avoid becoming a victim of it out to somebody else for £10k. All of your suppliers and staff supplier fraud so vigilance is key,” Richard explains. “This comes expense payments should be made electronically, via Bacs or Faster down to understanding the risk, having a healthy level of suspicion Payments, not cheques,” he advises. and being prepared to challenge unusual requests. Richard Moxon, head of education at Marsh says supplier “Staff awareness is paramount and that means good fraud is another major concern. “This involves the ability of a communication and training on what to look out for and how to fraudster to convince the victim to change payment details so that react. Be aware that criminals will take time to do their research and invoice payments are misdirected into the fraudster’s bank account. often target junior or inexperienced employees who may be more “Unfortunately, the freedom of access to information we now enjoy likely to accept what they’re told at face value, or they may submit a – on company websites for instance – and the transparent nature of written request on forged headed paper quoting publically available procurement processes can assist those with criminal intent.” information such as company registration and/or director details.”

INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 29 PROCURE AND PLAN > FRAUD PREVENTION

One way to avoid falling victim, according to Ian, is to ensure TOP TIPS you verify any changes to supplier details independently. “Lock down the supplier details in your school finance software so nobody Richard Moxon suggests SBMs carry out the following checks can change them unless they’re an authorised administrator. when researching new suppliers: “Also, never ever give any passwords or banking details to „„ Check the company details with Companies House anyone who rings you up,” he stresses, “and don’t allow anyone „„ Check how old the company is and if it’s been dormant at to reply to any emails from those claiming to be from your bank. If any point someone calls you purporting to be from your bank and asks you to „„ Check that the address is legitimate log onto your internet banking don’t follow their instructions. Call „„ Check if there have been any recent changes to the your contact at your bank from a different phone on a number you company’s address or directors regularly use.” „„ Check if the company is on any sanctions lists “To safeguard the school’s budget senior leaders should ensure „„ Consider only using suppliers that have been in business for that security software is up-to-date, that regular financial monitoring two years or more checks are taking place and that all staff are aware of their role „„ Check all invoices or carry out spot checks of invoices in preventing fraud,” Marianne urges.“Staff should know when against quotes/services/goods provided it’s safe to give out particular bank details and when it’s not and „„ Have a system that flags and verifies any changes in should be vigilant about checking bank statements and invoices for company details such as address and bank account. irregularities. Employees may also benefit from training on particular scams in order to be aware of how to spot them.”

TAKING ACTION Having a clear reporting process in place is crucial, Marianne says. “School leaders should ensure that staff fully understand the process FAST FACTS for reporting suspected scams or financial mismanagement. “Many schools have specific anti-fraud or anti-corruption £98.6bn is lost to fraud every year according to a 2015 study policies that set out the procedures staff must follow. Normally by the University of Portsmouth’s Centre for Counter Fraud the first step involves informing senior members of staff so that Studies and PKF Littlejohn the school can conduct an internal investigation.”

There were more than five million incidents of fraud in the UK in 2015 with 2.5 million cyber-crime offences taking TOP TIPS place, according to the Office for National Statistics

Lloyds Bank recommends familiarising yourself with the following terms: It’s also important to know what recourse is available – if any at all. “Unfortunately, supplier fraud isn’t covered by a traditional VISHING – These are telephone scams designed to obtain portfolio of insurance policies. It’s not a ‘theft’ or a ‘money’ loss in online banking passwords, confidential details or persuade the insurance sense as there’s been no physical misappropriation you to move money. of funds,” Richard explains. “Fidelity guarantee insurance cannot be relied upon either as this will only cover the dishonesty of your PHISHING – Email scams, where fraudsters masquerade employees, not external suppliers or those purporting to be external as your bank or another trusted organisation to obtain suppliers. Therefore, the risk of supplier fraud needs to be managed confidential information such as bank details or passwords. with appropriately robust policies and procedures.” And it’s not just external threats that need to be managed but SPOOFING – Used to describe a fraudster’s use of internal as well. “I think schools do focus on and are aware of fraud technology to imitate genuine telephone numbers and email but there are so many pressures coming in from so many different addresses of financial institutions as well as other trusted angles that it’s very easy to get caught up in the moment and be organisations. duped,” Ian says. “Internal fraud and theft happens and whoever says it doesn’t MALWARE – Malicious software such as viruses and Trojans is kidding themselves. It comes in many forms; over-claiming which is often hidden in attachments and free downloads. on expenses, skimming a bit of cash from trip money or stealing stationery… it happens in a lot of organisations and, sadly, schools aren’t immune to that.” 

30 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 INDEPENDENT CLOUD SERVICE BROKER

No obligation, free consultations available in June and July! So many clouds, so little time

It is widely accepted that cloud IT & Telephony is the future, but how do you fi nd time to research the many service providers in the market to make the informed choice for your school?

You don’t have to! Into The Cloud do that for you.

Into The Cloud Ltd is a trusted, independent Cloud Service Broker that can help your school with making the right decision. We only work with best of breed Cloud IT and Telephony providers and by acting as an intermediary we add value by helping you to clearly defi ne your business and technical requirements while carefully evaluating the infrastructure capabilities, security policies, and unique differentiating features offered by each provider.

