Prep School SUMMER TERM 2010 ISSUE 68
5 From the Editor 20 News
6 This way to school improvement 22 A touch of creativity Paul Ainsworth Denise Cripps
7 satips goes it alone 25 Insider Michael Denton 26 Having designs on modern British sculpture 7 Meet Prep School’s new Editor Chablis May
8 Bringing home the harsh but sometimes 28 Try your hand at the toughest challenge to date uplifting reality of life in South Africa Richard Hudson 30 You coach your teams, why not your managers? John Charnock 10 New year - new government? Richard Garner 31 The sheer magic of children actually doing maths Matthews Reames 11 Calling all young musicians John Tolputt 32 Finding adventure, whilst helping others along the way 12 A chance to brush up on your history Martin West
14 From Quakers to Quacks via a bar of chocolate 34 Developing habits of success Hugh Thompson Andy Falconer
14 Prep School Post 35 Photographer of the Year 2010
15 The pictures tell the story 36 Celebrating the best in books
16 Kuwait? You what…? 37 Welcome to the head’s study Richard Tovey 38 Sports 17 All systems go in Kenya Michael Dixon 41 Chess: not so much a board game as a way of life Stephen Sharland 18 How to get the best out of IT Dominic Price 47 …and it’s goodbye to him Arthur Hearnden 19 Where fiction is stranger than fact… Robert Kirkpatrick 49 IAPS/SATIPS
Front cover photography: Prep Schools Orchestra Day Page 11. ISSN: 0963 8601 Printed by Wyndeham Grange, Butts Rd, Southwick, West Sussex BN42 4EJ
Summer term 2010 PREP SCHOOL 3
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Prep So it’s School goodbye
Editor from me… David Tytler t has been a long and interesting journey. And now it is over. Many Joint Editorial Board Iwould say it was well past time to put the old boy out to grass. The Stuart Thackrah (Chairman), Michael Denton parting has come because IAPS has pulled the plug on Prep School, Pat Harrison, choosing to use the money in other ways to promote their schools, aims Moira Laffey, and ideals. Henry Phillips. Only time will tell whether this decision is right or wrong. satips is Readers now taking sole control of the magazine and I wish satips all that it Donald Sewell, wishes itself: Michèle Claire Kitto, the new editor, will certainly benefit Christopher Bromley-Martin, from the technical support offered by the staff at John Catt. Whatever I David Beaton. have achieved in recent years would not have been possible without
Publishers’ Notice their enthusiastic and skilful support. th PREP SCHOOL is published three My first issue was in September 1996 and featured a piece on the 25 times a year, in January, May and anniversary of the IAPS Orchestra Trust, itself abandoning its courses September, by the Independent last year. The concert brought me to Suffolk, where I had been on a Association of Preparatory Schools number of occasions before as an Ofsted lay inspector. Not that we ever (IAPS) in conjunction with the saw much of the countryside. But I saw enough to know that I would Society of Assistants Teaching like to live there. in Preparatory Schools (SATIPS). Whilst I was working at Snape, my future wife made a whistle-stop £25 for a two year subscription, post paid; discounts for bulk tour of the agents in and around Southwold. She produced a short list orders are available. for us to visit on the Saturday afternoon before the Snape concert. As a Opinions expressed in PREP result we made an offer for a 250-year-old cottage in Blythburgh, SCHOOL are not necessarily overlooking the Blyth estuary only having been inside for 15 minutes. We endorsed by either organisation; did not visit again until we moved in. How’s that for a leap of faith? And likewise advertisements and what a wise and wonderful decision it was. advertising features are printed There was, perhaps, a similar leap of faith from John Morris, then in good faith. Their inclusion general secretary of IAPS. He rang me earlier in the year, a little while does not imply endorsement by the organisations. after I had left The Times, to ask if I could think of anybody who could take over Prep School to replace Anne Kiggell who was retiring. I said I Subscription Details would call him back if I had any useful thoughts. The penny soon The Business Managers are dropped, I could do it and after an interview with the chair of the Joint John Catt Educational Ltd, Editorial Board and the then chairman of satips I was duly appointed. I 12 Deben Mill Business Centre, Old Maltings Approach, Melton, am still not sure whether the inscrutable Morris had me in mind as a Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1BL. possible candidate when he made that call. His calm presence is missed. Tel: (01394) 389850 It took me a while to understand and appreciate the importance of Fax: (01394) 386893, satips to the magazine and the JEB. I always tried to serve the interests to whom communications of both IAPS and satips, although this was not always enough to satisfy regarding advertising, subscription some of its members. order forms and correspondence If I was to offer any advice to the new broom coming in, do whatever about subscriptions should be sent. you can to serve the interests of all prep schools and those who work in Contributions to PREP SCHOOL should be sent to the Editor, them, not a sectional interest. If you don’t, the outlook for Prep School Michèle Kitto, would be bleak indeed. [email protected]. And so it’s goodbye from me. And good luck to you. News items for the winter edition should arrive no later David Tytler than 1st June 2010. www.prepschoolmag.co.uk Editor
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 5 SELF-EVALUATION This way to school improvement
By Paul Ainsworth
n today’s economic climate it can 2005 became the Self Evaluation award which accredits Gifted & Ibe easy to dismiss the concept of Form. Talented provision. school self-evaluation as a The criticism that can be applied The best self-evaluation is often bureaucratically led, tick box to any inspection regime is that it based on a triangulation of exercise that has nothing to do with may make judgements, but in evidence, where a number of the realities of leading a prep school reality it is the staff and the pupils sources all point to similar and ensuring the school’s future. within the school who are best conclusions. This is especially Indeed many experienced senior placed to study the workings of important if the self-evaluation is leaders in prep schools would the school and the outcomes it for internal evidence such as a suggest that they could evaluate the delivers. It is the school which can senior team reviewing the effectiveness of a school after being really analyse performance, define performance of a department, a in the place for an hour: and in the next step and monitor and house or section of the school. general terms, some senior leaders evaluate the progress of the pupils Middle leaders will feel at best will have this skill. in the school. very uncomfortable or at worst, Nonetheless, unconsciously, In a prep school where senior victimised, if they feel findings senior leaders are applying leaders feel they know the staff have been drawn from one, evaluation criteria. They would be very well, often the difficulty with potentially biased, evidence observing the relationships, the writing any form of self-evaluation source. quality of the environment, and is not drawing the conclusions. So what different types of the sense of purpose in all areas of Many senior leaders know the evidence can teachers draw upon the school. One head said: “Above strengths and areas for in self-evaluation? In previous all, I was listening to the staff and development of their school. Heads articles for Prep School, lesson pupils, taking their comments at of department or sections may observations, work scrutiny and face value and asking the complain that they know the pupil focus groups have all been individuals the question, how do strengths and weakness of their considered. Schools with the you know?” Such a broad brush department; they just need the strongest self-evaluation systems approach can actually prove very time to put them right. The use these tools in harmony to effective but it does not difficulty with self-evaluation is the review a certain section of the necessarily include the solutions evidence base that you draw upon. school. Senior leaders have to needed to address the thorny issue In some schools we can feel we strike a careful balance in probing of school improvement. are drowning in a sea of statistical the educational issues in the Accurate self-evaluation can be acronyms with CE, FFTs, CATs, school without placing teachers an important part of inspection. PIPs, MIDYis and CVA to name but under excessive pressure, as this As many heads will know the a few. Whereas for other areas we detracts from the focus on the Independent Schools Inspectorate feel we are just relying on opinion learning of the pupils they teach. (ISI) provides an optional form for and don’t have anything solid to There is no doubt that self- schools to use called the SEF. ISI base our views upon. evaluation is a process that is here comments that schools who do The real art of self-evaluation is to stay. It is certainly true that use this process have found it having a varied diet of methods whatever the stage of our career, helpful. However they do not that provides the evidence we or our place in a school hierarchy, require schools to follow need, whether it is for addressing if we really want to make particular patterns of self- an internal issue such as a improvements we must objectively evaluation. This is different from governors’ report or the analyse the effectiveness of our England’s state sector where self- competence of a member of staff. performance. evaluation for Ofsted has been a Or your school could be formal part of the headteacher’s developing a submission for The author’s new book, Developing a role since 1993 as the Headteacher external accreditation such as the self-evaluating school: A practical guide, is Statement. This has been through Healthy Schools’ Award, Investors published by Continuum Press, ISBN: a number of reincarnations and in in People or the NACE challenge 9781855395367
6 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 PREP SCHOOL’S FUTURE satips goes it alone Michael Denton, chairman of satips, looks to the future
ver the past 20 years, satips is experienced editorial guidance, and and, as I take on the chairmanship, Oproud to have been associated we owe an enormous debt to David I hope that Stuart will continue to with IAPS in the successful Tytler, who has done a magnificent give advice and guidance in the publication of Prep School magazine, job as editor over the last 14 years. future. On behalf of satips, I offer which has reflected the interests of He leaves the magazine in good Stuart my grateful thanks. both organisations. Now satips plans heart and we thank him warmly for The new editor is Michèle Kitto, to continue with the publication on everything he has done. whom many of you will know from its own, with the help and support Stuart Thackrah, as chairman of her work organising professional of many individuals and the Joint Editorial Board, has led the courses and our annual Art organisations involved in the prep team skilfully and with good Exhibition. We welcome her and school world. Prep School would not humour. It has been a pleasure to wish her well with her brief, Reflecting be the success it is without have worked so closely with him the best in the prep school world. Meet Prep School’s new Editor
ichèle Claire Kitto is a prep Mschool teacher with more than ten years teaching experience, a parent, and freelance writer and editor. Having worked in a range of prep schools – large, co-ed, single sex, day and boarding – she is currently head of art at Abingdon Prep School. Michèle is a former IAPS art co- ordinator and previous member of satips council and satips broadsheet editor. She currently acts as co- ordinator and tutor for satips art and DT courses and the annual prep school Art Exhibition. For the last three years she has been editor of START magazine, an educational publication for teachers of pre-school, primary and KS3 art and design, as well as writing art and design teaching resources for A&C Black.
Get in touch with Michèle Kitto
Send all your news and pictures to her care of John Catt Educational Ltd, or email her at [email protected]
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 7 CHARITY AT WORK Bringing home the harsh but sometimes uplifting reality of life in South Africa
By Richard Hudson
t. Andrew’s School, Pangbourne, Hendrick Mahlangu, whom St learnt about the local Ndebele Shas supported two African Andrew’s met on a visit to Reading culture, inspected and advised. The schools for a number of years now, in 2004, just when the school was group received an incredible and and in 2007 arranged a trip to visit looking for a charitable project. I humbling welcome and made many the more accessible one, The Grace have since joined the trustees of its friends. Pupils learnt a tremendous Christian School in Siyabuswa, a English support group, so I can see amount and came back to enthuse South African township two hours’ exactly how the money we donate other pupils through talking at drive north-east of Pretoria. is needed and spent. The school school assemblies. St Andrew’s has In 2008, St Andrew’s arranged for would have very little were it not now set up a child sponsorship the Head and chair of governors of for its British supporters. scheme. The Grace to visit St Andrew’s and a Before each visit the children did Some will baulk at the risk range of other schools in England. some fundraising to pay for assessments, the cost or the In 2009, two Grace pupils visited St equipment that was either sent environmental downside of long- Andrew’s before the second visit to ahead or taken by the group or haul, but I would strongly them from Pangbourne, when six purchased in Africa. Pupils and recommend making a trip like pupils, aged 11 to 13, went with the staff gave newspaper interviews this. It deepens relationships and head and registrar, travelling en before and after the trip; they also brings home to pupils the reality famille in one hired vehicle. gave radio interviews making an of life in the Third World in a way The group stayed at the base of audio-diary for one station and nothing done just in Britain ever the mission, Hope For Africa, which appearing on Meridian TV. could. It has spurred the collective runs the school and a number of Whilst at The Grace the group conscience, faith and giving, and other projects. The mission was from St Andrew’s observed and made us grateful for things we started and is still run by Dr taught lessons, visited homes, took for granted. Pupils are already planning to go back in their gap-years. Schools considering a trip need to have good contacts established first, and perhaps a preliminary visit would be best to reassure concerned parents. South Africa is, of course, one of the easier countries to try because of its infrastructure and health provision, though there are crime risks in some areas. But do not let risk assessment fears put you off. Our hosts cared for us well and our children felt safe. If I can be of assistance to anyone contemplating such a venture, please contact me at: dephead@standrewspangbourne. co.uk .
