Little London Guides - Schools 2016

YOUR PARENTING

schools HANDBOOK

N U R SERY • PR E-PR EP • PR EP

START RIGHT

How to choose the best nursery for your child

LEARNING FOR LIFE

Why Montessori is the way forward

THE BIG DEBATE Single sex vs co-ed

FLEXI TIME!

What modern boarding looks like

GET IN!

Pass the Four, Seven and Eight Plus with flying colours

TALKING HEADS

SPRING 2016

Your burning questions answered

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EDITORʼS LETTER Welcome to the very first issue of the Little London Schools Guide! We are super excited about introducing the magazine to you all and hope it will prove invaluable when it comes to choosing the right educational path for your children, from their very first days at nursery right through to the end of prep school.

My father is always championing the five Ps – Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance – and when it comes to schooling, he could not be more right. As we see in Lay of the Land (p.29), picking the right school in the capital (and securing a place) can be a highly competitive and stressful process – so much so, in fact, that some parents are making decisions on schooling before their child has even been born (p.10).

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Whatever stage your child is at, though, we’ve got it covered: we give you the lowdown on what to look for in a nursery (p.13); put the spotlight on the Montessori method of teaching, as followed by Prince George’s new nursery (p.17); find out what to expect when your little one steps up to pre-prep (p.20); and get the inside track on choosing the right prep school from Highfield & Brookham head Phillip Evitt (p.31).

Once you’ve decided the best prep school for your child, the next challenge is getting them in. We look at the difference between Seven Plus and Eight Plus assessments and offer tips on how best to prepare and what schools are looking for (p.52).

I enjoyed my time at an all-girls’ school, as did fashion journalist and TV presenter Louise Roe, who we interview about her school life at Guildford High School (p.62).

But single-sex schooling isn’t for everyone. If you’re on the fence about it, maybe our single sex vs co-ed debate between the heads of leading prep schools Ludgrove and Holmewood House might help you make up your mind (p.39).

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Boarding at prep age is another subject that really divides opinion, but with flexiboarding now on offer at so many schools, there’s no need to choose. Cheam Head Mark Johnson discusses its many merits in Best of Both Worlds (p.49). Whatever your thoughts, it’s good to keep an open mind and go to a selection of open days to really get a feel for a school. Inside, we explain how to get the most out of a visit (p.35).

Having recently navigated the minefield that is choosing a nursery and pre-prep for my two children, I wish you the best of luck on your quest to find the perfect schooling for your offspring. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, I have to admit, but hopefully this guide will help smooth the way. After all, forewarned is forearmed.

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SUSANNAH WARREN, EDITOR

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 3

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RUNNING HEAD

CONTENTS 7

Editor Susannah Warren Managing Editor Rebecca Moore Senior Sub Editor Sally Hales, Danielle Wilkins Editorial Assistants Lily Smith, Annie Quinton Group Art Editor Chloë Collyer Designers Natalie Dourado, Mark Hyde

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Publisher Chatty Dobson Commercial Director Vicki Gavin Marketing Manager Will Delmont Digital Media Manager James Dobson Brand Managers Stephanie Organ, Ginny Maclean

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Business Development Manager Thiago Alves Sales Manager Amy Thacker Sales Executives Hannah Inwood, Harriet Cottrell, Helena Murphy

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Little London Guides are published by The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ Web: littlelondonmagazine.co.uk Tel: 020 7349 3700 | Fax: 020 7349 3701 Email: editorial@littlemedia.co.uk

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NEWS The latest from the classroom and beyond BORN READY Plan your baby’s schooling before they’re born NAVIGATING NURSERY Advice on making that first educational choice T HE MAGIC OF MONTESSORI We discover the ethos behind the system STEP UP TO PRE-PREP A look at the benefits and all the options available FIRST IMPRESSIONS Help your little one through their Four Plus assessment ASK THE EXPERTS Six Heads answer your burning questions THE LAY OF THE LAND Surviving the squeeze on the capital’s school places H OW TO CHOOSE A PREP SCHOOL Advice on finding the best school for your child OPEN DAYS EXPLAINED Make the most of your visit

37 SCREENSAVERS Technology in and out of the classroom 39 TOGETHER OR APART? Two eminent Heads debate the merits of single-sex and co-ed schooling 43 MONEY MATTERS What to expect from school fees 47 DEALING WITH DYSLEXIA How to get a diagnosis and what to do next 49 BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Cheam Headmaster gives us the inside track on modern boarding 52 PREP FOR PREP How to succeed at Seven Plus and Eight Plus 54 PENS DOWN We explore the great homework debate 57 USE IT OR LOSE IT! Top up your child’s learning with holiday tutoring 59 DIRECTORY/OPEN DAYS 62 MY SCHOOL LIFE TV presenter Louise Roe takes a nostalgic look back at her school days

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 5

© KLEIN & HUBERT / WWF

ADOPTION

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NEWS

school

NEWS

TH E L ATE ST FROM TH E CL ASSROOM AN D BEYON D

WHEN I GROW UP

Children love talking about what they want to be when they’re older, so new app Match & Learn The Professions is sure to delight them. The educational puzzle game for two to six year olds allows your child to observe, remember, choose and match 10 different characters, including Mr Bigbear, Miss Pirouette and Dr Feelgood, with their rightful profession. Created by educational experts and parents, the game is beautifully crafted with more than 1,000 hand-drawn animations, and filled with silly songs and poems that will both entertain and educate your little one. petitademas.com

WITH PRIVATE SCHOOL FEES AVERAGING £15,675 A YEAR AND CONTINUING TO RISE, NEW RESEARCH FROM INVESTEC WEALTH & INVESTMENT HAS FOUND THAT A FIFTH OF PARENTS RELY, OR PLAN TO RELY ON, GRANDPARENTS TO HELP PAY FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL FEES FOR THEIR CHILDREN. ACCORDING TO THE STUDY, ON AVERAGE, GRANDPARENTS PAY A THIRD TOWARDS THE COST OF THEIR GRANDCHILDREN’S EDUCATION.

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 7

NEWS Ludgrove’s new theatre will host everything from plays to lectures

ACTING UP All-boys’ prep school Ludgrove recently opened an impressive 350-seat theatre.

The striking new facility isn’t just being used for staging plays, but also for assemblies, concerts, lectures, poetry and speech competitions.

As such, the theatre has truly enhanced school life and its learning environment, bolstering the confidence and character of every boy.

THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE OAK-TREE GROUP OF SCHOOLS HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL NOW OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS TO PUPILS HOPING TO MOVE INTO YEAR SEVEN AT 11 PLUS. BRAESIDE SCHOOL, AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR GIRLS IN BUCKHURST HILL, ESSEX, HAS DEVELOPED A NEW SCHEME THAT WILL SEE SEVERAL PART-SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED AS PART OF THE FORTHCOMING 11 PLUS EXAMINATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS.

HEADS UP

Well done, girls!

VICTORY SPEECH

Two pupils at The Hawthorns School in Bletchingley, Surrey, are celebrating after being named among the best junior linguists in the country. Aalaya Sanjeeva of Year Six and Nithya Sangampalayam of Year Five both reached the final of the EuroTalk Junior Language Challenge at the Languages Show Live at London Olympia. Aalaya, who came second out of more than 1,100 entrants, said, “It felt great and nerve-wracking.

When I came second, I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t!”

8 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

Sutton High Junior School has a new woman at the helm.

Anne Musgrove, who took over as head in September 2015, has more than 20 years’ experience of teaching, including some years in Australia.

Prior to this role, she was acting head at Putney High Junior School, another member of the Girls’ Day School Trust.

It’s game on for chess champ Xavier

CHECK MATE

Year Six Cranleigh Prep School pupil Xavier Llauriard became an Under-12 National Chess Champion, and is now ranked No.19 for his age group. Scouted by a leading chess coach a year ago, Xavier has lessons every fortnight, studies chess theory every day, and plays online games with opponents from all over the world.

FOR E ST SCHOOL L ON DON

London’s only diamondstructure school www.f orest.org.uk info@forest.org.uk 020 8520 1744

Forest School is London’s only diamondstructure school for boys and girls aged 4-18. Our 1,350 pupils are taught in small single-sex classes to GCSE before entering our coeducational sixth form.

The School is located at the edge of Epping Forest in north east London. For registration, enquiries or to arrange a visit, please contact us.

PLANNING

When it comes to schooling, parents are having to think fast

BORN READY EDUCATIONAL CON SU LTANTS Gabbitas FILL US IN ON TH E N EW PH ENOM ENON OF PL AN NING YOU R CHILD’S SCHOOLING FROM TH E WOM B

10 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

PLANNING

he last thing that will probably pop into your mind when you read that positive pregnancy test is: what nursery or school should I send my child to? But competition for schools – and increasingly for nurseries, too – has become so fierce, particularly in London, that parents are planning their child’s school career before they have even been born. If it seems crazy, it’s not.

The early bird certainly catches the worm in this instance.

Catherine Kelsey, who leads the schools placement team at Gabbitas Education, says,“Competition for nursery places is tight. The momentum seems to be for children to join the more structured environment of a nursery school rather than go to a church hall and do some painting, singing and messing about in the sandpit as in the past.”

It’s never too soon to start you child out on the right trajectory, explains Catherine: “Increasingly ambitious parents like to put their child into a ‘good’ nursery school as this will ensure

T

PARENTS FEEL OBLIGED TO JOIN OTHER PARENTS IN THE NURSERY SCHOOL RACE a good pre-prep school, followed by a favoured prep school and then an excellent school at 13+, followed by acceptance into a demanding university.”

This creates a heated market for places: “The more competitive the school environment becomes, especially pertinent in London, this has a knockon effect all the way down to nursery schools. Historically some parents would have preferred to keep their children at home until the start of school age at four, with the occasional visit to a playgroup or nursery for a few afternoons a week, but now the pressure to gain a good place for your child means that parents feel obliged to join other

parents in the nursery school race.”

This domino effect, together with the large numbers of international parents in London, has resulted in many more applicants to nursery schools.

And the pick of the bunch are seriously oversubscribed, often sending parents into a flat spin. “The more ‘prestigious’ nurseries are able to pick and choose their intake as demand is so high,” explains Catherine. “This causes parents to become very anxious even before their children are born and they are ready with registration forms completed immediately after the birth, not just for nurseries, but pre-preps and prep schools, too.” L

CASE STUDY

One couple explains the benefits of hiring a specialist company

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

M

ichael and Jonna Scherb are organised about everything they do – even deciding their unborn child’s future. Michael, who is the founder of a private equity firm, wanted to avoid the distraction of school searches he had seen friends go through. Jonna, who runs a luxury bespoke jewellery design business, didn’t want the pressure – and possible disappointment – of trying to secure a good school place.

The couple decided they needed support in navigating the choices. “I’m half-Austrian and half-Singaporean. I was born in Taiwan and grew

up in the US and Germany, while Jonna is from Finland,” says Michael. “So, with little understanding of the British private school system and busy lives, we wanted to find a company with the best experience, reputation and quality service that we could really trust.”

They interviewed three education consultants when Jonna was seven months pregnant and chose Gabbitas after meeting the head of the schools placement team, Catherine Kelsey.

“I have a creative background, while Michael is more

business-focused, so it was a challenge to find the right solutions to match all our values,” says Jonna. “But Catherine did it. She was very pro-active, got to know us very quickly and really drove the process forward with good planning and by taking the initiative, so we were

Michael an d

Jonna with th

eir baby

always on the front foot.”

Kelsey, who has three children who attended prestigious independent boarding schools and 20 years’ industry experience, says: “Getting a place at the best schools for your child is often stressful. My advice is to start early as possible.

This was the first time I had helped a child who wasn’t even born, but I’m sure this will become more usual as there is increasing competition – especially from abroad – to secure places in the most prestigious British schools.”

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 11

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NURSERY

Navigating NURSERY

Louise Fox, H E AD OF PR E-PR EPAR ATORY AN D N U R SERY AT CL AR EMONT FAN COU RT SCH OOL, OFFER S ADVICE ON HOW TO MAKE THAT DIFFICU LT FIR ST CH OICE

hen you choose a nursery for your precious bundle of toddler joy, take the emotion out of the decision-making. Don’t ask, ‘Will they love my child?’ but rather, ‘Can I walk away and leave my child there?’

