October 2019

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2 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] In this issue... 05 Fighting Back Against the Abolitionists countering Labour’s Conference vote 12 Growth Mindset what does it really mean? 14 Pupil Sleep should be higher up the pastoral agenda Young Sailor 24 Profile of the Year in conversation with Ken Young Royal Hospital School, Suffolk, pupil, Josie Ruffles, 17, has had an extraordinary year when it comes to her sailing accomplishments. As 30 School Assemblies – Talking Point well as completing the Royal Ocean Racing worthy moments... or a waste of effort? Club 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race this year like her brother Toby in 2017, she has been recognised by the East Anglian Offshore Racing Association 32 Mental Health in School for her success. They have named her the Young Sailor of the Year 2019. spotting the early signs of problems The final race of the season, the Buckley Goblets, which involved Josie and her father 39 Exercise with a Community Spirit racing across the North Sea for the sixth time this year. Josie has also crossed the Irish Sea new programme proves a success twice and undertaken around 2000 miles of hard yacht racing, including winning the Wallis Cup, in which she skippered the boat. 40 Salute to Sporting Success The final race proved tough with a force 6-7 countrywide round-up wind and waves of four meters, but Josie battled on and completed it in nine hours. High winds Is Your School Mentioned? See page 47 for an A-Z listing hit the sailors in the middle of the North Sea on the return, making it very rough with winds of over 40 knots. Josie and her father experienced damage to their mainsail and Genoa sails but Plus managed to get home in 13 hours. 08 New education partnership reaches out to all 10 Leadership initiative takes off Cover background 16 EAL ~ keeping up to the mark Going green 20 Free online Maths resource supports learning Prior Park College, Somerset, joined other 26 Changing Faces, Changing Places; Heads Hunted historic buildings around the UK in being lit up 29 TPS consultation expires soon green in support of Global Mitochondrial Disease 34 IR35 changes ~ is your school ready? Awareness Week last month (September). 35 Music, Drama & Dance Focus Feature The school was initially approached by Bath 47 Editorial Advisory Board; Free e-mag subscriptions; Contact Us resident, Sarah Moore, who tragically lost two daughters within six years of each other to Mitochondrial Disease. Sarah has been raising funds for The Lily Foundation, the UK’s leading charity looking to fight the disease, raise awareness and support affected families. To date, Sarah has raised over £12,000. Research into mitochondrial diseases could help 35 Music, Drama unlock cures for other serious illnesses including & Dance 40 Sport diabetes, epilepsy, dementia and Parkinson’s.

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 3 Merger looms Rugby School and Bilton Grange Preparatory School have announced that they will merge in January 2020. Rugby School, located in the centre of Rugby Town on a campus of 400 acres, is a co-educational day and boarding school for children aged 13 to 18, and currently has 815 pupils. Bilton Grange Preparatory School, located in Dunchurch, three PM Boris inspires miles from Rugby on a 90-acre site, is a co-educational day and boarding school for children aged young readers three to 13, and currently has 315 Children at St. Helen’s College provided by the school. The school pupils. Prep School, West London, were was therefore delighted to be Peter Green (right), Head Master thrilled to receive a visit from approached by the Prime Minister’s of Rugby School, said: “For Prime Minister Boris Johnson, office to arrange a visit for Mr. some time, Rugby School has who is currently working with the Johnson to read to Year 1 children, been exploring the possibility of BookTrust children’s charity to and the pupils were enthralled as providing an educational pathway from the beginning of prep school promote children’s reading. he read them The Cave by Rob to university entry. Bilton Grange, Hodgson, which showed that Last month (September) the with whom Rugby has wide- things aren’t always what they BookTrust charity launched their ranging links, shares our ethos and ‘Time To Read’ campaign, which seem, and that life can be full of commitment to high standards Those parents wishing for a senior school other than Rugby will, of encourages families to share books surprises! of teaching and learning so we are looking forward to this new course, still have my support and and stories each day and to use Mr. Johnson also visited Upper partnership. guidance.” books as a way of exploring issues School (pupils in Years 2-6) and Both schools, which are financially that impact on wellbeing, such as was impressed by the interesting Alex Osiatynski, Head Master of secure, experiencing growing pupil anxiety or friendship issues. and immersive STEAM Day Bilton Grange, said: “Merging with Rugby School is a natural numbers and looking to further St. Helen’s College places a activities going on all around on progression for Bilton Grange strengthen day and boarding heavy focus on reading, both at the day of his visit. He particularly provision, are already collaborating at this time and there will seemed to enjoy burning crisps on outreach projects within the school and in the home, believing be many advantages for our to see whether their fat content local community. A pilot scheme that successful readers become community. Both schools provide is about to be launched to provide successful independent learners. made a difference to how they a truly rounded education and a sessions on Saturday mornings to Parents at the school are asked burnt, and chatting to the school’s pioneering curriculum. Not only children from local primary schools. to read daily with their child Director of Studies, Mark Lewis, will a more formal, defined and and question children to ensure about whether a cardboard kayak recognised route provide continuity Bilton Grange will retain its name comprehension; they are supported would be likely to survive on the in our pupils’ education, but it will and identity, will be separately in doing so by special bookmarks river! bring tangible benefits too: both registered with the Department for schools’ extensive facilities and Education, and have a separate Pictured: with Mr Johnson, (l to r) Teresa Stark (Deputy Head), Shirley Drummond (Head), Dominic Crehan (Principal/Proprietor), Catherine (Head Girl), Anish (Head Boy), Jill Crehan specialist teachers will enhance inspection regime. Both schools will (Principal/Proprietor) the opportunities for all pupils. retain their educational autonomy. Dolly good fund-raiser Denstone College, Staffordshire was a break in the weather as they The whole challenge took 11hrs Medical Centre team – Ange Smith, cycled down to Lake Thirlmere and 10 minutes. The Denstone Gill Lear, Michelle Edge and Bobbie (approx 2.5 miles) in order to kayak Dollies were one of only two all- Rees took part in the Race The a course along the Lake. Mixed sun female teams out of 25 teams of 4 Sun challenge in the Lake District. and showers accompanied them and they came in ahead of several for the final 25.5 mile cycle to This involved a 25.5 mile cycle to of the all-male teams. They have the finish. They had support from the foot of Helvellyn followed by raised over £2000 for Action former school nurse Liz Ogle and a climb up Helvellyn. Strong winds Medical Research for Children. and rain made this quite scary at school counsellor, Kathy Swords who fed them, cheered them on at times creating difficult walking There is still time to donate to this every changeover point and then worthwhile cause by visiting conditions for the team. met them at the finish with a well- www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ Bobbie Rees, Ange Smith, After the mountain climb there deserved glass of prosecco! denstonedollies Gill Lear and Michelle Edge

4 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Fighting back against the abolitionists

Last month’s Labour Conference pledged to abolish independent schools and “integrate” them into the state sector. This would include scrapping charitable status and “all other public subsidies and tax privileges”. And independent school property, land and other assets will be seized and redistributed across the country’s other educational institutions. Although later watered down by some Labour MPs from a pledge to an aspiration – ‘we just don’t want education to be a commodity’ said one – the ideas have prompted swift reaction from sector leaders... “We face attack from those who wish to destroy our schools rather than help them build better futures for more children...” Fiona Boulton, head of Guildford High School for Girls and chair of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) opened their recent conference...

I do not have time to list all the independent schools have for Budgets are running tighter and and out of touch. Our sector achievements of HMC schools years been quietly educating, tighter, particularly in some parts has made significant progress over 150 years but let me mention increasing free and discounted of the country. There are different over the past 10 years in sharing, a few. We are academically the places, working in state schools ways of helping and of working partnering, in giving back. In highest achieving schools in and community projects. We in partnership with the state organisations like mine, and many Britain, which is by no means all have repeatedly offered up to sector, as evidenced by the Schools of yours, we work in tandem on because of selection. This means 10,000 places each year, free to Together website. I would suggest a daily basis with our colleagues that we have been producing lower income families, providing that you find out about your and partners in the state sector. some of the most able students the government just pays what local Teaching School Alliance There is always more to be done at our universities, and why it would cost in a state school. and ask to join it. The sharing of – of course there is. In education, recently we have educated, for We are open to discussing this or ideas and intellectual property is in any role, there is always more example, a third of all doctors. other open-access approaches that powerful and any school working to be done. But the independent We have taught an even higher might work. This would open up in collaboration is stronger than a schools sector that is described by proportion of the best students our schools even more, provide school working in isolation. those who wish to abolish us is of modern languages and classics, new life chances, and take further Perhaps the focus of the debate the independent schools sector of helping those subjects survive and pressure off state schools. in this country should be on how 20, 30, 40 years ago. It is not the sector of today. supplying many teachers for the Parents are ambitious for their schools should be battling to state sector. children and people want to see prevent the bottom third being As a child educated by the state It is sad indeed that, again, we our schools opening up, not left behind by tougher new in the 70’s, as part of that guinea face attack from those who wish closing down. Labour may have GCSEs. The question we should pig generation for every new idea to destroy our schools rather forgotten that their voters are all be asking is how do you that could be thrown into the than help them build better aspirational too. engage white working-class boys, mix, I have strong views on this. surrounded by county lines issues, And so, let me be quite clear. futures for more children. The Educators, not politicians, should recent conference made it clear who come from third generation Children need bedrock, children be in charge of schools, is the unemployed families, who have a that Labour wishes to confiscate need stability. Children should not message from voters – and so 67% attendance rate in Year11? be treated like guinea pigs – you property and throw thousands of say all of us. In our 150th year, You finally get them into lessons, cannot subject the children of this teachers and support workers into we still have much to learn and you sit them down to study country to years of shifting sands an uncertain future. and we need to keep listening …challenging 19th Century Prose and uncertainty. And do not be fooled into and learning. But it seems that texts. The analysis required in the Negativity can be published and thinking that imposing crippling independence and choice are GCSE paper means that is like spread but it misses the point taxes is anything other than concepts which never go out of being asked to run a hurdles race that people are drawn to light abolition by the back door. fashion. when you have just learned to and warmth. This is a time for It would ensure that many walk. There is a great deal of talk about inclusion, acceptance, friendship independent schools would not life-changing bursaries, and we There is an irony that, at present, and a time to inspire harmony. survive. would all like to offer as many as our sector is coming under attack We are not, as is often perceived, The decision taken by Labour possible. I am, however, aware that by people saying we are old- fighting against each other, we conference to abolish our schools not every Independent school will fashioned and out of touch. But are fighting with each other in the was based on ignorance and be able to spend as much money the criticisms that are being made pursuit of fairness and a privileged the desire to damage, whilst as they would like to on bursaries. are, in fact, what is old-fashioned childhood for all as our goal.”

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 5 Fighting back against the abolitionists (continued) Still standing and much more How have we arrived at a place where a tiny minority of ideologically driven people can demand the independent sector be abolished? asks CEO of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Christopher King...

I recently watched the film, politician and so I can’t offer an and, it seems, morally to select an Elton John has had his better Rocketman, described as a musical answer but this is where we have independent school for their child. and less good times but, fantasy about the transformation arrived. Some may laugh at the Certain recent articles in national fundamentally, his talent has of Reginald Dwight into the proposition because of its origins newspapers paint a picture of carried him through. Prep schools international star who is Elton and indeed snort out loud at decline in the prep school world. ride the roller coaster of ups and John. As a film, it’s somewhat the prospect of it ever becoming I prefer facts to support my case downs as well, but they too have hit and miss but, in my view, it reality but I am a great deal more rather than the wishful thinking qualities which shine through in showcases the incredible talent cautious. The normal political of the press. Not one member of adversity and in times of stress. of Taron Egerton in the lead role. rules, as this observer sees them, IAPS closed last year. Fact. The IAPS and the schools which make He last appeared on film as the have been completely overturned number of pupils in IAPS schools, up its membership are very much blinking, slightly stuttering but and nothing is certain as things as revealed by the ISC census, still standing and will continue brave and determined ski jumping stand today. Where does that remains stable. Fact. IAPS schools to do so simply because their Bristolian, Eddie ‘the Eagle’ leave the prep school world and are still standing and more, they foundations are sound, enduring Edwards. Egerton’s extraordinary independent education in this and they are led by talented transformation into the multi- country? ‘Under threat’ must be are thriving. and determined heads. The dimensional Elton John is hugely the answer. Yes, it is true there are changes political forces being lined up impressive and the film concludes taking place within the membership, I am left with a burning desire against us currently should not with him bashing out for all not the least in ownership and to shout “What about choice?” underestimate these qualities he’s worth the song “I’m still governance. I see this as positive as, What about the rights of tax and the reality that people resent standing”. It struck me that the for example, senior schools move to paying, hard working aspirant being told what choices they collective membership of IAPS parents to be able to choose absorb long-standing feeder schools might well be inclined to shout must make. the best possible education for into their wider remit. Not so much out the same words in the face their children? I will concede MATS (state school Multi Academy As I said in my speech to the of negative publicity which rains oligarchs of whatever nationality Trusts) but perhaps MISTS - multi Annual Conference of IAPS upon us at times through the might make up less than 1% independent school Trusts. There members, there is no sense in national press. of the parents who pay school is some evidence to suggest the thinking you can make the weak How have we arrived at a fees and, if you really stretch stronger, numerically speaking, prep strong by making the strong place where a tiny minority a point, perhaps 10% of all school is getting stronger and the weak. It’s also not the case that of ideologically driven people independent school fees are smaller independent schools are IAPS schools are fading away (at least we assume they are paid by the Chinese and other under greater pressure. However, the to oblivion. We are enduring both these things) can take the overseas nationalities. The rest impact of a dynamic vision-driven and determined and you can be Labour Party back to the 1970s are overwhelmingly very hard head can, as has ever been the case, sure we will be standing for a and demand the independent working UK nationals making a move a struggling school into a new great deal longer than the noisy sector be abolished? I am not a difficult choice, both financially world of growth and positivity. minority have in mind. Head alerts MPs to consequences at the sharp end Head of New Beacon School, Kent, Michael Piercy, penned a letter to MPs explaining some of the effects of Labour’s abolition stance...

The New Beacon is a Prep School educating approximately 360 pupils each year and employing 103 people across the school in teaching and support roles. You will be aware of the decision by the Labour Party conference to support the abolition of independent schools and the redistribution of the buildings and assets we use every day to educate pupils. We want to make you aware of the potential consequences of this proposal – for schools such as ours, for the local economy, and for the jobs of your constituents. Abolishing our school would: Eliminate £579,420 in tax collected each year from our school, as well as the £2,232,785 currently saved by our pupils not taking up a place in a maintained school; Remove £5,584,150 from the local economy (and the school’s total contribution to UK GDP of £8,708,052); Threaten the employment of the 103 teachers and support staff; Have an impact on the local economy and therefore employment with over 80% of operational expenditure going to local businesses. The school is proud of its place in the local community and is always looking to do more to contribute to the area by improving educational provision for local students, working in partnership with local state schools. The New Beacon offers training opportunities for local teachers, concerts and activities for local schools as well as the use of its facilities by more than 20 community organisations.

6 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Research project shows ‘An act of national self-harm’ Independent underperforming pupils, which is opposition to Labour’s stance Schools Council precisely why we encourage all chief executive schools to work together in the on independent schools Julie Robinson, interests of every child. said: “The move A nationwide Mike Buchanan, Executive Director “Every family with school-aged is an attack on children would be affected survey conducted of HMC, said: ‘This survey reveals a the rights and freedoms of during last month remarkable gulf between the Labour if independent schools were parents to make choices over abolished. State school class (September) showed: party’s official policy to abolish or the education of their children. sizes would swell further, Two thirds (68%) punitively tax independent schools Abolition would represent an act resources would be stretched of the public think and the views of those who voted of national self-harm. Tearing and the financial strain on parents should be able to pay for Labour just two years ago. down excellent schools does already-stretched budgets their children’s education if they ‘It also underlines the public belief not improve our education would be enormous. At present, can afford it. Only one in five that parents should be free to system. The repercussions independent schools contribute (18%) disagree. Over half (56%) of make choices for their children, would be irreversible and far- nearly £14billion to UK GDP Labour voters agree, as do 83% of including paying for their child’s reaching, damaging educational each year and save the taxpayer Conservative voters and 70% of Lib education rather than asking the opportunities and limiting life £3.5billion per year through Dem voters. state to do so. chances. Moreover, Labour’s the education of children and Nearly half (49%) of respondents plan would breach the European young people at no cost to the ‘It is striking that the findings support a Government policy to Convention on Human Rights on taxpayer. help pay for children from lower suggest the public is in no mood to the right to choose education. income backgrounds to attend uproot a valued national asset, and “For far too long this debate “No society should put politics independent schools. Only 27% are many would like to see the benefits has been fuelled by ideology. not in favour. 46% of Labour voters offered by independent schools before the interests of children We must leave this dangerous support this policy, alongside 52% made even more widely available. and young people. This decision approach behind and, instead, of Conservative and 47% of Lib is an ideological distraction from all engage in a serious, positive “This a view driven by common Dem voters. dealing with the real problems conversation about what really sense and compassion rather than in education. We all want to matters: how to build upon what More people distrust government ideology. All politicians would do see more funding for state we have in order to improve and local councils to run schools well to heed it.” schools and greater support for education for all children.” effectively than trust them. 35% trusted them to do so compared to ComRes interviewed 2,016 GB two in five (41%) who distrust them. adults. Data were weighted to be 41% of Labour voters trust central nationally representative of all GB Government or local council to run adults by age, gender, region and schools effectively whilst 36% of social grade. ComRes is a member Conservative voters and 35% of Lib of the British Polling Council and Dem voters say the same. abides by its rules. Proposal ignores how Scotland has done things differently John Edward, the default for schools, with the Director of Scottish overall amount more than tripling to Council for over £30 million per year. Independent Schools “At the same time, shared academic (SCIS) responded and sports resources, careers events, to the Labour Party Conference vote to abolish facilities, music and arts provision independent schools, by asking have all been audited to establish policymakers to redirect the current the place of independent schools debate and follow Scotland’s lead. in their communities. All of this widening of access has happened “Even a cursory glance at the sector while schools continue to encourage in Scotland, and developments since high attainment and positive leaver devolution would show anyone in destinations from pupils of all the UK how different this debate interests and abilities. can be, and how much can change without abolishing the sector. “Rather than discussing the “In 2005, the Scottish Parliament wholescale dismantling of a historic passed unanimously what remains a and complementary system, unique, formal test of public benefit described by Scottish ministers as for independent schools charitable part of the “rich tapestry of Scottish status. Designed by a Labour-Lib education”, policymakers could look Dem coalition government and at what works, what is achievable, established by law, the test has seen and what makes a genuine means-tested fee assistance become difference to young people’s lives.”