The author is deputy head of St Andrew’s, Pangbourne
8 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 CHARITY AT WORK
Imogen Taylor reflects on an amazing spirit
uly 2009, six pupils and two and eager to show us their school. However, what the facilities left to Jteachers from St. Andrew’s The spirit of the school was be desired was made up by the School, Pangbourne, flew to amazing, the children had a thirst pupils’ and teachers’ friendliness and Johannesburg in South Africa to to learn and a huge desire for joy. I met some incredible people visit our sister school, the Grace friendship, although sometimes whom I will never forget, and whom School. We were going for a cultural their enthusiasm overruled their I feel privileged to have made friends exchange, and to meet the people discipline. On the other hand, the with. The children never stopped who were going to benefit from the delightful school was very under- giving us gifts; presents of sweets, funds raised by our school. equipped. The plain, cold drawings and bracelets, but also gifts Located in a rural community classrooms contained some simple of love and music. The children and some distance from Johannesburg, tables and chairs, a few textbooks teachers sang emotional songs of the Grace School was full of and some handwritten posters on worship every morning, and they wonderful, kind people. The children the wall. I was shocked to discover sang with such passion that it and teachers welcomed us with such that the nursery was a colourfully brought tears to our eyes. affection that I never once felt painted, corrugated iron shack, with It was a life-changing experience bewildered by being on a different a dusty enclosure, strewn with and I won’t forget the things I saw continent. They were all so happy glass, for a play area. or the remarkable people I met. Finlay Garland reports on heart-rending sights
ast summer, I visited the Grace emotions and feelings. We spent cheerful the poorest were, despite LChristian School in Siyabuswa, much of our time helping in living in conditions we found South Africa. I really wanted to help different classes. I was really shocking. We also went to the the children out there, particularly struck by how little they had. The Botshabelo cultural reserve that the AIDS orphans. I wanted to learn most heart-rending sight was the took us through three ‘villages’ about a culture that I had never nursery. The children worked in a from different ages of the Ndebele come into contact with before, but corrugated iron shack with no tribe. A short visit to the Kruger most of all I wanted to see how my facilities. They had a few plastic National Park allowed us to see, school could help. animals and a grand total of five amongst others, a leopard, two We first arrived at the Grace books. cheetahs and a herd of elephants. School during an extraordinary Outside the school, we visited the I have learnt so many things from assembly, which included some homes of some of the families in this trip, but most importantly, that amazing singing. These assemblies Siyabuswa – from the relatively rich these wonderful people only need a (held every day) evoke wonderful to the poorest. I was moved by how little to take them a long way.
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 9 CHANGING TIMES New year – new government? Richard Garner, Education Editor of The Independent, looks forward to the trials and tribulations which will face independent schools in 2010
here is something of a carry out inspections there was a long as their children are in TGroundhog Day about the way real threat to status. them. By the time they would have independent schools were feeling as The critical point appeared to be established their own schools, a they approached the New Year. The whether the individual school was couple of years of their child’s threat of the Charity Commission providing enough bursaries for education could have gone by. removing charitable status still poorer pupils. At the end of the In addition, I seem to recall that remains, albeit put into perspective day, though, the independent the Labour government’s by Dame Suzi Leather, who chairs sector may be pinning its hopes on academies programme, which set the Commission, when she a change of government. Michael up the idea of privately sponsored addressed the Headmasters’ and Gove, the Conservatives’ schools state funded schools, was Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) spokesman, has said that he originally cast as a threat to the in the autumn. believes the Commission is independent sectors. Blairites Private schools are also facing the interpreting its powers under the insisted it would help to woo the financial implications of the new legislation too stridently. middle classes back to the state recession, with one in three schools Given a change of government, we sector. So far, though, there is reporting a drop in the number of could well be seeing a change in nothing in the statistics of take up pupils, according to a survey by the guidance given to the Commission of independent school places to Association of Teachers and and a change in leadership at its suggest this has been the case. Lecturers, the union with the helm, too. One intriguing aspect of this largest membership in the A change of government could programme is that the Swedish are independent sector. Then there is also see the establishment of adamant it will not work unless the intriguing prospect of the fall- Swedish-style ‘free’ schools up and the Conservatives are prepared to out from the Conservatives down the country. The allow providers to make a profit proposals to set up a new breed of Conservatives want to adopt the out of running schools. So far independent state schools if they model of allowing groups of Michael Gove has said that will not win the election, which is likely to parents, groups of teachers, be the case. take place in May. commercial companies and faith So we have two threats, which, I Let us take the threat from the groups to set up their own schools believe, may not be as menacing to Charity Commission first. Dame with funding from the state. The private schools as they may have Suzi, in an emollient speech to the idea is that they would have the seemed at first sight. HMC in Liverpool, made it clear freedom to provide the kind of Next we come to the impact of that schools would be given five education enjoyed by those who the recession. So far, independent years to get their house in order if send their children to independent schools have been quite bullish they were deemed not to deserve schools but not to have to pay for about this, saying numbers are charitable status as a result of an it. If it is successful, it is quite easy holding up, possibly with the help inspection. She also told them to see that it could be a threat to of moderated fee increases from frankly that as she did not have an the private sector, particularly at a the sector. The evidence from the inspectorate at her disposal it was time of recession when growing ATL survey, however, was unlikely any of them would face a numbers of parents are finding it interesting. It appeared that parents visit from the Commission over the difficult to afford fees. were reducing the amount they next 12 months. Against this, However, while the method of were spending on their children’s though, was the evidence from the delivery of the programme is education, with the result that day results of the first round of different, I have heard prime schools established near to inspections, which showed that two ministers and education secretaries boarding schools were benefiting, prep schools had, indeed, failed to since John Major’s time, talking of as parents decided they could no convince the commissioners they giving parents the freedom to run longer afford boarding fees but still deserved charitable status. At the their own state schools. Take-up of wanted their child to be in the end of the year it appeared that if the idea has been limited partly private sector. There also seemed to the Charity Commission could because parents’ attention span to be growing evidence of schools muster up enough resources to the running of schools only lasts as offering incentives to woo parents.
10 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 MAKING MUSIC
More than 100 children took part in a Prep Schools’ Orchestra Day held at Dulwich Prep School, Cranbrook, for musicians from various local schools, whose playing standard was at Grade 3 or above. Schools represented were Marlborough House, Holmewood House, St Ronan’s and Darvel School, who all converged on Dulwich Prep’s John Leakey Hall to be briefed on the day ahead. Three pieces were to be rehearsed, with a performance to parents at the end of the day. Staff from all the participating schools took sectional rehearsals throughout the day, with instrumentalists from all schools practising together. The children worked incredibly hard and at the end of the day, the John Leakey Hall was filled with children and instruments for Wagner’s overture from The Mastersingers of Nuremburg and Bizet’s Farandole for full orchestra, as well as music from Pirates Of The Caribbean for strings and percussion. The audience of parents was really appreciative.
Calling all young musicians By John Tolputt
Brilliant young musicians often fill included Mark Shanahan and Peter of 11 upwards; the age range of the the soloist spotlight or lead the Donahoe. Patrick Doyle, who wrote courses is now 11 to 18. musical scene in their schools, but the scores for box office hits In my time as a non-musical may find it harder to find orchestral Gosforth Park, Harry Potter and The Head of The Purcell School I was experience with other talented Goblet of Fire, and Bridget Jones’ Diary, startled to find that musicians are players of their standard. And they takes an active part in the courses also human. NSSO recognises this. may not have had the unique and sponsors bursaries for Students return year after year to chance to live and work with their participants from maintained share in the experience of finding peers for a full week, sharing schools. new music, but also to have fun music, getting to know each other, Whilst there is no formal and make friends. rehearsing hard and ending their requirement for course members to The orchestra explores much of experience with a performance of have reached a particular grade in the major symphonic and concerto professional standard under a practical examinations, most repertoire. Care is taken to tailor celebrated conductor. members of the orchestra are the courses to the ability and needs The National Schools Symphony working at Grade 7 or above. of students in any particular year. Orchestra (NSSO) holds an annual Auditions take place at centres all Time with distinguished summer residential course, currently over the country. instrumental coaches is a strong at Millfield, but with plans to hold The original purpose of NSSO was part of the support during the the 2011 course in the Midlands. to allow members of the IAPS week, and confidence grows with The courses are infused with the orchestras (IAPSOT) to continue experience. spirit and inspiration of their their music making as they moved For further information visit the patrons, Patrick Doyle and Sir John on to senior schools. Following the website www.nsso.org Eliot Gardiner, and directed by demise of IAPSOT, NSSO has David Evans. Conductors have opened its doors to talented pupils The author is chairman of NSSO
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 11 TOWNSEND WARNER HISTORY PRIZE A chance to brush
Answer the following questions on Won the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 Who or what were the following? famous individuals in world history Married Philip of Spain in 1554 Druids Who was the ancient Greek thought Was executed in 1649 Beowulf to be the author of the Iliad and the Maiden Castle Match the Victorian writers to Odyssey? Book of Kells their books Wergild Who was the roman slave who led A Tale of Two Cities Fosse Way a rebellion in AD 73? Charles Dickens Princes in the Tower Who was the warlord who founded Notes on Nursing Auld Alliance the Mongol Empire in the 15th Arthur Conan Doyle Long Parliament Century? Through the Looking Glass Levellers Which Italian painted Mona Lisa? Rudyard Kipling Enclosure Who was the Austrian composer The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Jacobites who was composing and playing by Lewis Carroll Quakers the age of six and by the time of his Tolpuddle Martyrs The Jungle Book early death had composed more Fenians Florence Nightingale than 600 works? Old Contemptibles Answer the following questions Who was the Russian ruler who Ultra Secret on military history founded a capital city on the Baltic NATO 300 years ago? Which of three battles of 1066 Who was the inventor of dynamite came between those fought at who also established prizes in his Fulford and Hastings? own name? What happened at the Battle of Who was the Russian Communist Halidon Hill in 1333? leader who was murdered in Flowers of the Forest is a bagpipe tune Mexico in 1940? often played at military funerals but was supposedly written to lament Which English ruler? the death of the King of Scotland Was the youngest son of William and thousands of his men at which the Conqueror and seized the 16th century battle? throne in 1100 In which war were the battles of Was known as Coeur de Lion Edgehill, Newbury and Lostwithiel? Died in 1216 In which battle of 1685 was the Was defeated by the Scots at the Duke of Monmouth defeated by the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 forces of his uncle, James II? Explain what happened on Was king at the time of the Which year, in the 1750s, was these dates? Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 known as the Year of Victories 15 June 1215 because of British military success 18 June 1815 at Quebec, Minden, Lagos and 25 October 1854 Quiberon Bay? 6 June 1944 What happened at the Battle of 22 November 1963 Yorktown in 1781? 21 July 1969 What hardwearing footwear was Answer the following questions named after a famous British on the history of London general? What was traditionally sold at In which battle in South Africa in Billingsgate Market? 1879 were 11 Victoria Crosses What was the name of the coffee awarded? house, started in the late 1690s, What, in World War One, was the which became a meeting place for codename of the Trench Crossing sailors, merchants and insurance Machine? brokers?
12 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 TOWNSEND WARNER HISTORY PRIZE up on your history
What was founded in 1694 to lend because it distracted young men money to the English Government? from archery practice. What game What was Britain’s main industry was it? and primary export before 1800 and Complete the following rhyme was based in East Anglia, the West about the wives of Henry VIII: Country and parts of Yorkshire? divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, What form of transport had a beheaded… network of more than 2,000 miles Which was the last of the original 13 by 1830, but became uneconomic colonies in America to be founded, with the arrival of the railways? named after the British king who Which English city was the centre granted its charter in 1732? of the cotton industry in the 19th What has been seen by century? astronomers since at least 240BC, “Is it not strange to think that they was recorded on the Bayeux who ought to be considered as the What was designed by Brunel and Tapestry and named after an 18th most learned and civilised people in was the largest vessel afloat when century British scientist? the world that they should carry on launched in 1843? th traffic of the most barbarous What structure, completed in 1890, Which early 19 century British poet cruelty and injustice.” What traffic was the world’s first major steel was once famously described as was the author of these words in bridge? “mad, bad and dangerous to know”. 1787 referring to? What natural resource was found Vauxhall, Waterloo and Southwark under the North Sea from the 1960s were the names given to what onwards? similar constructions by John Answer the following questions Rennie between 1810 and 1820? Which is the only one of the Seven What was the Great Stink of 1858? Wonders of the World still largely For what were the following famous? intact? Cassivellaunus What is the modern name for the Thomas Becket Roman town of Verulamium? Geoffrey Chaucer Who was the first Archbishop of John Cabot Canterbury? William Kidd What was founded by St Columba Abraham Darby III in the 6th century, became a centre Matthew Boulton of Christian learning before being Edward Jenner destroyed by the Vikings in the 9th Sir Humphrey Davy century? For wearing what was James Michael Faraday Hetherington arrested in London in Sir Walter Scott Who was adopted as the patron 1797 and charged with wearing a Lord Palmerston saint of England and is “tall structure of shining lustre and Alexander Bell commemorated each year on 23 calculated to disturb timid people”? Edith Cavell April? Amy Johnson Which community was massacred What was sold to the British Bomber Harris in York in 1170, expelled from Government in 1816 by Lord Elgin, Margaret Thatcher England by Edward I and allowed to placed in the British Museum and is now wanted back by Greece? Answer the following questions return by Oliver Cromwell in 1656? on Britain’s economic and The first known British reference to What was the secret World War industrial history this game was in 1457 when the Two project known as Operation Which part of Britain was the most Scottish Parliament regretted its Piano? important centre for mining? popularity, along with football What type of history is genealogy?
