Independent School Parent Autumn 2012 Prep

PREP EDITION AUTUMN 2012  www.independentschoolparent.com

PLUS...

P 49

School heroes Meet the matron

P79

Win a pair of Raleigh bikes worth £400!

EDUCATION

A is for apple!

Making reading and writing fun

IN FOCUS

How to choose a senior school TRAVEL

Holiday joy: skiing for all the family

Hurst Hurstpierpoint College

Achieving your child’s personal bests

Pre-Prep | Prep | Senior School | Sixth Form

“ A school which is going from strength to strength under the strong leadership of its

dynamic headmaster. It is now the first choice for many parents who would traditionally have sent their children further afield. ”

“ ... each child is tracked and challenged to reach their full potential in all areas of their lives, and where they are encouraged to push themselves beyond their comfort zone. ” Extracts from The Good Schools Guide's report on Hurstpierpoint College, June 2012

A stunning campus

A thoughtful, caring ethos

A strong community

A true education

Please phone or visit our website to arrange a personal visit or to join us on one of our Open Mornings

Excellent teaching, outstanding facilities and a strong record of academic achievement Innovative and exciting academic curricula; choice of the International Baccalaureate or A levels in the Sixth Form Superb extra-curricular facilities and challenging programmes with the highest quality mentoring for all pupils Choice of day, flexi or weekly boarding in the Senior School A unique co-educational Upper Sixth Form pre-university House A school with integrity, warmth and a ‘can do’ attitude Fiercely ambitious for each and every child to achieve their personal bests Outstanding 2011 Inspection Report - excellent in every category College Bus service runs from many towns and villages across West and East Sussex

Hurstpierpoint College Hurstpierpoint West Sussex BN6 9JS

www.hppc.co.uk

01273 836936

INTRODUCTION

The one-stop shop for parents seeking practical information and advice  Educating a child in the independent sector is a significant investment. We all want to be sure that we send our children to the right school and that they make the most of their opportunity (and our money!) while they are there.  In order to make an informed decision, parents need to understand how the independent school sector works and how it can help their children. Yet for many this is a bewildering subject.  Independent School Parent magazine is published each term – one edition for prep schools and another for senior schools – and is distributed free to parents through a network of partner schools.

Providing useful guidance on the key milestones in a child’s school career, it tracks the rhythm of the school year while also addressing associated topics such as health and finance.

 Independentschoolparent.com is our interactive website. Parents registering on the site free of charge gain access to a range of benefits including comprehensive information sheets, checklists and specialist directories. There is a searchable guide to over 1,400 independent schools and parents can participate in online webinars and ask questions of our resident experts.  Our Guide to Independent Schools is published twice each year and provides detailed listings of independent schools in the UK as well as practical information on selecting the right school.  Published in co-operation with many of the leading schools and educational bodies, Independent School Parent provides reassurance, advice and information on all aspects of educating a child in the independent school sector today.

Order your frEE copy today!

Call 020-7901 8000 or register online at independentschoolparent.com/register For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

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autumn 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT 3

Bright

young minds

Space to think, room to grow, opportunity to excel.

Worth is a unique school where students develop their individuality in a community that inspires learning, worship and friendship.

• High academic standards • International Baccalaureate and A Levels in the Sixth Form • ‘Outstanding’ pastoral care (Ofsted, January 2011) and an extensive wider curriculum • Scholarships and bursaries available

OPEN

DAYS 2012-2013        

Please book Open Days in advance with the Registrar.

All Open Days run from 10.00 am – 12.45 pm.

www.worthschool.co.uk Worth School, Paddockhurst Road, Turners Hill, West Sussex RH10 4SD

Telephone: 01342 710200 Email: admissions@worth.org.uk

Catholic Benedictine 11-18 Co-Educational Boarding and Day School

Education

CONTENTS

Contents

7 News Our round-up of hot topics 12 Pre-prep curriculum Charlotte Phillips gives the low-down on the foundation years 16 Same family, different schools Foster individual talents, advises Thalia Thompson 21 Are you prepped for prep school?

Headmaster Peter Kirk recommends the taster day 25 How to prepare for Common Entrance Tracy Cook explains the process and interview skills 49 Meet the... Matron Housemistress Susan Salmond describes the joys of being a “mum” to 40 boarders

In Focus - The big move 30 How to choose a senior school Philippa Scudds takes you through the motions of the next step 32 Day schools Strike the right balance between home and school life, says David Goodhew 34 Top tips for boarding Trent College’s Intro to Boarding Conference gathers expert views, meanwhile Katherine Jeffrey says that a diamond school model is perfect for your child 35 First impressions Make the most of open days, advises Rebecca Farha 37 Going all the way Rosalynd Kamaryc explains the benefits of staying in one school from 4-18 years

Comment 39 Head viewpoint Mark Moore assesses the affects of the proposed GCSE reforms

53 The breakfast club So what are your children really eating at school? Glynis Kozma is pleasantly surprised 56 Private healthcare Victoria Lambert looks at the options for child health insurance

Finance 58 School fees Glenn Smyth of ISM Solutions, a financial advisory service, explains ways to save for the school fees

School’s out

43 Take the high road Charlotte Fairbairn espouses Scotland’s independent schools

63 On top of the world Embrace a family skiing holiday, says Mary Lussiana 66 Bright young things What our school leavers and graduates did next

Health

Life

50 Little ears Pauline Grant asks: why do some children find listening so hard?

68 Christmas gifts Our pick of the best for him, her and your little ones

Scotland

EDITORIAL Editor Claudia Dudman Art Editor Simon Thompson Editorial & Publishing Assistant Natalie Milner

CNP Ltd, Liscartan House, 127-131 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9AS Tel (020) 7901 8000 Fax (020) 7901 8001 Email editor@independentschoolparent.com For website and subscriptions, please visit: www.independentschoolparent.com/register

www.independentschoolparent.com

Above, Godolphin School, Wiltshire

ADVERTISING Advertisement Manager Jenny Evanson Senior Sales Executive Andy Mabbitt Sales Executive Tom McMahon

73 Good business St George’s Hospital Charity is our charity of the month 74 Property Anna Tyzack asks: is now a good time to invest in the Eurozone?

78 Ask Victoria Our agony aunt has the answers 80 Parents’ page Where we help you to fill your diary 82 School memories Bec Astley-Clarke, jewellery internet entrepreneur, looks back on her days at the City of London School for Girls

Win!

Festive treats p.68

79 Competition A pair of bikes from Raleigh worth £400 could be yours!

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

PUBLISHING Publisher & Managing Director Paul Dobson Deputy Managing Director Steve Ross Commercial Director Vicki Gavin Publisher Simon Temlett Consultant Publisher David Moncrieff Marketing Manager Will Delmont Subscriptions Sophie Robson Production www.allpointsmedia.co.uk Printed in England by Wyndeham Heron, Essex

The information contained in Independent School Parent magazine has been published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. All liability for loss, negligence or damage caused by reliance on the information contained within this publication is hereby excluded.

All pictures by Thinkstock unless otherwise credited.

DISTRIBUTION Independent School Parent magazine is for parents of children educated in prep and senior independent schools across the UK. The prep and senior issues are published termly. Parents can subscribe for a free issue at: www.independentschoolparent.com/register Independent School Parent also publishes A First Eleven Guide to Independent Schools biannually. © CNP Ltd 2012. All rights reserved. Text and pictures are copyright restricted and must not be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 5

PROMOTION

GDST–the right choice for life S

tarting a new secondary school can be a daunting prospect – both for a girl and for her parents.

It’s difficult to know what to choose – do you go for academic rigour, or inclusive sports provision, a range of extra-curricular opportunities, or a happy atmosphere?

But why choose? At the GDST, we believe your daughter can “have it all” – a broad and balanced education, great teaching, a wide array of sports and opportunities for music, drama, art and adventure, all within a lively community where every girl is valued as an individual.

The GDST’s commitment is to bringing out the best in every girl, to developing her talents, to focusing her passions, to helping her achieve her ambitions.

GDST schools help her to develop the confidence to know her own mind, stand up for her own opinions, to understand herself and her own aspirations and the

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS SCHOOL PARENT 2012 62 INDEPENDENT AUTUMNAUTUMN 2012

courage to “go for it”.

We encourage her to make wise choices about her own life, her future, her university destination, her career, her relationships, and more.

You know your daughter better than anyone. You want her to fulfil all her potential – academic, sporting, musical, artistic – not a small part of it.

So choose a GDST school and rest easy, knowing that you’ve made the right choice.

Why not visit a GDST school and find out what it can offer you – and more importantly, what it can offer your daughter?

ABOUT US... ✱ The GDST is the UK’s leading network of independent girls’ schools with 140 years of experience. ✱ The majority of our schools take girls all the way through from the age of three or four to 18. ✱ As one of the UK’s largest educational charities, all our income is reinvested in our schools. ✱ Nearly 50,000 former students are members of the GDST Alumnae Network, which provides career resources and social and professional contacts for life.

CONTACT US... ✱ Website www.gdst.net ✱ Twitter @GDST ✱ Facebook facebook.com/TheGDST ✱ Email info@wes.gdst.net

www.independentschoolparent.com www.independentschoolparent.com

News

NEWS

The latest in education and current affairs

World’s biggest assembly

COLDPLAY BACK STUDENTS Coldplay supported Young Enterprise team UJUK – run by girls from WESTFIELD SCHOOL, Newcastle upon Tyne – by signing a purple tile to promote the students’ charity work. Inspired by a visit to Cape Town the pupils made links with charity Kidzpositive HIV project and commissioned them to produce beaded badges.

They sent 75% of the profits from the badges back to the South African charity. UJUK made £472 profit overall from a range of Union Jack products inspired by the Olympics and Jubilee and had a turnover of £2,000.

Young Dragon

Young entrepreneur Edward de Vere Hunt, CUNDALL MANOR SCHOOL, North Yorkshire, has created Battlebox – an outdoor adventure kit. When he was six years-old Edward, with his mum Emma and sister Lucy, began to design the Battlebox kits that included catapults and “owl hoot” whistles and tested them with his friends. Edward was reacting against computer games and the lack of energetic play toys. Battlebox has evolved from being sold at school fairs to being a global product following an investment from Jonathan Turner, Chief Executive of the Bayford Group. For more information on the range of kits from £22-£150, visit: battleboxcompany.co.uk

National Winner

ECO CONFERENCE St Faith’s, Cambridge, is hosting a free Eco Conference in Spring 2013. Open to teachers, governors and pupils from UK prep and primary schools, the event will be a valuable forum for sharing good sustainability practice and will provide practical tips for schools who are either getting started or re-applying for the coveted EcoSchools Green Flag award – gained by St Faith’s in 2011. More details will be available shortly at stfaiths.co.uk

Caitlin Davies, 12, from HOWELL’S SCHOOL, Cardiff, won the ReadThis competition run by the Literacy Trust.

Hundreds of children entered across the UK with the aim to promote their favourite book in the most unique way.

Caitlin’s choice was The Wedding Planner’s Daughter and her campaign included running a “design a wedding dress” competition, pasting pictures around school to catch people’s attention, throwing a themed party and screening Bride Wars in the school library. Her winnings included £500 from Oxford University Press for the library, book vouchers and a visit from author Ali Sparkes.

Last term, the BBC World Class website hosted The World’s Biggest Assembly and for 24 hours schools interacted across the globe. Pupils used various communication methods: Twitter, email, Facebook, videos, radio broadcasts, to report what matters most to them. Popular topics included the environment, social media, poverty, families and the credit crunch. Royal Russell School, Surrey, joined at 1.29pm, their pupils felt passionate about recycling and studying hard for a good job in the future.

IT’S A WRAP!

GRESHAM’S, Norfolk, became a film set when the drama-documentary Benjamin Britten – Peace and Conflict was shot on site. Britten, composer and musician, attended Gresham’s between 1928-30.

Many of the staff and pupils took on roles as extras and school musicians performed Britten’s work alongside internationally acclaimed tenor James Gilchrist and pianist Iain Burnside in the school’s Auden Theatre. The film, narrated

by John Hurt is released this year.

Year seven pupil Arul Gupta, Eltham College, is the U11 Chess Champion 2012 for the British Isles. Over five days, 40 of the country’s best young players competed for the title and Arul won six out of seven matches. www.independentschoolparent.com

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 7

JOINING FORCES New Hall School, Essex, has formed a partnership with Messing-cum-Inworth Primary School to bring it out of special measures. This is the first time an independent school has supported a state primary in this way. Messing’s pupil numbers dropped by 26% after the last OFSTED report. New Hall will take on the day-to-day running of the school while the Department for Education provides financial support.

Independent school GCSE & IGCSE results

31%

of entries of the 564 senior schools in the Independent Schools Council (ISC) achieved grade A* (compared with a national average of 7.3%, down from 7.8% in 2011)

60%

were graded A* or A, down from 61.4% in 2011 (national average of 22.4%, down from 23.2% in 2011)

94.4%

were graded A* to C, compared with 95.2% in 2011 (national average of 69.4%, compared with 69.8% last year)

ROALD DAHL COVER: QUENTIN BLAKE, PUFFIN

(From the Independent Schools Council)

ChIldrEn In thE dark about CanCEr

A Macmillan Cancer Support survey shows that 97% of 500 children aged nine to 16 years-old do not know that sunburn can cause cancer. The study shows that children are ill-informed about cancer with more than half saying that they don’t know what it is, while 4% think that cancer can be caught from someone else.

The charity has produced an information pack called Talking About Cancer to help teachers plan lessons around the delicate subject. macmillan.org.uk 8 IndEPEndEnt SChool ParEnt AUTUMN 2012

daddy’s girl

Almost half of 180 headteachers questioned

by The Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) said that they felt fathers were becoming more protective. Over a third agreed that the lack of control a father has over his daughter’s social media habits was to blame. One in four believe that fathers are concerned by the influence of celebrity culture. Nine in ten said that both mothers and fathers usually attend parent evenings, while just over half said both parents paid equal attention to how their child was performing in lessons.

See inside a child’s imagination Oxford University Press have provided a unique insight into children’s language based upon 74,075 story entries for the 2012 Chris Evans Show BBC Radio 2 500 Words short story competition.

Technology was threaded through the tales: Googling was a means of following clues, while apps could transport you to a magical world! Children latched on to words previous authors had invented such as J.K Rowling’s basilisk and J.R.R Tolkein’s orcs, while Roald Dahl’s great glass elevator appeared in several stories. The bond between children and their pets is strong. Dogs are most mentioned, followed by cats, rabbits and hamsters.

Mum and friend were the top nouns used while the name Lucy and Jack were the most popular names of both gender. The word car was mentioned 21,265 times, with boys being much more likely to describe the make and model – Ferrari, BMW and Ford were the most popular manufacturers!

MONEY MATTERS

The average cost of raising a child up to the age of 11 in Britain, excluding school fees, has risen to £90,000 according to a study by Halifax. This number has risen by £1,085 in the last five years – a 15% increase. The costs surrounding schooling, such as uniforms and school trips, were estimated to have increased by 24% from 2007-2012 while nursery and childminding accounted for the second largest increase (22%). www.independentschoolparent.com

NEWS

OPENING DOORS

A total of 80 independent day schools have supported a state-funded Open Access scheme that admits highperforming pupils regardless of financial means. The programme will boost social-mobility, with independent schools using their own bursary funds to match fee subsidies from the government. The scheme sees parents paying a sliding scale of fees based on their personal finances.

The Open Access scheme has been piloted at Belvedere School, Merseyside, over a period of seven years.

Online tutoring Tute is an online tutoring service and a middle ground for parents who do not want to take the private tuition route on top of paying the school fees. Parents can book 45-minute online lessons taught by vetted UK qualified teachers. There is a selection of over 250 lessons to choose from every week. Costs can be driven down by getting classmates or friends to join in lessons online. Tute can also provide sessions tailored to your child’s needs.

Or personal tutors can be booked for for one-to-one home visits or online tuition.

Visit tute.com

Heads on the move

Elizabeth Thomas will join Abbot’s Hill School, Herts, as Head in the Spring term

READING BLUES

A National Literacy Trust survey of 21,000 children shows that 50% enjoy reading but only three in 10 read in their own time. Over half (54%) said they prefer to watch television rather than pick up a book, while 17% said that they would be embarrassed if a friend saw them reading.

Children who read daily, outside of lessons, are 13 times more likely to be above their expected reading level.

ALL A-BOARD! The Headmaster of Blundell’s School, Devon, Ian Davenport, has been appointed CEO of a new charity: the National Foundation of Boarding Bursaries (NFBB). The charity will provide 100% funded bursaries at independent and state-boarding schools. Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove and Lord Adonis have endorsed the national scheme.

Finance at your fingertips Risks and Rewards is an interactive website for schoolchildren that aims to demystify the financial sector.

The website brings finance alive with picture references, commentaries and life-like graphics – they can even try their hand at investment!

Brought to you by The Baring Archive Ltd and the East of England Broadband Network. riskandrewards. co.uk

www.independentschoolparent.com

Not-so-smart phones

A study by the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, found that children who spend hours using mobile phones – talking or searching the internet – are more likely to develop sleep disorders, stress and mental illness. Helen Fraser, Chief Executive of the Girls’ School Day Trust (GDST) spoke on the topic at the GDST annual conference in June. Helen disagreed with the fast, bite-size chunks of information that smartphones have to offer: “young people need to learn to switch off the computer, the radio, the smartphone, the TV, and any other distractions, and read a whole book from start to finish – following an author’s train of thought, from first principles through to their conclusion.”

 Ben Vessey will take up the reins at Canford, Dorset, in Autumn 2013

This Sept Nick Funnell became Head of LVS Ascot Junior School

Peter Phillips became Head at S. Anselm’s, Derbyshire this Autumn

Toby Nutt will progress from Deputy to Head of Stonar, Wiltshire, in Jan

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 9

news 2012 International Photography Contest for Kids

National Geographic Kids magazine has teamed up with Amazing Thailand and GE to offer a family trip to Thailand with the Adventure Company, plus a GE X550 camera and a CV1 Adventure Kit. Children aged six-14 years can send one photo to each of the four categories: people, scenery, humour, animals. Britain’s Got Talent star, Ronan Parke, former Newsround presenter, Sonali Shah, and National Geographic photographer, Reza, will judge. Deadline: 31st October. ngkids.co.uk

PLayTImE!

all change for GCSEs

Good Toy Guide is a new advice website that helps parents match the best toys with their children’s interests. The site includes reviews, a toy search and free play advice.

The Good Toy Guide has a range of professionals that help to deliver a unique insight into children’s play, toys and development. Goodtoyguide.com

40 years of NewsrouNd

CBBC’s Newsround is celebrating its 40th birthday this year. when it was launched in 1972, it was only for a six-week trial and included just one news bulletin for children a day.