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 7 New education partnership Top awards The Cheltenham Education Partnership (CEP) – launched this month Ashford School, Kent is celebrating after picking up four (October) – is an equal partnership which brings together nine schools awards at United Learning’s from Cheltenham, both maintained and independent, together with the national Best in Everyone Awards. University of Gloucestershire, to work together to ensure that the best The pupils were recognised at a spectacular black tie gala held at interests of young people are at the heart of education initiatives in the Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield. Cheltenham, reaching out to all young people with potential regardless of The Best in Everyone Awards social, economic or educational background. celebrate the impressive achievements of pupils and The driving ambition of the Partnership is to expand Principal of All Saints Academy, Dermot McNiffe, staff at United Learning schools the horizons of young people in Cheltenham and to said: “The CEP is one of the most exciting across the country. They include help them realise their full potential. educational developments to happen in Cheltenham awards for academic excellence, for many years. The CEP brings together a wide To achieve this, the CEP plans to deliver a series extracurricular achievements and range of inspiring educational opportunities that of exciting initiatives for young students and for service to school communities. have been coordinated across the vast majority provide stimulating professional development for As well as showcasing the talents teachers including updating areas of knowledge, of schools in Cheltenham with support from of the Group’s pupils and staff, understanding, skills and attitudes. other Cheltenham partners, such as Cheltenham they also recognise some of Festivals, the National Cyber Security Centre, With its stated values of collaboration and co- University of Gloucestershire and many more. This United Learning’s most dedicated, operation, the Partnership will promote mutual is all about providing a unique partnership that hard-working and inspirational respect amongst education professionals and students provides a wider menu of qualifications, careers and individuals. across the state and independent sectors, foster social educational experiences for all our young people in cohesion in Cheltenham and encourage links between The winning Ashford School Cheltenham.” schools, colleges, universities and others. students were: The CEP full partners are: The Partnership is an enabler organisation; that • Victor Ye who won the Business All Saints’ Academy is, it will seek to encourage and support new Award; Balcarras School initiatives within the agreed aims, developing an Bournside School • Jacoba Looije who won the annual programme of events for students from Cheltenham College English Literature Award in the partner schools. In its first year, these will include Cleeve School Years 10 to 13 category; a GCSE Latin programme, astronomy experience, Dean Close School coding, Mandarin club, debating workshop, art • Alisha Tahir who won the Pittville School exhibition and sport programme. There is a culture English Literature Award in the Saint Edward’s School of expectation within the CEP where, for the benefit Years 7 to 9 category; The Cheltenham Ladies’ College of young people in Cheltenham, initiatives should be The University of Gloucestershire • Zichuan Charlie Miao who won shared, action should be collaborative and decision- the Science Award in the Years making in individual schools will develop the The CEP supporting partners are: 10 to 13 category. Partnership’s aims. Cheltenham Festivals Each of these students had been In addition to directly supporting students, the Cheltenham Borough Council nominated by their teachers for Partnership will seek to create opportunities for National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) their exceptional achievements. professional development for education professionals Gloucestershire County Council In winning the awards, they saw in partner schools, will have an openness to finding The Cheltenham Christian Arts Festival new partners outside the educational sectors and The Cheltenham Trust off strong competition from a will seek funding from appropriate sources. The Diocese of Gloucester field of excellent candidates from across United Learning. Learning logo unveiled A new logo that encompasses The As Geoff Howe, Director of Teaching Leys School, Cambridge, approach and Learning explained, “It is to learning has been unveiled by formed of eight ‘cogs’ which spell educator Ross Morrison McGill, the out the essential aspects of how man behind @TeacherToolkit. pupils should apply themselves to The Leys Learning logo crystallises learning: Listen, Engage, Analyse, the views of the school’s Teaching Respect the classroom, Never give and Learning Committee. The up, Innovate, Nurture others by committee, made up of teachers and example and behaviour, and Grow sixth-formers, spent months looking through resilience and hard work.” at a new set of pupil expectations and understanding of what learning The logo will appear in exercise means at The Leys. books, pupil planners and on A competition was held to find the classroom walls. “Learning to learn” best design. The winning logo was tutorials will teach pupils the deeper co-designed by three pupils from meaning of what Leys Learning Years 7 and 11 and the Lower Sixth is and what the graphic means to Form. them. Pictured: Ross Morrison McGill, Martin Priestley, Headmaster, and Geoffrey Howe

8 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Meet Bart, the Global Centre therapy dog...

St Benedict’s School, London, has introduced a therapy dog to the of Excellence school, to help pupils with exam nerves and stress. Bart is a 7 year-old Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen who belongs to Jonathan Edgar, Lay Chaplain at St Benedict’s. Over the exam period, Bart took up residence in the chaplaincy centre, where he as he is a very gentle, friendly was more than happy to meet dog – calm, easy going and pupils of all ages – at break, at affectionate. He actually lives lunchtime, and whenever they in my family home; since my have a spare five minutes to come father is a vicar, Bart is very used in and say hello. to meeting lots of people of all Bart is proving very popular, and ages in parish life, so he’s taken is doing a great job in calming school life in his stride. Apart exam nerves and anxiety, which from calming exam nerves, being seems to confirm Sir Anthony able to visit Bart – even for just Seldon’s view that “every school a few minutes – brings a smile should have a dog or another pet to the faces of pupils and staff to reduce stress.” The University alike, reducing anxiety in general of Buckingham vice-chancellor and providing time to relax in said: “The evidence is very clear the busy school day. Bart also that it works, and every single brings together pupils of different school - primary, secondary, ages, giving younger children the special - should have dogs.” opportunity to get to know sixth The Geographical Association has further presented with a Quality Said Jonathan: “I knew Bart formers, many of whom act as named Royal Hospital School in Mark for its teaching along with would be perfect for this role mentors.” Suffolk as one of only 12 schools 30 other schools worldwide. around the world to be honoured Commenting on the awards, as a Centre of Excellence with Harriet Izod-Miller said: “I am its fun and creative approach to immensely proud of the innovative, teaching. exciting and broad curriculum of Led by Head of Geography Harriet both lessons and opportunities we TARMACADAM EXPENSIVE? Izod-Miller, the department offer all our students here at the ASPHALT RESURFACING impressed with its ‘innovative Royal Hospital School. As a team, Due to large bulk purchase owing to large M.O.D contracts, teaching’ and bold approach to we have worked hard to find new, we have 800 tons of 10mm and 6mm DBM asphalt suitable risky topics such as the Trump creative and often out-there ways for school, playgrounds, car parks, tennis courts, drives, Border Wall. Its interactive to create passionate, engaged paths, forecourts, industrial areas, etc. approach to the latter led to and well-informed geographers. lively debates and discussion, as ENQUIRES FOR ANY SIZE JOB WELCOME Achieving the Quality Mark and We supply and lay dense bituminous macadam surfacing to well as all sorts of offshoot ideas Centre of Excellence Award is such British Standard thickness rolled and consolidated for only including baking a border wall and an honour and testament to the £20 per square meter. Border Wall – the board game. brilliant geography department • COLOURS AVAILABLE BLACK RED OR GREEN that exists here.” The award, which spans three • OFFER AVAILABLE FOR 10 WEEKS years, also mentioned the school’s Former RHS pupil and head girl, • ALL WORK GUARANTEED FOR 15 YEARS contemporary take on topics Kat Sladden, added: “For me, • £10 MILLION PUBLIC LIABILITY such as “Strictly Longshore Drift geography at RHS is where it all LHS and SONS Limited - Civil Engineers Dancing” and “River Speed began and led me to study the Head Office: 210 Upper Richmond Road, Putney, SW15 6NP Dating.” RHS was commended for very same subject at Cambridge, Tel: 0208 6258 866 its outreach scheme to support influencing my career and Liphook Office: Haselemere Road, GU3 0AL local schools, its regular Skype especially my work in international Tel: 01428 658 866 lessons with an Antarctic Research development. I’m delighted to Farnham Office: Sandrock Road, GU10 8LS station and its success in getting see RHS receive this accolade and Tel: 01252 308 593 high-profile outside speakers to congratulations to all involved Email: [email protected] Web: www.lhsltd.co.uk talk to the pupils. – including Mr Mann who I Mobile: 07508 589 271 The Royal Hospital School was remember fondly”. Company Registration No. 56 43 949 Pictured: (l-r) Harriet Izod-Miller (Head of Geography), Ben Hearn, Rob Mann (Teacher of Geography), Bertie Rose, Elaine McConnell (Teacher of Geography), Abigail Lockyer (Teacher of Geography), Poppy Haworth-Macmillan, Niamh McGrath and Hamish Mackenzie (Teacher of Geography)

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 9 Education and leadership training initiative takes off Ashville College, Yorkshire, Director of Education Gareth Johnson has led the creation and development of a Northern educational leadership and management training programme, which is now poised for further educational and commercial success. With the aid of a small steering department representing 24 of Our colleagues from the North This year also witnessed a first for group comprising the region’s the country’s leading Northern West have also added an extra Ashville College’s own educational best senior leaders and heads of independent senior schools collaborative dimension. leadership and management department, Mr. Johnson set up the attended. training team, when it hosted “We introduce our colleagues to four-day programme back in 2014, and led its first commercial For the last two years the overall areas of educational management aimed at the top academic heads equivalent venture – a tailored day programme has also been rated as which are well beyond the remit of department from independent of teambuilding held at Ashville “excellent” by more than 96 per of a head of department, and we senior schools in the North East College - for the senior managers cent of participating colleagues. can be entirely flexible within the region. from Ripon-based five-star Grantley The themes for the four days are: academic theme of each day to Over the past two years, the Hall. • Academic Excellence and the satisfy everyone’s needs. programme has expanded to Mr. Johnson is now in active Journey from Good to Great “In fact, we have even run 12 include schools from the North talks with local business leaders • The Whole School Picture and concurrent workshops on one day West region, and its reputation about the programme’s proposed Beyond in the past in order to achieve this. is now firmly established as commercial expansion in 2020. • Accountability Nothing is impossible and we thrive a “Northern Powerhouse” of “The overlap between the off constant challenge. educational leadership and • Challenge, Resilience and Well- educational and commercial sectors management training. being. “It’s also a pleasure to see how is considerable, and if we can help During the last cycle – held at Mr. Johnson said: “It is great to our programme has benefited local businesses in the same way different schools including Ashville see that we have helped lead the colleagues longer-term – we have that we have been working with College, Yarm School, Pocklington way in breaking down competitive testimonials from a substantial talented leaders and potential School, Oldham Hulme Grammar barriers between our schools – number of colleagues who have leaders in schools, it has to be a School and Newcastle School for collaboration is now the number since been promoted to senior win-win situation for everyone,” Boys – more than 40 heads of one focus, exactly as it should be. leadership and headship positions.” he said.

Pictured: Gareth Johnson, Ashville College’s director of education Great hall revealed The doors have been opened on the that the considerable anticipation Senior School and the Reverend Dr of the Methodist Independent latest addition to the senior school has been worth it as VIP guests, Paul Glass welcomed the largest Schools’ Trust. Voices soared in the campus at Kent College. governors, donors and past school community in the 134 years auditorium accompanied by Julian colleagues took their seats along of the College’s history to the The 600 seat building will provide Ross, Director of Music on the new with the pupils and staff and memorable occasion and thanked a space for reflection and worship Makin digital organ as the school’s gazed around the light and elegant the generous donors who have as well as cutting-edge facilities Choristers and Sedecim choir led auditorium. helped to make the £8.4million for concerts and the performing the singing. project a reality. The Hall will arts. It has been nearly two years Dr David Lamper, Executive Head, host a cornucopia of concerts Reverend Dr Barbara Glasson in construction and it was agreed Mr Phil Wise, the new Head of and theatrical performances from unveiled a plaque commemorating the school’s 5 choirs, 7 musical the event and as the students left ensembles and drama department the building, guests watched as the but will also be available for use by seating was reconverted within just the local community. Kent College a few minutes to create a smaller is a key sponsor for the Canterbury Festival who will be hosting 4 more intimate theatre space for events in the Great Hall during this 380. month (October). Celebrations were held afterwards The service of dedication was led in the Colonnade within the Great by Reverend Dr Barbara Glasson, Hall overlooking the grounds President of the Methodist Conference and the Methodist The first major event in the Great Chair of District and was attended Hall will be “And Can it Be?” a new by the Lord Mayor and Lady musical work celebrating the life Mayoress of Canterbury, the Sheriff of John Wesley, written by David of Canterbury as well as the Chair Lamper and Paul Glass.

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6478 A4 Advert Artwork_Final.indd 5 27/09/2018 12:12 ‘The human brain has 100 billion neurons, each neuron connected to 10 thousand other neurons. Sitting on your shoulders is the most complicated object in the known universe.’ The ‘Growth Mindset’ What does it really mean? Ever since psychologist Carol Dweck coined the phrase ‘Growth Mindset’ over 10 years ago, educators and parents have wondered whether this can help their children grow in intelligence, writes Nicola Dick-Clelland, head of Abbey Junior School, Berkshire.

People who believe that success Firstly, we believe that we need for new and emerging connections leads to learning, but the right kind is based on hard work, learning, to ensure that our feedback is to come together for them, and of practice is essential. Regular practice and persistence are said to helpful – not all praise is equal, also means accepting the fact that practice — whether it involves have a growth mindset, and Dweck and can make our children into there might be numerous ways reading a history book, listening claims that they are likely to lead praise-junkies. ‘I love the way you of answering the same question, to a science podcast or solving less stressful and more successful experimented with holding your each with different but potentially a fractions problem — causes lives than those who believe that brush’ is more productive than positive results. Thus, instead of our dendrites to grow thicker their intelligence is fixed. Similarly, ‘Super painting – you are clever!’ leaping in to answer their requests and to coat themselves with a they will see ‘failures’ and setbacks We certainly see this in the for information, we can help fatty layer. With enough practice, as opportunities to learn, rather classroom, where we focus on the children to frame, or scaffold, these thickened brain fibres will than as a negative judgement on learning taking place rather than their own thinking process, giving eventually form double connections their innate abilities. on the performance. This ensures them a tool for life and not just a to one another. When this occurs, that all children make best progress factoid. We also find it useful to signals carrying information can Critics have claimed that Dweck’s - whether they are showing encourage exploring questions that travel faster to and from different original research cannot be Picasso-like aptitude for art or trigger debate such as ‘Are zebras’ parts of your brain. replicated, and that suggesting hard are still developing their hand/ stripes black or white? How much work alone determines progress If we want to learn new things eye-coordination. Children who does an email weigh?’ and achievement is not proven, and and form new connections, there is are protecting a ‘clever’ label tend ignores the cognitive differences Finally, we should acknowledge little point in practising an already to be unwilling to try unfamiliar between individuals. Something of that learning generally requires mastered skill, as those connections approaches thereby eventually effort and challenge. The human an academic battleground ensued... limiting their achievement. in the brain are already formed. brain consists of special cells called Hence the importance of our At The Abbey Junior School, we neurons which are composed Secondly, in order that they can maxim at The Junior School - ‘If constantly consider what we can of several parts, including brain maximise their learning and it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t draw from discussions such as fibres known as dendrites. As we development, we need to be able change you’. We do, of course, need this, to help us foster our young learn, these brain fibres grow and to help our children to tolerate the challenge to be the right level! children into becoming effective ambiguity, and ‘not knowing’. connect brain cells to one another learners able to live positive lives. This means that they can stay in at contact points called synapses. We know now that the brain is Ideas need to translate into action uncertainty, despite the discomfort The larger your brain fibres grow, not fixed – it is ‘plastic’ and can in the home or classroom if they of not knowing the answer, or and the more brain cells they change. I find this hugely exciting are to be helpful. I offer three such perhaps not even knowing what connect, the more information can and encouraging – if somewhat approaches here: they’re aiming for. This makes room be stored in our brains. Practice mind-blowing! Lama visit Beech House School, Lancashire, and Year 7 students were lucky to you will feel. He taught that the were fortunate to have an exciting hear an inspirational talk on health Five precepts are the minimum visit from a Tibetan Buddhist and well-being and the benefits we should try to apply and that monk - Geshe Lama Ahbay Tulku of meditation. Lama Ahbay also it is the most important thing to Rinpoche. Lama Ahbay is a high- explained the Buddhist idea of be selfless which will obtain the ranking monk (3rd in line to the the Five Precepts. He explained biggest benefits if we avoid words Dalai Lama) however is a very that the most important thing and acts which cause suffering. humble and sociable man who is to practice being good which Lama Ahbay taught that we can loves visiting Rochdale. He has been means doing your best to have demonstrate this through love and visiting every couple of years as he moral conducts. He explained to kindness to others. Principal Kevin is fundraising to build a Monastery the children that the more honest, Sartain was very lucky to receive in India where he and his student respectful and caring you are, the a Khata scarf from Lama Ahbay monks are in exile from Tibet. Miss Sophie Carlile, RS teacher, better you will be protected from which symbolises respect and well with Lama Ahbay Our Lower and Upper Prep children all kinds of problems and the better wishes in Tibetan Buddhism.

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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 13 ‘The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep’ – Dr Matthew Walker Why pupil sleep should be higher up the agenda

Having been a Pastoral Deputy Head and spending over 20 years as a teacher, Beth Kerr moved to a new role earlier this year as Group Director of Wellbeing for Cognita Schools. Here she reflects on an often forgotten aspect of learning – its connection with adequate sleep...