Now check your general knowledge See page 28
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 13 TOWNSEND WARNER REPORT From Quakers to Quacks via a bar of chocolate
ore than 700 candidates Shrewsbury House, and Benedict leader of Bomber Command for Mtackled Paper One in the George, The Hall. much of the Second World War. Townsend-Warner History Prize this King’s College Junior School, As usual, whether intentionally year, with the very early date Wimbledon, had the strongest or not, the scripts contained some causing problems for some schools: school representation but there amusing answers. One script, not next year, the date of the paper will were also strong entries from St entirely wrongly, linked Quakers to be a little later. Many candidates Paul’s Preparatory School, King’s Cadbury; inevitably others wrote made a fine start, with some College School, Cambridge, porridge, while one candidate achieving nearly perfect scores over Shrewsbury House and Twyford, thought they were fake doctors. I the first three questions. Thereafter, with Quainton Hall and The Hall also had some sympathy with the some found the paper rather hard. also doing well. answer on the 17th century radical Coming first this year, and by a After the relative ease of the group, the Levellers, which claimed considerable margin, was William opening questions, there were more that they took part in the Highland Drake from King’s College School, difficulties. Not many identified Clearances. Cambridge. His paper was an 1759 as the ‘year of victories’; My thanks, as ever, go to all who excellent one, wergild tended to be confused with continue to pass on the Congratulations too to three Danegeld; fish was the answer to fascination of history in all its runners-up, Jack Hagger and the Billingsgate Market question forms to those they teach. In a William Monaghan, both from and there were, understandably, crowded syllabus and under King’s College Junior School, many offerings of Starbucks instead pressure of examinations, that Wimbledon, and Sam Watling, of Lloyd’s. Not many identified cannot be easy. Yet it remains Brighton College Junior School. William Kidd as a pirate; 18th abundantly clear from many of Completing the elite list of those century industrialists, Darby and the scripts that there is who reached the 70 mark were Boulton, were not well known, but enthusiasm, as well as knowledge, Joshua Williams, Dumpton School, scientists Jenner and Faraday were; in the work of the next generation. Alexander Spacey, Boundary Oak Sir Walter Scott was often muddled School, Joseph Flannery-Sutherland, with Captain Robert Scott and not Hugh Thompson Woodcote House, Sebastian Clark, many recognised Harris as the Harrow School
Between 2nd January and 11th Try to get interview practice with February, when this was written, I family, then friends, and later with wrote 108 letters, received 75 very friends who are also looking for a Redundancy at 58 is hardly to be pleasant replies, two interviews and job. Decide what you want and tell welcomed, particularly after a ten- everybody that you are looking. The year deputy headship, but some one job offer, which I was delighted headship interview transpired things have to be faced. I have to accept. Last year I wrote 70 letters, because one Head, having received already greatly enjoyed one received 50 replies and three offers. two of my letters within ten maternity leave as acting head of It helps to have supportive family months, invited me to visit his French at Lancing Prep (Hove) and and friends, along with others in school and told me about the local am shortly to be acting head of the same position, to empathise headship that was on offer. I had religious studies at Dulwich Prep, and keep each other going. I have somehow missed it. My new Cranbrook. This is after declining an stayed close to two other friends position came about because my interview for a headship in Surrey. from choir over the last year and future employer encouraged me to For others who find themselves we have all got the jobs we wanted apply for a position that had only in the irksome start position on and shall have a beer before Easter. recently been advertised. this trail, I share my way through. Self help books: What Color Is Your Is the future certain? Not a bit of Buy a copy of the Independent Parachute? (Richard Nelson Bolles it, but one starts to build a web of Schools Yearbook and write a decent –Ten Speed Press- ISBN 0-89815- very decent and supportive letter with a relevant CV to all 568-1); And a Good Job Too (David contacts who will, I have found out, prep schools within 90 minutes of Mackintosh- Orion- ISBN 1-85797- go to surprising lengths to help. your home. Enclose a stamped 248-1) both were obtainable from addressed envelope. Amazon in December of 2009. Rodney Smith
14 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 ENJOYING LITERATURE The pictures tell the story
Literary day at Bishop’s Stortford College Junior School
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 15 THE ENGLISH SCHOOL
Richard Tovey reports on an English governor abroad The school is indeed The English mission and are on two/three year School. As I am sure most of you contracts. So where most of us look Kuwait? will know there are schools around at our Year 8/6 leave in July, the the world that call themselves that Head in Kuwait has to replace his – or variations on that name – contract-end leavers as well as his You which hide behind the name of top leavers. being English/British etc but hardly Every year I shudder when I see have an English pupil or staff that there are more pupil leavers member in them. than I have in my whole school. what..? So great care has to be exercised Additionally, there are the staff to ensure that there is a very leavers – people whose husbands One of the greatest privileges a thorough selection process of have completed their contracts or head can have is to be invited to be pupils and an even more a governor of a colleague’s school. stringent process to ensure Hopefully it means that you have the entire staff is British, so something to offer them and if you that the school’s name is do your job it should be not only a genuine. The head has to bonus to the school, but also a huge be meticulous: American benefit to your own school. and Australian staff have Most governing bodies are full of to be disappointed very wise people, who sometimes otherwise it is not an can be of enormous benefit to your English school – a much own school. We all need the benefit sought after commodity. It of a critical friend and I believe we is a point of huge pride to all should have a fellow prep school all of us involved that, over head on our own board. For my part the last seven years, I have been greatly privileged, over numbers have risen from the years, to be a governor of several around 150 in 2003 (just schools, but what an education for after the second Gulf War) me to be involved with TES, The to 603 in January 2010. English School, Kuwait. There are many other All businesses in Kuwait have to challenges. First, it must be be owned by a Kuwaiti. The school remembered that very is most fortunate that its Kuwaiti many people who go to sponsor is not only an enthusiastic Kuwait are involved in the supporter but is also in the oil/gas industry, business on a not-for-profit basis, a construction, financial huge bonus. services or the military
16 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 THE ENGLISH SCHOOL
who have come to the end of their own contract and are moving on. With such a high turnover of both pupils and staff it can be seen how critical it is to have very clear policies and procedures – for example, schemes of work and to be very highly organised. The English School is very proud of its IAPS membership, which, of course, means the school is inspected. It is also a leading member of the BSME (British Schools in the Middle East) a rapidly expanding organisation of some 70 top schools in that part of the world catering for some 60,000 students and 5000 teachers. The curriculum is largely that of an English school but Arabic has to be taught and everything has to be validated by the Kuwait Ministry of Education. Nothing contrary to Islam may be undertaken by the turned down by the Ministry. So for All this said, John Allcott and his school: every single book that those of us feeling sorry for team run a fabulous school. It is enters the school has to be checked ourselves because of over- always a huge pleasure to visit and edited accordingly, with words, regulation, spare a thought for them when I am able to attend phrases, sentences and pictures colleagues who cope with this governors’ meetings and be the blanked out if they are not suitable. difficulty all the time as part of physical link between them, what Indeed the school employs two their right to exist. Finally, security is happening on the UK education members of staff to cope with this is a major concern. Great care is front and IAPS. Keep up the great exercise alone. taken, in a most sensitive fashion, work, John. Every school assembly, school to ensure the safety of the children, play, school outing has to be staff and parents in this potentially The author is head of Tockington Manor validated and they are sometimes unstable part of the world. School and former IAPS chairman
All systems go in Kenya By Michael Dixon
s more and more Kenya Heads Learning), Diana Watkins in her role Peponi House and Braeburn, Ahave become fully-fledged as Chairman of IAPS and Jenny Nairobi. members of IAPS and having Moseley (Circle Time), to name but The training day was held in the formed their own IAPS district, they a few. traditional Kentmere Country Club knew that there were many To continue our professional and focused on regulatory advantages to being party to the development commitment, we felt compliance with a Kenyan association. Having the IAPS it would be appropriate to invite an perspective. We were all put kitemark was a clear indicator to active head to run some training for through our paces with a range of the parents of pupils within their all nine IAPS heads and the two activities aimed at ensuring we all schools that there were strong awaiting election. Given that our thought critically about our similarities between the British focus has moved on to inspection, schools; she even had us carrying prep schools and what was going we invited Penny Kirk, Headmistress out work scrutiny on a sample of on in the Kenyan prep schools. at Prince’s Mead, Winchester, to run Year 2 and Year 6 work. In addition, there are a workshop on inspection. I met her It is this commitment and support opportunities for training and staff when I first joined the council and it by fellow members of the association development. Since the district was was clear that her experiences as an to share good practice that has made formed 18 months ago, many ISI team inspector would be of great our membership so vital. visitors have received a warm value to us. welcome in Kenya; Graham Nunn During her stay she visited The The author is Head of and Fiona Williams (Assessment for Banda, Kenton College, Brookhouse, The Banda School, Nairobi.
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 17 CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY How to get the best out of IT
in as-new condition for as little as which they are unfamiliar. Heads of By Dominic Price, half price. Although you have to do departments are also relied upon to ICT manager of a bit of research to find these, it is stay up-to-date with the latest Summer Fields hard to go wrong as they typically technologies so they can advise School still include a three-year warranty. their staff on best practice. The use of technology at Summer ICT equipment includes Fields has been built up gradually; interactive Whiteboards, visualisers, en years ago, the IT sector in most teachers were first supplied data-loggers and different types of Tindependent schools was not with laptops and we acquired software, to name but a few, but being addressed at all. Many interactive Whiteboards in every something that has really had an teachers felt anxious about using classroom. Only then did I start to effect on the boys at Summer Fields technology or introducing new explore more advanced technology is software that enables games- equipment into their classrooms. or software to complement what based learning, such as Kar2ouche Some merely lacked the skills we had already installed. from Immersive Education. All too required to use ICT in school and Once schools have purchased often interactive Whiteboards are did not have time for outside ICT, training teachers on how to used as little more than projectors, training, or even fully understand but software like this puts the the need for technology in the interactive into interactive first place. Whiteboard. Many schools have come a long Used across the curriculum, way since then and the Summer pupils compose role-plays, Fields staff are now well equipped storyboards, movies and and up-to-date with new animations on screen, using drag technologies and practices to and drop commands. The reaction ensure our children get the most from the boys to software like this out of their learning. is a good example of how ICT can As IT manager and teacher, I have a positive effect on pupils. have taken a number of steps over Many genuinely perceive it as a the years in order to develop the game, as they do with some touch- use of ICT in school, and build typing software. At lunchtimes, I confidence amongst staff in using have boys coming up to me asking: technology with their pupils. “Sir, can I please play that game?” It Technology is now as much a part is refreshing that they are referring of a child’s life as a book, adding yet to educational software, without another dimension to education, even knowing it. In the same way, improving motivation and boys are learning without even encouraging creativity. thinking about it. With all the fantastic ICT We’ve had examples of pupils equipment on offer, including who, in their spare time, will take quirky gadgets and flashy tools, it is use it even in a basic setting an office tool such as PowerPoint difficult not to get carried away cannot be ignored. A common and create their own interactive with spending. Taking time over consequence of no training is maze for others to play on. It is buying decisions will help ensure equipment being left in the corner wonderful how creative they can the right technology for the school’s of a classroom unused. As a key be, and how they can take control needs. Schools are naturally trainer for a UK-wide educational of their own learning. cautious about budget and while learning incentive, there was little So what advice would I offer to Summer Fields’ numbers have difficulty in providing appropriate other schools looking to develop stayed constant, I have had to be training for the staff at Summer their ICT further? Talk to other aware of sensible spending. Fields. In this way, teachers were people – how are they doing it well, There are many money saving encouraged to make use of the what are they finding successful for tips around but one I have found equipment available. their school? most useful is that of buying We routinely carry out ICT Boarding schools are perfectly graded products. Some companies training in staff INSETs and brush- placed to take ICT use to the offer products that have been sent up sessions are available for those highest level – it just takes a little back to them, for various reasons, who might like to revisit areas with planning and direction.
18 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 PREP SCHOOLS IN BOOKS Where fiction is stranger than fact… By Robert Kirkpatrick
rep schools, with their enclosed gathered together in book form in first prep school story to feature a Penvironments, rituals, rules and 1949 and 1962. crime was Arthur Conan Doyle’s traditions, are ideal settings for However, as Vyvyen Brendon’s The Adventure of the Priory School, fiction. Indeed, prep schools have recent book vividly demonstrates, which centred on the featured in fiction since the late 19th prep schools were not always filled disappearance of a boy from his century, although it wasn’t until with laughter. They could be harsh, school, and which first appeared in Anthony Buckeridge began miserable places where boys were the American magazine Collier’s portraying the adventures of J C T homesick, bullied, and mistreated Weekly in January 1904. Jennings on the BBC’s Children’s by uncaring and unqualified staff, This was followed by P G Hour in October 1948 that prep and with little in the way of home Wodehouse’s The Little Nugget school stories began reaching a comforts. Not surprisingly, this (1913), which centred on an wide audience. found expression in a number of attempt to kidnap an obnoxious To begin with, prep school fiction novels in which former pupils set American pupil from an English was aimed, not surprisingly out to exorcise the demons of their prep school. Other notable prep perhaps, at young children. An early prep school days – novels such as school crime novels include R example was George Mills’ Meredith Stephen Spender’s The Backward Son Macnaughtan’s The Preparatory and Co, first published in 1933 and (1940, based on his experiences at School Murder (1934), Nicholas reprinted in 1950 and 1957. These Charlcote School in Worthing), Blake’s A Question of Proof (1935), Q reprints were presumably cashing Philip Toynbee’s A School in Private Patrick’s Death Goes to School (1936), in on the popularity of Jennings, (1941, based on his experiences at Rupert Penny’s Sweet Poison (1940), whose first appearance in book the Dragon School) and J T C Leo Bruce’s Death at St Asprey’s form (Jennings Goes to School) was 60 Pember’s Not Me, Sir (1942). School (1967), and Colin Howard’s years ago this year. While these novels focused on Killing No Murder (1972). Indeed, it would seem that the child, others turned the This should not, of course, lead to Anthony Buckeridge kick-started a spotlight onto the staff, some of the conclusion that prep school new literary tradition – his comic whom found living in a prep school fiction is all doom, gloom and tales (which were to run to 24 titles, as problematic as it was for the sudden death. Plenty of authors the last appearing in 1994) were pupils. Again, authors often drew have painted more authentic and swiftly followed by John and on their own experiences for their more rounded pictures, although Barbara Bower (writing as “Klaxon”) raw material, examples being Keith ironically in recent years the setting with Aloysius Let Loose (1950) and Winter’s The Rats of Norway (1932) has often been the 1950s – for Donald Gilchrist with Young Seeley- and L A G Strong’s The Last Enemy example, Tim Heald’s Class Bohn (1956 – although this was (1936, based partly on Distinctions (1984), Michael adapted from a more adult-oriented Summerfields). Morpurgo’s The War of Jenkins’ Ear book, Seeley-Bohn at School, A third focus has been the school (1993), and Simon Watson’s A Storm published in 1939), and Janet itself, often portrayed as being in of Cherries (2006). McNeill’s Specs McCann stories decline or ripe for takeover – this A handful of more modern novels (1955-61), which added a hint of the sub-genre includes Hester have cast a slightly more cynical supernatural to the gentle comedy Chapman’s Long Division (1943), and satirical eye over prep school of everyday school life. Simon Raven’s Close of Play (1962), life – Tony Hanania’s Homesick and The 1950s was also the era of the Robert Liddell’s The Deep End (1968), Simon Sebag Montefiore’s My Affair anarchic Molesworth sketches, Pamela Hansford Johnson’s The With Stalin (both 1997), and James written by Geoffrey Willans and Honours Board (1970), and William Mitchell’s Top of the World (2006). illustrated by Ronald Searle, which Gilmour’s Drummonds (1968 – based And, most recently, in The Owl and originated in Punch and which on a London Weekend Television his Boy (2009), C J B Robinson has featured in four books between series). produced an enigmatic and 1953 and 1958; and also of the Prep schools, like country houses, metaphysical examination of life, bumbling prep school master A.J. have proved to be excellent settings religion, morals and philosophy in a Wentworth, B.A., created by H F Ellis for crime fiction, which is, I prep school setting. Quite clearly, and whose comic escapades again suppose, the one area where fiction prep schools remain a potent focus originated in Punch, before being really does part from reality. The for thought-provoking fiction.
