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2 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] In this issue... 05 The future of prep schools correcting the doom-mongers 06 More than Mindfulness happier at school? 07 Grit can resilience be taught? 10 Honesty Apps Development begins schools must counter an insidious trend Richmond House School, Yorkshire, has announced a significant investment in the 14 Voucher System buildings and facilities for its youngest pupils. school leaders discuss the pros and cons Over the Summer Holidays the school is preparing to demolish and rebuild the Early Years 28 Is Grammar Still Important? building, replacing it with a new, purpose-built the reality from a teaching perspective Nursery School and two Reception classrooms. The building is designed to create the optimal learning environment for the younger children. 40 Character Education This will include areas for quieter learning, space a duty to prepare students for life after school for messy play, and a cosy, age-appropriate library to encourage a love of reading. The design even includes separate welly storage for Finance, Insurance & Investment - Special feature the children’s all-important outdoor learning lessons in the school’s yurt and 10 acres of fields. TPS – behind the figures Headteacher, Helen Stiles – pictured with pupils Redevelop or Refurbish? – analysis – said: “We are very excited about our new Early New private health insurance for schools Years development. Whilst the new building creates a more spacious learning environment, it does not increase the capacity of the school, as we want to maintain its warm, family feel. The increased, carefully designed space, will give Plus our youngest children the best opportunities to 04 Deaf teacher’s life transformed by dog learn, develop and play from the moment they 08 Empowering communities through educational partnerships join our school”. 12 Recycling as a guiding principle of learning This building will be completed for the start of 16 Benefits of a charity partnership the Autumn term and is the first of 3 phases of 30 Music, Drama & Dance Focus Feature building development planned for the school. 34 Judge-turned-head gives her vision for prep school 35 Unconditional offers - what advice can staff provide? Cover background 36 Taking a wider view of A-levels The new Swimming Pool at Godstowe 38 NEU Conference reflections Preparatory School, Buckinghamshire, has been 39 Have you a view on reformed exams? officially opened by Olympic Gold Medallist 42 Changing Faces...Changing Places Rebecca Adlington OBE. 44 Making work experience authentic Story and picture page 18 47 Editorial Advisory Board; Free e-mag subscriptions; Contact Us LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A SCHOOL OR NURSERY National SchoolTransfer For a Professional – Confidential Service www.nationalschooltransfer.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)1980 621251

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 3 Teacher has life transformed by Hearing Dog

A Moulsford Prep School, sounds that they are trained to Oxfordshire, teacher has had his alert people to, they will let their life changed by a specially trained deaf partner know by nudging hearing dog that alerts him to them. The person will then ask important and life-saving sounds. the dog ‘What is it?’ and the dog will lead the person to the source Graham Sage, who is a Year 4 of the sound. In the case of teacher, began to lose his hearing danger sounds such as the smoke at around 15 years old. By the alarm, the dog will lay down on time he went to university, the ground when asked ‘What Graham was unable to hear his is it?’. This signals that they’ve lecturers and realised he had been heard a danger sound and ensures relying on lipreading. they are not leading their partner Graham’s hearing loss is towards danger. progressive and over the past Graham Sage said: “My hearing five years has gone quickly from dog Jovi has changed my life moderate loss to being severe to in so many ways. When I’m profound. teaching, he helps me by alerting Being deaf left Graham feeling me to a timer I set to give my unsafe at home and meant he pupils a specific time to complete often struggled to get to sleep, work by. He also alerts me to fearing that he would miss the the fire alarm, which is amazing. smoke alarm or someone breaking Before I had Jovi, a fire alarm in. Furthermore, Graham could went off when no one was in the not hear the alarm clock in the classroom and I didn’t evacuate morning, making it more difficult because I didn’t hear it. to sleep well at night for fear of “I am very lucky because the not waking up on time. school and colleagues are all Graham!’ and he’ll come and alert charity to benefit from an auction When Graham became a teacher, fantastically supportive, and Jovi’s me and take me to her. run by the well-known band Belle he found it daunting as he was presence has greatly increased “Looking to the future, if my wife & Sebastian. The pupil’s mother not always able to hear the everyone’s awareness of my and I were to start a family, it is was on the cover of the band’s sounds that he needed to hear deafness. The pupils are great in comforting to know that Jovi can debut album, and her son was during the school day, such as fire class and have learnt to be clearer be trained to alert me to a baby’s asked by the band which charity alarms and timers. in their communication. cry and will add to the safety and he wanted the proceeds to go Graham decided he needed help “Having hearing loss can be security of the household. to. He chose Hearing Dogs for and got in touch with Hearing pretty scary. I have always had a Deaf People, and this raised over “Deafness can cause barriers, but Dogs for Deaf People, a national fear that if my house was being £14,000. it does not always have to hold charity that trains dogs to alert broken into, I wouldn’t hear it. people back, and I would say David Robson, a spokesman for deaf people to important and I would be quite on edge and to anyone who has any level of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, life-saving sounds and provide would keep checking that the hearing loss and is struggling - said: “Jovi not only helps Graham valuable emotional support and doors were locked. try and seek help, even if it’s just companionship. He was eventually on a daily basis by alerting “Not only does Jovi make me talking to someone. matched with hearing dog Jovi, a him to sounds, but he also feel safer, he has helped me to cocker spaniel. “Jovi helps me to lead a ‘normal’ provides emotional support and overcome some of my anxieties life and I’m so thankful to him companionship, which is really A hearing dog acts as a person’s around interacting with other for that. important as hearing loss can ears. When they hear one of the people, and his presence actually cause people to feel isolated. encourages interaction. I have Jovi’s presence at Moulsford has had so many people come up also led to the school raising “Not only that, Jovi gives a to me and ask questions about £20,000 for Hearing Dogs for visibility to Graham’s deafness him. When people find out he is Deaf People in less than a year. which can make things easier for my hearing dog they start to ask One of Graham’s colleagues even Graham when he’s interacting more questions, which has made ran the London Marathon in with others. me far more accepting, and even 2018 dressed as a dog to raise “Moulsford Prep School has done proud, of my hearing loss. money for the charity and ended fantastic things to fundraise for “Communication at home could up breaking the Guinness World Hearing Dogs. This will directly be quite difficult at times, as my Record as the fastest female to help us to train more dogs that wife Anna could struggle to get run the London Marathon in a will change the lives of deaf my attention. Now, thanks to full body animal costume. people, so we are incredibly Jovi’s amazing abilities, Anna can One of the school’s pupils also thankful to the staff, pupils and call him and ask him to ‘Go get chose Hearing Dogs as the their families.”

4 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Success deserves respect National newspapers have given some prominence to a comment from a sector pundit that independent prep schools are facing a ‘slow and gentle good night’ thanks to the improvement in state primaries. Christopher King, CEO of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) responds... In some quarters it seems that it’s which, as I write, is at 627 schools children through to the end of away from the performing arts in open season to take a pot shot at – more than double that of HMC Year 6; although there are a small state schools. prep schools. The prospect of such – and there are more pupils in but growing group who now offer As for sport, the IAPS programme schools taking a long walk off into our schools than any other heads’ GCSEs and take children on to of competitions saw 26,000 the sunset, never to be seen again, association. Between 2014 and 2018 Year 11. A goodly number are part pupils taking part in 27 different is an image being pedalled in some the number of pupils attending of larger educational ‘trusts’ and sports last year. The swimming ill-informed cases for reasons best IAPS schools in the UK has increased as such are party to offering an competition, for example, known to themselves. It is even more from 128,073 to 129,579. Typically all-through education. There are culminated in a gala at the curious as those making claims of member schools in IAPS have just still a strong core of ‘traditional’ former Olympic swimming venue terminal decline are often those who under 300 pupils and shape their prep schools who take the children in Stratford, London. While have relied on the support of prep business plans accordingly to allow to the end of Year 8. There is much the sailing regatta took place in schools to ensure their viability as a sensible planning for the future. diversity in the character of the Weymouth, again at the former going concern. The naysayers may current prep schools’ landscape but It is beyond me why there is not Olympic venue. The ambition for need to be careful what they wish they are demonstrating how they more public respect for all the the sports programme is impressive for because that support can be are nimble and able to adapt to the removed if it’s not appreciated. Yes, great preparatory work which changing market. and has no comparable senior of course, there are challenges which goes on in the prep schools. In school rival. Prep schools have at the heart are well documented and mostly falling over themselves to praise of their provision, the all-round The prep school world is part of sector wide in their impact. Is the the achievements of the state development of the child. The the independent school sector typical prep school though keeling schools with whom they have well-being of the prep school which can find very few political over and accepting defeat? No, not partnership agreements, some pupil was also a priority in the allies who speak publicly in support at all, it is fighting hard and coming senior independent schools’ heads best schools long before the term of what we do. We are part of out ahead. forget to acknowledge the prep came into common usage within the educational choice offered schools who send them so many It is important to draw a distinction education. Strangely the relatively to parents and we all have a part well prepared pupils. We all want all between those prep schools small size of prep schools can to play in improving education children to have the best possible in membership of IAPS and lead some to look down on such provision in the UK. What surely education available to them and other schools often outside the establishments, missing the point we don’t need is the few to find if some state-funded schools are membership of the Independent that many stay small by design fault where none exists and for making progress that should be Schools Council (ISC). IAPS is an because they are aware that this individuals to put their name first applauded. This is a long way from association of heads and has in allows them to be sure every child ahead of what is the reality in the saying that all state-funded schools membership the very best prep is known and nurtured as an vast majority of prep schools. Prep are achieving more than the schools and junior schools in the UK and individual. Music provision is very schools are thriving, innovating and in membership of IAPS. overseas. It is an association which strong and it’s just as well for the full of drive to be vibrant places of is in rude health. All the top prep The typical school in IAPS country as a whole where we have learning with a curriculum which is schools in the UK are in membership membership is most likely to take seen budget cuts and a move relevant for the future. Leader in the use of technology in teaching and learning The Royal Hospital School, Hamish MacKenzie, Apple creativity, workflows and problem- Suffolk, has been named winner Distinguished Educator and Head solving exercises to develop digital of the Edtech 50 Schools Award in of Digital Learning at the Royal literacy. We are delighted to be recognition of its focused approach Hospital School, explained, “Mobile named one of 50 schools nationally to the use of technology in teaching learning has been significant in recognised for our excellent use of and learning and the resulting the development of teaching and technology to positively impact on positive impact on educational learning at the school for over six children’s learning”. outcomes. years. We are an Apple Regional The judges commended the The Awards, launched at the Training Centre and acclaimed Royal Hospital School on its House of Lords last month (May), a national ‘Beacon of Good comprehensive and ambitious celebrated effective and impactful Practice’ for online safety. Within use of technology and was noted use of Edtech in the UK, along our technology curriculum, the for making learning as relevant, Pictured: (Left) Alex Davison, IS Manager and with individuals who have played a ‘Compass’ module comprises a contemporary, contextualised and (right) Hamish Mackenzie, Head of Digital Learning at the Royal Hospital School leading role in its development. carousel of digital skills, coding, interesting as possible.

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 5 More than mindfulness: Is this approach making us happier at school? We are watching, breathing, visualising, taking a step back from the routine of daily life and creating more time and space to think, reflect and focus. But as our fascination with the concept of mindfulness in school continues to grow, is this much-debated approach really making us happier at school, asks Steve Roche, Year 3 Head at St Margaret’s School, Hertfordshire... Many have coined the ‘mindfulness’ like: ‘how am I feeling today?’ ‘What indeed their educational journey as activity has taken place and the phrase in a bid to join the wellness am I thinking about right now?’ they move on towards exams and improved focus accelerates learning bandwagon and to demonstrate a This can be hugely significant for focused learning. and the ability to retain information clued-up and progressive approach a child about to embark on their Much research has suggested more readily. It also fosters a more to educational life. Of course, some school day. Identifying worries or that mindfulness is scientifically reflective, self-aware approach to are walking the walk in practice concerns, no matter how small, linked to improved memory and school life in general. at the start of the school day and and some are not. Interestingly, if to achieving greater levels of Many children in schools across visualising positive solutions and you read the varying opinions on happiness, which many argue is the the country take part in the ‘daily outcomes, can have a significant mindfulness, it doesn’t take long most important aspect of feeling mile’ challenge each day as part of impact on how productive and to realise that the word means fulfilled at school and in life. As their mindfulness journey and as a happy that day is for a child. different things to different people. simple as it sounds, spending result many children are becoming Many schools today are regularly Aside from taking the time to 10 minutes, two to three times fitter than they otherwise would engaging in activities to promote think about how you are feeling per week, learning mindfulness have been but there are many more mindfulness not just for the benefit each day, mindfulness can be a techniques can really make a big concepts that can help with getting of children but for staff too. From useful technique for developing a difference to the day ahead. children outdoors into the fresh participating in the ‘daily mile’, sense of calmness and compassion Techniques include visualising – a air and having some time just for to meditation techniques, special for others. For example, during a technique for using visual imagery themselves. compassion-based mindfulness yoga classes, wellbeing workshops, to communicate effectively by Creating resilient and coaching and counselling sessions exercise, children are instructed to imagining being inside yourself, related to improving mental visualise a loved one or friend and looking out through your own eyes happy learners health, schools are busy places and to consider two things they could and creating goal pictures of what Evidence shows that a significant providing a first class education is do to bring a smile to that person’s you want to achieve. Watching majority of children respond no longer the only role they have. face. This helps children to realise your breath is also a huge part enthusiastically to mindfulness- Yet, as we find ourselves a few years how interconnected we all are and of mindfulness. For instance, it is based practices. Children are often on from the hype, what impact is how choosing kind actions brings easy to become lost in the sea of surprised and fascinated by how mindfulness having in schools in happiness to others and ourselves. the mind; the breath becomes an they can rely upon themselves to find a sense of calm, without reality and how does this transition This understanding is vital day to anchor to return us home to the reliance on external factors. This into every day life in the classroom? day as children collaborate and work present moment. The quality of our helps children to see themselves together in a team environment. breathing also has significant impact Feelings matter as self-empowered and inquisitive Significantly, it also supports them on our physiology, so breathing Probably the most poignant individuals. The benefits of in their development of positive mindfully can facilitate better health question of all: is mindfulness mindfulness are unique to each and relationships and social skills. and wellbeing. making a difference in school every child; anxious participants Taking the time to think about and are we becoming happier Training the mind become visibly more relaxed, while the positive things in our lives people as a result? There are many Training the mind to focus fully on very imaginative children smile is important too. We so often arguments for and against the one thing without distraction can as they imagine bright futures naturally veer towards worries, concept but based on experience, be a challenge for most of us adults appearing in front of them. problems or negativity and that if such practices are introduced and and children alike. Mindfulness can increases along with the perceived As our education system continues delivered carefully and correctly, help to achieve this by giving pupils pressures of life as we get older so to evolve, so too should our mindfulness can help pupils to new techniques to help focus the adopting those techniques from a concept of mindfulness. If practised become more introspective and mind. young age can be very powerful. open-mindedly and flexibly, self-aware. One such technique that children mindfulness techniques can help There is of course, no need respond positively to, involves Becoming more self-aware us to create, resilient, happy and for mindfulness practice to be imagining filling up and emptying Children are very receptive to creative learners who can flourish complicated. Simply finding a quiet a balloon in their abdomen with change, they are naturally curious, during the pressures of school life space and mindfully watching the mindful, deep breaths; when the adaptable and agile so many find and ultimately become valuable breath for a few minutes can make mind naturally becomes distracted, mindfulness techniques very simple contributors to society in the a real difference. It helps us to slow the children are taught to return to grasp. Children also enjoy the future. Mindfulness can mean down the ceaseless flow of thoughts their attention to their imagined activities and are able to sit calmly many things to many people, in our minds, so we can fully tune balloons. As well as training every day for about 10 minutes, but just as it is in our teaching into the present moment. From a sustained focus, it also promotes which encourages positivity and practice, compassion, imagination place of greater self-awareness, we calmness by encouraging slow, full happiness. and resourcefulness should always can examine our state of mind and breaths – a skill of great importance From a teaching perspective, classes be at the centre of what we do as ask ourselves important questions for their future adult lives and feel calmer in comparison after this educators.

6 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Grit – can we really teach resilience? Expert opinion seems divided over whether young people can be helped to cultivate resilience, or whether it is an innate characteristic which cannot be improved. Alistair Melvill, Head of Languages Faculty and Head of Classics at Bedford School, reflects...