My first task was to oversee Particularly fascinating was the • Reduction in both desire to for adolescents during this period planning for our first-ever topic of sleep and for this we exercise and participation in when their circadian rhythm shifts ‘Global Be Well Day’ last month engaged the sleep scientist Dr exercise to adulthood. Digital media is also (September). This was an entire Matthew Walker, author of the • Weaker physical health and part and parcel of the narrative and day off curriculum, devoted solely international bestseller Why We depressed immune system the 24-hour online world can lure to learning and understanding Sleep – The New Science of Sleep • Impaired cognitive control young people in well into the night more about wellbeing. To help our and Dreams and currently Professor • Impaired attention and memory and early hours. Thus, it is little schools, we worked with several of Neuroscience and Psychology retention wonder that so many adolescents world-leading experts in different at the University of California, are not fully rested and in optimal • Increased risk-taking behavior areas of wellbeing to create bespoke Berkeley in the USA. learning mode when they arrive at • Diminished control of attention videos as the basis for teacher school. In all my years of working in and behaviour toolkits and resources for parents. pastoral care, the question ‘are you It was a privilege to interview Dr All of these materials are now freely • Poor emotional control and sleeping properly?’ was not on the increased risk of loneliness Walker – the doyen of sleep and available to educators everywhere top of my list when working with • Increased risk of Alzheimer’s the reason this topic is gaining via our Cognita Be Well website. students who might have been disease prominence in debate and dialogue Our expert videos include physician struggling. Indeed, if I’m honest, it worldwide. It was clear that he feels and author Dr Rangan Chatterjee, might only have come after asking Dr Walker also emphasised how a genuine sense of responsibility as known for his role as BBC1’s Doctor about friendship issues, work stress, a lack of sleep impairs learning. a researcher to publicise his findings in the House and his book The Four family life and more recently social That is because students need and push sleep up the international Pillar Plan. We also worked with Dr media/gaming. sleep prior to learning in order agenda. As we spoke, I realised that to prepare the brain for soaking Emma Kilford from Professor Sarah- In discussion with Dr Walker, it was we, as educators, have a similar up new information and laying Jayne Blakemore’s team at UCL crystal clear that inadequate sleep responsibility. down new memory traces. They to create an animation and series impacts every aspect of health and equally need sleep after learning Learning why sleep is critical and of lesson plans on the adolescent wellbeing. As he puts it, “There is in order to save and embed those teaching a series of straightforward brain and its impact on thoughts, no physiological system that we’ve new memories, particularly in things to improve one’s sleep is feelings and behaviours. been able to measure that isn’t the hippocampus region of the simple, uncontentious and could enhanced by sleep when you get brain (the informational inbox. A easily be absorbed into many it – or demonstrably impaired when related effect of sleep is that the school curricula. That’s why you don’t get enough. Furthermore, hippocampus (like a USB stick) is Cognita is now designing a sleep every single disease that’s killing us cleared, so that the next day new module comprising short lessons in the developed world has causal files, memories and information that could be delivered in form links to a lack of sleep”. can be acquired again. Deep period, assemblies and/or PSHE The World Health Organization sleep characterised by Rapid Eye lessons, along with a teacher recommends that during childhood Movement (REM) is also important, learning module and support and adolescence, we spend between fusing information recently learned materials. As with all the Be Well half and a third of our time asleep, with one’s ‘back catalogue’ of materials we develop, our sleep depending on our age. However, memories to help form creative curriculum will be freely available only 15% of 14-17-year olds get insights and solve problems. to all educators. this. These are just some of the Society and education generally are Ultimately, I want the basic consequences of getting inadequate not structured around maximizing question ‘How much sleep are you sleep: the optimal sleep time for getting?’ to be the starting point • Increased risk of mental health adolescents. School start times are of any pastoral discussion. That is conditions, especially anxiety on average around 8.30am, thus because sleep is the all-important • Excessive daytime sleepiness making wake-up times around foundation of health and wellbeing • Poor diet 7am, which feels more like 5am – and of learning. Beth Kerr is Group Director of Wellbeing for the global schools group Cognita.

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Subject_Suite_Press_Ads.indd 2 20/08/2019 15:37 English as an Additional Language Schools to merge Solihull School and Saint Martin’s School have announced that from September 2020 they will merge to ~ keeping up to the mark form a combined co-educational 3-18, day school, on two campuses. The quality of support for overseas pupils’ The merger will create a larger Solihull School, which will provide continued language development (both a Junior and Infant School on the home language and English) lies at the Saint Martin’s Campus and a Senior School and Sixth Form on the very heart of any international offering Warwick Road Campus. worth its salt, suggests Dr Helen Wood... The merger aims to strengthen the reputation of the combined Dr Helen Wood is Head of School Partnerships at Password. She was formerly School as a leading provider of Head of the International Section at d’Overbroeck’s School and a Head of EAL. high quality, holistic education in the area, renowned for its strong In mid-October the Westminster that EAL provision in many is Once you know the real level of pastoral care. Education Forum is holding inadequate. The leadership in English language proficiency of a policy conference aimed at international schools, argues Carder, your overseas pupils, then choices With effect from January the independent school sector often unwittingly or deliberately, need to be made regarding your 2020, the School will have an entitled, “standards, international treat English language learners ability to provide specialist language enlarged Governing Body with expansion and role within the as a ‘problem’. They disregard the instruction, mother-tongue literacy representatives from both Solihull education system”. WEF is one of crucial role that language plays in support, the way you structure and Saint Martin’s. The Chairman the policy strands of Westminster allowing students to fully access the your curriculum and pastoral care of the Board will be Mr Mark Forum Projects and, since it has curriculum and fail to properly staff and how you handle integration Hopton, current Chairman of a reputation for facilitating high EAL departments with qualified, issues. Excellent CPD will be Solihull. The new Governing Body quality, well-informed debate, I experienced professionals, despite fundamental to success, but Jo will have sole responsibility for took note when the agenda for being in charge of student cohorts Hutchinson, author of an EPI the governance of the combined this particular WEF event dropped mainly made up of non-native report published in 2018 entitled, School. The merger is conditional into my inbox. Among the topics speakers. Worse still, they rely on “Educational Outcomes of Children upon a number of legal matters for discussion were the ‘offer peripheral ‘support’ models of EAL with English as an Additional being completed and in the interim, to international students’ and whilst simultaneously enticing Language” points out that while there will be a transition steering ‘international growth opportunities’. international parents with the the US, Australia, Canada and New group comprising governors and The former strand focusses on unrealistic notion that being taught Zealand have extensive policies for senior leaders of both Schools. how schools can create ‘the most by native English speaker teachers developing staff, including specialist The Head of the combined School attractive offer to international will lead to their son or daughter EAL roles and graduate level EAL will be Mr David EJJ Lloyd, current students coming to study in the UK becoming fluent. And the origin qualifications, the UK lags far Headmaster of Solihull. Governors to ensure high pupil numbers and of these flawed support models he behind in this field. Research by of both Solihull and Saint Martin’s learning outcomes’ and the latter flags up? They have emerged from Emily Starbuck summarised in her are committed to ensuring that aims to provide an opportunity English national curriculum EAL blog for Naldic (National Association the School has the strongest to discuss the Government’s new policies. of Language Development in the possible leadership and over the International Education Strategy as Curriculum) the same year found While Carder’s book reviews the coming months will evaluate what well as, ‘transferring UK education that, despite the needs of EAL International School EAL landscape, is needed, capturing the essence standards to sister campuses’. learners being explicitly mentioned we would do well to reflect on of the School and its future in our Teaching Standards, NQT’s With 60+ independent school what this means for our own requirements. have consistently given this aspect brands already well-established offering. While some independent of teacher training the lowest David EJJ Lloyd, Headmaster of overseas, one of the issues WEF schools work hard to ensure their rating (fewer than 50% ever rating Solihull, said: “We are delighted to really needs to consider in its EAL provision is at the core of it ‘good’ or better) compared to all be merging with Saint Martin’s. It discussions is the quality of this, for many it is of incidental other aspects of their preparation for provides a significant opportunity EAL provision and how to make importance at best. But if Carder the work place since the DfE began for pupils and staff of the new improvements to this key influencer is right, assuming that all pupils surveying NQTs in 2004. combined School. The Schools of academic outcomes. Research entering our schools from British are a good fit in terms of our indicates that the age a child international schools overseas will Undeniably, any strategy based shared ethos and approach to the enters English medium instruction cope well in classes when they on increasing international pupil education of young people.” and their existing level of literacy arrive is very misleading indeed. numbers must address these issues. in the language of their home So, how best to decide what your The quality of support for our Nicola Smillie, Head of Saint environment is absolutely critical. If EAL provision needs to consist overseas pupils’ continued language Martin’s, said: “The new School will a child has not developed abstract of? Again, research shows that development (both home language continue to provide a stimulating modes of thought in their first inappropriate baseline assessments and English) lies at the very heart of environment in which pupils want language, they will struggle to do of EAL learners consistently any international offering worth its to learn through excellent teaching; so in another and will therefore underestimate their academic salt. To date, far too few education where they take responsibility for require on-going support to develop potential by an unmeasurable policy writers, both in the UK and their own learning, both in the literacy in both and achieve their degree. Hence, ensuring the our international schools abroad, classroom and outside of it; and academic potential. Yet a book entrance or class placement are willing to listen to that message. achieve the very best results of by Maurice Carder et al, entitled tests you use are suited to these I hope the WEF conference this which they are capable, in the Second Language Learners in particular pupils is key. Password month will start to demonstrate a spirit of Saint Martin’s founding International Schools, suggests Pupil is one such test. determined effort to change that. principles.“

16 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Schools to merge New BOLD Programme For Sixth Formers Burgess Hill Girls, Sussex, are launching an innovative BOLD programme for Sixth Formers to develop the social, interpersonal and leadership skills they need to fulfil their ambitions. Though A Levels are an essential means of developing beyond school, and how they will take their place knowledge in specific subject disciplines, Burgess in it. From thorough and comprehensive training on Silver at Physics Hill Girls believes that A Level results are no longer UCAS, to university visits, course research and a visiting the most important outcome for their Sixth Formers. speaker programme, students are fully informed on all Olympiad Students need to be prepared for the future demands options that follow their A levels. Abingdon School, Oxfordshire, of work as well as developing psychological and sixth form student, Ollie Breach, emotional strength. To satisfy these needs, Burgess Taking Leadership was selected to represent the UK in Students are supported in taking on opportunities to Hill Girls has created a new programme to enrich and the five-person team competing in develop and practise leadership skills in preparation for extend its academic curriculum, the BOLD programme. the International Physics Olympiad life beyond school. This includes a dedicated Leadership (IPhO) 2019 in Israel, and picked up Training residential trip to Scotland in the weeks after Four Key Themes a Silver Medal. The BOLD Programme is focused around four key GCSE exams. themes; Beyond, Opportunities, Leadership and The annual IPhO brings together Personal Development Development, and is delivered through tutorial the most gifted young physicists Students enhance their personal attributes through sessions, assemblies, classroom-based training and real from around the world with more community service, extra-curricular activities, and Sixth world experiences. than 80 countries taking part. Form VIVAs, which allow for regular student evaluation The pre-university students are all Going Beyond against professionally and academically informed winners of their respective national Burgess Hill Girls Sixth Formers engage in informed and criteria. Physics Olympiads. The IPhO aims evidenced super-curricular activities, from reading and New Head of Sixth Form Bill O’Brien Blake is confident to challenge this next generation of research to work experience and immersive opportunities. the new curriculum will give pupils all the self-belief, Examples of the latter include a London Induction Day aspiring scientists through a series determination, and life skills they need to fulfil their of theory and practical problems. and a week-long residential trip to Washington DC. ambitions: “With the BOLD Programme, we know that Exploring Opportunities we prepare our girls for everything that comes next, Ollie’s silver medal indicates that This is the necessary research and engagement that and that our leavers are ready to meet the challenges of he was in the top 25% at the gives the girls the best understanding of the world the 21st Century.” International Physics Olympiad.

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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Standard half page Ad Oct 2019.indd 1 Independent Schools Magazine26/09/2019 18:23 17 Heads up challenge on track to raise £100,000 for Place2Be While school was out for the 9pm, tired but elated to have share advice on best practice. the camaraderie and support of summer holidays, there was no completed its adventure. According to Place2Be, 93% of the other Heads, plus the beautiful school leaders report that pupils scenery made it an experience that rest for a group of 21 prep school Simon Barber, Headmaster at bring more personal problems into I will never forget. I am thrilled to Headmasters taking on the Heads Ludgrove School, Berkshire, school than they did only five years have raised over £5,000 through Up Challenge. As well as enjoying explained: “The aim of the ago, a fact recognised by the Heads generous donations for such a the break, the group was hard at Heads Up Challenge was to raise Up group and the impact it has on wonderful charity and hope that work training for an epic 65-mile awareness and vital funds for their teaching staff in managing with sponsorship from the other test of endurance in the rugged Place2Be by bringing a number issues beyond their normal 20 Heads we will hit our group Pembrokeshire countryside to raise of Headteachers together on professional role. target of £100,000. Supporting £100,000 for Place2Be, the UK’s one day in Wales to complete a children’s mental health is a subject leading children’s mental health dawn ‘till dusk challenge. It was Mr Barber said: “If you want a that is very much an integral part charity. physically demanding but there was happy school where your students of our pastoral programme at St a tremendous team spirit and sense can achieve their best, you have Rising at dawn, the intrepid Heads to be conscious of the mental Andrew’s and I am thrilled that the of purpose which at the end of the set off on a 3-mile sea kayak, health of your student body and essential work of Place2Be will be day left us all feeling proud.” followed by a 50-mile bike ride and that is where Place2Be can help. delivered to more children across finishing with a 12-mile hike along The headteachers met through Among other things, the charity the country.” the coastal path. The group finally a support network within the puts counsellors into schools for Place2Be is a charity, with the reached the finish line just before education sector, where they all young people and trains teachers Duchess of Cambridge as its patron, to look out for pupils who may with a mission to improve the be experiencing difficulties. The mental wellbeing and prospects of Heads Up group believes that every children, their families and school child has a voice and every child is communities across the UK. Three important, no matter how small.” children in every classroom have a Jon Bartlett, head of St Andrew’s diagnosable mental health problem School, Berkshire, said: and the impact on their ability ‘This dawn to dusk challenge to learn, make friends and tackle which tested our resolve, stamina everyday life can be overwhelming. and humour was simply brilliant. In fact, half of those with lifetime It was physically tough and took mental health problems experience me out of my comfort zone, but symptoms by the age of 14.

Prep schools represented by their headmasters included: Abberley Hall School Edgeborough School Mowden Hall Beaudesert Park Elstree School Papplewick Belhaven Hill School Horris Hill Port Regis Brambletye Lambrook St Andrew’s School Cheam School Ludgrove School St George’s Windsor Cothill House Moulsford School Sunningdale Cranleigh Prep Mount Kelly Walhampton Jon Bartlett (St Andrews) and Tom Bunbury (Papplewick)

To date the lycra-clad Heads Up Challenge team has raised nearly £90,000 and the drive and enthusiasm of the Heads mean the donations keep rolling in. To donate to this charity, please log on to: www.justgiving.com/teams/HeadsUpforPlace2Be National Wellbeing Award The Maynard School in Exeter has which is communicated to all staff, that teenage mental health is going them is that they find a school become the first school in the whole governors, parents and students through something of a national where their daughters will flourish of Devon (and only the second within the school. The award has a crisis. The importance of wellbeing and develop into confident, happy in the South West) to achieve focus on changing the long-term at The Maynard School cannot be young women ready to face the the national Wellbeing Award culture of a school, and embedding overstated – caring for the physical, world. In gaining this award we for Schools following a rigorous an ethos where mental health is mental and emotional health and hope to increase the awareness and inspection from an external assessor. regarded as the responsibility of all. happiness of our community is understanding of the mental health As well as pupil wellbeing, another central to everything that we do,” issues faced by young people today. This award assesses the school’s key area is staff wellbeing and said Headmistress, Sarah Dunn. As a whole school community we commitment to promoting and the engagement of parents and “We understand that parents want have striven to combat the stigma protecting positive emotional wellbeing champions from the local a school where their daughter that is so often attached to mental wellbeing and mental health community. will reach their full potential health and we are thrilled that whilst ensuring there is a clear academically, but also know that our work so far has been formally whole-school strategy in place “We can’t shy away from the fact what is even more important to recognised”.

18 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Advertorial Feature Sports hall success for Gerflor at Bolton School Bolton School is one of the oldest an extensive consultation period schools in Lancashire. The origins with the Heads of Boys’ and Girls’ of the Boys’ School can be traced Sport, which included visits to a back to at least 1516 when the number of other schools who have Bolton Grammar School for Boys recently had different floor finishes was recorded as being “a going installed, a full tendering process concern”. In 1644 it was endowed was carried out. Several different by Robert Lever and so began a flooring types were considered long and close relationship with the and the decision to use Gerflor Lever name. was ultimately determined based Sport flourishes at Bolton School on the performance and cost and the staff know only too well comparisons.” that keeping fit and focused is Bolton School chose on this a great boon to aid learning. occasion to appoint Stockport- International flooring specialists based Recreational Coatings. the sub floor was 100% perfect of applications and has been used Gerflor have in-depth sports With over 30 years’ experience prior to installation. We have been by the largest international sports knowledge and expertise that of installing sports surfaces in installing Taraflex® for many years federations (volleyball, handball, makes them the market leader Olympic, Commonwealth, World and are used to working with this badminton, table tennis) for decades. and ideally positions them as the and European events throughout outstanding product. Through partnerships with these preferred sports flooring supplier federations Gerflor has been present the UK and beyond, Recreational Taraflex® Comfort is a P3 category to the education sector. It’s for Coatings are an expert in this field, at the Summer Olympic Games sports flooring, ideal for a variety this very reason that Bolton School with all installations undertaken since 1976. It’s an Olympic pedigree of sport and leisure activities. would specify Gerflor’s world by their own highly-skilled staff. stretching back over an incredible Offering a high level of shock renowned Taraflex® sports flooring Ross Johns, Commercial Director, 42 years. Taraflex® is available in for their main sports all and their absorption, minimising the force of Recreational Coatings commented, 17 colours and three wood-effect top-performing Tarasafe Ultra for impact on the body and reducing “Taraflex® Comfort was specified designs. The range also offers greater two of the changing rooms. long term injury risk. for their main sports hall because than 45% force reduction, making David Laskey, Deputy Head of it suited the user and activity type Taraflex® offers a wide range of it unrivalled in the marketplace in Estates, Bolton School said, “After at Bolton School. We had to ensure colours and is suitable for a variety terms of offering comfort for users. Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01926 622 600, emailing [email protected], or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest innovations.

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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 19 New free online resource to help pupils gain problem-solving skills Andrew Stewart-Brown, Head of Mathematics at Swaminarayan School, London, has enhanced his students’ problem-solving skills, culminating in the development of an online resource which directly supports the UKMT’s Junior Maths Challenge and is now available to other schools...