We will not only evaluate and recommend Cloud Service Providers but negotiate contracts on your behalf and document cloud vendor deliverables.

Unlike Managed Service Providers who market themselves as a one stop shop and are affi liated to a specifi c provider, we take a technology neutral view and will only recommend the best fi t solution that works for you.

We can make it easier, more secure and a less costly method of choosing and managing your cloud services.

Get in touch today to fi nd out how we can [email protected] intothecloud.co.uk help you choose the right cloud solution 0203 457 1940 PROCURE AND PLAN > RETIREMENT

Passing the baton

Retirement – and a less frenetic way of life – beckons. HAYLEY ZIMAK finds out from those in the know, including retiring heads, about what planning and protocols needs to be followed to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for their successors and the wider school community

ne shouldn’t underestimate the While Alice has no plans to retire, she knows it importance of succession planning can be both exhilarating and frightening and offers and the careful ways in which the the following advice from the GSA’s succession O days, weeks and months leading planning guide: up to the departure are handled. Preparing for • When considering retirement, verbalise your a head’s retirement is a delicate matter indeed; thoughts to the board of governors, in strict timing the announcement is critical, as is the confi dence, two years in advance perceived relationship between the incoming and • Make sure the right people know you’re going outgoing heads. and in the right order • Think carefully before spending money SUCCESSION PLANNING (around £100k) on head-hunters “It’s essential. I think any head who’s any good • Time the announcement of the new head - however long they’ve been in post – will have carefully; staff from both schools must be the humble realisation that the school is bigger informed together as must parents and than you are.” That realisation may translate students into knowing when to stay in post, and when • Share the spotlight briefl y with successor to go, according to the current vice president – then step back to help facilitate smooth of the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) and transition. headmistress of St Catherine’s, Bramley, Alice Phillips. “I think you know the moment to move TIMING IS EVERYTHING on is when you can’t generate enough excitement Jayne Triffi tt will have completed nine years for the future of the school; make your decision as headmistress of Woldingham School by boldly and don’t look back – but make sure September and says providing suffi cient notice you have something else that will fi ll the void, is expected. “The key thing is to inform the because it’s going to be a very big void.” governors as early as possible to give them

24 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 PROCURE AND PLAN > RETIREMENT

ALICE’S ADVICE FOR OUTGOING HEADS: ALICE’S ADVICE FOR INCOMING HEADS:

• Offer your services but don’t get in the way of • Take the opportunity to understand the ethos new head and atmosphere of your new school • Meet enough times to do the handover but • Understand the role of your predecessor and don’t colour your successor’s view of the his/her motives school by being overbearing • Develop a relationship with your new • Allow the new head to be part of, if not lead, chairman and board of governors any important appointments • Never imply criticism of predecessor to parents • Be sensitive to the fact that the incoming and always praise past decisions in public head is still involved in his/her current role • Do a lot of listening before you do anything! • Exercise tact and diplomacy; treat retirement • Don’t rush decisions unless there is a truly as a celebration. urgent need.

enough time to decide. I informed them in June, s/he meets the candidates, shows them the school which gave them over a year to recruit a new and takes questions. During the lead-up and hand- head. If you have the opportunity to do so, give as over I’ll be discussing any particular concerns and much time as possible.” issues so my successor is informed as much as In addition to providing ample time she possible before taking over the post.” says “No-one else must know,” until you make She says succession planning is entirely your resignation to the board chair. “When I got dependent on the circumstances and there should my second headship no-one could know until always be someone waiting in the wings. “Heads the deal was done. The head is the leader of the can go very quickly; they may get another job, get organisation and parents are buying into that; sacked or become ill. It’s always a good idea to therefore, you cannot give any hint you’re going have a number two, someone who will step up and until they’ve appointed your successor.” cover an interregnum for a period – I think that’s The announcement to the wider school The head is really important. You need to have someone who community then needs to be carefully orchestrated could ‘carry the can’ if they had to.” to ensure everyone finds out in the right way at the leader Despite the fact that Jayne’s successor is her the right time. “Everything should be done on the of the ‘number two’ – her deputy head – a change in same day; we told the staff in the morning and leadership will always have an impact. “Each head then gathered to tell the students in the afternoon. organisation has their own priorities; parents become attached At the same time, we sent an e-mail out to parents. and parents are and associate any changes with the head currently Timing is crucial; you don’t tell the parents in post. It must be made clear that the old head is without telling the girls, you don’t tell the girls buying into that; supportive of the change and is very warm when before the parents.” therefore, you talking or writing about the new head. Felicity Lusk, Head of Abingdon School, will “Be as open and helpful to the person coming retire at the end of August after giving her board cannot give any in as you possibly can be – clearing the office, 18-months’ notice. “I just felt the time was right but hint you’re going getting out of the way in good time, making sure I didn’t want to go straight away; I’m really enjoying you’re working towards the transition and making this period and tying up loose ends. I’ve done pretty until they’ve it as good as it can be rather than clinging on until much everything I was asked to do when I came appointed your the last day of school,” Jayne advises. here and will have done six years at Abingdon Whether you’re a ‘reluctant retiree’ or ready to and 20 years of headship, including Oxford High successor embrace the next chapter, preparing for life after School, which is a nice round number.” school is critical. While the GSA offers a retired head mentor to assist with the transition some A PROFESSIONAL PROCESS suggestions from Alice, Jayne and Felicity include Felicity says having a professional process is philanthropy, volunteering, relaxing in Cornwall imperative. “The outgoing head isn’t involved in and walking the Camino – not a bad way to enter the appointment of the successor but it’s important the golden years! 

INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 33 PROCURE AND PLAN > ENERGY

The future’s bright… the future’s green

With schools under pressure to reduce costs wherever possible Tim Martin speaks to a number of energy experts about what Body text first. schools can do to cut energy bills whilst staying Body text indent. SUBHEAD true to the greenest of green credentials 

34 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 PROCURE AND PLAN > ENERGY

he approach of ‘going green’ remains a popular one and it’s clear that the case for cutting energy bills needs to Customers need to feel T be rooted in hard economics as well as a passionate concern for the planet – any planned that they’re not having spending on renewables should expect to generate to chase a bill, or a call a significant financial return regardless of how aesthetically pleasing the end result. back or consumption data

LED-ING THE WAY Neil Gething, commercial director of UK Energy Partners, explains the prevailing trends within education and the most effective ways of managing renewable expectations. “Many schools are becoming sophisticated stewards of their energy consumption as a result of energy conservation RAINING RENEWABLES programmes including LED conversion and Rather than suppliers trying to convince schools to improved heating efficiency and real-time use renewable technology Neil suggests managerial monitoring and management systems throughout decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis. the primary buildings within the estate.” “Renewable energy systems have to deliver an Cost will not only depend on the scale of a acceptable return on investment in addition to school’s ambition but their existing location and carbon reduction. Renewable technology doesn’t associated properties, Neil explains. “The simplest suit all properties so ensure you commission route to lower bills is LED lighting but thereafter bespoke feasibility studies and proposals based you’ll want to know that the lights and heating are on your estate which set out real costs and real only on when required and for this reason alone returns. Renewables have a place in most schools’ you should consider a simple monitoring system,” energy mix – whether it’s combined heat and he says. “The larger the estate, and the larger the power (CHP), solar or biomass – but it has to be fit population, the more versatile the building energy for purpose in light of what it’s replacing and the management systems (BEMS) will need to be.” load it needs to deliver.” A similar perspective is shared by Kevan The race to go green, then, should not be Walsh, CEO of Zenergi. “Approximately 50% of a undertaken without serious planning and adequate school’s annual electricity bill goes on lighting; by training; conventional wisdom from suppliers changing to LED the school will save 20%-30% of in the know suggests that schools have their that figure within two to three years.” homework to do before dipping a toe in this particular water. “Our advice would be to monitor energy usage in the specific area where the school wishes to install the renewables as a first step and FEED-IN TARIFFS: then to review the purpose of the installation,” THE LOWDOWN says Kevan. “Is it in order to be seen to be green (i.e. solar panels?) Is it educational? Is it to The feed-in tariffs (FIT) scheme is a genuinely reduce consumption (i.e. biomass)? Our government programme designed to promote advice would be not to jump too quickly on the the uptake of a range of small-scale renewable bandwagon but to specifically analyse the reasons and low-carbon electricity generation and purposes as it can be a costly exercise.” technologies. It’s available through licensed For schools that are not au fait with the electricity suppliers. The scheme requires complex world of renewables, or have the broader some suppliers to make tariff payments on excuse of not having enough time to adequately both generation and export of renewable and weigh up energy spend, fear not. “Add value with low carbon electricity. Generation and export independent thinking and impartial proposals tariff rates are index-linked which means that to help manage energy spends more effectively,” they’ll increase or decrease with inflation. Neil says. “This advice need not be expensive and should come as standard with the right supplier.”

INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 35 PROCURE AND PLAN > ENERGY

FINDING THE RIGHT DEAL As with any element of buying, good service KEVAN’S TOP TIPS FOR SCHOOLS should come as standard. Natural Generation’s REVIEWING ENERGY BILLS managing director, Ivor Thomson, believes that a school’s needs should be met with an individual „„ Check the length of the contract with your existing assessment. He does, however, recognise that supplier as well as the termination clause schools thinking of converting to renewable energy „„ Monitor the energy market and take advantage of can fall foul of the selection process. “The cheapest lower price trends products aren’t always best and there’s nothing „„ Review contractor valuations on a like-for-like basis environmentally friendly about having to replace – some companies offer their services on an ‘energy- poor quality components,” he warns. only’ basis but might charge for distribution and So what does Ivor recommend for those who transportation are still sceptical? “People continue to worry „„ Make sure the contracts start on time to avoid that, without feed-in tariffs (FITs), renewables expensive default charges aren’t worth it – but they are completely worth „„ Ensure renewable investment will result in a it. If you’re worried about what happens when significant return equipment or a piece of kit breaks down always „„ Make sure technical support comes as standard, not check that your installer offers service and an extra. maintenance packages.” Excellent customer service should, in Kevan’s opinion, be straightforward. “Customers need to feel that they’re not having to chase a bill, or a call back or consumption data that’s been requested. Don’t be afraid to ask a supplier what their stats are on registering new supplies and issuing timely and accurate bills as well as phone call hold times. Work out how they’ll communicate to a simple request using information such as their service level agreement (SLA) estimated response time to queries.”