The U14 C cricket team asked me not only achieve more highly in The second point for Dobson grittiness for pupils to consider. earlier this term who my favourite school, but society will develop is that grittiness is an inherent Dave McClure, founder of the player was. Only one name came happier people too. Damian Hinds characteristic, which innately exists successful business accelerator 500 to mind – England’s fastest agrees. “To truly prepare for adult within us to a greater or lesser Startups in California, recalls that ever bowler, Harold Larwood, life we need to make sure our extent. Thinking about this with an alternative name suggested who infamously obliterated the young people build character regard to schooling makes me for his company was “The Fail Australians during the Bodyline and resilience,” announced the anxious because it suggests that Factory”. He also states, “We are series of 1932-33. Standing at education secretary recently at the pupils might never improve their actively trying to “manufacture just five foot seven inches, he launch of a programme designed resilience and thus be pigeonholed failure” on a regular basis because had built up his muscles as a to teach pupils to cope with the as unable to succeed. we think that is how we learn “challenges life brings”. teenager by walking twelve miles Paul Tough proposes some core best.” Such a positive attitude a day to labour in a mine shifting components of resilient young to challenge brought to mind coal for thirty-two shillings a How can we as teachers encourage this? people in his book How Children lyrics by Bob Dylan, who perhaps week. His stamina was legendary Succeed – describing features such summed up this “setback cycle” Colfe’s School has introduced a – he wrenched his joints so as zest, gratitude, optimism and best in his 1965 song Love Minus course in “Eudaimonia” (human much during the second Test at curiosity. He, however, neither Zero, when he sang, “There’s no Melbourne that when he took off flourishing/happiness), based on acknowledges grit as a mere success like failure”. the teachings of the Ancient Greek his left boot at the close of play, personality trait, nor believes that philosopher Aristotle. Likewise, I would also propose teenager he found his sock soaked in blood. we can empirically measure it. At pupils at Wellington College Ines Alves. Having escaped The boys enjoyed that last detail. best we can acknowledge that receive an hour per fortnight of the terrifying inferno at the I was reminded of my hero such features are present (or not) happiness and wellbeing lessons Grenfell Tower in June 2017, she Larwood when I recently re- in someone, given certain criteria. during their first four years. completed last-minute revision discovered two articles regarding This process alone seems tricky Each lesson presents a skill that for her GCSE Chemistry, sat the emotional strength of enough to me. pupils can employ to enhance on the pavement outside the teenagers and their capacity to At Bedford School, we aim to their wellbeing, from advice on building as it burned. She took her cope with adversity. In The Sunday develop resilience by promoting getting to sleep to more complex exam, as scheduled, at 9am the Times, Adrian Furnham argues high expectations, stimulating cognitive methods for dealing with following day. Afterwards she said, that we are all challenged and adversity. One particular element reflection and engendering “I don’t think I did too badly.” tested in life; how we cope with of this course – “developing a personal responsibility. Strong When young people feel more these hard times and the way psychological immune system” – networks of pastoral care, able to engage confidently with we learn from them is key to our seems to fit Furnham’s brief for enhanced through initiatives adversity – physical, intellectual emotional development. It is an schools very neatly indeed. such as peer mentoring and or emotional – anything really is optimistic read - suggesting that “wellbeing week”, play a crucial However, another article by Roger possible. young people can get stronger by role in supporting boys as they Dobson in The Independent engaging with challenge, given the grow. We also encourage pupils Resilience in learning, as in life, offers a less hopeful view of our right guidance. to participate in a wide range of is about being able to persevere capacity to cultivate resilience, activities, which may well result in His conclusion is that it is the noting that researchers in US through setbacks, bounce back to joy and/or disappointment. Pupils process of learning from hardship, now deem it possible to measure tackle challenges afresh, and learn are consequently able to become and the nature, system and quality toughness on a quantitative from mistakes in order to strive “grittier” through many formal and of this learning that is key to scale. When we know how robust again and again for a goal. As the informal contexts, relationships developing resilience. His article someone is, assuming that we Irish playwright Samuel Beckett and opportunities at school. suggests that schools should acknowledge a clear link between once wrote, “Try Again. Fail again. invest much more in this aspect of this and achievement, employers Putting Larwood’s immense Fail better.” Coming up short character development, and that can accurately predict who may toughness aside, it may be should not be something for pupils if we teach this as thoughtfully be more successful in an ultra- helpful to look for other (more to fear – it will paralyse them if as academic subjects, pupils will competitive future. contemporary) examples of we let it.

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 7 Empowering communities through educational partnerships Global service trips are a growth area in independent schools, with pupils keen to have an experience of ‘helping’ overseas schools whilst interacting with pupils in ‘developing’ contexts. Creating an opportunity which provides an impactful service experience, without reinforcing the unequal power balance between participants, is a difficult task.Cat Davison, Director of the Institute of Service and Social Impact, Sevenoaks School, Kent discusses the issues involved, and introduces Reading Spots of which she is Chair/Founder...

We should not assume that school, I was keen to explore the become active global citizens offering an introduction to our ‘laudable outcomes will always differing impact of a community- through their involvement in global links, including those emerge from the linking process’ wide model, which led me to seek collections of 60,000 books established between the Geography (Leonard, 2008:66) and instead support from colleagues, pupils (supplemented with African Department and Education for consider the suggestion that and partner organisations in books) alongside £200,000 of All in Morocco, our Russian ‘the helping Self often involves developing Reading Spots, before fundraising for construction and Department’s link with a fostering implicitly and unintentionally completing an MA in Education solar power. We aim to enable community in the Kaluga region, denigrating Others’ (Cook, and International Development pupils to see the importance of and a link with a community art 2008:20). Creating an opportunity and living in Ghana for a year to avoiding the creation of dependent project in South Africa. which provides an impactful examine the context further. relationships, with communities signing partnership agreements Embedding global links into service experience, without Reading Spots works with to confirm their ongoing curriculum content enriches the reinforcing the unequal power community leaders (traditional, responsibilities. students’ learning; we also offer balance between participants, is a elected, religious and educational) pupils the chance to contribute seemingly impossible task. to create solar-powered education At Sevenoaks, alongside trips, their skills beyond fundraising. Given this, it is important for spaces (‘spots’) that are owned wider opportunities are created Our pupils work on project design participants in both settings and run by community members, to support our global projects. to consider the purpose of the following Freire’s suggestion that Alongside discussion groups, with gifted young women at global exchange, co-designing education must enable individuals pupils are given the opportunity the African Science Academy, the experience. At Sevenoaks, we to have agency in the construction to participate in an online course, also co-designing experiments position our global action trips as of their social reality (Freire, 1970). discussing questions with pupils with Ghanaian science teachers a chance for pupils and teachers in Our central message is that all in the ‘developing’ context. Our involving wind turbines and both communities to learn about citizens, regardless of age, are pupils co-lead an annual multi- geodesic domes. We also mentor sustainable development. Any ‘equally entitled, if not equally schooled conference, with last students supporting projects exchange of resources is framed empowered, to shape the society year’s theme focusing on the in their home communities – by a narrative of empowering in which they live’ (Giroux, 2011: role of literacy in sustainable one student has co-created an community members. We use 102); indeed, local volunteers development, with a series of art curriculum to support the postcolonial approaches (see initiate a multitude of activities. workshops run by development integration of refugees into her Andreotti, 2006 and 2011), Any resources donated by UK professionals, including a visiting community in Malaysia. creating an open space for critical students are shared between all Ghanaian. reflection, which encourages us to schools in an area, encouraging This is part of a wider vision In order to provide a forum for avoid taking a dominating role – private state collaboration, and by our Institute of Service and collaboration is this complex we often observe teachers rather avoiding the sense that we are Social Impact to empower pupils field, Sevenoaks School have than teach pupils, attend sessions ‘patronising’ a particular school. with an understanding of the recently formed a ‘Global Action Alliance’. If you are interested in led by local volunteers, and engage Our community-driven story has systems producing inequality. in two-way cultural exchanges. joining this group, the Reading brought many along with us – in Our pupils learn through practical Spots project, or collaborating on I suggest that teachers creating four years we have supported opportunities provided by our any of the initiatives mentioned global links initially work through the creation of 25 ‘spots’ and weekly service programme, with above, please do not hesitate to organisations already delivering developed a volunteer network our inaugural Social Impact Week get in touch. aligned development and in Ghana of over 200 volunteers also taking place this June. A [email protected] development education objectives. who exchange experiences at new course entitled ‘Society and www.readingspots.org Having led an educational conferences and on WhatsApp. Change’ will engage our youngest www.sevenoaksschool.org partnership with a single Ghanaian Pupils in 40 UK schools have pupils in service education, also

References: Andreotti, V. (2011). Actionable Postcolonial Theory in Education. London: Macmillan. Andreotti, V. (2006). Soft versus critical global citizenship education. Policy & Practice: A Development Education Review Cook, N. (2008). Shifting the focus of development: turning ‘helping’ into self-reflexive learning. www.criticalliteracyjournal.org

8 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Transition towards full co-education The Governing Body for St We are looking forward to Margaret’s Independent Day bolstering our already proven and Boarding School for Girls, track record of academic success Hertfordshire, has made the in public examinations and to strategic decision to move to supporting girls and boys as they a co-educational setting via a move onto competitive courses at staggered transitional period, leading universities both here in which begins in January 2020 the UK and globally.” Eddie ‘The Eagle’ inspires and sees the school emerge as Headmistress, Rose Hardy added: Dauntsey’s School, Wiltshire, thanks to his pure determination fully co-educational across all “The world is co-educational and welcomed Great Britain’s first and ‘have a go’ attitude. year groups by 2022. Olympic Ski Jumper, Eddie ‘The mixing boys and girls together This theme of never giving Eagle’ Edwards to the School. St Margaret’s was originally in the classroom simply reflects up shone through in Eddie’s He presented the final Mercers’ established as a co-educational the reality and the diversity of lecture at Dauntsey’s. He gave lecture of this academic year to environment back in 1749 our society today. St Margaret’s a very entertaining and honest pupils, staff and members of the celebrating the education of both has always encouraged a spirit presentation covering his local community, talking about his boys and girls together as equals of diversity at its core and now is experiences in the Calgary Games, before it evolved into single sex the ideal time to integrate both unlikely rise to fame following his the challenges of not being education in 1812. genders into the fold so it’s a participation in the 1988 Winter accepted by the winter sports natural progression.” Olympic Games. Judith Fenn, Chairman of the establishment and how he coped Eddie was ranked 55th in the Governing Body at St Margaret’s Alongside the modernisation of with becoming an unlikely hero world which qualified him to School said: “Co-education its curriculum, over the next two around the world. provides daily opportunities years the school will be investing compete in the 70 and 90 metre Eddie spoke to a capacity audience for nurturing mutual respect heavily in its academic, co- ski jump events for Great Britain. of 900 at Dauntsey’s. Many and understanding between curricular and boarding facilities, Unfortunately, he came last in parents remembered him from his genders as they learn together not to mention providing a rich both events but the plasterer from and socialise respectfully, co- programme of extra-curricular Gloucestershire won a place in the Olympic exploits but pupils were operatively and collaboratively. activities. hearts of spectators around the also excited to hear him speak after globe. The public loved Eddie, watching the 2016 film of his life.

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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Schools half page Ad June 2019.indd 1 Independent Schools30/05/2019 Magazine 21:02 9 How schools can counter the insidious rise of ‘honesty apps’ The last two years have witnessed the meteoric rise amongst teenagers of so-called ‘honesty apps’. These apps, the most prolific of which are called Sarahah and Tellonym, allow anonymous posters to write ‘constructive’ and ‘honest’ feedback on other user’s public profile page. However, the apps do not allow a right to respond nor the ability to discover the poster’s identity. Unsurprisingly, they have become a forum for bullying and harassment. As a result, parents, schools and teachers alike have Rory is a Senior Associate at Vardags. He is a specialist in all areas of media litigation, been struggling to combat their ubiquitous and harmful impact, with a particular emphasis on reputation management and protection, libel and writes Rory Lynch. defamation, and privacy.

The apps first emerged in 2017 it provides an opportunity to say upset and distress to young So what practical measures can and quickly took hold amongst things they may otherwise be people. We are aware that some schools take? In our view, a teenagers, with Sarahah being too shy or reluctant to address of these posts have required prudent initial course of action the most downloaded iPhone face-to-face. While seemingly an intervention from the police and would be: app in the US in August of that honourable concept, it has become other services’. • to officially ban the apps as year. Although users have to be a bully’s paradise, with reports It was also reported in the Irish school policy; at least 17 years old to use these claiming that the vast majority of Independent in May 2019 that a • inform all pupils of the policy, apps, this is via ‘self-certification’ comments are negative or abusive. girl’s school in Dublin, which asked explaining that the apps on the registration page. In fact, The cyberpsychologist, Dr.Dawn to stay anonymous for privacy encourage bullying and are my 13-year old niece informs me Bradley, told New Statesman reasons, had also raised concerns therefore banned and should be that the majority of the girls in that: ‘the drama created by with parents. Their message was her school year use the app and anonymity helps to make the apps stark: deleted from their phones; many in the years below too. She more appealing’. This no doubt ‘please check your daughter’s • inform parents of the policy, also informed me it is causing partly explains their prodigious phone for the Sarahah app. This advising them of the dangers havoc, with many girls suffering ascent. However, she goes on app is used to send anonymous and age restriction of the apps serious mental health issues as to ask: ‘does this short-term messages, some of which may be and ask that parents: (i) explain a result of sustained bullying. entertainment come at the price nasty. Your daughters were asked the issues to their children; Understandably, some schools of potential long-term distress?’ to delete this app to ensure the (ii) delete the app from their are struggling to cope with the Indeed, reports abound of suicidal wellbeing of all the students’. children’s phones, and (iii) fall-out, both administratively and thoughts in teenagers, and The controversy has now reached regularly check their children’s pastorally. even deaths, being linked to the more official channels, with the phones for similar apps; Sadly, these apps feed into the pressures of social media. government’s publication of • provide workshops for pupils teenage obsession with, and The fallout has not gone a White Paper in April which explaining the dangers of cyber need for, social validation from unnoticed. The Manchester addresses online harms and calls bullying; and their peer group. The trend is Evening News reported in July for tech giants to be bound by a • continue to monitor the for teenagers to put a link on 2018 that two schools in the area, mandatory duty of care to protect situation and encourage their public Instagram page to Urmston Grammar and Abraham their users from abuse. their honesty app profile, which Moss, have been forced to warn teachers and pupils to report In May, the children’s charity means that they are easy to find. parents about these apps. They instances of bullying or abuse NSPCC was minded to publicly The apps promote themselves told parents that: via the apps. warn against the latest new as providing an opportunity for ‘we have been made aware of honesty app craze sweeping If further issues persist which start friends, ‘admirers’ and colleagues the potential dangers associated schools, known as ‘Yolo’. A NSPCC to impact the school’s reputation, to provide you with honest and with the use of the application representative remarked to the then legal advice should be constructive feedback to help you Tellonym. It allows anonymous press that: “apps such as Yolo that sought. No doubt similar apps will ‘grow and develop’ as a person. postings, often inappropriate allow anonymous comments could surface, but good preventative The reason given for these posters messages, comments and be easily misused to send abusive policies should help combat their retaining their anonymity is that photographs which have caused or upsetting images”. impact and protect pupils.

For more information, please contact Alex McCready or Rory Lynch of the Reputation & Privacy team at Vardags. 020 7458 4302 • 10 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7NG

10 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Amelia, Oundle School Collection.

Amelia wears the distinctive bespoke striped culottes of Oundle and a performance cotton fitted blouse. Worn with a navy four button polywool fitted jacket.

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] schoolblazer.infoIndependent Schools 01832 Magazine 280 11 011

6478 A4 Advert Artwork_Final.indd 3 27/09/2018 12:11 Can recycling support the guiding principles of learning in school? ...asks Ben Evans, Headmaster at Edge Grove School, Hertfordshire Recycling as a concept is not a don’t position the teaching and Seizing the opportunity have prevented 100s of pairs of fashion statement or trend; it’s not understanding of the environment gloves going to landfill. By opening a fad or merely another talking right at the top of their list of to educate the young up our recycling to the local point to include in a mid-week priorities. It opens up a world In order to achieve success in any community, we are demonstrating assembly. It’s actually a way of learning and skill acquisition area of their lives, children do need to pupils that recycling goes beyond of life for everyone today and in a creative and engaging way to understand the importance of the school as well as ensuring they cementing its necessity in our whilst ensuring full and purposeful resilience, hard work and effort. It understand the importance of daily lives starts early on in schools coverage. Even using children’s is all too easy for them to think that engaging local communities and with education of children. Schools participation in activities such as things just happen and to give up providing the resources where they need to start treating global the Daily Mile (which many schools when it becomes difficult or requires currently don’t exist. and local responsibility as a key take part in) as a stepping-stone the personal investment of time and Recycling on this level takes time element of their guiding principles to other topics, for instance, by comfort. It is the job of all schools of course and effort and we fully because this shapes and guides the charting your journey of discovery to support and challenge children involve the pupils too. This will way we think and act not just as as you run in the outdoors. It beyond their comfort zones and to also be true at our local community a school community but also into provides both excitement and see how this can bring real results. festival where the Edge Grove Eco future adulthood. curiosity; two essential elements in Protecting and safeguarding their members will be taking responsibility teaching and learning. Recycling is, of course, only one part future is also a big area for children for all recycling. The event attracts of a much bigger picture but it is a The importance of today and children must be taught 4,000 visitors and in previous years, vital part and something that affects to look beyond the present. Time all rubbish has been collected in a us all. On a positive note though, social conscience devoted in the curriculum and skip and sent to the tip. it is something that we all have the Topics such as recycling can also assembly/PSHEE programmes to This year, pupils will be working opportunity to make a significant contribute to the teaching of cover their role in safeguarding the throughout the day to sort and difference to. As adults within the social skills including empathy, future of the planet is important. school, the key is leading by example appreciation, discernment, altruism recycle, ensuring only the necessary If children do not grow up with an rubbish will go to landfill. They will and modelling the correct behaviour and kindness – aspects which understanding of environmental and actions for the children to follow should be inbuilt into every school’s not only be giving up their time on awareness, it is likely that they will a weekend but will also be sending and learn from. curriculum – not an afterthought never embrace the need to recycle, or something for circle time or a strong message to community Beyond community and use ecological friendly products in residents about the importance of PSHEE lessons. In teaching the the home, conserve energy and think importance of recycling we are, by recycling and that as Edge Grove doing what’s right about reducing their own carbon pupils, they are not only leading the But can recycling in schools go the very nature, demonstrating to footprint. Children are open to way but are also leading by example. beyond community and doing children the value of thinking of listening, keen to be involved and what is right? Many believe so; others, actively giving of one’s self eager to protect the environment; No school should stand recycling is an excellent way of for a bigger cause and showing schools need to embrace this and highlighting global environmental an appreciation for our natural seize every opportunity to engage in splendid isolation The school has also registered with issues to children and the cause and environment and the role we should and educate them. consequence of human impact on all play to protect it. Through this the Plastic Free Schools initiative Reducing the reliance on single- our fragile eco-systems. Some of we are also teaching children how organised by Surfers Against use plastics and recycling everyday these environmental issues may be to make the right choices and why Sewage to not only achieve plastic objects are both really accessible too complicated for our youngest or how this may not always be the free school status but also help for children and the perfect way to pupils to understand, others may easiest route. Children need to be to educate our pupils about the demonstrate how we can all make a seem so unconnected to our daily aware of the importance of a social importance of keeping our seas lives as to make them almost conscience in a world where all too difference, even if in a small way. and beaches clean prior to their irrelevant in the eyes of children. often it is about personal gain and An Eco-School with an Expedition Week trips to the However, to understand the self-interest. southwest coast in June. importance of recycling and how Of course caring for others and Eco-Committee Beyond the educational value of Edge Grove is an Eco-School with it can be achieved goes far beyond making the right choices is not just local and global environmental a thriving eco-committee made up simple environmental awareness about the teaching of recycling, it awareness, recycling initiatives of pupils from every class who meet for children. It involves the is about the doing of it and making can help to foster a more cohesive regularly. This ensures awareness teaching and learning of science, a positive difference. There are few and tight-knit school community. is high and pupils themselves are geography, economic education and schools that don’t actively recycle Anything that brings people together proactive in making things happen. generating a wider understanding waste paper and children are very with mutually beneficial aims cannot This in itself is so much more of political interests and their used to this concept. But how many be dismissed. It can strengthen the powerful than always being teacher impact. Collaborative, investigative schools still issue plastic bottles of home-school partnership whilst or parent driven. and communication skills can also water for school trips? Will happily providing endless benefits for the be encouraged through research laminate everything in sight and At present, the school is a pupils. Additionally, anything and debate around environmental regularly send unwanted items community-recycling centre for which provides strong links between issues, if approached properly and during holiday clear-ups to land crisp and snack packets, dental the school and local residents purposefully. fill? Schools need to go beyond hygiene products, cat food pouches, and community groups, is hugely The truth is, no school can the obvious and invest in time and clothes, shoes and latex gloves. The valuable. Recycling is a great reason adequately prepare pupils, facilities if they are to make a real latter is primarily to recycle from to work collaboratively with your whatever their age, for their difference and teach pupils the full our own school kitchens and given neighbours so no school should place in the wider world if they impact of purposeful recycling. modern food safety practices, we stand in splendid isolation.