I started teaching Mathematics but it has its effect. At the least, economical to assess them, at Swaminarayan School in it suggests that means exist to respectively. 2005 and, with the approval enhance a young person’s ability One reason for the founding of the Head of Department, to ‘problem-solve.’ of the UKMT in 1996 was the soon introduced the United As the Challenges became evident need to redress this Kingdom Mathematics Trust’s embedded in practice, the results balance. Since then the number Challenges into the yearly did improve. More Gold, Silver participating in these Challenges Googlesheet and using a bit.ly routine. The Challenges consist and Bronze Certificates were each year has risen twelve-fold code, the resource becomes of carefully edited and creatively won. More students qualified for to around 600,000. The Gove available to anyone online. (e.g. composed problems which are the Kangaroos and Olympiads. reforms required the exam boards http://bit.ly/2gVvt4G). We always age appropriate in relation to Some rudimentary statistics in England to include a greater also provide hard copies of the the English National Curriculum. suggest that, on average, over proportion of problem-solving relevant papers and the UKMT’s The Junior Mathematical the decade starting in 2006, questions in both the GCSE and published solutions. Challenge (JMC) is for Years 8 and students sitting the JMC and IMC GCE. Such questions are now younger (England and Wales), Once the resource is online it at Swaminarayan School answered either enjoyed or endured by the and S2 and below (Scotland). can be used at home. One of an extra one and a half questions candidates. The Intermediate and Senior our Year 6s achieved a good correctly. Students began to Challenges are for the upper The case for promoting the Gold Certificate and was invited prepare by using the past papers secondary pupils and the sixth Challenges in schools has to participate in the Kangaroo and solutions provided. Lessons form respectively. The UKMT therefore grown stronger. We took Challenge – a jump up in were devoted to problem-solving. also offers valuable resources for advantage of the possibilities of difficulty from the JMC. He won A certain genial competitiveness mentoring students. Mentoring our computer room to develop a merit. His father came to thank arose, especially among the boys. individual students or small some ‘prompt videos’. These me and said that his son had Selected Year 6’s in the Prep groups is an excellent way videos present the question on worked through every one of School began to sit the JMC with of stimulating an interest in screen to the viewer; the voiceover the 125 videos for the five past success. It was sad to see some problem-solving. reads the question and then papers which had been provided. students achieve a Gold Certificate ideas are given on how to tackle The resource has been trialled in A candidate for the JMC has at the age of 11 and then Silvers it. We all know how questions other schools and, as one might one hour to answer 25 problems and Bronzes in the Senior School! are not read properly and there expect, is used by the well- of increasing difficulty. An But the Head of the Prep School is some evidence that hearing a motivated students. Perhaps 10% hour spent wrestling with good explained how his students saw voiceover while reading improves of the students in a top set in a problems is beneficial per se and the opportunity of sitting the JMC comprehension. Suggestions are secondary school might use it. counts as ‘enrichment’. But are as a great privilege. Motivation is made because we often do not students able to improve their a great key to success. know how to start. Lastly, a full In general, the online resources scores? for learning and teaching A good definition of ‘problem- solution is not given because we Mathematics have become very One of our Prep school students solving’ is ‘engaging in a task want to engage the students fully in the activity. Students using good. Much research would be won a full academic scholarship to for which the solution method earphones with the laptops in our needed to show that our resource a public school situated on a Hill is not known in advance’. computer room have become fully is any more effective than other nearby. He won a Gold Certificate Great mathematicians like Paul focussed for forty minutes while ways of spending hours in in the JMC while in Year 6 of Halmos or Georg Pólya regard watching the videos and working preparation for the Challenges, which he was justifiably proud. He it as the pre-eminent activity of at the problems. but some students certainly like it. was impressed by the score of a a mathematician. Its opposite We intend to raise some funds to Chinese boy in the IMC and asked is doing what you have been Becoming aware of these efforts, refine the resource and engage in how he had managed to answer taught to do, namely operating the UKMT generously gave us further research. 24 questions out of 25 correctly. internalised algorithms. The copyright permission to publish The boy replied, ‘From the age school system and the examining these videos on YouTube on If anyone would like to use the of 4 until the age of 11, I didn’t boards conspire – unconsciously condition that no commercial resource in its rather rough and have a life.’ One may have liberal – to favour the latter; it is easier gain would be involved. By ready current form, email us at misgivings about tiger-mothering, to teach ‘procedures’ and more attaching the YouTube videos to a [email protected]

20 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] New free online resource to help Pupils bring hope to elderly neighbours as innovation initiative gets underway pupils gain problem-solving skills Elderly residents of a nearby care home can once again enjoy their favourite hobbies, thanks to inventions created by pupils at Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow. Using 3D printers and laser cutters, when I was at school. Some of them the students designed and developed will grow up to be famous inventors, prototypes to help elderly people get I’m sure!” back to much-loved activities such NuVu, the UK’s first innovation as knitting and fishing. Among the school, is opening at Kelvinside other gadgets which will give the Academy this month (October). elderly residents a new lease of life are: mood enhancing spectacles; David Miller, Director of the Innovation School, said: “This is a Zimmer-gardening frame for what NuVu is all about – young planting and watering; a device to people developing practical help wheelchair users play golf; and inventors. In the Innovation challenges traditional paradigms solutions to real-world problems. a hat to aid balance. School, we aim to re-capture the of education, focussing instead Pupils are far more engaged spirit of John Kibble, and a whole on solving real-world challenges Ester, resident of Balmanno House when they can see their work has new generation of entrepreneurs. while at the same time developing Care Home, commented: “The pupils a tangible impact on the world The innovation studio is already a range of skills including design, visited us and asked about favourite around them. When given creative alive with inventions, prototypes robotics, engineering and industry- hobbies that we once enjoyed, but freedom, and the right tools, and design decisions based on ready technologies like Rhino and now struggle with. Then, a few it’s incredible to see where their efficacy and impact. I’m absolutely Autocad. weeks later, they returned with these imaginations take them. astounded by the creativity shown incredible inventions. “It’s fitting that NuVu’s first and it was great to see how The senior school pupils at “We were blown away by how innovation school in Europe is excited Balmanno residents were Kelvinside are already working creative they were. The pupils were located just a stone’s throw from when trying the inventions for under the guidance of NuVu so kind and friendly, their visit really the Botanic Gardens and the Kibble themselves.” Boston fellow James Addison and made our week. I certainly never had Palace, built by one of Glasgow’s Rather than the usual fixation other experts from industry and the chance to do anything like that great Victorian entrepreneur with exams and results, NuVu academia.

Old ways will not open new doors

It is time to put the 'i' into your boarding world

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 21 Castle Minibus making minibus compliance accessible with significant benefits Minibus compliance is easier said than done; it requires education, time, an allocated budget, a well-maintained safety system and clear processes. It is an area of school operations that has stayed out of the spotlight since the 1993 M40 crash so has slipped into an area of operations that ‘just happens’ – perhaps organised by the sports department or by admin staff who may not realise there are compliance and legal obligations involved.

Castle Minibus is trying to make 2. Licences. Under a Section This can be a daunting list for 5. D1 training with dedicated compliance more accessible to all 19 Permit drivers without most schools who are coming from support including an online schools through education and a D1 entitlement can only a place of minimal knowledge revision programme, pick up/ convenient additional services. drive minibuses under certain and understanding. They then drop off for candidates and highly Because they are a commercial conditions including; restricted have the task of persuading their qualified ADI instructors. Castle’s enterprise, they have faced vehicle weights and being heads, bursars and/or governors to candidates have a pass rate that is accusations of scare mongering volunteer drivers. improve current practices. Castle double the national average. and promoting D1 licences solely are developing support services to 3. Vehicle Checks. Holders of 6. The Minibus Compliance Course to sell more driver training; whilst make compliance more accessible, Section 19 Permits are expected (MCC) itself and a follow up they are not the only company convenient and cost effective for Green Light Review, if required, offering MiDAS and D1 driver to check their vehicles before schools including; to educate schools and support training, they are unique in every journey and keep records 1. A free app for vehicle check them in their settings with pioneering accessible compliance of doing so. reporting. Castle’s first vehicle guidance, advice and reassurance. services to make it easier and cost 4. 10-week safety inspections. checking app is soon to be effective for schools to be assured 7. Castle have also partnered The DVSA recommends an replaced with an updated that they are legal and compliant. with an insurance provider. independent safety check every version that includes a Rewarding schools who have Castle’s Minibus Compliance 10 weeks (6 weeks for vehicles dashboard for management and attended the MCC and have Course (MCC) is the only course 12 years+) regardless of mileage reporting in the UK written specifically and use. safety systems in place with a 2. Castle’s On-line Driver for schools. Launched in reduced premium that is fixed 5. Minibus Weights. It is important Assessment (CODA). CODA is September 2018 it was written for three years. when relying on weights to available to all schools to assess in consultation with former Unfortunately, minibus compliance remain compliant (driving new and existing drivers in four traffic police officers, ADI driver on a Standard B licence) crucial areas, provide further is a minefield of conflicting advice instructors, RoSPA and a former that the MAM, payloads and online training and highlight from the Department of Transport, senior traffic commissioner. the DVSA, solicitors, consultants, additional weight allowances are any major concerns Castle has identified six pillars of vehicle converters and the understood. Driving over-weight compliance, all covered in detail 3. Onsite servicing and safety manufacturers. Although they’re increases the risk of an accident, on the MCC, to educate schools inspections. Castle have often challenged Castle Minibus is having the wrong licence and on their responsibilities and give partnered with the UK`s two looking to promote best practice invalidating insurance. schools clarity around the so leading providers to deliver where there is ‘interpretation’ and called ‘grey areas’ of minibus 6. Responsibility and the on-site 10-week safety educate schools on their options compliance; Documentation. Having inspections, so schools don’t and any potential risks involved. have to drop/pick up vehicles 1. Permits. Schools that are `not- someone responsible for the Their advice and their dedicated from local providers, saving time for-profit` or have charitable management of the vehicle compliance services continues and money. status can operate under a documentation regarding all the to raise standards of safety and Section 19 Permit, under certain above is key should the DVSA, 4. A dedicated compliance team at compliance within the education conditions. The alternative is an police, insurance company or Castle to answer any questions sector amongst a growing legion of operator’s licence. even the courts ask. schools may have grateful schools and staff members. For more information on Castle’s compliance services please visit www.castleminibus.co.uk, call 01869 253744 or email [email protected] Silver Space Education Award Withington Girls’ School, after successfully demonstrating Manchester, has joined a select the inclusion of fully integrated group of 45 schools in the UK to space themes across its curriculum, receive a Silver Space Education with a focus on STEM subjects. Quality Mark (SEQM) Award and Withington’s Headmistress, Mrs is one of only six schools in the Sarah Haslam, said the School’s North West to have earned the space education programme had accolade. enriched the learning experience of As part of a national scheme both Junior and Senior pupils but run by ESERO-UK, Withington had also benefited children from achieved the SEQM silver award the wider local community.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL US ON 01869 253744 OR VISIT WWW.CASTLEMINIBUS.CO.UK ProfileIn conversation with Ken Young

Born: 1963 The first years of your working life understanding of the relationship between were spent at Imperial College, Bursar, Head’s spouse and Head’s PA took a Married to Barbara and we London, where you had taken degree of emotional intelligence. have a son and daughter-in- Q law who are both Anglican your degree. You steadily moved up the administration management ladder before It used to be said of Bursars - clergy ministering in the perhaps tongue-in-cheek - that Diocese of Rochester moving into the independent school sector as Bursar of a Prep. School. What prompted Q their primary responsibility was to Schools and University the move? discourage heads from implementing overly- Attended: Imperial College / ambitious spending plans. Do you gather Haberdashers’ Aske’s Imperial College is a fabulously from others in the job that there is still an element of truth in that? Should heads have First job: 1979 Trumpeter, successful leviathan of an academic Chapter Eight Dance Band institution, frequently topping to demonstrate some basic standard of A financial competence before appointment? international tables and it was a great First management job: environment to learn and develop during the Mercifully, this is on the wane. 1996 Departmental early days of my career. On a personal level, Administrator, Chemistry, The sooner bursars recognise the working here also facilitated a much-needed Imperial College power of servant-leadership, the escape from the high rental fees I’d been A more harmonious and productive schools First job in independent paying for a flat in South Kensington and will become. Heads no longer need to have education: helped me onto the property ladder when I financial competence any more than bursars 2003 Bursar, Orley Farm School bought my first home in Luton. However, as do a PGCE (although a degree of business the years went on, the middle-aged desire not Appointed to current job: acumen is appreciated). I find it fascinating to park two miles from home, to tend a garden 2008 that executive recruiters still put putative (not just a window box) and to lay down some heads through laborious financial reporting Favourite piece of music: roots in a like-minded community, spawned Sinfonietta (Janacek) and Five tests - as one close to me once explained, “I the move to Hertfordshire. Commuting had Years (David Bowie) just said that I will employ people to do that also started to conflict with single parenting for me, won’t I?” If Heads really have no eye Favourite food: and quite simply, a change in workplace on the P&L or balance sheet, remember, the Chunky Chilli with tacos and location was the obvious solution. Bursar writes the finance committee papers salsa, grated cheese, sour (and often records the minutes). It’s all about cream, guacamole and home Working in a relatively small integrity and service. grown / made tabasco and educational establishment must have pickled jalapeños. Q been very different from life at one A number of independent schools Favourite drink: of the country’s top university colleges. What have closed at very short-notice, Saint-Estèphe (Claret) aspect of the work as Bursar at Orley Farm Q leaving staff and pupils high and School did you find the most challenging to dry. Can there be any excuse for this? Do you Favourite holiday destination: start with? agree with the suggestion that there should Slovenia and Sardinia be a legally-binding minimum notice period Favourite leisure pastime: A lifestyle change was exactly what required and a central ‘insurance’ fund to Long early morning walks I was looking for at the time I chose ensure it? when on holiday A to move on (a few days shy of my 40th birthday) so you could say I was more In all honesty, I don’t see how a Favourite TV or radio than ready for it. Unlike my previous positions school cannot close at short notice programme/series: at Imperial College, I loved the exposure and - is there really a choice? A long Upstart Crow A immediacy of bursaring in a relatively small notice period would of course suit the pupils Suggested epitaph: (500 pupil) school. Challenges were easily and parents and also the employees, but He remained young overcome: if pushed, I would say that an predation from other schools would render

24 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Ken Young has been Bursar at St. Margaret’s School, Hertfordshire, since 2008. He was previously Bursar at Orley Farm School, Middlesex.

the school virtually inoperable fairly quickly. the right decision: some manage both, of a change. What ‘Top Tip’ words of advice Insurance is an interesting suggestion course. I think the criticism is now largely would you offer to Bursars whose schools but it wouldn’t solve the problem of staff redolent of a historical, political ideology. are considering similar? shortages and unfeasible year group sizes. Commentators are naturally divided (but not That said, I guess it may potentially pay the equally). Recognise the need (if there is one) Bursar’s salary before he/she switches the about four years before you want lights off? Part of your work at St. to start the transition (Boards are Margaret’s has involved selling A more cautious than the sum of their parts). You were educated at off surplus land and buildings for Q Persuade everyone, all of the time, that Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, development, thereby freeing up funds for a report from a Head who has done this sitting your A-levels in 1981. The new facilities and expansion. Such high- Q already, is a million times more valuable differing social pressures on young people level financial activity requires significant today have been documented well enough, professional skill as well as time. How have than from a consultant who hasn’t. Explain but how do you think the educational you balanced and monitored internal and the risks. Employ exceptional PR support experience of pupils has changed? How external resources to meet those demands? (we did) and follow their advice to the letter can bursars predict and prepare for future (governors and executives are normally changes? Frankly, I would do it better next well-intentioned but can create real-time time around! Although we did difficulties). Managing the announcement Successful bursars are visionaries A land on time and budget and are to all stakeholders: both in terms of timing and problem solvers and we have delighted with the increased quality and and content worked brilliantly. A an enviable depth of these in the capacity we can now offer. The temptation sector from all backgrounds and all ages. to over-outsource a large project, in light You are an enthusiastic choral Bursars are expected to keep abreast of of an eye-watering budget and recognising singer and a competent trumpet the possible and even the fashionable, but the need to keep your eye on the day-to- Q player. What part has music played planning changes in strategy or direction day, can lead to profligate procurement of in your life? based on changes in the pupil-environment, professional services and loss of control. is a team effort. Governors, and more Don’t forget, even if it is detailed, you know Music is a pleasure, a fascination reliably, senior executives, are close to what corridor paint is best in your school, and solace (both playing and the coalface. They are the predictors and not the architect or the project manager and listening). Playing a few nights a masters of change. Bursars merely ensure you don’t want to inherit the cost of three A week in a professional dance band, I earned the journey is flexible, timely and affordable, lift maintenance companies. rather than spent money going through whilst checking the destination remains A-levels and university, giving welcome desirable. Consider an interim, assistant Bursar (it works for me) at times when you need help independence. Recently discovering the Some commentators have criticised managing a project but with significant London Bulgarian choir singing in Bethnal the independent school sector for control and when you also need help Green led to a recent holiday in Bulgaria. Q investing in ‘country-club facilities’ supporting the day-to-day but also with Music leads me to so many different places. rather than using resources to widen significant control. I’m on the next project access. Is that fair? now and it’s working; it’s better in many If you were interviewing ways and far more efficient. candidates for the role of Bursar This cuts to the heart of the divide Q at an independent school, what between the elite, selector-schools You have been in your current particular personal/skill qualities would you A and the rest that we describe position at St. Margaret’s School be looking for? lazily as ‘the independent schools’ sector’. Q for over ten years. The school is Most schools don’t have the choice of now beginning its transformation from Integrity. ‘pandering to the affluent’ or ‘widening girls-only to co-ed. You will have been at access’ and if they do, they tend to make the forefront of the management of such A Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 25 Changing FACES... Changing Places...

ACS International International School in Brunei, and Andrew Allman is Mr Allman, who is married School Cobham previous to that has many years’ the new head at to Sarah – the couple have a has appointed experience as Deputy Principal and Myddelton College daughter, Phoebe, and son, Jacob Barnaby Sandow Academic Director. in Denbigh. – went to Myddelton College from as Head of School. He began his career as a science Mr Allman Barnard Castle two years ago as Mr Sandow has teacher at Abingdon School and is originally Head of Academic Studies and spent the last five years in south- later, as Head of Department at from Shrewsbury and attended worked closely with his predecessor east Asia as Principal at Jerudong Stowe School. Shrewsbury School. Mark Roberts to strengthen the new school. He went on to complete a BA in St Paul’s School, James Allen’s Girls’ School in Theology and an M Ed as well as The school, which opened in 2016, London, has Dulwich since 2015. Prior to that teaching qualifications at Durham currently has 70 boarders and 150 announced it she was Headmistress of Kent University before joining the staff day pupils with 45 staff, including has appointed College, Pembury and Deputy of Barnard Castle School. over 30 teachers. Sally-Anne Huang Head at Roedean School, Brighton. to be the next During her first year at St Paul’s, High Master of the school from she will also serve as Chair of the September 2020. Sally-Anne will Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ be the first female Head in the Conference (HMC), the professional Heads Hunted school’s 510-year history. She will association representing the UK’s Among the upcoming head replace Professor Mark Bailey who leading independent schools. has been on indefinite leave of She is currently a governor of and principal appointments: absence from the University of Tonbridge School and Bolton Alderley Edge School for Girls Cheshire East Anglia since 2011, to which School (where she was educated). he will now return as Professor of Sally-Anne read Classics and Farringtons School Kent Later Medieval History. English at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford High School for Girls Oxfordshire Sally-Anne has been Head of Oxford. Port Regis School Dorset Susan Brooks, of French, Susan came to the UK Reading Blue Coat School Berkshire currently Deputy in 2007 to teach at Bromford’s Head (Academic) School, Wickford in Essex before Terrington Hall School Yorkshire at Broomwood taking up the position of Head Westminster School London Hall School, of History at Broomwood Hall London, has been in 2008. This was followed by Witham Hall School Lincolnshire appointed Head-designate of the promotion to Senior Mistress and If you would like mention made of your upcoming head or new NorthWood Senior School, Director of Studies, before taking which is scheduled to open in on her role as Northwood Schools principal appointment for which applications are sought September 2020. Deputy Head (Academic) in 2014. please let us know – there is no charge for a listing. Susan Brooks was educated NorthWood Senior will be a new in Australia, graduating from independent co-educational senior News items, contributions, comments and Queensland University in 2003 school initially for pupils aged 13 suggestions are always welcomed by the editor. with Bachelor of Secondary to 16, extending choice for local Education/Bachelor of Arts parents as Northwood Schools, Please email to: dual degrees with a specialism which owns Broomwood Hall and in History and French. Having Northcote Lodge pre-prep and [email protected] taught at Benowa State High preparatory schools embarks on and Wynnum North State High the most significant expansion to A level, where she was Head plan in its history.