John Craven was the first presenter and he continued to lead the show for 17 years.

ChallenGes of parenThood A study, by DryNites, of 2,000 mums reveals that almost three quarters admit that motherhood was more challenging than they had imagined. Sleepless nights were named the biggest problem, followed by tantrums, keeping on top of the housework and getting children to eat healthily. 48% of mums found their child’s school years stressful, with the first day at nursery, pre-school and school, high on the list.

The english Baccalaureate Certificate (eBacc) is to replace the core GCse subjects as part of the goverment’s attempt to create a more rigourous exam structure. In 2017 the first pupils will sit the new exams, having started the course in 2015. Initially the effected subjects will be english, maths and the sciences – with other subjects still studied as GCses for some years.

There will be just one exam board for each subject.

The charity Save the Children has launched its first poverty campaign in Britain. The charity is aiming to raise £500,000 for families in need – the first time that it has tackled poverty in the UK in its 93-year history. A study, based on a survey of 1,500 children and 5,000 parents, found that one in 10 of the poorest parents have cut back on food themselves to feed sons and daughters. Sally Copley, Save the Children’s Head of UK policy, said that the campaign reacts to the fact that 3.5 million children in Britain are already in poverty.

STaTISTIC Of THE mONTH IGCSEs now account for

24.9% of Year 11 exam entries, up from

16.7% in 2011 (ISC)

Mothers admit that housework is not the main priority

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

10 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT AUTUMN 2012

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F L A I R

•

D I S C I P L I N E

•

A C A D E M I C

REGI

R I G O U R

REGI

BROMSGROVE SCHOOL FOUNDED 1553

Individual visits welcomed for 11+ and 13+ entry 11+ entry exams: Saturday 12th January 13+ entry exams: Tuesday 15th January 13+ Sports Scholarship Asssessment Day Monday 19th November (pre-registration required) Please contact Admissions for details Bromsgrove School offers academic excellence coupled with a wealth of sporting and extra-curricular opportunities.

Outstanding Results. International Baccalaureate and A levels offered. £24 million investment in teaching, sports and boarding facilities in the last ten years.

Weekly Boarding from £5,585* per term, including transport on Monday morning and Friday afternoon (existing routes) *at age 11+ Taster sessions available for Prep boarding.

Co-educational, Day and Boarding. 500 pupils aged 7 - 13, 900 pupils aged 13 - 18

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk www.independentschoolparent.com

telephone: 01527 579679

email: admissions@bromsgrove-school.co.uk AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS 11

Onyour marks...

A rich and varied curriculum is a perfect foundation for the learning experience, writes Charlotte Phillips

T

eaching four to seven year-olds used to be so easy, sighs Pam Walsh, a former pre-prep head, whose teaching experience stretches back over 30 years. “the head would give you a list of everything she expected the children to learn that year and didn’t mind how you did it as long as it was to the right standard or above.” enjoyment, however, was regarded as dangerously subversive. “i only did one cookery session with the children by convincing the head that weighing the ingredients would help with their maths. she told me it was something they should do at home.” these days, it’s considered quite normal to want children to have fun at school – and it’s an added bonus if their teachers feel the same way. It’s reflected in the national curriculum, now over 20-years-old, which has gone through so many changes, add-ons and surgery that if it were a car, it would almost certainly be an insurance write-off. every subject from english, maths and science to ict, Pe and religious education, comes with its own thick folder laying down the law about what children should be accomplishing, and by when, liberally dotted with hints and tips on making the so-called learning journey more primrose path than forced route march.

Among other achievements, most five and six year-olds should, by the end of Year one, be delighting their parents’ dinner party guests with their ability to count up and down in tens, spell words like “brush” and “crunch” and follow instructions accurately – though evidence suggests that “bedtime, now!” can take years to perfect. and while the national curriculum is only compulsory for state schools, which have very publically chafed under the yoke of being required to work, literally, by the book, you’ll find that that is staple fare in the vast majority of independent schools, too. and why not, says William richardson, general secretary of the headmasters’ and headmistresses’ conference (hMc). after all, it’s only setting in stone what most have been doing for years. “it’s founded on tried and tested subjects and there isn’t an alternative set. nobody’s going to deviate from english, maths and science.”

With most off-the-peg teaching materials designed with a particular age group in mind – “even our local fabric shop follows the curriculum with cowskin patterns at christmas and pumpkin material on display at halloween,” says a pre-prep teacher – going off-piste also has the drawback of leaving schools out of the loop.

Decide on a whim to postpone work for

Clockwise left to right, Dover College, Kent, harvest time at Bilton Grange, Warwickshire, reading and getting creative at Holmwood House, Essex

❝ Schools are better informed about pupils

than ever before, due in part to awe-inspiring number crunching behind the scenes❞

12 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT autumn 2012

a couple of years on the great fire of London, normally a Year two staple, and the only way teachers will find ageappropriate textbooks, not to mention optional extras (they can even hire drama troupes to stage all-singing, all-screaming versions of the event in the comfort of their classrooms), is probably by writing their own. and anyone seeing in the national curriculum a sinister underlying motive to morph every school into a Borg-like educational community drone should relax. heads are quick to stress that they have free rein to stamp their own personality on the learning process with the national curriculum seen very much as a starting point, with lots of goodies added to the mix.

Parents can opt for Mandarin down on the south coast at Brighton college, taught from reception onwards and proving an increasingly popular gcse option (successful too: every pupil who took it in 2012 gained an a* grade) while in the pre-prep department of newland house school in twickenham, Middlesex, weekly ocarina lessons are proving a hit with Year two children.

Meanwhile, at Dame Bradbury’s Prep school in saffron Walden, specialist teachers are something of a spécialité de la maison (or, in this case, ecole). in addition to sport, french, music and science there’s one for gardening, “giving” and “providing”. as head Jane crouch put it: “true breadth of education rather than teaching to the test.”

It all typifies what William richardson, speaking about independent senior schools, describes as a holistic approach to education. While the academic curriculum will be broadly www.independentschoolparent.com

education

www.independentschoolparent.com

education

❝Reading progress remains a vexed issue, as any parent can

confirm, especially those who have sought enlightenment by rifling another six-year-old’s book bag on a Friday playdate❞

similar to what you’d find in a state school, it’s the way other strands are woven in that makes all the difference.

“Most HMC Heads would say they are balancing three things: pastoral, co-curricular – by which they mean everything else such as sport and Outward Bound – and then the academic side. It embraces everything,” he says.

You’d think that with such consistency, at least when it comes to core subjects, the end result would be parents who are better informed about their child’s progress than ever before. Some certainly feel that way. “We get excellent reports,” says a mother whose daughter attends a prestigious London prep school. “What helps is that it gives the median score for the class so it’s not just raw data – it’s in context.”

Others are less confident. Reading progress, in particular, remains a vexed issue, as any parent can confirm, especially those who have sought enlightenment by rifling another six-year-old’s book bag on a Friday

playdate, only to be thwarted by a completely different reading scheme with alien numbering and no means of comparison.

For the confused, Ian Power, HMC’s Membership Secretary and a former Headmaster of Lord Wandsworth College, in Hampshire, has a blindingly obvious solution. “If you’ve got an anxiety, raise it with the person at the school that you have the best relationship with, who you think wil00nformed about pupils than ever before, due in part to an awe-inspiring amount of number crunching going on behind the scenes.

Two of the pinpoint accuracy assessments now available include CATs (Cognitive Ability Tests), and InCAS (Interactive Computerised Assessment System), which focus on maths and English in particular and are designed to show where your child is now or give a foretaste of things to come.

Progress in English – a top favourite with independent schools – can even offer parents a nifty way of finding out

14 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT autumn 2012

above, LVS ascot, Berkshire

charlotte Phillips teaches in a London prep school. Two of her three children joined pre-prep schools aged four.

what their child could, or should be reading through a linked website: improvemyreading.co.uk, which lists a range of suitable books based on your child’s test score.

And as to the future? With increasing mutterings from the government about the importance of grammar, punctuation and spelling – and a new statutory test on the way for Year Six children in 2013 – the smart money would be on independent schools pushing ever onwards and upwards.

“We would expect Year Two pupils to be achieving above national average in English and maths at the end of Key Stage One, with most at least a year above their chronological age for reading and spelling,” says Tracey Chong, the newly appointed pre-prep Head at Newland House.

But that doesn’t mean that fun will be in short supply. It says a lot for the way education has changed that at least one school has had to break the news gently to its Year Two pupils that online assessments aren’t just another great computer game but actual work.

Add the fact that Wimbledon High Junior School, an academic high-flyer, has introduced a new creative curriculum – where recent Year One work in science, arts, history and geography is all imaginatively linked to the blanket theme of turrets and tiaras – and the move towards an academically rigorous but child-friendly curriculum appears unstoppable.

Here, as elsewhere, you imagine happy pupils and fulfilled teachers who enter the classroom with a smile on their lips and a song in their hearts.

And as for parents? Well, perhaps it is not surprising that when confronted with familiar – and not so familiar – curriculum subjects taught in such appealing ways, some wouldn’t mind going back to school themselves.

“When they find out how lessons work these days, they’ll say: ‘I wish it had been like this in my day,’ ” says Pam Walsh.

“You really can’t blame them.”

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

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That moment of discovery At ACS International Schools we see student achievement as a personal experience. Our ethos inspires children to be open-minded and curious, capable of great accomplishments when encouraged and challenged. We realise this through exceptional teaching and a curriculum built on the world-renowned International Baccalaureate Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes, and US College Board Advanced Placement courses. Our expert teachers motivate students of all ages to achieve at every step, and reach their absolute potential – an advantage that best prepares our graduates to attend and succeed at many of the finest universities around the world.

To find out more about us, and our world renowned programmes, please visit www.acs-schools.com Alternatively call either ACS Cobham +44 (0)1932 869744, ACS Egham +44 (0)1784 430611 or ACS Hillingdon +44 (0)1895 818402 ACS Schools are non-sectarian and co-educational (day and boarding) for students 2 to 18 years of age.

ipsum education

same family different schools

If your children are like chalk and cheese, then choose schools based on their individual talents, writes thalia thompson

W

e all want what’s best for our children. But the best school for each child in your family doesn’t necessarily mean the same school. While it’s undeniably simpler to have a single school run, and one set of term dates, a school that is perfect for one child might not be the right environment for another.

Sometimes this is clear from the start.

Fiona and John Wright spent a lot of time choosing a school for their first child, Amelia, finally settling on a local girls’ school – at the time their son, Archie, was just a toddler. “Of course we realised that a single-sex school meant that we’d have to do it all over again in a few years for Archie, but Amelia seemed so happy here that we didn’t hesitate.”

In other cases, siblings start at the same prep or pre-prep, but as they grow older differences in personality, as much as ability, mean that they would do better at separate schools.

This is a situation that parenting coach Sue Atkins, author of Parenting Made Easy, experienced for herself. Her two children, Will and Molly, started at the same prep school in Surrey. Both did well, but over time the differences in their individual personalities became clearer.

“My son was very academic but my daughter was far more creative and artistic,” says Sue. Her son went on to one

of the top independent co-educational schools in England but they decided to send Molly to a different school.

“We felt she might start to compare herself to her brother – something we never did – and that wouldn’t be very helpful,” explains Sue. It was the right decision, “Molly absolutely blossomed – she really came into her own.”

It can be harder when the decision to send siblings to separate schools is taken out of parents’ hands.

Claire Edwards’ two boys both attended the same Hertfordshire prep school. Her eldest son, Miles flourished there and entered the associated senior school two years ago.

However, the teachers recently advised Claire that her youngest son, Harry, was less likely to pass the entrance exam to the senior school.

“At first we were taken aback,” admits Claire, “We’d always assumed they’d go to the same school. He’s due to sit the entrance exam next January but we’re looking at other schools too. We’re doing a round of

each child has their own unique personality, so why assume that the same school will suit both siblings?

❝The big advantage of separate

schools is that each child can have their own world and create their own persona without having a sibling chasing behind them❞ 16 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT autumn 2012

www.independentschoolparent.com

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education

visits this term, trying to make sure Harry sees it as finding the school that’s best for him, rather than whether he’s ‘good’ enough for the school.”

It’s vital for self-confidence that they understand this distinction. There’s a lot parents can do to help. “Your children are guided by you,” says Sue Atkins, “so your tone of voice is important, and your body language, in order to make sure they actually understand that it’s the better school for them, not that one talent is better than another.”

Sue stresses the importance of celebrating each child’s unique talents – something that’s a key part of raising happy, confident children in general, not just when you’re dealing with entrance exam difficulties.

“It’s about celebrating the successes

❝It needs military

precision to tie up after-school activities and friends coming to tea. And this year, both schools held their sports day on the same day!❞

and achievements that are personal to each child” she explains – “not what reading level they’re on, but the things that really make them who they are.”

Clinical psychologist and parenting expert Dr Claire Halsey, author of Ask a Parenting Expert, agrees, adding that being genuine is vital. “Our children are bright, they can tell if we’re fudging it. It is about finding something that each child is good at. It doesn’t have to be something with a trophy but you need to find something they’re genuinely proud of, that you can celebrate as well.”

Once children are happily settled in different schools, parents do sometimes find there are logistical problems. Kate Spall has two children in different schools in Cheshire. “I’ve found the school run a nightmare. I’m always worried I’m going to be late and I find it really stressful.” www.independentschoolparent.com

But despite this, she’s quick to acknowledge that this is something that affects her, not the children, and she’s happy to accept it as part of the price of having them at the right schools.

Fiona Wright manages the school run by sharing a lift rota with other parents but agrees. “It still needs military precision to tie up after-school activities and friends coming to tea. And this year, both schools held their sports day on the same day.”

To deal with diary clashes, Dr Halsey advises making sure someone goes to both and keeping notes if necessary.

“Believe me, children will remember if you always go to one child’s event and an aunt goes to the other’s.”

Despite these inconveniences, there can be real advantages to separate schools. Parents who might initially have worried that siblings would grow

above, on the school run at Broomwood Hall, London

apart if they went to different schools, often talk about how each child has blossomed. “Sometimes being compared to your brother or sister all day long is not very good for your self-esteem,” Sue Atkins says.

Kate Spall agrees, “I think the big advantage of separate schools is that each child can have their own world.

They can excel in their chosen field and create their own persona without having a sibling chasing behind them.”

It’s clear that with schools, one size doesn’t always fit all. So sometimes it’s better to go for a custom fit for your family, choosing schools that suit the talents and personalities of each individual child.

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

autumn 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT 19

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EducatIoN

Prepped for prep I

often tell prospective parents that it is possible to reliably measure some aspects of education, but that intuition and instinct must be used in the final decision when choosing a prep school. This can also involve the tricky business of persuading your child that the school that you have chosen, as parents, really will be the most suitable.

Parents should always check, by whatever means, that the prep school in question will suit their child in an academic sense. This can be in terms of academic selection, if any, as well as the

www.independentschoolparent.com

academic atmosphere, which should include an assessment of the degree of pressure – or lack of in some cases.

A happy school environment is what parents should look out for above all, since that is the situation in which a child is likely to develop and fulfil their potential. Nothing is worse than a setting where a child feels anxious, defensive or ill at ease in any way. Open mornings are a good way to judge the atmosphere of a school.

When I undertake interview practice with our children for entry to senior

Taster days give a real flavour of a school environment, says Peter Kirk

Right, Bilton Grange, Warwickshire Below, Belmont Grosvenor School, North Yorkshire

autumn 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT 21

schools, I often ask them what they are most proud of. The answers can be very revealing and this might be a good question to ask of a pupil guide on an open morning.

Openness and transparency are very important and so I would expect any prep school to welcome prospective pupils for a taster day. We invite children in for a day – and a night, if they are thinking of boarding – and this enables them to get a real feel for what life is like, as well as enabling parents to get a good sense of the logistics of how the school runs.

The school registrar or secretary will be the main point of contact for arranging this, and they should provide the family with as much information in advance as possible, such as the timetable for the day, what kit to bring, who their “buddy” will be, and even what the menu is for that day. By making the taster day as unintimidating and uneventful (in a good way!) as possible, children can relax into their new environment and really enjoy their day

at school, thus easing the whole process of changing schools. School staff can also observe the prospective pupil, and informally (or indeed formally) assess their suitability for the school. In advance of a taster day, the school registrar should be clear about how, and if, they will be assessing the child – nothing will unsettle a child more than

❝ Openness and transparency are very

important so I would expect any prep school to welcome prospective pupils for a taster day❞ 22 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2012

Above, Winchester House School, Northants Left, Port Regis, Dorset

an unexpected test or swimming lesson, so gather as much information in advance as possible.

Even if boarding isn’t immediately on the agenda, it is a strength of many good prep schools, so it is always worth asking about a school’s approach to introducing boarding to day children, as well as how they support new full, and weekly, boarders coming into the school community. Flexi-boarding (staying one or two nights a week) is a popular option, offering a flexible approach to “learning” about boarding and an easy introduction to a form of education that often suits children who enjoy the all-round nature of a boarding school. In a good prep school, this should be a very natural transition and one which ought www.independentschoolparent.com

EDUCATION

TASTER DAY INFORMATION SHEET  Check the date Make sure that the date of the taster day at the prospective school doesn’t conflict with an outing, key academic assessment or other significant event in your child’s current school calendar, that might put them at a disadvantage.

❝ The business

of choosing a prep school is a process, not to be undertaken lightly and not to be rushed❞ to be non-threatening to families, even those who are unfamiliar with the boarding school environment.

I often say that the business of choosing a prep school is a process, not to be undertaken lightly and not to be rushed. A relationship ought to be built with the key staff at the school and, if over a period of time it all feels “right”, then parents have probably done as much as they can, presuming that all the various inspection reports have been scrutinised and, if possible, personal recommendation sought.

A good school without any need to be defensive will readily put prospective parents in touch with current parents in similar circumstances, who can talk privately about the strengths and www.independentschoolparent.com

weaknesses of the school and what life is like for them as parents.

My advice to parents is, above all, do not be overawed by any traditions that might be off-putting, but persevere and get underneath the skin of the school.

See if this is an environment in which you think your children will flourish and in which you will feel comfortable.

The very best prep schools have children from a wide variety of backgrounds these days and this, in my view, is the best preparation for the world that lies ahead.

Peter Kirk is Headmaster of Bilton Grange.