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 19 NEWS UPDATE
Even though pupils at Plymouth College Preparatory School met the Dalek’s demands to donate money to the Haiti appeal, headmaster Chris Gatherer still ended up being exterminated. The surprise visit by Dr Who’s arch- enemy was the school’s third activity to raise money for the Haiti appeal, which now stands at more than £850. Nearly £550 was raised to save Mr Gatherer from a fate worse than death, although pupils did have the incentive of having their photos taken with the Dalek as well. However the Dalek, aka Rev Karl Freeman of St Emmanuel Church, showed no mercy and decided to exterminate Mr Gatherer anyway, much to the delight of the children.
Yarrells Prep School, Upton, welcomed Ad Astra First School for the first meeting of what is hoped to be an ongoing partnership. Pupils from the two schools shared their ideas about eco projects. Pupils at Yarrells wanted to share their knowledge and skills at building a greenhouse made from recycled plastic bottles and Ad Astra representatives were keen to explain the care and benefits of keeping a wormery. Everybody got their hands dirty sowing broad beans, garlic and peas ready for early planting in their school gardens next spring. Many ideas and tips on how to make their respective schools as eco friendly as possible were discussed throughout the afternoon. Ad Astra School has already received an environmental award from Poole Borough Council for the work going on there, whilst Yarrells School have the silver award from Eco-Schools.
20 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 NEWS UPDATE
Former pupils of Windlesham a school set up for a dozen or so The chapel also plays a major House School, Washington, West pupils on the Isle of Wight in 1826. part in the school’s history. Sussex, are celebrating the 100th It was bought by the Malden family Originally located in Oxford and birthday of The Windlesham House in 1837, initially for the children of due to be demolished in 1896, the Association, which began at a naval officers, and was moved to Maldens saved the building and dinner held at the school in 1910 Brighton in 1837. In 1913, the transported it to Brighton; it has (which was then based in Brighton). school moved to Portslade and to moved with the school each time The dinner was chaired by Alfred its present site in 1934. and is now in its fourth home in Scot who had for many years been The Maldens are central to the Washington. the school doctor; it is only in the history of Windlesham House, with The Windlesham House last few years that the last of his five generations involved from 1837 Association will be marking its great-grandchildren left the school. to 1994. Charles and Elizabeth Ann centenary year with a reunion on The oldest former pupil with whom Malden were the joint Heads from Sunday 4 July as part of a the school is currently in touch is 1957 to 1994 and their eldest spectacular festival weekend called aged 95, having left in 1927. daughter, Lucinda, became chair of Odyssey. For more information, visit Windlesham House originates from governors in 2009. the website: www.odyssey10.com.
The senior girls at Seaton House All the pupils at The Hawthorns School were visited by Hamlet, School, a coeducational prep school in Prince of Denmark, brought Bletchingley, Surrey, have been able to vividly to life by The Young get their hands on real samples of Shakespeare Company. Using moon rocks collected by the NASA only a narrator and four Young Apollo space missions in the 1960s Shakespeare Company actors, and 1970s. They studied them using this gripping and often microscopes and identified exactly gruesome family drama was where on the moon they were performed among the children. from. Some of the samples date back During the production, the girls to more than 4000 million years ago. became actively involved They have also handled meteorites through performance and collected from all over the globe, language, and were encouraged including several from the deserts of to explore the motives, thoughts Australia. The children have described and feelings of the characters. it as ‘amazing’ and ‘really cool’.
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 21 USING IMAGINATION
A touch of creativity By Denise Cripps
reativity in the curriculum is a the internet. However, not all of it is Chot topic of discussion – should good quality and doing a quick independent schools deliver a search on Google doesn’t always creative curriculum to their pick up the best material. classroom? Prep schools tend to get For teachers worried about the creative with their younger pupils, quality of resources they provide to but for the upper half of the school, their pupils, it is best to pick a safe exams and assessments can take and secure website run by a well- over and focused academic known educational supplier. A teaching is often preferred over library of cross-curricular resources creative practice. is useful to dip in and out of, and For those schools looking to these need not be expensive – yearly implement more creativity, it can subscriptions can be as little as £20 be daunting for some teachers to to some websites and you even get know just where to begin. In a supplementary material, such as broad sense, creativity is all about a magazines, through the post. cross-curricular way of teaching. It Web resources and magazine is about moving away from a subscriptions are useful for traditional approach to lessons and teachers in an under-resourced putting an emphasis on learner-led school, those in training, or those teaching and skill development. who like to work independently Creativity involves problem-solving for example, to be creative means collating their own resources across a particular theme, for new ideas count, and mistakes are suitable to their needs. Teachers example, and encouraging children crucial feedback; whereas to be at can access materials from to think for themselves and be school means perfected skills count anywhere at any time, and can analytical. It also gives teachers the and mistakes are punished in the download the ones they want and opportunity to respond to pupils’ form of lower grades. store them on their desktop, or own interests and provide a real life Many teachers are daunted by their school learning platform. opportunity for learning. the prospect of creating an In this way, the teacher can Realistically, the amount of environment in which pupils feel differentiate between learners and information we can pass on to safe to take risks and get things it allows for personalised learning. pupils in the time they are at wrong. It can be tough for teachers Although many resources are now school is very limited. Conversely, knowing they have to deliver moving online, paper-based access to all kinds of information lessons and also be creative at the materials that you can hold, touch has become incredibly easy. same time; they often assume they and put up in the classroom are Therefore, it is not what we teach will have to spend more time equally valuable, and again can be that matters so much as making planning lessons and even creating accessed at any time. sure pupils know how to learn and the resources themselves. However, Materials that are constantly be flexible in the way they think. this is not necessarily the case. updated make responding to pupils’ Whether traditionalists or not, For prep school teachers, the interests and bringing a common teachers shouldn’t feel daunted by issue isn’t so much with acquiring experience into the classroom easy. the right tools to encourage the prospect of creativity in the For example, a recent popular creativity, but more to do with curriculum. search engine topic was snow. The assessment and the more Making use of good resources is topic of snow can be related to a immediate academic needs of key – there are lots of high quality number of subjects. pupils. A main aim for teachers is resources within an expansive It is unfair to put pressure on to get children to a good structure of paper-based materials teachers to be great authors as well independent secondary school, and and ICT. However many are aligned as great teachers. High-quality having found success with to the National Curriculum. educational resources can really traditional methods in the past, For prep schools who do not use help them make that step towards many can be wary of switching to a the National Curriculum, or see it creativity in the classroom. more creative outlook. as a constraint, teachers can pick In fact, you could argue that and choose what is relevant to their The author is managing director of creativity and the values that exist at teaching. There is also a lot of good Scholastic’s Child Education PLUS. school widely contradict each other – content, such as lesson plans, on www.scholastic.co.uk/childed.
22 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 NEWS UPDATE
Ten pupils from Windlesham House School in Washington are to experience the trip of a lifetime having been selected to visit India later this year. They will visit education projects and hand over fundraising following the school’s efforts during its World Awareness Week in January. Windlesham last sent out a group in 2008 to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia where they spent a week delivering creative activities for the children and young people in the slums.
Author and historian Stewart Ross, who has published more than 250 books, shared some of his writing secrets with the children at Brentwood Prep School. All Year 5 children were involved in the writing workshops, which focused on planning and creating an imaginative historical story. The children enjoyed the opportunity of working with Mr Ross and have produced some excellent pieces of historical creative writing in classes this week. They also took part in an assembly, showing some of the work they had created to the rest of the school. Stewart Ross particularly enjoys writing books based on real his- torical characters. The History Channel and the Eden Project have commissioned some of his books and he has recently written Moon - the Ultimate Guide to our Nearest Neighbour to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing.
Pupils from Yarrells Prep School, Dorset, enjoyed an outstanding series of work- shops led by The Angel Exit Company. The company, which was formed in Dublin and Paris, and is now resident in Dorset, came to the Lighthouse Arts Centre to present a highly imaginative and engrossing production based on the home-grown Dorset tale of smugglers and treasure in the 19th century, Moonfleet.
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 23 NEWS UPDATE
Vinehall School in East Sussex has Vinehall School has started to serve school community to grow produce made healthy and climate-friendly seasonal school meals with 75% of to be harvested and cooked in the food part of its pupils’ everyday the dishes being freshly prepared school kitchens. The Food for Life lives by achieving the Food for Life by chef, Ian Barnes. Pupils and Partnership is a network of schools Partnership Bronze Award, the first parents are involved in planning and communities across England independent school in the country improvements to school menus committed to transforming food to do so. Vinehall School works with and the dining experience. Every culture and reconnecting young the Food for Life Partnership to pupil has the opportunity to visit a people with farms and inspiring transform its food culture and that farm and do cooking and food families to cook and grow food. of its community by reconnecting growing activities during his or her The initiative is funded by the Big the children with growing, cooking, time at school. Lottery Fund and led by the Soil eating and appreciating climate- Parents recently donated 15 fruit Association, bringing together the friendly, healthy and real food. trees to be grown in the school practical expertise of the Focus on In its quest to achieve the Food orchard and four raised planters, Food Campaign, Garden Organic for Life Partnership Bronze Award, which will be used across the whole and the Health Education Trust.
Hotfoot from making his UK début at the Wigmore Hall, Stephen Beus, the exciting and engaging 28-year-old American pianist, treated the audience at Beechwood Park School, Markyate, to a spellbinding recital. The programme for the concert, which was supported by Harpenden Building Society, included performances of Bach/Liszt’s Prelude and Fugue in A Minor and Mendelssohn’s Sonata in E Major, Op. 6. In Beechwood Park’s Great Hall, which took on the intimate feel of a salon for the evening, the second half featured riveting renditions of Griffe’s The White Peacock and The Night Winds and Samuel Barber’s Sonata in E-flat Minor, Op.26. Reluctant to let him go, the audience’s continuing applause induced Beus back to the piano for an exhilarating encore of Liszt’s La Campanella. The school’s head boy, Christopher Titcomb, presented Stephen Beus with a bottle of specially created cologne by John Bailey, founder of The Perfumers Guild. He explained: “Analogies have been drawn between the arts of perfumery and music … the Stephen Beus Cologne is a perfumery composition inspired by his spirited performances as a pianist and to commemorate his début UK recitals.”