To help, ask yourself this question: ‘Is this nursery a SWOPS (safe, warm, organised, professional and stimulating)?’

As parents, you provide this at home and this is what you are looking for from your child’s nursery.

Try not to choose a nursery based on convenience. Go the extra mile, if need be. When interviewing parents, I am always a little disappointed when the choice is made based on how quickly mum or dad can get to work.

I understand this is a factor, but it shouldn’t be the first on the list.

Decide on the kind of nursery you are looking for. Do you want a standalone or through school? Do you want a playgroup or something more structured? Do you need term-time or year-round care?

When you visit ask about the staff to pupil ratios. Look for one to four

W

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 13

RUNNING HEAD Your child will benefit from a spacious learning environment

START IN STYLE

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14 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

for two year olds and one to eight for three year olds, depending on staff qualifications. Think about whether the nursery is secure and safe. Is the place light and airy? Your child will benefit from a spacious, bright and colourful environment. Check how many children there are in the same room together.

There is a limit.

Ask about staff qualifications as there are so many different nursery qualifications. Ideally, staff should be at least NVQ3 or equivalent. Give the nursery a scenario: ‘What would you do if my child had a serious injury to the head?’

Would they take the initiative? There should be no surprises at pick-up time.

Find out what the outside space is like. Can the children access it all the time? If the nursery offers Forest School, check that the so-called ‘forest’ isn’t a mile away. Young children walking along busy roads to the nearest park defeats the object somewhat but provide little ones with a fallen log and some muddy puddles, and they are in play heaven.

Is the nursery clean? On a visit to a feeder nursery, my colleague and I were offered coffee in dirty, tea-dribbled mugs before needing to brush crumbs off a chair to sit down. There were piles of stuff in every corner. I am not suggesting it needs to be sterile clean, but a happy, clean and organised mess.

Young children are naturally messy. If the nursery has a uniform and aprons, then great. If not, keep nursery clothes and home clothes separate and save that best dress grandma bought from ruin.

We received a grumble from a nursery parent last year, which made us smile: ‘My child has come home with sand in his pants.’ Our answer was: ‘Well, he was playing in the sandpit and he was having a wonderful time!’ If your child is slightly dishevelled when you pick them up, it has been a good day.

Be cautious about nurseries that boast that each child has an iPad or learning pad. There is definitely a place for technology in schools but for very young children it isn’t a priority. Children are exposed to so much screentime. Why replace hands-on creative activities with a game on the iPad? You want to hear laughter, see smiles and feel a good atmosphere when you visit the school – happy children enjoying purposeful activities. Children who are allowed to flit from one activity to the other are neither engaged nor fulfilled. Ask about the purpose of the activities and read up on the Early Years Foundation stage for a better understanding of early years education.

When you make your decision, be confident with your choice. Support the nursery and, on the first day, don’t stay. It drags out the parting, causes stress and makes the next time more difficult. Any decent nursery will call you with an update.

Most nurseries are wonderful, providing caring and exciting new worlds, which you may not be able to provide at home.

Once you’ve made your decision, stick with it. Don’t let sand in the pants get in the way of your child’s first steps. L

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

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Eaton Square School

School Philosophy: We believe education must be fostered from within – it stems from connecting not directing. Eaton Square School offers a breadth and depth of education, which goes beyond academic success in examinations and into every sphere of life.

Equal emphasis is placed on intellectual, artistic, aesthetic, physical and musical pursuits. In addition, we want children to learn moral and spiritual values that will make them happy and confident in themselves, without arrogance.

Academic Record: Pupils are highly successful in examinations at the

various transition points and gain entry to some of the most selective day and boarding schools in the country.

Extra-Curricular: Eaton Square school undertakes many extracurricular activities both throughout the year and in the holidays. We run a number of after school clubs catering to every child’s interest, so your child can do cooking on a Monday, Karate on a Tuesday and Orchestra on a Thursday, among many, many other opportunities.

79 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PP T: 020 7931 9469 E: registrar@eatonsquareschool.com W: www.eatonsquareschool.com Head Teacher: Sebastian Hepher Admissions: Penelope Stitcher Key facts Gender / Ages: boys and girls, 2-13 years Total pupils: 450, boys 225, girls 225 Type: Day Fees: Nursery – Morning Fees per term: £3,360, 5 full days £5,440 Pre Prep: £6,395 per term, Prep: £6,595 per term.

Entrance procedure: Early Registration is necessary to secure a place in the Nursery of your choice. Entrance to Eaton Square School at the age of four is via a formal assessment. In the case of candidates from external nurseries, children are invited to attend an assessment morning on a Saturday in November, where they complete a range of activities including phonic and numeracy work; colouring, cutting and informal discussion in small groups.

Open Days: Open House – Monday 8 February, Tuesday 9 March 2016

EATON SQUARE SCHOOL ‘Every child, every single child has the capacity to excel.’

Eaton Square School is an independent, coeducational Nursery, Pre-Preparatory and Preparatory school in the heart of central London, educating children from the age of 2 ½ to 13 years old.

Open House Dates Monday 8th February 2016 Tuesday 8th March 2016

Please contact us today for more information or to book a visit.

79 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PP T: 020 7931 9469 E: registrar@eatonsquareschool.com

www.eatonsquareschool.com

STARTING NURSERY

the magic of

MONTESSORI MONTE SSORI SCHOOL S AN D N U R SERIE S AR E WIDE SPR E AD TH E SE DAYS. Eleanor Doughty INVE STIGATE S TH E E TH OS OF TH E SYSTEM

ending your little one to nursery is a big step, so it’s important to explore all the options so you make the best choice for your child. One consideration should certainly be a Montessori nursery.

Developed by Italian educator and physician Maria Montessori in 1897, the famed specialised education system puts the emphasis on independence and respect for a child’s natural social development, and many parents feel it offers a perfectly balanced education.

Montessori saw that children already held something special within them; she conceived that if they were allowed to develop in a natural environment, they could prove their innate ability to care for the world around them, and those within it. There are 190, and counting, Montessori nurseries across London, and they all come with their own little

S

character and identity. Due to the increasing popularity of the system, many are, inevitably, over-subscribed.

You may wonder why you should choose Montessori over all the other nurseries that litter London’s chichi postcodes? “We chose Montessori because we liked the structure and focus on learning through play,” explains Kate Clark, whose daughter attends one such nursery. “I was worried that she was too young, but she has thrived. She’s gone from saying a few words that only her Dad and I could understand to being able

to hold conversations with anyone.”

Maria Montessori understood for herself a few key notions about children and the way in which they should be educated. These range from peer-led learning – understanding that children gain from leading and helping each other – and sensory vision, to the notion that children love working with beautiful objects and are at their happiest when they are working towards something that makes them feel good about themselves.

The charm of this sort of education is in the independence of the children

EMPHASIS ON INDEPENDENCE AND RESPECT FOR A CHILD’S NATURAL SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 17

WHY CHOOSE MONTESSORI?

Georgina Hood, founder and principal of Paint Pots Montessori Nursery Schools and Creative Classes, outlines the benefits • The Montessori approach allows children to learn through understanding, rather than being told • Through understanding comes confidence, a joy in learning and the capacity to concentrate • A strongly physical dimension to activities encourages refinement of large movements, balance and dexterity, as well as appreciation of shapes, colours and sizes • In the Montessori approach to language and mathematics, it begins with real experiences of the environment surrounding the child, which illuminate abstract concepts gradually building to a deep and permanent understanding • This method provides the building blocks of future learning, hardwiring a child’s capacity to engage with new material and providing the tools with which to manipulate it • Montessori is, literally, learning for life

18 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

that attend. “Montessori education is based on the understanding that children have an innate capacity to learn and to educate themselves when placed in the right environment,” Anne-Marie True, Principal of Barnes Montessori explains.

Montessori extends education beyond the classroom, and as talk in education circles turns to a focus on soft skills and self-confidence, helping your child down this path from early years is logical. The Montessori way is to encourage children to be independent, setting them up for ‘big’ school and the wide world of prep diaries and boater hats that looms.

Self-discipline is top of the to-do list inside Montessori buildings. While discipline might induce Victorian visions of lining up outside classrooms, in a Montessori environment, discipline is managed on an individual basis. “Children in a Montessori setting enjoy enormous freedom to choose within the limits of the prepared environment,” says the Montessori St Nicholas charity.

The approach is not unlike the one taken by many parents at home, allowing children to explore and find things independently, but protected and overseen by an adult. Carlotta O’Sullivan, Principal of Fulham’s Sinclair House School, where the Montessori nursery spans two different sites, emphasises the central role of each child. “The experience in the classroom is pupil-led, rather than teacher-led. It is based on facilitating a child’s self-expression and choices, by helping them to develop self-

awareness and self-worth.”

Montessori schools focus on an education outside the standard frame.

“Every little activity that they engage in – from measuring out food at lunchtime to selecting books to read, and from chopping and arranging flowers to choosing to paint a picture – has an educational benefit, whether it’s handeye coordination, spatial awareness or fine motor skills,” one mother explains.

These skills are of the utmost importance as, when you are choosing an educational base of any kind, the final product is an important factor to consider. What will your child ‘be’ like when they finish and move on to the next stage? It is a crucial question to ask when looking around and observing pupils during the school day. Children that emerge from Montessori nurseries, are – both O’Sullivan and True confirm – confident, happy and independent.

The liberated style of learning has gained momentum in pre-schools nationwide, as they seek to include elements of Maria Montessori’s theory into their curriculum, enabling more children to benefit from her approach to learning. Wherever you decide to send your child, consider the children you meet when you are looking around.

Are they happy, relaxed and sociable? If the answer is yes, then you’ve found your nursery. L admissions@montessori.org.uk mci.montessori.org.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK

RUNNING HEAD

Hawkesdown House School

For boys aged 3 to 8 years Endeavour Courage Truth

27 Edge Street, Kensington, London W8 7PN Telephone: 0207 727 9090 Email: admin@hawkesdown.co.uk www.hawkesdown.co.uk

Claremont Fan Court School Claremont Fan Court School An independent co-educational school for pupils aged to 18 years An independent co-educational school for2½ pupils aged 2½ to 18 years

re-Preparatory and Nursery SchoolSchool Pre-Preparatory and Nursery

dren join the Pre-Nursery in the term turnterm three.

Children join theclass Pre-Nursery classthey in the they turn three.

ase come and visitcome us. and visit us.

Please

rrange an appointment To arrange antelephone appointment telephone 72 463695 or email 01372 463695 or email prepschool@claremont.surrey.sch.uk preprepschool@claremont.surrey.sch.uk

ww.claremont-school.co.uk www.claremont-school.co.uk

Speak to your child’s nursery to help you make the right pre-prep decision for your child

20 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

PRE-PREP

Step up to pre-prep TH ER E AR E A R ANGE OF PR E-PR EP OP TION S TO CH OOSE FROM E XPL AIN S Sebastian Hepher, H E ADMASTER OF E ATON SQUAR E SCHOOL he debate over whether our children should follow an independent preparatory education or go to the local primary school is nothing new. It will, no doubt, continue for as long as there are the two options available.

What is less discussed, however, is whether to send your children to a standalone pre-prep after their nursery years, wait until they are eight years old before joining the prep system or choose a pre-prep that is affiliated to a prep school, where the transition is regarded as more “seamless”.

T

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

WHAT IS A PRE-PREP SCHOOL? Pre-preps traditionally begin in Reception at four years old, and usually run until the end of Year Three when they all leave to join the next stage: prep school.

However, the advent of the Seven Plus in recent years has shortened the pre-prep experience for some still even further.

In pre-prep, pupils often follow an accelerated curriculum where they are

put through their paces earlier. At the end of the process all the pupils must move on, either to a new school or to Year Four in the same institution.

Here lies the quandary. Should parents look to a stand alone pre-prep for their child or one that is part of a prep school, which runs until the pupils are 11 (mainly for girls) or 13 years old?

WHAT SUITS YOUR CHILD? There are many factors to consider. Not all pupils are suited to a pre-prep system that relies on exam-based exit when the children are eight. Many are, quite simply,

these boys and girls, the experience is invaluable.