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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 13 Our occasional series where leading figures in TALKING POINT independent education discuss a key issue of the day.... Pros & cons of a voucher system The government should supply parents with a voucher, redeemable at any state school or participating independent school. To prevent schools cream-skimming pupils that are more likely to do well, participating schools, state and non-state alike, should not be able to accept or reject pupils on the basis of ability or background. Exisiting independent schools should be allowed to accept voucher pupils, provided they commit in advance to the number of places to be made available, discontinue selective entry practices for the pupils concerned, and allocate places through lotteries in the case of over-subscription. These schools would be likely to be incentivised to participate by the prospect of a more steady income from government. (Hypothesis is based on one developed by the Adam Smith Institute and the Centre for Market Reform of Education)

Barnaby Lenon, with vouchers would bring in less incentivised to use them. These or three times as much spent chairman of the income than full fee-payers and schools already strive to create on them each year as the great Independent independent schools would have inclusive environments, in which majority of children still in state Schools to accommodate that as best all young people learn and thrive. schools, which will be seen as Council: they could. Vouchers might even unfair. In the most academically help some independent schools Educationally, the more academic selective independent schools, Vouchers could be a good idea. if they are struggling to recruit schools would have to train staff the tale of less academic children Economically, they have the pupils. to teach across the ability range, gaining a place through the advantage that independent as comprehensive state schools voucher scheme would require schools would be better Socially, vouchers would help have always done. careful handling – but this could able to grow. In 2017 alone, fee-charging schools widen be achieved. independent schools contributed access by enabling more lower There will of course be £13.7 billion to the UK economy, income families to opt for opposition to a voucher scheme. On balance, a voucher scheme generating £4.1 billion of annual an independent education – Those children given a place at could enhance education in tax revenues and supporting provided the parents of pupils an independent school through England, giving many more 303,000 jobs. Of course children on free school meals were such a scheme would have two children access to our schools.

Will Williams, school voucher report* concluded In this country, independent support pupils, but they all seek Pangbourne that, of 22 countries studied in schools offer parents far more pupils with values common to College, depth, nine utilised voucher schemes than league tables – they offer the school ethos. Berkshire, Acting and just four were using them in a a culture of shared values Any scheme that allows more Headmaster: and common ethos, character non-means tested way. The small parents to access an independent sample size and additional other development, and a focus on the The idea that giving vouchers to ‘whole-child’. Parents make great education is certainly worth factors analysed did not allow families will lead to successful financial sacrifices to ensure that consideration. But, removing the authors to draw a conclusion competition and raising of academic their children can learn in an any kind of assessment process on universal voucher schemes. In standards across state schools is, in environment of shared values. and changing to admittance isolation, vouchers are seen as one theory, a seductive argument for the In many schools (and certainly via lottery also then potentially replacement of league tables. But, of many factors that may lead to ours), this is what we look for changes the culture, values and whilst similar schemes are available either rising academic standards or in our assessment process. A ethos of a school. While we elsewhere, including the Netherlands greater social inclusion, but equally minority of schools are genuinely would like to assume that all and many states of the USA, there there is concern that universal ‘academically selective’, the rest parents raise their children with is as yet no evidence to suggest that schemes do not address economic or will have an ability barrier below similar core values, we know this they work in isolation. A 2017 OECD social disparities. which they may not be able to is not the case. *https://www.oecd.org/education/School-choice-and-school-vouchers-an-OECD-perspective.pdf

14 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] MIST Conference Shaun Fenton, This could be non-selective, save head of Reigate money and aid social mobility. 2019 Grammar School, The offer is on the table. The Leys, Cambridgeshire, hosted Surrey, and Chair Lotteries are not the way forward. the three-day annual conference of HMC In my experience, the ethos and of the Methodist Independent We face a moral imperative to values of a school make a huge Schools Trust (MIST) , which is help all children get a great difference. That ethos is not responsible for 14 schools across education. Our best state and something that exists despite the the UK which provide education independent schools are world community of parents, students with a Methodist ethos. class, but that is far from all and teachers but because of it. The conference was attended schools. We need a benign policy Therefore, I think we risk grave by around 100 delegates who environment and supply of danger of undermining the very included school governors, head top teachers. We need targeted reason for a school’s success if we teachers and chaplains as well investment and support for reduce the way a school and child as the trustees of MIST whose children and schools that need are matched to a mere tombola. chairman is the Rev Dr John it most. I want all schools to be Barrett, Methodist minister and curriculum with the introduction strong. Should every school be a former headmaster of The Leys. of Engineering. The Rev Alison comprehensive? I do not think Walker was guest speaker at the We have offered up to 10000 Martin Priestley, Headmaster, so. I have been Headteacher of a service held in the Leys Chapel places a year, targeted at welcomed the delegates to the state Comprehensive and Governor in the evening, which was less advantaged in society. school’s Great Hall. The busy of an Academy. I have been head followed by a conference dinner. Independent schools would programme included a tour of a state Grammar and now The after-dinner speaker was receive less funding from the of the school given by pupils, an independent school. In my another distinguished Old Leysian, government per place than and an address by Old Leysian independent school we are able to former BBC journalist and war it would cost to educate the Matthew Rycroft CBE, Permanent develop SEND provision, provide correspondent Martin Bell OBE children in a state school. This is Secretary at the Department for targeted access for children from (pictured with Mr Priestley). similar – but also different – to International Development and disadvantaged backgrounds and the proposal up for discussion. former pupil at The Leys. The The conference concluded with do lots more that I didn’t have We would eagerly support delegates visited St Faith’s School, talks about the characteristics the opportunity to do elsewhere. opening access to our schools where Headmaster Nigel Helliwell of Methodist education and Through the diversity in the sector so that parents would not talked to them about the school’s the opportunities for Methodist we see exciting work, innovation, need to pay a penny extra for innovative approach to the schools. those places; our schools would improvement and room for make up the shortfall. Most distinctive provision. Collaboration independent schools are not and the sharing of best practice academically selective so that developed in different contexts needn’t be a stumbling block. benefits all children.

Ken Young, less enlightened, existing parents Bursar, St about social mobility and diverse Margaret’s pupil rolls, they will then publicly School, reject hundreds of worthy Hertfordshire: children, who will reluctantly turn to Recruiter Grove (or their Our sector is far from homogeneous, although second choice). sometimes when listening to Managing disaffected customers professional associations, one who invest very heavily in our could be forgiven for thinking service will be more challenging otherwise. Over-subscribed with a cohort who invest selective independent schools significantly less: however, probably account for some 80% Recruiter Grove is often more Rosehill have been supplying quality by turnover and 20% by number, enlightened and diverse, even in contract furniture for over three decades. whereas the more numerous mono-cultural regions, and so We have products to fit all areas of your school including: and less wealthy independent long as the vouchers cover the · Durable poly classroom chairs in recruiter relations, are in some marginal costs (which they will) adult & junior sizes cases, paying teachers to educate the economic argument alone · Classroom tables & exam desks · Lab stools and swivel base chairs empty chairs. wins the day. · Staff room and common room furniture Fearful only of the ‘Schools Selective schools have little interest · Breakout area tables and chairs Together’ website, it may well in the ‘prospect of a steady income · Lockers and changing room benches be the case that some of the · Cafeteria furniture from HMG’ and will largely, as less selective schools will deign · Office furniture and filing cabinets we have seen with EYFS funding, to dip a participatory toe in the not participate. As an unintended ‘voucher-waters’ and will be To discuss your requirements or for advice consequence, the sector will instantly overwhelmed. and quotations please contact Rosehill on further polarise and become a little 0161 485 1717 or view www.rosehill.co.uk Having educated their perhaps weaker as a result.

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 15 The benefits of a charity partnership More and more independent schools are recognising the benefits of charity partnerships. Fariba Kellaway, Director of Development at the children’s charity, Over The Wall, explains how charity involvement supports learning whilst enabling children to develop key skills… In our modern society, children live financial targets, deadlines and an under the constant pressure and overall goal or mission, all of which Warm welcome impossible standards set by social can support learning and the overall media and as a result they are often ethos of the school. for Indian forced to continuously question their As well as allowing the children to identity, credibility, and self-worth. develop a range of skills, it is also cricketers It therefore becomes increasingly very important that they learn that important to empower them with Staff and pupils at Bickley Park the partnership is not simply an the knowledge and understanding School, Kent, welcomed talented exercise in raising a lump sum of that they can make meaningful cricketers from a leading academy cash. From the partnerships with changes and a significant difference in India. The Kiran More-Alembic the schools that we have developed, to both their lives, and to the worlds Cricket Academy is run by the we have learnt that children benefit that exist outside of their own. ex-Chair of Selectors for the Indian hugely from developing a close Many schools are now embarking national team, Kiran More, who understanding of the charity’s also played cricket for India. on charity partnership projects to mission. This is best done by do exactly this. These schools are The four boys, aged 11 to 13 years connecting the school children with create various items such as wooden developing a foundation of values old, were invited by Bickley Park the people that benefit directly from boxes for the children to keep their that will enable children to develop School to visit and play matches its work. camp memories in. Some pupils a sense of well-being, meaning with the school’s first team as For example, as a charity that wrote to campers after raising funds, and empathy, by creating a positive part of the school’s personal provides activity camps for children and others composed songs for the social impact and contributing to links, lessons and cultural events with serious illness, our involvement campers to sing at the next camp. the lives of those less fortunate than connected to India. themselves. with schools has taught us that Creating a strong connection to Funds for the trip were raised pupils have the richest learning the charity, enhances the children’s Through projects that aid by the school last year when an experience when they discover understanding of the specific issues charities, schools are able to attempt was made to eat the most and relate to the stories of the and charitable cause, whilst giving introduce fundraising activities 99 ice-creams simultaneously as a individuals they are supporting. them a stronger sense of empathy that complement and support world record attempt. The school Allowing them to use their own towards the people the charity aims learning in many ways. Such also financed passports for the boys creativity to consider how they can to help. activities also create opportunities who all come from impoverished best help the charity, (in ways other to develop business acumen as Children involved in such projects backgrounds. well as teamwork, networking than fundraise), has been a great are able to consider positive social and collaboration skills. Charity success. For example, the schools we values in a group whilst developing The four boys spent a fortnight partnerships provide pupils with a have worked with have connected the knowledge, skills and attitudes at the school with two chaperons, challenge not too dissimilar to those with children who have benefitted that enable them to be reflective living in a property that has been we experience in a professional or from our charity, via correspondence learners, aware of their worth, furnished entirely by donations business environment. The pupils and video links. After this, they used impact and contribution to wider from the school and local gain the experience of having their own creativity to design and society. community. Parents of Indian heritage from Bickley Park School are cooking all the boys’ meals, CASE STUDY – Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School making sure they are Gujarati Ravenscourt Park Preparatory Over The Wall allowed us to link for Over The Wall campers to use in style. Members of the school School (RPPS) is a co-educational, our support into the curriculum at camp.” community have organised sporting independent school based in in many different ways and the and cultural trips, such as a visit “The most important thing about a London that prides itself on its children independently thought to watch a cricket match at Lord’s. project like this is that the children dedication to charity support. Over of ways to raise money. Quite Local MP, Bob Neill, joined the two years, the school raised an often, I was approached by a child are learning key skills,” adds Justyn. boys for lunch and to watch one of incredible £80,000 for Over The in the corridor who handed me “The project has shown them the their matches. Wall whilst constantly learning an envelope with a small sum to different values which they learn, about the charity’s work, and how such as respect, responsibility, donate as they began to fundraise Enjoy the holidays! children and families cope with on their own – which was very resilience and empathy, through serious illness. heart warming. We also introduced their involvement and the benefits This is our usual combined The school’s Head of PSHE, Justyn activities into the children’s day that their actions bring to others issue for June and the Waterman explains, “Working with such as making items and resources less fortunate than themselves.” Summer months.

Over The Wall is a charity that helps children, young people and their families reach beyond the boundaries of serious illness by providing free, We’ll be back in September. transformative residential activity camps throughout the UK. www.otw.org.uk

16 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Warm welcome for Indian cricketers

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 17 Finance, Insurance & Investment Get behind the headlines of the TPS cost increases Declan Keohane is a partner at First Actuarial We have all seen the headlines, valuation dated 5 March 2019 The cost cap that has Depending on the outcome, it is contribution rate for schools will sets out a lot of detail including the intention that the member increase from 16.4% of pay to the overall rate increasing by increased costs… benefit improvements identified As a reminder, the cost cap 23.6% of pay with effect from 1 40% (from 16.4% to 23.6% of through the valuation process, will was introduced following September 2019. This represents pay), but behind the headlines, be implemented retrospectively Lord Hutton’s review of public a 40% increase in costs for the contribution towards the cost from April 2019. schools. But why has this increase of future benefits accruing to sector pensions in 2011 to It is possible that the employment happened? current teachers has increased by help control the cost of public sector pensions. However, tribunal will need to identify In order to understand what nearly 60% from 10.8% to 17.1% because of the factors included a suitable remedy, which may has caused the increase it is first of pay. (and excluded) in the cost cap require action to alter pension necessary to break down the At the same time, because the calculation it is now having a arrangements of all the unfunded current employer contribution notional deficit has increased counter-intuitive impact. public service schemes including rate. The contribution rate between 2012 and 2016, from the TPS. consists of two elements, as £15bn to £22bn, the contribution As a result of the employer determined by the Government towards the deficit has also cost cap biting, the benefits for In this scenario, any remedy Actuary as part of their actuarial increased from 5.6% to 6.5% of teachers need to be improved is expected to need to be valuation. pay. (even though overall the cost implemented retrospectively from to employers is increasing). 1 April 2015, to ensure future 1. The cost of future benefits So why has the cost of future However, this aspect is currently discrimination is removed. This is accruing to current teachers. benefits increased by nearly 60%? At the 2012 valuation, this was on hold due to the ongoing likely to impact on the contribution set as 10.8% of pay. As the table below shows, there cases brought by members of rates at the next valuation. Legal are three main factors, lower the Judicial and Firefighters’ risks like this mean it hard for 2. A contribution towards the expected economic growth and pension schemes relating to the actuaries to answer the question notional funding shortfall the employer cost cap biting have transitional protection offered to “what is the chance of further cost for past benefits. At the 2012 increased the cost, but this has some members of the final salary increases at the next valuation?”. valuation, this was set as 5.6% been partially offset by shorter life schemes when the schemes were of pay. expectancy: reformed in 2015. What does this mean for Interestingly, this means that only independent schools? 65% of a school’s contribution Future benefit cost for schools (2012 valuation) 10.8% TPS costs are a complex issue. is to cover the future benefits Lower expected economic growth +3.7% However, understanding the accruing to current teachers. The different elements of the cost in Cost cap biting +3.3% remainder of the contribution is the TPS (and what factors could Shorter life expectancy impact (1.2%) being paid to cover the funding change these costs in the future) is deficit, as assessed by the Miscellaneous other changes (0.2%) vital when assessing your school’s Government Actuary. Future benefit cost for schools from 1 April 2019 16.4% participation in the TPS and we So, what has happened at the Impact of delaying contribution increase to 1 September 2019 +0.7% recommend this is fully understood 2016 valuation? The Government before final pension strategy Future benefit cost for schools (2016 valuation) 17.1% Actuary’s report on the actuarial decisions are taken. Rebecca opens new pool The new Swimming Pool at keen to share what swimming has Godstowe Preparatory School, given me in terms of confidence, Buckinghamshire, was officially teamwork and communication opened last month (May) by skills, as well as it being an Olympic Gold Medallist, Rebecca important life skill in terms of Adlington OBE. safety and fitness.” Rebecca gave an inspiring talk Godstowe Headmistress, Sophie to the pupils and answered Green said “We are absolutely questions, before cutting the delighted with the completed ribbon. Then the pool records pool. Our pupils have enjoyed were set with some exciting races! filling a time capsule to place in Impressed with the facility, the undercroft and we are all very outdated 1970s facility. It was showers and changing rooms, as Rebecca said “. It is my vision excited to see the pool in full use” designed by MorseWebb Architects well energy-efficient photovoltaic to see all children leave primary The £2.8m competition-sized pool to meet Sport England’s design solar panels on the roof and LED education able to swim. I am development replaces the school’s specifications. It has integrated lighting.