24 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 PREP SCHOOL DIARY
Whilst Insider is disappointed to learn 01603 612914) as they are that this will be his final column... his packed with splendid review reader will no doubt be delighted. copies of books that grace school and class libraries. The It would be unfair to let the occasion latest contains booklets from pass without mention of David Leafe, the Stories to Remember series erstwhile Treasurer of IAPS, staunch (three: one each on Sikh, supporter of Prep School and good Hindu and Christian tales) and friend. It would appear that he has two on Places of Worship (these swapped the rarefied atmosphere of concern the Church and the Leamington Spa for the rarefied Synagogue). They are useful atmosphere of rare breeds and Insider, and simple and quite conclusively that it is about… no, for one, wishes him well. brilliantly add to the collection for you must read it for yourself. RE. As does Mary Stone and Jill One of Insider’s staunchest allies has Brennan’s See RE, which contains An adventure for Insider is the cross been Nicholas Aldridge of Summer lesson plans and other resources on channel ferry and a couple of weeks Fields, Oxford. Bombarding your 12 stories, six Jesus told and six in France. For a former member of correspondent with such delights as about Jesus. The short introduction staff at Walhampton, Brian Sennitt, Latin hymns, cricket almanacs and gives help for the non-specialist and it is far further afield and with the undiscovered treasures such as Simon the volume should be particularly aim, not simply of quaffing the local Watson’s Storm of Cherries, (as well as useful for those pressed into service grape juice, but cataloguing the at the last minute ... as well as the his own masterful memoir of Geoffrey local flora and fauna. Brian’s expert. It is designed for children Bolton) he has published another proposed book, soon to be aged 7–11. scholarly, but this time short, work of published, of The Plants of Jiuzhaigou, note. Henry Holliday’s stained glass is looks fascinating and can be If the rumour is to be believed, one wonderful and worthy of being sponsored by sending donations to of the contributors to this edition is mentioned in the same breath as that Mrs Elizabeth Meynell at 39 King’s Insider’s old chum, Robert of Burne-Jones and William Morris (as it Avenue, Bromley BR1 4HL. was recently by the Royal Mail). The Kirkpatrick. There are many of us who remain rooted to school stories Chapel at Summer Fields has a fine Insider has many happy memories of but there are none with as an example of his work in its East Window his time helping out at SATIPS, none encyclopaedic knowledge of the and this has now been joined by a West more so than sitting in the drawing genre as Robert. If you think you Window, rescued by the school from a room at Newton planning a remember a tale from your youth Sussex Church. Nick, the school’s magazine to be produced jointly with but can’t remember details such as archivist, has written a short booklet, IAPS. PSR and News and Views title, author or storyline, he is your illustrated by superb photographs from combined to produce Prep School, man. He produces, twice a year, a Dominic Price, which is available from truly aimed at the common room. It catalogue that is worth reading for the school at the giveaway price of £3 is sad that this is to be the last itself. He can be reached at: (or £5 for two). edition as all those who have [email protected]. comprised the JEB over the years, One of the current Editor’s first those lovely John Catt people and the Has Kirkpatrick spotted Skippy Dies quandaries was whether to include splendid editors, Anne Kiggell and by Paul Murray (Hamish Hamilton obituaries in Prep School or not. He David Tytler, have all worked so hard £18.99)? Insider has not yet read this decided to do so and the first to appear, to produce something that has been large tome, currently resting beside to Insider’s great delight, was that of a both informative and entertaining. former colleague, Malcolm Boyden. As his bed, but the reviews talk of a dark comedy, supernatural this edition goes to press it is sad to As Insider disappears into the ether, overtones and a group of boarding- report that Malcolm’s widow, Ann, has it is appropriate that his final school boys: as if this isn’t enough just died and her recent service of mention is of an early stalwart of it is all ‘interwoven with the thanksgiving reminded us all what a SATIPS, John Maflin, who has hapless romantic adventures of an good family this was and what written his memoirs (The Faith of a emotionally inadequate history wonderful role models Malcolm and Fool, available from Andrew Davis at master’. The Sunday Times review Ann were, not only for their splendid [email protected]). A mix of school mentions the deconstruction of a (and now very grown-up) children, but history and Christian Science that Robert Frost poem that proves also the many they taught at Caldicott Insider will enjoy once he becomes and before. They will be much missed. used to the extra 25 minutes a term Insider can no he will now have. Insider will miss the regular longer be reached packages from Norwich Books (tel: Shall we stagger?
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 25 CONTEMPORARY ART
Having designs on modern B
orking closely with a group of enquiry, which began with a trip to production and were able to visit WYear 8 children from Roche Court Sculpture Park, James’ workspace throughout the Tockington Manor School, Bristol- Salisbury. Roche Court Arts Centre day. They were genuinely excited to based artist James Jones enabled boasts some stunning examples of see their design emerge and the students to expand their both current and past works from instigated intuitive discussions with knowledge of contemporary British the most influential British artists James, making the most of his visit sculpture and kick off their of the 20th and 21st centuries. The and gaining some insight into the introduction to current artistic students were able to draw on MIG welding process he uses. practice within the local art these inspirational works of art to Whilst James set about making community. produce their designs for James’ his piece, the young artists were Together they have been on a sculpture. The students were active also active participants. Alongside journey of investigation and participants in the sculpture James, they worked busily
26 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 CONTEMPORARY ART
British sculpture By Chablis May
throughout the day to bring their He said: “Working with the pupils technique to the Year 8 pupils and Roche Court inspired sculptures to of Tockington Manor was a very also to answer questions about my life and play host to the hoards of rewarding experience. At Roche work and sculpture in general from Tockington students who came, Court Sculpture Park they were full the pupils and staff.” throughout the day, to investigate of enthusiasm for the sculptures on The collaboration was a vital both sets of artist work spaces. The display showing a great deal of opportunity for the students to Year 8 pupils were able to guide insight into the thinking behind receive their induction into the their peers through the thought many of the sculptures. Having the alchemy of sculpture. It has placed processes and techniques involved, opportunity to build the sculpture the students at the cutting-edge of sharing their knowledge and within the school grounds was the contemporary art world whilst putting into context the origins of fantastic, as it allowed me a rare hoping to instil a vested interest in James’ sculpture. chance to demonstrate the welding art for years to come.
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 27 SATIPS JUNIOR CHALLENGE Try your hand at the tou
How many toes, in total, does an What is the word used to describe African elephant have? an animal or plant that is both What is the name of the internet male and female? search engine launched recently What is the name of the policeman by Microsoft? in the Noddy stories? Who won the 2009 BBC Sports In the film, The Great Escape, what Personality of the Year award? names were given to the three Which music band won the Best escape tunnels? International Group category at the What is an infant whale called? 2009 Brit Awards? What do the British call the What gas is responsible for the vegetable that Americans and bubbles in fizzy drinks? Italians call zucchini? Who was the last emperor of China? Which Cornish village was, In which country is Mount Ararat, Which is the world’s deepest ocean? according to legend, the birthplace the mountain on which Noah’s Ark Who is the current Prime Minister of King Arthur? came to rest? of Israel? What make of car was used in the How many strings does a modern What are the three interlocking film Back to the Future? mandolin have? items in the logo of the Yamaha What is the national animal of Give one of the first names of J R R Corporation? Canada? Tolkien. What mythical beast has the body Which British actor plays the title In which country is the town of of a lion, the head of a man and character in the TV series House? the tail of a scorpion? Zagazig? In which UK country is the Royal What is the longest nerve in the What colour is the Teletubbies Mint? character La-La? human body? What type of creature is a Dulse is an edible type of what? What is geophagy the practice of boomslang? eating? What was the first name of William In which country was the ecological Shakespeare’s wife? In which US state is Cape Canaveral? group, Greenpeace, founded? Who runs the post office in the P is the chemical symbol for which What is the name of the most stories of Postman Pat? element? popularly attended concert venue Which is the smallest planet in our in the world (highest audience solar system? numbers per year)? What is the name of the fin on the In which century was the United back of a fish called? Nations founded? Name one of the US presidents Which European country started whose faces are carved into Mount the world wife-carrying Rushmore. championships? What is the common name for The oldest man in the Bible was solid carbon dioxide? also the grandfather of Noah. What How many tiles are there in a was his name? standard domino set? The radioactive isotope Americium Which website was founded by 241 is a component in which Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger? common household item? Which country was formerly known How many feet are there in a On which two continents is the as Siam? fathom? gerbil a native animal? What was the title of the first Which part of the human body has What is polyvinyl chloride more official James Bond film? the scientific name hallux? commonly known as? How many sides does a hendecagon How many tentacles/arms does a Which missionary doctor discovered have? squid have? the Victoria Falls in 1855?
28 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 SATIPS JUNIOR CHALLENGE ughest challenge to date
What is a bicycle with seats and Who was the first woman to win a British Landrace, Pietrain and pedals for two riders, one behind Nobel Prize? Tamworth are types of which the other, called? On 1st April 1957 the normally animal? In motoring what does BHP stand serious BBC TV news programme Before taking on the Euro, what for? Panorama convinced thousands of was one hundredth of a German What is the capital city of Scotland? English viewers that what type of Deutschmark called? food grew on trees? Who was the first British monarch In which year did the Channel to broadcast a Christmas message A spheksophobic fears which Tunnel between Britain and France to the nation? insects? open? What does the abbreviation IQ Which country was previously What would a meteorologist stand for? called Persia? measure in oktas? In George Orwell’s novel, Animal The Faroe Islands are an autonomous How many sides or points does Farm, what type of animal is province of which country? every snowflake have? Snowball? What is the name of the 1990s cult What is the most common gas in Which is the largest island in the Japanese electronic toy which is the earth’s atmosphere? Mediterranean? cared for as if it were a pet? Which acid is produced in the Who invented the jet engine? muscles during strenuous exercise? What is a funambulist? In which TV series did the actor Matt Smith make his debut on New Mount Godwin-Austen is better Year’s Day 2010? known by which name? What is the title of the song where Who composed the ballet music the chorus includes the lines, ‘It Swan Lake in 1876? stopped, short, never to go again, Who made the famous statement, ‘I when the old man died’? think, therefore I am’? In the original Star Trek what was In the human body, which gland Captain James Kirk’s middle name? secretes the hormone insulin? Charlotte Edwards led England’s What is the main ingredient of women to World Cup glory in guacamole? which sport in March 2009? Ichthyology is a branch of zoology concerning which creatures? The answers can be found on the Prep School website Which religious faith was founded In which country would you find by Guru Nanak Dev? Yellowstone National Park? Who was Henry VIII’s third wife? How many balls, including the Who was assassinated by Hugh white cue ball, are on a snooker de Morville, William de Tracy, table (before any are potted)? Reginald FitzUrse and Richard le How many stars are on the flag of Breton in 1170? the European Union? Which is the lightest element in the Which Scottish athlete refused to Periodic Table? run on a Sunday at the 1924 Paris In which decade did the last Olympic Games and whose story execution by hanging take place in was told in the film Chariots of Fire? Britain? James Earl Ray was arrested at Which country, with a coast, has the Heathrow airport in 1968 and shortest coastline? subsequently convicted of whose Who was the ‘father of medicine’, assassination? to whom a code of medical Barack Obama’s best selling book is ethics is attributed and which called The Audacity of ... what? bears his name?
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 29 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT You coach your teams, why not your managers? By John Charnock
golden age, which started in the businesses: they focus on training story – it needs life breathing into it. Alate 1960s as the post war their people on the technical So let’s look at bringing out and deprivations melted away, is fast aspects of their jobs (the what), and developing the how: you coach your being consigned to history: easy to whilst much of that training is first XI and first XV, why not your find jobs, plenty of good prospects excellent, it’s only part of the story, senior people? for graduates and final-salary and at least as important is how it Coaching is a well used and pension schemes have all but is applied in school. respected technique in the disappeared. I believe that the To illustrate the what and the commercial world where business challenges independent schools how, let’s think about what makes a leaders and senior managers get face now may well become good doctor: I suggest that what help – usually 1:1 – to improve their business as usual for us when the sets the good doctor apart is their effectiveness and learn to handle current recession recedes. bedside manner; empathy and situations where they feel less The last two decades have seen communication skills and their comfortable. parents with money to spend on technical knowledge are taken for Coaching is not telling others private education, which, coupled granted. The same applies for the what to do, rather it’s a way of with patchy provision of good state inspirational teacher. developing the individual by education, delivered a benign In the school situation, most of making them more aware of the environment for independent those in management positions are impact they have on people by schools. But the recession is qualified teachers promoted from what they say and how they say it. leading to falling school rolls for the classroom, who were trained to Helping them understand their many and the unfortunate stand at the front of a class of strengths and weaknesses, consequence of that will be that children and deliver the curriculum watching them in action in some schools will fail, forcing in an interesting and engaging way, meetings – as you would with either merger or closure. rather than the techniques of pupils in the cricket nets or on the Another consequence of a leadership and management of a rugby field – and ultimately to use recession is that it shows up a group of adults. their skills and knowledge to better whole host of shortcomings within What the school head and senior effect, while retaining their the school, which were hidden people face in a busy working day is individuality. when times were easier. Schools learning to stand back to see the Coaching in a group situation, it need to tackle these shortcomings bigger picture. Add to that, might be working with the SMT or to ensure that they do not fall prey particularly in the smaller governing body to help them be to the recession. They can come in secondary or prep school, a limited more effective. many shapes and sizes but can, and often relatively inexperienced Coaching is not just for poor broadly, be broken down into two senior management team (SMT), performers; results show that the categories: the what and the how. and you are building an explosive greatest benefit comes from the The what is the structure of the mixture ready for the match of better performers. management, the strategic plans, harder times. There will be objections to the physical school premises and A school focused solely on today spending in the current climate, but the school finances. rather than tomorrow finds itself can you afford not to? Are you sure The how is the people, their reacting to events rather than you are making the most of your management and leadership making their own luck. By having a great people and assets to abilities and the way they deal thought-through vision and strategy safeguard your school? A missed with, and deliver, the what. for sustained development, regularly opportunity now might be the deciding factor in your future These two areas are of course reviewed and updated, reality success. There are very few who inextricably linked but I suggest checking all decisions against the can afford to be complacent and that the key to success is the how. goals, constantly with an eye to the many where there is significant Conventional wisdom says it’s 20% competition and changing room for improvement. content (what) and 80% circumstances, you will be ‘ahead of presentation (how). the curve’ and ready to react rather The author is a former senior executive of Experience shows that schools than to follow. Having a plan is a a FTSE 100 company and bursar of two are no different from many other great start but is only part of the prep schools. www.johncharnock.co.uk