A pre-prep that is part of a larger school, however, offers something very different. The curriculum tends to move at a rate that neatly ties into that of the senior school, and therefore is usually more steadily paced with the end goal much further away. The principal benefit of this system is that all pupils can move through the ranks as their ability dictates.

Where there is also a nursery in a school, the advantages of a longer association with the same institution allows for the needs of the individual to be met.

TAKE TIME TO UNDERSTAND YOUR CHILD TO FIND WHICH STYLE OF PRE-PREP WILL SUIT not ready yet. The pace of the curriculum and expectation is inappropriate for some and may leave a child with dented confidence and loss of self-belief, with parents frantically searching for a place in late January. These impressions are often indelibly etched into the pupil’s psyche, which is a high price to pay if there are alternatives.

And yet, it must be acknowledged, the more mature and able pupils thrive and feed off the advanced programme of study and they, as a consequence, gain entry into highly academic schools. For

A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE A pre-prep, irrespective of which is chosen, provides a unique experience, which should bring much to each pupil.

However, parents need to take the time to understand their children and assess which style of pre-prep will suit them.

They should not be swayed by name or pedigree, but rather influenced by a child’s needs, information provided by the current nursery and, of course, their own impressions. When a measured decision is reached, a successful, happy pre-prep experience will follow. L

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 21

ASSESSMENTS

First Impressions does the Four Plus “ W hat assessment involve?” is the

burning question on the lips of most of the parents that visit us for our annual Open Day at Forest School. It’s usually quickly followed by: “What can we do to help our child?” My answer is always: “Talk to your children, encourage them to be inquisitive, let them ask questions and let them learn from – and talk about – their experiences.”

There is very little benefit in taking them out of nursery before the assessments and prepping them. The children we see for Four Plus assessments are three years old and it is difficult for some people to understand how we test them for entry to Reception. What

The more yo u do to fam iliarise your with a scho child ol and its st aff the bett er

22 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

selective schools want to know from the assessments is basically this: will the child enjoy the level of work and get the most from the opportunities?

Whether you’re thinking about putting your child in for the Four Plus assessment at an independent school, or just wanting to get involved with their learning, below are some simple ideas on what you can do at home.

There are lots of opportunities to help your child learn that do not involve sitting them down and formally working in a given area. Maths, for example, is all around us; a simple walk to the local shop is a great opportunity to look out for different numbers. Familiarity with numbers is important; numbers on buses, doors, car number plates and billboards.

Encouraging your child to recognise these numbers in different fonts, colours, sizes and contexts is extremely important in helping to consolidate their understanding of numbers. Count steps, cars, motorbikes and so on to help develop the correct sequence of numbers. When looking at trees you can ask: ‘Which is the tallest tree?’ and ‘Which is the shortest?’ There are lots

TOP TIPS • Encourage your child to be inquisitive • Find everyday opportunities to introduce maths, such as recognising bus numbers or counting steps • Introduce concepts of shapes and size by comparing trees or other everyday objects • The first stage of learning to read is hearing the sounds in a word, so spell out short words • Familiarise your child with the school before assessment day

Encouraging your child to be inquisitive will help them on assessment day

of opportunities to talk about shapes: ‘What shape is that window?’ ‘How many squares can you see on that poster?’ and so on.

The same applies to letters and phonics (the sounds the letters make).

The first stage of learning to read is hearing the sounds in a word, and learning to hear the first letter sound is a vital step. Try to stick with three-letter words and spell the word as you say it.

‘C-A-T. What does that start with? Where is your H-A-T?’ and so on.

Children do not necessarily need to know how to sound out words before Reception, but training them to hear that words are broken down into different sounds is going to give them a solid foundation for when they do start formal phonics lessons at school. Recognising letters is equally important.

At home, children tend to learn the names of the letters, while at school we concentrate on the sound of them.

Again, the world around us is very useful to see letters in different sizes, colours and fonts. Number plates, billboards, shop signs and food packaging are all easy everyday ways for children to learn about letters and sounds.

Finally, the assessment process can be daunting for both child and parent.

The children arrive at a strange school, are met by strangers and then whisked off to a classroom to answer a series of strange questions – all in under an hour.

The more you can do to familiarise your child with the school and everyone in it the better.

Do go and visit the school with your child when they have an open day. Talk to the teachers, look at the classrooms and facilities your child will be using, and she or he will hopefully be calmer on assessment day. In fact, there’s a good chance that they, and you, might even enjoy it! L

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

MASTER IN CHARGE OF PR E-PR EP AT FOR E ST SCHOOL, Paul Faulkner, LE TS US IN ON TH E SECR E TS OF TH E FOU R PLUS ASSE SSM ENT

w w w . f a i r f a x a n d f a i r f a v o r. c o m

Brambletye

PART OF UNITED LEARNING

NURSERY, PREP SCHOOL, SENIOR SCHOOL & 6th FORM Boys & Girls, Ages 2–18 Day & Boarding

Lewes Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3PD T: 01342 321004 E: registrar@brambletye.com W: www.brambletye.co.uk Head Teacher: Mr William Brooks Admissions: Ms Harriet Tarnoy Key facts Gender / Ages: boys and girls, 2.5 to 13 years Total pupils: 270, boys 141, girls 129 Type: Day & Boarding Prep and Pre-Prep Fees: Nursery – 1 full day /week £ 520/term. 5 full days/week £2590.

Pre Prep: Termly from £ 2,990, Prep: Day fee from £5795/term. Flexi Boarding from £6150/term.

Full Boarding from £7685/term Entrance procedure: There is an informal preliminary assessment for the Prep school.

School Philosophy: Brambletye is a family-orientated country prep school with a modern outlook. Nestled in 140 acres of Sussex it offers a stimulating and fun environment for children to learn. Pupils have many opportunities to discover their strengths and to start forming the skills that they will need for the modern world. Children’s talents however esoteric are celebrated. Children learn to perform from an early age – whether on the stage or on the games fields thus enabling them to grow in self-confidence.

Brambletye children will learn how to learn and not be afraid to fail. Most importantly, Brambletye recognizes that children will thrive if they are happy and it is a place where children can be children.

Academic Record: Last year Brambletye pupils achieved 24

scholarships including an academic scholarship to Winchester.

Pupils went to 19 different senior schools and include schools such as Eton, Downe House, Tonbridge, Kings Canterbury and Benenden.

Preparing for Life 2016 OPEN MORNINGS: Tuesday 15 March 2016 Saturday 17 September 2016 Thursday 10 November 2016 To register please contact our Registrar: Registrar@Hampshirecs.org.uk

Extra-Curricular: The art, music and drama departments deliver

handfuls of scholarships and entertain parents and pupils in style.

All children do sport every day and regularly play in matches.

There are a plethora of extra-curricular activities including film school, the concert band, fencing, nature club and taekwondo with a busy weekend programme for boarders.

Notable Achievements and Alumni: Benedict Cumberbatch who as a boy played Bottom in the school production of a Midsummer’s Night Dream. 100% of Brambletye thespians gained a merit or distinction in their LAMDA exams last term. One pupil achieved Distinction in Grade 8 piano last year with more pupils lined up to take Grade 6 or over in musical instruments this year.

In sport the teams compete on a regional level with some children competing at a national level.

Open days are held every term, contact the registrar for more information.

Hampshire Collegiate School Embley Park, Romsey Hampshire SO51 6ZE

Telephone Email Web Facebook

01794 512206 info@hampshirecs.org.uk www.hampshirecs.org.uk /hampshireschool

FEATURE

ASK THE EXPERTS When it comes to a child’s schooling, parents have so many unanswered questions. Here, we get some answers from Heads in the know

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GOING RIGHT THE WAY THROUGH A SCHOOL? Notre Dame has embarked on a new era by becoming one school for pupils aged two to 18, to make fuller use of resources, expertise and leadership.

The first obvious benefit is the use of shared facilities, which will be timetabled together by the Heads to allow for greater flexibility. Introduction of new subjects such as food technology for older juniors also becomes possible through shared staff, and we can offer an early start to senior school languages and other subjects where cross-phase teaching becomes available.

One of the greatest benefits is the community of practice that can develop when teachers working with different age groups can come together to discuss issues and solutions to teaching conundrums – and also help to develop schemes of work and models of good learning for, and with, each other.

Collaboration and shared understanding are beginning to lead to better planning across the whole school, and to create dialogue between clever and reflective professionals. This will have a positive impact on achievement for all pupils, who can be known and valued as they grow and develop throughout their school careers. Joining two into one certainly creates something for our pupils that is far greater than the sum of its parts.

Merinda D’Aprano, Prep Head, Notre Dame School, Cobham

WHAT IMPORTANCE SHOULD WE BE PLACING ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AT THE PREPARATORY STAGE? For most pupils, successful and effective learning in the classroom remains the raison d’être of schooling at any level. It is probable that the majority of parents think this too, though many are now careful to include additional criteria, such as ‘balance, breadth and extra-curricular opportunities’. An enlightened few will even promote ‘happiness’ as their core value. But how important is achieving success at an early age to remaining successful later on?

Whether it is music, drama, dance, sport or academic skills, something learnt well at prep school is likely to stay into the teen and adult years. Equally, we will all know those whose significant abilities remained hidden in their formative years.

The aim of primary and prep schools should be to inspire happy, enthusiastic learners in all subjects and activities.

Overall, academic achievement is wonderful if it is identified at a young age, but with the right experience at prep school, a love of learning will mean there are no upper limits to anyone’s scholarship in later years.

Chris Davies, Headmaster, Edgeborough School, Farnham

WHAT SHOULD PARENTS LOOK FOR IN TERMS OF PASTORAL CARE? We are undoubtedly in an environment where growing up is becoming more challenging and there are myriad social pitfalls along the way, which many of us parents never had to deal with as children. Genuine support by people who are genuinely interested in the development of the whole child is now everything. Having a member of a senior leadership team specifically responsible for the wellbeing of the pupils is a common part of most schools today and is accepted as being critical in the development of wellbeing and resilience in our young men and women.

Here at Hampshire Collegiate School, pastoral care comprises the range of support that is provided for students’ emotional, psychological and spiritual wellbeing. We strive to deliver it from the ground up and staff are challenged to make that extra effort to support and nurture each and every child.

Jonathan Cuff, Pastoral Deputy Head, Hampshire Collegiate School

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 25

FEATURE WHY SEND YOUR CHILD TO A RURAL BOARDING PREP SCHOOL? The world in which our children grow up today is highly competitive, fastmoving and pressurised both in and out of school. In our desire for children to succeed, we are perhaps losing sight of one of the most important childhood values: happiness.

Children must be protected, but also prepared for the inevitable pressures they will face later in life. They must be free to flourish and enjoy an enriched education that they will look back upon in later life with fond memories. Country prep schools offer children an abundance of opportunities. Brambletye is based in the heart of the Sussex countryside within an hour of London. A Victorian hunting lodge, which forms the hub of school, is surrounded by 55 hectares of sports fields and woods in which children can play and run free. Children take part in music, speech and drama, DT, swimming and woodland school. Sport takes place every day, with matches twice a week.

A rural boarding prep school education is different. It gives children freedom and independence in a safe and stimulating environment. Children form life-long friends and learn important values, such as being tolerant and kind to each other.

Most importantly, there is plenty of time to run about, climb trees, kick a ball or simply relax with friends.

A country prep education offers a much-needed slower pace of life for today’s child – a safe and natural environment in which they can flourish, learn and, most importantly, be happy.

Will Brooks, Headmaster, Brambletye

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CREATING YOUR OWN CURRICULUM? Having our own curriculum means we can respond to what is going on around us and provide a rich and exciting education that extends far beyond the classroom.

This term, for instance, our older pupils have been on a residential trip to Swanage where they studied lichen with scientists from the Natural History Museum. On their return to London, they went behind the scenes at the museum to meet the same scientists and to find out more about their work.

I believe passionately that pupils need more than just classroom-based learning and that when they look back on their education, it will be the extraordinary experiences that they will remember forever. The skills that they learn and the inspiration that they get from working with specialists in their field will equip them well for an ever-changing world.

Hilary Wyatt, Headmistress, Hyde Park School

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE LENGTH OF THE SCHOOL DAY AT INDEPENDENT PREPARATORY SCHOOLS? There are many reasons for choosing an independent education, but the length (and content) of the school day have to be right up there. An independent school is not governed by anyone else’s idea of a typical school day. This means we are able to tailor our curriculum and our timetable to best suit the needs of our pupils; it allows us to offer extracurricular activities that complement our education and it enables us to create a school day which challenges our pupils physically and academically.