18 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Finance, Insurance & Investment New sports centre opens A £5m sports centre has opened at the study and practice of sport, the King Edward’s School, Birmingham benefits of which are already being as part of a major development of enjoyed by our pupils and staff, and the school’s indoor sports facilities. the community groups who use our The new development, called The facilities.” Andrew Brode Sports Centre, has The sports centre is part of a £25 been substantially funded by a million building programme that donation from former pupil Andrew the school embarked on in 2010. Brode, Executive Chairman of RWS The Ruddock Performing Arts Holdings. This is the second major Centre, which was substantially donation made by Andrew Brode funded by former pupil Sir Paul to the school’s facilities, the first Ruddock, opened in 2012. The part-funding a modern languages aforementioned modern languages and science centre, which opened and science centre opened in 2013, Anurag Singh, Keith Phillips and Andrew Brode at the official opening in 2013. and the Southall Pavilion and astro Keith Phillips, Acting Chief Master hockey pitch, also part-funded by of King Edward’s School, said: a former pupil, Stuart Southall, “We are very grateful to Andrew opened in 2015. The final project to Brode for his great generosity and be undertaken is a redevelopment continued support of the school. of the school’s original sports hall, The new developments that he which is expected to be completed has so generously supported have by autumn 2020. had a huge impact on life at King The Andrew Brode Sports Centre, Edward’s, both in and out of the which includes a new sports classroom. hall, cardiovascular fitness room, “His first major gift has provided multipurpose space, classroom, outstanding facilities for science and changing rooms, was officially and modern languages, and opened on Friday, 10 May 2019 transformed the way these subjects by former pupil and Warwickshire, are taught at the school. His second Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire gift has created superb facilities for cricketer Anurag Singh. The sports hall in The Andrew Brode Sports Centre. Image credit: BDP

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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 19 Finance, Insurance & Investment Redevelop - or refurbish? The majority of independent schools who rely on fee income and do not enjoy the financial support of large foundations or alumni networks are regularly faced with something of a conundrum when considering how to keep their facilities up-to-date – is it worth borrowing to redevelop, or should they go for the cheaper option of refurbishment? If the aim of the exercise is – in part at least – to attract future pupils, how can the relative merits of the options be assessed? Accountant Henry Briggs discusses... The arms race is over – or is it? expenditure will produce returns. It on budget, so allowance for some the safer option, but may only be Whatever the age of a school’s may be that an urgent repair can be variance at the outset is wise. a short term solution. All schools estate, there is always a need to turned into a new build and be a Whatever the proposed method should ensure that they provide a constantly refresh the site and better option, or vice versa. of funding, even if from existing sinking fund for depreciation of update the facilities. Any business case will look at reserves, there will be a cost, or buildings that will need repair, and The important thing is to whether the project helps to raise an opportunity cost. It is a good conduct regular impairment reviews as a way of checking this is covered. differentiate between a wish list and income from either new pupils or discipline to treat the project as if All buildings have a continuing cost a needs list; to step back and look raised fee levels. Research on how there is a need to put the proposal and this will be rather different for at the reasons a project is on either the new facilities might generate to a bank and prepare detailed a swimming pool than it may be for list and whether this is a matter of this is important, rather than a income and expenditure forecasts, well- built Victorian classrooms. capacity, necessity or vanity. general expectation that new cash flows and a projected balance facilities will automatically draw in sheet, with variance analyses When this work has been done, Of the common projects put to more income. Schools with falling and comparisons of both the it is worth returning to basics in Governors, it is interesting to pupil numbers are unlikely to be build and refurbish options, if evaluating the choices. What is note that in the January 2019 ISC turned around just by building. applicable. The Governors should the reserves policy of the school Census, only 6% of their member be critical reviewers of this, but and what effect will the decision schools have all weather athletic So, future pupil projections and sometimes heart rules head in these have on them? Are the aims of the tracks; 33% a dance studio/fitness cash flow generation are essential circumstances and stakeholders get school being enhanced? Will the centre; 44% have sports centres and considerations. There may be carried away. legacy for the school be a great 55% have concert halls/theatres. other sources of funding that are available; either internally from The build or refurbish choice asset for future generations, or has This is less than I would have reserves; borrowing (we are still in will be affected by many other it put an intolerable burden, by way expected, but maybe those schools a relatively low interest rate era); factors; notably planning consents, of liability, on future governance that don’t have these facilities have or a new build can be a good covenants, disruption of normal and management of the school? undertaken a rigorous business case opportunity for direct fundraising operations and time scale; and, for Though prospective parents may review and found that the figures and is an expression of confidence urban schools, space limitations be influenced by hard assets and did not work for them. in the future of the school. If the of the site. Temporary use of facilities, we sometimes forget In any project, even if there is an school has heritage buildings, there prefabricated alternatives has that it is the softer assets that urgent need to repair buildings, may be some grants that can be always been an option and now are imparted by the teachers and in considering the next stage, it applied for. There are few building the offerings are considerably more the school ethos that are most is important to look at how the projects that end in an under spend acceptable. Refurbishing is often influential on their pupils’ futures.

Henry Briggs, partner at the Birmingham office of chartered accountants Haines Watts, is a former school governor with expertise in advising and supporting both independent and state schools. Relocation ups capacity The Lyceum School, currently space, the building has undergone term future. We wanted to seek based on Paul Street, London, significant redevelopment which out an environment that would has relocated to new and historic has seen the site transformed into enable us to not only enhance our premises on Worship Street near a tailored learning environment. learning facilities and resources, but Liverpool Street Station. The school now features beautiful also increase our capacity to take classrooms, an art studio, drama on more students at all key stage The Italianate building spans across room, canteen and a large outdoor levels. The new building is perfect five floors and dates back to c.1860. play area. for us – we’ve previously not had an With a rich history and many of its onsite playground so this will be a Speaking about the move, original features still in place, it is real luxury for students. It will also headmistress Hilary Wyatt said: believed to be one of the earliest enable us to have indoor/outdoor “The Lyceum’s heart has always furniture showroom-warehouses in free-flow classrooms for our younger been in the bustling and vibrant South Shoreditch, built when the nursery and reception pupils.” Shoreditch – but after a wonderful area was known as the hub of the 21 years on Paul Street, we decided The move to Worship Street means international furniture trade. that now was the perfect time to The Lyceum is able to double its Having formerly been used as office invest more in the school’s long capacity to 200 students.

20 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Insurance specialists for the education sector

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Insurance specialists Finance, Insurance & Investment Advertisement Feature: Private medical insurance for management and staff in independent schools New cost effective private “I have been dealing with Eduhealth since 2010, I have health schemes developed always received from them; prompt attention, excellent advice, regular face to face by sector leaders contact plus information and suggestions regarding new health and wellbeing Bupa and Eduhealth are proud to announce their partnership initiatives. I would recommend and offer you the opportunity to get fast access to treatment Eduhealth to any bursar looking to reduce private and specialist support, so you’ll soon be back to business as medical insurance costs, and who may be looking usual. The schemes provide a range of additional benefits for to enhance the health and Senior Leadership Teams, and all other staff. Whether your school wellbeing benefits for their is considering renewing or extending existing arrangements, school staff”. Richard White, Bursar or arranging health insurance for the first time, a quick no Prince’s Mead School obligation review is available free of charge from Eduhealth. Kings Worthy

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22 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Finance, Insurance & Investment Gala opening The official Gala Opening of the new building. The successful newly built Murray Centre at completion of this project reflects the heart of the Downe House the culmination of months of School, Berkshire, campus was hard work from a wide range of attended by over 30 Prep School people as well as generous support Heads together with current by many. All are owed a debt parents and staff. of gratitude and I would like to thank all our donors, who have Following a fundraising appeal allowed us to turn this dream into which raised £6.5million from the a reality. Special thanks must also Downe House community, the go to Alasdair Heath, Director of Murray Centre has been the most Estates, Michelle Scott, Assistant significant new building project Head (Foundation), and Philippa that Downe House has undertaken Toogood, Director of the Murray in its history. Its rationale is Centre, for their unwavering based on the aim that it will commitment to ensuring such an touch and transform every girl’s excellent outcome, as well as to education through the provision Ambitious the girls whose ideas and input of a state-of-the-art auditorium, a were invaluable.” contemporary library, new teaching boathouse plans and learning spaces, a Coffee The Murray Centre is a strategic Shop and social areas to bring the development which forms part St Mary’s School, Cambridge is rowers can flourish. It is envisaged school community together. of Downe House School’s Ten making rapid progress with its that future Sixth Form rowers Year Vision plan to ensure that ambitious plans to greatly enhance will compete at a national level, Guests were given a guided tour the School moves forward and opportunities for St Mary’s girls against schools with a formidable around the new building and remains at the forefront of to experience that most iconic of reputation for rowing, such as enjoyed a celebratory lunch before boarding education. It has been Cambridge sports: rowing. Headington School, Oxford. attending an interactive session, named in honour of alumna, Dame An innovative partnership between Over 60 St Mary’s girls are already ‘A Glimpse into the Future’ in the Rosemary Murray who attended St Mary’s School, the City of enjoying regular opportunities to new 250-seat China Auditorium. Downe House School from 1927 to Cambridge Rowing Club (CCRC) row, benefiting their fitness levels, The panel of guest speakers 1931. Rosemary went on to read and Homerton College is delivering as well as their communication included leading technology Chemistry at Oxford University and the redevelopment of CCRC’s and team-building skills. The journalist and presenter, Zoe followed a distinguished academic original boathouse, which offers school currently has a number of Kleinman, the Vice President of career, becoming the first woman prime river frontage on the Cam. rowing squads, including a Learn Marketing Cloud, Salesforce EMEA, Vice-Chancellor in Cambridge This shared vision will deliver to Row squad, Junior 3 squad Helen Kelisky and Steph Martin University’s 765-year history. exceptional rowing facilities for (foundation racing), Junior 2 squad representing Microsoft. These St Mary’s girls and the wider local (performance rowing and racing), To celebrate the completion of the experts shared their thoughts and community via CCRC, the oldest Junior 1 squad (higher performance Murray Centre, the Downe House answered many questions from the town rowing club in the city. rowing and racing). Exceptionally community came together for the audience on how technology may As the only all-girls school in talented rowers will also have an official opening and unveiling of a impact, influence and shape the Cambridgeshire, St Mary’s is opportunity to prepare to attend plaque by members of the Murray future for young people. keen to encourage more girls to GB trials, where successful athletes family. Current and past parents, experience rowing. St Mary’s girls race as part of the GB squad. Headmistress, Mrs Emma alumnae, donors, governors, staff have access to CCRC’s excellent Charlotte Avery, Headmistress of McKendrick said, “It has been and girls came together to mark Junior Rowing Programme St Mary’s School comments: “I am super to see the way in which the this significant milestone in the and from age 12, students can delighted that we are progressing girls have embraced this wonderful School’s history. opt to join CCRC, opening up rapidly with our plans to establish opportunities to compete on behalf a boathouse for St Mary’s School of St Mary’s School and CCRC. A – which will give our school direct number of St Mary’s students have access to the River Cam. Our gone on to row at university level, innovative partnership with CCRC joining teams around the country, and Homerton College has opened including Cambridge’s University up exciting opportunities for our Boat Race team. girls to pursue their rowing talents, Establishing a new ‘home’ on the with access to exceptional facilities River Cam for St Mary’s School in the heart of Cambridge, a city will build on this record of success. renowned for the sport.” With the support of dedicated Redevelopment work will continue teaching staff, state-of-the-art over the forthcoming months, with facilities and the expertise of CCRC, the aim of opening some of the St Mary’s School is creating an initial facilities to rowers later this Pictured L to R: Dr Richard Murray, Dame Rosemary Murray’s brother who opened the building, Dame Rosemary’s great niece, Katherine who is in the Upper Sixth at Downe House environment in which talented summer. and Headmistress, Mrs Emma McKendrick.

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 23 New Educational Partnership launched A new partnership has been launched to bring together school headteachers, education professionals and young people from across Cambridgeshire. The county’s Service Director for Education, Jonathan Lewis, former National Chairman of the Independent Schools Association, Deborah Leek-Bailey OBE, and Tricia Pritchard from the Opportunity Area Partnership Board for Fenland and dissemination of good practice collaborative working to raise the the partnership. The enthusiasm East Cambridgeshire, were among within the teaching community, to aspirations of young people and the and willingness of leaders to work delegates who came together at develop, support and retain the best teaching bodies in our schools. She collaboratively together to enhance King’s Ely last month (May) to teachers, and to raise the aspirations said: “This exciting Independent the opportunities for the young celebrate the official launch of and accelerate the progress of State School Partnership is people of Cambridgeshire bodes the Cambridgeshire Educational young people. addressing a need within the local well for the future of this new Partnership. Jonathan Lewis said: “Whilst every community and will undoubtedly partnership.” King’s Ely, Ely College and provide many unique learning school is unique, every school has Principal of Ely College, Richard Littleport and East Cambridgeshire something it can offer another opportunities for both pupils and Spencer, said: “As a founder Academy joined forces to set up school regardless of its size, status staff. A tremendous amount of member of the Cambridgeshire the organisation last autumn, but and performance. The development dedication to the project’s success Educational Partnership, Ely College since then almost a dozen other of the Cambridgeshire Educational was exhibited by every school leader is proud to be able to share our local primary and secondary schools, Partnership is a unique and exciting who attended the launch and good work for the benefit of other from both independent and state opportunity to improve outcomes some exciting projects are already schools, have come on board. for children and young people in underway. Such collaborations will children in the community. Our The partnership aims to bring the area through sharing the skills, not only raise aspirations but also own students have gained access to together local schools to work expertise and commitment of our impact positively on teaching and enrichment activities through the together for the mutual benefit talented staff in schools. Despite learning.” partnership; be it scientific lectures of all pupils, and to provide a challenging financial context, Director of Outreach at King’s or attending a drama production. opportunities for students from every child deserves access to a Ely, Celia Etchegoyen, said: “The In challenging times, it is really schools within the partnership to diverse range of opportunities and response from local schools to encouraging to see local schools gain access to a variety of STEM knowledge so they can successfully our Principal, Sue Freestone’s, coming together in such a positive (Science, Technology, Engineering transition to adulthood. The vision of creating an educational way. We congratulate King’s Ely for and Maths), MFL (Modern Foreign partnership will provide a fantastic partnership in Cambridgeshire has getting this project up and running. Languages), Arts, Sport and opportunity to support this been incredible. Eighteen head It is a real privilege to be involved Enrichment activities. objective.” teachers and senior leaders from the in the collaboration which, I have The partnership aims to create Deborah Leek-Bailey OBE shared primary and secondary education no doubt, will go from strength to opportunities for collaboration and her perspective on the benefits of sectors attended the launch of strength.”

Recognition Among the Queen’s birthday honours list this year are three for services to education:

Barnaby Lenon Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the BEM for services to education. She Mr Wheeler became involved with Independent Schools Council and has been head of music for 11 years, Little Princess Trust in 2009 whilst chair of governors at the London having joined the school as a flute he was the Headmaster of Hereford Academy of Excellence, has been teacher 13 years previously. She Cathedral Junior School. awarded a CBE. said: “I was overwhelmed when the The trust was established in 2006 Mr Lenon said: “I see this award as Cabinet Office rang me and started in tribute to Hannah Tarplee, by recognition of the great work done asking me questions; the formal her parents Wendy and Simon, by the staff of the Independent letter had gone to an old address so their friends and Hereford Cathedral Emma Slater Schools Council, helping to raise I was completely taken aback”. Junior School. awareness of the important role the The Headmaster of Stockport In the past decade, Mr Wheeler sector plays in our country’s diverse Grammar Junior School, Mr Tim has run three full and two half education system – such as through Wheeler, has been awarded an marathons to raise funds and meaningful partnership initiatives MBE for services to charity and to awareness of the charity, with the with state schools. In addition, it education in the Queen’s Birthday next in Cardiff in the autumn. reflects the achievements of the Honours List. Some of these have been run as Tim Wheeler staff and supporters of the London In addition to his work at SGJS, Mr ‘Scissorman’ – a logistical and Academy of Excellence in Newham, Wheeler has been the Chair of the aerodynamic challenge. which in such a short time has Little Princess Trust, since 2011. Mr Wheeler is also a member of become one of the most successful The charity provides real hair wigs the Council of the Independent state schools in England.” to children and young people with Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Emma Slater, teacher West Lodge hair loss, and funds vital research and has run courses and written School in Kent, has been awarded a into childhood cancer. education materials for them.

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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 The [email protected] Save the Children Fund is a charity registered in England and Wales (213890) and Scotland (SCO39570). Independent Schools Magazine 25 Risk assess your drivers online with training modules for continued improvement Castle Minibus launch CODA, Castle’s Online Driver Assessment, to ISBA schools with an easy and accessible way to risk assess new and existing drivers and document the results and subsequent online training.

Chris Maynard, MD of Castle 2018 to devise a ‘safety system’ Minibus comments ‘While CODA for school minibus management. is not meant as a replacement The launch of CODA follows the for physical assessments such as Minibus Compliance Course (MCC) MiDAS or other forms of driver launched in September 2018 training it is a proven and accurate to help schools with safety and way to risk assess your drivers compliance, both of which have and offer them additional driver the ISBA seal of approval. Castle training that can be undertaken aim to be ‘Champions of Minibus online and in their own time.’ Safety’ and were concerned that you access to a dashboard for CODA tests drivers on four areas; their rentals, leasing and driver your drivers and send you your attitude, knowledge, hazard training clients didn’t have access driver’s codes perception and concentration/ to clear guidance or resources when 3. Your driver then logs in using observation. At the end of the it came to compliance and the safe their email and driver code and assessment the driver can see their and competent management of might do any other area of their completes the assessment and risk rating in simple traffic light minibuses and drivers. performance. We recommend training modules form for each sector and four How does the online that you check driving licences training modules are recommended Assessment work? 4. You can then login and see the regularly (termly is best practise) for them to complete. results of your drivers and their 1. Schools purchase unique codes and complete an online driver You can trial the assessment from Castle Minibus for £45 progress through the training assessment every year. MiDAS on the Castle website; (plus the vat) per candidate and modules. You will be notified if training is available for practical castleminibus.co.uk. It won’t provide Castle with their details, any of your driver pose a high and theory minibus tests but this risk. give you your results, but you the school logo and confirmation is generally only done every four will be able to see how it works. that all drivers have email Safety first years. If you assess your drivers Champions of addresses (users require an email Chris Maynard continues ‘Your regularly online you can be Minibus Safety address to sign in) staff are driving precious cargo confident, and have evidence, that Castle has been working closely 2. The compliance team then set and it is important to be regularly the safety of your pupils and staff with the ISBA since February you up on the system, give risk assessing their driving as you is being monitored.’