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

 Be open Let the school know if your child has a particular aversion to something, be this an academic subject or food! Taster days should be enjoyable, and this can be made more so if the staff involved are broadly aware of any big issues.  Gather information A week or so in advance of your child’s attendance the school registrar should be providing information on your child’s taster day. For example, the form teacher for the day, the name of the child who has been assigned as their “buddy” or guide and the timetable of the day, should all be readily available to help prepare your child.  Show enthusiasm Let your child know what is going to happen. Be enthusiastic! They will take their lead from you, and if they have particular questions or concerns about the day that you cannot answer, ask the registrar or secretary to help. Be clear with your child about what is expected of them – if they are to be formally assessed or expected to participate in a sport with which they are unfamiliar, be open about this. In a new environment any unexpected surprises can floor an otherwise confident child.

 Reassure Taster days happen very frequently in prep schools, so existing pupils are well used to welcoming new children in for the day, and they relish the opportunity to “look after” the guests!  Pre-school taster days?

Taster days for pre-school children joining reception the following year are unusual. The children are often too young to really benefit. Look out for other events arranged by the school for pre-schoolers.

This can be another way for you and your child to become familiar with the school.  Logistics This is an important opportunity to work out whether family logistics can incorporate a change of school. Is the school run really feasible? Or do the timings of the school day and week suit your family?

Key questions...  What should my child wear for their taster day?  What kit (sports kit, musical instrument, outdoor coat etc) should my child bring?  What are the timings of the day?  Where should I drop off/ pick up my child?  Will my child be assessed formally or informally during the day?  When will we learn of any results of this assessment?  Is the school place to be offered on the basis of this test?

Visit independentschoolparent.com for our free checklist for all you need to know on TASTER DAYS

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 23

PROMOTION

Britain is buzzing with Britishness Kids dream of being Andy Murray (teenage girls dream of being his mixeddoubles partner). They imagine themselves winning medals and plan their sporting futures. Mothers dream their daughters might present a son-in-law as gracious as Sir Chris Hoy. Fathers temporarily delude themselves that their sons might well become the next Brownlee brothers.

We are united in our admiration of those representing us. We talk to each other. London is extraordinary. Everywhere, everyone is smiling. The Games’ volunteers, all ages, all backgrounds set a tone of unity. We are loving being British.

But it doesn’t end there…

WHEN & WHERE Independent Schools Show Battersea Park Saturday 10 November (10am-5pm) Sunday 11 November (10:30am-4:30pm) Chelsea Bridge Entrance Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ



For more information, please visit www.schoolsshow.com

This November we will be celebrating one of the brightest jewels in our national crown – independent education – at the Independent Schools Show in Battersea. Come and find out how our finest schools could help your child realise his or her dream and stand on the podium of their choice – be it one of sport, business, the arts or politics.

24 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2012

www.independentschoolparent.com

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

Mo runs, Greg jumps, Jessica does it all

EduCATION

I

If your child is at prep school, preparing for Common Entrance will be one of the most important challenges in their education. But it is a complicated process and one parents need to think about early.

“There is no doubt that they are a tough set of exams,” says Imogen Jamieson, whose son took the Common Entrance last year. “There was a lot of pressure. The work started three years before and there was just so much to learn across all his subjects. It’s like a mini set of GCSEs.”

The exam

Above, pupils from Campbell College, Belfast

PREPARING FOR COMMON ENTRANCE Tracy Cook explains the daunting process of entrance examinations and how your child can shine in the interview process www.independentschoolparent.com

Common Entrance is taken at age 13 by both sexes, although traditionally more commonly by boys. Run by the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB), it is used by some 250 senior schools to select candidates from prep schools. But unlike 11+ entry, where parents can choose to sit their child for as many schools as they like, Common Entrance is taken for one school only. As schools can set their own pass mark, varying from 55% upwards, choosing the right school for a child is key and relies heavily on the advice of prep school Heads, who have longstanding relationships with senior schools.

“Common Entrance is an important focus for pupils, a terminal exam that gives momentum and progress for prep schools,” says Alex Peterken, Headmaster of Cheltenham College.

“Senior schools like it because it helps them understand where the pupils are, so they can provide an appropriate setting for them in Year Nine.”

“Old school”

But while many schools are happy with the exam, introduced in 1904, there has been criticism that it is old fashioned and based too much on factual regurgitation. “It does need updating urgently and the ISEB are listening to what schools are saying,” says Peterken.

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT 25

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Left, Common Entrance is taken by boys and girls at 13. Pangbourne College, Berkshire

10 TIPS fOr PrEParINg yOur CHILD fOr INTErvIEw

1

Do as much research as you can. Talk to parents whose children have been through the interview process at that school before.

Think about possible question areas – what books your child has read, their favourite hobby, what interesting things they have seen recently on TV or in magazines. What do they want to do when they leave school and why?

Keep abreast with current affairs – watch the news.

Know simple facts like who is the prime minister and what is the big story of the day.

Ask a friend or an older relative to conduct a mock interview.

2

3

4

5 6

Avoid insincerity and over-coaching.

Brief your child about the school so they don’t ask an obvious or stupid question, for example: “can I join the swimming team?” if the school has no pool!

Smile, be polite and make eye contact.

Dress appropriately, possibly school uniform, so your child is comfortable.

Take something into the interview that gives them a chance to demonstrate their interests and hobbies.

On the day, don’t stress or worry your child with last-minute instructions – you don’t want a child on the verge of tears.

7 8 9

10

Visit independentschoolparent.com for our free checklist for all you need to know on INTERVIEW SKILLS

28 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT AUTUMN 2012

“We need to improve the quality of what students are being asked to do and include more evaluating and analysis. In some areas, like humanities, that’s already beginning to happen.”

Paul Brewster, Headmaster of The Beacon prep school in Buckinghamshire agrees. “CE can become dull and demotivating. Senior schools say to me they often need to re-energise kids who have become switched off studying, say, the Middle Ages for two to three years and who now feel they hate History.”

Working with six prep schools, he is trialing a Prep School Baccalaureate.

“We think there has to be a better way to assess children. It works over two years, building a profile of each pupil. It doesn’t just assess the traditional subjects, but focuses on what people actually do at prep school, from PE and sports to drama and music. It also assesses their learning skills, such as teamwork, or ability to work independently and so on.”

The Pre-test

But the road to Common Entrance is not straightforward. As the exam is taken by

most candidates in the Summer before the September of entry, if a child fails, they can be left without a place. To avoid this, and help selection at an earlier stage, more senior schools, like Eton and Wellington, have introduced a Pre-test, held when a child is 10 or 11 years-old. If the child passes this, they are offered a place conditional on then passing the Common Entrance.

“We had chosen a prep school that went up until 13, so our son could mature before he took entrance exams.

It was a blow to discover he would have to sit a Pre-test,” says one mother, whose son was offered a place at Hampton School. “It meant he had to prepare for lots of different exams in the last two years, which was pretty stressful.”

While an important part of the admissions process has always been the prep school Head’s report on a child, many senior schools are now also relying on the Pre-test and set their own exams which usually include English, Maths and Reasoning. This has led to children having to sit exams for several schools at different times of the year. www.independentschoolparent.com

EDUCATION

❝ Interviews are really trying to find out about the intelligence,

inquisitiveness and curiosity of a child, not just what they know❞

Woody Webster, Co-director of Bright Young Things Now the ISEB are responding by introducing a standardised Common Pre-test which pupils can sit once, online, at their own schools. Prospective senior schools will have access to the results and be able to offer places accordingly.

“Pre-testing is very unfair on prep schools and young candidates,” says Anthony Seldon, Master of Wellington College. “It means prep schools are having to prepare young people for all manner of tests at Years Six and Seven and it is destabilising to continuity of learning. It’s also very unfair to boys whose cognitive abilities are ill-formed at that age. But when, like here at Wellington, you have four children applying for every place, you can’t leave it to such a late stage of the Summer to let people know.”

Interviews and the art of conversation But for some parents, the interview is the most dreaded part of the process.

After all, most parents feel more responsible for their child’s social graces than they do their long multiplication.

“The worst thing is you don’t know what to expect,” says one mother, whose son was successfully interviewed, after his Pre-test, for Reed’s School in Surrey.

“Most 11 year-olds are not used to talking formally to adults. They’re not used to presenting themselves in the way we know they need to. We’ve all heard stories of children being asked what they like doing at home and answering ‘playing computer games’. It’s terrifying.”

“The interview is the most helpful and revealing part of the whole process,” says Paul Green, Deputy Head of Admissions at Epsom College. “We are trying to find out whether the child will fit the school, what they are like and whether they think out of the box.”

SAMPLE COMMON ENTRANCE QUESTIONS 13+ PAPERS* Maths

1. Jane’s bicycle has a radius of 25.4 centimetres  What is the length of the circumference of the wheel?  How many full turns does the wheel make when Jane cycles 1 kilometre?

2. For the equation y = 2x – 6  State the value of y when x = 0  State the value of x when y = 6 3. Write 350 metres as a fraction of 1 kilometre in its lowest terms *Examples reproduced courtesy of Galore Park Publishing and with permission of ISEB ©

Geography

1. What influence do the following have on temperature in the British Isles?  altitude  distance from the coast 2. All economic activities have inputs, throughputs (processes) and outputs  Name a primary or secondary economic activity you have studied in an LEDC

Chemistry

1. Baking powder is added to flour in order to make cakes rise. When baking powder is heated in an oven, the following reaction occurs:  Name the type of reaction which occurs  Explain why this makes cakes rise faster  Name the four elements present in baking powder

3. For this economic activity name:  two inputs  two throughputs (processes)  two outputs

bring a meaningful object in to talk about, (one child took a camera to show the stop animation films he had made), Epsom College asks boys to describe a picture or poem as an ice-breaker, while at Cheltenham College, they use group discussions.

“Preparation is key,” says Woody Webster, Co-director of Bright Young Things, who tutor for Common Entrance. “Interviews are really trying to find out about the intelligence, inquisitiveness and curiosity of a child, not just what they know. For example,

you can be sure you will be asked about the last book you’ve read, but the child needs to be able to explain not just that he liked it, but why he liked it. Preparing ahead can turn a 2D-answer into a 3D one. There’s a lot at stake here.”

But Paul Green cautions against over-preparation. “We want to see individuality, not children reading from a prepared script. My most important tip is for children to be themselves.”

Tracy Cook writes on family, lifestyle and education issues for national newspapers and magazines. She has recently experienced going through the Common Entrance with her son.

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

Below, Christ’s Hospital School, West Sussex, right, St Swithun’s School, Hampshire

Preparation and individuality Usually held just after the Pre-test, the format varies from school to school and can cover academic problem solving, general knowledge or be a more relaxed conversation about hobbies. Some schools, like Wellington, ask children to www.independentschoolparent.com

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 29

bıgmove

The

Selecting the right senior school is one of the hardest decisions a parent has to make. Our experts suggest the key factors to consider when taking the next step...

How to choose a senior school?

It is just like trying to find the perfect house, says Philippa Scudds People often say to me that choosing a senior school is a bit like buying a house.

As soon as you walk through the door, you just “know” it is right. But can bricks and mortar really be viewed in the same way as familial bonds? A house move to a new environment can be quick to establish, even exciting; a child’s security, happiness and educational development in school is that much harder to replicate.

Right, Godolphin School, WIltshire.

Far right, Harrow School, Middlesex

It should be so straightforward Choosing a senior school for your child ought to be straightforward. You know them and you know what you are looking for. But there are so many options and variables. For example, if they are bright, arty, sporty and want to board, the choice is narrowed. If then you need a school within an hour of where you live, there may only be a couple of choices.

What if neither is right? Disaster!

Why the angst?

Why are parents so concerned? Why the endless agonising at 30 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2012

the dinner party with other parents, or in the school car park after drop off? Surely any independent school with sound inspection reports will ultimately provide a good quality education?

But this is your child, your nearest and dearest, whom you have nurtured to get to this point. Senior school is the important last stage of compulsory education. It is where qualifications are gained which will shape his or her future.

It is where friendships develop, characters are formed, and where your child will spend what can be a turbulent rollercoaster of emotions during their teenage years.

Then there is cost. Independent schools vary in price, but for some the larger boarding schools may be out of reach, while the smaller ones may not offer exactly what you would like. While bursary schemes and scholarships are on in the increase it is still a large financial commitment which, in the current climate, might seem hard to justify.

Some parents are keen for the social element of a school.

Their friends may already have children there. There might be, dare I say it, useful future “networking opportunities” from attending certain schools.

For these parents, I would

urge them to look at the educational offerings for the child, rather than any social cache for themselves. This is not about being able to boast the greatest number of bedrooms, or impressive “acreage”. This is your child’s education.

Being able to say your child is attending “x” is surely far outweighed by being comfortable with the right decision.

Keep an open mind In order to choose a school objectively, initially keep an open mind. Do not be swayed by car park gossip. Go and see a range of schools for yourself. Decide on your criteria and narrow down your options to half a dozen or so. Nothing substitutes for a personal visit on an Open Day. Talk to your child’s current school.

They see your child every day during term time and will know their strengths, weaknesses and characters. They should also have a good understanding of the main ethos and aims of the senior schools where they regularly send pupils.

It is important to keep your options open. You might be surprised at the www.independentschoolparent.com

IN FOCUS

suggestions made by a prep Head, based on his knowledge of your offspring. Don’t be put off – go and take a look, if only to set your mind at rest that it is not the right school for you.

Check on entry procedures Schools vary in their admissions processes but some form of deposit is generally paid to register your child initially. If you are interested in any particular schools, or have a personal connection with them, check on their entry procedure. Some take pupils on a first come first served basis so you have to register early. Others hold their own admissions test and you can register later. Some, like Canford, do run their own test but also advise early registration, particularly if you have a house choice in mind.

Keep in touch Once the decision is made, keep in touch with the school. Talk to other parents at your current school who might have chosen the same senior school as you. The school should also www.independentschoolparent.com

❝Senior school is the

assessments are designed to ensure that pupils join who will be best suited to the school and enjoy their time there. It may be a blessing in disguise if they don’t make it, and you will look back and realise how pleased you were with your final choice. Even if it might have seemed disastrous at the time.

Equally, if you decide to apply very late, there may well be places available so do not let the timing deter you.

important last stage of compulsory education.

It is where qualifications are gained which will shape his or her future❞

Trust your instincts

offer introductory events to help you and your child become familiar with the school before they start. Canford offers a Familiarisation Day in June for all those joining the following September.

There are also house events to give you a chance to meet other new parents.

The right choice Post assessment, whether that be Common Entrance and/or the school’s own exam, take heart if they do not make the grade. You will have other options. The

Until the uniform is bought, the trunks are packed (for boarders), shiny new pens are in the pencil cases and the good byes have been said on that first day, you will never be totally sure if you have made the right decision. This is the time to trust your instincts. Senior school is a partnership with home. Staff are there to ensure that they help your child make the very most of the wonderful opportunity he or she has been given.

Sold!

Philippa Scudds is Director of Marketing at Canford School, Dorset.

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 31

IN FOCUS

The best of both worlds

Day school pupils learn to strike the right balance between home and school life, says David Goodhew Having worked in day schools and boarding schools, I know from personal experience that both sectors, at their best, offer an excellent academic education, rounded by a plethora of extra-curricular activities, and supported by outstanding pastoral care.

So, how to choose? I would like to outline some of the reasons why for me, and many of the parents I speak to, a day environment is a better “fit”.

Day schools have a faster pace of life, as they are typically trying to fit into seven hours what boarding schools will do in ten. This creates a distinct buzz compared with the slightly more sedate feel of boarding, which I find exhilarating.

The pace is also one of several features that mirror life beyond school. Pupils at Latymer Upper School, Hammersmith,

commute to school, often via tube, an experience which they tell me they enjoy!

They have to balance their time and energy between home and school, which prepares them well for striking the right work/life balance later. Day schools often have a local feel, drawing their pupils from a smaller radius and thereby being more connected to, and reflective of, their community. I was interested to read in The Sunday Times, Nicholas Hellen describing how some families in China are now choosing British day schools, with the help of foster families, so that their children can get a better experience of real life.

An obvious difference is cost: according to the ISC Census 2012, the average day school costs £11,709 per year compared with £26,340 on average at

❝Many children prefer to

inhabit two daily worlds: home and school❞ 32 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2012

Above, University College School is a London day school

boarding schools. This means that day schools are not only more accessible, but they are easily able to improve their access by offering means-tested bursaries and scholarships.

However, the most important difference between day and boarding is the quality of the experience of growing up and family life. Here, the key is to find what feels right, and I would not wish for one moment to say one is objectively better than the other.

Many parents want to see their children every day and believe that living together is an essential part of family life. Many children value the greater privacy and freedom offered by day schools, and prefer to inhabit two daily worlds: home and school, rather than one where school is home; this is also true for many teachers and their families.

The ancient Greek poet Pindar described human beings as “creatures of a day” – I can warmly recommend having “day school creatures” within your family!

David Goodhew is Headmaster of Latymer Upper School, Hammersmith, London.

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AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS 33

The boarding question

What is a diamond school?

If you are considering the boarding school route for your child what are the key questions you should be asking? Of the 500,000 children in independent education, just over 13%, or 68,000 children, choose to board.

But with that figure increasing every year for the past seven years, what should parents and children think about when considering whether boarding education is right for them?

Trent College, Nottingham held their

inaugural Introduction to Boarding Event, in June, and collected some excellent advice from the guest speakers, who included the Chairman of the Independent Schools’ Council, Barnaby Lenon, Dominic Moon, Senior Education Consultant for The Metropolis UK Boarding Schools Guide and television presenter, Ben Fogle.

Here’s their check list:

A unique educational model that enables boys and girls to thrive In a diamond school, children are educated in co-educational classes up to age 11 and again at sixth form. However, from 11 to 16-years-old they are taught in single-sex classes. That is because girls seem to perform better academically in girls-only schools, while boys appear to benefit more from co-education. The diamond model provides the opportunity to combine the academic benefits of single-sex education with the social advantages of co-education.

The main benefits of five years of single-sex teaching derive from the ability to tailor pastoral and academic provision more sensitively and expertly to the needs of young people going through the physical and social upheaval of adolescence. Young teenagers are liberated from the negative peer pressure of having to perform in mixed classes.

The successful creation of a diamond model at New Hall School, Essex, resulted in the school being awarded The Independent Schools Award for Outstanding Strategic Initiative in 2011.

New Hall was the first independent girls’ school to adopt this approach and the only Catholic school to do so. Since 2005, the school roll has grown from 580 students to 1,150 today, with a gender ratio of 50:50 from 2010.

Parents often ask how New Hall has changed since taking senior boys. All the major changes have been positive. In particular, the emphasis on team sports that came with the arrival of boys has transformed the sporting life of the school. Girls quickly became jealous of the team spirit, and regional and national success of the boys.

The result has been the meteoric rise of girls’ sports team, alongside the outstanding achievements of the boys.