The average prep school pupil finishes school at around 4pm. Many prep schools now acknowledge the burden of homework, however, and are extending their school day to include a teacher-led prep session. Many children will choose to do an after-school club at this point, which may well end at 6pm. As a parent, I want my child’s day to be as fulfilling as mine. I believe only an independent school can support me in that.

Susan Hayes, Associate Head, Eaton Square School

Hilary Wyatt Hyde Park

Will Brooks Brambletye

26 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

Chris Davies Edgeborough

Merinda D’Aprano Notre Dame

Jonathan Cuff Hampshire Collegiate

Susan Hayes Eaton Square

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

MEET THE EXPERTS

Hyde Park School

School Philosophy: To ensure that the pupils who attend Hyde Park School receive the highest quality of education possible; one that provides a traditional education, but that also equips our pupils for the challenges of the modern world and ensures they develop into wellrounded, emotionally mature young people who will make a positive contribution to society.

Academic Record: All our children go on to excellent London Day Schools

Extra-Curricular: A wide range of well-chosen activities out of school hours ensures that all pupils can enjoy the opportunity to develop intellectual, creative and physical skills’. These include: Fencing, Karate, Ballet, Chess, Coding, Fashion design and Yoga.

24 Elvaston Place London SW7 5NL T: 020 7225 3131 E: registrar@hydeparkschool.co.uk W: www.hydeparkschool.co.uk Head Teacher: Hilary Wyatt Admissions: Emily Markham Key facts Gender / Ages: boys and girls, 2-11 years Total pupils: 190, boys 95, girls 95 Type: Day Fees: Nursery – 5 mornings per week £3,760 per term £4,865 per term.

Pre-Prep: £5,750 per term. Prep: £5,910 per term.

Entrance procedure: We operate on a first come, first served basis for all entries into Nursery and Reception. If joining the school at a later stage we will ask you to attend a taster session/day and complete the InCAS test.

Open Days: Nursery & Pre-Prep – Wednesday 9 March, Prep – Thursday 10 March

Hyde Park School offers your child a unique, well-rounded education in a friendly and caring environment, with all the benefits of central London right on our doorstep.

Nursery and Pre-Preparatory School, W2 - ages 2 - 5 Preparatory School, SW7 - ages 4 - 11 Open Mornings Marble Arch - Wednesday 9th March 9.30am Queen’s Gate - Thursday 10th March 9am

Contact us today to arrange a visit! ~ www.hydeparkschool.co.uk

Hyde Park School, Queen’s Gate 24 Elvaston Place London SW7 5NL registrar@hydeparkschool.co.uk 020 7225 3131

Hyde Park School, Marble Arch The Long Garden, St George’s Fields Albion Street, London W2 2AX admissions@hydeparkschool.co.uk 020 7262 1190

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ast year, one in five children were not accepted by their first-choice primary school.

The situation is particularly acute in London, which, according to a report from London Councils, will need to create 34,000 more primary school places by 2020. This applies equally to the independent and state sectors, and the demand for leading private pre-prep schools is fierce, with some of the most competitive schools holding lotteries.

Bute House girls’ school, for example, holds a ballot for the 22 places available at Four Plus entry, with a registration deadline two years before entry and a sibling policy automatically offering places to those with sisters at the school.

More than 400 girls usually enter the ballot for the remaining places. Others hold assessments often looking at the child’s interaction with others, which has led to companies controversially offering coaching lessons for three year olds.

However, there is a danger in assuming that the most competitive schools are the best ones for your child. Schools can often be looking for a particular type of pupil that they know will do best in their environment – and a child will not flourish in a school that does not teach appropriately for their needs.

The location of a school is paramount.

Having registered at birth for four or five schools, parents should visit the schools when the child is two to try to gauge a feel of the place. Observe the pupils – is it a school where it is possible

L

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

There is a danger in assuming that the most competitive schools are the best ones for your child

THE LAY OF THE LAND Paul Kelly, H E AD OF PL ACEM ENT AT GABBITAS EDUCATION , E XPLOR E S TH E N EVER-EN DING SCHOOL SQU EE ZE PL ACED ON LON DON FAMILIE S to congregate with parents outside the school gates, or are the majority of children brought to school by full-time nannies? Are there significant numbers of expatriates? Schools change, teachers come and go, and heads leave, so a school’s reputation should not be taken at face value. Your child’s own year group can be a much bigger influence on their experience than the overall reputation.

The physical appearance should not be overrated. Newton Prep clearly benefits from its on-site, all-weather sports pitch, but many of the great London pre-prep

and prep schools are in former town houses with restricted space.

It’s never too early to plan for prep school destinations at age seven or eight years. Or perhaps you want a school that goes from pre-prep to 11, 13 or 18 – avoiding the stress of further applications. A good pre-prep will help parents choose a prep school, for which registration deadlines usually occur one to two years before entry, with interviews the preceding autumn.

The state provision should not be ignored; in 2014, Grinling Gibbons Primary

A CHILD’S YEAR GROUP CAN BE A BIGGER INFLUENCE THAN THE SCHOOL’S REPUTATION was ranked fourth in The Sunday Times Parent Power league table, beating many private preps. Entry for such schools is usually determined by residence, and councils are increasingly wary of parents temporarily moving into rented flats in the relevant catchment area. The Free School movement has also created some excellent new opportunities, with parents establishing The Fulham Boys School, which aims to copy the best of the private sector.

Talk to someone who has knowledge of the range of routes available to counter rumours in the dinner party circuit, so you can find the right school for your child, not for you. gabbitas.com

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 29

Channing School

“Full Marks for Pastoral Care” Good Schools Guide The Bank, Highgate, London N6 5HF T: 020 83402328 E: info@channing.co.uk W: www.channing.co.uk Head Teacher: Mrs B M Elliott Admissions: Mrs M McHarg E: admissions@channing.co.uk Key facts Gender / Ages: girls, 4-18 years Total pupils: 860, girls 860 Type: Day Fees: Junior School – £5,110 per term.

Senior School – £5,600 per term.

Entrance procedure: Channing School is a member of the North London Independent Girls’ Schools Consortium and follows its agreed Code of Practice for entry.

“A First-Rate Education”

School Philosophy: At Channing, anything and everything is possible. Pupils just have to be prepared to embrace the Channing spirit of enthusiasm, endeavour and excellence.

ISI Report 2014

We appreciate that everyone is different and at Channing we value that individuality. Founded on principles of tolerance and respect for the individual, it is important to us that, in a changing world of uncertainty and pressure, Channing provides an oasis of calm purpose. A place where pupils will be encouraged to think for themselves, keep an open mind and follow their passions.

Academic Record: We are very proud of our continued success

at A Level and GCSE and the fact that Channing is consistently ranked amongst the top 50 Independent schools in the country.

The majority of our students go on to some of the most prestigious universities in the UK and abroad, having been supported and guided by our bespoke university application programme.

Extra-Curricular: We pride ourselves on turning out confident,

well-rounded young adults and our Co-Curricular programme is an essential part of that process. Our Music, Art and Drama departments are busy places full of exciting opportunities, whilst our lunchtime and after-school clubs provide the chance to try something new. There are numerous clubs in The Junior School including Music, Ballet, Arts & Craft, Cookery, Chess, Book Club, Gardening, Maths Challenge, Netball and Gymnastics.

Notable Achievements: ‘The Quality of pupils’ achievements and learning is exceptional’. Channing was rated at the highest level in all areas inspected by ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) in April 2015.

“Staggeringly Beautiful Grounds” Tatler Schools Guide

For more information call Mrs Caroline Lukic Tel: 01428 728000 See www.channing.co.uk for the school’s 2016 Open Days

www.highfieldschool.org.uk | Liphook, Hampshire GU30 7LQ

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11/11/2015 12:34:15

RUNNING HEAD

Rural preps offer pupils the space and opportunity to grow and play

HOW TO CHOOSE

A prep school Phillip Evit t, HIGH FIELD & BROOKHAM PR EP, PR E-PR EP AN D N U R SERY SCHOOL H E ADMASTER , OFFER S HIS ADVICE ON FIN DING TH E BE ST SCH OOL FOR YOU R CHILD ndependent pre-prep and prep schools remain as strong as ever. They offer the best for our children, with outstanding teaching that stretches and challenges, along with exceptional pastoral care and facilities.

Not restricted by the national curriculum, independent schools are free to offer a far broader education and deliver it at a pace that best suits each child.

Children can throw themselves into a wide range of sports, often on five afternoons a week, as well as music, drama, art, IT, design technology and extensive extra-curricular provision, providing the most exciting palette of opportunities and experiences.

Rural preps can usually offer acres of private grounds to play in, with endless

I

trees to climb, a freedom especially cherished by those from towns and cities. As a result, such schools give their pupils the space and opportunity to grow, helping and encouraging them to become the best that they can be.

I tell parents that choosing a school is a little like house-hunting: there are those

g r outstandin schools offe ep pr t s ie en Independ nal facilit ith exceptio teaching w

we visit and rule out immediately, others that seem to almost fit the bill and then those a gut feel tells us is the right one.

It helps to have your ‘non-negotiables’ in mind. These could include distance from home, rural or urban, co-ed or single sex and style. Do you want a ‘hot house’ or somewhere with a little more heart and breadth? Draw up a list, then ask for help.

If your child is already at school, their current headteacher should know them well and have a good idea of what is available as a next step, or will know someone to ask. You can also consult friends with children at different schools or look at the Independent Schools Council website, The Good Schools Guide, The Tatler Schools Guide

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 31

RUNNING HEAD

VITAL THINGS TO CONSIDER ARE COMMUNICATION AND PASTORAL CARE

32 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

senior school for your child, a prep school education provides the time and expertise to explore your child’s interests and abilities, and the opportunities open to them. Advising parents on the next school for their children is one of the key elements of what I do. I am guided by my sense of the child, the parents’ wishes and what I feel is going to be the best fit in terms of personality and abilities.

The process of finding the right school is exciting and collaborative.

If you are considering a boarding

How to find the right school • Draw up your list of ‘nonnegotiables’: rural or urban, co-ed or single sex, the style of teaching, boarding, day or a mix, and so on.

• Ask your child’s current head for their advice.

• Visit schools to get a feel for their environment and style.

• When you visit, ask questions: talk to current pupils and consider pastoral as well as academic factors.

Starting to boar d at prep school is less intimidating than joining at senior school

senior school at 11 Plus or 13 Plus, the benefits of the ‘family feel’ boarding prep school cannot be emphasised enough. It allows children new to a boarding environment to settle and find their feet, surrounded by grown-ups who are committed to making them feel as safe and nurtured as possible. Starting to board in a prep school aged around 10 or 11 is less intimidating than joining at the ‘bottom’ of a senior school - at 13 - with no previous experience.

A good prep school prepares your child for the next stage, either at 11 Plus or 13 Plus, while providing a first-rate and well-rounded education, along with inspiration, excitement and fun. They should emerge confident and self-reliant, as well as great team players who are respectful and tolerant of others and with an appreciation that learning is a life-long and life-changing gift. L

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

and school websites to get a feel for schools’ priorities.

The best schools may all seem to be doing things extraordinarily well, offering outstanding facilities and opportunities, a mouth-watering range of extra-curricular activities and first-rate teaching. If all that is in order, the other vital things to consider are pastoral care and communication. Who will really be looking after your child? Who will be responsible for monitoring their happiness and progress, and crucially, how will they let you know how things are going?

A good school should have outstanding pastoral care provided by committed and compassionate staff, and excellent communication.

Every school is unique, with its own atmosphere, priorities and feel, so the only way to determine whether it is right for you and your child is to visit, either by appointment or by attending an open day.

When you visit, ask yourself how the school feels. Talk to the children; ask a pupil to give you a tour. Speak to ancillary staff, and ask them what is it like to work there. What are the pupils like? Ask the head some probing questions. What are their priorities as an educator? How do they recruit? How does the school communicate with parents? What are the priorities for the school’s development?

If your priority is to find the best

098-Little-London School Guide-HP.indd 1

12/11/2015 12:38

Edgeborough School Outstanding education for girls and boys in Farnham, age 2-13, day and boarding

Have you visited Edgeborough yet?

