Spokesman 1 King Edward’s School Newsletter Winter 2016 Welcome to Chief Master Dr Mark Fenton In September 2016, Dr Mark Fenton became the 31st Chief Master “I have already been struck by the richness and diversity of school life of King Edward’s School, Birmingham. and the passion held by all involved with the School. I have also thoroughly enjoyed sampling a fraction of what this school offers over Dr Fenton has wasted no time in getting to know the staff and boys and the last term. has already experienced many of the diverse aspects of school life, from “For over 450 years, King Edward’s has provided an education that has watching sports fixtures and drama and music performances, to enabled the boys of Birmingham and the surrounding areas to go on to experiencing time in the classroom with the boys and sampling the achieve great things and I look forward to contributing to the future Friday afternoon activities. Visits further afield have included meeting the success of this truly great school.” CCF’s Army Section on their Expeditions Weekend in Swynnerton and Prior to becoming Chief Master of King Edward’s School, Dr Fenton was joining the trip to the battlefields of Belgium and France. Headmaster of Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, a leading state grammar Reflecting on his first term, Dr Fenton said: “I am delighted to have taken school in Buckinghamshire. Educated at Brentwood School, Dr Fenton up the post of Chief Master and have been overwhelmed by the warm is a graduate of Peterhouse, Cambridge with First Class Honours in History and has since been awarded a PhD in Education Management. welcome I have received from the whole school community. You can follow Dr Fenton on Twitter @KESChiefMaster Inside... Maths Challenge team through to National Finals p6 KING EDWARD’S SCHOOL BIRMINGHAM 2 School news School news 3 HSBC provides boost Lifetime Achievement for Assisted Places Award for John Claughton At a time when HSBC is establishing its new UK headquarters in Birmingham, it has strengthened its ties with King Edward’s School by providing support for Assisted Places. The funds provided by HSBC will pay half of the annual school fees for six boys joining King Edward’s in the Shells for the duration of their time at the School, with the other half of the fees being matched by the School. The first boy to benefit from this funding started in September 2016 and a further five boys will benefit over the coming years. This generous donation from HSBC will provide a life-changing education for six boys who A brief word from... otherwise would not have been able to attend this school. It will also support the School on The Chief Master its mission to become need-blind, as we look forward to our next fundraising milestone and ensure that many more boys can benefit from such visionary support. Shells’ Lindsey Mepham I’ve spent a lot of time over recent years talking about how important it is that schools prepare their pupils reverse to deal with steep learning curves. However, it’s been a long time since I experienced one myself – until now. advent Despite bringing all my experience to bear, the last three months have amounted to the steepest learning calendar curve I’ve faced in 15 years. It’s been John Claughton, who retired as Chief abandon A-levels and take up the IB Diploma, exhilarating, exhausting and enlightening Master of King Edward’s School in 2016 a change which has brought substantial This half term, boys in the Shells have in equal measure. The Soviet after ten years in post, has been awarded improvement in academic success, in been getting into the Christmas spirit psychologist Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934) this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award entry to university in general and in by taking part in a reverse advent advanced the idea that we learn best at the Times Educational Supplement particular Oxbridge. calendar project in their form groups. in the ‘no man’s land’ between being Independent School Awards 2016. On receiving the award, John Claughton said: able to do something quite easily and We have dispensed with form advent The Lifetime Achievement Award was “I am not sure that I am a suitable candidate not being able to do it at all. He called calendars and instead, boys have been presented to John in London on Friday 25 for an award for Lifetime Achievement. After this the ‘Zone of Proximal Development’ encouraged to bring in a food item to November in recognition of the long-lasting all, I spent the first 25 years of my career not (ZPD). If you never dare to venture into donate to a local food bank. Many boys impact he has made on both the School doing anything of any great significance or the zone you won’t learn much; if you go have been surprised to find that there are and education in the region during his merit. However, I am deeply proud of what beyond it you will fall flat on your face. 10 Trussell Trust food banks within just time as Chief Master. The judging panel everyone at King Edward’s has achieved here six miles of the school and to learn about I’ve spent much of this term in my ZPD, commented that John had been given this in the last decade. some of the people who access them. but with the help of the people around KESPA: round-up of events recognition, above all, for his “impressive “I was a boy at King Edward’s 40 years ago, me I’ve learnt a huge amount as a result. and long-standing commitment to increasing The Shells have enjoyed taking part and The sun shined for us at this year’s The food at our Christmas Cracker on when it was the best school in this country, I’m still grappling with my learning curve access to an independent education.” hopefully they have learnt a little about Summer Barbecue. The assortment of Friday 2 December was the star attraction and I believe that King Edward’s is now one but I haven’t fallen flat on my face yet the power of giving at this time of year. food was very well received including the and even better than last year’s, which was That commitment to accessibility brought of the very best schools in this country and and the steepest part is now behind homemade cakes and afternoon tea. The quite something. Parents and staff enjoyed a about two major initiatives, both of which also one of the most interesting and exciting DEM me. Much of this will resonate with KES prefects’ games were very popular with relaxed evening with old friends and new, in won TES awards in previous years. The first and important schools in this country. The boys – especially the Sixths – who are the younger guests, as was the cricket the festive surroundings of Big School. was the AP100 Campaign, which has raised remarkable talent and diversity of the boys lucky enough to ‘do’ learning full-time. with the older ones. With the Living History £10m for 100 Assisted Places over the last who go to King Edward’s makes it a truly Like me, they will be ready for some The Light-hearted Quiz will take place on Group present and swimming too, there seven years. The second was the School’s wonderful place to be. I count myself lucky rest and recuperation but I know they Friday 20 January. This lively evening is very was plenty to entertain us. Outreach programme, which works with over beyond words to have had ten years in such will be ‘back in the zone’ in 2017. popular so we hope to see you there. 200 different junior schools and 11,000 pupils a place and I owe a great debt to all the staff Current parents have accompanied more Dr Mark Fenton Amy Thompson in Birmingham and beyond. The judging panel and boys that make it the school it is.” prospective families than ever before on Chief Master Honorary Secretary also commented on the brave decision to Open Days in June and September, and their support is very highly valued. 4 School news School news 5 Second Lieutenant Frank Neville Cowper. Literary Society, a 1st XV rugby player and Killed in action on the Somme on 12 October a regular in the Greek Play. In 1918, Tolkien Commemorating our war dead 1916, aged 20. Frank was gazetted to the arranged for the publication of an anthology 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment as a Second of Geoffrey’s poetry, A Spring Harvest. Lieutenant in 1915, the same battalion his The Battle of the Somme raged on through medals for his war service. Instead, his family older brother, Stert Gilmer (OE), was attached the autumn term until its conclusion on received a plaque called the ‘Next of Kin to at the time. At school, Frank had an 18 November 1916. This long, bloody battle Memorial Plaque’, popularly known as the aptitude for scientific and engineering brought with it developments in fighting ‘Dead Man’s Penny’. subjects, regularly appearing in the top third tactics, such as the introduction of tanks Captain Charles William Mould. Killed at of his class. on the battlefield by British forces, and Railway Wood near Ypres, two weeks after took its toll on soldiers on both sides, Private George Barker Smith. Fatally being promoted to Captain, on 25 September resulting in approximately 1,300,000 wounded at Étaples on 12 October 1916, 1915, aged 21.