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In this issue... 05 Self-restraint in School Leadership the importance of controlling emotion 08 Financial Support at Times of Need how independent schools step up to the challenge 12 Involving Parents in Helping Pupils Communicate school’s innovative programme 24 Profile Emotional support in conversation with Helen Jeys Two sixth formers at Derby High School have been 26 What is Religious Education for? appointed as wellbeing ambassadors. MSc work leads to interesting conclusions Claudia Attwood, 18 and Sofia Sheikh, 17, recently led a Wellbeing Week at the school. 34 Latest ISC Census A team of supporting prefects has also been appointed and all of the girls involved have survey results summarised undergone training in school. The girls have already carried out a survey to find 40 Focus on Well-being & Mental Health out how much students know about wellbeing new initiatives and they have also delivered assemblies on the subject. Claudia said: “This is the first time we have had wellbeing ambassadors in school and we were Plus both pleased to have been appointed. There is 04 Running to sucess – marathon round-up obviously a lot of support in school academically 09 Inaugural ‘diamond-model’ conference but we have been put in place to add to the emotional support there is for students. 10 Former head’s sustainability initiative “We want to raise awareness of what wellbeing 14 Focus on cyber security & online safeguarding actually is and help students learn how to manage 21 Last-ever NEU ATL Conference any stress or anxiety they may have.” 22 Catholic school unveils co-ed future During the Wellbeing Week students were encouraged to take part in walks, yoga and 28 Music, Dance & Drama Focus Feature wellbeing and mindfulness sessions. Assemblies 36 Sport Focus Feature around the subject of how eating and sleeping 44 Commonwealth Games – a teacher participates well can impact on mental health were also held. Training for life Wrekin College, Shropshire, where head Tim Firth believes that the current generation of pupils has it tougher than previous ones, and can struggle. He identifies contemporary causes in the rise of 28 Music, Dance adolescent mental health problems, and suggests that more is needed to make training for life skills & Drama 36 Sport and resilience compulsory. The Digest; Heads Hunted; Editorial Advisory Board; Key Personnel; See page 40 for special Focus on Well-being & Mental Health feature. Contact Us pages 46 – 47. Is Your School Mentioned? A-Z on page 47 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 Independent Schools Magazine 3 Running to success Exeter Junior School Headmistress Brighton Marathon last month Sue Marks and her daughter, (April) for charity. alumna Amy Marks, are The duo raised money for The celebrating completing the Children’s Society and MIND, in support of the school’s charity bike ride from John O’ Groats to Land’s End over the summer. Sue said she was very proud that she and her daughter, 2013 Exeter School leaver Amy, completed the marathon for two such good causes. “Both charities are meaningful to us particularly as my mother used to do a lot of work with MIND when she was alive, so it is even more special to raise funds for these worthwhile causes,” she said. Donations can be made via the school’s JOGLE fundraising link - please mention Sue and Amy: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/ExeterSchoolJOGLE18 Celebrated as a major annual fixture Director of Sport for the in the Stamford Endowed Schools’ Stamford Endowed Schools, Mark Two pupils from the Royal Hospital calendar, the Burghley Run brought Nasey, said, “What a fantastic School, Suffolk, have raised money over 1,500 pupils from all three achievement by all pupils and for the Whizz-Kidz charity by schools together at the same time. a sight to behold – over 1,000 completing the London Marathon. Pupils from Stamford Junior School students in the outdoors. The Burghley Run is a fantastic Kieran Farrer and Nathan Mellors were joined by boys and girls from example of pupils coming together took part in the 38th annual London Stamford High School and Stamford as one to enjoy sport no matter Marathon, racing with 40,000 other School all starting and finishing in what age or ability. We believe that competitors successfully completing the same place with different routes sport at the Stamford Endowed the full course of 26.219 miles. designed for different age groups. Schools can play a significant role The two runners raced side-by-side The run, which varies in length Photo by Davina Farrer in the overall happiness, health in temperatures peaking at 24.1 depending on age, takes place on and well-being of all our pupils, Nathan persevered to cross the line °C up until mile 17 when Nathan a specific route around Burghley which is so central to all we do started to feel the effects of the in 5 hours 38 minutes. Park and whilst it is a test of here. To learn the enjoyment and record-breaking heat. Feeling he The pupils used the opportunity to endurance and determination it reward that can be gained from was holding Kieran back, who still is, more importantly, a celebration raise money for charity and raised a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle looked comfortable, he told him to of the enjoyment of outdoor from as early as reception years over £2,300 for the charity Whizz- continue at his own pace. Kieran sport and running in the stunning can be hugely beneficial in later Kidz. The charity aims to transform was able to finish the race in an surroundings of Stamford. life.” admirable 4 hours 49 minutes and the lives of disabled children. Pictured: Will Phelan, Principal of Stamford Endowed Schools and Emma Smith, Head of Stamford Junior School, with runners A member of teaching staff at King’s Ely, Cambridgeshire, has raised Fiona Betts, a Maths teacher at almost £2,000 for a mental health Moulsford Boys’ Prep School, charity by completing the London Oxfordshire, completed the London Marathon. Marathon dressed from head to Claire Kyndt, Director of Learning toe as a dog. In doing this she Development and Teacher of now holds the Guinness World Geography at King’s Ely Senior, was Record for ‘Fastest Woman in a among the tens of thousands of Full Body Animal Costume’. runners who took on the gruelling 26.2 mile race in the capital. Mrs Betts wanted to run the London Marathon for the It is the second year running that Moulsford school charity, Hearing Claire has put her best foot forward Dogs for Deaf People, but the bar in the marathon, not only to put was raised when she agreed to her stamina to the test, but to also and fellow runners who pulled me the boys’ idea of running it in a raise funds for the mental health through. People lose their way for signals, providing life changing charity, MIND. Claire, who lives in a huge number of reasons and it is full dog costume. On the hottest levels of independence and Ely, completed this year’s race in 5 because of charities like MIND that Marathon day on record, Mrs Betts confidence. Their dogs also help hours and 31 minutes, and has so many can get back on the right was a ‘hot dog’ and certainly felt reduce the feelings of isolation and far raised an impressive £1,700 in track. By supporting MIND, we the heat, but crossed the finish loneliness that deafness can bring. sponsorship. are opening a dialogue where it’s line in an impressive 4 hours 13 minutes. She was even interviewed Speaking about the race, Claire okay to talk about mental health, Mrs Betts had a great deal of on camera by Gaby Logan! said: “It was brutal yet wonderful! where it’s okay to admit that you’re support from friends, family, The heat was immense and it was struggling and where it’s okay to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People colleagues and the Moulsford certainly the wonderful spectators seek help.” train dogs to alert deaf people parent body and has currently To sponsor Claire, please visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ClaireKyndt1 to important sounds and danger raised over £3,000 for the charity. 4 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249 [email protected] Self-restraint in a school leadership role Principal of King’s Ely, Cambridgeshire, Sue Freestone discusses the importance of mastering one’s emotions even in the face of aggressive parents who may just need to be heard... Self-regulation, or executive huge impact on a young person’s stay calm, even when you feel functioning, is a capacity we lifetime achievement; their mental you are being treated unfairly, is all possess as human beings. and physical health, school essential. Your instincts might tell It is something that develops success, earnings potential and you to defend yourself, but an though to early adulthood and social status.