50 acres of beautiful grounds Exceptional education with talented teachers small classes and excellent facilities Art, music, sport and academic scholarships awarded to Wellington, Winchester, Charterhouse, Cranleigh and other leading Senior Schools We would be delighted to meet you and show you around our school Please call 01252 792495 or email Mrs Christine Davis at admissions@edgeborough.co.uk to make an appointment

Edgeborough School, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 3AH

Stroud School Romsey

Independent Education for boys and girls aged 3 - 18

What could your child be in the future?

Honesty • Respect • Happiness Stroud School, Highwood House, Highwood Lane, Romsey • Email: secretary@stroud-kes.org.uk • Tel: 01794 513231

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGED 2 - 7 YEARS

VISIT US AT OUR

A UNIQUE PREPARATION FOR THE BEST PREPARATORY SCHOOLS

OPEN MORNING

11th February 2016 at 10am For more information visit our website

www.gleneskschool.co.uk

OPEN DAYS EXPLAINED Alison Fleming, H E ADMISTR E SS OF N EW TON PR EP, OFFER S ADVICE ON HOW TO MAKE TH E MOST OF OPEN DAYS

hoosing your child’s next school involves a combination of hard work and intuition.

Open days can certainly be very helpful, but don’t be duped by window dressing.

Know that, on every school open morning, you will see the best that is on offer. Classrooms will all have those extra touches, you will hear the school’s best musicians perform in the recital hall, talented gymnasts and sportsmen will be strutting their stuff and kitchen staff will have prepared particularly delicious biscuits no doubt.

At the same time, if a school has nothing to hide and everything to show,

C

then an open day is still an invaluable glimpse into the real school beyond the league table statistics and the carefully scripted promotional material.

So, as a parent, how can you get the most out of an open day? First, check the school’s website for timings and, if you need to, register your attendance. Allow yourself enough time – having made the effort to visit the school, there’s no point rushing round and not giving yourself time to discover anything meaningful.

Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Best of all, ask questions of the children themselves. I always say to our Newton Prep children that they are

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

TOP TIPS THINGS TO NOTICE

GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK

• Is the Head freely available to talk to? Do you like them? If you don’t like the Head or cannot buy into their philosophy, then think very carefully about registering your child.

• Are the children involved?

• Do the children speak freely and enthusiastically or do they seem coached?

• Are the teachers passionate about their subjects?

• Is the material on the classroom walls up to date?

• Are sporting, dramatic, musical achievements and participation celebrated?

• What do you look for in a child applying here?

• If the admissions procedure is selective, what needs to be achieved by my child in their assessment?

• What characterises a child from this school?

• How do you manage the stressful senior school transfer process?

• How would you describe the school community? Is there a good PTA? • Would you describe the school as traditional or innovative?

• What opportunities are there for interaction between the oldest and youngest children?

the school’s best ambassadors – they can’t ‘spin’ the school and their passion (or otherwise!) is real and shines through more than any paid employees.

Of course, research and questioning can only go so far. At some point, gut instinct will take over. As you walk around, ask yourself if you can see your child thriving here: working hard, playing joyfully, making friends, growing as a person? And, equally as important, can you see yourself enjoying being a member of the parent body of this school? You will, after all, form many friendships among fellow parents in the coming years.

The physical environment of the school itself does, of course, play a part in this.

At Newton Prep, we are lucky enough to have fantastic facilities and wide-open spaces that speak for themselves. Schools obviously don’t have to have state-of-theart amenities, but appearances do still matter. It matters that the school looks loved and cared for. Look for engaging displays of children’s work or photographs showing them learning and playing. If displays look tatty and old, that in itself tells its own story about a school.

Afterwards, now that it means something, why not look through the website and read the promotional material through the filter of what you have just seen? Even the Ofsted or ISI report will come to life a little more and remains a good way of comparing schools like-for-like. L

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 35

St Hilary’s School

THE OAK-TREE THE OAK-TREE Group of Schools Group of Schools

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Holloway Hill, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1RZ T: 01483 416551 E: registrar@sthilarysschool.com W: www.sthilarysschool.com Head Teacher: Mrs Jane Whittingham Admissions: Mrs Joyce Dickenson Key facts Gender / Ages: boys and girls, Boys 2-7 years and Girls 2-11 years Total pupils: 254, boys 55, girls 197 Type: Day Fees: Nursery – Day from £28.90 per session. Pre Prep – from £3,125, Prep – from £4,140 per term Entrance procedure: We are an academically non-selective school Offer of a place is subject to availability and an interview process.

School Philosophy: St Hilary’s School, in the heart of Godalming,

BRAESIDE BRAESIDE SCHOOL SCHOOL

COOPERSALE NORMANHURST COOPERSALE NORMANHURST HALL SCHOOL HALLSCHOOL SCHOOL SCHOOL Epping Epping Girls Girls&&Boys Boys22 1/2 1/2 -- 11 11

Buckhurst BuckhurstHill Hill Girls 2 1/2 - 16 Girls 2 1/2 - 16 020 8504 1133 020 8504 1133

01992 01992577 577 133 133

North Chingford Chingford North

OAKLANDS OAKLANDS SCHOOL SCHOOL Loughton Loughton

0208529 85294307 4307 020

020 8508 3517 020 8508 3517

Girls& &Boys Boys221/2 1/2- -16 16 Girls Girls&& Boys 2 1/2 Girls Boys 2 1/2 - 11- 11

www.braesideschool.co.uk www.normanhurstschool.co.uk www.oaklandsschool.co.uk www.oaklandsschool.co.uk www.braesideschool.co.uk www.coopersalehallschool.co.uk www.coopersalehallschool.co.uk www.normanhurstschool.co.uk www.normanhurstschool.co.uk www.oaklandsschool.co.uk www.braesideschool.co.uk www.coopersalehallschool.co.uk

MARCH MARCH

OPEN OPEN DAYS DAYS

BRAESIDE: :TUES TUES11MARCH MARCH 9.15AM 9.15AM (Juniors) BRAESIDE 9.15AM(Seniors) (Seniors)&&WED WED9 9MARCH MARCH 9.15AM (Juniors) COOPERSALEHALL: HALL: FRI 11 COOPERSALE 11 MARCH MARCH9.15AM 9.15AM NORMANHURST: TUES TUES 8 MARCH NORMANHURST: MARCH9.15AM 9.15AM OAKLANDS:THURS THURS 10 10 MARCH OAKLANDS: MARCH9.15AM 9.15AM

offers its pupils an outstanding all-round education with small class sizes and well-qualified, specialist staff who provide excellent pastoral care. The school prides itself on splendid facilities both inside and outside the classroom with a music wing, spacious hall @Oaktreeschools FOR MORE INFORMATIONwww.oaktreeschools.co.uk www.oaktreeschools.co.uk @Oaktreeschools FOR MORE INFORMATION FOR MORE INFORMATION www.oaktreeschools.co.uk for the performing arts, science lab, library, modern computing suite, design & technology and art studios, all-weather pitch, woodlands and adventure play area. According to the Independent School Inspectorate “The overall quality and standards of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are outstanding. Children make quarter page.indd 1 18/12/2015 10:32:22 excellent progress relative to their ability and needs.”

Academic Record: St Hilary’s has an admirable academic record.

Last year our pupils achieved 15 scholarships to a variety of competitive senior schools. As a non-selective school, the results support the fact that the prep school model, which offers specialist teaching at an early age in small class sizes, reaps rewards and benefits.

B R K M S BE E The R school K H HthatA Agrows M with S T TyouE E D D The school that grows with you

Extra-Curricular: We provide both breakfast and after school clubs for those that require wrap around care and a wide range of extracurricular activities for pupils to participate in, such as, football skills, French, chess, newspaper club, golf, dance, gym, judo, choirs and orchestra.

Notable Achievements and Alumni: Last year, our U11 netball team made the IAPS national finals and our U9’s had an unbeaten season. Our boys won the U7 boys team trophy for crosscountry. In LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) examinations, all candidates who entered passed their examinations with 40% achieving distinction.

B ERK H AMSTED

PR E P PR E P

B ERK H AMSTED

Moving out of London?

Moving out of London?

Visit us to find out why so many Parents Visit us to find out why so many Parents are choosing Berkhamsted as the School are choosing Berkhamsted as the School for their child’s educational journey. for their child’s educational journey.

Open Days: Our next open day is on Thursday 25 February 2016, please check the website for details and future dates

A Diamond School for 3 - 18 years A Diamond School for 3 - 18 years www.berkhamstedschool.org www.berkhamstedschool.org

Berkhamsted School, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire Berkhamsted Schools Group Registered Charity No. 310630 Registered Company No. 622349 Day Nursery Registered Company No. 07610890 Berkhamsted School, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire Berkhamsted Schools Group Registered Charity No. 310630 Registered Company No. 622349 Day Nursery Registered Company No. 07610890

RUNNING HEAD

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IN A WOR LD DOMINATED BY ALL THINGS DIGITAL, Lianne Kolirin LOOKS AT H OW OU R CHILDR EN USE TECH NOLOGY IN AN D OUT OF TH E CL ASSROOM ld dogs may not be adept at learning new tricks, but step into any classroom and be amazed at what young pups can do.

Technology has quite simply revolutionised the way children are taught at school. Today’s classroom is a hive of hi-tech activity, designed to foster education and innovation.

The average class has a projector connected to a computer so teachers can use PowerPoint, says Bruno Reddy, a maths educationalist who’s an expert on technology in schools and founder of the popular multiplication website, Times Tables Rock Stars (ttrockstars.com).

“People in business will be familiar with using slides in a presentation. It’s no different to that,” he says. “Technology is used across all subjects, just like a pen and paper. Classrooms will probably have an interactive whiteboard and a special pen to use.”

Some schools have dedicated ICT rooms, while others have banks of computers. Laptops and tablet computers are becoming increasingly popular. While many parents may not be aware of technology usage at school, most (69%) believe their child’s academic progress has benefited from it, according to a survey by John Lewis.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

O

Nevertheless, schools should take a measured approach, says Bruno.

“We shouldn’t just use technology for technology’s sake. We should use it to add value to learning. Pupils are generally enthusiastic about using technology, but I would like to get to the point where it becomes habitual.”

Is that already the case at home? In 2011, less than one in ten (seven per cent) of British children aged five to 15 had access to a tablet computer. But by last

recreation should take place on personal screens outside school,” he says.

“Technology mustn’t displace education or the learning process – as they say, the tail should not be wagging the dog.”

Three-quarters (77%) of UK children are actively using the internet by age 10 and nearly half (43%) believe they are more ‘internet-savvy’ than their parents by 13, according to recent research by Kaspersky Lab, one of the world’s fastest-

MOST PARENTS BELIEVE TECHNOLOGY BENEFITS THEIR CHILD’S PROGRESS year that figure had grown more than ten-fold to 73% – with more than a third of this age group actually owning their own tablets.

This raises concerns over excessive screen time. This cannot be stressed enough by Dr Aric Sigman, a specialist in child health education who has written extensively on this issue.

“Teachers and parents must instil a rule that school screens should be used for education, and that entertainment or

growing cybersecurity companies.

Tony Neate, chief executive of Get Safe Online, says: “We encourage parents to have an open and honest dialogue with their kids about cyber safety.

“Of course, parents can’t know what children are doing every second of the day, but they can put a good system in place so that their children are at less risk of falling victim to online crime. It is great to see schools raise the issue early, too.” L

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 37

HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL

Barrow Lane, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 0EB T: 01892 860006 E: registrar@holmewoodhouse.co.uk W: www.holmewoodhouse.co.uk Head Teacher: Mr James Marjoribanks Admissions: Mrs Karen Gwinnett Key facts

Gender / Ages: boys and girls, 3-13 years Total pupils: 440, boys 239, girls 201 Type: Day, Weekly, Flexi Boarding Fees: Nursery – £1,800 (five mornings) – £2,655 (five full days) per term. Pre Prep: Day from £3,300-£3,805 per term, Prep: Day from £5,700-£5,820. Weekly Boarders: £6,880.00 per term.