Girls have become more competitive in other areas, without this changing the overall community ethos of the school and academic standards have continued to go from strength to strength.

CHECKLIST FOR BOARDING SCHOOL Understand what children learn from boarding as opposed to home

Living with your peer group hones conflict and resolution skills as well as being more tolerant, understanding and respectful of other peoples’ perspectives. The house system promotes a unity that encourages pupils to do activities for their house they may otherwise never do, like singing or debating for example.

Location, location, location

Do you want a rural or urban school? Does it need to be near an airport or on a train line or major motorway? Is being near family important?

What do you want from a school’s core ethos?

Balance what you want for your child with what your child needs. Are you looking for co-ed or single-sex? Is a strong religious tradition important? Is academic achievement critical or a good balance of academic and extra-curricular development? Are there scholarships available to support particular talents?

Look for a school with the “X-Factor”

Do your homework on the house parents

A really good house parent can make a big, big difference in your child’s education and development. Dedicated house parents get the best exam results, and involvement in extra-curricular activities, from the children in their care whilst also providing the best in-house pastoral support structures.

Get ready for homesickness

It is inevitable that your child will miss home at first. House parents, matrons and tutors are the best gauge of whether the homesickness is temporary, and can reassure parents that their child is generally happy and progressing as expected, or whether it is a long-term concern, and with parents, form appropriate coping strategies.

Prepare yourself

Sending a child to boarding school can be an emotional decision. The children get carried away with the excitement and are less affected than their parents!

Parents and children frequently report just “knowing” a particular school felt right when they were visiting shortlisted schools. Whether it was the way the other children were or homely boarding houses, instinct plays a big part.

If you’re considering full-time boarding visit at the weekend

If the majority of your child’s weekends will be spent at school, by arranging a visit on a weekend you can see how many pupils are around and what is going on while you can speak to pupils and non-management staff to find out what there really is to do.

Visit independentschoolparent.com for our free checklist for all you need to know on BOARDING

34 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2012

Above, a third generation to board at Sherborne, Dorset

Katherine Jeffrey is Headmistress of New Hall School, Essex.

www.independentschoolparent.com

IN FOCUS INFOCUS

First impressions

There’s so much to be gained from looking round a school on an open day, says Rebecca Farha Finding “the one” can be daunting.

Parents should allow themselves time to view several shortlisted schools early in their decision process.

Open Days offer families an opportunity to see the school first hand, with time to view all departments including academic and sporting facilities, the boarding houses, and most importantly, the staff and current pupils.

The interaction that you are able to experience on an Open Day is unique.

Such a detailed view of school life may not be offered on a private tour, as staff and pupils will be in lessons and the boarding areas are often less accessible.

Parents could consider senior schools three to four years before entry, and arrange visits to a number of Open Days for a preliminary view. It is often very helpful to include your child at these

events, as their thoughts often help guide your own. Do be wary, however, of their desire for a certain school based on the picture of the polo pony on the wall or the size of the swimming pool, as a child’s school criteria can quite naturally tend towards the terrific facilities rather than the solid academic foundation and pastoral care!

Heathfield School in Ascot holds Saturday Open Mornings each term.

Parents are asked to RSVP to the Registrar prior to the day. Families are welcomed by one of our current pupils and introduced to the Headmistress, Head Girl and Senior Leadership Team.

With a current girl as a tour guide you are free to discuss school life from a pupil’s point of view, which can be interesting as well as amusing!

However, a private visit to a school will

❝Be wary–a child’s desire

for a school could be based on a photo of a pony on the wall or the size of the swimming pool❞

www.independentschoolparent.com

Above, Christ’s Hospital, West Sussex Below, girls at Campbell College, Belfast

provide you with more time to discuss your child as an individual with the Head. You can also view the school in action, see it running on a normal day, and experience the ambience without the bustle that comes with an Open Day. When you have shortlisted your schools, make subsequent visits to watch sports matches, theatre and music productions – even try the food by eating in the Dining Room! Schools are very happy to welcome parents back to gain a full picture of the school.

School Open Days are well publicised and parents can find information through contacting the school Registrar or by prospectus and website, together with adverts in educational magazines, information on prep school noticeboards and from heads of prep schools.

A successful Open Day will equip families with a wealth of knowledge and insight into a school and community which one day may be referred to by their son or daughter as their second home.

Imagine your child as a pupil – if this comes easily to mind in the school you are visiting, you may well be on the way to a successful decision!

Rebecca Farha is registrar of Heathfield School, Ascot.

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 35

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IN FOCUS

Going all the way

There are benefits to staying in one school for an entire academic career, writes Rosalynd Kamaryc  If you are considering educating your child in the same school from four to 18 years, then having to choose a senior school will come earlier than you had anticipated. But this forward planning can be very beneficial.

Just after I had celebrated my fourth birthday, I joined the prep department of our local Grammar school and stayed there until the age of 17 when I completed my A levels. Apart from the very last year, I had the same Headmaster throughout – something quite usual in schools at that time. Granted, during those years, the school moved to a splendid new site with better facilities and opportunities, but at no stage would my parents have considered looking at another school. Once in a good school, you didn’t just leave!

I have experienced therefore the benefits of all-through education and now lead an all girls’ school which offers education from four-18 years. Some of our girls will start at four, others join later in the Junior school, many will start at 11 with a small number at other points

in the senior school, including the sixth form, if there are places. For some parents, the convenience of starting in one school and staying there until their child emerges as a confident young adult, overrides any other factors.

For others, a change at 11, say, to something bigger or different, may help their child develop independence and confidence. It may help them manage new challenges in a new environment – an invaluable skill which could help them cope later in our rapidly changing world.

Some children, however, need stability to flourish and desire the familiarity of their surroundings and staff, to fulfil their potential.

Parents too, often benefit from having familiar faces to turn to as they move through the teenage years with their children. These days, with the absence of extended families close at hand to give advice, parents increasingly rely on staff in schools to provide the support and guidance once offered by relations.

Below, St Mary’s School Gerrard’s Cross, Buckinghamshire

Parents often tell me that they like to know that I have seen their daughters develop from little girls in to young women and as a result can provide the guidance they need as an individual.

But children themselves may raise the idea of changing schools, perhaps because friends have sown the seed in their mind or maybe they genuinely feel the need for something different.

I do guard against hopping from one school to another, in the hope of constantly finding something better; you may well become disillusioned and find that your child becomes unsettled and unable to sustain the friendships they need. If your child is happy at school, why should they endure the upheaval of moving on?

Girls, in particular, often look for change at 16. If in a single-sex school, they may wish to explore the opportunities of co-education, or perhaps boarding school as a bridge between school and university.

Personally, I feel that a change at 16 can be difficult. AS modules are taken after only two terms, which gives pupils little time to adapt to new surroundings, new teachers and teaching styles as well as the challenges of AS subjects.

But when choosing a school, you have to do what is right for your child as an individual, and should that mean moving schools at every stage of their education, then that is what they need to do.

There is no harm in looking at other schools – I actively encourage the girls to when they are 11 and 16, not because I want them to move, but so I can ensure that they make an informed decision about the next stage of their education.

If anything, I believe that this policy has served to enhance our retention rates at 11 and 16 – the grass is not always greener elsewhere!

Rosalynd Kamaryc is Principal at Queen’s Gate School, South Kensington.

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

www.independentschoolparent.com

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 37

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HEAD VIEWPOINT

All change?

Mark Moore assesses the proposed revamp of the GCSE and how it will affect your child’s education – if at all

S

O NOW WE KNOW. OR DO WE? Although it had been tactically leaked both to the Daily Mail and to The Sunday Times, the Secretary of State for Education’s big idea for the future of the GCSE has finally been unveiled. As Michael Gove somewhat sarcastically, if cleverly, fielded questions on the floor of the House on the day of his big announcement, what were we to make of it all? What was either new or different about his proposals?

Mr Clegg very cannily made sure that any changes to examinations do not come into being until 2017, and even then only in English, maths and science.

This is presumably because he believes that a General Election in 2015 will usher in change, and the plans might be completely scrapped by any incoming government with a different education agenda. So, conclusion number one is: don’t hold your breath because change is to be slow and gradual if at all. Far from being a radical overhaul of the main secondary school examination system, this is a proposal that is compromised on all fronts.

Firstly, it only applies in England.

Secondly, coursework is to go. But in many existing GCSEs, for example Latin, that is already the case and one of the great attractions of the IGCSE, which many schools now offer, is that there is no coursework component. So, for many pupils, “no change there then”.

Thirdly, modules are to go. In GCSEs, modules are bite-sized exams where a small part of the overall GCSE is examined in a short paper of around 45 minutes. They can be re-taken and the best score counts. Such modules are to go, in the shorter term, and in time exams will be longer, cover bigger

chunks of the specified material, and will be taken in the Summer.

Although it will no longer be possible to take a section of a GCSE early, it will still be possible to take a whole GCSE exam early, or indeed late, for those who do not reach the required standard at 16 years-old. So, conclusion number two is: there is a change here, but it is not a substantial change for independent schools, where modules have not been especially widespread and where many pupils take IGCSE in any case.

Fourthly, there will be a single exam board for each subject. Mr Gove believes that competition between exam boards has driven a “race to the bottom” as each board competes for a larger market share by offering progressively easier GCSE exams with each passing year. But once in place, this change could present a new problem.

Each exam board will compete for the franchise in each subject that is examined nationally. So, for example, AQA could win the franchise for physics,

Michael Gove believes the EBacc will bring back rigour and the end of “dumbing down”

❝ Mr Clegg cannily made sure that any changes

to exams do not come into being until 2017, and even then only in English, maths and science❞

www.independentschoolparent.com

OCR for chemistry and Edexcel the contract for biology. How will comparability across the subjects be guaranteed? What if there is a perception that the board offering, for example, religious studies is “easier” than that for say, drama. Will schools recommend to pupils that they go for the “easier” option so as to maximise results? And will it be possible for schools in England to continue to take the Welsh board’s GCSEs, as many schools in England do, after 2017? So, conclusion number three is: market forces will still apply as schools and pupils look for the best deal.

The big idea behind these reforms is the formalisation into a qualification of the English Baccalaureate or EBacc as it is commonly known. To qualify for the EBacc, pupils have to achieve the equivalent of a grade C or more in a specified group of subjects including English and maths, a science, history or geography and a language. Mr Gove believes the EBacc will represent a return to rigour and the end of “dumbing down”. Pupils who do not achieve the EBacc at 16 (O level) will be given a certificate of achievement (CSE) cataloguing their achievements.

Conclusion number four: haven’t we been here before?

I am not convinced by the argument that the way to fix a problem is to turn the clock back to a time before the problem was thought to exist. The real issue is that whatever exam system we have, it is the assessment that matters: it has to be credible. In other words, the way the exams are marked must produce a rank order in which the best candidates obtain the best marks.

It sounds beguilingly simple but like so many simple things, incredibly difficult to achieve.

Mark Moore is Head Master of Clifton College, Bristol.

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 39

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Kilgraston, Bridge Perth The •• Music •• Earn, Sports Equestrian Kilgraston, Bridge of of Earn, Perth PH2 PH2•• 9BQ 9BQ The Arts ArtsTelephone: Music Sports Equestrian 01738 812257 Fax: 01738 813410 Telephone: 01738 812257 Fax: 01738 813410 headoffice@kilgraston.com www.kilgraston.com Kilgraston, Perth headoffice@kilgraston.com Kilgraston, Bridge Bridge of of Earn, Earn,www.kilgraston.com Perth PH2 PH2 9BQ 9BQ Telephone: 01738 812257 Fax: 01738 813410 Kilgraston School Trust is a charity.

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SCOTLAND

TAKETHE HIGH ROAD

Charlotte Fairbairn uncovers the perpetual fervour of Scotland’s independent schools as she takes a trip down memory lane

M

any years ago – and I’m talking many – my friend Antonia and I were dispatched from our home-schooling governess arrangement in Fife to a tiny prep school on the outskirts of Perth. It was a steep learning curve – we had exams! There were teams! In the first week, I was caught cheating in the history exam, a tactic born out of sheer academic terror rather than any desire to make mischief.

An interview with the Headmaster was stern and the resulting mark of 33% was not only reflective of my lack of knowledge but also deeply shaming.

Nevertheless, on reflection, those days at that prep school seemed idyllic. My

friends and I would skip up a long winding path to a netball court where I used to wobble the post so that no one could score – a quiet rebellion but effective, all the same! We would borrow china bowls from the school kitchens and were let loose in the vegetable garden to pick gooseberries. Towards the end of our stay, we were made monitors in the school dining room which entailed (thrillingly!) keeping an eye on Ketchup intake among the juniors.

As I contemplate the fabulous opportunities Scottish schools have to offer, all I can think of, as I recall the post-exam dressing-down, the wonky netball post, the gooseberries, is a) how much has changed; and b) how little has.

❝I was dispatched from our governess

in Fife to a tiny prep school on the outskirts of Perth. Those days at prep school seem idyllic now❞ www.independentschoolparent.com

Above, Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh

Take my school in question, Craigclowan Prep in Perth has come on in leaps and bounds – it takes 300 boys and girls – and is well-equipped with facilities that include a dry ski-slope.

The school is part of the Comenius programme, an EU-sponsored project to encourage cross-cultural understanding among European countries, and, as such, has exchanges with other schools Europe-wide.

Belhaven in East Lothian offers an intimate prep-school community of just 110 boys and girls, mostly full boarders, all housed in a Georgian red-brick building that backs on to the links seaside golf course outside Haddington in East Lothian. There is a “buzzy young staff-room,” says Headmaster’s wife Sandy McCaskill, and a varied and imaginative early-evening activities programme for all pupils. But the golden sandy beaches that the children ride on, and the views towards north Fife, that they enjoy, are as they were when the school came to life in 1923.

Ardvreck is another example of a delightful Scottish prep school that embraces the old and the new. It was AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 43

We Only Do What’s Best for the Boys • Merchiston

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SCoTLANd founded in 1883 by W.E Frost with the express intention of teaching all of its pupils “patience, justice, obedience and unselfishness”. More than a hundred years later, the school continues to uphold these principles. It is an hour from Edinburgh or Glasgow – convenient for working parents, idyllic for children.

It would be invidious to try and distinguish Scottish schools in general from schools south of the border. But there is no doubt, when you think of the bastions of Scottish senior education – Glenalmond College, Strathallan School, Gordonstoun, Merchiston Castle School, Fettes College, to name but a few – that a certain pattern emerges.

These schools are all housed in distinct but wonderful settings.

Gordonstoun in Moray boasts the eponymous Round Square* – an architectural phenomenon built in the 17th century by Sir Robert Gordon who was also known as the “Wizard of Gordonstoun”. His thinking being, that by being both round and square, the building would confuse the devil and thwart his advances. Regardless of its lore, this marvellous architectural achievement must imprint itself on any child’s aesthetic sensibilities.

When I spoke recently to a parent who had just sent her son to Glenalmond, one of her reasons for choosing the school was: “it is simply such a beautiful place”.

Glenalmond, situated in Perth and Kinross, was founded by W.E Gladstone, who took a double first in classics and maths at Oxford before later becoming Prime Minister. The educational mission at the core of the school should not be underestimated; but nor should its location in 300 acres of stunning Perthshire countryside.

Exceptional outdoor pursuits are another distinguishing feature of many of these schools. Gordonstoun pupils all spend time crewing the school yacht, the 80-foot Ocean Spirit of Moray. At Strathallan, students can join the newly created Clay Pigeon academy, while over at Kilgraston, girls can enjoy the wonders of an on-site equestrian centre.

❝ Our Headmistress in those days, Joan

Clanchy, played a major part in the creation of the National Curriculum. Today it seems this seriousness of academic intent prevails❞

Fettes and Merchiston on the other hand are not sited in the wild Scottish landscapes but in Edinburgh, their magnificent buildings landmarks of the city. Both are dynamic schools and like their rural counterparts, offer a wealth of both academic and sporting opportunities. Fettes, Tony Blair’s alma mater, is proud to cater for the strengths of every individual – and as such, allows pupils to sit either A levels or the International Baccalaureate (to date, the only Scottish school to do so).

Merchiston – also in Edinburgh – is proud of its long heritage (founded in 1833), its single-sex ethos (the last

Above, Glenalmond College, Perthshire.

Below, left to right, the North Lawn at Gordonstoun, Moray, art in the grounds of Ardvreck School, Perthshire, The Round Square at Gordonstoun

independent school in Scotland for boys only), and its new golf academy.

You may be sitting at your desk with a pile of prospectuses, wondering how you are going to choose a prep or senior school for your child. A hundred different factors will come into shaping your decision. For me, from the walled gardens of Perthshire, the path led to Edinburgh and St George’s School for Girls. Our Headmistress in those days, Joan Clanchy, played a major part in the creation of the National Curriculum.

Today it seems this seriousness of academic intent prevails as the school has earned the soubriquet of the “St Paul’s” of the north. All I can say now, as I compare my own experience with what is on offer today, is that the doughty Miss Jean Brodie spirit may linger but I would lay bets that the age of the wonky netball post has long gone.

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

*Round Square being the name of the foundation of schools, now worldwide, that is based on the educational theories of Gordonstoun’s founder, Kurt Hahn.

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autumn 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT 45

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SCHOOL HEROES

MEET THE...

Matron

I

AM A “MUM” TO 40 BOARDERS aged seven to 11. Together with my eight house staff, we are all responsible for creating a happy, homely environment for the children.

The dictionary definition of the “matron” is a woman in charge of nursing and domestic arrangements in a boarding school. While this statement is accurate it does not really express the true nature and essence of the role, or the personality that is needed to look after younger children.

When I asked the children to describe my role at Ardvreck I was surprised and delighted with their replies, which went something like this: “She looks after us when we are upset or worried, sings all the time, mends us when we fall in the playground, organises phone calls home, makes us hot chocolate, takes us to the park, reminds the tooth fairy to visit, bakes cakes with us, reads great stories, has the best tuck shop, looks after us when

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Housemistress Susan Salmond takes the children under her wing at Ardvreck School

we are sick in the night, loves Mamma Mia, lets us get muddy in the dams – but not when we are wearing our kilts!

Matron is the sunlight in Junior House!”

It is vital that children view the boarding house as a home, of which they have “ownership”. Every child has their own bed covers and decorates the dorms and bed spaces with posters, family photos and soft toys. Recently, the girls’ Common Room was revamped and painted and we had a Grand Opening.

The bursar was asked to cut the pink ribbon that was pinned across the door, and was told by the girls in no uncertain terms that there was nothing “common” about their room and she was to unveil the new Sitting Room!