John Attwater an Academic and Music Scholar. Your own print copy of is now Principal He studied Philosophy and Politics of King’s Ely at The Queen’s College, University following the of Oxford, and trained as a teacher £20 retirement of Sue at the University of York. per year Freestone this He began his teaching career at summer after 15 years at the helm. Wells Cathedral School where he Interesting – Informative – Inspiring John has moved to Ely with his became Head of Religious Studies wife and two children after being and resident Housemaster. He was Please send your name and postal address to Headmaster of King Edward’s appointed Deputy Head (Co- [email protected] School Witley for almost 10 years. curriculum) at Sevenoaks School in FastPay details will be supplied by return John was a Cathedral Chorister 2006 and moved to King Edward’s before going to Rugby School as School Witley in 2010.

26 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Getting a grip on climate change From Plogging to stealing A day became a week and is now disposable cups from the teachers’ permanent. Excellent work!’ common room and a food waste The school also has a Food Waste competition, pupils at Reigate House Competition to encourage Grammar School, Surrey, are the reduction of waste. ‘It is noisy tackling climate change head on. and disruptive but it made staff and They’ve taken up Plogging pupils think twice about how much (pictured), which is what students food to pile on a plate and about Mr Fenton said: ‘These student change. If we want to repair the and staff call a novel combination the environmental impact of waste,’ leaders are so passionate about world, we need urgent and drastic of litter picking while you jog. says Mr Fenton. ‘It is simple but climate change. Their vision and action. Seeing these young people effective and reduces food waste.’ ‘This is a new activity for our values overcome institutional making a difference gives me new students,’ said Headmaster Shaun Pink graffiti adorns the playground inertia and blasts away barriers to confidence in our future. Fenton. ‘It’s health-enhancing and at regular intervals, encouraging environmentally helpful,’ he adds. students to reduce, reuse and ‘What more could you want?’ recycle. ‘The pupils use persuasion School now a legal entity and megaphones; they have the The pupils Plog in the community, Over the past eighteen months, the same premises in Stratton on zeitgeist on their side,’ reflects Mr local parks and residential streets the Trustees of Downside Abbey the Fosse with Andrew Hobbs as Fenton. and as they come across litter it General Trust and the Governors Head Master. There is not much time for a of the School have been working gets collected. This is an important moment climate change strike for these on separating the School and The Ploggers operate under the in Downside’s history, enabling students who are busy writing the Monastery into independent watchful eye of the school’s new the School and Monastery each part of the Governors’ School Trusts. The process is now breed of prefects whose remit is the Development Plan, challenging complete and from last month to focus on their core purpose. environmental agenda. issues such as ground-source ( September), Downside School, Downside Abbey General Trust They are already causing trouble, heating, campaigning for better Somerset, began operating as a will encompass the Monastery, and the Headmaster is delighted. local cycle lanes, use of an legal entity in its own right. its Parishes and the Monastery ‘They stole all the disposable cups environmentally friendly internet The new School Trust has a Library and Archives. The two in the teachers’ common room search engine, Ecosia, and the separate Registered Charity Trusts will continue to have a and made a plea that we have a introduction of Meat Free Mondays Number and separate Trustees. strong and mutually supportive “bring a mug to school day” to as one of a range of catering It will continue to operate from relationship. reduce the use of disposable cups. initiatives.

Ed Dorrell Julie Robinson Aaron Powell Fiona Boulton Chris Millward Deputy Editor CEO CTO Chair Director, Fair Access Tes ISC UCAS HMC OfS

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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 27 Catering Baking invention test The heat was on in the kitchen as Meanwhile their parents whipped pupils took part in a Great British up a carrot and courgette cake with Bake Off-style competition at lime curd and lime basil cream; Ipswich High School, Suffolk. a parsnip, white chocolate and Three Year 8 students, along orange sponge; and a cucumber with their chosen family member, and lemon sponge with gin icing. participated in the final of the The winning mum was Sophie school’s cooking contest which was themed on a ‘Celebration of Brady with her parsnip, white Vegetables’. chocolate and orange cake. Each pupil and their partner created As well as baking their masterpiece, Sixth Form Café reveals an inventive recipe and decorated each finalist had to display their their masterpiece ahead of judging recipe with a list of ingredients, healthy food menu by Fiona Murphy, of Cavendish- costings of no more than £12 and based Moo Moo Cakes, who set Trained Rick Stein chefs helped increasing demand of vegetarian a drawing of their design. the brief. launch Truro School’s refurbished and vegan options. As the season Clarissa Thomas, Head of Food Sixth Form Café last month moves on, dishes will move from Cakes from the students included Science at Ipswich High School, (September). The new focus is salads to stews and vegetarian Daisy Condon’s two-tier chocolate said: “It was a fantastic final and about providing a variety of tasty bakes. orange and beetroot cake and we loved the brief that Fiona from and exciting dishes using fresh Maria Taylor, Head of Cookery courgette and lemon sponge with ingredients that are all cooked Moo Moo Cakes gave the finalists. School at Truro School, said: “It’s lemon buttercream, Isabella Brady from scratch on site, in an open Baking with vegetables can be a very different type of offering baked a chocolate and beetroot kitchen where students can see tricky but all of the finalists took from your regular lunches or cake and Olivia Pryke baked a pea dishes being prepared right in breakfasts. It’s a good opportunity and vanilla sponge with lemon it in their stride and created some front of them, whether they’re to encourage students to taste a buttercream. fabulous cakes”.

socialising or studying. Credit: Clare Douglas range of different flavours, and The refreshed café has been most importantly, a range of completely redecorated with a light nutrition. Healthy doesn’t have to and modern nautical design. mean a beige diet.” Alistair Turner, Assistant Head of Breakfast options will include Cookery School, said: “There’s a sausage or bacon sandwiches, trend to start opening up kitchens, homemade muesli or granola with and in a way inviting the customer yoghurt and honey, and fruit is to see what’s going on and how free all day. The range of breakfast things are prepared, cooked, and options encourages the idea of managed. We are adopting this starting the day with a meal to trend in our Sixth Form Café to promote learning. encourage openness.” The recipes are all prepped on The café has a different menu site. Alistair and Manuel Espejo, every week, with themes including Cookery School Assistant, have Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, experience as senior chefs at Rick Pictured: Back row (l-r): Clarissa Thomas, Head of Food Science at Ipswich High School, Lynn Murray, Higher Level Teaching Assistant, mum Ruth Condon, Fiona Murphy of Moo Moo Cakes, and Spanish, to name just a Stein’s Padstow, and are now at mum Rebecca Pryke, mum Sophie Brady and Nicola Griffiths, Deputy Head. Front row (l-r): Year 8 few, that are in response to the Truro School leading the team. pupils Daisy Condon, Olivia Pryke and Isabella Brady Celebrity chef visit James Tanner, the ambassador for on cooking with wonky veg and fruit salad and smoothies for pupils spent time with Lower Sixth pupils Independents by Sodexo’s, Exeter fresh fish. to try, as well as a scrumptious talking about fresh fish, how it is School’s catering provider, spent In the morning, James and Sodexo smelling risotto. caught and the benefits of eating time with Junior School and Sixth chef Tom Allen spent time talking They shared top tips for the fruit it. They also discussed sustainability Form pupils giving demonstrations to Year 5 pupils about fresh fruit salad, such as preparing a syrup for and the Marine Conservation and vegetables. The pupils were the fruit, made from water with a Society’s measures to help given the opportunity to taste and little bit of sugar. They encouraged consumers, members of the fishing look at some more unusual fruits the pupils to notice the different industry and retailers make the and vegetables, such as dragon meals they might eat in the school right sustainable seafood choices. fruit and star fruit from warmer dining room, such as the fish, The chefs invited pupils to help climates, and artichoke and fennel. which might be goujons or fish make a wonderful fish stew which The chefs talked about how pupils cakes, and that all fish served at they all tasted. They extolled the could incorporate different fruits school is from the UK. Pupils were benefits of buying fresh, local and vegetables into the food they also asked to consider the distances and seasonal ingredients and already enjoy eating. some food might have to travel to gave advice for the Sixth Formers, The chefs and Catering Manager reach our plates. helping them to prepare for life Michelle Hendrick made a delicious In the afternoon, James and Tom beyond school.

28 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] TPS consultation expires soon The Department for Education (DfE) is consulting on a From left, Ali Hurst, Bursar at St Peter’s School, Tom Fray, Chairman of the Governors, proposal to amend the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) David Scott, chairman of Scotts of Thrapston, and headteacher Maria Chapman rules so that independent schools could opt out of TPS participation for future teaching staff whilst allowing existing New art studio staff to remain as active members. A former pupil at St. Peter’s include solar panels, separate clean School, Northamptonshire, has up areas for art activities and The proposal is in response to the consultation entitled officially opened its new art studio, internal glazed screen partitions, “Funding increases to teachers’ pensions employer a purpose-built timber building which are used to divide the contributions”, published on 15 January 2019, following which was designed and built by internal space but also maintain an his family-run business. which the department agreed to consider allowing open plan feel. David Scott, chairman of Scotts independent schools to leave the TPS via phased withdrawal. Ali Hurst, Bursar at St Peter’s of Thrapston, attended the school School, said: “Both staff and pupils The proposal was developed in A teacher who was no longer in from the age of four to eleven. are thrilled by the new Cedar conjunction with the Independent pensionable service as a result of sick David was delighted to be Hub as it provides a creative and Schools Council (ISC) and leave or family leave etc. would be welcomed back after 70 years to stimulating environment for art and Independent School Bursars’ able to resume active participation in open its new building known as design projects. Association (ISBA) in order to the TPS where the period involved is The Cedar Hub, which provides an mitigate the financial risks for some “Scotts has a pedigree in bespoke covered by statutory rights or their art studio and after-school space. independent schools as a result contract of employment. timber-framed buildings which of increased employer pension The carbon-efficient timber-framed made them our preferred choice. contributions and the department’s In cases where the leave of absence building features an open plan They have worked flexibly to decision not to fund that sector for is beyond statutory or contractual design which allows plenty of deliver a design solution which those increased costs at this stage. rights, whether the teacher could natural light to flood in, creating enhances our school and blends Independent schools can participate return to the TPS, or would instead the perfect space for teaching art the new building perfectly within in the TPS on a voluntary basis, but be offered alternative pension and design technology. the boundary of our listed school are then responsible for meeting all provision, would be at the discretion Features of the new building grounds.” of the employer contributions from of the school. their own funds. An independent school which chose MOTIVATIONAL, ASPIRATIONAL, ENCOURAGING The main elements of the to freeze participation would retain proposal are: the option of returning to the TPS YOUR CHOICE, ANY SIZE, at a future date, but where a school TPS regulations to be amended to SHAPE, STYLE, did return, it would be required to FRAMING allow an independent school to OR COLOUR! choose to keep its existing teachers enrol all eligible teaching staff from in the TPS, while offering alternative the date that it returned. pension provision to new teaching The proposal is aimed at allowing employees (as it is mandatory for an some schools to remain in the employer to enrol an employee into TPS with the knowledge that, over a pension scheme). time, the costs associated with A teacher joining a school that the scheme would reduce through made this choice would be enrolled natural staff turnover. At the same in an alternative pension scheme, time, those schools would leave the including those who were active TPS gradually thereby reducing the members of the TPS immediately financial impact on the scheme. beforehand. The alternative could be that an independent school chooses to cease Existing members could remain in all participation in the TPS, thereby the TPS until they leave employment affecting all of the active members. with that particular school (or join another fully participating school). This consultation relates to the A teacher who was employed by a TPS, which provides a pension school at the time that participation for participating teachers and was frozen but who opted out other eligible staff working in would be able to return to the TPS the education sector in England and Wales. Teachers’ pensions in Goldtree Bespoke, at a later date. 9 Huffwood Manor Trading Estate, Scotland and Northern Ireland Partridge Green, West Sussex, RH13 8AU A teacher who opted out of the are a matter for those devolved For further info and your questions answered: QUALITY & TPS after the independent school administrations. had frozen participation would not Tel: 0345 260 2350 or 01403 711553 BESPOKE be eligible to return to the TPS Responses are required by November Email: [email protected] SERVICE and would instead be offered an 3rd, and may be submitted online: www.goldtreebespoke.co.uk alternative pension scheme. www.education.gov.uk/consultations

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 29 Talking Point Our occasional series where leading figures in the independent schools sector discuss an issue of the day...

Head of events in the Christian calendar (as Former independent school headmaster Handcross Park well as other religions) as well as a School, Sussex, hymn or two just add to that sense Bernard Trafford suggested in a recent Richard Brown: of purpose. A school body that newspaper article that, in a world so I believe that sings hymns well not only promotes assemblies are self esteem, engages the emotions, full of intolerance, school assemblies vital in setting promotes social inclusion, but it provide an opportunity for young the tone within a school especially most importantly creates something at the start of each week. It also special as a school. I would also people to hear vital moral messages. ensures a sense of ‘family’ and proffer that it prepares them for One correspondent subsequently asked: can ensure a common purpose. I their senior school experience and, agree that we have all been party just maybe, they will know and “When will most heads realise that to assemblies where both the staff be confident to sing at a family neither the students nor the teachers and the pupils are frustrated and wedding or church event in the irritable and cannot wait to get future. I say that as I recently went want assemblies, or are the least bit out of the chapel or hall - too to a wedding and none of the interested in what (s)he has to say; The long, hectoring and monotonous. young 30 somethings sang any of However, I would say that an the hymns - just my dulcet tones only thing they pay attention to during assembly that employs the use of from the back of the church! Rather them is the clock hands telling them a piece of string, a balloon, some sad, I felt. cello tape and a Bic biro (just the Finally, I believe that assemblies how much more irritation they have to tube!) in creating a rocket and thus can also give the pupils another acting as a metaphor for positive endure”. opportunity to speak and share and thinking will keep any audience in this helps with their public speaking thrall. The key is ‘less is more’, keep Should school assemblies serve any and confidence. Assemblies have the pace and just focus on one many functions and as long as moral purpose? If yes, how can they thought for the day - keep it simple they are well prepared and have a and fun and then your audience be made compelling and relevant? Or clear purpose then that feeling of will listen and engage. should assemblies simply be an occasion dread every Monday morning will At Handcross Park, I feel also be replaced with excitement and for togetherness? that punctuating the year with anticipation! A positive start to the assemblies that follow the key new week.

Head of King’s “There’s all the difference in communication, be it a stand-up distracted and keen to watch the Ely Senior, the world between having comic at the Edinburgh Fringe or second half of the match. Rather Cambridgeshire, something to say, and having to a politician addressing the United than deliver the usual sermon, Jonathan Shaw: say something.” (John Dewey, Nations. The speaker who gauges the Chaplain acknowledged, Assemblies Philosopher and Educationalist). the attitude of his or her listeners with a wry smile, that many of reflect the soul When a speaker is in the position is far more likely to build rapport his audience would prefer to be of the school. of ‘having to say something’ and hold the attention of his elsewhere. He proceeded to deliver Without doubt, they serve an there is a high likelihood that audience. the shortest of homilies, engaging integral moral purpose to provoke, pupils will be not be “the least I once saw this perfectly displayed the pupils and building rapport. challenge and inspire pupils. In bit interested in what s/he has to by a school Chaplain. Not only He had ‘something to say’, but a world where viewpoints are say”. The alternative, of having did the school finish the week knew his audience and when to increasingly polarised, assemblies ‘something to say’ is the first with a chapel service at 4.30pm say it (Germany won on penalties, provide a unique opportunity to step from apathy to engagement. on a Friday afternoon, the school obviously). instil virtues and values. Schools To stand in front of critical Chaplain was dealt the additional Good assemblies should be at are fundamentally about the teenagers, the speaker needs to challenge one summer afternoon the heart of any school, keeping holistic development of young have ideas and stories to share; when the service clashed with a hand on the tiller in terms of people and assemblies are one of they need to have ‘something to Germany v Argentina in the World guiding direction, challenging the cornerstones in this process. say’. Cup Quarter Final. The school ideas and instilling values. Keep That said, engaging young people Empathy with the audience is had a sizeable German contingent it concise and have ‘something is easier said than done. the second step to effective who were, understandably, to say’.