For more information on CODA Castle’s Online Driver Assessment please visit www.castleminibus.co.uk or call our compliance team 01869 253744 or email [email protected] Tennis partnership King Edward’s Witley, Surrey, has playing in Grand Slam tournaments, won Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) including the Wimbledon recognition and validation and has Championships, and reaching an recently secured an LTA partner, ATP doubles rank 57, on occasions Premier Tennis, to work with world teaming up with Andy Murray. class professional sports specialists. James’s focus is now on developing The aim of the partnership is to help tennis for all ages through an raise the standard of the School’s integrated coaching methodology coaching and strengthen competitive that engages players the same way tennis. as when he coached Wimbledon Mr Phil Miller, Director of Sport, and Champions Jamie Murray and Mr Jim Langan, teacher in charge Jonathan Marray. of Tennis at King Edward’s, visited the All England Lawn Tennis Club James visited King Edward’s Witley at the invitation of James Auckland to coach a tennis workshop with of Premier Tennis. James is a former pupils. This day was the final seal of professional tennis player with career a new partnership at a time when Left, Jim Langan, Head of Tennis, middle, James Auckland, highlights including representing King Edward’s is stepping up its Premier Tennis, right: Phil Miller, Director of Sport Great Britain in the Davis Cup, tennis activities for all ages.

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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 27 Is grammar Garden party date still important? with the Queen A Solihull School military cadet has enjoyed a truly regal honour Emojis are ‘ruining people’s grasp of English’; after being invited to a garden Britain recently named ‘worst in world for party at Buckingham Palace where she was presented to Her Majesty literacy’; ‘Poor reading could cost UK £32bn in the Queen. growth by 2025’. If the popular press is to be Cadet Sergeant Major Olivia believed, the English language is in decline. Tennant was chosen to attend the event after being nominated by David Sharples, Head of English at St Dunstan’s the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, John Crabtree, for her College, London, reflects on the reality of the service as Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet situation from a teacher’s perspective... and her fundraising efforts for the Shirley-based Troop Aid charity. One does not despite, for many, it not being part Both Olivia and her mum, have to look of their own formal education. Samantha, were able to talk to hard to realise There are those who think that the Queen for several minutes that the English ten-year-olds need to know their language has at the prestigious event at subjunctives from their subordinate Buckingham Palace. historically been clauses but teaching children in perpetual Olivia, who was one of very few traditional grammar does not “We also talked about how there crisis. George Orwell declared in people selected to be presented to necessarily help them to become are so many more opportunities 1946 that ‘most people would the Queen at the event, said: “She better at reading and writing. for women in the Armed Forces admit that the English language is asked about my five years in the In the classroom, I think it is than there used to be. in a bad way’ in his essay Politics cadets and whether I had enjoyed helpful to remind ourselves of and the English Language. Going it and I said it had been fabulous. “It was an amazing experience.” back a little further, William Eliza Doolittle in George Bernard Langland wrote that ‘There is not a Shaw’s Pygmalion when she tells single modern schoolboy who can Professor Higgins: ‘I don’t want to New uniform unveiled compose verses or write a decent talk grammar’. letter’. He died in 1386. All English teachers have seen Most people are aware of grammar meaningless ‘feature-spotting’, ‘rules’ such as splitting infinitives in which students confidently or never ending a sentence with a discuss the writer’s use of complex preposition, but few people know sentences for ‘effect’ or ‘to make where these rules originated and the writing flow’ while failing why they exist (or, perhaps, persist). to engage with the text at an There are even grammatical ‘rules’ analytical level. The risk is that that native English speakers know students apply grammatical but don’t know they know, such labels without considering as that pre-modifying adjectives meaning and context; they focus in a sentence have to be in this on the grammar, rather than order: ‘opinion-size-age-shape- the meanings that the writer’s colour-origin-material-purpose’. linguistic choices create. The green striped blazer and six- Mark Forsyth in The Elements of I suggest that we make sure to gore skirt has been the subject of Eloquence gives the following expose students to diverse texts negative comments for some time at example as proof: ‘a lovely little that are rich in language, rather Farnborough Hill School, Hampshire. old rectangular green French silver than worry about them learning The girls and the public all expressed whittling knife’ and suggests that checklists of grammatical jargon. dislike for the look, and a parental changing the order would make The linguistic terminology to survey of 2016 reinforced that it was the look, with a sage jumper you sound like a ‘maniac’. The describe what they experience as time for the uniform to change. trimmed with a navy neckline. The BBC tweeted this ‘fact’ in 2016 readers is important, but secondary. Heritage and quality were at the uniform will be worn with black and it went viral, demonstrating With a strong understanding of forefront of the designers’ minds, shoes and either black tights or our fascination with the baffling how language works in context, while the pupils stressed the black ankle socks. The sports kit uses mechanics of language. grammatical knowledge becomes importance of Farnborough Hill brighter tones of green and cerise a powerful tool to help students English teachers have always been remaining a green school; the purple on a navy background to ensure understand and analyse complex able to use their understanding of was also crucial to them. the girls are distinctive and vibrant language to help students become texts and choose and combine among their competitors. better readers and writers but words into effective sentences, Schoolblazer delivered a tweed The feedback following the launch increasingly there is an expectation helping them to develop blazer with threads of both purple and green woven throughout, with has been brilliant: the smart that they should be able to meaningful connections between the soft moleskin collar matching blending of heritage tweed with draw on a precise knowledge of grammar and writing, both the navy skirt. A smart pale purple a crisp, modern shirt has proven grammar to inform their teaching analytical and creative. three-quarter sleeve shirt completes extremely popular with the girls.

28 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Scottish school redesigns its Junior Hall around new flooring by Gerflor St Columba’s is one of Scotland’s Facilities Manager. “The hall is highest achieving schools, which an all-round area that is regularly is consistently ranked within the used for activities like assemblies, top ten independent schools in exams, parents’ evenings and for Scotland. With an Early Years, the younger pupils’ games and Junior and Senior School, 700 gymnastics lessons. We therefore pupils and national representation needed an equally all-round, multi-purpose flooring to cater for at sport, music, debating and public this diversity and to replace the old speaking, its standards are high. and unsightly tiles which were in Extremely high standards were very poor condition,” said Alasdair therefore a priority when carrying McGregor, Facilities Manager, St out the two flooring renovation Columba’s School. projects under the management In a school environment like St of St Columba’s newly appointed Columba’s, building works often need to be scheduled into holiday periods so contractors that can be relied upon to work within the and 100 sqm of Miplolam Elegance environmentally-friendly, low cost given timescales are essential. Local Raspberry Grey in the corridors, cleaning routines. “Maintenance firm, Muirgroup Interiors, who with both areas completed on is very important to us as our had previously worked successfully schedule. floorings come under heavy use. with the school, carried out the Gerflor supplied the technical refurbishments to include installing Both Taraflex Multi-Use and details required by our external 200 sqm of Taraflex Multi-Use Mipolam Elegance’s patented cleaning contractor. We are very (6.2mm) in Wood Grey in the hall surface treatments also allow happy with the results.” Tel: 01926 622600 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gerflor.co.uk

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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 29 Music, Drama & Dance Dancers perform at the Royal Albert Hall The New Hall School, Essex, Festival Aged from 9-18, the Festival Dance Dance team performed at the team featured 48 performers who iconic Royal Albert Hall as part of confidently performed their routine, Mardi Gras’s annual The Stars in creating an impressive on-stage the Round show. The show offers display with a final circle at the end an opportunity for each performer of the performance. “Well done to Festival successes to showcase their skill in front of all dancers, who represented New Bromsgrove School, orchestra consisted of pupils from an audience of 5,000. This was Hall incredibly well,” said Mrs Sarah Worcestershire, took their Years 3-6 and filled the entire an illuminating experience for the Molina, Head of Dance at New Hall. combined Prep and Senior Choir stage of the Town Hall. The pupils New Hall dancers, who opened the “We have all created a wonderful to compete at the Cheltenham performed beautifully and the prestigious event with their routine memory that will be cherished for a Festival for Performing Arts in adjudicator praised their ability to ‘Show Must Go On’. long time.” the School Choir U19 category. watch the conductor and listen The adjudicator Ula Weber well to their fellow players. She thought their performance of had particular compliments for the Lacrymosa from Mozart’s the pianist and the woodwind Requiem was really moving and soloists. The Orchestra returned to said that their “understanding School having been awarded the of the text really came through”. magnificent Girl Guide trophy. The second song they sang was Jessica Russell, Music teacher at the Spiritual song Didn’t My the Prep School said “the Junior Lord Deliver Daniel arranged by Orchestra has grown exponentially Richard Allain. Ula Weber thought in both size and skill in the past that “they had really tight year. The success of the two rhythms, a very secure ensemble school instrumental schemes is and a good blend throughout”. easily seen, as the rows of viola The adjudicator was really players and clarinettists are impressed with the performance wholly products of our school and awarded the Choir the E L based initiatives. Attendance Ward Challenge Cup. every week has paid off with a Bromsgrove Prep School Junior remarkable performance. The Orchestra also took part in the pupils’ dedication and ability is Festival. The seventy-three strong inspirational.” Solvingyour noise problems Going out in For all your • Acoustic correction for schools, community centres Technicolour style and multi-purpose buildings As a tribute to Moulsford Prep music education • Onsite surveys and BB93 compliance School, Oxfordshire Master Mr • Sound-isolating music practice rooms Anthony Clements, who retires & performance equipment • Acoustic shells for theatres this year and has over the course and concert halls of his career at Moulsford been integral to the construction of thirty-three stages for Moulsford productions, the reins for choosing the Year Seven play were placed in his hands. The choice of revisiting Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat came from both his love of the play and desire to reimagine the staging in a way which would prove different to that undertaken ten years ago. Out went traditional Egyptian clothing and in came FREEPHONE 0800 072 7799 Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses, flip www.blackcatacoustics.co.uk flops and sliders, and even narrators dressed as Doctor Who.

30 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Music, Drama & Dance Winning choir Tring Park School for the The competition final was Choir of the Year Performing Arts, Hertfordshire, have presented by Aled Jones at The Downe House School, Berkshire, crowned Barnardo’s Senior Choir won the much-coveted BBC Songs Victoria Hall, Bolton. hosted the inaugural Prep of the Year 2019. Schools’ ‘Bring the House of Praise Senior School Choir of The 2019 Tring Park 16 follow in In the ‘mass choir’ number, all Downe’ Choir of the Year the Year 2019 competition for the the footsteps of the 2016 Tring the choirs took to the stage competition at Cadogan Hall in second time in four years. Park 16, who also won the BBC to sing Greg Gilpin’s ‘Why We London. Sing’, with two beautiful solos The final, which was aired on Songs of Praise Senior School Choir In advance of the competition, before all the young choristers Sunday 2 June on BBC1, saw the of the Year competition, with their each of nine choirs had prepared joined in to sing together. The Tring Park School Chamber Choir, rendition of Daniel, Daniel Servant two contrasting choral pieces as piece conveyed an impressive also known as the Tring Park 16, Of The Lord. well as nominating one soloist message about the power of compete in the senior category The 2019 choir consists of 16 fifth and familiarising themselves singing to transform and enrich against NChant, Kent and Francis and sixth formers from Tring Park with the ‘mass choir’ piece young lives, earning a standing Holland School Senior Chamber who are pupils from the acting, which would be the finale of the ovation from a packed Cadogan Choir, London. dance, musical theatre, commercial music and performance foundation concert. Every choir performed Hall. The choir impressed the judging courses, which makes the choir a during the afternoon in front The adjudication panel, led by panel with their performance of unique feature of the school, being of the adjudication panel, led Bob Chilcott, gave thoughtful ‘Steal Away’. The judges included: the only regular vehicle for cross- by British composer, conductor feedback for each school’s vocal coach and TV presenter course performing. and singer, Mr Bob Chilcott performance, praising their Carrie Grant; JB Gill from the and then took part in a lively Reflecting on the choir’s musicality, confidence and acclaimed boyband JLS; and the choral workshop, led by Director achievements, Tring Park director energy. Huge congratulations tenor Russell Watson. of Music at Downe House, Dr of music Liz Norriss said: “Having to Downe House’s Prep School Charlotte Exon. won Songs of Praise Senior School Choir of the Year 2019, Thomas’s Choir of the Year back in 2016, I Parents, staff and alumnae Battersea (Songbirds) and a was thrilled that the choir were able arrived for the concert in special mention to the runner- to represent the school again by which each choir chose to up, Prince’s Mead School winning a place in this year’s semi- perform one of their choral (Concert Choir). Every young final. It was a brilliant experience for pieces. The audience also singer attending was awarded the choristers, but we all definitely enjoyed performances from the a certificate and the evening felt the additional pressure of Downe House choirs, including finished with an overwhelming maintaining the school’s record. Polyphonix who were recently encore of ‘Why We Sing’. Pictured: Liz Norriss with choir members Countrywide Pianos

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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 31 Music, Drama & Dance Director of Music commissions Forbidden piece by rising star Planet

The calibre of the current line-up Students across Derby High of The Leys School, Cambridge, School’s Senior School took to the Chamber Choir so impressed stage for a stunning performance their Director of Music that he of Return to the Forbidden Planet. commissioned a short piece by a Auditions for the play were top young composer for them to held last October and rehearsals perform. began in December with students Max Kenworthy (pictured) turned to meeting at least twice a week. Rebecca Dale, who has composed There were two shows and a extensively for Hollywood films and performance for pupils in Derby the BBC. Her works have topped High School’s Primary Department. the classical music charts and her As well as acting, students were album Soay was named Classic FM also responsible for the backstage 2016 Album of the Year. She has a elements too such as make up, set family link with The Leys (her cousin took a few months to develop and write for you and the group. Thank dressing and lighting. come to fruition.” you for the opportunity, and for attended) and Max approached The costumes were produced giving it such a great first outing!” her through a mutual friend, Kyle The piece, full of colour and daring by the school’s library resources Macdonald of Classic FM. harmonies, was performed in the The piece will be included in a manager Sue Bussey. “I’d been wanting to commission presence of the composer at The collection of sacred and secular a something for this group of singers Leys Concert at Saffron Hall, Saffron capella singing by The Leys Chamber Walden. because they have ‘gelled’ really Choir which will be recorded in early well this year and their voices have Rebecca Dale praised the rendition July and released on Priory Records. balanced very nicely. When Rebecca by the 12-strong Chamber Choir, The choir itself will inevitably said she would be pleased to do made up of 10 pupils and two music change in composition as the something we explored a number teachers. She told Max Kenworthy of options. She suggested the it had been “a brilliant first Sixth-Formers leave school. At least Wordsworth lyric poem, I Wandered performance”: “All the work people two will pursue Music: one boy is Lonely As A Cloud, which is very put in and the musicality of the taking up a Choral Scholarship at popular and well-known. She came group really showed. It was so nice Gloucester Cathedral and a girl has to the school to hear the choir to hear lovely feedback from people been offered a place to read Music several times and the whole process in the audience, and a privilege to at Keble College, Oxford. Back to the Stone Age As part of its annual Middle School production, a total of 128 Year 5 and 6 pupils from Edge Grove School, Hertfordshire, took to the stage to deliver a comical performance of Rock Bottom, a stone-age rock musical comedy. The performances took place over three nights, with three separate Festival underway! casts and every child had a chance Kingswood School, Somerset, came precision and really got the party to take to the limelight and shine out in force for the biggest night of started, with the first dancers on stage with at least five lines the year in Bath. edging their way closer to the each to deliver. The school’s headline spot in the stage just in time for the first set Headmaster Ben Evans spoke about annual ‘Party in the City’ was a of solo singers. The house pro band the productions: “The shows went triumph once again, and the pupils provided the perfect pop backing down a treat, all of the children did not disappoint, with an electric to accompany this year’s brave excelled in the spotlight and the atmosphere and plenty of great vocalists, and it was incredible to audience didn’t have a moment entertainment. see the array of talented singers the to stop laughing. It was also Kingswood Jazz Orchestra (KJO) School has. interesting and wonderful, to see started the show with a bang with As ever, the variety of styles made each class interpret the same scripts an energetic performance of ‘Rock for an eclectic but fun mix of in different ways, so each night Around the Clock’. This set the tone songs, with everything from the brought something new to the for the rest of their set as their RnB stylings of Amy Winehouse’s performance.” the evening, so even those who punchy big band sound filled the songs, to the pop ballads of Performing in their forms across wouldn’t have ordinarily taken on a area and drew people in off the Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra all six classes meant that every major role in a bigger production, streets. swing, and of course a couple of child had the opportunity to take had their individual moment and The players performed with tight cheesy ABBA classics. centre stage at some point during this really shone through.”