THE LITTLE GUY In Kevan’s view value can be readily found in smaller companies rather than having to rely on larger suppliers. “Some of the newer, and hence Many schools smaller, entrants offer fantastic online facilities and are more customer service focused as their new are becoming systems don’t have the ‘clutter’ that older, larger sophisticated suppliers have to deal with,” he says. “They can react more swiftly to legislative changes but often stewards of their energy get penalised as they don’t have the ‘war chests’ consumption of the bigger suppliers to fall back on. Some do offer extremely competitive rates in order to get a foothold while others go for ease of use with the onset of mobile technology.” The theory, then, of saving energy by ‘going green’ seems both practical and financially feasible. The problem of finding sound advice can also be remedied by knowing who to contact. A full list of energy suppliers can be found on the Ofgem website – happy searching! 

36 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 Subscribe now and receive a free subscription*

THE MONTH THAT WAS > GREY MATTER ICT MATTERS > SPONSORED ARTICLE INDEPENDENT LEADER FEBRUARY 2016 | ISSUE 37 FORWARD THINKING FOR FEE-PAYING INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INDEPENDENT LEADER JANUARY 2016 | ISSUE 36 FORWARD THINKING FOR FEE-PAYING INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS PRINT FEBRUARY 2016 | ISSUE 37 PERFECTION JANUARY 2016 | ISSUE 36 Managed print services are transforming the way schools … operate and allowing bursars to realise some impressive And then there were cost savings. Jess Pike speaks to Paul Young, Head Whilst senior leadership positions in schools have traditionally been distinct, of Technical Services at UTAX, about reduced wastage, roles have begun to fragment in recent years. But are we now seeing a enhanced efficiency and a whole new way of working return to the days of old with the revival of the ‘deputy head’ job title? CASE STUDIES | LEGAL FEE MANAGEMENT CASE STUDIES | BETT 2016 FEE MANAGEMENT Hilary Moriarty investigates n the modern UK independent school, well and good investing in a specific printer but will the busy bursar has an awful lot to it represent true value for money? Could a school Hipperholme Grammar School’s head Jack Williams on think about – if it’s not a water-logged benefit from a multifunction printer that adds the I rugby pitch or a knackered minibus, it’s ability to print documents whilst offering copy and fact that I’d been a ‘sole deputy’, head pastoral. And then they interests or pastoral care? winning the ISA Award for Financial Management dealing daily with issues both invented assistant heads, maybe Perhaps let’s not go there... a couple of precarious looking roof tiles or a tense scan functions too? This provides the opportunity for THE SHOW pastoral and academic – bring it deputising in all areas, to act as a But you do need a deputy? conversation with the governing body about fee schools to rationalise their print fleet and cut down on, I thought! halfway point between heads Isn’t it quite an old fashioned affordability. With one eye on the bottom line, every on the number of devices as well as introducing Those were the days: one of departments and actual idea? Ah yes, but often the oldies savvy bursar is always on the lookout for ways to effective document management solutions that can MUST GO ON make cost savings and enhance efficiencies – and save time, money and storage space.” head, one deputy, heads of deputy-dom. are the goodies. As with so much what better place to start than with printing? department in a row and teachers Last week I thought I’d seen in education, bring back the idea According to a 2010 Department for Education MAPPING THE LAY OF THE LAND in their classrooms – with many it all: a school staff list which you fi rst thought of – a deputy study, paper and card wastage contributes to First things first – how should you go about Hilary Moriarty was a deputy head staff jealous of the science included several of the above head who sits so close to the job around one third of all waste in schools, costing reviewing your print budget? How, critically, for seven years, a headmistress department who seemed to roles, and there, almost at the of headship that they can almost individual institutions thousands of pounds every can you ensure that you’re purchasing the most Expert advice on building a for six and national director of the have umpteen lab technicians top, just below the head, came touch it. The next step feels Boarding Schools’ Association year. Whether it’s a stack of printouts left on suitable managed print service for your needs? at their disposal. Help in the a new role: deputy head. And I within reach, however protracted for eight. She’s now an education the printer by a forgetful student or a batch of “When a school comes to review its document tip-top theatre facility consultant and writer. classroom was a mere fantasy – thought: ‘Of course!’ Because if the climb. superfluous colour A4s, unnecessary printing takes and print management contract, we recommend but how useful would that have the head has deputies whose job And meanwhile, what of place every day in schools that lack the technology they choose a specialist MPS provider who will been when returning from a descriptions defi ne their territory the bursar’s offi ce? The same to keep print activity under control. carry out a print audit to highlight where the main trip to Stratford with masses of as academic, pastoral, senior, fragmenting of roles is present The game changers Uniformly up to date efficiencies and cost savings can be made,” says t seems bizarre now photographs and neither the time junior, development or outreach, there too. HR, marketing and When it comes to edtech, A SPARKLING SILVER BULLET Paul. “We see many cases where print fleets have We speak to uniform that I once saw nor energy to do the wall display? then who’s the deputy head? You development are growing Luckily, the kind of technology that your school been successfully reduced in number and where what does the future suppliers about trends to becoming a deputy The world changed when know, the one who deputises for empires upon which the fate needs is fully within reach: managed print schools have taken advantage of the new, smarter, have in store for students I head as a happy teaching assistants arrived the head when absent? This then and fortune of a whole school look out for in 2016 services offer the ability to save money, improve more secure and functional software that can be escape from an impossible life as and became an essential part begs the question: has a school can depend; all of them need and educators? all-important reliability and take advantage of the tailored to manage and reduce their print output.” both head of English and head of of classroom life. And in the defi ned a ‘senior deputy’ as fi rst qualifi cations, experience and kind of functionality that can dramatically enhance sixth form. Simpler, streamlined, upper echelons of schools, among equals? It’s tricky – this is expertise a long way from that All for one and one for all efficiency. “Bursars need to think about what they SAFE AS HOUSES Walking the tightrope one job title… or so I thought. the sole deputy – Jill of all territory that could leave blood of the old-style bursar enjoying need a printer to do for them,” says Paul Young, Last year’s security breaches at TalkTalk and Two tech gurus tell us how When I later started to apply for trades – became two: deputy on the carpet when it comes to a second career. Food for How to retain loyal Head of Technical Services at UTAX (UK). “It’s all Vodafone highlight the need for a belt and schools can get 1:1 tablet headships, I made a virtue of the head academic and deputy what takes precedence: academic thought perhaps.  school customers without Brought to you by implementation spot on Brought to you by breaking the bank EDEXEC EDEXEC 36 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JANUARY 2016 10 INDEPENDENT LEADER | FEBRUARY 2016

SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND RECEIVE... At Independent Leader, we understand that the school Inspiration, advice and the latest school leader’s role is ever-changing, ever-growing, ever- news every month, straight to your desk challenging and ever-rewarding. Our aim is to support and champion excellence within the independent sector. Information-filled articles on all aspects of your role Every month we offer inspiring articles, sector news and easy-to-read management advice. All this can be yours Monthly news analysis for free – how’s that for best value? Interviews with heads and bursars

Case studies from innovative and successful schools TO CLAIM YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION Regular features on funding sources CALL 020 7288 6833 and achieving best value EMAIL [email protected] WEB www.independentleader.co.uk Free six-month subscription, no Quoting reference FOC60216 obligation, no automatic re-subscription.

*Terms & Conditions *Subscription is free for 6 months to those who qualify: Bursars, school business managers, ICT managers, finance managers, headteachers, assistants, or other purchasing decision makers with the authority to spend. For those who do not qualify: usual annual fee is £68 for each subscription. ICT MATTERS > CASE STUDY

PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES

What makes a school's approach to ICT truly innovative? Boundary Oak School's co- proprietor and deputy head, James Polansky, is someone with a fairly good idea; having led the school to a distinctive innovation award nomination last year. Tim Martin catches up with him to find out more

ames Polansky is telling me how the dependent on exceptional teaching staff; but rather virtual currency Bitcoin works. He relies on the freedom of pupils to conduct their own refuses to use the word ‘innovative’ learning. J to describe the payment network; “Our pupil-led coding club, for example, is because, he says, it’s not really a word in his exclusively run by pupils for pupils, with minimal vocabulary. In assessing the reasons behind teaching input. We had some fantastic results from Boundary Oak’s innovative ICT approach this that club; to the point where pupils last year ended might seem problematic, but I’m quickly put at up being able to design business websites for ease. There’s a rhyme to his reason. As he sees it, parent companies.” computing technology is subject to such fast-paced Coding has been a relatively recent development and regular change that anyone claiming to be at the school, it was introduced 18 months ago, and ‘innovative’ is suggesting that they’re at the forefront is now taught to all year groups. James explains, of the revolution. I take his point. “Block building coding started at the lower end of the school and we began with text language-based BREAKING THE CODE coding at the top end.” Away from semantics; it’s obvious that James has So did the introduction of such a technical been central to his school’s ICT success. “One of subject come with any challenges? The difficulty, the things I do think differentiates us from other says James, was persuading staff to learn as quickly schools in computing and ICT in particular is that and effectively as possible. “We wanted everyone we’re pupil-led,” he explains. “Part of the reason to be motivated and embrace the idea of teaching we were nominated for an innovation award was themselves, as this is a required skillset if one is to because the delivery of our ICT curriculum is not become a lifelong learner in any subject.”