30 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Advertorial Feature The power of productive struggle Meaningful assemblies can impact children’s future lives

Vice Principal of a school’s ethos, assemblies at St that trigger a personal Margaret’s connection amongst pupils can School, have an impact on their future. Hertfordshire, Whether it is a visit from a Julie Chatkiewicz: guest speaker, a past student The suggestion that clock- that children can relate to, or watching pupils and teachers the opportunity to create an are tired of school assemblies is interactive session – assemblies perhaps a little misconceived. can be very powerful. Those schools who find Only last month I received a themselves questioning the message on social media from point of holding regular school a former pupil who thanked me assemblies should perhaps look for a Lower School assembly that a little deeper at their intended I had once delivered many years purpose. Meaningful assemblies ago on the theme of ‘gratitude’, that resonate with pupils in which really stuck with her. In When advanced learners grasp by expert mathematician Tony their everyday lives and unite mathematical concepts quickly, this case I had asked the pupils Gardiner and are designed to them socially as a community it’s tempting to accelerate them encourage deep thinking and to stand up, close their eyes and and as human beings can be ahead of their peers. But this productive struggle in advanced visualise how they felt stood on hugely beneficial on a number can lead to trouble in later learners. All Mathsteasers questions their feet, asking them to think of levels and can indeed have an years — pupils who accelerate follow the 2014 English national about how their feet felt on the impact on future lives. What is through lesson topics miss out curriculum so they easily fit into ground, rooting them to the on deepening their knowledge important is encouraging pupil your practice as extension material. engagement and involvement. earth and how they should feel and are unable to work hard very grateful for them, walking and struggle productively. Just Questions from any Mathsteasers The trouble is, far too many their bodies around every day. like all other pupils, advanced booklet challenge learners all schools treat assemblies as yet The pupil had recalled how she learners need to struggle to the way up to lower secondary another tick-box exercise or remembered this exercise vividly reach their full potential. school. They’re flexible and can a platform to dictate, rather and that if she is ever feeling This idea is supported by Stanford be used in class, as a homework than using them as a platform overwhelmed she often thinks psychologist Carol Dweck, who activity or as part of daily to connect with pupils by about this assembly, saying it says that pupils who believe their journaling. Mathsteasers teach highlighting important issues for greater depth instead of helps her even to this day. basic abilities, talents and overall and topics that really matter intelligence are fixed traits also accelerating pupils to the next to young people in the 21st Hearing memories like this believe that their success is directly topic, keeping everyone learning Century. The delivery of static, from pupils who have moved connected to these given traits. at the same pace. dull and pointless assemblies on in their lives really does sum This kind of thinking is known as a Mathsteasers keep advanced should by now be a thing of the up why purposeful assemblies ‘fixed mindset’. learners engaged. Pupils take their past. As schools, we shouldn’t be that hit the right notes really When pupils with a fixed mindset existing knowledge and adapt holding assemblies for the sake do matter from a young age. fail, or perform to a lower standard their thinking to these challenging of it, surely it is better to reduce While on the surface they may than what they’re used to, their problems. They inspire advanced the frequency of them and self identity starts to crumble. We seem like another drain on time and adventurous learners to focus on quality content and need to teach advanced learners during what is a busy school rise to new challenges. To face impact? Every time we address that ‘ability’ isn’t fixed; it’s day, perhaps the reality is, they uncertainty and keep going. To our pupils as a community we something that takes effort, hard provide us with the perfect build a resilience that will last work and persistence. We should should consider which topics excuse to stop for a moment, encourage a ‘growth mindset’ in them a lifetime. are relevant and matter to them, reflect, share experiences and all learners. When failing isn’t seen as will they provoke thought, pose think about our day to day lives something negative, pupils questions, stimulate debate and from different perspectives? That’s where Mathsteasers come in. encourage reaction? Mathsteasers are booklets created thrive and for advanced learners, School assemblies provide a for pupils in Years 4–8. These adopting a growth mindset means As well as retaining the all- great opportunity to captivate essential supplemental resources opening themselves up to their important bond between and inspire pupils, they don’t include questions developed full potential. teachers and pupils as a just serve a moral purpose; they community and the promotion can shape lives too. Ready to take your advanced learners further? Find out more at: www.mathsnoproblem.com/independent-schools

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 31 Spotting Mental health in school – the signs… Ben Evans gives some practical moving beyond the hype advice on how teachers can spot early signs of mental Children’s mental health is a growing issue for schools today and many of the signs are health issues in children: much harder to identify in children, than they are in adults. Early intervention is therefore • Sudden or out of character vital to ensure children receive the support and the treatment necessary to cope with their mood changes and recurring mood swings such as feelings illness. As such, it is essential that teachers are properly trained to tune into their pupils’ of sadness, loneliness, needs and are equipped to understand and spot the warning signs as early as possible, distress or anger writes Ben Evans, head of Edge Grove School, Hertfordshire... • Intense feelings of fear, Of course an impossible task for schools but to be taken as given in all schools, anxiety, panic or stress in day mental illness it is essential for leaders to put the together with clear and tangible to day scenarios can be complex staffing and training in place to measures and systems in place to • Behavioural changes in to diagnose support school teams. Staff need tackle childhood mental health. and parents to be coached in understanding school that are extreme or too, may miss exactly how to talk to children if Schools cannot tackle concerning the warning they are concerned in any way, they mental illness alone • Difficulty concentrating in signals or need to know how to spot the early There must be a named and fully class, this can often result in trained member of staff such as perhaps put them down to normal signs of mental health issues, how poor performance at school Head of Wellbeing who has the hormonal changes or behaviour to respond empathetically, non- and a drop in participation or simply associated with growing judgementally and most importantly time, resources, understanding and achievement up. This makes it all the more how to listen sensitively and ask remit to manage and oversee the challenging to identify and even children the right questions. school-wide provision including • Unexplained weight loss, more crucial that schools work in regular ongoing CPD for staff. tiredness or lack of appetite Ditch the stigma and make This would include staff training, partnership with parents to address • Physical symptoms might mental health accessible pupil support, parent workshops, this growing crisis in young people. also include regular We have to make mental health and published processes to ensure There is also still much stigma support more accessible and early symptoms are identified and headaches, dizziness, fainting attached to mental illness and sadly teachers must not be afraid to raise a graduated support programme or stomach cramps this can also prevent parents from the issue of childhood mental health is in place and understood by all • Physical harm can also be a accepting there might be a problem, in their schools. By removing the staff. Schools cannot tackle this let alone recognising, addressing or sign, so look out for possible stigma and making it something issue alone and therefore working seeking professional help. It is worth evidence of self-harm accessible and normal, children will links with external professional remembering that 50% of mental be more open to talking about their bodies must be in place and be well • In some severe cases, health issues are established by the problems and more comfortable established, so that help can be substance abuse can also be age of 14 and 10% of young people seeking help from school staff. sought quickly and effectively when a warning sign especially in between the ages of five and 16 Likewise, by raising the profile of needed. Having effective referral older children suffer from a diagnosable mental the issues surrounding mental pathways in place will also give staff health disorder. The reality of these health, parents will become more the reassurance they need to deal facts simply highlights why schools engaged and better informed, with such issues. Pupils and parents must feel must now play an essential role in thereby being able to triage their both recognising and supporting In addition to having a named supported and valued children’s problems earlier and more As with many schools, at Edge children in their overall mental member of staff to whom other effectively. Grove, we are putting increasing health and wellbeing. teachers can turn to for help and Having visible reminders around advice, it is essential that all schools measures in place to support our Pressure on schools is school that promote positive have a number of teaching and pupils’ mental health. We are huge but necessary mental health messages and clearly non-teaching staff with a mental fortunate to have a full-time Head As a consequence, the pressure highlight the steps children can take health first aid qualification and of Wellbeing who is also a trained on schools today is huge and if they are upset are particularly that all staff are trained as mental and experienced coach, able to increasing in all areas of childhood useful. As are regular assemblies health first aid champions. These spot the signs of mental health development; both social and and visiting speakers, all of which are the basics to ensure that schools and support pupils through their academic. Regardless of their will help us to connect with children are properly equipped to deal with difficulties. A new wellbeing centre lack of professional experience and signpost them to the available childhood mental health and that has been established to provide and their lack of training, head support systems out there. It is also staff feel adequately qualified and a central hub where pupils and teachers and teaching staff are essential that mental health and informed to play an essential role staff can find quietude during now required to be experts in resilience education is embedded in the process. Meanwhile, schools their busy days, someone to talk all areas of safeguarding, FGM into the curriculum either through must also remember to ensure that through any issues or somewhere and radicalisation to name a few, PSHE or an internal skills based measures are in place to support to relax and contemplate. and now they must be experts in programme at school. their employees’ mental health to Together with our Flourish childhood mental health too. But Many argue that schools talk the the same standard. programme, which encompasses like it or not, the mental health crisis talk when it comes to mental In future, it is inevitable that PSHE, mindfulness and yoga is unavoidable and schools have health but how can schools move schools will spend greater time and a regular series of parents’ no choice but to train all of their beyond the hype towards something and resources on supporting their workshops, we are ensuring staff, teaching and non-teaching, more real and tangible? Well, it is pupils’ mental health. Together with that both pupils and parents in recognising the signs of mental certainly no longer acceptable for more rigorous and widespread staff are supported and feel valued. illness and understanding the steps schools to simply publish statements training, there will be a need for Future plans include extending that need to be taken to help pupils on websites or in prospectuses about greater use of external professionals our provision to external pupil of all ages. their high quality pastoral care and in school counsellors and workshops and staff training days On first glance, this can seem like and nurturing of pupils. This has medical practitioners. for local schools.

32 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Taking an international perspective

Twenty-eight boys and four In the second week of the members of staff from Bolton expedition they travelled to a site School Boys’ Division travelled called Sodwana Bay, renowned to South Africa for unforgettable worldwide for its excellent diving. two-week expedition with The majority of the boys were Operation Wallacea. not qualified scuba divers before Each day the boys participated in the expedition so completed their different activities; these included Open Water qualification whilst lectures, workshops and surveys. out on site. The diving exceeded The surveys included vegetation expectations; the corals were surveys (see below), mammal vibrant and diverse and the fish. transects and bird point counts. The The two Co-Principals Michael Shaw and Kevin Samson with students The boys’ favourite sightings Agnieszka Ossowska, Merab Mamutchadze, Karolina Dzielak purpose of these is to help monitor included sharks, turtles and the health of the reserve and the octopus. Buckswood School, Sussex, Parents, guardians, friends and data collected is used to inform open day guests came along to get When not diving the boys hosted International Day, an future management strategies. event that celebrates the culture involved in the fun and to support Through a series of lectures and undertook a wide range of and cuisine of the countries that the charity. workshops delivered by local guides, activities to learn about the the school’s students come from, camp staff and external experts biology of the local ecosystem International Day raised over whilst at the same time raising the boys learned more about local including rock pool identification £840 for the charitable project in money for the School’s charity species and the pressures that the workshops, sand dune walks and Eswatini in southern Africa, a place ecosystem was experiencing. daily lectures. work in Eswatini (Swaziland). the school regularly supports and visits. Students worked in their national groups for two weeks leading Each year, Buckswood students up to the day, planning menus take a trip to Eswatini for students and preparing food sold at stalls to take part in charity work to decorated by the students. help local schools. Through this, the students can understand the Students wore their ‘National implications for people living in Dress’ for the event and brought a less developed country and the ingredients from their homes as money from this event will be used well as items that best represent to aid development projects, in their country and culture. health and education.

Having spent the past 18 months raising money and preparing for their trip of a lifetime, 23 students from Year 11 and 12 at The Royal School, Surrey, finally made it to Ghana, in West Africa. The students and accompanying members of staff worked with two different schools while they were in Ghana, Dornorgbor and The Lord’s Academy, teaching classes and working on building projects (making concrete bricks to build a perimeter wall and toilet block). During the evenings, the group took part in a variety of activities to help them learn about Ghanaian culture. Mr David Guest, staff member, said, “On our final day in the schools, we were given a warm send off, with much dancing, drumming and exchanging of gifts and handshakes. There is no doubt that for our young people, this trip was hugely enriching and a life-changing experience.”

A group of 22 Lower Sixth pupils will be used by Nightingales to help Rosehill have been supplying quality from Dauntsey’s School, Wiltshire, to fund longer term projects. contract furniture for over three decades. spent nine days in Cernavoda, Chris Tonkiss, the teacher from We have products to fit all areas of your school including: Romania, working at The Nightingales Children’s Project to Dauntsey’s who ran the trip, said: · Durable poly classroom chairs in adult & junior sizes support local children. “The Nightingales Children’s Project has been a long-standing · Classroom tables & exam desks During the trip, the pupils ran a commitment for Dauntsey’s pupils · Lab stools and swivel base chairs · Staff room and common room furniture play scheme for more than one and holds a special place in our hundred local children, many of · Breakout area tables and chairs annual calendar. In the past · Lockers and changing room benches whom have difficult home lives. thirteen years, more than two · Cafeteria furniture All the money raised goes directly hundred pupils have gained a huge · Office furniture and filing cabinets to the Summer School, run by amount from the cultural and Dauntsey’s pupils, to buy the emotional experience of working To discuss your requirements or for advice resources and equipment needed. with children and young people and quotations please contact Rosehill on At the end of the trip the pupils who are living in far less fortunate 0161 485 1717 or view www.rosehill.co.uk decide how the rest of the money circumstances than themselves”.

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 33 IR35 changes ahead– are you ready? Responsibility for determining employment status to shift to Schools, writes solicitor Louise Smyth... IR35 applies to individuals who Under the draft legislation, the new passing the relevant information provide their services to schools rules will operate so that (assuming about the status determination (as well as other organisations), that the school is the end client): down to the next party in the through an intermediary (usually • it will be for the school to decide, chain. their own personal service company exercising reasonable care, • the general liability to operate or “PSC”) but would be classed whether the IR35 rules apply i.e. PAYE and pay employers’ NICs as an employee if they contracted whether the individual would will sit with the entity that pays directly with the school. The be an employee if the school the PSC. This could be the school rules are designed to combat contracted directly with him/her; but in more complex supply tax avoidance by ensuring these • the school must inform both chains is likely to be an agency. individuals (often referred to the individual and the person HMRC have indicated that they will as off-payroll workers) pay the or organisation with whom it expect organisations to be ready to • putting in place comprehensive same tax and National Insurance contracts of its decision and the fully implement these changes in processes to determine contributions as employees. reasons behind it. Schools are April 2020. Schools would therefore employment status and dealing motivated to comply with this At present, it is for the individuals be well advised to take HMRC’s aspect in a timely manner; they with disagreements over status in to determine, via their PSCs, advice to take steps now to prepare will be liable for operating PAYE good time. their employment status (for for the forthcoming changes. A unless and/or until they have • collating information to assist tax purposes) for each contract sensible starting point would be: they enter into. From April provided this information. with determining employment • conducting an audit to 2020, in a bid to ensure greater • if the individual disagrees with status in respect of existing identify and review all existing compliance with the IR35 rules, this the school’s determination, engagements. Note that HMRC engagements via an intermediary. responsibility will shift to schools the school must consider and are in the process of updating who are classed as a medium or respond (with reasons) to any • analysing, as part of any such their Check Employment Status large organisation i.e. those that objection within 45 days. Failure audit, the extent to which it for Tax tool in preparation for meet 2 or more of the following to respond within this timeframe makes business sense to continue the forthcoming changes. conditions: will also result in the school to use this type of arrangement assuming responsibility for • reviewing internal functions such • an annual turnover of more than – if it doesn’t, schools should operating PAYE. as payroll and HR to ensure they £10.2 million review the termination and • any additional party in the labour notice provisions for existing are able to adequately support • a balance sheet total of more supply chain is responsible for engagements. the new rules. than £5.1 million • more than 50 employees Free seminar The existing rules will continue FSP is running a free seminar in London on 17th October 2019 aimed at preparing organisations for to apply where the end client (i.e. the changes ahead. Please contact Louise for registration details – [email protected] school) is a small organisation. Evening with an England rugby legend An England rugby legend and Mike Tindall MBE was a sell-out. Gloucester and won 75 caps for “He spoke about the difference England between 2000 and 2011. World Cup hero recently visited The rugby ace, who is married to between that World Cup era and the Solihull School to talk about his Princess Anne’s daughter and the He was a member of the England modern world of rugby, including illustrious sporting career and Queen’s granddaughter, Zara Phillips, squad which brought home the the intensity and pressures that charitable work. An Evening with played outside centre for Bath and 2003 Rugby World Cup and was young people now face, as well as also an integral part of the team reminiscing about his early rugby when it won the 2003 Six Nations setbacks, the criticisms he faced and grand slam. the need to be resilient. Prior to the special event at the “He also talked with such school, Mike spent time meeting enthusiasm about the role he pupils who were thrilled to talk to plays in various charities, including the rugby ace and get his autograph. the AEGIS “Coast to Coast” bike challenge he took part in for The Headmaster David EJJ Lloyd said: “It Cure Parkinson’s Trust, which he is was a truly wonderful evening. Mike patron of.” talked with such passion about his outstanding rugby career and the For more information about Mike’s planning that went into winning the cycling challenge, see https://twitter. 2003 World Cup. com/miketindall13. Pictured: From left, headmaster David EJJ Lloyd, Mike Tindall and senior deputy headmaster Sean Morgan

34 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Music, Drama & Dance Former pupil pops back to perform with his band Durham School pupils had a surprise Instagram while scouting the world when transatlantic three-piece pop for a lead singer. band, Raynes arrived to make the Since signing the deal, the trio have start to the day a very musical one. been enjoying splitting their time The band, which is headed up by between Los Angeles, London and an Old Dunelmian, (the name for the North East in the run up to the former pupils of the school) Mark release of their debut single, Lemon John Race, performed for a full Drop. house of students and staff in the Mark, 24, said: “It was really good Dreamcoat School’s Chapel before lessons. – and a little surreal – to come Youngsters from Bromsgrove Pre- performances, including Joseph back and perform with the band at Prep gave a performance of Joseph with a multi-coloured parachute The visit marked a triumphant as Durham School. It was very nice to and the Amazing Technicolor coat and an Elvis-inspired Pharaoh well as tuneful return to the School be back and see some familiar faces Dreamcoat to an appreciative was full of catchy songs in a for Mark, who made headlines at who used to teach me!” mixture of styles, from French the end of last year when Raynes audience in the School’s Cobham ballad, country and western, to were given a publishing deal with Classically trained on the piano, it Theatre. Calypso, including the wonderful Sony ATV, one of the biggest music was when Mark was 14 and still a Some amazing songs which told pupil at Durham School when he Any Dream Will Do and Close publishing companies in the world. the Biblical story of Joseph, his began to foster ambitions for pop Every Door. Mark, who had spent four or five father Jacob, the eleven brothers success. At the end of the performance, years performing in pubs and clubs and Joseph’s coat of many “I got into Durham School on Mrs Jacqui Deval-Reed, all over the North East and around colours and with their polished a music scholarship and was a Headmistress of Bromsgrove the UK, joined the band after performance, it was easy to forget member of the choir and the guitar Pre-Prep and Prep School showed American bandmates Mat Charley just how young the children were. group too,” he said. the children a signed photo of Sir and Joe Berger found him through “I also played the role of Jean The magical musical, which Tim Rice, thanking them for their Valjean in a School production of included many stand-out performance. Les Miserables, so I was used to performing here – but today was something else!” Headmaster of Durham School, Kieran McLaughlin, said: “It’s always wonderful to follow the lives and careers of our Old Dunelmians and see them take the confidence for life we give them during their time at Durham School and run with it.”