30 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 MATHS’ MASTER CLASS The sheer magic of children actually doing maths By Matthew Reames
ndependent schools are sent an initial letter to Iincreasingly seeking to promote the schools inviting themselves and prove they are them to nominate up providing public benefit to others. to three of their top At the same time, they are seeking maths students in to offer additional provision for Years 5 and 6. their own gifted and talented The Royal Institution pupils. St Edmund’s Junior School, of Great Britain was Canterbury, has found one instrumental in particular programme that seems establishing the to meet these three somewhat master class series. diverse goals: a series of primary The two sessions in maths master classes for local the Lent term were led gifted mathematicians in Years 5 by maths specialists and 6. The first Saturday morning from the Royal session saw 21 children from St Institution and the Edmund’s and eight other nearby Institution is providing planning Talented provision by offering schools work to tackle a number support for the two summer term students a chance to work with of topics including Sierpinski sessions, which will be led by other gifted children on tasks triangles, fractals and Pascal’s members of St Edmund’s maths targeted to their high potential. Triangle. department. Each master class Another benefit to St Edmund’s is Of the eight other schools provides the opportunity for the fact that it is reaching out to a represented, two are local children to engage in activities number of feeder schools in what independent schools while the that are designed to develop their is, for us, a new and different way. remaining six are from the mathematical reasoning and Rather than an Open Day being a maintained sector. Though St problem-solving abilities. child or parents first exposure to Edmund’s has pupils from ages As I watched these 21 children the school, participating in the three to 18 (in our junior and senior working together to create a perfect master class series allows a child’s schools), the eight schools equilateral triangle without the first glimpse of St Edmund’s to be participating all end at age 11 and benefit of any equipment or tools an engaging, exciting learning are considered feeder schools for St and then use these triangles to opportunity and gives both children Edmund’s at Year 7. St Edmund’s investigate the chaos theory behind and their families a chance to a Sierpinski triangle, I was struck by experience first-hand some of the just how excited they were to be exciting things happening there. engaged in doing maths – not pages Finally, offering these maths of sums – but actually doing maths: master classes allows St Edmund’s questioning, investigating, to provide additional evidence that reasoning and solving. It is clear to it is providing public benefit. St me that the primary maths master Edmund’s offers these master class series is an exciting and classes to local feeder schools at no appealing way of reaching out to cost to either the children or their eager young mathematicians. The schools. The Royal Institution has fact that these two-and-a-half hour funding specifically to help support sessions were held on a Saturday primary maths outreach through morning did nothing to dampen programmes such as this. With their enthusiasm. their support, the actual financial There are several benefits to St obligation for the master class Edmund’s as a result of offering series is very low while the benefits are immense. this series of primary maths master classes. The main reason was to be The author is head of maths St Edmund’s able to supplement the Gifted and Junior School, Canterbury
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 31 TREKKING WITH A PURPOSE Finding adventure, whilst he
ommunity Action Treks (CAT) is By Martin West the Himalayas. CAT has three main Ca not for profit, specialist objectives. Firstly to do everything it trekking company with more than their employers, so to combat this can to ensure its customers have 20 years’ experience, established by he set up his own agency in Nepal, the experience of a lifetime. Its Doug Scott, who, in 1975, was the along with a UK company to concentration on a prescribed first Briton to climb Everest by the promote the treks. At the same number of treks each year allows it southwest face. Doug discovered time he established a sister charity, to concentrate its resources and that the porters and Sherpas, who Community Action Nepal, which experience into each trek. CAT’s supported his climbing expeditions, supports educational, health and second objective is to maintain the were not being treated fairly by community subsistence projects in original aim of providing its trekking crews with a fair level of remuneration and decent working conditions. Its membership of the International Porters’ Protection Group is evidence of this intent as is CAT’s insistence on restricting the loads its porters carry. Finally, any surplus made by the company at the end of the year is transferred to Community Action Nepal to help with its educational, health and community projects. Whilst Nepal continues to be its most popular destination for trekking, CAT has developed its
32 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 TREKKING WITH A PURPOSE elping others along the way
portfolio to include Tibet, Bhutan, India, East Africa, Peru and Morocco, with other contacts in Iceland, Canada, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. These destinations appeal to a wide variety of customers. CAT enjoys good relationships with its individual clients who are inspired by adventure travel for the sheer mind-broadening experience it offers. Many of these customers return to CAT year after year. CAT has also developed a long- standing reputation of running treks – many of which are bespoke – for groups that use trekking as a substantial contributor to their Plans are also in place for a group students and young people can fundraising exploits or for of Scout Leaders from West travel with confidence and enjoy developmental reasons. For Yorkshire to trek to Purano Duwar their expeditions either for the example, in November 2009, CAT in November 2010 in order to fund purpose of adventure and challenge teamed up with Who Cares? and build new school classrooms or as part of their curriculum of Scotland, a charity that supports there. This would repeat their studies. An integral part of the young people in care in Scotland. outstanding achievement in service is to ensure the trekking Two treks were organized for a total November 2008 of building a hostel group learns about the traditions, of 54 young people, carers and next to a school supported by geography and culture of the locality supporters to Bhara Pokhari in the Community Action Nepal in the they are visiting. It is able to offer a Himalayas. Helambu area. These projects complete range of experiences from The group witnessed the work exemplify the raison d’être of CAT. mountain treks to walking in the that Community Action Nepal CAT has been organising treks for foothills and from desert expeditions carries out at one of the schools it school groups and young people for to glacial terrain. CAT is committed supports in the area and a strong many years. The company to delivering this service in an relationship was created with recognizes the value of introducing environment of risk management, another school – to the extent that young people to challenging controlled through rigorous Who Cares? Scotland has started a experiences in environments that assessments carried out with each campaign to raise funds to build can combine physical demands, group organizer. It is adept at the school a new, and much cultural exchanges and customizing treks so that risks are needed, toilet block. The treks were opportunities for individual growth. reduced whilst still maintaining an an outstanding success, not only Its combined experience of running acceptable level of challenge. for the new investment the group treks and climbing expeditions will bring to that area but also for means it is a true specialist in The author is director of Community the range of new experiences and mountain environments. Action Treks. He can be contacted by sense of achievement enjoyed by The company has developed a telephone: 017687 71890; or through the the young trekkers. track record for ensuring that CAT website: www.catreks.com
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 33 TRAINING THE MIND Developing habits of success
ostering the right sort of positive learning is to learn from Flearning habits in children will experience. When successful people hopefully not just help them at encounter problems, one of the first prep school but also produce things they ask themselves is: success in later life. There has been “What do I already know about a lot of research over the years this?” “What strategies have I used showing that successful people in in the past, which can help me almost any walk of life display now?” Yet we find that while certain characteristics or children can pass maths tests in dispositions. Arthur Costa, Professor school, they struggle to decide Emeritus at California State whether to buy five items for £2.15 University, calls them Habits of By Andy Falconer or six items for £2.01 at the shops. Mind. He has identified 16 habits in Thinking and communicating with his book Learning and Leading with way to solve a problem seems to be clarity and precision Habits of Mind: the only way. They are more Language and thinking are closely interested in knowing if their Persisting entwined. Successful people use answer is correct, rather than being We often hear children say, “I can’t specific terminology, refrain from challenged to find other answers. do this,” or “It’s too hard”. Children over-generalizing, and support their develop persistence by increasing Thinking about their thinking assumptions with valid data. When their use of alternative strategies of Successful people are aware of you detect vague, fuzzy language, problem solving. We can help our themselves – their own thoughts, you detect vague, fuzzy thinking. pupils by reminding them of actions, values and their effects on Ingenuity, originality, and previous successes with similar others. Often children are unaware insightfulness: creativity problems, that there are many of their own thinking while they are Some people think creative humans strategies to try and that they are thinking. When asked, “How did you are just born that way; that effective problem solvers. solve that problem?” they may creativity is in their genes and Managing impulsivity reply, “I don’t know, I just did it”. We chromosomes. Increasingly we are Successful people have a sense of need to encourage them to describe coming to realise that all human deliberativeness, according to their plan of action before they beings have the capacity to Costa. They know how to monitor begin to solve a problem. generate novel, original, clever or their own impulses and resist Striving for accuracy and precision ingenious products, solutions, and jumping to conclusions. Often Successful people appreciate and techniques – if that capacity is children blurt the first idea that strive for correctness, elegance, and developed. Successful people are comes to mind or make immediate fidelity. Children, as we know, are creative. Creative people take risks, value judgements about an idea, often careless when completing living on the edge of their criticizing or praising it before work. They often want to finish competence. They are open to considering its pros and cons. quickly, rather than reflect on the criticism. They tend to project Listening to others – with accuracy of their work. Speed of themselves into different roles understanding and empathy completion surpasses their desire using analogies. Successful people spend a lot of for quality. What does all this mean to us as time listening. They empathise Questioning and problem posing teachers? The Institute for Habits with, and strive to understand, Children often depend on others to of Mind website www.institutefor other people’s points of view. Being solve problems, to find answers, and habitsofmind.com, provides a able to paraphrase another person’s to ask questions for them. They are wealth of ideas and resources for ideas, detecting indicators of their sometimes reluctant to ask questions how to start to embed this into our feelings or emotions, accurately for fear of displaying ignorance. We schools. Many of us will already expressing another person’s want children to be alert to, and to place great emphasis on some of concepts, emotions and problems – recognize discrepancies and all are indications of listening phenomena in their environment these areas, but perhaps not in behaviour. and to inquire into their causes: such a structured and overt way. It’s a great topic to discuss at your next Thinking flexibly “How high can birds fly?” staff meeting. Successful people consider Applying past knowledge to new alternative points of view. situations The author is Master of St Olave’s School, Sometimes children think that their Surely the ultimate purpose of York, and chairman-elect of IAPS
34 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
2009 Winner Jaimee Harris
Photographer of the Year 2010 ow is your chance to prepare your clubs, showing pupils at work or play. It Centre, Old Maltings Approach, Melton, Nentries for the 2010 competition. must be sharp, it must be well- Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1BL or by email Entries must be received by May 31st, composed and, above all, it must show to: [email protected] 2010 and the winning photographs the fun of life in a modern prep school. Label the entries clearly with your will be published in September 2010. The rules: Only pupils at prep schools name and school address. And please may enter; no more than two enclose an entry form from the Digital cameras will be presented to photographs per entrant; files should magazine (printed below) to certify the the first three prize-winners. be a minimum size of 15cms x 20cms work is yours. One entry form can cover The task: Take a photograph in colour, and 300dpi/ppi. Photographs are only all of a school’s entries. If you would like or black and white, illustrating life in a accepted in an electronic format either your photographs to be returned, please prep school. It could be on the sports by posting a CDRom to John Catt enclose a stamped, self-addressed field, in the classroom, at societies or Educational, 12 Deben Mill Business envelope of a suitable size. ENTRY FORM Prep School Photographer of the Year Competition 2010
Name of Entrant(s) Name of School Name of Confirming Teacher
As far as I am aware this photograph is the sole work of the above pupil. Please photocopy this form and attach it to the back of each entry. Send entries to Prep School Photographer of the Year 2010, John Catt Educational Ltd, 12 Deben Mill Business Centre, Old Maltings Approach, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1BL.
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 35 WORLD BOOK DAY Celebrating the best in books
World Book Day was nominated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading and is marked in more than 100 countries around the globe. Although the UK and Ireland celebrate on the 4th March, most other countries hold World Book Day on 23rd April. Here is a selection of events held in prep schools.
Children at The Froebelian School in Yorkshire at the time of the War of UK. Many other ‘bookish’ activities Horsforth, Leeds, celebrated with the Roses. took place in the classroom: acting local man George Peter Algar, author out scenes from books; miming The girls of Seaton House School, of The Shepherd Lord, who visited the characters; listening to stories read Sutton, all came to school dressed school to explain the story and to by the authors and collecting jokes as a character from a favourite read extracts to Years 5 and 6. for the World Book Day Joke Book. book or story and received a £1 The Shepherd Lord portrays an World Book Day token to redeem Reception classes at Sutton enthralling but largely forgotten against one of six specially selected Valence Preparatory School were episode from medieval English titles with the World Book Day logo. history which has been researched transformed into one gigantic fairy The school was awash with fairies, and brought to life from the shadows story as children and staff came princesses, ballerinas, cats, dogs of two dusty poems; the Shepherd Lord into school dressed as fairytale and squeaky mice along with of Skipton Castle, a work by William characters. Several Snow Whites Harrys, Alices, Ugly Sisters and, Wordsworth, and The Nut-Brown Maid. and Little Red Riding Hoods came uniquely, Moonmintroll and Sponge Set in the 15th century against the face to face with knights, princes, Bob Squarepants. backdrop of the War of the Roses, it pirates, fairies and wolves as their is the story of Henry Clifford, the At Ballard School, pre-prep and imaginations ran riot on the last aristocrat who was raised as a Years 3-5 dressed as characters day of the half-term. shepherd for his own safety. from books led in a parade by the The day began with children An amateur historian and Pied Piper. In a colourful assembly, participating in a variety of descendant of the Bolling family, all the characters showed off their fairytale workshops, including George Peter Algar has written the costumes whilst Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 wand, crown and mask making and story in his own unequivocal style, received their Readathon cards. cooking ‘poisonous’ toffee apples. with narration and dialect. Written They have until after Easter to read In the afternoon, the children from the perspective of a father-son as many books as possible to raise enjoyed a fairytale ball where the relationship, the book takes a money for the Roald Dahl Sleeping Beauties were whisked off refreshing approach to telling the Foundation and CLIC Sargeant, their feet by their Prince Charmings story of a rich feudal history set in which help sick children across the and taught how to dance in pairs.