32 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 33 Four ways to shake up prep education Jane Thorpe is the current head of Swanbourne House School in Buckinghamshire, having previously been a Family Court Judge. So what does her ‘outsider’ perspective indicate needs to change? 1. Current teaching is still need core knowledge in the follow live marking and respond, so outdated main academic subjects, but this that learning happens in the here There is too much teaching focus new assessment at Swanbourne will and now. It’s never technology for on standing at the front of the allow the Arts, DT, Sport, debating its own sake, it’s all about making class, speaking in monologue, with and leadership to all be seen as learning better. the children in rows listening, who equal components and to be 3. Break with ‘prep’ then churn it out again for exams. assessed in a multitude of different tradition ways. I think it will unlock passion, We have to make teaching and We really value our heritage and self-confidence and self-esteem in learning a much more exciting, tradition but are looking ahead children who might otherwise feel collaborative process. There are a to the future and recognising they’ve somehow ‘failed’ at prep lot of very frustrated teachers who that education and learning is a ways, but we do know what skills want to be more inspirational but school. collaborative process. Everyone is in they will need – resilience, belief, are constrained by the curriculum 2. Embrace technology this together. We give everyone a attitude, risk taking, independent and antiquated methods of formal There’s a fear among our voice as individuals, and make sure thought, the confidence to come assessment. generation in general about how there is mutual respect regardless up with a weird and wacky idea All teaching still has to include far technology in teaching should of the job they do or the age they that might have global relevance core knowledge of course, but we go, but the right technology are. Like the children, our staff in a few years’ time. Our response also need to prioritise creativity, enhances teaching and captures are encouraged to unlock their to the challenge is our new mini relevance, core skills, leadership, children’s imagination. A case in individual passions from running Swanbourne ‘MBA’ to encourage communication, collaboration – point is our Maths teacher who is enrichment classes that play this independent thought – allow the children to review their an ‘Apple Distinguished Educator’, to their strengths or talents, to teaching the kids how to do an own work, think about what they’re meaning he’s trained in mac and being part of our brand steering (albeit basic!) business plan, think producing and take an active ipad learning. He is almost entirely committee to push through new about the culture of the business and innovative ideas. role in their learning. To do that paperless when he teaches, using they want to create, who they’d at Swanbourne we are moving interactive e-books, augmented 4. Release the want to work there, what they away from the Common Entrance reality, pictures and video, and the entrepreneurs could offer that’s different. We’re exam towards the Pre-Senior kids love and embrace it. They’re All children will have to have also offering a Young Entrepreneur Baccalaureate (‘PSB’). learning robotics, AI and even this quality in the modern world. of the Year Award for a 13 year old I am determined to move away engineering through their maths. There’s less certainty for jobs – the school leaver. The business ideas from a model where ‘success’ is It also helps with teacher/pupil idea of a job for life is so outdated that children have, albeit in outline, purely based on memory tests. We interactions – the interactive ipads even for our generation. So as are amazing and deserve to be need to celebrate the whole child. mean the kids can review their teachers we don’t know what we’re heard. It’s their future, we should That’s not to say that they don’t work, chat with their teachers, educating children towards in many encourage them to seize it! Masterchef semi-finalist Luke returns for masterclass Luke Phillips, an old Buckswoodian Scholarship at The Bournemouth and and Masterchef entrant, came to visit Poole College. I worked at my placement Buckswood School, Sussex, to give a in The Chewton Glen Hotel. I was also masterclass on fine cooking with a select Head Chef at a Ski Resort in Austria.” group of students. Luke graduated at the said Luke. end of Form Five in 2009. Luke added “After returning to England, He cooked steak with mushrooms and I worked at the Webbe’s Restaurants (The Wild Mushroom, Webbe’s at The a Dover Sole with pea risotto with a Fish Café, Webbe’s Rock-a-Nore and medley of sea salad leaves including the Webbe’s Cookery School). I then Oyster Leaf, Sea Purslane and Samphire. returned to the Chewton Glen Hotel and The smells filling the new kitchen by the I am still working there now. I went in Library certainly drew a crowd of pupils the Masterchef competition to compare and teachers that taught Luke. myself to other chefs. Also I wanted “I used to go and cook at The Double to get my name out there and to push Dragon Chinese Restaurant in Hastings, local food suppliers. I think I succeeded then I trained at the Specialised Chef in this.”

34 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Unconditional offers – what advice to give students? As the exam season comes to a close we can expect the issue of university unconditional offers to raise its head again and no doubt be debated at length in the media, writes Rachel Dent, head of The Abbey School, Berkshire...

As former Director of Sixth in depth and make a balanced and informed happened. They should also revisit the course of Form at The Abbey before I judgment about this momentous next stage of choice online and confirm that it is the right fit, took over as Head, I am often their lives? Also is it fair that where two students as often it will have been a long time since the approached by sixth formers have near identical profiles, one is made an student first applied. If you haven’t already, pay for advice about whether to unconditional offer whilst the other is not? the university a visit in person to get a feel for the accept unconditional offers. study, living and social environment. At the forefront of my mind is the situation one These have become significantly more common of our sixth formers recently found herself in. It is also important to talk students through the place in recent years as universities try to shore She had – up until that point – been very settled UCAS clearing process and the potential pitfalls up their finances against a backdrop of seemingly about what she thought would be her firm and – though ‘trading up’ to a ‘better’ university is never-ending Brexit votes, along with rumours of insurance choice before an unconditional offer also possible if a student performs better than a reduction in university fees and a demographic expected – especially if you feel it is in their best dip in undergraduate student numbers. came in from another university creating new uncertainty. interests to go with an unconditional offer on From a psychological perspective why wouldn’t a well-being grounds. bright, hard-working, conscientious sixth former When a student finds themselves in this position, Before making a final decision I would advise not want the certainty of a university place, my advice would be first to interrogate whether students and their parents to speak to the Sixth including guaranteed accommodation, several the offer is truly ‘unconditional’. There have been Form team as some may consider unconditional months before they get their exam results, when many instances when these offers do, in fact, offers to have ‘lower kudos’ and others may think there is the ever present fear of grade deflation have certain conditions attached, one of them the decision is a ‘no-brainer’; neither is necessarily and the potential prospect of clearing? being that the student makes that university their right or wrong. If the university with the first choice. The bigger question surely though, is what unconditional offer feels right for the individual, effect this mixed-message approach is having on As the needs of each student are different, then having made that decision early on can students? Firstly, there is the issue of pressured they should ask themselves if the university bring huge relief for both the student and their decision making; is it morally right to push tantalisingly dangling the unconditional offer is parents. Whatever decision the student makes, students to make a quick decision when in the somewhere they really want to go, or whether having covered all these bases will mean they can past they have been researching their options they would have discounted it had this not make an informed choice.

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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 35 ‘Wider view’ of A Level subjects will boost students The top research universities in the UK have changed their advice for students choosing their A Level subjects. The Russell Group has replaced a controversial list of traditional academic subjects to include a wider range of A Levels. It is a move that Rob Hastings, Director of Sixth Form at Ipswich High School Suffolk, has welcomed as his students are encouraged to study the subjects they are interested in instead of feeling pressured to take certain A Levels. Rob Hastings Picture courtesy Anthony Cullen I was pleased to read that Russell namely; if you love the subjects highest grades is becoming more student must look at all of the data, Group universities have decided to you study, you will be stimulated, important than ever. visit the university and work out remove their ‘facilitating’ subject list enthused and be happy to focus the Some people will say that only what is most important for them which promoted ‘traditional’ A Level attention needed to be successful. choosing three A Level subjects when making a decision. subjects as the most appropriate The university and job market and not having Maths as one of In place of the facilitating for studying at high ranking landscapes are ever-changing and them, for example, closes doors to subject list, the Russell Group universities. gone are the days when a 2:1 or students. This is inherently wrong has launched a new interactive as a student choosing Art, English Although the idea of the list was to first-class honours from a certain website which should guide and French is unlikely to apply for a help students, it was, in some cases, university would guarantee a students into considering A Level course or enter a workplace where A seen as the only list from which to graduate job. The rise of higher and choices more aligned to their Level Maths is required. And equally choose A Levels which often led to professional apprenticeships has future degree course: https:// a student choosing two Sciences www.informedchoices.ac.uk. This a narrowing of choice and pressure given students different options and Maths will almost certainly is another helpful tool which, in for students to take subjects which post-18 meaning the job market for apply to a course and workplace conjunction with the UCAS website, may not have truly reflected their graduates is becoming ever more where those are the skills required; it university open days and individual interests. competitive in a new way. In my is horses for courses. websites can help to inform A Level This, for me, was the key issue as view, choosing subjects in which While Russell Group universities choices. it goes against the advice we offer, you are interested and will gain the (currently 24) are seen as the best I hope that this change will bring research universities in the UK, it about a removal of a perceived Tasty wins does not necessarily mean that they hierarchy in A Level subjects and are the best teaching universities The Bolton School Bake Off Girls’ Division Head of Year 7-9) an assumption that some are more or in fact the right destination for competition has once again had the difficult task of judging valid or rigorous than others. The everyone. This is not a criticism the Bake Off Final, with assistance skewed perception comes not showcased pupils’ creativity and of the institutions which are all from the present generation of cooking skills alike. A huge number from Mrs Laura Barrow (Bolton world class in their own way, but students but from those in decades of pupils in Years 7 to 9 took School Girls’ Division Teacher of each student must select the right gone by where there were fewer part in the opening rounds of Food and Nutrition) who organised university for them – based on the universities and fewer students. I the competition and week after and ran the competition. They all course, the teaching, the location, always say to our students to talk week spent their Friday lunchtimes thoroughly enjoyed sampling the employment opportunities and a girls’ bakes and were very impressed to those people who know what creating delicious final products in myriad of other factors. with their innovative concepts and is going on in the university world just 45 minutes for the judges to The TEF (Teaching Excellence creative presentation. today. As we have seen from the taste. Framework) is a relatively new significant government push to get Pictured l to r: Mrs Laura Barrow, who judge of university teaching quality Mrs Lynne Kyle (Bolton School organised the competition; runner up Frankie females in to STEM courses and and ranks universities by quality jobs (which has yielded marginal Girls’ Division Deputy Head) and Williams-Denton; Bake Off winner Riya Hasija; and runner up Izzy Martin with their of teaching rather than research. gains in the numbers of females Mrs Abbey Field (Bolton School Showstopper Signature Bakes We should (as with any ranking or entering into that area of work, review) use this with caution given 5.1% from 2017-18), pushing that universities were asked to students to study certain subjects supply certain information but have does not usually work. It is therefore the option of not supplying some or a positive step by the Russell Group all that was requested. What is clear to acknowledge the importance of however is that a Russell Group many different A Level subjects. university such as the London School of Economics (LSE) is I am confident that our expert ranked as highly as fourth in some teaching and Sixth Form university league tables yet only environment will inspire our gains a bronze rating on the TEF. students to succeed in whatever A Conversely Kent University, ranked Level subjects they choose. However, 49th in the same ranking is given I want them to be happy and be a TEF gold rating. Does that mean choosing their subjects for the right that a student should choose Kent reasons – to explore their interests over LSE? Of course not, but each and suit their passions.

36 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] High Performance Learning World Class status St Mary’s School, Cambridge, has been accredited as a High Performance Learning World Class School. The High Performance Learning to achievement, by giving children commented: “St Mary’s has Dr Andrew Flint (HPL) World Class School Award an opportunity to develop in their embraced HPL and its influence recognises the best schools in the own time. This reflects the school’s is evident in interactive, enjoyable world and is designed for those long-held belief that there is ‘room and engaging teaching in at the forefront of educational at the top’ for more students than both junior and senior schools. thinking. The school has met traditional approaches suggest. Students, parents and staff demanding standards to complete As a High Performance Learning understand the principles of HPL’s rigorous 2-year World Class School, St Mary’s develops an developing explicit thinking School Award scheme. skills alongside values and can evidence-based set of HPL skills see the changes in pedagogical Earlier this academic year History and attitudes. From confidence, practice and the benefits these and Politics teacher at St Mary’s, Dr collaboration and risk-taking to are bringing for students. […] Andrew Flint, was selected as HPL’s agile thinking, concern for society One parent expressed amazement first ever Global Lead Teacher. In this and perseverance – the school at how the school “pulled-off” role, Dr Flint has been sharing his ensures that their students are encouraging competition and subject-specific HPL expertise with prepared for study, work and life. At Kate Latham high performance without making history teachers from around the St Mary’s, success is not limited to girls feel under pressure”. world in HPL’s Global Community. exam results; it is about achieving to the prestigious group of HPL Dr Flint has engaged students in academic excellence alongside Professor Deborah Eyre, founder World Class Schools. This Award the process of embedding HPL a much wider set of values and of High Performance Learning, is a tremendous achievement in St Mary’s School, and models attitudes that sit at the heart of their said: “Many congratulations to and reflects the commitment and high academic standards himself ethos as a Mary Ward School. everyone at St Mary’s. We are so passion St Mary’s has for education through his ongoing commitment to pleased to be able to admit you and for the girls they teach.” research and publication. Dr Flint’s Kate Latham, Director of Teaching interdisciplinary and cross-curricular and Learning at St Mary’s, said: “We approach has led to him creating are delighted to be recognised as a a wide range of HPL resources, World Class School. Since we started activities, information and guidance on our journey to World Class for colleagues across all subject areas School status in 2017 our teachers as well as presenting whole school and students have embraced the CPD sessions. High Performance Learning style of teaching and learning. The HPL Neuroscience research has shown characteristics and attributes prepare that there is not a fixed level of ability amongst young learners, and our students to succeed in learning that the brain is more malleable than and in life”. once thought. HPL provides a style The accreditor from High of learning that removes barriers Performance Learning Charity Farm Open Morning

Kent College opened its Farm gates to the public for its inaugural Farm Open Morning; and the highlight of the day was the surprise birth of twin lambs! The full working farm, set in 50 acres of grazing land bordering the ancient Blean woods, hosted over 300 visitors from Kent College and the local community creating a wonderful family atmosphere. The School raised £661 in donations on the day for the charity Farms for City Children.

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 37 NEU Conference 2019 – one of the biggest union conferences ever! Pensions high on the agenda ‘175 The National Education Union’s first combined ATL & NUT annual Challenge’ conference took place in Liverpool. With 1,400 delegates, it was one There is much going on at Rossall of the largest union gatherings ever in the UK. John Richardson, School, Lancashire, to mark their National Official for the independent schools sector, reflects on the 175th Anniversary. key issues... Every boy and girl from two to eighteen is taking part in the Unsurprisingly, top of the agenda Away from the conference hall, events held to commemorate the for independent sector members there was a break-out session School’s history. were the proposals on the Teacher’s specifically for independent sector The ‘175 Challenge’ is one of the Pension Scheme. Foremost, the members to share experience and many events that shape the year’s significant hike in employer swop ideas. contribution in the independent 175th Celebrations. Part of the Richard Vanstone, NEU Joint sector from September 2019, with challenge took a number of the Secretary Bath and NE Somerset some schools proposing to leave pupils out into Cleveleys, Bispham the scheme. District, led a discussion on how and Fleetwood as a way of sharing members in the independent Rossall’s 175th Birthday locally. Brian Metcalf, Newcastle Branch, sector can make their collective spoke of the devastating effect on The Junior, Infant and Nursery voice heard. staff and schools if independent School walked ‘Route 175’ a total schools leave the TPS. He spoke Richard has been a leading union of 7.5km around the campus and of the fundamental importance of independent sector defending official for many years. He has vast the immediate area of Rossall the TPS to teachers in the sector. their pensions, by all means experience of the independent School, and a number of our It is a critical factor galvanising necessary. sector having taught English at Senior School pupils walked or ran members to take collective action, Other pension issues affecting the two large independent schools, part of a 17.5km route along the both currently and in the past, to sector were also debated. Dulwich College and the Dollar Promenade, conquered earlier that defend their pension rights. Academy. day by some of Rossall’s senior Lisa Kearney, Dorset Branch, members. Pictured is head Jeremy NEU members have had some highlighted a practice in the Amongst many talents, Richard Quartermain with Dougall the Dog. notable successes in forcing independent sector of not always is impervious to the changing employers to withdraw proposals paying pension on responsibility acronyms around him. He joined There are still a number of House to leave. Some have been relatively allowances, such as pastoral, the union known then as AMA; challenges to complete, including cordial…others have required boarding and various sports before amalgamation to form a Music Marathon, a Putt-a-thon indicative ballots on taking strike allowances. She pointed out that AMMA; then ATL; and now the in the Rossall Golf Academy and a action. Conference agreed that we with career average pensions, small NEU! 17.5km walk in Gisburn Forest. must continue to do all we can to amounts over the years can add With a membership of over 30,000 As well as celebrating 175 years fight this and protect members’ up. Lisa said, pensions. in the sector, Richard talked about of Rossall, the 175 Challenge will “Conference – this issue is the growing influence of the NEU also act as a fundraiser for the Five or six years ago the sector significant for some members of in individual independent schools Rossall Foundation with the aim took serious action to avoid being our union and we need action and how robust but constructive of raising £5000. The Foundation’s removed from the TPS, we must to stop this practice and stop it relations with employers are key objective this year is to raise not let all that effort be in vain. spreading further so that we and developing, funds for the Rossall Sports Centre, Members were keen to dispel any our colleagues are not left out a fabulous two-storey facility to be of pocket when we retire after As this chemistry is quietly complacency amongst colleagues opened in the summer. working in other sectors, years of committed and dedicated happening, an awareness is occasioned by the government service to educatio”. growing that the NEU is the largest education union not only one-year moratorium for state Conference unanimously passed in schools but also nationally. sector schools. Shaun Murtagh- the motion calling for pension to Management, sometimes wary of Howard, Hertfordshire Branch, be paid on all allowances. warned. union influence, is beginning to Our campaign against high- recognise the importance of the “What is happening in the stakes testing and critique of NEU school rep. independent sector will happen OFSTED bore political fruit. in the Universities, post 16 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn But it wasn’t just talk and chalk. establishments, and after the announced that a Labour Ever the teacher, Richard set greedy trust CEO’s have lobbied government will scrap SATs for homework! Delegates were asked the Government to change the seven- and 11-year-olds and to report back on conference legislation, it will happen in the baseline assessment for reception debates and actions to NEU Academies up and down this classes. Lib Dem education members, other colleagues, heads country”. spokeswoman Layla Moran and governors with colourful, Conference gave the union’s promised to scrap SATs, baseline historic, geographic, dramatic or total support to members in the testing and Ofsted. personally-observed detail!

