February 2017 10YEARS 20072017 20072017 Chair Head Bursar Registrar Staffroom School Office ...the professional journal for Management & Staff FULLY TYPE APPROVED SCHOOL MINIBUSES TAKE A CLOSER LOOK New and Used 9 -17 Seat School Minibuses B and D1 Licence Options Fully Type Approved and Certified by the VCA Flexible Finance Plans to Suit all Budgets 36 Months New Minibus Warranty 12 Months Used Minibus Warranty Comprehensive Choice of Mobility Options Full Nationwide Service and Support Choose with confidence, our knowledge and support make the difference, call today 01202 827678 redkite-minibuses.com [email protected] FORD PEUGEOT VAUXHALL APPROVED SUPPLIERS THE UK’S LEADING SUPPLIER OF SCHOOL MINIBUSES Our front page pictures In this issue... Handling a Crisis & the Resulting PR Fallout 05 ~ practical tips from a specialist Community Action & Partnership Mentoring 08 ~ 11 ~ examples of best practice from across the country Mental ‘Toughness’ 12 ~ 13 FULLY TYPE APPROVED SCHOOL MINIBUSES ~ new research findings will help staff help pupils Extended Project Qualification 16 Cake for all ~ value to sixth-formers The dining room at Manchester High School for Girls was busier than usual one day last Profile 20 ~ 22 month (January) as each and every one of ~ in conversation with Sarah Dunn the School’s 938 pupils, from the Preparatory Department through to Sixth Form, received a piece of birthday cake with their lunch. Is Complacency Creeping The special treat was part of the School’s Into Outdoor Learning? 26 ~ 27 Founders’ Day celebrations, marking the day ~ head detects a tick-box approach that Manchester High first opened back in 1874. Mental Health First Aid Training 36 At 143 years old, MHSG is the oldest all ~ advice for staff in supporting pupils girls’ school in the city. Its roll call of alumnae boasts prominent figures from history, such as the pioneering Pankhurst Plus sisters to women like Libby Lane, the first Premier opens eco-garden 04 female bishop of the Church of England, and Nicola Mendelsohn, Vice-President of Head predicts rush to independent sector 07 TAKE A CLOSER LOOK Facebook, who continue to smash through D&T teacher loses stress case 15 the glass ceiling today. Can air pollution harm classroom learning? 18 Mrs Claire Hewitt, Head Mistress, Artist~in~Residence inspires pupils 19 New and Used 9 -17 Seat School Minibuses commented: “Healthy eating is always the Music & Drama Focus Feature 23 ~ 25 B and D1 Licence Options focus of meals here at Manchester High and we encourage pupils to choose foods that Sports & Schoolwear Focus Feature 28 ~ 31 Fully Type Approved and Certified by the VCA promote concentration, energy and well- ‘Thinking of Others’ ~ charity efforts 32 ~ 33 Flexible Finance Plans to Suit all Budgets being. That said, we did think the School’s Staff rise to DofE Diamond Challenges 33 36 Months New Minibus Warranty 143rd birthday called for something a little Finance, Business, Insurance Focus Feature 34 ~ 35 extra special.” 12 Months Used Minibus Warranty Changing Faces...Changing Places 37 The School’s extensive archive collection Comprehensive Choice of Mobility Options shows that just 60 girls were enrolled in New Products & Services; The Digest 37 ~ 38 Full Nationwide Service and Support lessons on Manchester High’s first day in 1874. The youngest was Jane Porter, seven Heads Hunted; Editorial Advisory Board; Contact Us; A~Z of featured schools; years old and the daughter of a pawnbroker. e-magazine free subscription offer ~ page 39 Choose with confidence, our knowledge and At 18, Annie Worthington was the oldest support make the difference, call today pupil. She came from a family of merchants. Pictured are the current youngest and oldest pupil – Preparatory pupil, Safa Bilal Fine specimen aged four years and five months, and Maria A detailed drawing of a benefits of combining art 01202 827678 Hussain, 19. lion atop a lion’s skull and science. redkite-minibuses.com by Sasha Morgan, an Art Sasha, 12, won an art set Scholar at St. Mary’s School, and art experience day [email protected] Essex, impressed the judges at the Royal Veterinary Unique designs of the Royal Society of College, which included a Drawings by St Leonard’s School, Fife, pupil Biology’s Nancy Rothwell behind-the-scenes tour of Charlotte Baillie have played a transformational Award. Sasha’s artwork was areas not usually open to role in the refurbishment of her boarding described as Outstanding in the public. Sasha also took house, as they have been incorporated into the judging of the national part in workshops led by fabrics used throughout the building. FORD PEUGEOT VAUXHALL APPROVED SUPPLIERS award, which celebrates acclaimed artists, including Full story and images page 6 specimen drawing in London Zoo’s artist in THE UK’S LEADING SUPPLIER OF SCHOOL MINIBUSES schools and highlights the residence Tim Pond. Independent Schools Magazine 3 Premier outdoor moments Year 7, 8 & 9 girls at The