To encourage the children to be tidy, helpful and kind to each other we have the Dorm Competition. The prize for winning “Dorm of the Term” is pizza, fizzy pop, ice cream and a film with Matron in my flat. Staying up late is the most coveted part of the prize!

Susan Salmond is Housemistress of Junior House at Ardvreck School, Perthshire.

At the beginning of a school day the Seniors, 11-13 years, join the Junior Boarders for breakfast. There is always great excitement when children catch up with their siblings and older friends. The noise level can be ear-blasting and rather daunting, especially when you are new. So I set a table in the library for new Junior boarders – another time to chat and observe how settled the children are.

When the school day ends at 6pm, I join the Junior Boarders for supper and talk about the ups and downs of the day.

This is one time when it is an advantage to not be a teacher, as conversation becomes more relaxed; this is not always the case if the teacher who gave you a “ticking off” during class is then sitting next to you!

Children can then phone home using one of our six phones. While the calls are private, we do try to ensure that calls are kept to a healthy minimum.

During the first week of boarding, we do not encourage new boarders to contact home. Instead, we send the family a daily email describing how their child is settling into the ebb of school life – reassuring anxious parents. Each Sunday, Junior House boarders also send out handwritten letters.

After evening showers we look forward to Sitting Room time. It’s when we all relax after an extremely busy school day. I can also observe how everyone is getting on.

A great deal of my day is taken up with keeping a watchful eye on all of my charges, making sure that they are happy and nipping any problems, or concerns, in the bud.

I ensure that all members of my House Staff have a “permanent and welcoming smile”.

My role as Matron is varied, nurturing and exhausting but above all fun!

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 49

Better listeners make better learners

Listening is the primary means of acquiring information – it is the cornerstone of learning, but Pauline Grant asks: why do some children find it so difficult?

W

ILL YOU PLEASE JUST listen? This is the exasperated plea we’ve all expressed when dealing with a child who seems determined to ignore you.

But what are we actually asking of a young child when we utter this apparently simple request?

It’s important to understand that listening is not the same as hearing.

Hearing just happens; we hear from the

WAYS TO DEVELOP LISTENING SKILLS:  Make home a haven of peace and calm for a little while each day!  Go on a “listening walk” – see how many sounds you can identify, where are they coming from?  Blind Man’s Bluff – locate different voices.  Take it in turns to tell a story – use sound effects and different voices for each character.  Nursery rhymes – spot the silly mistake: “Hey diddle diddle … the cow jumped over the loo”.  Musical chairs.  Follow ridiculous instructions (good for memory and sequencing).  Close your eyes and listen to child friendly classical music: hear the drum, the violin? Play “sound bingo” games.

Visit independentschoolparent.com for our free checklist for all you need to know on LISTENING SKILLS

50 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2012

moment of birth – it is passive. It is simply the ability to sense sound.

Listening on the other hand, is active, it is a skill that develops over time, enabling us to filter out unwanted noise and focus on the sounds that are important. It is a dynamic activity, requiring the brain to understand and respond to what it hears: auditory processing. I call this the “listening brain”. Children need to be allowed the time and opportunities to learn to become good listeners so that they will become better learners.

Good hearing and access to intelligible speech is essential for the development of the “listening brain”, language and literacy skills. For children who have a hearing loss, this is a challenge and it is the role of teachers of the deaf, along with speech and language therapists, to help children to learn to listen through hearing aids or cochlear implants. Even a temporary hearing loss, such as Glue Ear – the

build-up of sticky glue-like fluid in the middle ear as a result of chronic inflammation, causing temporary deafness – will have an impact on listening development if it is not properly managed.

Twenty five per cent of children under the age of seven experience blocked ears and “woolly” hearing for chunks of time – especially during the Autumn term.

This is often a neglected area of understanding. After all, they’ll grow out of it, won’t they? But some of their early learning – phonics especially – will be missed if it is not addressed. For all children, these early stages are a vital.

Listening development is most efficient in the first three years of life – it’s when neural plasticity is greatest.

Every parent knows that, at this age, children are like sponges, soaking up the world around them and learning to makes sense of it. Surprisingly, however, it isn’t until the mid-teens that “higher level” listening skills are fully developed.

❝ When your teenager denies

all knowledge of hearing you when playing a computer game, take reassurance from the fact that children’s listening skills are different to an adult’s❞

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HEALTH

The ability to pick out one voice against conflicting background noise is one of the last skills to be fully in place, so this confirms what you probably already know – children’s listening skills are different from an adult’s! Next time when you ask your teenager to do something while they are concentrating on a computer game and they deny all knowledge of hearing your request, perhaps this might ease your frustration – a bit!

There’s plenty that parents can do to help listening development when a child is young. After all, once a child starts school, listening to the teacher is going to be a challenge – early years’ classrooms are not the quietest places for much of the time! Schools always ask parents to help their child to be as independent as possible; they should also be asking parents to establish early listening skills and offer them advice to do so. There are all sorts of fun games that parents can play with their child as a way to aid listening skills in an everyday environment (see box), from musical chairs and Blind Man’s Bluff, to playing sound bingo or going on a “listening walk” and seeing how many www.independentschoolparent.com

sounds can be identified.

Very young children don’t need to be stimulated all the time. In the middle of a day packed with activities, provide some quiet time, with minimal distractions. It’s good for children to have the chance to listen to someone telling them a story without the radio or TV playing in the background. Let them listen to the incidental sounds around them – birds, the wind, a plane – and learn what they are. Babies and toddlers are often amid a cacophony of noise; heavy traffic, noisy shopping malls and restaurants, playgroups, a jumble of mobile ring tones. All this “toxic noise” makes learning to detect important sounds much harder.

Once at school, some children will struggle with listening and attention, falling behind their peers. They may have an auditory processing problem – often as part of another learning difficulty such as dyslexia or an attention deficit. There is much that can be done. Seek advice early to make sure your child gets the help and support that they need.

Happy listening!

Above, listening development is most efficient in the first three years of a child’s life

WHEN SOUND IS HEARD THE BRAIN NEEDS TO: Work out loudness and pitch. Decide where it is coming from. Discriminate – “f” or “th”? “ch” or “j”?  Fill in gaps (what did you miss when someone sneezed?) Work out what might come next. Understand the sequence.  Remember the sound or sequence. for future recall. Understand meaning and context.

Visit independentschoolparent.com for our free checklist for all you need to know on LISTENING SKILLS

Pauline Grant is a teacher and Education Consultant for Hearing Impairment and Auditory Processing Disorder and a certified provider of The Listening Program. To find out more, go to listentolearn.org or email listen. learn@yahoo.co.uk For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 51

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health

the

breakFast club

School food has gone up in the world. Semolina has made way for home-grown produce and mouth-watering menus, writes Glynis kozma

F

ew of us can forget the image of oliver twist, bowl in hand, asking, “Please, sir, I want some more”.

It would be unfair to compare independent schools’ catering with Victorian workhouses, but school food did have a reputation for leaving much to be desired. emily, who attended boarding school told me, “former pupils’ abiding memories include the awfulness of school food. Blancmange and cheese flan were the lowlights.” as a parent now looking at prep schools for her son, emily’s experiences demonstrate the changes that have occurred in school catering.

“My mouth was watering at one menu. at another school, the children were served home-baked cookies and Innocent smoothies at break times.” catering for large numbers, as well as pupils with food allergies and intolerance, must test the best catering departments. how do schools manage and what do they offer? the Dragon school, oxfordshire, recognises the importance of food and caters for 800 pupils aged 4-13 years.

“By ensuring a pupil is nutritionally catered for, they will be supported throughout their school day. our menus are designed to tempt children of all ages to ‘have a try’, particularly if we are having special menus such as the roman, tudor or chinese Days.” all vegetables are steamed, fried food is kept to a minimum, and unlimited fresh fruit is available for children at all meal times. Pupils are taught about the origins of the food, including air miles and whether it is local produce. some of it is from the school’s garden. home-grown, and home-reared, produce is central to the menu at the elms school, worcestershire. the school www.independentschoolparent.com

above, reaping the rewards of the Gardening club at sandroyd school, Wiltshire

❝ Pupils are taught about the origins of the food,

including air miles and whether it is local produce. Some of it is from the school’s garden❞ AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT 53

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❝ The days of soggy cabbage are over. A number of schools publish

their menus online, and many read like Michelin-starred restaurants❞

has 170 children, is the oldest prep school in the country, and backs on to 150 acres of land – which includes the farm where the school originated. The majority of pupils are boarders.

Headmaster Alastair Thomas explains, “Food is a very important aspect of a boarding school. We use local ingredients as far as possible and take great pride in keeping our children and staff full. We have cooked breakfasts, a hot meal at lunchtime, home-baked cakes and biscuits for tea and then freshly prepared supper at 6.30pm. In Rural Studies, the children learn how to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables. Every class is responsible for preparing a garden at the school and anything that is grown is brought into the school kitchens. All lettuce used during the Summer months comes from the gardens. Our own beef, pork and eggs are used, and sausages from our pigs make an appearance from time to time.”

Canford School, Dorset, a coeducational school for pupils 13-18 years, has menus that would make most parents envious. On offer at lunchtime is home-made soup, three main courses, including a vegetarian option, baguettes, jacket potatoes and pasta. A typical lunch menu includes: roast vegetable and green lentil soup, sweet chilli chicken, mushroom rice, beef goulash, or sweet chilli tofu, and a selection of puddings or fruit. Evening meals include three main courses with several vegetables, and favourites such as Dorset Apple cake or Sticky Date pudding.

As with many schools, they source their supplies locally as far as possible,

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above, pupils at the elms School, Worchestershire, learn how to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables Below, a mini orchard at the elms provides apples, pears and plums for the kitchens

and explain, “While cost is important, it is not the driving decision factor.”

How do they cater for children who need special diets?

“A direct approach is encouraged.

Pupils meet the caterers – sometimes with their parents or medical staff. We show them menus and make sure there are items on offer that are appealing. As a rule, we limit the use of flour in food, using cornflour in soups and sauces.”

The Dragon has a menu from which they can meet the needs of each child, rather than sticking to a rigid gluten or dairy free menu.

But given these tempting menus, how are parents reassured that their children choose healthier options?

Canford says, “Care is taken with regard to high fat in food and in cooking procedures. Chips appear on the menu cycle, but not regularly. The use of salt and sugar is minimised, and herbs and spices maximised. During the meal times we focus on making the food look as appetising as possible.”

The Dragon publishes Healthy Dragons – A Healthy Relationship with

Food and Eating. This is a pupil friendly booklet that teaches children about food, body type, weight and the influence of the media.

Many schools take a democratic approach to catering. All of the ones I spoke to invite pupils’ opinions.

At Canford, there are regular food committee meetings that allow pupils to voice and express their suggestions.

Meanwhile at The Dragon, the catering manager attends pupil-led Food Committee Meetings with day and boarding pupils.

It would appear that schools take food seriously. An increasing number publish their menus online, and many read like Michelin-starred restaurants.

The days of soggy cabbage and wilted lettuce are over. Schools realise that pupils and parents want high quality food and will manage their budgets to provide this; they also know that if they don’t, another school will.

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT 55

Good health

Victoria Lambert looks at the best options for child health insurance

W

hen Alison Thornberry, an independent financial adviser, was asked 12 years ago to find a health insurance policy for a child attending boarding school, whose parents were being posted abroad, she was amazed to find out how little was on offer. “It was a nightmare just to get the quote,” she says now. “It took endless phone calls – and what I learnt was that children were only covered on a miniadult basis. I was shocked.”

Alison found that child cover often did not stretch to paediatricians and specialist nurses, and that many of the big private hospital groups were simply not set up to deal with children. At the time, Alison was bringing up four children – her son and daughter, as well as her niece and nephew whose own mother had died – so she was aware of

the variety of health problems that could arise. “My son David is sports-mad – he was always getting injured on one pitch or another. Meanwhile my nephew had trouble handling the death of his mother and suffered from stress.”

Yet the NHS was often not enough either. “We know how good it is in an emergency,” she says, “but what I learnt as I examined the system was that it doesn’t score well in aftercare. And I’ve subsequently been told that some doctors find that frustrating as well. If your child breaks his arm playing sport they will set the bone. But afterwards you may only get offered two or three physio sessions when what you really need is eight to 10 for maximum improvement.”

Alison also points out that, due to financial constraints, many NHS trusts operate surveillance schemes. “If the

Above, Holmwood House School, Essex.

Private healthcare is an option for children at boarding school

❝Health cover is similar to private education.

Of course there is a free alternative out there, but you get a much greater sense of control and freedom this way❞

56 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT autumn 2012

doctors aren’t sure whether that broken arm is a stress fracture or a sprain, they may advocate doing nothing for a few days and watching the injury. But what all of us would prefer is to get any injury examined thoroughly and immediately.”

In response to these obstacles, Alison began a collaboration with insurance giant Aviva which led to the launch of Childsure in September 2009 – a unique policy offered to children alone. “It’s fully comprehensive paediatric cover,” she says, delighted that her work has not only created a policy which parents are flocking to, but that she has made private hospital groups think further about the way they treat children.

Not everyone thinks her specialised approach is best, however. At PruHealth, David Priestley, Head of Sales, explains, “We offer full cover to everyone – we don’t discriminate between children and adults.” He has pride in their flexibility, “We don’t offer off-the-shelf products – we tailor cover so that it is designed to suit each client and their family’s needs.

Core features include full cover for when a child is admitted to hospital and for MRI, CT & PET scans to ensure speedy diagnosis, as well as a range of outpatient options. Each person will select www.independentschoolparent.com

health

the things that are important to them, many choose not to cover options such as psychiatric care or travel in order to keep the cost down.”

As well as private medical cover, a big feature of PruHealth’s policy is its Vitality wellness programme, which offers lifestyle related rewards aimed at families such as discounts on holidays, cinema, sporting and music events.

But not everyone is convinced private health cover is such a good idea. Some mothers warned that even if your children are covered by an adults’ policy, referrals may not be forthcoming. One said, “My children are covered via a policy provided by work. My eightmonth-old child needs a referral but the GP said that very few paediatricians practice privately, so the referral will go down the usual NHS route.”

Another mum warned that she had tried to claim for speech therapy, “I had a bizarre conversation when it was obvious that the insurance company rep did not know the difference between speech therapy and elocution lessons!”

But most were pro private cover. “My child is on my policy at work and we’ve used it a lot as she had reflux,” said a third. “While inpatient care at my local NHS hospital is excellent, I’ve always had issues with the outpatients, from parking at the hospital to always running about

there are private healthcare options that focus purely on children’s wellbeing

an hour late for very quick appointments.

If I’m honest, what I get at the private hospital is convenience. They run on time and the appointments are longer, so you can have a proper conversation.”

Neither David Priestley nor Alison Thornberry are against the NHS – far from it; Childsure’s policy dovetails with the Health Service, Alison claims. And David adds that, “Health cover is similar to private education. Of course there is a free alternative out there, but you get a much greater sense of control and freedom this way.”

Private policies can also offer the therapies that the NHS simply cannot afford. PruHealth offers chiropractic, acupuncture, plus a helpline staffed 24 hours by a GP, who can provide reassurance and advice at any time of the day or night.

One example of how well a private healthcare policy can work is with a condition such as endometriosis. “We had a 13-year-old girl who had suffered numerous investigations on the NHS without a diagnosis being reached,” says Alison. “Once she was covered by us, we sent her to a gynaecologist.”

Endometriosis was subsequently discovered, and the policy paid for three operations. Any time it becomes an acute case, she will be entitled to surgery.

But it’s not just physical health problems that need help. Some young teens are turning to alcohol or drugs to help them through adolescence, and many are suffering from stress, “I learnt from my nephew that he needed someone to talk to. So the policy covers access to a 24-hour stress helpline – where anyone can talk to a professional.”

Like every private policy, you’d need to see a GP for referral first. With Childsure, the process is a little faster, as it permits referral from GP direct to therapist rather than always going via a consultant as other companies demand.

“There are annual limits to everything,” says Alison, but they are relatively generous with dental cover for example, which includes accidental damage as well as routine. So if your junior prop knocks a tooth out, and you’re insured, they won’t just get patched up as they would on the NHS. The policy would allow them to come away with a nice new implant to get them back on the rugby pitch in no time.

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

www.independentschoolparent.com

IN brIEf... aXa PPP Healthcare

First healthcare child insurance plan (provides benefits if the NhS cannot deliver within six weeks) Cost From £12.99 per month for one child, £11.69 per child for two or more. Key facts Parent accommodation.

Outpatient consultations and diagnostic tests, plus surgery costs. Contact 0800-389 6922; axappphealthcare.co.uk

bUPa

Children accepted separately or on parents’ policy Cost A child on a Bupa By You policy is £30 per month in London, £23 per month outside London. Key facts Immediate inpatient and outpatient care, 24-hour health helpline with qualified nurses. Cancer Promise covering all stages of cancer. Unlimited parent accommodation for hospitalised under-12s. Contact 0800-606 570; bupa.co.uk

Childsure

(under-written byaviva)

Dedicated child health insurance Cost Varies from £9.99 per month per child to £49.95 per month for five children. Key facts 24-hour helplines (including stress counselling), routine dental care, acupuncture and osteopathy. Parent accommodation if child is under 15. Contact 0845-0589 859; childsure.co.uk

Simply Health

Children added to parents’ policies Cost £10 to £12 per month per child (based on 40-year-old parents paying around £126 per month). Key fact Mutual company, so costs low. Ex-nurses employed in-house. Contact 0800-980 6243; simplyhealth.co.uk

Pru Health

Flexible healthcare plans tailormade for individual families (formerly Standard life) Cost Varies, due to every health plan being constructed for each family.

Contact PruHealth for a quote. Key fact Plan allows you to start with “core health care”, then add options depending on your family’s needs. Contact 0800-779 955 pruhealth.co.uk Visit independentschoolparent.com for our free checklist for all you need to know on PRIVate healthCaRe

autumn 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT 57

How to pay tHe

scHool fees There are ways to save which will take the sting out of the school fees, says Glenn smyth

58 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT autumn 2012

www.independentschoolparent.com

finance

❝The key is to start saving early and those that do

might find that they are able to send two children to independent school for the price of one❞

i

f you are panicking about how you will educate your children, you need to start thinking realistically. after buying your home, having a child may be the single largest expense you undertake in your lifetime. it costs a staggering £218,024 to raise a child from birth to 21 (or £10,382 per year) and that’s before you add on the price of private education*.

Sending a child to independent school would add, on average, £105,336 (out of taxed income) to the overall cost of raising a child, or £193,743 if you include boarding school fees. and that’s just for one child. it’s a huge amount of money and can seem an unachievable goal. but if you plan ahead, it can be done. the key is to start saving early, and those who do might just find that they are able to send two children to independent school for the price of one.