36 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 IAPS/SATIPS NEWS Welcome to the head’s study
Mark Beach, City of London Freemen’s Junior School, Peter Dove, St Gabriel’s Junior School, 01372 822465, [email protected] 01635 555680, [email protected]
Jimmy Beale, Taunton Preparatory School, Chris Gatherer, Plymouth College Prep School, The 01823 349250, [email protected] Millfields, Plymouth, Devon PL1 3JL, 01752 201352, [email protected] Mrs Deborah Boyd-Moss, Pembroke House, Kenya, 00 254 020 231 2324, [email protected] Mrs Joan McGillewie, Falcons School for Girls, 020 8992 5189, [email protected] Mrs Alexia Bracewell, Longacre, Graeme Owton, Bodiam Manor, 01483 893225, [email protected] 01580 830225, [email protected] Mrs Anne Burton, Orchard School and Nursery, Higham Neil Shaw, Rose Hill, Westonbirt School, Road, Barton Le Clay, Bedford MK45 4LT, 01666 881400, [email protected] 01582 882054, [email protected] Richard Toley, Lathallan Johnshaven, Miss Christine Cook, Cokethorpe Junior School, by Montrose, Angus, DD10 0HN, Whitney, Oxon OX29 7PU, 01561 362220, [email protected] 01993 703921, [email protected] Mrs Linda Young, Moira House Junior School, Upper Mrs Emma Davies, Badminton Junior School, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne BN20 7TE, 0117 905 5222, [email protected] 01323 636800, [email protected]
What’s on where and when and who to talk to
DATE EVENT VENUE CONTACT TEL NO. 12-13 Jun IAPS Fencing Championships Millfield Preparatory School Sue Benney 01458 832446 14 Jun IAPS Golf Championship Royal Lytham St Annes Stan Jenkinson 07760 178275 17 Jun IAPS U11 Rounders Finals Windlesham School Gill King 01903 874721 (regional rounds at own venues) 12-14 Jul IAPS Tennis Tournament Queenswood School Mike Kelham 01749 812281
professional development courses
satips Courses www.satips.com
15 May, Textiles – constructed textiles and mixed media work using silks, inks, paint, batik and felt, Cheam School, Newbury 9 June, Painting outdoors – landscapes and trees in acrylics, Bilton Grange School, Rugby
Design and Technology 2010 17 May, Electronics – a beginner’s guide to using electronics in DT, Summer Fields, Oxford 26 May, Wood – hand techniques as well as machinery methods for woodwork in DT – lots of practical ideas for use in KS2/3, Abingdon Prep, Oxon 9 June, Plastics – using perspex and mouldable plastics in DT – lots of hands-on ideas for KS2/3, Abingdon Prep, Oxon
For further information please contact the satips Administrator: Cherry Trees, Stebbing, Great Dunmow, Essex CM6 3ST (Phone/fax: 01371 856823) email: [email protected]
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 37 SPORT UPDATE Runners descend on Malvern
arents, teachers and top sports contested over 1.7 km in which place. Abigail Saker from Pperformers cheered home there were 131 finishers. After just Bromsgrove Prep and Elizabeth Neal hundreds of youngsters taking part over 1 km of common land, four from Kent College Junior School, in the 18th National Prep School runners started to break away Canterbury, finished in fifth and Cross Country Championships Catherine Longe (Beeston Hall), sixth place. The top six to finish hosted by Malvern College. Nick Isabella Shuldham (Leweston Prep were presented with a plaque by Goolab, the reigning European Cross School), Lydia Lavallin (Millfield Junior International Cross Country Country Silver Medallist, presented Prep School) and Molly D’Arcy Rice star Nick Goolab. the prizes and signed autographs, (Beaudesert Park). Beaudesert Park won the overall giving extra inspiration to all the As they approached the last team race and Abberley Hall won nine to 13 year-olds taking part. downhill part of the Common Lydia the popular Small Schools Trophy. While wet underfoot, the started to make her push for home traditional course for this annual with Isabella in close pursuit. In the U11 Boys event, over the Malvern Common final 100 metres through the This race was over 2.6 km and and through the college grounds, college grounds and onto the fast involved more than 150 runners. A provided an exciting cross-country flat finish Lydia pulled further large group of boys set a fast pace experience for pupils travelling ahead to win in a time of 8 minutes for the first half of the course. The from as far afield as Kent, Norfolk, 4 seconds with Isabella in second two tough hills in this section then Cumbria and Cornwall. place (8.07). Catherine and Molly started to affect some as they faded Stephen Winter, of The Beacon both shared the same finishing in the latter stages and the pace School, Amersham, time of 8.13 but Catherine just picked up again on the downhill Buckinghamshire, said: “The boys crossed the line first to secure third and flat stretches. performed admirably on a fantastic cross-country course. We had a great day and to achieve second and third place in the boys U11 event was brilliant – we are already looking forward to next year.” Millfield Prep School also had a very successful day with Lydia Lavallin and Amy Cooper winning the U11 and U13 Girls’ individual events and team victories in the U13 Boys’ and U13 Girls’ events.
U11 Girls The first race of the afternoon involving the U11 Girls was keenly
38 PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 SPORT UPDATE
Picture: Ted Blackbrow
Francis Perumatantri is only 12 years old and stands just 4ft 2 inches, weighing a mere four-and-a-half stones, yet he is the star scrum half of Orwell Park’s 1st XV. In a recent 16-team tournament at Finborough School, Orwell Park finished fourth but Francis, dubbed the Mighty Atom by his team mates, walked away as Man of the Tournament, awarded by England hooker Dylan Hartley. His citation included: “If any player epitomised the true spirit of the great game of Rugby Union, then it was Francis.”
With just under a kilometre to go winning the 2.6 km race by seven top of the Malvern Common. 129 Archie Cleverly (Maidwell Hall) and seconds and finishing in a time of boys completed the 3.2 km course the two Beacon School runners 10 minutes 23 seconds. Amy said: “I within 20 minutes with the top 23 Angus Dennison-Smith and Ed came seventh last year and I am finishing in less than 15 minutes, Mundy were looking like favourites really pleased to win today.” Poppy indicating good strength and depth. for the top three places. Archie Jones of Winterfold House used her Unsurprisingly, the field began to entered the college grounds with a strength and stamina to secure stretch out, especially after the long small lead and then surged ahead second place in 10 minutes 30 climb to the top and five boys on the Senior Turf finishing four seconds. The top six girls all started to look the favourites for seconds ahead in 10 minutes 5 finished inside 11 minutes with the top places with about half a seconds, with Angus in second Hanna Lidbetter from Danes Hill kilometre to go. The eventual place (10.09) and Ed in third (10.12). showing a good turn of pace in winner, Joshua Cara of Spratton The next three runners all started third place (10.34), well ahead of Hall, finished very strongly, 11 to increase their pace towards the Storm Sunderland (Winchester seconds ahead of the rest of the tape, guaranteeing their places in House), Amy Dunstan (Beaudesert field in a time of 13.40. Charlie the top six presentations. Benjamin Park) and Olivia Allin (Millfield Prep Martin (Millfield Prep School) Hooper (Lambrook), Henry Davies School) in fourth (10.41) fifth (10.50) finished in second place (13.51) ten (Cheam) and Saul Fairman and sixth place (10.52). seconds ahead of Harry Spawforth (Polwhele House School) finished in Millfield Prep School took the team (Danes Hill) who came in third in a fourth (10.15) fifth (10.16) and sixth trophy with 40 points ahead of time of 14.01. There was a close place (10.17). Danes Hill (62 points) and battle for fourth (14.04) and fifth Beacon School, Amersham, was Winchester House (98 points). places (14.05) with Will Roud the convincing winner of the main Abberley Hall collected their third (Dulwich Prep Cranbrook) just team competition with 53 points. Small Schools Trophy’ of the finishing ahead of Harry Leleu (Seaford). Sixth place went to Abberley Hall, who also won the afternoon benefiting no doubt from Benjamin Horgan from Lambrook. Small Schools Trophy’, was second training over the hills near the Millfield Prep School won the and Cheam was third. village of Abberley in Worcestershire. team event, with Spratton Hall in U13 Girls’ Race (2.6 km) U13 Boys’ Race (3.2km) second and Parkside School in third Amy Cooper from Millfield Prep The last race of the afternoon place. Maidwell Hall, winners of the School was the very impressive included a tough additional loop Small Schools’ Trophy, finished winner of the U13 Girls’ race, taking the U13 boys up to the very fourth in the overall competition.
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 39 SENIOR SCHOOL PROFILES
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Call +44 (0) 1608 658999 or email [email protected] to request a prospectus or arrange a visit. Kingham Hill School, Kingham, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 6TH Join us at our next OPEN DAY: Boarding and day school for girls and boys from 11-18 yrs Saturday 8th May 11am – 2pm SPORT UPDATE Chess: not so much a board game as a way of life By Stephen Sharland
hess is one of the most widely Cenjoyed games in existence. It cuts across nationalities, age, intellect and even financial considerations; played by small children manoeuvring pieces in a basic way across the board to the chess elite trying to outwit their opponent at international level, or in some cases, computers designed to consider multiple combinations of moves. My interest is at the school/club level where the story invariably begins. So many schools have chess clubs or lunchtime chess activities (though many schools, it seems, have no chess whatsoever). At Lochinver we have a thriving chess may be a teacher or parent helper, competing, this is a golden team and club, and since 1989 I who will promote and foster an opportunity for players of all have endeavoured to go a stage interest within their own school abilities to participate in an event further and engage Lochinver in an and reach out to other schools for that can range from mere fun to organized routine of chess fixtures. friendly matches, and participate in the very serious, when winners We play against as many other the tournaments/leagues that occur pass on to the area megafinals and schools as we can on a weekly basis. throughout the year. then to the national gigafinals. We Playing up to 30 matches a year What benefits are there? Apart are currently playing in this event against numerous prep, primary and from the fun of the ‘cut and thrust’ for the fourteenth year in senior schools and ‘fielding’ U13, U11 of the game, children learn to think succession. and U9 teams the boys are kept truly and plan ahead and this will So, wherever your school might be busy battling across a chess board engender concentration over time. situated, all you really need is a few while others are outside scoring This, in a world where rewards, chess sets, an enthusiastic adult and goals for the soccer team – at least results and gratification must be a multiple of eager children and the chess cannot be rained off. instant, is worth striving for. there will be many opportunities for Unlike so many board games that Children learn, moreover, to feel a your school to challenge are fun to play, but which rely on sense of achievement with their neighbouring schools to a friendly the luck of the die, chess, with the win; lose with good grace; engage in match; in fact, if you are not too far current game going back to the 15th the social side of conversing with from Lochinver you may like to century, necessitates a combination their opposite number during the come here and play us or we could of skill, judgement, tactics, forward tea that is always enjoyed come to you – but if we do, please planning and concentration, and is, afterwards and, I hope, experience make sure to put the kettle on and I believe, far above most other the satisfaction of engaging their have a packet of biscuits open. board games. own intellect – a satisfaction that It is often thought that the should feel more rewarding over so person organizing clubs must many merely passive pursuits such necessarily be some sort of expert as television, computer games or himself. This is not the case. While hours on the phone. it is certainly a definite advantage, A big must for Lochinver each school chess can often be very Easter term is the UK Land Chess successful in the hands of an Challenge. With up to 70,000 enthusiastic organizer (often with children from 2000 prep, primary basic knowledge); someone who and senior schools across the UK
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 41 SENIOR SCHOOL PROFILES
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Terrington Hall School, near York, has held its 12th annual U13 rugby sevens tournament, started by the Headmaster Jon Glen in 1999 when eight teams took part. The tournament has grown to become the largest event of its kind in the North of England with 32 schools travelling across the UK from London, Shropshire and Edinburgh. After five hours of highly competitive play, St Olave’s, York, took the Cup having beaten St Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst, 28- 10. The Plate was taken by Cundall Manor who beat St Martin’s Ampleforth, (22-0); the Bowl went to Newcastle School for Boys who beat Terra Nova 17-7; and the inaugural Shield was claimed by Caldicott ‘B’ who beat Durham Choristers 12-7.
Pupils from the Froebelian School based in Horsforth have done exceptionally well in a netball and cross- country sports tournament, which was organised with 17 other schools and held at Queen Margaret’s School, York. Playing particularly well and coming runners up, nine Froebelian girls from Years 5 and 6 played netball teams from as far north as Scotland and as far south as Suffolk. The day culminated in a very exciting and closely fought final. In the cross-country event, a team of four girls ran 2km with Molly Hamilton (Year 5) coming in tenth place, Emma Peacock 13th place, Phoebe Ridyard 22nd place and Amy Peacock 26th place. Prizes were presented by Gareth Southgate. Froebelian’s Games Captain, Melissa Shepherd, was awarded ‘Player of the Netball Tournament’.
Two pupils from Millfield Prep term. All the hard work has paid off which Jenny is also accomplished). School, Glastonbury, Emily Bayliss, though, and she is elated to have Jenny said: “I fell in love with aged ten, and Jenny Vincent, aged been chosen to play county cricket cricket when we went on holiday to 13, have been selected for the for the U13s, as this is two years Cornwall and played cricket for two Somerset Girls U13 Cricket Team. older than her age group. She is a hours with my best friend and his Emily is an all-rounder who was keen Somerset supporter. granddad. In later life I would like introduced to cricket through her Jenny started attending county to play cricket for England at an brother and was inspired to play trials after moving to Somerset, international level.” cricket after watching the England where she took part in lots of Ladies at the Somerset Cricket drill and net practice to test Ground last year. for ability and strength. She She has been taking cricket has been a member of the classes ever since, and is very county team for the last two grateful to her mum for ferrying years and this is her third her around to training sessions all season coming up. over the place. She has to go to Before they play each Radstock every Sunday for two match they do half an hour hours of training, which is of warm-up, which includes increased to four hours over half ten minutes of football (at
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 43 Gallic’s personnel have over 20 years experience to offer in Design & Build of educational projects, including classrooms, Science Laboratories, Pre-Prep Units and Sports Halls. To find out more about our total “In House” design and construction package, or to arrange a “No Commitment” visit to discuss your next project, please call us. Gallic Construction Limited, Unit 10, Pond Farm, Godstone Road, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6JG T: 01342 835587 F: 01342 835590 E: [email protected] W: www.gallic-construction.co.uk SPORT UPDATE
St Bernard’s Preparatory School, Slough, welcomed three other local prep schools to their annual under 8 and under 9 football tournaments. The participating schools were Lambrook Haileybury, Holy Family, Dair House and the hosts St Bernard’s. Lambrook Haileybury were the overall winners in both age divisions with Holy Family as close runners up.