Mark John Race (centre) with Raynes bandmates Mat Charley and Joe Berger at Durham School For all your Music splash app wins music education Winners of the GSK UK Young Grace Lord, Brendan Miralles, and Engineers of the Year from Aalia Sellar showcased their ‘Music & performance equipment Loughborough Schools Foundation Splash’ app, which uses the latest in the East Midlands have won an computing techniques to analyse award at a prestigious European music recitals and provide tailored Music Stands, science competition – EUCYS (EU suggestions to improve performance. FREEPHONE Lights & Accessories Music Folders Contest for Young Scientists) – held The winners say ‘Music Splash’ 0800 072 7799 Music Chairs & in Sofia, Bulgaria. helps “guide you to instant Accessories to join the Instrument & Sheet perfection and is like a music Music Storage teacher in an app.” education discount Conductor’s programme and Equipment The 15-year-old students were save money on Staging & Risers awarded the GSK UK Young Theatre Products Engineers of the Year title at The your purchases! Acoustic Products Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition in March. They beat over 200 finalists from the UK to win £2,000 in prize money and have had the opportunity to www.blackcatmusic.co.uk complete work experience at GSK.

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 35 independent schools mag Ad 90x135mm MAY11.indd 1 6/5/11 13:08:41 Music, Drama & Dance

Cathedral dates The 40 strong Abbey Gate The group then travelled to opportunity to experience the said: “It was a privilege to College, Cheshire, Chapel Choir Coventry to perform at services amazing acoustics in the Lady perform at two such magnificent undertook a five-day tour of the in the Cathedral. The repertoire Chapel of Coventry Cathedral Cathedrals. In particular, the West Midlands. included ‘Lord there are Times’, when they gave an impromptu children were amazed by the a piece written especially for the performance of Tallis’ ‘If Ye Love The tour began with Evensong acoustics and architecture of Chapel Choir by Geoffrey Nobes Me’ and an acapella version of ‘I in Worcester Cathedral and a Coventry Cathedral, and the and Elgar’s ‘Give unto the Lord’. was Glad!’ performance of George Dyson’s amazing palpable sense of ‘Evening Service in F’. The Choir also had the Head of Music, James Andrews history in the place.” Inspiration from famous international musician The chance to take part and Hampshire. Sir Mark Elder return visit to his former school, Building on the success of the in a masterclass with an CH CBE, the Music Director of Bryanston School, Dorset. masterclasses with Sir Mark Elder and the school’s ongoing internationally renowned the Hallé Orchestra and former Sir Mark shared his passion commitment to The Richard conductor was an opportunity Music Director of English National for music and his experience Ely Trust and the Dorset Rural not to be missed for young Opera, hosted two special as one of the world’s most Music School, Bryanston will musicians from schools in Dorset masterclasses during a recent respected conductors. As well be hosting an important Music as dedicated masterclasses for Education Conference in the woodwind and strings, he hosted autumn. With a clear agenda to a compelling Q&A session and help stem the continuing erosion discussed the career aspirations of music education in the region and opportunities for talented and to explore new opportunities musicians. His visit to the school for engaging young people in concluded with a special ‘Desert the world of music, teaching Island Discs’ evening in a packed staff from both maintained and Sir Mark Elder Concert Hall where independent schools across the he outlined his life story and region will be attending the time at Bryanston and provided a special event. candid and enlightening insight into the music that holds a Sir Mark Elder attended Bryanston special place in his heart. between 1961 and 1966.

Pictured: Sir Mark Elder was greeted by Stephen Williams, Bryanston’s Director of Music during his recent visit to the school.

36 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Music, Drama & Dance School secures Steinway status Brentwood School, Essex, has The School’s Steinway journey - announced an exciting partnership which will see it become one of with Steinway & Sons which will only 16 Steinway Schools in the UK see its musicians performing on – started with a once in a lifetime the world’s finest pianos and trip to the Steinway factory in the School joining a handful of Hamburg and the opportunity to accredited Steinway Schools. select 11 hand-crafted instruments. Brentwood’s young pianists will Five of the School’s music scholars not only learn on the very best- joined Director of Music, Mr made pianos in the world, but Florian Cooper, pictured, for the enjoy benefits including regular memorable outing which included a masterclasses with Steinway artists tour of the expansive factory, lunch and the chance to perform in the in the Steinway Board Room, and ‘Joseph’ musical then the lengthy and meticulous recital space at Steinway Hall, in Pupils from across the South of During an atmospheric evening London. piano selection process. England excelled themselves by performance lasting nearly an hour, Mr Cooper said: “It was amazing performing songs from ‘Joseph parents and guests experienced to see just how much attention and the Amazing Technicolor a full range of songs – from the and craft is involved with the Dreamcoat’, after coming together energetic to the emotional – making making of these instruments, which for the first time that morning. the most of the Abbey’s outstanding each take a year to make and are Milton Abbey School, Dorset, hosted acoustics and enjoying the multi- still largely built by hand, using coloured decorations. original techniques and built by the ‘Dreamcoat in a Day’ project for professionals with many years of around 125 talented young singers Ms Nikki Budd, Director of Music specialised experience.” from five different prep schools. at Milton Abbey School, said: “I was so impressed with the standard The new pianos will be delivered During the day, the visitors practised of performance on the evening, next month (November), and famous songs from the hit musical especially considering we only unveiled at a special concert in the with a full band. Each school learnt started rehearsing as a group that School’s Wessex Auditorium which one song to perform on their own, morning.” will see all 11 of the new pianos with the majority of the show being played by notable guests and an ensemble effort, led by soloists The prep schools involved were culminating in a special rendition from the prep schools and Milton Chafyn Grove, Dumpton, Perrott Hill, of the School Song. Abbey. Sandroyd and Sunninghill. Countrywide Pianos

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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 37 Advertorial Feature Developing autonomous and responsible learners A key to motivating our students independence. Stripping back is making them accountable for the instruction students receive, at least part of their learning. Of encouraging them to think for course, as educators, we have a themselves and helping them to responsibility to provide quality let go of any fears of answering learning opportunities consistently, questions incorrectly can all help opportunities. Show My Homework I have and, rather than relying but we can also make a concerted to foster independence. If students allows us to track what their on asking friends when things effort to encourage inquisitive and are not given the option to think workload is, how much work are due, it allows me to be autonomous learners. for themselves, they will be less they’re being set and, if we need independent… My parents love to, we can adjust that. But it gives Show My Homework, mostly As we embark on a new academic able to challenge themselves, and us the information we need to get because they get a notification year, we wanted to share our others, later in life. homework right.” that I get homework, so they’re experience from working with the 2. Increase responsibility always on top of me and they best schools across the country, By putting students in a 3. Early exposure Autonomous learning is not feel it’s given me a lot more including Haberdashers’ Aske’s position of leadership through necessarily a skill that can be independence, too.” Boys’ School (named The Sunday increasing their responsibility, we Times’ Independent School of the taught, but rather, a way of are able to create empowered, 4. Get creative Year in 2017) on how to promote thinking that students are exposed motivated learners who thrive Set independent learning tasks student autonomy in the classroom to. By introducing tasks with more in environments where they that allow students to explore their and the role that technology can freedom, but with accountability are pushed, and who remain own ideas and run with them. play in this. measures in place, you can begin motivated and ambitious after With time, and the guidance and to open up students to a new way support of their teachers, students 1. Encourage formal education ends. This can be of thinking from an early age. will learn to trust themselves and independent thinking achieved by placing more onus on Ensuring that parents are kept in the students’ independent learning their own instincts on how they Some students may become the loop about this method means and less on teachers having to could approach a task and get the accustomed to teachers providing they too can further encourage spoon feed information. most out of it in their own way, a them with infallible instructions this way of thinking for their skill valuable throughout their life. and directions earlier in life; Director of Studies at children from home. an important part of ensuring Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School A year 11 pupil at Haberdashers’ Satchel are creators of the new that each pupil has grasped the states, “We’re a very busy school Aske’s Boys’ School talks about learning platform, Satchel One, foundations of core subjects. and there’s a lot going on in our how technology has helped with which brings together award- However, in order for students academic departments as well as his independence, “Show My winning classroom management to be truly successful and to in our co-curricular programme, Homework makes me feel a lot apps for Seating, Behaviour, progress in their education as well and we want our students to more independent now because Attendance, Content, Timetables & as in later life, they must develop really make the most of all those it clearly states what homework Homework. Find out more today [email protected] 020 7197 9550 www.teamsatchel.com Heritage Open Day Rendcomb College, Gloucestershire, Almost 130 people visited the of the teachers, took the visitors In particular, a lady told me about and the parish church of St. Peter’s, venues to learn about the history on guided tours of the ornate how her grandparents had actually Rendcomb opened their doors as of the church and former manor Italianate mansion. met each other on the grand part of the Heritage Open Days. house which is now the school. staircase. Her grandmother was Alex Brealy, a teacher at the College a housekeeper at Rendcomb and The Head of College, Rob Jones, since 1994, as well as a former her grandfather was the farrier in was delighted with the number of pupil himself, thoroughly enjoyed the local forge. It gave yet another visitors and commented: “It was giving the tours and sharing the personal layer to Rendcomb’s rich wonderful to open the doors to history of Rendcomb through the history.” people who have never been to the centuries with guests who had only College. It is certainly something ever seen the impressive building There have been manor houses on we would like to do again.” from the A435, as they drove past the site of Rendcomb since Norman Heritage Open Days is England’s it. He stated: “It was wonderful to times, which is situated in the heart largest free festival of history and meet so many people who were of the Cotswolds above a valley culture. The Head, as well as some interested in the College’s history. overlooking the River Churn.

38 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] A community run where everyone’s a winner! With obesity in the UK at an all-time high and where mental health is only just beginning to receive the attention it warrants, Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School (Habs) in Hertfordshire, is encouraging physical fitness and wellbeing through regular exercise while also creating a community spirit in the process...

Mr Michael Broadwith, a The popularity of HabsDash has who has been participating Scott Morris, student at Habs, is Mathematics teacher at Habs and enabled it to act as a catalyst for in HabsDash for some time, a regular volunteer marshal at also an ‘Old Boy’ of the School, other special events throughout remarked: “HabsDash provides HabsDash and commented: “I really leads the way by example: he the year, notably Mental Health the encouragement I need to like the way that HabsDash is about recently broke the world record for Awareness Week, Red Hand Day enjoy regular exercise and I really taking part and setting a personal LEJOG, the Land’s End to John or more light-hearted events such enjoy the spirit of friendship and best instead of just being a race. It’s o’Groats End-to-End speed and as the SantaDash, where runners community it generates. Running good to be involved in volunteering endurance cycle. donned Santa hats and beards. is a great way to relax with as I enjoy seeing others improve over Mr Broadwith was very much Perhaps the biggest event friends away from our studies and time and I enjoy the commitment the mastermind behind the new this year was the inaugural I’m definitely continuing with it and creativity that everyone put into initiative – dubbed HabsDash. ‘RainbowDash’ at which the next year.” the whole thing.” He decided to put on a regular School decided to use the run that was available for all inspiration of the Stonewall to take part in, regardless of Rainbow Laces campaign perceived ability. He believed that in football to highlight the Exciting Activity and Field inclusivity and diversity of people would engage and start the Haberdashers’ community. Study Trips in Cornwall to gain the physical and mental The School does not tolerate benefits that regular exercise discrimination of any type and brings. HabsDash was launched everyone is encouraged to take at the beginning of the 2018/19 part in sport at Habs. Runners academic year. ran in bright House colours and Using a scenic route around the a commemorative rainbow band. Led by the School Chaplain and School grounds, HabsDash runners the House Captains, runners complete three laps of the 3.5km completed the course, despite course in anywhere between 12 the torrential rain, to show their and 40 minutes. The events are support. open to all members of the School community: students, teachers and Mr Gus Lock, Headmaster support staff alike, with up to 200 at Habs, firmly believes that runners taking part each Tuesday. academic success goes hand-in- HabsDash has also brought people hand with pursuits beyond the together and, as a wonderful classroom, including the arts, consequence, new friendships have sports and outreach activities. • The Manor House offers quality courses with personal He said: “HabsDash has been been forged around the course. attention a wonderful addition to life at The weekly community run has Habs and it is now a mainstay • Stay in an 18th Century Manor House been a great way for students to in the School calendar. Students • Sole Occupancy improve their wellbeing, especially and staff eagerly look forward • Privately owned centre near Padstow during the busy examination to the inclusive run each week season. Studies indicate that • Excellent facilities & equipment and benefit from regular exercise regular exercise is good not only • Recommended by many Prep. Schools for both body and mind, which for physical health, but also for • Please ask for details is vitally important. We are mental health. Research confirms it very proud that HabsDash has can help deal with stress and can 01841 540346 grown to enable us to support For more information please contact us on: significantly increase performance communities and charities.” www.manoractivitycentre.co.uk | [email protected] for students in examinations and Manor House Activity & Development Centre, St Issey, Wadebridge, PL27 7QB staff in the workplace. Purab Garg, student at Habs,

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 39 Sport Six Page Salute to Sporting Success

New boarding house for rising tennis stars

Loughborough Amherst School, the new facility was unveiled last that complements their training an existing building on the school Leicestershire, has opened a month (September). schedule. site. Additionally, a nutritionist new boarding house for the Loughborough University is one Their timetable will work from the University will work country’s leading junior tennis of two National Academies for hand-in-hand with their tennis closely with the school to ensure aces, following a partnership with tennis, intended to nurture 14 to programme and offer flexibility in all the needs of the athletes are Loughborough University and the 18-year -olds who demonstrate providing remote, digital solutions catered for, and will provide a Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). the greatest future potential in when players are travelling, or progressive educational programme Named Hahn House in honour of the sport and this partnership competing abroad. Sophie Hahn, British Paralympic with Loughborough Amherst for the athletes in basic cooking athlete and alumnae of School will provide the players Hahn House has been created for and life skills, preparing them for Loughborough Amherst School, with a high standard of education the players via the renovation of a life on tour.

Pictured: Dr Julian Murphy, Headmaster at Loughborough Amherst School (Left) and Professor Robert Allison, Vice-Chancellor and President of Loughborough University (right) Celebrating 100 years of rugby As the Rugby World Cup gained session hosted by ex- Ospreys Head momentum last month (September), Coach and TV Rugby Analyst Sean over 300 members of the Wellington Holley, which gave a fascinating School community gathered for a insight into Jason’s illustrious career. glittering evening of celebration, The charity auction then swung commemorating 100 years of rugby into gear, orchestrated by Exeter at Wellington School, with Rugby Chiefs Premiership player Chris legend Jason Leonard. Bentley, raising over £13,000 for The audience of parents, pupils, staff local charities Living with Aphasia, and Old Wellingtonians enjoyed a 4 Children’s Hospice South West course dinner of World Cup themed and the Dorset and Somerset Air food. Guest speaker Jason, who is Ambulance. the most capped England player In the afternoon, the School 1st XV ever, entertained the audience with played a gala match against Kings World Cup winning anecdotes and Bruton which ended in a spectacular his thoughts on the World Cup 54-0 win to Wellington, so there in Japan. There was then a Q & A was much to celebrate! Pictured: Headmaster Eugene du Toit, Jason Leonard, Sean Holley and Chris Bentley enjoy the evening

40 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Sport Cricketer Follows in Famous Footsteps Felsted School, Essex, hosted and after initially impressing at the the 33rd annual English Cricket festival, was then selected to play Board U15 festival, known as the for the combined London & East/ David English Bunbury Festival, South & West team against the welcoming 56 of the best young West Indies the following week. cricket players across the country. Harry follows in some famous One of these talented young cricketing footsteps, with over 90 cricketers was Felsted sport former Bunbury players going on scholar Harry Gallian who is to represent England, including 10 currently on the Essex Emerging from the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket Cricket Player Programme playing World Cup squad. This line-up for Essex County Cricket Club also include a number of former U15s, Saffron Walden 1st XI and Felstedians, including Derek the Felsted 1st XI. Pringle, John Stephenson, Nick Harry was presented with his Knight and Will Buttleman, as well Lomond Former Pupil and 2020 Olympic hopeful Anna Burnet, left, with Lomond School sailing captain, Eilidh McQueen London and South East U15 Cap as 2019 leaver Jordan Cox who will from ‘Bunbarian’ and former be representing England U19s at England Captain Sir Alastair Cook, next year’s World Cup. Olympic hopeful returns Tokyo 2020 Olympic hopeful Anna Anna and her sailing partner John Burnet returned to Lomond School, Gimson have been spending five Argyll, to deliver an inspiring talk to hours on the water per day, training pupils on her career so far. 300 days per year, in the lead up to The former pupil, who has also their bid for the Olympics. taken on the role as Sailing The pair recently claimed a silver Ambassador for Lomond School, medal in the Nacra 17 class on the spoke to Lomond’s keen sailors, and first day of medal racing at the those interested in what it takes to Olympic test event in Enoshima, become an elite athlete, about her Japan. sailing journey. The pupils were also keen to know Anna provided the pupils with tips more about women in sport, how on balancing school work with she got into sailing and the types of competitive sailing, finding the right boats she has sailed in, while Anna boat for your body type, and finding the perfect sailing partner. shared her experiences of trying to find the edge that gets you to the Now sailing a challenging foiling top. Nacra 17 multihull, she also showed pupils videos of her gliding Johanna Urquhart, Principal of through the water and spoke of the Lomond School, said: “It was importance of training, discussing absolutely fantastic to have Anna her regimented training schedule back for the day, hearing first hand that has allowed her to grasp a new about her successes since leaving

Pictured: Alistair Cooke (left) presents Harry with his London and South East Cap style of sailing. Lomond and what the future holds”. Residential hockey course Kirkham Grammar School and inspired the girls with beating defending champions, the organised a fully residential four video footage of their sporting Netherlands, in a dramatic penalty day Hockey Camp, delivered by achievements. They learnt about shootout. The girls were asked to Susannah Townsend, Olympic the importance of nutrition and analyse the game and highlight to gold medallist with current GB thoroughly enjoyed the yoga and Susannah and Fiona any game- Hockey and Fiona Pocock, World trigger point sessions, with many plans and strategies, as well as silver medallist with England of the girls commenting how they the team and individual player Rugby. The camp, open to girls in hadn’t realised the importance strengths. the First Year through to the Fifth of strength and conditioning to Year, included technical hockey prevent injury. The final day saw a tournament sessions with Susannah and Susannah and Fiona showed the take place in front of the girls’ strength and conditioning and girls footage of the Rio 2016 parents and family members which fitness sessions with Fiona. Hockey final which saw Great gave them the opportunity to put Susannah and Fiona both shared Britain’s women win their first into practise everything they have their hockey and rugby journeys Olympic hockey gold medal by learnt over the four days.