Flexi Boarding: £34.00 a night Entrance procedure: Taster day and informal assessment

School Philosophy: We share the high aspirations you have for your

child and offer an outstanding education to all our pupils, whatever their abilities, interests and talents. We aim to provide excellence in teaching, pastoral care of the highest quality and a challenging, well-ordered and stimulating environment in which all can thrive and reach their potential.

Academic Record: The school has an enviable academic record

of scholarships gained and Common Entrance exams safely negotiated. Last year, a record 28 scholarships (academic, music, drama and sport) were gained by 19 Year 8 pupils to a range of senior independent schools.

Preparing girls for an academic senior school Come and visit our Junior School Open Morning:

Thurs 25th February, 9am For more information Telephone: 020 8642 0542 Email: admissions@sut.gdst.net www.suttonhigh.gdst.net/junior-open-mornings

An Outstanding Independent Education for Girls aged 3-18 Junior School - 86 Grove Road Sutton Surrey SM1 2AL Senior School - 55 Cheam Road Sutton Surrey SM1 2AX

ST. JOHN’S WOOD PRE - PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Extra-Curricular: An extensive activity programme provides all

children with the opportunity to ‘have a go’ at a wide range of activities. The children are encouraged to try something new which may be art, bee-keeping, chess, climbing, computer graphics, coding, cookery, eco warriors, public speaking, shooting, speed stacking, squash, technology and others.

Notable Achievements and Alumni: Our pupils are regularly successful in the classroom, in sport, art and drama … every individual in the school is encouraged to strive for their personal best in every sphere of school life so that their potential goes neither unidentified nor to waste and we believe all our pupils’ achievements are notable.

Old Boys include Dan Stevens and Tristan Gemmill

Over 30 Years of Happiness & Success in Education Congratulations to the Year 2 class of 2014/2015 for receiving offers from schools including: Bute House School, City of London School for Girls, Highgate Junior School, Latymer Prep School, North Bridge House Prep School, North London Collegiate School, South Hampstead High School, St Mary’s School, Queen’s College Prep School and Wetherby Prep School

Open Days: Thursday 10th March 2016 or please call our Registrar, Mrs Karen Gwinnett, to make an appointment for an individual visit

Visit our website and book a tour of this small happy and successful school on during a normal school day.

020 7722 7149 info@sjwpre-prep.org.uk www.sjwpre-prep.org.uk

FEATURE

Together or apart?

SINGLE-SE X OR CO -ED? IT’S TH E BIG DEBATE THAT STILL DIVIDE S PAR ENTS AN D EDUCATOR S. T WO EMIN ENT H E ADS ARGU E TH EIR CASE

Simon Barber HEADMASTER

LUDGROVE SCHOOL There are outstanding schools across the country that are fully co-ed, co-ed at primary then single-sex, single-sex until Year 11, wholly single-sex and other eclectic combinations. One can discuss the pastoral and academic merits and drawbacks of all of them.

Every school should aim to provide a safe, happy and inspirational place where children thrive, and I believe Ludgrove is such a place. We are a single-sex prep school and are proud to be so.

We believe our homely environment provides a wonderful place where boys flourish and realise their potential.

As a school, we are unashamedly ambitious for every boy and are proud of our strong academic record. The boys have a wealth of opportunities: a stimulating curriculum, exceptional

facilities and a vibrant extracurricular programme with exposure to music, drama, sport and art. We aim to develop the boys’ confidence in a caring and supportive environment, where they are valued as individuals and learn to live as a community. Friendships are made for life, boys can be boys, and the unique Ludgrove spirit allows boys to thrive in an atmosphere of high achievement, happiness, good manners and kindness.

There is a plethora of educational research and opinions about how best

nment helps its gle-sex enviro Ludgrove’s sin es for life p a set of valu boys to develo

to nurture and develop our children in preparation for an ever-changing world.

I believe it is a very exciting time to be a part of the educational world. A recent report by the Centre for Innovation and Research in Learning at Eton College said: “Increased research into and understanding of neuroscience, new apps and changing technologies, and a desire to improve best teaching skills, are set to transform the way teachers teach and students learn in this country and around the world.”

At Ludgrove we like to think of ourselves as a 21st-century school with a strong tradition where the boys’ characters and confidence are nourished at every opportunity. Our single-sex environment, we believe, allows our boys to hang onto their childhoods for longer, enjoy learning and develop a sense of moral awareness and a set of values that will remain with them throughout their lives.

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 39

FEATURE

James Marjoribanks HEADMASTER

HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL The human species, in common with nearly all fauna and flora, has a male and a female version. One would not exist without the other. Children are no different, so surely it makes perfect sense to educate them in a natural environment where our young learn side by side? Where else in nature are two genders segregated at the most formative stage of their development?

Boys and girls essentially learn in the same way but their attitudes to learning can differ. It is a huge generalisation to claim boys are more suited to STEM (science, technology and maths) subjects while girls are better suited to English and the more creative curriculum.

Girls should not be deprived of learning how boys approach problemsolving and boys should not be deprived

40 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

of learning how the young female mind works in debating, for example.

As educators today, we should stop being obsessed about the grades with which children leave school and start being obsessed with the grade of person these children are when they leave.

This requires our young people to grow up with a first-hand knowledge and understanding of how the other sex sees the world.

Sharing ideas, listening to opinions, influencing others and allowing for

Learning side by side allows boys and girls to understand how the other sees th e world

open-minded discussions requires, if such debates are to stand up under the sharpest scrutiny, the participation by and contribution from both genders rather than just one of them.

One argument in favour of single-sex education is that single-sex schools only need to specialise in providing for the needs of one gender. A second is that girls are put off learning STEM subjects in co-ed schools because those are seen as boys’ subjects; a third is that boys don’t participate so much in performing arts because they have to do so with girls.

Single-sex schools do not suit everyone of that gender, though. The competitive girl might be far happier in a co-ed environment, while some boys might feel far more comfortable in the company of a few girls.

I am firmly of the opinion that all children can thrive in a co-ed environment but I am not convinced that the reverse is true. L

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

Children essentially learn in the same way, it is their attitudes to learning that can differ

Ludgrove • Full boarding boys’ prep school set in spectacular grounds in rural Berkshire.

• Family run school with a homely atmosphere and outstanding pastoral care.

• Small classes and excellent academic record.

• Extensive extracurricular programme supported by new and modern facilities.

“The outstanding care …. towards the boys maintains the family ethos of the school, enabling the boys to be valued as individuals and grow and develop in a happy caring community.” ISI Inspection

Ludgrove, Wokingham, Berks RG40 3AB · 0118 978 9881 · registrar@ludgroveschool.co.uk · www.ludgrove.net Ludgrove Little London Ad 190x135 v1.indd 1

05/11/2015 15:03

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The Lyceum School

6 Paul Street, City of London, London, EC2A 4JH T: 020 7247 1588 E: admin@lyceumschool.co.uk W: www.lyceumschool.co.uk Head Teacher: Vanessa Bingham Admissions: Daniel Dicker Key facts Gender / Ages: boys and girls, 3-11 years Total pupils: 102, boys 50, girls 52 Type: Day Fees: Nursery – Morning sessions £3,850 per term Afternoons sessions £3,200 per term. Pre-Prep: £4850 per term.

Prep: £4850 per term Entrance procedure: We operate on a first come, first served basis for all entries into Nursery and Reception. If joining the school at a later stage we will ask you to attend a taster session/day.

Academic Record: All our children go on to excellent London Day Schools.

Extra-Curricular: We believe in enriching the learning experiences of our pupils and our curriculum is supported by a full programme of educational trips and visits, whether locally, nationally or internationally. We also offer a programme of clubs which complement the lessons that take place in the timetable. These include Judo, Football, Chamber Choir and Mandarin.

School Philosophy: At The Lyceum we believe that all children have the potential to achieve and excel. We provide children with an educational atmosphere and experiences that stimulate, motivate and encourage them to achieve beyond what may be expected.

Open Days: First Tuesday of every month at 9.30am

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The Lyceum is a unique independent nursery and school for children ages 3 - 11, located near Old Street in central London. ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ Ȭ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ ¢ȱ ǯȱ ȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ę ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ provides a fully supported backdrop to promote learning” - ISI Oct 2014 Inspection

Contact us to visit today! - www.lyceumschool.co.uk 6 Paul Street, City of London, London EC2A 4JH

T: 020 7247 1588

E: admin@lyceumschool.co.uk

MONEY matters Sabine Hook OF H OLL AN D PAR K TUITION & EDUCATION CON SU LTANTS TELL S YOU WHAT TO E XPEC T FROM SCH OOL FEE S

pting for private school represents a significant financial investment for all but the wealthiest families, with the latest figures estimating a total cost of around £286,000 per child from five to 18.

Prices vary in different parts of the country, with the average junior school annual fee being £12,345, right up to a whopping £21,300 in London. This variance is not limited to curriculum.

For example, private schools following the French education system tend to be substantially cheaper; the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle in South Kensington costs £5,898 to £10,890 per annum.

Other international schools can be substantially more expensive; Southbank International School in Westminster charges an eye-watering £23,000 to £25,000 a year. The fees also increase as children progress in age.

Prep schools have an average annual cost of around £12,000, whereas senior day schools average at £15,500 per annum. Boarding school fees are around double the price, with top public schools such as Eton and Harrow costing well over £30,000 a year.

O

With fees more than trebling since 1990, it has been calculated that around a third of children in independent schools receive some level of support with fees, whether this is via scholarships for talented children or a means-tested bursary. The costs of private education start early in the process, with parents in London often paying up to six nonrefundable registration fees to ensure places in nursery, junior and pre-prep schools. Nurseries will be between £50 and £120, while junior schools cost between £50 and £250 per school.

These registration fees guarantee neither a place nor even an interview, especially if you apply too late in the admissions process. It is crucial to compare the annual fees for a selection of schools and pay attention to what these cover. For instance, many day schools charge extra for lunch, music lessons, sports equipment, school trips, as well as uniform, books and stationery.

These fees can add a significant amount to your termly bill (expect around 10% but be prepared for more).

It is vital that you examine your school invoice thoroughly. It is worth

noting that, alongside tuition fees, there are other costs you will need to take into account: some are optional, some are not. For example, a common non-optional additional fee is often for ‘capital development’, which covers building upkeep, development and maintenance. It is very important to understand what is included in the fees quoted by the school, so as to avoid any unpleasant surprises later on.

Once you have selected their chosen school and your child has been offered a place, it will be time to pay deposits.

Increasingly, London schools are asking for deposits as early as possible, and will charge hefty amounts to minimise the risk of well-off parents keeping their options open by waiting on the admissions results for other schools.

The deposit usually represents a term’s fees, which will be refunded at the end of the student’s last term. Of course, this deposit is forfeited if the child is taken out without the proper period of notice and, even then, some schools will only refund the deposit on receipt of a formal written request. You should make sure you check the terms and conditions,

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 43

RUNNING HEAD Be mindful of added extras, like school trips, as they can add up over the year

TOP TIPS

• Always check what the fees cover and if there are add-ons.

• Remember to budget for the deposit, which can be as much as a term’s school fees and is paid immediately after you accept the place.

• Make sure you check the terms and conditions for getting your deposit back.

• If you are applying for bursaries, make sure you speak directly to the school as there can be huge differences in what schools offer.

• Don’t count on an automatic sibling discount – sometimes these only kick in with a third or fourth child!

44 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

schools will offer some level of bursary (especially from the 11+ onwards), and the youngest age from when this is available is usually seven. It is worth contacting the school to discuss this as the terms vary greatly between schools.

Bursaries are means-tested and reviewed annually. Schools take these very seriously and will expect detailed information about family finances. The value of bursaries usually range from 10% to 100% of fees. Some schools award additional assistance to recipients of full fee bursaries, including school trips, travel to school and uniform costs.

It is clear there is a wide variety of academic school fees, and an even wider range of factors that can influence that final cost. It is crucial you plan your finances for private education as soon as possible and remain fully informed to ensure you do not get caught out later.

Private education is an investment, and should be considered with the due care and diligence as you would any other. L Holland Park provides tailored advice and full placement packages for nursery, school and university issues via bespoke one-to-one consultations. hollandparkeducation.com

MANAGE YOUR MONEY Once you’re clear how much school is going to cost, it’s time to plan for the fee payments. Here are a few tools that may help: mint.com Free online financial planner Mint gathers all your financial information – accounts, cards, bills and more – into one place so you can see what you have and what you owe, track spending patterns and manage investments. There’s also a free app for Android and iPhone.