Eboni Beckford-Chambers, England Netball’s Goal Defence visited Sevenoaks Prep School, putting the girls through their paces. She did skills training and drills for each of the squads from the Under 8s upwards, each drill a little harder as she progressed through the squads. After the practice there was time for the girls to ask the England U21 Captain some questions. She took a lot of questions about her diet (plenty of fruit and vegetables, no chocolate and lots of water), her daily routine (up at 6.30am every day to train for an hour and a half – then to study at university, then training again from 6.30pm to 9.00pm in the evening), the team she most wanted to beat (Australia) and her height. The girls were amazed that at 6’ 1”, Beckford- Chambers is one of the smallest on the England team. The England International netballer explained to the girls that she started playing netball in Year 5 and was spotted by an England scout. She attended England trials but was not fit enough and did not make it through the first time. This made her even more determined to secure a place in the England team and she trained even harder and this, twinned with her determination to win, paid off. The 21-year-old graduated in law last year and is now studying for her masters as well as representing her club team – Bath – and her country. She was keen to stress the importance of her academic studies, which gives her security if she was no longer able to play netball.
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By Arthur Hearnden
o farewell then David Tytler. You achieved unprecedented what deters so many parents who Swere editor of Prep School for prominence for independent can afford the fees from positively nearly fifteen years. Not any longer. education in the national press. opting for an independent rather “From the Editor.” That was your Halcyon days for St Cake’s. than a state school, and how to catchphrase. No, not an E J Thribb So it was hardly surprising that encourage them to change their obituary, rather a tribute to the Prep School began to feature pieces minds. A challenge for IAPS Heads contribution to independent by leading national figures in and their governing bodies. education of an old friend who has education. The first issue under Now change is on the agenda. But done so much to enliven debate in David’s editorship contained the for someone who has been a prep schools. views of Gillian Shephard, the freelance journalist for nearly 20 In his first editorial David Education Secretary, the other years, giving up Prep School will hold acknowledged the solid foundation Woodhead, Chris, Her Majesty’s no terrors. Our former editor’s laid by his predecessor Anne Kiggell Chief Inspector of Schools, and assignments will continue to take and declared that he had no Doug McAvoy, General Secretary of him far beyond his home base in intention of sweeping away more the National Union of Teachers. Mrs Suffolk; while on his doorstep there than surface dust. He was as good Shephard played ball by will be plenty to do as Chairman of as his word. There were no new acknowledging the quality of Blythburgh Parish Council. David, eye-catching gimmicks it was education provided in prep schools, we all wish you well in your future substance that mattered. Prep School in particular the expertise built up activities and thank you warmly for retained its dignified format and in their nursery departments. Chris the thoughtfulness and consistency continued to be filled with lively Woodhead and Doug McAvoy for of your guidance of Prep School. and interesting articles, free of the their part dispensed appropriate The author is a former general secretary jargon that so easily creeps into wisdom. of the Independent Schools’ Council writings on education. I don’t Fast forward, as they say, to two remember ever reading that dutiful more recent illustrations cliché best practice. I hope my of David’s contribution, memory serves me correctly. one parochial one It was a coup to sign up a strategic. On the successor to Anne with such parochial front he has extensive and, in the end, been at pains to ensure appropriate journalistic experience. that Prep School is not the After five years of the customary property of any one apprenticeship on regional constituency but newspapers David worked at the genuinely independent, Sun, Daily Express, Daily Mail, Mail on catering for the interests Sunday and finally The Times where of teaching staff as much he was successively executive as heads – or parents or editor, news editor and finally governors for that matter. education editor. This position gave More strategically it him the keen interest in education, was Prep School that gave which later led him to join the prominence to some ranks of Ofsted inspectors. valuable research by So by the time he became editor mtmconsulting of of Prep School, David knew a thing or Southwold, an two about schools. He had been one organisation that has of a number of journalists who turned around the gave the independent sector fortunes of many a generous and favourable coverage struggling school. What in the late 1980s and early 1990s, this revealed was a huge years when those brilliant untapped market for operators at the Independent independent education. Schools Information Service (ISIS), As David pointed out, the David Woodhead and Dick Davison, next step is to find out Cartoon by Peter Brooks of The Times
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 47 GRESHAM BOOKS Bespoke publishing for schools
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IAPS SATIPS
President Hugh Davies Jones President Moira Laffey Chairman John Tranmer Chairman Michael Denton The Froebelian School Cheam School, Headley, Vice-Chairman Julie Robinson Newbury, Berkshire RG19 8LD Vinehall School Tel: 01635 268381 Chairman-Elect Andy Falconer General Secretary E R Andrew Davis St Olave’s School Marlborough House School, Hawkhurst, Kent TN18 4PY Chief Executive David Hanson Tel: 01580 752 954 11 Waterloo Place, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5LA Treasurer Peter Gibbons Roseland, Broad Street, Tel: 01926 887833 Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2AF email: [email protected] Tel: 01544 260551 Finance & Operations Director Richard Flower Administrator Pat Harrison Courses and Cherry Trees, Stebbing, Conferences Manager Larraine Curzon Great Dunmow, Essex CM6 3ST Association Administrator Christine McCrudden Tel/Fax: 01371 856823 Membership Officer Jill Wharfe email: [email protected]
SATIPS BROADSHEET EDITORS
Art Kathy Turk, King’s Hawford, Worcester WR3 7SE (01905 451292) Classics Chris Williams, Beeston Hall, West Runton, Norfolk NR27 9NQ (01263 837324; email: [email protected]) Design Technology Gary Brown, The Chorister School, Durham DH1 3EL (0191 384 2935) Drama Andrew Pope, Westminster Abbey Choir School, London SW1P 3NY (0207 222 6151) English Geoffrey Hammond, The Pilgrims’ School, Winchester S023 9LT (01962 866967) Steve Lott, Aldwickbury School, Harpenden AL5 1AD (01582 713022) Geography Andrew Lee, St Paul’s Prep School, Colet Court, London SW13 9JT (email: [email protected]) History David Kendall, Westminster Under School, London SW1P 2NN (email: [email protected]) Simon Mason, Highfield School, Liphook, Hants GU30 7LQ (email: [email protected]) ICT Patrick Florance, Hallfield School, Edgbaston B15 3SJ (0121 454 1496, ext. 19) Mathematics Michael Ede, Dean Close Prep, Cheltenham GL51 6QS (01242 512217) Modern Foreign Languages Nigel Pearce, Summer Fields, Oxford OX2 7EN (01865 454433) Music Tim Frost, St. Paul’s Prep School, Colet Court, London SW13 9JT (0208 746 5484) Nursery & Pre-Prep Marion Scott-Baker, Cheam School, Headley, Newbury RG19 8LD (01635 267816) Physical Education & Games Brian Gilyead, 1 Garden Court, Wheathampstead, Herts AL4 8RE (01582 831997) PSHE Piers McGrandle, Radlett Prep School, Radlett WD7 7LY (email: [email protected]) Religious Studies Alec Synge, Northcote Lodge, 26 Bolingbroke Grove, London SW11 6EL (020 8682 8888) Science Simon Horbury, Sussex House School, 68 Cadogan Square, London SW1X OEA (0207 584 1741; email: [email protected]) Senior Management Jason Hyatt, Orwell Park School, Nacton, Ipswich, Suffolk IP10 OER (01473 659 225; e-mail: [email protected]) Special Needs Claire Thomasson & Helen Looker, Sunninghill Preparatory School Dorchester DT1 1EB (01305 262306; email: [email protected]) Years 3 & 4 Elizabeth Clancy, Edge Grove, Aldenham Village, Herts WD25 8NL (01923 855724)
SATIPS WEB ADDRESS: www.satips.com
IAPS SUBJECT LEADERS
Art Rachel Shadlock, Chafyn Grove School, 33 Bourne Avenue, Salisbury SP1 1LR (01722 333423; email: [email protected]) Tim Perkins, Feltonfleet School, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1DR (01932 862264; email: [email protected]) Assessment Nathalie Roberts, Orwell Park School, Nacton, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP10 0ER (01473 659225; email: [email protected]) Fiona Williams, Kimbolton School, Kimbolton, Huntingdon PE28 0EA (01480 861874; email: [email protected]) Classics Bob Bass, Orwell Park School, Nacton, Ipswich, Suffolk IP10 0ER (01473 659225; email: [email protected]) Drama Ingrid Obo, The Junior King’s School, Milner Court, Sturry, Canterbury CT2 OAY (01227 714000; email: [email protected]) English Sarah Waddington, Pilgrims Pre-Prep School, Bedford MK41 7QZ (01234 369555; email: [email protected]) Andrew Hammond, Copthorne School, Copthorne RH10 3HR (07894 538688; email: [email protected]) Geography Nik Miller, Brambletye School, East Grinstead RH19 3PD (01342 321004; email: [email protected]) History Clare Strickland, Dragon School, Bardwell Road, Oxford, OX2 6SS (01865 315400; email: [email protected]) ICT Malcolm Priestley, Holmewood House School, Tunbridge Wells (01892 860020; email: [email protected]) ICT (Curriculum) Clare Emmerson-Smith, St George’s School, Windsor SL4 1QF (01753 865553; email: [email protected]) ICT (Management & Administration) David Horton, Hordle Walhampton, Lymington SO41 5ZG (01590 672013; email: [email protected]) Maths Caroline Turk, Hazelwood School, Wolfs Hill, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0QU (01883 712194; email: [email protected] MFL Gillian Forte, St Christopher’s School, New Church Road, Hove BN3 4AD (01273 735404; email: [email protected]) Music Jeremy Nicklin, The Blue Coat School, Edgbaston B17 0HR (0121 410 6800; email: [email protected]) PE Angela Sparshott-Thompson, St Anthony’s, Sherborne DT9 6EN (01963 210970; email: [email protected]) Pre-Prep (Early Years) Margaret Bland, St Aubyn’s School, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 9DU (020 8504 1577; email: [email protected] Pre-Prep (Teaching & Learning) Kathryn Henry, Butcombe, Clifton College Pre-Prep, Bristol BS8 3EZ (0117 315 7591; email: [email protected]) Pre-Prep (Management) Jane Morgan, Westbourne House School, Chichester PO20 2BH (01243 782739; email: [email protected]) PHSE Vacant RE Alec Synge, Northcote Lodge, Bolingbroke Grove, London SW11 6EL (07801 370973) Science Jackie Barns-Graham, St Andrew’s School, Horsell, Woking GU21 4QW (01483 760943; email: [email protected]) Science (Support) Sue Hunter, St Hugh’s School, Carswell Manor, Farringdon, Oxon SN7 8PT (01367 870223; email: [email protected]) SEN Penny Frost, Donhead School, 33 Edge Hill, London SW19 4NP (0208 947 1219; email: [email protected])
PREP SCHOOL Summer term 2010 49 CReSTeD
Taking the Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils Does your school have excellent provision for PYP Forward dyslexic/SpLD pupils? Then you should be listed in the CReSTeD Register of schools. The future of The Register is free of charge and is distributed annually to parents, the IB Primary schools, LAs, educational psychologists and others. Up to date information is always available on our website. Years Programme For more information contact: CReSTeD Tel: 01242 604852 Email: [email protected] www.crested.org.uk
Edited by Simon Davidson & Steven Carber Registered Charity No. 1052103 with an afterword by Dennison J MacKinnon
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme stands in a proud tradition of reflective educators incorporating best practice into international schools. For the PYP to maintain relevance in education today, inquiry has to be rethought, refreshed and reapplied. Taking the PYP Forward does exactly that. When responding to our Raising many questions and recognising the new challenges facing educators, this collaborative work brings together voices from both within and outside of the PYP. Intending to broaden our view of inquiry advertisers, please be sure to and circulate fresh thinking about the relevance of the PYP for all areas of learning, this is an essential contribution. mention that you saw them Price: £14.95 per copy + £3 p&p Order from John Catt Educational Ltd 12 Deben Mill Business Centre, Old Maltings Approach, in Prep School magazine. Melton, Woodbridge IP12 1BL Telephone: +44 (0) 1394 389850 Email: [email protected] Thank you. www.johncattbookshop.com
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Edited by Dr Nigel Richardson, Head of The Perse School, Cambridge, from 1994-2008 and Hilary Moriarty, National Director of The Boarding Schools’ Association Nineteen writers with a wealth of varied experience provide invaluable advice on the social and educational context in which we work; pastoral issues and the law; pastoral strategies, teams and tactics; pastoral care of younger children; the essentials of pastoral care in prep schools; the boarding houseparents; running a girls’ house in a coeducational school; from housemaster to Headmaster; pastoral care of staff; developing people and developing yourself; nursing and pastoral care; head of the sixth form; the role of the chaplain; advising on the next stage: an important pastoral issue; caring for international boarders; pastoral issues in a world of global communication; dealing with challenging teenagers.
YOU CAN ORDER COPIES FOR YOUR COLLEAGUES NOW direct from the publishers John Catt Educational Ltd,12 Deben Mill Business Centre, Old Maltings Approach, Melton, Woodbridge IP12 1BL, UK. Telephone: 01394 389850 Email: [email protected] Price £12.50 plus p&p DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR BULK ORDERS Copies of the other books in the series, Heads, Senior Management Teams, Heads of Department and Newly Qualified Teachers, are also still available.