Case study charlotte and nick (see next page) decide to seek advice from a chartered financial adviser on their accountant’s recommendation. He explains the advice process and lays out his charges to them. they will pay between £1,500 and £2,000 for the initial recommendations, including implementation. if they require the portfolio to be reviewed on a regular basis, the adviser’s fees will be an additional 1% per annum based on the value of assets under management.

Having a permanent professional financial adviser is a new experience for nick and charlotte but they decide to test the water. from January 2013, the law will require all professional financial advice firms to charge fees instead of receiving commission. nick and charlotte’s target investment return has to be achieved net of their financial adviser’s professional charges. on the plus side, the cost of his advice will be transparent and investment performance will not suffer www.independentschoolparent.com

Be conservative in your expectations on investment returns above, Prior’s field School, Surrey

report. The first section provides an indication of the scale of the situation in stark terms. in 2011/12, the national average increase in school fees was 6.2% p.a. With day school fees of £5,000 per term the cost of education for both children will total £436,151.16. nick and charlotte realise they do not have sufficient capital now to cover the full costs of their children’s education.

Should their financial circumstances take a turn for the worse, their adviser recommends that priority be given to the period September 2022 - September 2026 when the children’s fees will overlap. He also advises them to be conservative in their expectations on investment returns – which he assumes will average 5% p.a. for example 1.2% p.a. less than his assumptions on annual increases in school fees.

His current expectation is that nick and charlotte will be able to meet the full costs of school fees provided they are able to keep on track. the potential savings are attractive. for a capital investment of £85,000 now, and a regular monthly investment of £782 x 17 years, nick and charlotte’s total outlay will be £244,493. this represents a reduction on projected total school-fee costs of £191,658, or 44%.

because of initial and annual trail commission. He will also create a portfolio structured so that little or no income tax and capital gains tax is paid. the portfolio will therefore not have to work so hard to achieve the target return. the costs of buying into, and switching funds, will be reduced.

The financial adviser’s next task is to prepare a detailed recommendation

School fee structure School years (Sept-June)

child 1

child 2

inflation adjusted combined cost of fees

2020-21

11 (Yr 7)

2021-22

12 (Yr 8)

2022-23

13 (Yr 9)

11 (Yr 7)

£54,747.77

2023-24

14 (Yr 10)

12 (Yr 8)

£58,142.13

2024-25

15 (Yr 11)

13 (Yr 9)

£61,746.94

2025-26

16 (Yr 12)

14 (Yr 10)

£65,575.25

2026-27

17 (Yr 13)

15 (Yr 11)

£69,640.92

2027-28

16 (Yr 12)

£36,979.33

2028-29

17 (Yr 13)

£39,272.05

TOTaL

£436,151.16

£24,270.98 £25,775.79

autumn 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT 59

finance forward planning is the key to saving money for your children’s school fees Left, felsted Prep School, essex

BaCkgrOuND  nick and charlotte have 2 children.

Oliver, 3, and Katie, 1. nick runs his own software business and receives an income of £125,000 per annum in salary and dividends. charlotte stopped working in nick’s business when Oliver was born. Their local state primary school is good. nick and charlotte want to educate their children privately from the age of 11.  Nick and Charlotte have accrued approx £108,000 in savings. Of this amount, approx £40,000 is held in ISAs and the balance in a cash deposit account. The cash account is held in Charlotte’s name for tax reasons. The couple feel comfortable in allocating up to £85,000 for school fees now, but because times are tough they want to retain a proportion of their capital for emergencies. They will add to their school fees plan with regular contributions out of their income, provided it is not too expensive to do so. Flexibility is key. Although they will earmark capital for school fees, they do not want to be tied-in.

Nick and Charlotte are identified by their adviser as being “medium risk” investors. This means they like to take a balanced approach to investing. They do not seek risk and nor do they try to avoid it. They are prepared to take some risk with their investments where this could result in higher returns. Though investment returns will fluctuate, he advises that medium risk investors should currently assume a return of 5% p.a. on assets held for five years and longer.

The couple have previously made their fund selections within their ISA portfolios on an ad-hoc basis. In fact, the funds do not reflect their attitude to

investment risk. Their adviser realigns their portfolio so that it does. The new asset allocation is comprised of 60% equity based holdings and 40% fixed interest and property. The number of funds is pared down from 16 to nine. He informs them that a plethora of funds will neither improve performance nor do much to reduce risk exposure.

So Nick and Charlotte invest £45,000 of their cash into a jointly-owned unit trust portfolio. This would run in conjunction with their individual ISA portfolios as a single entity. By owning the unit trust portfolio jointly, Nick and Charlotte will be able to make good use

*The cost of a child calculations, from birth to 21 years, were compiled by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) on behalf of LV= in December 2011 and are based on the cost for the last 21-year period to December 2011

❝Not only can Nick and Charlotte provide

for their children’s future education, they can do so without incurring a fall in their standard of living today❞

60 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT autumn 2012

of their annual capital gains tax allowance each year as school fees become due. An important part of the adviser’s service will be to provide advice on how to use gains and losses within the unit-trust portfolio in a tax efficient manner.

Withdrawals from the ISA portfolios will not incur any tax liability.

Furthermore, the regular monthly investment required of £782 is within the existing level of Nick and Charlotte’s monthly ISA contributions.

Not only can Nick and Charlotte provide for their children’s education, they can do so without incurring a fall in their current standard of living.

Glenn Smyth is a Chartered Financial Planner. If you have any queries in relation to this article Glenn can be contacted at: glenn.smyth@ismwealthmanagement.co.uk For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

www.independentschoolparent.com

Possibly the best advertisement for girls only education in the country Good Schools Guide Review

Founded 1850

An independent school for girls aged 4-18 A level or IB diploma Bursary places and Scholarships available A country setting within London

www.nlcs.org.uk

129x99 Artwork advert ISP Mag.pdf

1

02/10/2012

12:17

St Lawrence College

Co-educational, day and boarding school for ages 3-18 years

• Co-educational independent IAPS School • 400+ pupils aged 4-13 • Reception entry for the Pre Prep School • Year 3 entry for the Prep School • Entry in other years is dependent on availability “This is an extraordinary School” – Good Schools Guide An “excellent” and “outstanding” School in all areas – ISI Inspection Report Smith Street, Spratton, Northampton NN6 8HP Please contact The Registrar, Mrs Amanda Fleming-Jones Tel:01604 847292 Email: afj@sprattonhall.com www.sprattonhall.com www.independentschoolparent.com

Senior School Scholarships for entry in September 2013

11+ Examination: Thurs 22nd November 16+ Examination: Tues 20th November & Application forms available from the Registrar sic ips u h tel 01843 572931 or email ah@slcuk.com , M rs ic ola m h le 21 de Sc lab . 3079 a St Lawrence College, Ramsgate, Kent s i Ac ort ava rity No a CT11 7AE www.slcuk.com Sp Ch AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS 61

PROMOTION FEATURE

The ultimate ski experience with Powder Byrne Fantastic service and a real understanding of what skiers want make a Powder Byrne holiday the very best in family skiing

R

egarded as the leading luxury family ski specialist, Powder Byrne has been delivering personalised holidays since 1985. Their focus on the highest quality, flexibility and service, adds real value for skiers, and, over the past 27 years, their award-winning children’s ski programmes have been developed, extended and fine-tuned so that they cater for every child in the family, from 4 months right up to teenage years. (And their parents too!)

The Powder Byrne crèche service is available for infants and toddlers from 4 months to 3 years, and their staff are experts at reassuring parents anxious about leaving their little ones in someone else’s care for the first time.

All the pb crèches are run by fully qualified and very enthusiastic nannies.

The crèche manager will call before clients leave home to answer any questions, and will pre-purchase any baby essentials to await guests arrival in the resort. They look to create a home from home environment so little ones settle into their day right from their first attempt at dressing up a snowman! They will organise all sorts of winter wonderland themed activities, from sleigh rides and snow play to indoor creative crafts and cooking.

Yeti Primer is a unique concept for adventurous 3 year-olds who would like to try on skis for the first time.

Offering a gentle introduction to skiing on the baby slopes in the morning, they are then safely returned to the pb crèche for lunch and afternoon activities, always under the supervision of Powder Byrne’s fully qualified staff.

HOW TO BOOK ✱ Ski with Powder Byrne at February half term. Prices from £2,144 per adult for 7 nights at the Cristallo in Arosa, Switzerland in a North Twin room, on half board basis. Includes flights, local transfers and full Powder Byrne service. pb crèche, Yeti Primer and Yeti programmes all available, additional cost. ✱ pb crèche complimentary outside of school holidays in select resorts.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ✱ call 0208 246 5300 ✱ or visit www.powderbyrne.com

62 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2012

The focus is on discovering that snow is fun and Powder Byrne’s attentive staff will ensure that getting cold is never on the agenda.

During school holidays, Powder Byrne runs a number of ski programmes to suit all levels of young powder hounds. Yeti, for kids from 4 to 9 years, ensures children get the perfect introduction to skiing – a carefully designed programme combining the best instruction with oodles of fun, where children are placed in very small groups of skiers of the same standard.

New friends made on the slopes can get together in the evenings for Yeti Suppers and DVD evenings.

For slightly older kids aged 10 to 14 years, SnoZone is the business.

Beginners can learn to ski with children of their own age at the right pace and more competent skiers can get the appropriate levels of adrenaline fuelled action under the careful supervision of Powder Byrne’s qualified instructors, who ensure safety comes first.

Powder Byrne has a full range of inspiring academies and courses

for older teenagers who wish to go on and really polish their skiing skills, or learn how to ride the half pipe in the snow parks with like-minded friends.

All their courses take place under the guidance of fully trained staff and professional instructors, providing total peace of mind for parents needing to know that their children are in the very safest of hands.

Powder Byrne provides completely bespoke holidays, offering beautiful hotels and private properties in hand-picked resorts in Switzerland, Austria and Italy. The dedicated team provides a seamless service, managing all the little details before you depart, (they’re a safety net for busy parents), as well as delivering a personal yet unobtrusive resort service.

SCHOOL’S OUT

On top of the world Mary Lussiana embraces the thrills and spills of a family skiing holiday in the French Alps

I

f it had been up to me, i would never have done it. Just the idea of getting small, resistant feet into ski boots, small frozen hands into gloves and small wriggling bodies over large gaps and into moving ski lifts was enough to put me off before i even began to think about dealing with the wet clothes when the children finished for the day – hoping of course they were still in one, unbroken piece. but “non”, my french, skiing husband had said, “if not now, never”. and so, “never” seeming too large a responsibility to bear, i caved in. not being a skier myself, i saw only the problems and not the pleasure. having tried it once, though, i was converted. it is the children’s enthusiasm that does it. i had never, ever imagined the cooperation with which they helped me get their small feet into the ski boots, put their cold hands into their gloves and behaved as they should in getting in and

www.independentschoolparent.com

out of ski lifts. the rosy cheeks and happy smiles made the wet clothes worthwhile and the exercise and mountain air meant that they slept like angels each night.

We are now old hands. our 11-yearold daughter and nine-year-old son being proud possessors since april of their 1ère Étoile – the third grade up after you start in the french Ski School system – and these grades, which come with badges, proudly worn, are so motivational for the children. i would strongly recommend that you place your children on to that ladder and watch

them climb the rungs.

So where to go? for us that was easy as my husband’s family has an apartment for just such trips, in the beautiful town of Le Grand bornand, within the sound – and sight – of the church bells and views on to the mountains from all sides. it is only about 45 minutes from Geneva, in the french alps and it is a perfect place for children. the town is small and friendly, easy to get around and it’s very french, (which is wonderful for their language skills), not having been invaded by the english, nor the Russians, who tend to stick to

❝Not being a skier myself, I saw

only the problems and not the pleasure. Having tried it once, though, I was converted❞

autumn 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT 63

Below, when the time is right, children love the freedom of being able to ski on their own

64 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT autumn 2012

www.independentschoolparent.com

SCHOOL’S OUT the better known resorts of Courchevel, Mègeve et al. This means that it hasn’t lost its traditional mountain soul.

But it has still moved with the times and can offer the amenities of a worldclass ski resort. It is divided into two parts; the lower (1,000 metres) is a typical Savoyard town, as bustling in Summer as in Winter with a real community feel. Not to mention endless, mouth-watering shops with saucisson hanging up in the windows, aromas of maturing cheeses – not least huge wheels of Reblochon which comes from these hills – and restaurants which offer irresistible Tartiflette, Fondue, Raclette and local, crisp, cold white wines. That combination, enjoyed under a hot sun and surrounded by snow-covered mountains has to be one of life’s greatest pleasures – whether you are a skier or not.

The higher part of Le Grand Bornand (1,300 metres) is reached by ski lift and is where the skiing, as opposed to the

Don’t miss

✱ Treat yourself to a last night in Geneva, one of Europe’s nicest cities. Show the children the Jet d’Eau, buy them a box of Caran d’Ache or lots of chocolate and hole up at the gorgeous Le Richmond Hotel: it’s got great views and the ultimate in spoiling bathrooms.

❝The children have been

lucky enough to have Christophe for whom they risk life and limb to execute perfect chasse-neige, parallèles and more...❞ après skiing, starts. There are 90 kilometres of runs – some going as high as 2,100 metres and a good mix of easy slopes for beginners and more challenging black pistes on the Aravis mountain range. The landscape is ravishing: huge spruce trees with icicles clinging to them soar up into a clear blue sky, little carved wooden chalets punctuate the white pastures, rabbit tracks cut through the deep snow – a Above and right, Mary’s children enjoying the white stuff!

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new world in fact, for children to explore.

We don’t put our children into a ski school, taking instead a Monitor who can give private lessons every morning and sometimes in the afternoon too, depending on tiredness levels. There is always a huge excitement about which Monitor will be available. One, who has since retired, wacked them with his ski stick if they didn’t do what he told them – but they have been lucky enough to have Christophe for the last two years for whom they risk life and limb to execute perfect chasse-neige, parallèles and more. This is partly because we never seem to arrive at the right point in the six-day cycle (from Sunday to Friday) to begin ski school, but also because we feel that the children will obviously learn that much more in a lesson for two. And it allows us the pleasure of lunching together while our offspring tumble over each other to relate their daring exploits. In the afternoons, we often ski en famille, although as a novice myself, the children are already far faster than I will ever be.

Next year though, I think the children will be old enough to ski together on their own on the nearest slopes in the afternoon, while we parents sit in the sunshine and proudly watch their progress. That is the pleasure of a small, friendly resort – it doesn’t overwhelm and the same faces are there each year.

Was it all worthwhile? Undoubtedly.

It is expensive, it is hard work – from marshalling the equipment, clothes, sun glasses etc, to making sure the ski passes are up to date and finding the lost glove abandoned under a ski chair. But the sheer joy of the children’s faces make up for it all. And when they get to the top of the ski lift, clip on their skis with gusto and vanish down the slope without a backward glance, I am enormously pleased that, just sometimes, I listen to my husband.

CHECKLIST

1

Go for red. I find that looking for my children against the blanket whiteness is made much easier by putting them in red helmets and jackets!

2

Small children get tired easily, so break them in gently with a morning or two first before a whole day. It is best to stay a minimum of a week.

3

Easter is a brilliant time to go to Le Grand Bornand because the French schools are not on holiday at the same time as the English schools. It does mean though that the snow may well be starting to melt on the lower slopes, so watch the snow fall guides carefully.

Visit independentschoolparent.com for our free checklist for all you need to know on SKIING

Where to stay...

✱ The best hotel in the area is Au Coeur du Village in La Clusaz which is a five star, Relais & Chateaux Hotel with a spa and a gastronomic restaurant. In Le Grand Bornand itself there are both simpler chalet style hotels and chalets to rent. The tourist office is the best port of call for advice.

26, Montee du Château, La Clusaz Tel: +33 0450-015 001 hotel-aucoeurduvillage.fr ✱ Le Richmond Hotel Jardin Brunswick, Geneva Tel: +41 227-157 000 lerichemond.com

Where to eat...

✱ If you want gourmet food, try L’Hysope, which serves good classical dishes in elegant surroundings. I, though, never miss the opportunity to indulge in rustic food in plein air. To me that is what the mountains are all about. We love the terrace at the Auberge du Pré Vieux for just that.

Where to find out more...

✱ Maison du Tourisme is a comprehensive Tourist Office with an excellent website, which includes webcams of the slopes. Also you can book accommodation, individual ski lessons with the Monitors, ski school courses and issue carnets (ski books which track your progress) ✱ Private ski lessons for one or two are €38 per hour. A six day/ half day course at ski school, from 9.30-14.00 including lunch, is €244. A six day/ full day course at ski school, from 9.30-17.00 is €356 Tel +33 0450-027 800 legrandbornand.com For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 65

BRIGHT

YOUNGTHINGS Up-and-coming stars from the independent school sector, by Natalie Milner Milly Simmonds, 21

antonia Clarke, 18

In 2011, Vogue magazine named Milly Simmonds The Most Versatile Model of London Fashion Week, having walked for nine shows including Pringle of Scotland and Mulberry. By the Autumn of 2011, she had made her name with a Burberry campaign. She told Vogue: “I just can’t believe this is my job”! She was first scouted when she was 15, but waited until she was 20 to launch her career on the runway as she wanted to finish her studies. Milly modelled for the cover of Vogue Russia in April 2012 and Vogue Italia this Spring.

A true rising star, Antonia Clarke secured the role of Nina in the new

Model, OakHaM ScHOOl, RUTlaND

Actress, DOWNe HOUSe, BeRkSHIRe Les Misérables film, directed by Oscar winner Tom Hooper, and starring Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and Eddie Redmayne.

Antonia starred in the ITV drama A Mother’s Son last month, with Hermione Norris and Martin Clunes, and the recent period drama Parade’s End with Benedict Cumberbatch. Antonia feels that it is important to build her CV and gain experience, often through smaller roles, and is never short of interesting parts – she has just played a ghost for ITV drama Lightfields due to screen in February 2013.

Elspeth Hanson, 26

Violinist,

ST HeleN & ST kaTHaRINe, OxfORDSHIRe elspeth Hanson is a member of the electric string quartet Bond – whose albums have achieved Platinum status five times and have sold almost 5 million albums. She plays viola in the band but is also a classical violinist. Bond recently played at the london 2012 closing ceremony, while elspeth also played solo at the handover to london ceremony at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. She came late to the classical violin at the age of 12 and later studied her Masters at the Royal academy of Music.

She has played at the Proms with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and recorded solo violin with the london Symphony Orchestra, Royal liverpool Philharmonic and the Prague Philharmonia.