38 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 ICT MATTERS > CASE STUDY

TALKING TECH services – for example - we sourced our 3D printer Boundary Oak certainly benefits from having access on the understanding that we’d provide the company to quality resources (3D printers being the latest with a fully written, planned and resourced scheme purchase) but these are secondary to the school’s of work which they could use to market their product wider computing culture. to other schools.” Take iPads as an example; or, better yet, James’ main piece of ICT procurement advice is consider James’ analysis of them. “There’s been simple. “The number one priority is customer service. so much talk of iPads in education; but I actually School leaders should research this rather than just hate them. I think they’re very good in terms of going for price or range. My staff don’t have much helping pupils learn things in other subjects; but time to chase IT problems, so I need a customer any device where you just click on something service team that reacts quickly to any problems!” inhibits ICT learning.” As James sees it; an over- reliance on technology that’s designed for ease of use. IPads being a prime example – might well limit Our pupil-led pupil creativity. coding club is BOUND BY NOTHING exclusively run by As a rule, teachers at Boundary Oak are expected to display a positive attitude to ICT; this is perhaps, pupils for pupils, with not an unreasonable expectation in any school minimal teaching input but, crucially, their ambitions are boosted by the fact that avoidance of the latest ICT concept is considered unacceptable. CHAIN REACTION Take, for example, the growth and When Boundary Oak opens its door to Year 9 for the development of one particular staff member with first time in September the new cohort of students more than 20 years’ experience who’s recently will be invited to bring their laptops. Additionally, the transformed their own understanding of ICT Bitcoin concept is one that could soon feature as education at Boundary Oak. “This particular part of their ICT curriculum. teacher has now decided to write the whole ICT James, donning his teaching hat, kindly curriculum for Year 3 and below,” says James. educates me on how it works. “Bitcoins are based “That came about from perseverance and support. on block chains, and block chains work when a Once a teacher is able to design their own ICT Bitcoin is passed onto another user. Another block game, they think they can do anything.” is added to the chain, and that block identifies who the previous user was and who the new user is. BUSINESS MATTERS These chains just keep on building and you can see A savvy business sense has also helped the the entire history of the Bitcoin and every individual school, with the adoption of an IT procurement user linked in the chain. This makes it pretty much policy that looks for quality on a tight budget, as impossible to forge.” James outlines. “We’re a small but fast-growing A mechanism that’s wholly secure from a school and so we've procured IT hardware in the hacker’s threat seems like an ICT game changer most economical ways possible. This includes the isn’t that just shorthand for innovation? I know purchase of refurbished hardware (which needs to the description James would choose. His latest have a two-year guarantee to make it worthwhile), vision is to challenge pupils to replicate these buying at auction from companies and schools that block chains. Just don’t let them think they’re are closing down, and exchanging hardware for our being innovative 

INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 39 Ensuring our content is always up to date, always balanced and always relevant requires teamwork. That’s where you come in.

GET YOUR OPINION HEARD

Join our editorial panel and contribute to Independent Leader magazine.

Share your opinion via our Grey Matter and Big Ask features; highlight your school through interviews and case studies

For more information contact: [email protected] ICT MATTERS > ONLINE POLICIES

A PLUGGED-IN POLICY

With sexting and online bullying cases on the rise, MARIE CAHALANE speaks to e-safety experts about the hallmarks of an excellent online safety policy

he online revolution might have opened for improvement, like staff training or online safety up a world wide web of learning within the curriculum – then create an action plan opportunities for children but it’s also detailing your strengths and weaknesses and what T left them exposed to a multitude of you can do to keep doing what you’re doing well cyber risks. According to a survey conducted by and boost other areas.” Net Aware 50% of children admit to having viewed David Wright, director at the UK Safer Internet adult material online, while a survey carried out Centre, highlights that, based on the South West by the NSPCC states that one in four children Grid for Learning's (SWGfL) 2015 annual report, “... has experienced something upsetting on social staff training is consistently one of the weakest areas” networking sites. while areas like connectivity and fi ltering come up These statistics are unnerving and, if we want trumps. He recommends resources like SWGfL’s 360 change, we need to cultivate a secure environment, Degree Safe, which, “...enables you to assess your both on and offl ine, by ensuring users are well-versed policy, infrastructure and standing [in relation to other in online safety. But what does an excellent online schools] and helps you understand how to improve safety policy entail and how can school leaders and where to apply your time and resources.” ensure it’s widely circulated and understood? STRONG FOUNDATIONS DARE TO RATE YOURSELF When it comes to laying the foundations for your Ofsted reported in 2015 that 95% of schools have online safety policy a good template will offer an online policy in place; however, the same report guidance on what should be considered, challenged noted that 50% of students believe their schools and debated. The good news is that many don’t implement acceptable use policies for organisations, such as KidSMART, Childnet and technology. Clearly something’s askew. ThinkuKnow, offer free downloads. Rebecca Avery, education safeguarding advisor For Rebecca, templates help school leaders (online protection) at Kent County Council, says, make informed decisions. “The main thing is when developing a policy, you fi rst need to assess that the templates are relevant to the school and your school and the needs of your students. the particular needs and requirements of the “Consider what’s working for you that you might community,” she says. “For example, if you have need to tweak or update, identify your gaps – areas a school that rolls out tablets it’ll need to make

INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 41 ICT MATTERS > ONLINE POLICIES

sure this is covered within the policy.” So, for PLUGGED-IN such devices, where pupils and staff aren’t always Online safety policy must be deeply rooted in required to log in to access the internet, Kent every aspect of school life – backed up by a DAVID’S County Council’s Online Safety Policy Template comprehensive education programme, not isolated RECOMMENDATIONS recommends implementing systems that enable the within assemblies and ICT lessons. school to trace users. “The most effective educational approach is • Make sure your policy is Furthermore, an online policy shouldn’t stand embedded and progressive,” says Rebecca. “It regularly updated alone. “It should fi t in with all other safeguarding needs to be across all subject areas, even if it's • Consider how procedures and provisions within the school,” says just a fl eeting mention; in history you might be you communicate Gareth Cort, education and youth engagement discussing propaganda and bias, for example, and your policy to key manager at Childnet International, who adds that, you could defi nitely link this to the internet. It’s stakeholders, especially “… a really effective online safety policy will follow about working your overarching approach into other your students the same provision you have for dealing with other curricular messages. If it only gets a one-off mention • Ask who’s involved in safeguarding issues”. children often won't register it as meaningful.” updating your policy? Will recommends schools join the online safety • Consider how you PROJECT INTEGRATION conversation and encourage students to participate can ingrain it in your “An excellent online safety policy is understood in events like Safer Internet Day. Topics such as school's culture. by everyone within the school community,” Will sexting should be discussed openly – SWGfL and Gardner, CEO at Childnet International, says. “You Childnet offer helpful online resources. don't want a policy that’s been downloaded, ticked and then framed in the offi ce; you want a policy that THE OFFLINE COMMUNITY An excellent everyone understands and this requires input from For effective policy implementation everyone within online safety key stakeholders – making sure young people have the school community needs to be committed. a voice too.” David highlights the importance of staff training policy is This shouldn't be a case of school leaders if they’re to educate students, offer assistance, understood by writing a policy and students reviewing it – it and allay any concerns or fears that arise and needs to go further. For Rebecca, best practice yet, according to SWGfL’s report, more than 50% everyone within the was exemplifi ed by one school in particular, “The received little or none. school community school wrote the policy but had representatives Training gaps can be addressed in-house from each year group sat with staff and rewrote it on INSET days; Childnet provide downloadable in child-friendly language. It was then published presentations or you could invite an outside expert, online for parents and children to access. They like Rebecca, to work with students and teachers presented it to their classes too, asking if there together for a day. Ask parents to attend too – it’s vital RESOURCES was anything that should be added and whether they’re informed and included in policy infrastructure it was understood. Students were so much more and clued up to ensure safe practice is taken home. www.360safe.org.uk engaged as a result.” Implementing an excellent online policy that www.e-safety.org.uk In this instance school leadership team kept students can take ownership of and that all adults www.saferinternet.org.uk the higher-level, strategic policy for reference and – staff and parents – understand and support, is www.kidsmart.org.uk distributed the more accessible version to staff, paramount but it’s about more than this; it’s about www.childnet.com parents and students. Involving the entire school developing life skills in children that they can take to community meant the policy became an inherent the school gates and beyond and apply at home and part of the school’s culture. at work in the years to come. 

42 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 Month 2014 39 ICT MATTERS > TECHNO GEEK

Promoting INDEPENDENT CLOUD SERVICE BROKER No obligation, free consultations EdTech in schools available in June and July! Martin Bailey, digital enrichment leader at Lanchester E.P. Primary School in Durham and board member at Naace, discusses the power of education technology SO MANY to transform teaching and learning at a time when budgets are increasingly being squeezed CLOUDS echnology’s time so that children learn what not new to the that number looks like on their The most education sector hands. This is a concept that but it is something wouldn’t be possible on a PC important T that is constantly or laptop and it allows children thing to evolving. The benefits of the from a young age to learn in an effective use of technology independent way. ensure is that are transformational but, as Although school budgets with anything worthwhile, they are a concern for many the you’re getting SO LITTLE don’t come without challenges. use of education technology Schools need to have the isn’t determined solely by value for money right infrastructure in place to this; one of the most powerful manage risks because it’s no technologies we use is Twitter and introducing TIME good thinking that devices on which is, of course, completely their own will revolutionise the free. It allows us to offer our technology at the way pupils learn; schools need pupils the chance to have to carefully research and plan their work shared globally right level to ensure that any investments on our Twitter account or they make are in line with their blog. A fellow educator, Tim culture and ethos. Rylands, made a valid point On many occasions the when he said, “When writing All schools can afford Cloud IT & telephony is the future, but how children I teach have said, for the world, they’ll be good. to, and should make use Q “I use an iPad all the time.” When writing for you, they’ll of, EdTech. Whatever your do you fi nd time to research the many However, the use of a tablet be good enough,” and this budget there are plenty of at home is very different from is definitely something I technologies out there that service providers in the market to make its use in the classroom. The see playing out among my will inspire and engage your the informed choice for your school? power that a mobile device can students. We even see famous pupils. The most important

TECHNO GEEK have over a child’s education is authors communicating with thing to ensure is that you’re underestimated; for example, our pupils directly on Twitter getting value for money and one of my favourite apps is which is hugely motivating introducing technology at the You don’t have to! Into The Cloud do that called Little Digits and it has for them. Twitter should not right level so that staff are A Follow us on Twitter completely revolutionised the only be used for broadcasting not bombarded with several for you. We will not only evaluate and (@indepmagazine ) for way my early years pupils learn school messages to parents new technologies to get to count. Using an iPad the but also to create meaningful used to at once. A carefully recommend cloud service providers but the latest news updates app recognises a child’s touch relationships, stimulating a planned and implemented negotiate contracts on your behalf and and insight into the and counts how many fingers child’s interest in the classroom programme accompanied by document cloud vendor deliverables. issues that affect leaders they’re holding to the screen, and modelling good behaviour appropriate staff training is in independent schools reading out the number each for the real world. the key to success. 