38 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Have you a perspective on reformed exams? Ofqual is inviting teachers from across the country to workshops to offer their perspectives on the assessment of the reformed GCSEs, AS and A levels that are having their first award this summer. There is an opportunity to sign gone well and any areas of up for workshops in the following concern. Teacher feedback will subjects: contribute to their thinking about • GCSE and A level Chinese the effectiveness of the reform programme. • GCSE and A level design and technology The workshops will be held in • GCSE and A level film studies November at the Ofqual office in • GCSE and A level media studies central Coventry, within walking • GCSE and A level statistics distance of the main railway station. • GCSE business These are free events with a limited number of places. Travel expenses • A level mathematics and further will be reimbursed and lunch will be mathematics provided. • A level geology Stars of the Chelsea • A level politics Ideally Ofqual seek people who have taught the qualification, in its The decisions about whether to run legacy and reformed version. workshops in all of these subjects Flower Show will be made based on interest and Register your interest in attending capacity. a workshop can be registered here: Five primary students from day and great ambassadors for www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ID4GA/ The Gower School, Islington, Montessori!” The workshops will be Ofqual’s first showcased the Gold medallist opportunity to gather qualitative Ofqual will email succesful The garden had been designed evidence about things that have applicants by the end of September. Montessori Centenary Garden by Jody Lidgard and his team – a children’s ‘Space To Grow’ from Bespoke Outdoor Spaces. garden at the Chelsea Flower It demonstrated learning Show – celebrating 100 years opportunities presented to of Montessori teacher training children attending Montessori in the UK. The children, aged settings, such as planting four to seven, were praised for and caring for flowers, herbs, being very confident and able, fruit and vegetables and also as they showcased the beautiful harvesting them. It included a garden to dozens of celebrity small greenhouse, edible wall, visitors during the opening of the flowers and trees and a water garden. feature and a learning space. The Barbara Isaacs, Montessori Global charity has been working with Ambassador praised The Gower The Gower School children on School students: “This part of designing a garden of their own, the garden really represents as well as designing a T-shirt to PROSPER - THE HEAD ‘children’ – vibrant and full of commemorate the special day. TEACHER’S PET FOR energy, each different, yet part The children were able to discover of the whole. We would not have the natural world in a fun and PROCUREMENT had a better representation of a interactive way. The children Montessori learning community. explored the garden, made posies SOLUTIONS from the flowers exhibited and The children engaged with all Prosper has really done their homework to provide a specialist presented them to the visitors to aspects of the garden – planting, school procurement service that is in a class of its own. exploring with the under water the garden. To learn a little more about how we can find you the best camera, decorating the den with Jody Lidgard, the designer of the solutions visit prosper.uk.com, or give us a bell. giant pebbles, drew flowers and garden said: “This is a space that talked to visitors, they showed is designed to be experienced how engaging the garden is and and enjoyed by children, teaching how well they cooperate and them about the natural world enjoy exploring the environment. and allowing them to explore Prosper supporting your success The children were the stars of the horticulture in their own way.” (0191) 259 4645 [email protected] prosper.uk.com Miss Emma Gowers, Principal of The Gower School, with Chelsea Pensioner and gardener Michael Dows and some Gower pupils

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 39 Character Education Mrs Caroline Townshend, Head of Eaton Square Mayfair, and Mrs Trish Watt, Head of Eaton Square Kensington, explain what exactly character education is, and why they believe it is so important…

Trish Watt: continue to do so. Instead it enables Encouraging a growth mind-set in The landscape pupils to demonstrate their ability our children is fundamental. They of education to hold an impressive conversation, need to know that every journey is changing problem solve and comprehend. begins with a small step. And, and it’s Therefore, exposing children to although there are a fortunate few becoming enriching learning experiences such who are born with an innate talent increasingly as travel, museum visits, art galleries in a particular area, if my career in difficult to teach for jobs which do and theatrical performances will be working with children has taught not yet exist. Instead, we’re finding time much better spent than being me anything it is that ability is that it’s best to make sure our subjected to hours of tuition. 99% born out of sheer hard work pupils have the transferable skills What’s more, as technology and determination. they need for interchangeable tasks becomes more advanced, working When considering Stanford which will also enable them to get futures become more uncertain. Psychology Professor Carol through life successfully. Around 80% of the jobs we have Dweck’s pioneering work on the now won’t exist by the time these The change in 11+ examinations concept, I certainly lean towards children are 30 and it is thought is also reflective of this. Parents the idea of knowledge and skills are often finding the transition that the current seven-year-old predominantly stemming from between prep and upper schools will go through around 30 jobs in effort. Success, however one more of a challenge to navigate their lifetime. It is our job to create chooses to measure it, requires because it doesn’t reflect the the next generations of humans constant learning and failure is an experience of the 11+ as they – with humanity and skills such essential part of the process. know it. They will remember as kindness and resilience at their having to cram in knowledge and core, and help them define their Parents need to work hand in then regurgitate it under exam value, discover who they are and hand with the school to encourage Sustainable conditions – often with the help of what they can bring to the table. perseverance, commitment, a tutor. But this is out of date and That is why, from the moment evolution and resilience. Both Fashion – the no longer fit for purpose. our students join the school, we schools and parents need to be Pressurising young people to embark on character education. building character. Children need way forward! perform in this way is simply not We’re looking to create tomorrow’s to be equipped with transferable conducive and finally senior schools leaders and ultimately, it is the skills that can be applied to Pupils, staff and parents at are waking up to this. The selection person our pupils become which is anything that they wish to turn Berkshire’s Holme Grange School process has now evolved and it will the most important. their hand to.” created innovative outfits by upcycling old clothes and using Caroline for academic achievement, public speaking, debating and recycled packaging and took them Townshend: emboldening each individual to communication in addition to first to the catwalk! achieve their full potential. aid, expedition planning and the As leaders in The results showcased handmade education, we Leadership development lessons importance of values. garments and outfits sourced from have a holistic are built into our core curriculum We place much value on helping secondhand stores and sustainable duty to and each week, pupils follow our pupils define who they are fashion labels. Teachers and pupils prepare and Floyd Woodrow’s Compass for Life and who they want to become. modelled outfits to a projected equip each pupil for happiness and programme, facilitated by our senior Exploring topics such as introversion backdrop of Paris couture fashion success in an ever-changing world. management team. The programme versus extroversion, growth which had been made for the Schools must not only recognise the helps provide a motivating purpose mindset versus fixed mindset and fashion house, Pierre Balmain, by importance of delivering academic for learning, together with direction the benefits of independence and a pupil’s grandmother. for the journey through life. Young excellence; they must also support collaboration we encourage pupils A local charity - The Cowshed - people today need to understand and challenge each pupil, promote to be proud of who they are, their was present at the event. They the importance of leadership independence and global diversity individuality and their strengths. take donations of clothing and (individually and collaboratively) and nurture a culture of integrity, There are so many pressures on the textiles to give to individuals and and this needs to be nurtured and collaboration, empathy and pupils of today, from social media families experiencing hardship. developed through adolescence. resilience. Character development, to information overload, and we They also upcycle all damaged leadership development and pupil Pupils also undertake short courses must recognise and celebrate each textiles in their craft group, wellbeing are at the core of all that run by teachers at Eaton Square individual and their contributions to making new products to sell and we do. They provide the foundation to develop core skills such as our community.” raise money for the charity.

40 Independent Schools Magazine Sport

England call up A budding footballer from Derby Grammar School is celebrating after becoming one of the youngest players to be called up to the England Senior Cerebral Palsy Squad. Sixth former Freddie Lamb is a goalkeeper and helped the England Under-21 Cerebral Palsy team win a Gold medal at the IFCPF European Para Youth Games in Italy in 2017. Freddie’s cerebral palsy can affect up. I have already been to a training his balance and he has moderate to camp at St George’s Park. We did four training sessions and talked St Brendan’s who won the A competition severe hearing difficulties after being born at 24 weeks. through tactics. It is a massive step up, just the pace of it. It’s a really The 17-year-old has always dreamt high level.” 133 teams compete in of being selected for the England He said: “The IFCPF World Cup is Senior Cerebral Palsy Squad but in Spain this summer so it would didn’t anticipate being called up so School Football Festival be great to make the squad for soon. Over the course of two days last split into the A Team competition, that. I know the second choice month (May), over 1,000 pupils in the B Team competition and the So he was shocked and thrilled keeper can’t make it and I have the 133 local primary school football Girls’ competition, each with its own to find out he was in the Senior right classification, I just need the teams competed in this year’s hotly-contested cup. Squad and has already attended experience.” Bolton School Football Festival. The one training camp with two more The A team competition final saw Freddie is studying Maths, emphasis throughout was on good to come. sportsmanship, based on the English St Brendan’s overcome Highfield Geography and Chemistry at Derby He said: “I was surprised and Schools’ FA Code of Conduct. 3-0, the B team competition Grammar School’s Sixth Form and is saw Devonshire Road lose out to shocked to get the call-up; I’m one hoping to go to university to study 53 teams took part in friendly six- Horwich Parish 1-0 and the girls’ of the youngest players to be called Sports Science and Coaching. a-side matches on Match Day One final was a tense affair which saw for pupils in Years 3 and 4. Teams St Michael’s beat Markland Hill on MOTIVATIONAL, ASPIRATIONAL, ENCOURAGING enjoyed ‘round robin’ matches, sudden death penalties after a 1-1 playing all of the other teams in draw in the final. YOUR CHOICE, their group. With fourteen games ANY SIZE, taking place simultaneously on The Football Festival was arranged SHAPE, STYLE, the Bolton School playing fields by Bolton School’s Head Football FRAMING OR COLOUR! all through the late afternoon, the Coach and former Bolton Wanderers’ Football Festival made a wonderful goalkeeper, Mr Keith Branagan, who spectacle. is also the PE Programme Manager The Year 5-6 Festival on Match for the Bolton Sports Alliance. Pupils Day Two was even larger, with 80 from the Boys’ Division assisted on teams taking part. Always a hugely both days by volunteering as referees popular event, the tournament is for the children’s matches. Street Child cricketers train Young people from across the world field, finishing with a “Street 20” who took part in the Street Child game in which each of the eight World Cricket Cup 2019 at Lord’s teams took on the others in turn . last month (May) went for some The coaching session was part of training by Games staff at The Leys, the Street Child Cricket World Cup Cambridgeshire, beforehand. tournament, being staged ahead of Cricket coach Damien Rigden put this summer’s ICC World Cup. The together a programme to teach event was both an opportunity for them batting, bowling, catching the young people and a chance to and ground fielding skills. The highlight the work of the charity girls and boys, aged 14-17, had which campaigns for the rights Goldtree Bespoke, greatly varying levels of experience: and protection of young people 9 Huffwood Manor Trading Estate, the teams from India South and who have been, or are at risk, of Partridge Green, West Sussex, RH13 8AU North had played quite a bit, while homelessness. The teams played in For further info and your questions answered: QUALITY & the game was new to the players group heats to be “seeded” before Tel: 0345 260 2350 or 01403 711553 BESPOKE from Mauritius, Tanzania and the the finals at Lord’s. They also took Email: [email protected] SERVICE Democratic Republic of Congo. They part in a free weekend Festival of practised in the nets and on the Cricket on Parker’s Piece, Cambridge. www.goldtreebespoke.co.uk

Independent Schools Magazine 41 Changing FACES... Changing Places...

Alastair Land is years, having previously worked as Edgbaston High at Exeter College Oxford, Mrs Harrow School’s Deputy Head Master at Harrow for School for Girls Macro taught at Peterborough 35th Head Master. the preceding three years. has announced and St Margaret’s School, Bedford He joined at the the appointment Alastair attended Trinity College, Modern School and Headington start of term, of Clare Macro Cambridge University where School, Oxford before being following the to the position he achieved a First in Natural appointed Senior Deputy Head at departure of his predecessor Jim of Headmistress from September Sciences. He went on to teach Tudor Hall School. Hawkins, who led the School for 2019, succeeding Ruth Weeks in Biology at Eton, where he was also seven years from 2011. the 2019-20 academic year to She is a Governor of Queensway a Deputy House Master and then become the 11th head teacher at Alastair returned to Harrow after spent nine years at Winchester Primary School, Banbury and Birmingham’s oldest independent serving as Headmaster at Repton College as House Master of the Maidwell Hall School where school for girls. School in Derbyshire for three Scholars’ house. she has responsibility for After taking a degree in Theology safeguarding. Kingswood rowed for South Africa in the 1992 School, Bath, has Olympics and then studied at Bredon School, captained London Wasps at announced the Oxford University, gaining a Diploma Gloucestershire, academy level. Nick is married appointment of Mr in Social Studies and a MSc in has announced with three young children and Agricultural Economics as well as a Andrew Gordon- the appointment will relocate to Gloucestershire Brown to succeed rowing Blue. He rejoined Deloittes of Mr Nick to take up his new post. Outside Simon Morris as Principal of the for a period before moving to the Oldham to the of school, he is a proud owner of Kingswood Foundation and Head of UK, spending six years working in role of Headmaster with effect a flock of rare breed sheep and the Senior School from September the City, before switching careers to from September 2019. Nick he enjoys spending time in the 2020. teaching. joins Bredon School from West countryside with his family. Andrew Gordon-Brown is currently He initially joined Radley College, Heath School in Kent where he is currently the Deputy Principal. Head of Truro School, which where he taught Economics and Nick Oldham succeeds Bredon’s is a member of the Methodist History and coached Rugby and Before taking up a career in current Headteacher, Koen Claeys, Independent Schools Trust and Rowing. He subsequently moved teaching Mr Oldham played top who has been appointed as therefore shares the ethos and values to become Deputy Head in charge level rugby, representing England Headteacher of The Moat School which are central to the success of the academic side at Stonyhurst throughout the age groups, and in London from September. of Kingswood. Educated at Hyde College. He joined Truro School as Head in 2013. Park High School in Johannesburg, Bishop’s Stortford and joins the College from South Africa, Andrew was awarded Married with three children, Andrew College have Wolverhampton Grammar a Bachelor of Commerce degree is both a sportsman and a music announced the School where she has been from the University of Cape Town lover. He is a founding trustee of a appointment of the Head since 2013. It was at before joining Deloitte & Touche charity which provides teachers who Kathy Crewe- Wolverhampton where she built in Johannesburg and qualifying deliver much of the music in the Read as their next and led her staff to excellence, as a Chartered Accountant. He state education sector in Cornwall. Head. Only the 10th Head to be earning the title of 2018 Senior appointed in the 150 year history Leadership Team of the Year, in St Margaret’s current school, her work has been of the College, Mrs Crewe-Read the TES Independent Schools School, instrumental in creating a kinder will be joining the College on 1st Awards. She is an inspector with the Independent Schools’ Hertfordshire, has environment for the whole school September 2020. Inspectorate, Chair of the HMC announced the community. Kathy will succeed Jeremy West Group, governor at the appointment of Currently Principal Deputy Head at Gladwin who announced his Merchant Taylors’ Schools and Lara Péchard as Norwich School, Lara prides herself retirement earlier this year. Fellow of the Royal Society of its new Headteacher following the on building strong relationships with Arts. departure of Rose Hardy at the her colleagues, creating proactive After graduating in Pure end of the current academic year. teams and making positive changes Mathematics, Kathy has taught Her interests include road cycling, Lara will assume the role of head designed to enhance academic at a number of HMC schools hill walking and gardening. teacher in January 2020, alongside provision and broaden pastoral the start of the school’s staggered support for pupils, parents and staff. If you would like mention made of your upcoming head or transition towards becoming fully Prior to joining Norwich School, principal appointment for which applications are sought co-educational. Lara was Assistant Head and Head please let us know – there is no charge for a listing. Having recently been recognised of Sixth at Portsmouth Grammar with an award from the mental School. She studied history and health charity Mind, Lara won the politics for her undergraduate News items, contributions, comments and Senior Leader Award 2018/19 at degree, before obtaining a Masters Mind’s Workplace and Wellbeing in US History at the University of suggestions are always welcomed by the editor. Award in April this year. An accolade Southampton. Please email to: for her tireless commitment to During the Autumn Term of 2019, improving mental health literacy Mrs Julie Chatkiewicz will be acting [email protected] amongst both pupils and staff at her head of St Margaret’s.

42 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Partnership with Hong Kong kindergarten Ashville College, Yorkshire, has to broaden its knowledge of the and staff of the kindergarten. He running for a few months now and forged a partnership with Kind Hing UK curriculum – enhancing the comments: “This is a really exciting is already proving successful.” project and one that I am looking Trinity International Kindergarten – offering for its parents and their As part of the agreement, Ashville forward to leading. located on Lantau Island – which at children. It has been re-branded is developing the new venture’s “The kindergarten is extremely curriculum, providing assistance nearly twice the size of Hong Kong ‘Ashville International Kindergarten receptive to our Ashville on quality assurance and the Island, is the largest and greenest & Nursery, Lantau Island’. methodology. It offers a nurturing managing of the kindergarten. outlying Island in the territory. Ashville’s Gareth Johnson, who environment where children can Headmaster, Richard Marshall, The agreement comes as the is leading the partnership on the grow in creativity, communication comments: “I am absolutely kindergarten – that teaches School’s behalf already has a and learning, something we look confident in our ability to help children aged two to six - seeks strong relationship with the owner forward to supporting. deliver a unique proposition for the “Small class sizes ensure children education of the youngest children get the attention they deserve in the Kindergarten’s care. International School from highly qualified teachers, “I myself have visited the allowing them to flourish from the Kindergarten and it fits 100% with age they start at two, through to our approach to education and, our launched in China when they leave at the age of six. values in terms of how we work Moreton Hall, Shropshire, has and other associated schools in The partnership has been up and with pupils, staff and parents.” announced the opening of Moreton China and will strengthen the Hall International Pre-Prep School links between Moreton First and in Pujiang province, China. education in China. The Chinese partner has made many visits to The School will cater for children Moreton and wishes to replicate the aged 3 to 7 and is expected to be educational principles and excellent the first of a number of schools standards of Moreton in China. under the auspices of Moreton Hall opening in different cities in the Moreton Hall’s responsibilities will be to ensure the highest standards Shanghai region. of teaching and learning and that Moreton Hall International will the new school will share the ethos open in September 2019 with an and values of Moreton First and initial roll of 100 children but is Moreton Hall. expected to grow substantially over Moreton Hall will be overseeing the the next 5 years. appointment of British staff and This project is a collaboration will provide training to staff from between Moreton Hall and a China. Chinese partner, who is financing Following in the footsteps of the project. many top public schools who have opened schools in China this The benefits of this collaboration I N S T A N T L Y T U R N S venture will cement Moreton’s are clear: it allows both staff DOORS INTO BARRICADES and students to visit the school position as one of the country’s leading schools, at the forefront of innovation and enterprise. Additionally the fee income generated will enhance Moreton Hall’s revenue, allowing for further developments at Moreton over the China School next few years.

Head of Moreton First Catherine Ford Principal Jonathan Forster and International Director Victoria Eastman

Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 43 Meaningful and authentic experiences work When is work experience gaining real-life experience and meaningful skills in an organisation and making a real difference to an employer, and when is it just a tick box exercise in placing students for a time away from the classroom? Cathy Walker, Director of Sixth Form at Sheffield High School for Girls looks at how the school is approaching the world of work and enhancing employability skills for sixth formers in an innovative way.