AceMoney Free to download, this Mac OS X- or Windows-compatible software makes it easy to organise your finances. It allows you to view your bank, credit card and investment information. You can also run basic financial reports against your financial information. youneedabudget.com Designed to let you easily set aside funds for larger, infrequent bills, YNAB will happily import downloaded transactions in all the popular formats. A free 34-day trial, as well as iPhone or Android apps and Cloud Sync.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

especially with regard to the required notice period before removing your child. Parents normally pay private school fees termly in advance, however, many schools will allow parents to pay fees in instalments. Likewise, discounts are available at some schools when fees are paid fully in advance.

Schools in the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) offer particularly good value. But even if your chosen school’s fees are in the premium range, there are a variety of discounts available.

For schools with nursery provision, for instance, it is worth enquiring whether the nursery education grant is available: this provides all three- and four-year-olds the equivalent of 15 hours per week of free early education or childcare, which can provide a real softening impact on your costs. Most schools also offer a sibling discount, but the value of these often varies and, indeed, may only kick in with your third or even your fourth child.

Schools offer a wide range of scholarships to help attract the best students. However, their financial value is often nominal. Academic, sport, music or art scholarships often confer a 10% to 20% discount, but it is possible to get a bursary, too. Nearly all private

Exceeding Expectations...

OPEN MORNINGS Cranleigh Preparatory School, Horseshoe Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8QH www.cranprep.org

Saturday 27th February Wednesday 11th May 9.45am – 12 noon Please contact Fiona Bundock to book an appointment 01483 542051 / fmjb@cranprep.org

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09/12/2015 10:11

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For a school tour please contact Miss Ollie o.baskett@thehampshireschoolchelsea.co.uk

The Hampshire School C H E L S E A

EARLY YEARS, PRE-PREPARATORY & PREPARATORY

15 Manresa Rd, London.

SW3 6NB. Tel: 020 7352 7077

www.thehampshireschoolchelsea.co.uk

When Something Just Isn’t Quite Right You may not have heard of RRS (Retained Reflex Syndrome) before, but you may find that you recognise some of the symptoms in your child. Before birth, babies develop primitive reflexes to help them survive the birthing process and the first months of life. Usually these will fade away as a baby develops and grows up. However, these reflexes can sometimes become stuck, hindering the next stage of development and locking the child into immature patterns of behaviour and response.

Children may be bright, yet underachieving and lacking in concentration. They may find reading and writing tricky, have trouble putting ideas down on paper and not enjoy reading for pleasure. They may suffer from low self-esteem and frustration and be emotionally and socially immature. Other behaviour patterns to watch for include excessive talking, a short temper, hearing problems, hypersensitivity and clumsiness. Does any of this sound familiar?

Often these behaviour types are put down to personality, explained away as just the way the child is, and parents and children struggle on. In extreme cases, these behaviour patterns can lead to a diagnosis of developmental problems such as dyselxia and ADHD. But David and Alex Mulhall believe that these are all symptoms of Retained Reflex Syndrome and there is help at hand. The great news is that with treatment, these primitive reflexes can be closed down and huge improvements – in behaviour, development, self-esteem and therefore happiness – can be seen.

David Mulhall, a Neuro Developmental Consultant, is a leading pioneer in the field of early developmental responses and has built up a reputation specifically identifying and healing children with RRS. His approach involves using very simple but highly specific stimulation of nerve endings. After over 20 years’ of practice, David has successfully passed on his expertise to his son, Alex Mulhall, who has now taken over as the principal consultant at the clinic.

After a personal assessment and diagnosis, patients are given a tailor-made treatment plan which is carried out at home, with subsequent check-ups at the Centre, at regular intervals. The process is natural, non-invasive and drug-free. The Mulhalls’ revolutionary techniques have transformed the lives of the children they have treated along with the lives of their families.

31 Webbs Road, SW11 Tel 020 7223 4321 www.davidmulhall.co.uk

DEALING WITH DYSLEXIA FOR M ER TE ACH ER Glynis Kozma ON GE T TING A DIAGNOSIS AN D TH E N E X T STEPS s your child slow to learn to read, write, spell or learn their times tables compared to their peers? Are they bright in every other way, but something isn’t quite right?

The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) says: ‘Ten per cent of the British population are dyslexic; four per cent severely so.’ This means that, in a class of 30, three will be dyslexic. Many are never diagnosed or, if they are, it may be much later in their lives. Being undiagnosed means a child may be low in confidence and may not fulfil their potential.

I

POTENTIAL SYMPTOMS Signs in pre-school children include: persistently jumbled phrases, such as ‘cobbler’s club’ for ‘toddler’s club’, difficulty remembering rhymes (cat, sat, mat), slow speech development, forgetting names of common objects, difficulties with putting shoes on the correct feet and getting dressed.

Older children who are at school may leave letters out of words, write letters and numbers in a reverse image, transpose letters in words (‘was’ for ‘saw’), have problems learning their times tables, days of the week and spellings.

Many dyslexic children can learn their spellings for the weekly test but have forgotten those words a week later. .

Don’t try to diagnose your child from those lists; they are simply a guide. Family history is an important factor: if anyone else in the family has similar difficulties,

it will increase the likelihood. In state schools, children are tested in Year One on their phonic ability: the Phonics Test.

A low score may be relevant and alert you to some further assessment.

WHAT TO DO NEXT Educational psychologist Teresa Bliss advises: “Below the age of seven, dyslexia assessment is unreliable. A child needs to be given time to learn.” Bliss also suggests: “Don’t have your child assessed solely on family history of dyslexia; wait and see if they develop any of the signs.”

Your child can be assessed by an educational psychologist or a teacher trained in assessing dyslexics. You can find an educational psychologist through the charity Dyslexia Action or through the British Psychological Society, while a specialist teacher can be found through Patoss, which is the special needs teachers’ professional association.

The costs range from around £300 for a teacher’s assessment to £500 for an educational psychologist. Specialist teaching is always the best option, either in or after school. If your child is severely dyslexic, there are a handful of schools in the UK exclusively for dyslexic children.

With correct intervention many dyslexics become high achievers. Building your child’s confidence is vital and it’s key for them to know that dyslexia is not linked to intelligence. There is plenty of support available, but early diagnosis is key to success and self-confidence. L

WHERE TO GET HELP • NHS.UK Advice on the first steps to take.

• THE BRITISH DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION Offers dyslexia testing and advice. bdadyslexia.org.uk

• DYSLEXIA ACTION Provides support, assessment and tuition at its centres and in schools. dyslexiaaction.org.uk

• INDEPENDENT PARENTAL SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVICE An independent charity for parents of children with special needs. ipsea.org.uk

• EXPERT HELP The British Psychological Society’s website has a directory of chartered psychologists. bps.org.uk

• PATOSS is the professional association for teachers and accessors of students with specific learning disabilities. patoss-dyslexia.org

• DYSLEXIC SCHOOLS This website lists private schools that specialise in dyslexic students. dyslexicschools.co.uk

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 47

“

SO

Co-educational Co-educational

Boarding and Day Co-educational Boarding and Day 3-13 Years Years Boarding and Day 3-13 3-13 Years

Cheam Newbury,Berkshire, Berkshire,RG19 RG198LD 8LD Cheam School, School, Headley, Headley, Newbury, Telephone: 01635 268381 Fax: 01635 269345 Telephone: 01635 268381 Fax: 01635 269345 Email: registrar@cheamschool.co.uk Email: registrar@cheamschool.co.uk Cheam School,Web: Headley, Newbury, Berkshire, RG19 8LD www.cheamschool.com www.cheamschool.com Telephone: 01635 268381 Fax: 01635 269345 Email: registrar@cheamschool.co.uk Web: www.cheamschool.com

‘LOVE GOD, LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR’

An outstanding independent school for girls & boys aged 2-13 years in Bletchingley, Surrey

Becoming a Hawthornian means… …a happy child developing a passion for learning

Do come and visit - 01883 743048 www.hawthorns.com

MANY REASONS TO SEND YOUR CHILD TO

FARLEIGH ‟ Tatler Schools Guide

Farleigh School is a leading Catholic co-educational prep school in Hampshire for boarders and day pupils aged 3-13

Saturday 27th February 2016 Boarding Open Morning & Senior Schools’ Exhibition

Saturday 23rd April 2016 Spring Open Morning

Sunday evening transport NEW service from London (Richmond FOR 2015: Old Deer Park) to Farleigh

Red Rice, Andover, Hampshire SP11 7PW

www.farleighschool.com @FarleighSchool REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1157842

PREP

Parents have declared Cheam the best-value bed and breakfast in the south of England

Best of both worlds TR ADITIONAL BOAR DING IS A THING OF TH E PAST. CH E AM H E ADMASTER Mark Johnson E XPL AIN S TH E BEN EFITS OF A MOR E FLE XIBLE APPROACH

f the many decisions in a parent’s life, choosing the right school for your child is among the most important. Whether you are considering boarding or not, it pays to spend time finding the right environment to suit your child’s character and skills.

The days of sending your child off to board at the age of eight (or, in my case, six) and having no contact other than a couple of exeat Sundays and few days over half-term are a distant memory.

Today’s boarding schools provide plentiful opportunities for parents to have a cuddle and catch-up with their offspring at the many matches, concerts, plays and debates that punctuate the school calendar, in addition to regular weekend exeats and school holidays.

Once, it was considered embarrassing if your mother turned up to watch a sports match. Now, it is not unusual for

O

fathers to take an afternoon off work to join their wives and, quite often, the grandparents on the touchline or around the school grounds.

The relationship between modern schools and parents has also changed.

When I talk to parents, I encourage them to come to as many activities as is feasible. This means regular communication, feedback of information and discussions about progress, and any concerns are dealt with quickly.

Weekly boarding is an increasingly popular option. It gives parents security and a less frantic life. They can spend quality time with their children at weekends without worrying on a daily basis about homework, after-school clubs, getting them to bed and then trying to get them up again in the morning to bolt some breakfast before battling through the dreaded school run.

There’s alw ays a reaso n for a part who stay at y for those Cheam Sch ool, Berkshi re

Children at Cheam live in a flourishing and caring community where they are given the independence to think for themselves and make their own decisions, with a safety net to catch them if they stumble.

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 49

PREP

Reluctant boarders might want to try flexi-boarding, which gives children the chance to sample the delights of the dormitories without the commitment of weekly or full boarding. One night a week, however, invariably leads to two or three, as the children enjoy life with their friends, and mothers and fathers realise they can survive without them.

One of our parents even declared Cheam the best-value bed and breakfast in the south of England!

The Harry Potter books have helped fuel a rise in boarding numbers, as children want to emulate their fictional There’s so much for children to do with friends on the 40-hectare estate

heroes. I’ve lost count of the number of times I have been told by children looking around the school for the first time that the magnificent oak staircase leading to our dormitories at Cheam is “exactly like the one at Hogwarts”.

There is so much for the children to do while being surrounded by their closest friends. The opportunities are immense, and we are lucky to have a 40-hectare estate that is essentially the children’s playground with woods and streams, and room to run around and feel free. There is a schedule of extra-curricular activities in the evenings, including cub scouts, golf, fencing, art and DT, and indoor sports. There is something for each child to enjoy after the rigours of the school

TOP TIPS • Have a boarding taster night at the prospective school • Try not to transmit your own anxieties to your children • Get stuck into the Harry Potter books (or Enid Blyton's Malory Towers) for inspiration • Make the whole boarding preparation a fun adventure • Buddy up your child with another young boarder starting the school at the same time • Don’t panic. You’ll get them back!

day, plus excuses for parties abound – Halloween, Bonfire Night, Christmas.

To ensure a happy and smooth transition from prep to public school, it is vital that children experience a good run of boarding towards the end of their time at prep school. A leading headmaster I spoke with recently said that children who had good boarding experience at prep schools stood out a mile and settled in so much quicker than some of their contemporaries. They were also able to engage more readily in all the school had to offer.