Get in touch today to fi nd out how we can [email protected] intothecloud.co.uk

44 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 help you choose the right cloud solution 0203 457 1940 INDEPENDENT CLOUD SERVICE BROKER

No obligation, free consultations available in June and July! SO MANY CLOUDS SO LITTLE TIME

Q Cloud IT & telephony is the future, but how do you fi nd time to research the many service providers in the market to make the informed choice for your school?

A You don’t have to! Into The Cloud do that for you. We will not only evaluate and recommend cloud service providers but negotiate contracts on your behalf and document cloud vendor deliverables.

Get in touch today to fi nd out how we can [email protected] intothecloud.co.uk help you choose the right cloud solution 0203 457 1940 AND FINALLY > 60 SECONDS

60 SECONDS WITH

Following a teaching career in Kent, Nairobi and Surrey, Frances Mwale is now Prep headmistress at Farlington School in West Sussex. She speaks to Hayley Zimak about the daily balancing act, her green thumb and Frances Mwale knitting in the Junior Boarding House Prep headmistress Farlington School

Tell us something interesting about yourself, Frances. I serve as a street pastor in my home town on Saturday nights. We’re volunteers from local What must-have item or snack do you have churches who patrol the streets by helping, listening tucked away in your desk? to and serving others in really practical ways. We Different varieties of tea; I don’t really do much even give out fl ip fl ops to girls who are in pain or snacking as it would spoil my appetite for our teetering about on their high heels! wonderful school lunches!

What makes you happiest? What’s your favourite book? Walking in the countryside with my dog, digging The Cockroach Dance by Meja Mwangi (odds are my garden or doing some fascinating research very few have heard of this one!) Meja Mwangi is a like looking into the importance of talking about Kenyan author whom I met a few times in Kibera, mathematics for young learners. Nairobi. His books are so engaging and are about social and political aspects of life for everyday What was the last thing that happened to you Kenyans. I love the colours and fl avours of his professionally that really surprised you? prolifi c writing. A ‘wow’ moment was when a Year 2 girl worked out how to use column addition all by herself. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the education sector in the next fi ve years? What’s been your greatest achievement at Too much rapid change without keeping learning the school? as the central focus which then has an impact on Earning the trust and respect of girls, colleagues pupil wellbeing. and parents. What’s your greatest day-to-day challenge? What’s the most rewarding element of your role? Keeping very many plates spinning… whilst Solving problems and supporting people; I’m walking uphill and at a reasonable pace! always happy to fi nd time to listen and work together so we can come up with solutions for girls, What’s something you do as Prep headmistress colleagues and parents. that might surprise readers? Each Thursday I spend time teaching girls how What would you put in room 101? to knit in the Junior Boarding House. I was taught Children who shriek and whoop when applauding. the basics of knit and pearl from my mother many years ago and then just discovered how to do the How do you relax at the end of a long school day? rest from pattern and knitting books. My mum was A soothing cup of tea, some gentle conversation and always there in the background to help pick up the quiet refl ection on the day just gone. dropped stitches! 

46 INDEPENDENT LEADER | JUNE 2016 ALL NEW CORE AND ADVANCED SERIES

OUR MOST AFFORDABLE PROJECTORS EVER!

THE WORLD’S FIRST † 5 YEAR / MERCURY LAMP-FREE 10,000 HOUR* LOW PROJECTOR WARRANTY MAINTENANCE FREE FOR THE BIGGER PICTURE OR TO REQUEST A DEMO PLEASE VISIT WWW.CASIO.CO.UK/2016LAUNCH OR CALL THE CASIO TEAM ON 020 8208 9453

† In 2010, Casio launched the world’s rst Laser & LED Hybrid Lamp-free projector over 2,000 ANSI Lumens. * Whichever comes rst. Quality. Style. Innovation. Changing the face of modern schoolwear.

Schoolblazer is the UK leader in providing stylish, modern Bespoke, premium uniforms exclusive to your school schoolwear to top independent schools. What makes us so different? An unconventional and innovative approach to Smart, stylish contemporary designs fabrics, quality, design, style, sizing and delivery. Simple online selection & intelligent sizing Our designs are fresh, contemporary and smart, using bespoke colours, patterns and styles. And our revolutionary website allows Individualised nametapes - sewn in free of charge simple online fitting, sizing, choice and secure continuity of supply that’s both convenient and stress-free.

Call 01832 280011 [email protected] www.schoolblazer.com

5740 Schoolblazer Adverts Spring 2016(FINAL).indd 1 02/02/2016 09:25