Towers School, Sussex, took part in an eco- building project to build a ‘Live Willow Dome’ on their school field. This will be used by the students as an outdoor recreational room and learning zone. The initial concept, planning and organisation took place during lunchtime eco-club meetings. Theresa May declares the garden open watched by head Joanna Leach, The club then went on to harvest chair of governors Wayne Bradley, and girls on the schools eco-committee willow at Gatwick as a part of the Gatwick Greenspace Partnership On the very day that Donald Trump not have extensive grounds, the instigated by Science Teacher Mrs project, where they learnt how was being sworn in as President creation of the Eco Garden gives Knott and the Eco-Committees, to coppice, about woodland of the United States of America the school opportunity to make past and present, the garden ecosystems and woodland last month (January), Prime learning outside of the classroom designer Julia Wickham-Smith and management. Then, with the Minister Theresa May was giving more alive in the outdoor setting. funded by the PTA. help and guidance of The Sussex an assembly to school children and One of the aims of the garden is to Mrs Joanna Leach, Headteacher, Wildlife Trust, they built the dome. opening their new Eco Garden. help to educate the girls on eco- said “As a girls’ school we are all friendly issues and turn theory into Theresa May spoke to pupils at very proud to see a woman not practice, not only teaching but also Highfield Preparatory School, only as our local MP but as the reinforcing the love of learning. It Prime Minister of the country. I am Berkshire, about her role and will also be used as a quiet area to sure that all of our girls here today then answered questions from the observe the birds and a conducive have been inspired by the visit and girls in assembly before officially place for quiet reflective time. you never know, there may be a opening the garden. One pupil The Highfield Vision is that the future Prime Minister amongst us. asked the prime minister how many Beacon of Excellence is achieved As we know it is an incredibly busy shoes she had, to which she replied through a partnership between the time for the Prime Minister and ‘not enough’. girls, the staff and the parents. This we all felt truly honoured here at Even though Highfield Prep is project has been an outstanding Highfield that she gave us some of a town centre school that does example of this having been her very precious time.” Pupils of Kelvinside Academy Nursery, Glasgow, have been pulling Pupils from Kingswood School, on their wellies and exploring nearby Bath, planted a Mulberry tree in the woods located just a five minute grounds of the school as part of a walk from school. national tree planting initiative. The idea behind Forest Kindergartens Launched by the Boarding Schools’ originates in Scandinavia and the Association, The Boarding Orchard, concept has been championed by as the project is known, aims to Forestry Commission Scotland. be the largest orchard by distance Glasgow City Council has also in the UK and involves boarding supported this, rolling out similar schools joining the orchard by initiatives across the city. planting fruit trees in their grounds. Speaking about Kelvinside Academy The trees symbolise the ‘tree of Nursery’s recently introduced Forest knowledge’ and demonstrate each Kindergarten Tracy Nugent, Head school’s commitment to growth Kingswood boarding pupils. development society jointly run by and caring for the environment. of Nursery said: “There are so many Since its launch, schools across the Said Mr Morris: “We are delighted to staff and pupils, we host the Youth benefits to allowing children to UK - including Wales, Scotland join the BSA’s national tree planting Climate Summit here in Bath. play freely in woodland. As well as increased physical activity, the and Northern Ireland – have joined initiative. At Kingswood we are “The Mulberry tree has particular The Boarding Orchard, and trees outdoors is a great place to learn passionate about the environment significance here at Kingswood. The have also been planted at boarding and contributing to a fair and as the children witness nature Mulberry harbours used on D-day schools in Switzerland and the USA. sustainable future for all. Many first-hand and discover more for the landing on the Normandy independence through real-life Kingswood Headmaster, Simon of our pupils take part in a wide beaches were designed at the school experiences. Morris, and Boarding Schools’ range of activities, projects and Association Chief Executive, programmes that cover the many during World War II when members “Research has shown that Robin Fletcher, who also lives in facets of sustainability and, as well of the Admiralty were resident at the concentration levels are improved for Bath, planted the new tree with as having our own sustainable School.” children who learn outside.