James Longman, 25

Foreign Correspondent, WORTH ScHOOl, WeST SUSSex

A fascination with Syria has fuelled James Longman’s career to date. He is a producer for the BBC’s World Affairs Unit with a special focus on the Middle East. His year abroad at the University of Damascus led him to tracking the fledgling Syrian uprising in 2011 as a journalist, reporting for both the Daily Telegraph and The Times, as well as US broadcasters NPR and PBS. 66 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT AUTUMN 2012

www.independentschoolparent.com

School’S oUT

Matt Sawyer, 23

Architectural Assistant, Bedford Modern School, BedfordShire Matt Sawyer was awarded The Leslie Jones Memorial Prize by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for his designs that help people explore London. The project that caught their eye was The Ariadne Device, which is worn on your arm and intricately maps your route with string. Matt aimed to reconnect people with the physical landscape in a world where GPS and apps dominate, “I wanted to make people realise the spaces that they may never have discovered.” Matt took a foundation course at Northampton University and specialised in 3D, creating interactive artwork and sculptures. He achieved a first class degree at the Oxford Brookes School of Architecture and is now completing a year out before returning to university to become a fully licensed architect.

Hannah Mills, 24

Olympic Sailor, howell’S School, cardiff hannah Mills won an olympic silver medal in london 2012, with her sailing partner Saskia clark, as one half of the GB 470 women’s class sailing team. after just six months of sailing together, they achieved a silver medal at the olympic test event in weymouth and Portland in august 2011. hannah started sailing at the age of eight and in 1998 she attended the national Sailing Squad trials where she met the coach that was to guide her for the next seven years.

By the time she was 14, hannah had won every junior domestic title, and in 2002, was named UK Young Sailor of the Year and BBc welsh Young Sports Personality of the Year.

www.independentschoolparent.com

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT 67

The Christmas list A selection of 45 festive gifts for him, for her and for little ones...

FOR HER

Dancing shoes Gold evening shoes

by Rupert Sanderson,

Stocking filler Create a bespoke stocking at Kuati boutique,

Heaven sent Miss Dior fragrance by Dior,

You crack me up Asprey cracker with luxury gift inside, choose from a selection,

Keep it under wraps Leather Kindle case from Lusso-London,

(£585, rupertsanderson.com)

(From £25, kuati.com)

(£58.50, 50mls, dior.com)

(£180, asprey.com)

(£120, lusso-london.com)

Heavy metal Glistening nail varnish by Estée Lauder,

Party popper Luxury hamper set,

Strike the right note Peoneve Eau de Parfum by Penhaligon’s,

Away day Passport holder by Aspinal of London,

Comfort blanket Cashmere throw from The White Company, 140 x190cm,

(£14.50, esteelauder.co.uk)

(£55, fortnumandmason.com)

(£85, 50mls, Harvey Nichols)

(£29, aspinaloflondon.com)

(£500, thewhitecompany)

Watch this space…

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Lady Steel & Ceramic Diamond Dial 32mm,

Understated glamour Long Lecco coat from the MaxMara Atelier collection,

(£1,950, 0800-037 9658,

(£1,140, 0207-518 8010,

Lights out Festive Diptyque candle, (£38,

Flat out Rosario red tea drop ballet shoes by Pretty Ballerinas,

tagheuer.com)

maxmara.com)

0845-604 9049, johnlewis.com)

(£249, prettyballerinas.com)

Bag of goodwill Calfskin boy bag by Chanel, (£1,830, 0207-493 5040)

68 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2012

www.independentschoolparent.com

LIFE

FOR HIM

I came, I saw, iPad...

Calf leather iPad folding case

by Smythson,

Sweater weather Gieves & Hawkes sweater,

(£325, smythson.com)

(£125, gievesandhawkes.com)

(£349.95, 0845-604 9049,

Blue suede shoes Suede driving shoes by Havelocks London,

Time out Yacht-Master II watch in 18 ct Everose Rolesor,

In the shade Rayban glasses,

johnlewis.com)

(£125, havelockslondon.co.uk)

(£7,100, rolex.com)

(£175, ray-ban.com/co.uk)

(From £495, 0207-493 4138,

Close shave Molton Brown shaving set,

Click away Olympus SZ-31MR camera,

All wrapped up Wool scarf by Boden, (£39,

umi.com)

(£195, moltonbrown.co.uk)

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Ride on Bike by Cannondale,

Off the cuff Cufflink box by David Linley,

(dealer locator at cannondale.com)

(£495, davidlinley.com)

Pack it all in Weekend bag by Mulberry at John Lewis, (0845-604 9049, johnlewis.com)

In the swim Men’s Christmas shorts by Vilbrequin, (£150, vilbrequin.com)

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The beat goes on Beats Pro by Dr. Dre Studio at John Lewis,

Jet set Tumi international carry-on luggage,

Well-heeled Andy Warhol shoes by Berluti, (£1,300, berluti.com)

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 69

DOWNE HOUSE Independent Girls’ Boarding School

‘I left Downe House with the feeling that there was nothing I could not achieve.’

Hermitage Road, Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berks RG18 9JJ t: 01635 200286 e: registrar@downehouse.net w: www.downehouse.net DOWNE HOUSE School is a registered charity No. 1015059

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You can leave your child to play and learn with us for up to 4 hours each day giving you valuable free time to; • Work on your laptop • Read the papers • Pop into the Beauty Salon; The Retreat at Fulham • Meet with friends • Relax in the coffee shop; The Nuffy Bean

If you are interested in registering for our Crèche or Nursery School please... email info@darcybunnie.co.uk or call 0207 610 0363 / 07770 989576

www.chelseaparties.co.uk 70 INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS AUTUMN 2012

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LIFE

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

FOR LITTLE ONES

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Jingle bell rocks Lovingly crafted Ayres Dapple rocking horse from Stevenson Brothers,

Surfer boy Vibrant Vilbrequin shorts to match Dad’s,

Sweet dreams Halcyon Days’ enamel music box sends little ones into a peaceful slumber to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,

High five Brooks Brothers’ adorable Merino wool Fair Isle winter warmers,

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Checkmate Gingham pyjamas in brushed cotton flannel from The White Company,

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Soft touch Personalised giant cushions

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(From £24, thewhitecompany.

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 71

Make a difference by Giving to George’s St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust is one of the largest healthcare providers in southwest London. It is one of the country’s leading teaching hospitals with an international reputation for the quality of its patient care, education and research.

St George’s Hospital Charity helps to ensure patients benefit from the highest standards of care in the best possible environments.

You can make a difference to the people we care for by making a donation, fundraising on our behalf or giving up your time to support our work.

To find out more visit www.givingtogeorges.org.uk

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Find us on……

Putney Park School PUTNEY PUTNEY PARK PARK Putney Park School Putney Park School PUTNEY PARK An for an An outstanding outstanding school for an Putney Parkschool School An outstanding school for an outstanding education outstanding education An outstanding school for an Putney Park School Putney Park School outstanding education An outstanding school for an Putney Park School outstanding education outstanding education SCHOOL

PUTNEY PARK SCHOOL SCHOOL SCHOOL SCHOOL

A* – C in five GCSEs An outstanding school An outstanding school forforanan A* –– C in five GCSEs A* C in five GCSEs An outstanding school for an outstanding education outstanding education A* – C in five GCSEs outstanding education 100% pass in English – Cfive ininfive GCSEs 100% pass English A* –– A* C GCSEs 100% pass in English A* C in in five GCSEs 100% pass in English pass in English Girls 100% from 4 -16 years 100% pass English Girls from 4 -16in 100% pass inyears English Girls from 4 -11 -16 years Boys Girls Girls from 44 -11 -16 years Boys -16 years Boys from from from 4 -114years years Boysfrom from 4 -11 years Girls 4 -16 years Boys 4 from -11 years Girls from -16 4years Boys from 4 -11 years Open Days whole school Boys from 4 ––-11 years whole school Open Days – whole school Open Days – whole school There are Open Days There are Open Days Openare Days – whole schoolschool Open Days – whole There Open Days every term, term, please contact every please contact There are Open Days every term, please contact There are Open Days There are Open Days Open Days – – whole whole school school us for details. us for term, details. every please contact Open Days – whole school every term, please contact us for term, details. every please contact us forare details.

There Open Days us for details. us forare details.

There Open Days Scholarship Days every term, please contact Scholarship Days every term,17th please contact Scholarship Days Thursday 2013 us for details.

Scholarship Thursday 17th January January 2013 Scholarship DaysDays us for details.

Thursday 17th January 2013 Years 3 - 6

Years 3Thursday - 6 17th January Thursday 2013 2013 17th January

Years 3 - 6 17th Days Thursday January 2013 Scholarship Years 3Years - 6 January 3 - 6Days Friday 18th 2013 Friday 18th 2013 Scholarship Years - 6 January Friday3 18th January 2013

Years -- 10 Thursday 17th January 2013 Years 7Friday 10 Friday7 18th January 2013 18th January 2013 Thursday 17th January 2013 Years 7 18th -610 Friday January 2013 Years Years37-Years - 10 7 - 10 Years 3 6 Years 7 10 Year 18th 7 Entrance Exam Friday January 2013 Year 7 Entrance Exam Year 7 Entrance Exam Friday 18th January 2013 Year 7 Entrance Friday 11th January 2013 Years 7 7-11th 10 Friday January Exam 2013 Year Entrance Exam Friday 11th January 2013 2013 Years 7 10 Friday 11th January Friday 11th January 2013 Friday 11th January 2013

Year 7 Entrance Exam Year Entrance Exam Putney School Putney7Park Park School Putney Park School Friday 11th January Putney Park School 11 Woodborough Rd 11 Woodborough Rd 2013 Putney Park School Friday 11th January 2013 11 Woodborough Rd 11 Woodborough Rd Putney

72 INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS AUTUMN 2012

Park School Putney 11 Woodborough Rd Putney Putney London SW15 11 Woodborough Rd London SW15 6PY 6PY Putney London SW15 6PY London SW15 6PY T +44 (0) 20 8788 8316 Putney T +44 (0) 20 8788 8316 Putney Putney Park Park School School London 6PY TSW15 +44 (0) 20 8788 8316 T +44 (0) 20 School 8788 8316 office@putneypark.london.sch.uk Putney Park London 6PY E office@putneypark.london.sch.uk 11 11E Woodborough Rd Rd ESW15 office@putneypark.london.sch.uk TWoodborough +44 (0) 20 8788 8316 E office@putneypark.london.sch.uk 11 T +44 (0) 20 8788 Rd 8316 Putney Putney E Woodborough office@putneypark.london.sch.uk Putney E office@putneypark.london.sch.uk London London SW15 SW15 6PY 6PY London 6PY T T +44 +44 (0) (0)SW15 20 20 8788 8788 8316 8316 T +44 (0) 20 8788 8316 E E office@putneypark.london.sch.uk office@putneypark.london.sch.uk E office@putneypark.london.sch.uk

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LIFE

Charityof themonth How you and your children can help St George’s Hospital Charity

WAYS THE CHARITY HAS HELPED ✱ Child Development Centre A successful appeal in 2007 generated the £550,000 necessary to refurbish the Child Development Centre at St George’s. This was thanks to the generosity of a small number of donors. The centre was officially re-opened in June 2009 by Damon Hill OBE. It provides multi-disciplinary assessment and treatment of children with development disabilities in a welcoming and stimulating environment.

F

or nearly 300 years, St George’s Hospital has provided world-class healthcare and continues to be one of London’s leading teaching hospitals with an international reputation for the quality of its patient care, education and research. More than 500,000 patients are treated every year.

The St George’s Hospital Charity raises funds for the patients and staff of St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust, and associated local health services, so as to supplement, and not substitute, the core services of the NHS.

Charity profile St George’s Hospital Charity supports the hospital’s work by: ✱ Funding clinical research ✱ Enhancing the environment with refurbishment and building projects ✱ Helping to fund state-of-the-art equipment ✱ Supporting St George’s staff, through training and development

What’s the history?

The hospital’s original charitable endowments came from four philanthropists in 1716. Henry Hoare, a merchant banker; William Wogan, a writer on religious subjects; Robert Witham, a brewer; and Patrick Coburn, a former curate, all met at St Dunstan’s coffee www.independentschoolparent.com

house in Fleet Street and agreed to raise money and collect utensils for the sick poor of Westminster.

After the NHS was created in 1948, charitable donations continued to support the work of the hospital. In 1974 Special Trustees were appointed to administer the Endowment Funds. By then St George’s Hospital had relocated to Tooting on the site of the old Grove Fever Hospital, where it has thrived.

Above, the first contribution from the Rokeby Parent’s Circle, of Rokeby School, Surrey

✱ Accident and Emergency Services Our largest grants in 2011/12 went towards enhancing accident and emergency services at St George’s.

We awarded £915,000 to the paediatric assessment unit (PAU) and £428,000 to the clinical decision unit (CDU). The refurbishment and re-configuration work has improved patient privacy, enhanced safety and security, provided more child-friendly services in PAU and better accommodation for staff.

How schools have helped After two boys from Rokeby School in Kingston spent time in the Ocean Ward at St George’s in 2009 the Rokeby Parent’s Circle nominated the foundation as their charity of the year for 2 years. They raised over £14,000 by organising fundraising events including a masquerade ball, summer fayre, and a quiz and curry night.

Funds went towards medical equipment, a specialist wheelchair, fold-away beds for parents, a laptop, Nintendo DS and games to make the ward more comfortable for the children.

You can help to ensure that St George’s Hospital continues to provide the best possible care, and environment, for its patients by making a donation, fundraising on behalf of the charity or giving up your time to support their work.

✱ Bereavement Services In 2011 the charity funded the relocation of Bereavement Services to the very heart of the Hospital.

Previously it was hidden away within a maze of corridors, far from the main Hospital and unsympathetic to the needs of grieving families.

For more fundraising information visit givingtogeorges. org.uk.

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 73

Time To invesT? For the savvy buyer there are some good deals to be had in the Eurozone, says Anna Tyzack

n

ot all of us, it would appear, are convinced by the concept of “staycations”, preferring to escape from our diabolical weather and head to sunnier climes. This Summer, estate agents noted an increasing number of British families on the hunt for properties in Europe – a trend backed up by a recent survey suggesting that 35% of us still dream of owning a second home abroad.

Is it safe?

But with so much uncertainty shrouding the Eurozone, is it safe to invest? Until recently most British families were mothballing any plans to buy in Europe, terrified of purchasing at the dawn of a slump, but they’re being lured back to the market by the promise of big bargains.

The market in Europe is still fragile, particularly in Spain, and it’s unlikely that prices are going to start rising any time soon. In fact, they could even fall further if the Euro collapsed. Mark Stucklin of website spanishpropertyinsight.com, an information hub for buyers, admits that now is not the time to make a quick buck but if you’re looking to make an investment in an established destination such as France, Italy, Spain and the Balearics, it could be a good time to buy.

Prices for second homes in these

sought after locations have been slashed by 30, 40 and in some cases 50%. “We’ve never seen prices like this,” says David Vaughan of Savills. In wealthier locations such as the south of France, Tuscany and Lake Como, where there are fewer developments and thus fewer distressed sales, buyers will have to look harder to find a deal, but they do definitely exist. For example, a villa in Sotogrande, originally on the market for €2.1 million, was recently bought by a family with teenagers for €1.6 million.

Slow and steady…

In these uncertain times, Andrew Hawkins of Chesterton Humberts warns that it is important not to rush into an “emotional” purchase. He advises buyers to ask themselves how much they will really use the property each year; how

❝ It’s certainly an exciting

time to start looking, as even in the most prestigious locations there are bargains to be found❞

74 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ParENT autumn 2012

they intend to travel there and whether they will still want to own it in 10 years time. “Don’t buy a holiday home off the back of a brilliant holiday,” he says. And just because a property is cheap, doesn’t mean it is worth buying, adds Stucklin.

Location is key The location makes or breaks a deal, according to Paul Belcher, of Ultissimo, who finds homes on behalf of clients in Umbria and Lake Como. He’s found that properties situated within easy reach of an airport, with access to an abundance of local shops and amenities are the most lucrative rental investments. Once they’ve researched their potential purchase more fully, many of Belcher’s clients end up buying a different type of property in a different location to which they originally desired. “They realise they need a spare room for the nanny, or to be within walking distance of bars as young people can’t always hire a car on the Continent.”

Charlie and Susan Rees-Milne bought a farmhouse in the Luberon in France this September for €650,000 (reduced from €725,000) having been on more than five house-hunting holidays to the area. The house, which requires some renovation, is a short distance from a vibrant village and within easy reach of www.independentschoolparent.com

LIFE

CHECKLIST FOR BUYING OVERSEAS

two airports. “There are some advantages of buying and renovating when the property market is less busy,” Susan explains. “And it was relatively straight forward to get a mortgage which surprised us. Ours is a 4.2% fixed-rate deal, but there are even cheaper ones out there.” Not even President Hollande’s decision to raise income tax on second homes (see checklist on buying overseas) put them off the purchase. “Yes, the new tax is bad news, but we bought at a price level which means we don’t need to rent out our house,” she says. “It’s a lifestyle purchase but I can’t see us losing money on it.”

Stand-alone properties with a pool priced between €600,000 to €1.4 million are the “bread and butter” purchase for British families, according to Hawkins.

Across southern Spain and the Algarve, there are sellers willing to negotiate up to 30% off the price, while in the Languedoc region of France, Savills is selling a newly renovated six-bedroom house with large garden and pool for €465,000.

Don the hard hat

It is still possible to spend less than €400,000 on a detached holiday home in Europe, but you’ll need to base yourself somewhere remote and embark on a Peter Mayle-style restoration project. Properties in need of renovation still represent the best value, according to Belcher, costing up to 40% less than they would if they were in decent order.

Lifestyle

The further you venture away from “touristy” areas, the less likely locals are to speak English. This is why many Brits www.independentschoolparent.com

prefer to buy in an established holiday community such as Sotogrande in Spain or Quinta do Lago in Portugal. “They’re perfect for families as there is so much entertainment on offer,” says Vaughan, who is currently selling a detached hacienda-style villa with private pool in Quinta do Lago for less than €1 million (unheard of pre-recession) and twobedroom apartments in the Ribera del Marlin development in Sotogrande that have been reduced from €527,000 to €327,600 (Savills).

Prices drop even lower for apartments in the Costa del Sol and parts of Portugal, but buyers must ensure they are purchasing from a reputable developer, warns Vaughan.

Ask for advice

A common plight for many British buyers is that once they’ve found their perfect holiday home, purchasing it can be a bureaucratic nightmare. You need to invest in advice from someone who speaks English and who is familiar with the local buying process, and you should always use an English-speaking lawyer.