Here at Sheffield Girls’ Sixth Form we organisation, working on a project set by the offering feedback on customer services, as well encourage girls to pursue an active, engaged professionals employed there. as a day at Sheffield based construction and and balanced school life focussing on Ideally this is a project which would benefit property developers Henry Boot, fact-finding and developing all-round skills. the business, whilst allowing the sixth then advising on how to recruit more women We offer a variety of activities, programmes and form girls to develop and improve skills of into this traditionally male industry. learning experiences that complement sixth collaboration, tenacity, creativity, innovation and We have also sent students into accounting and form study, enabling students to thrive and take communication. We have sought to include as advisory organisation Grant Thornton, national charge of their own individual development. many different interests as possible. law firm CMS, and fashion retailer Drop Dead Our Young Professionals’ Challenges programme The challenges give pupils the opportunity to Clothing to work on a design task. was introduced to find exciting and innovative take their first steps into the world of business, To maintain a flexible and open–ended co- ways to give our sixth-formers meaningful and working directly with local companies that have curricular programme, we embrace student-led authentic experiences of the world of work and a citywide and even nationwide impact with initiatives like this. It all adds to developing their to enhance their employability skills. their work. personal and intellectual talents to the full and As part of our extensive Enrichment Programme, This year, groups of sixth-formers have spent a for them to leave school as strong, successful this has involved students spending a day in an day with HSBC observing in-branch and then and confident young women.

CASE STUDY – Accountants Grant Thornton and the Vibrant Sheffield event Sixth Form pupils worked with international They learned about the background of Grant The girls presented their findings to Paul professional services and accounting firm Thornton as a company as well as planning Houghton, leader of the firm’s Sheffield office, Grant Thornton over a period of three how to tackle the project and gain an accurate and the team, with the feedback triggering view of what impact the event has. days, networking on the front lines of their discussion and debate. Grant Thornton will prestigious #VibrantSheffield Live! event. Grant Thornton took a particular interest in take the advice given by the Sixth Form group seeing whether the event changed people’s The annual #VibrantSheffield Live! event forward for next year’s event. perceptions or made any new collaborations, in aims to promote the vibrant economy of the addition to gauging the overall opinion of how Sixth former Izzy Bianchi said: “We thought Sheffield city and region by showcasing fresh, innovative the South Yorkshire region is. working with Grant Thornton was really innovative organisations of all sizes. On the day, the girls’ questioned delegates valuable, and there was a lot of new and Sheffield Girls’ helped with the crucial task of confidently before and after the event, interesting ideas at #VibrantSheffield Live! that gathering feedback at the event. developing networking skills. we’d never thought of before.”

44 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] CASE STUDY – HSBC Sheffield branch Students visited the Sheffield branch of HSBC to learn about employment in finance and worked together to solve some of the tricky everyday problems the bank faces. Pupils were tasked with coming up with solutions to reduce waiting times for HSBC customers. They researched potential answers, examined competitors’ activity, brainstormed together, before presenting their innovative findings to the managers of the branch. Back to school this summer - in a field! Improvements included having information available on the HSBC Three students from Cheshire’s School teachers Jonny Hedwat website in different languages for the diverse Sheffield community Cheadle Hulme School are part of a (biology), and physics teachers Kim where English is not a first language; developing an app to manage crew of promising young scientists Purchase and Simon Fletcher. a queuing system for appointments; improving the waiting area to selected to run a school of science Held at Jodrell Bank Discovery change the customer’s perception of waiting times, and having a for families attending one of Centre in Macclesfield, the annual special area for bereaved customers dealing with a deceased loved Cheshire’s biggest summer outdoor music, science and culture event one’s bank account. events. attracts 5,000 visitors each day. This The trio are tasked with sharing year’s headliners include New Order, HSBC managers commented that they were amazed by the standard their love of all things science Kraftwerk and 808 State. of the presentations and confidence of the girls, and found their and technology with youngsters feedback really insightful. The suggestions were so impressive that Jonny Hedwat, said: “Budding attending the Bluedot festival. HSBC is planning to work on implementing them for an overall botanists, crazy chemists, emerging improved customer experience. CHS STEM School will be open engineers, mini mathematicians every day of the festival and will and tiny tech heads are invited Sue Wallace, Premier Centre Co-Ordinator at HSBC, said: “It was offer a hands-on and family to enrol in Bluedot’s first STEM wonderful to see the pupils. They tackled the project with enthusiasm, friendly curriculum - of science, School. Bluedot is an ideal partner maturity and interest. It was so interesting to hear their presentations technology, engineering and maths. for Cheadle Hulme School, as we and the issues they had seen, identified and observed.” Activities are suitable for children share a passion for science and a One Sixth Form pupil said: “It was a wonderful insight into the aged from three-12. commitment to engaging the very young.” everyday challenges that businesses face. We learnt lots of skills to Supporting the students, many of take forward – such as how to present our ideas. It will also be nice to whom plan to study science subjects Bluedot is Thursday 18-Sunday 21 see our suggestions about how to improve queuing implemented.” at university, will be Cheadle Hulme July 2019. CONFERENCE CALL! Running a conference of interest to independent school staff or students? Then make sure they know about it by advertising in Independent Schools Magazine, the professional journal for the sector.

Pathways from neuroscience Cranleigh announces technology

to the classroom & teenage mental healthAgenda: conference 1.30pm-2.15pm: Registration: tea, coffee & pastries Anniversary celebrations Booking open for conference 2.30pm: Welcome address: Bickley Park School, Kent, has Speaker: Pooky Knightsmith, Director of the Schools Programme, Charlie pupils have access to a swimming on 8th March 2018 Five years ago been teaching boys since 1918 and proved popular with parents and Waller Memorial Trust pool, astro-turf pitch – opened in pupils alike. preparations are already under way Cranleigh School, Surrey, is 2.45pm: Introduction: Julia Harrington, September 2016 – tennis courts, a to commemorate its 100th year. hosting a one-day conference on Booking has now opened for Speaker: Dr Andrea Saxel, Deputy Head Pastoral, Cranleigh School headmistress of Staff are planning a year of events six acre sports pitch and climbing Technology and Teenage Mental the conference on 8th March. 3:00pm: Keynote Address 1: Technology and the Teenage Brain and activities, and are now busy wall. Health in March, in association It includes keynote speeches Queen Anne’s Speaker: Dr John Coleman Clinical and Developmental Psychologist contacting, and tracking down, as Teaching is still conducted from with mental health charity the from: Clinical and Developmental Charlie Waller Memorial Trust. Psychologist Dr John Coleman; 3.30pm: Keynote Address 2: Technology, Sleep and Mental Health School, started many alumni as possible. some of its original 1918 buildings Last month (April) heralded in Surrey and the City, and to reflect The conference will host Heads, Neuroscientist, columnist and Speaker: Dr Dean Burnett, neuroscientist and author of The Idiot Brain an educational Bickley Park Old Boys will form but, since then, the school has the 150th anniversary of King on the wonderful evolution of our Deputies and Pastoral Leads stand-up comedian Dr Dean part of the school’s centenary grown hugely. New facilities Edward’s move to Witley, Surrey, 3.50pm: Keynote Address 3: Body Image, Sexting & Pornography neuroscience parent foundation - Bridewell Royal from a range of South East Burnett; founder of the Everyday Speaker: Laura Bates BEM, founder of the Everyday Sexism Project and celebrations, which will run are continuously being added, and the School has embarked on schools and feature experts Hospital – into the outstanding Sexism Project Laura Bates BEM; author of Everyday Sexism programme including, recently, a brand new a year of celebratory events to CASE STUDY – Law firm CMS throughout the academic 2018/19 School we are today.” from the fields of neuroscience, Pooky Knightsmith Director of year. nursery. A new Reception block commemmorate its history. mental wellness and adolescent the Schools Programme at the 4.10pm: Break: tea & coffee, Exhibition she called Additional commemorative events and dining room will open in The Mayors of Haslemere and psychology. Charlie Waller Memorial Trust; and 4.45pm Workshop Sessions: BrainCanDo. Patrick Wenham, headteacher, said: include a special Bridewell Day “Throughout our centenary year September. Waverley were present as a holly tree Deputy Head (Pastoral) Dr Andrea Dr Andrea Saxel. Workshops will Educating parents – theory and practice – run by Vicki Shotbolt, CEO thanksgiving service held last month be led by Vicki Shotbolt, CEO of we hope to bring together past, was planted in the King Edward’s Saxel says: “So much disparate of Parentzone CPD-Accredited one-day conference 15 March 2018 Footballer and TV presenter Chris in the presence of the Lord Mayor ParentZone, Claire Eastham, author ‘I did so, because while advances present and future pupils, while Witley grounds to mark the date research on the impact of Creating healthy head space for teenagers – run by Clare Eastham, Hollins is among Bickley Park’s of the City of London and HRH of We’re All Mad Here, and Sam in neuroscience have discovered celebrating Bickley Park’s long that the School moved from London technology on teenage mental author of We’re All Mad Here development of the teenage brain well-known alumni, which includes The Duchess of Gloucester GCVO at Cooke, Housemaster at Cranleigh. more and more about how the to its new premises in Witley. A health is being undertaken at and how a better understanding history and highlighting our plans political historian Sir Anthony Southwark Cathedral, an exhibition Practical Approaches to Pastoral Care – run by Sam Cooke, Housemaster brain develops and what stimulates second holly tree was planted in the the moment. Quite rightly it is a The Conference aims to bring of it can transform teaching and for the next 100 years.” at Haslemere Museum in May and at Cranleigh School, with Dr Andrea Saxel Students had a chance to go behind the scenes at the sixth biggest or depresses young minds, this Seldon, but the school has also grounds of St Bride’s Church, Fleet matter of concern for schools and together educators with an interest learning. the opening of the School to the knowledge was not filtering through Bickley Park School was founded hosted a famous name on the other Street, symbolising the School’s parents alike. We felt there was a in the impact of technology on 5.45pm: Break. Bowlfood, drinks & Exhibition public for Heritage Open Day on to schools and teachers. I believe ‘We work with universities to by Mr and Mrs Richard A Brandram side of the blackboard. Children’s presence there as a Tudor orphanage compelling need for a conference teenage mental health, to share Sunday 10th September 2017. 6.30pm Panel Discussion that how young people deal with bring together the latest findings and started off with just 20 author Enid Blyton taught at the when it was originally founded in to address the issues all together. ideas and experiences, to learn from 7.15pm Meeting close: Dr Andrea Saxel the pressures of adolescence and in neuroscience and psychology pupils. Mr Brandram was the first school in 1919 before moving the City of London. Bridewell Royal Hospital (reg. charity We will hold a similar conference pioneering work going on in this early adulthood is as important as to build an evidence-informed headmaster and, like others that no. 311997) remains the parent for parents.” area and to create a network of to Surbiton to work as a nursery John Attwater, Headmaster of King the way they learn.’ educational practice,’ says Mrs followed in his footsteps, has a foundation for King Edward’s links and best practice. governess. Edward’s Witley, said, “We retain Earlier this year Cranleigh became Harrington. ‘ Unlike so many other school house named after him. and provides financial support to The event is open to all who share international law firm in the world, CMS. Bickley Park is on the lookout close links with the City of London the first boarding school in ‘Technology has given programmes in this area, we take over 100 children whose home The Brandrams were focussed on and are proud of our heritage. The the UK to prohibit the use of an interest in the field, whether neuroscientists access to the working these findings and apply them in for alumni and is calling on past circumstances mean it is beneficial educating boys and sport played planting of these holly trees will mobile phones for pupils in its at primary or secondary level, brain which has helped to explain the classroom, the sports field , the pupils to get in touch. Visit for them to have access to an a strong part in their educational allow us to reflect on our two homes first two year groups (Years 9 state or independent schools. The many of its cognitive functions. I www.bickleyparkschool.co.uk/alumni/ outstanding boarding education. boarding house and the playground vision. This is continued today as and 10). Cranleigh, a dedicated conference will also feature an believe that the knowledge we have Pictured: The Mayor of Waverley, Councillor Chris Storey and Mayor of Haslemere, Councillor Sahran to create the best possible to contact the school. co-educational boarding school, exhibition, as well as opportunities gained through these developments Abeysundara, treasurer Justine Voisin, headmaster John Attwater with Head Girl and Head Boy educational experience for both Neurosciences at the School of educates pupils from age 13 to for networking. could – no, should! – be fed into teachers and pupils.’ Medicine at Cardiff University (and 18. Staff claim that the move has the education system and translated • How to understand and work stand-up comedian) into programmes for schools. Research programmes include: with stress Hampton School Conference How music can make you smarter • Dr Joni Holmes, Head of the ‘Marking the fifth year of • • Understanding biological rhythms A senior associate of the company provided an exclusive overview of Centre for Attention Learning and BrainCanDo, Queen Anne’s is • The impact of emotional and the science of sleep Memory at the Cognition & Brain holding a one-day CPD-accredited contagion on motivation to learn As well as updates from the current Sciences Unit at the University of conference on Thursday 15 March • The role of self-affirmation in university research collaborators Cambridge Digital for directors of teaching and cognitive task performance at University of Reading and and panel sessions led by Jonnie learning, teachers, educationalists, Goldsmith’s, University of London, parents, psychologists, academics, • How memory works Noakes, Director of the Tony Little the conference will include and everyone interested in the Centre for InnovationWellbeing and Research presentations from: CMS, as well as an introduction to getting into a legal career, and the in Learning at Eton College. Professor Michael Thomas, Director • Queen Anne’s SchoolProtecting is an Pupils Online Friday 9 June 2017 of the Centre for Educational independent day and boarding 10.00am – 3.30pm £195 Neuroscience at Birkbeck school for girls, and part of the University, London Grey Coat HospitalSexting, Foundation cyber-bullying, and tech-addiction, digital footprint - how can teachers help • Dr Dean Burnett, neuroscientist the United Westminster Schools at the Division of Psychological Foundation. protect pupils online? Join us for an insight into the latest digital trends and hear first-hand many potential career pathways for budding lawyers to choose from. Medicine and Clinical about their potentially damaging impact. Specialist workshops will offer expert guidance Thursday 15 March 2018, 9.15 am to 16.00on pm helping young people navigate the online world safely. Queen Anne’s School, Henley Road, Caversham, Berkshire RG4 6DX Tickets (£60) can be booked through the BrainCanDo website (www.braincando.com) or by calling 0118 918 7343Speakers include: or emailing [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 17 • Digital Sisters: Emma and Charlotte For booking details and further information: • Lorin LaFave: campaigning for online Independent RobertsonSchools Magazinefrom Digital Awareness 11 • Parent Zone: advising teachers www.cranleigh.org/our-school/academics/resources/cranleigh-training/technology-teenage-mental-health-conference safety following the death of her son • Holli Rubin: a body image UK, trail blazing e-safety in schools on how to help parents deal Breck Bednar, who was groomed online specialist tackling the issues with digital dangers Pupils then put their new knowledge of the industry to use, by surrounding online identity Further information and booking: Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] hamptonschool.org.uk/digital-conference paren MAKING THE INTE tZO RNET W N ORK FOR FAMe ILIES Register for your own free e-copy www.independentschoolsmagazine.co.uk preparing the case for a mock trial of a large supermarket against Independent Schools Magazine 19 a local delivery company. 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Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine 45 Essential school leaver Your own print copy of event returns to Olympia

Free admission for staff, school groups, students & parents With so many options for school Apprenticeships will be on offer Interesting – Informative – Inspiring leavers, deciding what to do next from Warner Bros, Rothschild & Co, can be a daunting prospect. This Deloitte, EY, Network Rail, Amazon, Please send your name and postal address to autumn, What Career Live? and DSTL, Capgemini, Health Careers [email protected] What University Live? returns (NHS) and many more. FastPay details will be supplied by return to Olympia London to provide Universities at the event include students, parents and teachers Brunel University, Aston University, with the chance to explore over 100 apprenticeships and higher Southampton University, University education options side-by-side. of Hull, Coventry University, £20 University of Law and more. There will be expert advice at per year over 40 free presentations with What Career Live? and What topics ranging from degree University Live? will take place apprenticeships and how to choose at Olympia London on 11 & 12 the right career path, to student October 2019 and is an established finance and building positive event for 15-19 year olds offering mental health at university. the full range of post-school options Careers advisors will be on hand to from apprenticeships and training give one-to-one advice to visitors to higher education as well as a and interactive features including full presentation programme and a STEM Challenge, Buskers’ Corner inspiring workshops. and a Creative Hub will help to Entry is free for students, parents inspire students on their future and school groups and tickets can be career choices. booked at www.whatcareerlive.co.uk

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Schools featured in this issue include: Abbey School Downe House School Kingswood School Sheffield High School for Girls Ashville College Eaton Square Schools Lyceum School Solihull School Bedford School Edgbaston High School for Girls Moreton Hall School St. George’s College Bickley Park School Edge Grove School Moulsford Preparatory School St. Margaret’s School Bishops Stortford College Farnborough Hill School New Hall School Bolton School Godstowe Preparatory School Pangbourne College St. Mary’s School Bredon School Gower School Prince’s Mead School St.Dunstan’s College Bromsgrove School Harrow School Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School Stockport Grammar Junior School Buckswood School Holme Grange School Reigate Grammar School Swanbourne House School Cheadle Hulme School Ipswich High School Richmond House School The Leys School Dauntsey’s School Kent College Rossall School Derby Grammar School King Edward’s School Royal Hospital School Tring Park School Derby High School King Edward’s Witley Sevenoaks School West Lodge School

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

Subscriptions: £3 per issue, or £20 per Advertising Sales & Accounts: All rights reserved. Any form of reproduction of this magazine in part or whole is prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. annum (nine issues) payable in advance by James Hanson, Fellows Media Ltd., The Gallery, Any views expressed by advertisers or contributors may not be those cheque to Bull Nelson Ltd (please remember Manor Farm, Southam, Cheltenham GL52 3PB of the publisher. Unsolicited artwork, manuscripts and images are to include your name and full address) to: T: 01242 259249 accepted by the publisher on the understanding that the publisher E: [email protected] cannot be held responsible for loss or damage however caused. All The Independent Schools Magazine material, copy, and artwork supplied is assumed to be copyright free Editor & Publisher, Distribution: unless otherwise advised in writing. Advertisement bookings are PO Box 4136 accepted subject to normal terms and conditions – see website. Kimble Earl T: 01491 671998 Upper Basildon, Reading E: [email protected] Independent Schools Magazine is Berkshire RG8 6BS published by Bull Nelson Limited. E: [email protected] Design studio/pre-press production/website: Reg in England No 2876999. Andrew Wicks T: 01635 201125 © Copyright Bull Nelson Ltd. www.independentschoolsmagazine.co.uk E: [email protected] Printed by Manson Group.

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