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 41 Sport Students chosen for European Triathle Championships

England Hockey Standard Synthetic Pitch and Sports Pavilion Work is now well underway on delighted to see work underway: Leweston School, Dorset, club members. Queen Mary’s School, Yorkshire’s “Queen Mary’s pupils already Pentathlon Academy hosted Leweston pupils ran superbly in new floodlit synthetic pitch achieve national success in the South West Triathle the U11 Boys and Girls categories, certified for Hockey, Netball and Trampolining, Gymnastics and Championships. The event was U13 Girls, U15 Boys and Girls Riding. Additionally, 18 of Queen also a Qualifier to select a Great Tennis and Sports Pavilion. categories and U17 Girls winning Mary’s Hockey players have Britain team for the European The new facility includes a full two Golds, a Silver and three qualified for the Area Teams and Triathle Championships in Madeira. sized synthetic pitch constructed Bronze medals. three girls have been part of the The Triathle is a continuous by Cleveland Land Services of As a result, nine Leweston pupils Junior Academy Centre. This new Shoot-Swim-Run and the Guisborough and overseen by have gained selection for the GB facility will especially enhance distances are completed two or Notts Sports, official partners to Team. Congratulations to Minnie our school’s sporting facilities four times dependant on age. England Hockey and the UK’s 140 competitors took part in the M, Charlie O, Molly C, Millie W, for team sports including Hockey leading specialist in the design various age groups, including 18 Nikita M, Darcy D, Archie C, Ginny and Netball, allowing pupils to and supply of synthetic surfacing athletes from Leweston School and B, & Lucie G who competed in spend more time on the pitch and systems. Alongside the pitch a two- 56 Leweston Pentathlon Academy Madeira. benefit from this state of the art storey Sports Pavilion will provide surface.” changing rooms for up to four teams, a central multi-use space and Mrs Carole Cameron, Head at Youngest a viewing platform. The pavilion is Queen Mary’s School stated: “At being constructed by Moduloft at Queen Mary’s we inspire pupils to selection their Catterick Bridge site. believe anything is possible. The new synthetic pitch and pavilion Stamford School student, Joey The facilities will also benefit the will give all our pupils even more Evison (Y12), just keeps adding local community and be available confidence to achieve. With such to his growing list of cricketing to hire for everything from sport great opportunities available, we accomplishments making his fixtures to birthday parties, may see some of them following first-class debut at Nottingham alongside potential opportunities to Trent Bridge for Nottinghamshire in the footsteps of the GB watch Hockey clubs and prestigious in The County Championship Women’s Hockey Team who won matches played within the grounds v. Warwickshire last month gold at the last Summer Olympics of Queen Mary’s School. (September). He became the or the England Netball Team, youngest at 17 years of age to Joint Heads of Sport Emma winners at the Commonwealth represent Nottinghamshire since Lindsley and Danielle Pegg are Games.” 2001 and is the first player born in the 2000s to play first class cricket for Nottinghamshire. He scored 45 runs on his debut and joins Old Track successes Stamfordian, Zak Chappell, in the It has been a superb summer Track Championships in Ghent, squad. cycling season for Bedford Belgium and silver and bronze This success follows his selection Girls’ School (BGS) Upper Sixth medals at the UCI Track Junior for England U19s for a home student Sophie Lewis, who World Championships in tri-series against India U19 and recently produced magnificent Frankfurt, Germany. This was Bangladesh U19 in July. Earlier results on the track. an incredible achievement as this year, Joey was called up to the Representing the Great Britain she competed against the very England U19s Young Lions Squad Cycling Team, Sophie bagged best riders across the globe in for matches versus Gloucestershire gold and silver medals at the the team pursuit and multiple where he scored 101 runs, Ireland A U23 and Junior European different bunch races. and Scotland.

42 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Sport

Launching her way to success Ceremony marks all-weather pitch start

Hulme Hall Grammar School, made me more competitive!” She Cheshire, is celebrating following continued, “I would have been success at the ISA National Athletics disappointed with anything less.” Championships last term. Molly Fairbairn, England U16 Molly Fairbairn said, “Sport, Shot Put has been around since Hockey player visited her old school, particularly hockey, was a big part of 15 year old Becky Moore was the Middle Ages when soldiers held Highfield and Brookham, Hampshire, my life at Highfield and Brookham chosen to represent the North at the competitions in which they hurled to mark the start of the construction and I have so many happy memories Independent Schools Association cannonballs. Thankfully, the sport of their new all-weather pitch. of being part of a team there. The competition having come first in is not quite as dangerous today astro is going to be a fantastic the Inter-girls Shot Put event at the and has featured in the Summer Highfield and Brookham Schools addition and I’m excited to come North area meeting earlier in the Olympic Games since their inception received full planning permission back and visit when it’s completed.” term. She threw the 3kg shot put in 1896. It is one of many events at at the end of last year for the pitch an impressive 8.60m and qualified the Independent Schools Association and a pavilion. The development The construction of the all-weather pitch starts the implementation of to compete in the finals at the Athletics meeting which takes place will accommodate a full-sized sand Highfield and Brookham’s Whole Alexandra Stadium in Birmingham. annually celebrating sport in schools. dressed hockey pitch, allowing for Estate Plan, led by Estate Manager Becky was delighted to tie for 3rd Said Headmaster, Mr Dean Grierson, two smaller cross field pitches. The Guy Baber. In March 2018 they place beating pupils from over “We are immensely proud of Becky. floodlights will allow the school to become one of the first estates 500 schools nationwide to make Her success was down to hard train and play in the evenings all to have their Whole Estate Plan it to the top tier. Said Becky, “I work, determination and strength. year round. endorsed by the South Downs was delighted to be placed at the Something that, as a pupil, she The works will be finished in National Park, and the first estate championships and growing up with demonstrates across all disciplines at November 2019. with a school. Having been part three older brothers has certainly school.” of the Liphook and Lynchmere The all-weather pitch can be used, communities for over 100 years, the not only for hockey, but for hosting school enjoys extensive connections a full range of sports including New sports hall to the local community. Dumpton School, Dorset, has same site as the previous building lacrosse, cricket, football, PE, fitness Phillip Evitt, Headmaster at Highfield opened a new Sports Hall after a but now accommodates changing sessions and after-school clubs. School said, “This is something build just over 14 months. rooms, a viewing gallery over the The pitch will be available for local that has been in the making for outdoor tennis courts and sports sports clubs, schools and the wider The facility provides a full-size many years and we know it will be netball and tennis court, along community to use. pitches as well as providing two worth the wait! We are immensely with an indoor hockey pitch, a new classrooms overlooking the Molly is currently at Canford School pleased that the construction has 5-a-side football pitch and three top field. in Wimborne and will be trying now started and even more so that cricket lanes. As well as the sports out for England U18 Hockey next Molly could join us to mark such facilities, the Sports Hall will be The new facility is named the month. Highfield and Brookham is an occasion – a legacy for future in use each day for PE lessons for ‘Browning Hall’ after Andrew and where her love for sport first started. generations.” all ages throughout the school Jo Browning who stepped down including Nursery children. The over the summer after 14 years of new Sports Hall is situated on the leadership at the school. 200m champ Anthony Cimurs, a pupil at Fairfield Prep School, part of Loughborough Schools Foundation, Leicestershire, has achieved the title of U12 200m National Prep School Athletics Champion at the Alexandria Stadium in Birmingham. After qualifying for the Championships at Bedford Athletics Stadium he raced ahead in the initial heat at Birmingham, and powered home over the last 50 metres in the final.

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 43 Sport National 100m Champion Bishop’s Stortford College Prep Having qualified at the East School pupil, Elijah Upson, Regional Championships with won the U12 100m National a time of 14.14 seconds, Elijah went onto the National Finals, Preparatory Schools Athletics sailing through his heat with a Championships, held at the time of 13.19 seconds. However, Alexander Stadium, Birmingham. up against 7 other boys from competing prep schools, Elijah saved his best running until last and completed the final race in first place with a Personal Best of 13.14 seconds, earning him the title National 100m Champion for his age category. Hannah Fordham, Head of Athletics, commented, “Elijah has always been a keen sportsman and he excels in all sports. He New indoor golf is incredibly hard working and determined and I am so proud of him for becoming the 100m facility underway National Champion”. Work is now underway to create a for children, it also teaches them a brand new indoor golf facility as lot about how to tackle challenges part of the Glenalmond College, in life and how to appreciate time Primary Festival of Sport Perthshire, new Golf School and outdoors. pupils from local primary schools “In my view, golf is a microcosm will be invited to get involved in the of life in many ways! You learn coming years. how to respond when you have a The new facility is being funded by bad day on the course and how to former Glenalmond pupils keen to deal with set-backs and use them support the school as it ramps up its as a springboard to improve,” Mr golf offer and will see the creation Mitchell said. of an indoor facility which will host two full simulation bays featuring “At Glenalmond our young golfers the latest ball flight technology. will also see a host of the best wildlife our Perthshire countryside The work, which will also see the has to offer - from deer and red creation of a six-hole indoor putting squirrels to pine martens and birds green, is part of a substantial project of prey.” to increase the school’s profile as a centre of excellence for golf, ahead Golf also teaches young people a It has been another successful year Festival of Sport proved a real of the centenary of Glenalmond lot about social skills, Mr Mitchell for the pupils undertaking the Sports success during Activities Week. Golf Course next year. added, as they are out on the course Leaders Award at Plymouth College, Sports Leaders have worked hard to for four hours playing with others. Devon. Opportunities to lead and develop their skills and organise this The investment is being led by Tim plan sporting sessions at the Prep event, inviting local primary schools, Mitchell, Glenalmond College’s Head “Our course was designed 99 years School have been in abundance, Montpelier and Compton, to join in of Golf. ago by James Braid, featuring two par 5s and a par 3 which could and once again the annual Primary the fun. “Glenalmond has phenomenal potential in terms of what it will grace the links of any course on The be able to offer children keen to Open rota. U17 National develop their golfing skills,” said Mr “The new indoor facility means Mitchell. children will be able to continue to Cricket Champions “We are the only school in Scotland practice when the weather is difficult and we are particularly looking Bromsgrove School, Worcestershire, with our own James Braid nine Senior Cricket side are now National hole golf course and we have plans forward to welcoming children from Champions after triumphing over to further improve the course in local schools to take advantage of Bede’s School, East Sussex last the coming months. The fact we the new facilities we will have later month (September) in the National have over 300 acres of grounds in this year too.” Final at Loughborough. total means we have huge scope to Glenalmond has a long history of continue to develop our golf, and Bromsgrove beat King’s, Trent, golf and among the former pupils to other sporting facilities.” Shrewsbury, Myrescough, Stamford go on to pursue golf professionally and eventually Bede’s along the way According to Mr Mitchell, golf is not after leaving school is European tour to become National Champions from only an excellent sport for fitness player, Carly Booth. 90 Schools who entered. Pictured: Tim Mitchell, Glenalmond’s Head of Golf

44 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Sport Photo courtesy David Ash Photography

Triumph Round the Island Students from Hampshire Collegiate All students, aged from 12 to 17, School collected several awards in had trained as part of Hampshire this year’s Round the Island Race. Collegiate School’s keelboat With some of the toughest sailing sailing programme and pushed conditions in a decade, which saw their tolerance and resistance to only 288 of the near 1,300 entrants the limit during the race. Weekly Longest ever touch rugby cross the finish line, the students keelboat and powerboat training took over 13 hours of competitive form part of Hampshire Collegiate racing to complete the course. game in aid of Guide Dogs School’s curriculum (April to The crews brought home almost October), and, from Year 3, Prep King Edward’s School, Birmingham of sight loss and campaigning for every trophy they entered for. The School pupils learn about sailing has raised over £8,000 for Guide equal rights. Dogs by playing the longest ever crew on ‘Embley’, the school’s aboard the keelboats in every “I’m really pleased that so many continuous game of touch rugby. 37-foot deep sea race yacht, won Summer term. people have taken part in the the ISC Class Raymarine Young Over 150 pupils, parents, extended challenge and that we’ve been able “Wet, windswept and exhausted, Mariners of the Year Award and family, former pupils and staff to raise so much money for a charity our team of amazing students were first in their class (ISC 7A). played continuously for 31 hours. that is very close to my heart.” The crew on King George, one proved that there is always that Although it was an unofficial record George Browning, Director of Rugby of the school’s Etchells, brought little bit more you can find deep attempt as many participants were at King Edward’s School, said: “It home the IRC Raymarine Young within yourself when you have to, below the age of 16, the school was a mammoth challenge to play Sailor Trophy for the second year when you want to and when you comfortably surpassed the current continuously for more than a day running. Both boats finished want to achieve your ambitions,” World Record of 30 hours 3 minutes and so pupils wisely chose to take within four minutes of each other. said Headmaster, Cliff Canning. and 11 seconds. part in 4-hour stints. After 12 hours, The fundraising challenge was the reinforcements arrived in the shape idea of Year 10 pupil Aran Singh of 30 seventeen-year-olds who Bansal, whose family have been added some karaoke to keep spirits volunteer boarders for Guide Dogs high. since 2016. With the support of school staff, Aran and a team of 13 “The toughest part of the challenge other Year 10 pupils began planning was definitely between 5am and the fundraising event in January. 8am where only 12 players were on “The experience my family has rotation playing touch, albeit to a had with Guide Dogs over the last rather limited standard! However, few years has really helped me more pupils returned after a nap to understand the life-changing to take the school home and to work that the charity does,” said set a new best known time for the 15-year-old Aran from Stourbridge. longest game of touch rugby. It is “Not only by improving quality of an epic achievement and one of life for people with sight loss but which all participants can be very also through researching the causes proud.” Three national records broken West Buckland School, in Devon, produced Clark, and Eden Robinson, smashed their own This was an incredibly impressive performance outstanding performances at the National Prep new record by carving another 0.3 seconds off by the West Buckland team and Head of School Athletics Finals, held at the Alexander their time. Athletics, Angus Calder, was thrilled. “This latest Stadium in Birmingham, with the team performance shows the strength and variety breaking three national records. Every member of the West Buckland team came home with a medal with Linus Emuna of the track and field talent we are delighted Eden Robinson broke the UK national U13 third in the U14 boys high jump with a new to nurture at West Buckland. Athletics is record for the long jump with a jump of 5.29m, personal best of 1.63m, as well as running an important part of our summer sports and also broke the U13 national record for programme but these athletes also have the 200m. During the heats for the 4 x 100m relay, in the 100m heats. Bella Lawson performed the West Buckland team broke the national impressively in the heats in the 100m and opportunity to train during the winter months. record by 0.01 seconds. In the final, the team 200m races, eventually securing bronze medals The results of their hard work are more than of Bella Lawson, sisters Jasmine and Codie in both events. evident here.”

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 45 Learning platform to reduce education management workload

Award-winning edtech provider classroom Satchel has announced the launch management of its new bespoke learning • Timetables platform, Satchel One. – enhances A cost-effective software solution, organisation Satchel One allows schools to choose throughout from the company’s range of award- a school with winning classroom management online timetables Student Teacher and whole-school apps, giving them updated directly greater control, saving them time, from its management of the Year and reducing their workload – all on information system one cloud platform. (MIS) Niall Gaffney, who undertook his teacher training at Bolton School Satchel One allows schools to • Behaviour – use points, under the School Centred Initial select the apps that will add the badges and reasons for Aske’s, said: “Haberdashers is an Teacher Training programme has most value, and only pay for the effective behaviour management outstanding school, and I think ones they use. won this year’s Manchester Evening • Content – premium teaching any outstanding school that News’ Student Teacher of the Year Apps available for use in resources created by Collins, takes teaching and learning really Award. Satchel One: ready to set as engaging positively, and thinks hard about homework tasks • Show My Homework – set the quality of student teaching The announcement came at homework with an award- • Attendance – a simple and and learning, needs to use this an award ceremony held at the wining tool that engages effective means of tracking software.” Hilton Deansgate in Manchester. students, involves parents, and student registration online Headmistress Sue Hincks and save teachers time Commenting on their personal For more information on Satchel Head of French in Bolton School • Seating – create seating experience with Satchel One, One, and to book a demonstration, Girls’ Division Mr Christophe Fico plans in seconds for effective T.Lunn, a teacher at Haberdashers please visit www.teamsatchel.com. attended the event along with www.teamsatchel.com Bolton School SCITT Coordinator Ms Marcia Teichman.

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Schools featured in this issue include: Abbey Gate College Denstone College King’s Ely Royal School Abbey Junior School Downside School Kirkham Grammar School Rugby School ACS International School Dumpton School Leweston School Solihull School Ashford School Durham School Leys School St. Andrew’s School Ashville College Edge Grove School Lomond School St. Benedict’s School Bedford Girls’ School Exeter School Loughborough Amherst School St. Edward’s School Beech House School Fairfield Prep School Ludgrove School St. Helen’s College Prep School Bilton Grange School Felsted School Maynard School St. Margaret’s School Bishop’s Stortford College Prep School Glenalmond College Milton Abbey School St. Pauls School Bolton School Guildford High School for Girls Myddelton College St. Peter’s School Brentwood School Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School Bromsgrove Pre-Prep School Hampshire Collegiate School (Embley) New Beacon School Stamford School Bromsgrove School Handcross Park School Northwood School Swaminarayan School Bryanston School Highfield & Brookham School Plymouth College Truro School Buckswood School Hulme Hall Grammar School Prior Park College Wellington School Burgess Hill Girls Ipswich High School Queen Mary’s School West Buckland School Cheltenham College Kelvinside Academy Reigate Grammar School Withington Girls’ School Cheltenham Ladies’ College Kent College Rendcomb College plus all the schools whose heads Dean Close School King Edward’s School Royal Hospital School participated in the Heads Up Challenge

The Independent Schools Magazine is read by decision-makers – Governors, Heads, Bursars, Departmental Managers – and reflects news, ideas, influences, and opinions in the independent education sector. A personal copy is mailed to heads and other key personnel in fee-paying independent schools plus opinion formers in governments, political parties and educational Vires per Verum – Strength through Truth associations. It is also available on the internet. Editorial Advisory Board The publishers are grateful for the interest, advice and support of a distinguished Editorial Advisory Board whose members currently include: Richard Brown: Head, Handcross Park School, Sussex Henry Briggs: Senior Partner, HW, Chartered Accountants Birmingham and a Tory Gillingham: Managing Director of AMCIS – Association for Admissions, former school Governor Marketing and Communications in Independent Schools Alex Beynon: Former Head of Press Relations, Independent Schools Council (ISC) Elisabeth Lewis-Jones: a governor of Bloxham School, Oxfordshire; 2008 Kevin Fear: Head, Nottingham High School President of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and Director of Liquid Deborah Leek-Bailey OBE: Director of DLB Leadership Associates Ltd., Public Relations, a consultancy with expertise within the education sector former head of Babington House School, Kent Georgina Belcher: Communications Officer, Independent Schools Council Helen Davies: Bursar, Tormead School, Surrey

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