Hot profit?

How much of a return can second home buyers expect from their investment? In the past, British buyers in Europe have made a healthy capital uplift from their second homes. This is still possible – if you’re prepared to sit on your investment, until your children have grown up.

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

Above left, Lake Como is exclusive but deals do exist Above, apartments at the Troia Resort, Portugal, available for €230,000 through Savills

✱ Location, location, location. Try to buy a house near an airport, particularly if you intend to run it as a rental business. Check out the local shops and services and ensure the area has the right amount of “buzz” for your family. ✱ Language barriers. If you don’t speak the local language, it’s probably best to settle on a location where English is widely spoken. ✱ Don’t buy a property while you’re on holiday in the area. Return out of season to get a fuller picture of the area. What are the neighbours like? Will there be someone responsible to keep an eye on your home when you’re not there? Always view a property in person; the internet is no substitute. ✱ New-build apartment or country farmhouse? Ask yourself what type of property suits your family’s needs.

Remember that properties with open plan living spaces and pools make the best rental investments, and your home must, of course, be child friendly. ✱ DIY overseas. Only embark on a restoration project if you have a trustworthy project manager (preferably English-speaking) or are comfortable dealing with planners, architects and builders from afar. ✱ Choose your estate agent carefully.

Find out about their fees, and speak to other buyers who have used them. ✱ Don’t be fooled by a developer’s promise of high capital growth and rental yields. Research how much it will cost to run the house and remember you’ll be liable for taxes in the UK and abroad. ✱ Shop around for finance. There are plenty of competitive mortgages available in Europe at the moment.

Take advise on which currency will be best to invest in. ✱ Hire a qualified English-speaking lawyer who understands the local system as sales tax and inheritance tax vary across Europe.

Visit independentschoolparent.com for our free checklist for all you need to know on BUYING OVERSEAS

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 75

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LIFE

AskVıctorıa Our resident agony aunt answers your questions...

My army husband is due to be posted overseas; we have twin sons aged 11, and have decided they should stay here for their education.

Are we still entitled to assistance with fees from the Ministry of Defence?

Sarah, Hants

element, although there is a Boarding School Allowance (BSA) that can be used towards fees. There is a rate of £4,338 per term for prep school pupils and £5,621 per term for the senior school – minimum parental contribution of 10% of the total fees.

The MoD will also pay the cost of three return journeys per child per year for school

Many service personnel take their

exeats, or breaks, that fall every three weeks

children with them when they are

or so.

posted overseas and Service

If you would prefer your boys to live with a

To contact Victoria

If you have a parenting dilemma and need Victoria’s advice send your query to: info@independent schoolparent.com

My 12-year-old daughter is school phobic. She has managed to slip the occasional day off by claiming tummy pains. Other times she is quite honest, saying she doesn’t enjoy mixing with her peer group and is frightened to go in. My husband and I have struggled to accept that this is more than just nerves – should we insist?

Jane, West London

Children’s Education (SCE) provides schools

guardian and attend a day school, you will

in the major overseas command areas. But a

be eligible for a Guardian’s Allowance (GA)

UK boarding school, as you have chosen, will

at £2.51 per day – payable in term time, at

minimise disruption to their education.

weekends and during school holidays. For

School phobia – also known

more information and to find MoD-

as school refusal – is more

All independent boarding schools are fee-paying, and pupils’ parents are

approved schools see forces family

responsible for paying the boarding

information website modoracle.com.

common than we think and is probably trickier to solve than other fears. Mostly because it is often quite rational rather than irrational: your

My 11-year-old daughter is a real football enthusiast and a talented player. But due to her age, she no longer seems welcome in team games at her co-ed prep and not enough girls are interested to make up a single-sex team. She is fed up with boys teasing her – especially as her skills and fitness far exceed most of them. How can I encourage her to keep playing?

James, Cheshire

Good news. The FA has

daughter doesn’t like her peers so

extended its ruling on mixed

refuses to attend. Almost inevitably

football giving girls the option

that feeling will manifest itself in

of playing in a mixed team up until the

physical symptoms too, these can

level of Under 13.

range from sickness and joint pain, to

If girls would rather not continue in mixed football there are lots of

tiredness and headaches.

If you believe this school is the right

opportunities to continue at local girls’

choice then work on easing anxiety. Set

team or league.

sensible parameters to the day –

For the more talented player, look out for a FA Girls’ Centre of Excellence. that are fantastic at providing quality, weekly coaching and a localised fixture programme for “excellent” girls.

If you want to find a local

regular bed and waking times, and remain calm and positive. Let her know you care, but don’t over-react, nerves can wear off over time.

You must talk to the school and ask them to help plan a strategy to cope.

Arrange weekend play dates with

grassroots club then

children who are simpatico in order to

contact your local County

re-establish positive social relationships

Football Association – in

with peers. Consider volunteering in the

your case, James, it is the

classroom or offer to go along on

Cheshire County FA.

school trips. Perhaps ask to sit in at

There are many more opportunities for talented girls to progress within the game.

The FA help fund 32 Licensed Girls’ Centres of Excellence and 30 Player Development Centres across the country.

For more information on your

lunch occasionally.

If these strategies fail, you will need to consider home tutoring or a new school altogether. If physical pains worsen, do see your GP as there may be a practical, possibly hormonal cause, and you may also be able to access family therapy sessions.

nearest Talent Centre, contact your local County FA, otherwise visit, thefa.com

78 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2012

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

www.independentschoolparent.com

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Independent School Parent and Raleigh have teamed up to offer readers the chance to win two fabulous Raleigh bikes* and two helmets for one lucky family The Prize One adult’s bike One child’s bike Two  Two helmets

WIN a pair of bikes from Raleigh SEND YOUR ENTRY TO: Raleigh Competition, Independent School Parent, The Chelsea Magazine Company, Liscartan House, 127-131 Sloane Street, London, SW1X 9AS My answer:

*Photo may differ from actual product.

HOW TO ENTER To be in with a chance to win this fantastic prize, all you have to do is answer the question below and send the coupon to the address provided. Alternatively, you can enter via the Independent School Parent website: Independentschoolparent.com

Name: The closing date is 14th December 2012.

The prize will be in the form of a voucher code for £400. Voucher to be used by 31st March 2013.

Please visit the Raleigh and Cyclelife websites for full terms and conditions.

All you need to do is correctly answer the following question:

Q. Which birthday does Raleigh celebrate in 2012?

Here is a clue: visit www.raleigh.co.uk and take a peek at the anniversary logo

Address:

Postcode Tel no: Email address: Please tick here if you would prefer not to be contacted by Independent School Parent  , the competition sponsor  , or carefully selected third parties .

Enter online at Independentschoolparent.com

Tailor Made Family Holidays

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9/10/12 10:03:19

South Africa

Maldives

Mauritius

With more than 15 years experience in the Travel Industry and with children of my own, I specialise in creating tailor made holidays for families to South Africa, Mauritius and the Maldives. Through personal experience I have found some fantastic “family friendly” accommodation throughout these regions and would be delighted to help you plan your next holiday. For more information, please call or email me:

Alison Aldred

Individual tuition in all subjects and major foreign languages in England, abroad, and online.

020 7927 6200 www.carfax-tutors.com LONDON • OXFORD • MONACO • DUBAI

Tel: 01483 762033 • Web: www.hungrylions.co.uk Mobile: 07754 501617 • E-mail: ali.hungrylions@gmail.com www.independentschoolparent.com

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS 79

Parents’page For foodies

Fun for half term

Flavrbox

whowhatwherewhenwhy

Look no further than this Bristol-based online

2 Queen’s Quay, Belfast, BT3 9QQ

farmer’s market that runs all year round and

Ireland’s award-winning science and

brings together some of the UK’s finest food

discovery centre. Bring robots to life, be the

producers. Browse hundreds of products from

photo editor of a newspaper or build and

cheese and wine, to artisan bread and cured

race your own K’nex car! w5online.co.uk

meats. Or fill a box for that perfect Christmas gift! flavrbox.com

Mini Micro Seat

Seven Stories

Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne,

BBC Good Food Show Winter

NE1 2PQ The national home of children’s

NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT

books in Britain, Seven Stories, showcases

The biggest food

a collection of manuscripts and illustrations of

event of the year

some of the UK’s finest authors and illustrators

includes a

for children. Events and exhibitions.

speciality food

 sevenstories.org.uk

market, MasterChef

Where Independent School Parent helps you to fill your diary...

The Science Museum Live

Three-in-one scooter that grows with your child! Toddlers

can find m reassurance fro le ab ch ta at an seat and threewheeled affair; the seat can

then be removed from the stem to create their first en they scooter; and wh t replace the up the pace jus k pic to are ready they go! a T-bar and away O-bar stem with .co.uk 1+ micro-scooter k or blue. Age £74.95 in pin

Showtim e!

experience and

South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD

The Great British

The full-production show, back from its tour of

Bake Off stage.

the UK, is back. Go on a scientific adventure!

The Wind in the Willows

The Hairy Bikers

17th Oct- 4th Nov. Age 7+

The Wind in the Willows is brought to life on

and Gino

sciencemuseum.org.uk

the stage at the world-class Polka Theatre for

D’Acampo are

The World of Beatrix Potter

among chefs at hand. Plus, CAMRA hosts the Great British Beer Experience. 28th Nov- 2nd Dec, tickets from

children, with music and songs. A delightful adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic story of friendship and bravery on the riverbank. 23rd Nov- 16th Feb 2013, Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1SB.

Bowness-on-

£21.50 adult advance, bbcgoodfoodshow.com

Windermere,

Perfect lunch box treat

Cumbria, LA23 3BX

Pip Organic have launched the new Pip Kids range – full of goodness with a “no bits”

Meet Peter Rabbit and all his friends in the

guarantee! 100% fruit certified by the Soil

magical World of Beatrix Potter. All 23 tales by

Association with each 180ml serving

Beatrix Potter are brought to life in a magical

containing at least one of the recommended

indoor recreation of the Lakeland countryside.

daily portions of fruit. £2.69 family size carton

hop-skip-jump.com

Swadlincote Ski Slope and Snowboarding Centre Derbyshire, DE11 8LP

Exhilarating 500 metre toboggan run and new sno-tube! Skiing and snowboarding lessons available for every standard. jnlswadlincote.co.uk

Time Travellers Go… Roman Chollerford, Northumberland, NE46 4EU

Hear about Roman life as a soldier and citizen, try on costumes, handle Roman weapons and objects and join the Roaming Romans family trail. 27th Oct- 4th Nov. english-heritage.org.uk

80 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2012

www.independentschoolparent.com

LIFE Coop Phonics App

Learning to read has gone virtual with this fun and acc essible app that lets parents get involved too! The gam e takes your child through the phonic principals by teaching animals (and them selves!) to read. Age 3+ free on iTunes. coop play.com

Halloween haunts

Christmas fairs

Spooktacular Week

Spirit of Christmas Fair

A whole host of spooky events for all the

In association with House & Garden this is

family. 29th Oct-2nd Nov,

London’s exclusive Christmas shopping

Ripley Castle Estate, Harrogate, HG3 3AY

ripleycastle.co.uk

Creepy Trail

Olympia Exhibition Centre, London, W14 8UX

experience. 650 companies hand-picked for their quality and originality. Interiors, food, fashion and lifestyle. 30th Oct- 4th Nov,

Story time Mr Birdnest and the House Next Door

by Julia Donaldson

Children’s Laureate and author of The Gruffalo introduces us to monkeys,

Pensthorpe Nature

adult advance: £17.50, door £19.50; child

Reserve, Norfolk,

advance £9, door £10.50. spiritofchristmasfair.

spiders! Illustrated by Hannah Shaw.

NR21 0LN

co.uk, 0871-230 1089.

Paperback, Barrington Stoke, £5.99, age 3-5

Discover more about bugs, beasts, bats and local spooky stories at Norfolk’s award-winning nature reserve. 2-7th Oct- 4th Nov, pensthorpe.com

Mad Science Week

Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, WV1 1SE Create gloopy lava lamps, make fake blood, spin edible spiders webs and blow up pumpkins! 29th Oct-2nd Nov. arena.wlv.ac.uk

Gunpowder plot

The Ice Factor

McArturGlen York Designer Outlet, York The award-winning centre piece for Yorkshire

tigers and bird-eating

(dyslexic readers up to age 8).

A Little, Aloud for Children

Winter Wonderland. Booking advised.

edited by Angela

24th Nov- 6th Jan 2013, adult £9.75, child £8.75,

Macmillan

family £33. theicefactor.co.uk

A collection of poems

Dickensian Christmas Festival

and stories to share aloud, with foreword by Michael Morpurgo.

Rochester Castle, Cathedral and town, Kent

Paperback, David Fickling

Watch Dickens’ characters come alive with

Books, £9.99, all ages.

parades through the town, complete with street

Winter Wonderland

Entertainment, music and food.

Hyde Park, London

Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm

3rd Nov, food 5pm, bonfire 7pm, fireworks 7.30pm.

A blanket of festivities descends upon Hyde

Cornelia Funke

sherbornecastle.com

Park once more, complete with fairground

Celebrate the bicentenary

rides and the biggest outdoor rink in the UK.

of the first volume of

Sherborne Castle Sherborne, DT9 5NR

Hopetoun Estate

entertainment, readings, songs and dance. 1st-2nd Dec, visitkent.co.uk

Free entry to the fair and Christmas market.

South Queensferry,

23rd Nov- 6th Jan 2013, ice rink £10.50 adult, £8.50

Scotland, EH30 9SL

child. hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Food stalls and fireworks by award-winning 21cc Fireworks. 3rd Nov, 4pm,

introduced by

Grimm’s fairytales.

Illustrators include Quentin Blake, Raymond Briggs and Helen Oxenbury. Hardback, Puffin, £25, age 7-12.

Sparks in the Park

Frankfurt Christmas Market

Fairground, beer tent and live

New Street,

music. 3rd Nov, 4.30pm, kid’s

Birmingham

Fascinating insights into

fireworks 5.45pm, main fireworks

Celebrating its

everyday conundrums

7pm. Booking advised.

100th anniversary

fireworks 6.30pm. hopetoun.co.uk

Cooper’s Field, Cardiff, CF10 3RB

Midsummer Common

Victoria Square &

the fair has more

by Stuart Wright

such as yawning, tickling and which came first – the chicken or the egg?

than 180 stalls and

Accompanied by playful illustrations.

attracts visitors

Paperback, Black Dog Publishing, £9.99, age 10+.

Cambridge, CB4 1

from all over the

Bonfire, fireworks and Thurston

UK and Europe.

family funfair from 6-10pm.

15th Nov- 22nd Dec,

5th Nov, 7.30pm, £1 donation.

0121 303 3008

www.independentschoolparent.com

More Interesting than your Teacher

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

AUTUMN 2012 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT 81

SCHOOL MEMORIES

STRONG BONDS

Internet entrepreneur, Bec Astley Clarke, holds the friendships that she made at the City of London School for Girls, close to her heart

I

COME FROM QUITE AN unconventional background: a mix of European and English ancestry. Our house was always full of medical academics, artists and climbers – my father was the doctor in the first British expedition to climb Everest in 1975 – and my home was a fertile environment for creativity and thought.

As a result, I found school quite tough in the early stages because I felt it was too restricted and routine-based for my wayward ways! However, I settled in and became more used to things – then I began to enjoy myself. I am still not good at routine, which is why I enjoy my job so much, because each day is different to the next and I am always challenged.

My earliest recollection was going to Harrods to buy my school uniform: what a grand place to find one of the simplest things. I spent the first four years at the prep school of City of London School for Girls with a Summer and Winter uniform, comprising of indoor and outdoor shoes, tie and a hat. With the clothes sorted, then came the complexity

Below, City of London School for Girls

82 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2012

of trying to navigate around The Barbican’s podium system to find the school gates!

The school was established by the Corporation of the City of London with money from a bequest from William Ward of Brixton to provide education for girls.

It opened in Carmelite Street in 1894 and subsequently moved to the present premises in The Barbican, in 1969.

Some of my wonderful first memories are of the swimming pool: what a tremendous luxury; the rounders’ pitch on the roof of a car park and the tennis courts on stilts.

Being at school in London during the late 1980s had its bonuses and its peculiarities: we had bomb practice instead of fire practice, due to City of London being right in the centre of town.

The most important lesson, however, that I learnt at school was friendship. I have made some of my closest lifelong girlfriends from school. I went on to the senior school with many of the girls that I had started school with, aged five. We weren’t always the best influence on each other: I remember giggling uncontrollably in assemblies with my friend, Sophie.

Friendship, art classes and sport were my favourite aspects of school life with the occasional excitement around maths, chemistry and history. I was a serious homework offender: never ever doing any and somehow managed to breeze through my exams (not a habit I want to pass on to my son, Thor).

By the time I got to sixth form, I was a little weary of the place – boys, parties, friends replaced anything to do with school work. My friends and I would meet our boyfriends at lunchtime or go

for a smoke at a nearby café.

Despite falling out of love with academia from time to time, some of the work I did still holds extremely fond memories. In particular, there is a pastel drawing of a male ballerina leaping through the air, which I worked very hard at: it was a true labour of love and I’m happy I still have it as a reflection of

❝ I HAVE MADE SOME

OF MY CLOSEST LIFELONG FRIENDS AT SCHOOL❞ the love I had for art in my youth.

I’m a jewellery addict. I always decide what jewellery I’m going to wear first when getting dressed in the morning.

My company, Astley Clarke, stems from my love of fine jewellery. I built up my career in e-commerce and made sure I had enough experience in various sectors so that eventually I could start my own business. We are now a team of 22.

Another driving force behind the company was that I felt that a lot of luxury brands were slow to adopt the internet. It’s funny; despite running an online business now, there were no computers and no internet when I was at school.

I went on to become Deputy Head Girl at school while my oldest friend Sophie, was Head Girl. We made a great team. It definitely stood me in good stead as it taught me values I’ve needed throughout my life.

Bec Astley Clarke is Managing Director and Founder of Astley Clarke, an online business in fine jewellery.

For more information visit... www.independentschoolparent.com

www.independentschoolparent.com

Who would pay the school fees if you weren’t there?

The School Fees Trust Scheme would...

To insure your school fees Contact 01306 746300 or visit www.sfs-group.co.uk

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Swiss movement, English heart

Swiss made / 25 jewel automatic movement / 3 counter multi-function chronograph (hours, minutes and stop second) / Carbon Fibre Dial / Internal tachymeter / Day/Date Calendar / Convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating / Water resistant to 100m (10 atm) / Hand-polished surgical grade stainless steel case / Calibre: ETA 7750