The children at Cheam love boarding and quickly learn to develop the key skills they need to hold them in good stead at their next school. They have many interests, are interesting people to be around and are fully prepared to give everything a go. Many of them say they would like to board a lot more at Cheam, but their parents are keen to keep them at home while they still can! L cheamschool.com

WHAT TO PACK

Send off your child in style for their first boarding experience Mason Pearson Hairbrush £90, notonthehighstreet.com

Mossman St Mary’s Trunk £109, tuckonline.com

Alphabet Washbag £19.50, oliverbonas.com

Coloured Hangers £4 for six, johnlewis.com

50 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

Grey Bathrobe £59, mylittleshop.com

Parkside School

Open Open Morning Morning Friday 4th March 2016, 09.15 – 11.00 Friday 4th March 2016, 09.15 – 11.00

A leading independent co-educational day and boarding school A leadinghigh independent day and boarding offering academic co-educational standards, excellent pastoral careschool and a wide offering high academic standards, pastoral care environment. and a wide extra-curricular programme within excellent a supportive Christian extra-curricular programme within a supportive Christian environment.

Co-education Co-education Juniors 3 – 11, Seniors 11 – 16, Sixth Form 16 - 18 Juniors 3 – 11, Seniors 11 – 16, Sixth Form 16 - 18 Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6LR T: 020 8467 0256 Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6LR T: 020 8467 0256 www.farringtons.org.uk

www.farringtons.org.uk

IAPS

The Manor, Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham KT11 3PX T: 01932 862749 E: office@parkside-school.co.uk W: www.parkside-school.co.uk Head Teacher: Mr Mark Beach Admissions: Mrs Alison Scott E: office@parkside-school.co.uk Key facts Gender / Ages: Co-ed 2-4 years, Boys 4-13 years Total pupils: 302, boys 272, girls 30 Type: Day Fees: Nursery – Day from £432 - 1 morning – 5 Full days £3,430.

Pre Prep: Termly from £3,850.

Prep: Termly £5,150 Entrance procedure: All children registering with Parkside School are required to attend an entrance assessment to ensure that they can fully access the curriculum. Throughout the assessment day children will spend time with their peers and get to know the environment of the school.

School Philosophy: We seek to develop children academically, socially and physically, while drawing out their capacity for compassion, generosity and understanding. This is largely achieved by staff and senior pupils modelling these qualities themselves to the younger ones. At Parkside we believe that children learn best when they are happy, active and challenged; so we keep them active and we challenge them! We are uniquely For Boys and Girls aged 2½ to 13geared years to being able to accept children at a variety of ages and deliver them effectively to a range of senior schools, confident Quainton Hall School has excellent academic and well-prepared for their future.

For Boys and Girls agedresults 2½ to 13 years alongside extensive extra-curricular

and sporting opportunities.Academic Record: The Common Entrance results in 2015 were excellent with all boys passing to their first-choice school, and Quainton Hall School has Quainton Hall Nursery an abundance of A and B grades with many of them being excellent awarded We areacademic now takingresults applications for the Academic Scholarships on the basis of their outstanding Common Entrance results. alongside extensive places available in our newly developed state-of-the-art on site nursery. extra-curricular and Extra-Curricular: A huge variety of school activities are on offer For Boys and Girls aged 2½ to 13 for yearsParkside children to provide further stimulation outside the sporting Extensiveopportunities. minibus service now available.

School’s curriculum. These range from chess and debating to Quainton Hall School has excellent academic

Lego construction and cookery. There is something for everyone.

Quainton Nursery resultsHall alongside extensive extra-curricular

Parkside also has an after school club for current Nursery and and Hallsporting School, opportunities.

Harrow, HA1 1RX WeQuainton are now taking Pre-Prep children which is extremely valuable to parents who For nursery applications or an appointment to visit our school Quainton Hall Nursery applications for the places 020 8861 8861 We arecall now taking applications forneed the to bridge the gap between school and work hours. Or, if you have a son in the main school, it enables you to match pick-up available inavailable our newly admin@quaintonhall.org.uk www.quaintonhall.org.uk places in our newly developed Registered charity number: 312638nursery. state-of-the-art on site times and reduce the need for school runs. developed state-of-the-art

minibus service now available.

Notable Achievements and Alumni: Children at Parkside take part onExtensive site nursery. in many sport, drama, arts and music events throughout the academic year. Parkside is proud to celebrate our boys’ great

Quainton Hall School, Harrow, HA1 1RX Extensive minibus For nursery applications service or an appointment to visitachievements our school on many occasions. call 020 8861 8861 now available.

Parkside School has a large and flourishing Old Boys’ Association, admin@quaintonhall.org.uk www.quaintonhall.org.uk Registered charity number: 312638

Quainton Hall School, Harrow, HA1 1RX For nursery applications or an appointment to visit our school call

020 8861 8861 admin@quaintonhall.org.uk www.quaintonhall.org.uk Registered charity number: 312638

which was founded in 1951. The object of the Association is to promote any activities of the School and keeping in touch with one another.

Open Days: Friday, 5th February 2016 & 13th May 2016 Headmaster’s Welcome at 9:30am – to register for the event please email office@parkside-school.co.uk

ASSESSMENTS

PREP for PREP WANT TO GIVE YOU R CHILD TH E BE ST CHAN CE OF GE T TING INTO A LE ADING LON DON PR EP SCHOOL? TH EN R E AD ON

T

THE CHOICE The Seven Plus and Eight Plus are traditional competitive entry exams taken mostly by boys to gain entry into highly selective prep schools (King’s College Wimbledon, Westminster Under, Colet Court, Westminster Cathedral Choir School, St Philip’s). Some co-ed (Latymer Under) and girls schools (City of London, Bute House) may also offer the entrance exams.

The difference between the two exams is purely the level of content.

Some parents try for the Seven Plus first, while some schools feel that boys need more time to mature and only offer an Eight Plus entry point (Sussex House).

Schools offering both usually offer less places at Eight Plus – in other words, you will have a better chance of success the year before. One boy in six sitting will be offered a place at Seven Plus versus one in ten the following year.

THE EXPECTATIONS Children sit for English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Some schools also test Mental Maths, Grammar, Memory and Dictation. Most exams take place in January prior to September entry. Schools are looking for the naturally clever, bright child, who can sit an exam successfully; they want happy confident learners who are enthusiastic about maths and problem solving.

52 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

However, they also look at attitude and manners, social skills and leadership within a group, as well as logical thinking skills and a can-do spirit. Your child needs to be an avid reader, quick at maths and have an interest in the world to succeed.

packed and the Tiger mums kick in.

Pre-preps build their reputations on successful entry to highly academic prep schools. Merlin, Eaton House, Wimbledon Common, Norland Place have a track record that speaks for itself.

THE INTERVIEW

THE 3P’S: PREPARATION, PRACTICE, POTENTIAL

Interviews can be one-on-one or in groups. Expect logical thinking, mental maths, reading and polite conversation.

Some schools will invite children for an interview; some will only invite your child back if the exam has been successful.

THE FEEDER SCHOOLS Pre-prep schools will prepare children for both exams. Your choice of a pre-prep is essential; preparation begins from day one. The pressure is on, the timetable is

Competition is fierce and a considerable amount of work is needed to prepare for these exams. Children should attempt practice papers and mock exams under timed conditions to ensure they give their best on the day. Some children are even tutored to increase their chances.

Just remember, don’t lose sight of what matters: your child’s happiness and love of learning is the most important aspect of their childhood. L

WHAT PARENTS CAN DO TO HELP • Register early for four to five schools as each exam is different.

• Tour the schools, ask questions, meet the Heads.

• Understand the process, don’t miss the deadlines.

• Make Admissions your best friend, but don’t annoy.

• Be prepared to support your child.

• Motivate your child.

• Only send your child if he/she has been well-prepared.

• Understand that your child will need to maintain the academic momentum to flourish at the school of your choice.

• Prepare your child for success (large envelope) and failure (small envelope).

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

he beginning of the calendar year is test season and will see six- to eight-year-old children sitting competitive Seven Plus and Eight Plus exams to gain places in the most challenging and highly selective schools in London. Here, Janie Richardson of Yellowbird Education and Elvire Hairy of Chelsea Marketing Consultant walk you through the entire assessment process.

Reigate St Mary’s Prep & Choir School

Hawley Place School

Open Morning Saturday 12 March 2016

co-educational 2 - 16 years old

www.hawleyplace.com

Chart Lane, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7RN T: 01737 244880 E: office@reigatestmarys.org W: www.reigatestmarys.org (or RGS website) Head Teacher: Mr. Marcus Culverwell Admissions: Marie Goddard Key facts Gender / Ages: boys and girls, 3-11 years Total pupils: 339, boys 191, girls 148 Type: Day Fees: Nursery – Greenshoots (3 mornings) £984 per term Kindergarten (5 mornings) £1,640 per term Lower School: Reception-Year 2 – £3,555 per term Upper School: Year 3-6 – £4,390.

Entrance procedure: For information please contact the admissions secretary.

School Philosophy: We are a values based school and nurture confidence, peer friendship and self-esteem which ultimately leads to happy learners and high levels of achievement. Extending children well beyond the scope of the National Curriculum, we employ staff for their enthusiasm and pastoral care, as well as their professional ability.

Our success is built on strong relationships with pupils and their families. From their earliest days at Reigate St Mary’s through to their move to senior school, we get to know and support each child, recognising their individual strengths. Knowing they are valued at school enables our pupils to reach their full potential.

Extra-Curricular: We offer over 30 different clubs at lunchtime and after school. There is a diverse mixture of sport, music, art and science.

Choristers: Reigate St Mary’s is one of an elite group of fewer than 40 schools who can claim full membership of the Choir School Association (CSA). Led by RGS Head of Choral Music, Mrs Tali Glynne-Jones, the Choir sings regularly in school and church services and performs in concerts nationally.

Choristership is challenging and exciting. Choristers train hard to achieve an international standard, rehearsing for over 10 hours each week during term time. Care is taken to ensure that singing fits in with each chorister’s academic studies and sporting fixtures.

Entrance to the Choir, normally from the age of 8, is by initial voice trial followed by a probationary period. Choral scholarships are offered by the Godfrey Searle Choir Trust.

Sancton Wood School An independent nursery & day school of 200 boys and girls, ages 1-16 in central Cambridge

Open Mornings Saturday 6 & Wednesday 10 February 2016 2 St Paul’s Road, Cambridge CB1 2EZ T: 01223 471703 E: admissions@sanctonwood.co.uk

Contact us today to arrange a visit! - www.sanctonwood.co.uk

The Trust, established by Godrey Searle in 1940, has the objective of maintaining a choir and educating the choristers. He bequeathed his house and its grounds to the Godfrey Searle Choir Trust and provided it with an endowment to finance choral scholarships, a legacy that ensures a great heritage is preserved.

Open Days: Our next open days are Wednesday 27th January 2016 and 9th March 2016

RUNNING HEAD

PENS DOWN

A clear work surface, good lighting and no interruptions are key to happy homework time

IS HOM EWOR K H E ALTHY ? Becky Dickinson E XPLOR E S WH E TH ER WE’R E PUT TING TOO MUCH PR E SSU R E ON YOU NG CHILDR EN

H

54 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

expected to do homework.”

What’s more, time spent doing homework encroaches on family time and playtime. In his book, Free to Learn, eminent psychologist Peter Gray argues this is a deeply disturbing trend. “The most important skills that children everywhere must learn to live happy, productive, moral lives are skills that cannot be taught in school, they cannot be taught at all. They are learned and practised by children in play.”

Despite the backlash, some parents and professionals believe homework does have its place, when handled appropriately. Jane Grubb, Head of Dunhurst, Bedales’ prep school, says: “We build in time in the school day to give children some free lessons so they can go to the library and do their prep. Home is therefore a work-free place and families have time to be together.”

Some pupils can’t cope with the pressure placed on them. Dr Tracy King, a clinical psychologist at the Priory, says: “I believe children benefit developmentally far more from having the space to be children with a focus on the ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’ aspects of life.”

Perhaps what’s needed is homework that doesn’t feel like homework. Tasks that are play-based and outdoorsy. Or is that just play? The debate goes on! L

HOMEWORK HELP Managing homework is an inescapable part of being a parent, and there’s no right way of getting it done. Here are some pointers:

• Establish a regular routine: some children prefer to do homework straight after school, others prefer to unwind or have their meal first. Let your child decide – but ensure they stick to it.

• Find a suitable location: your child can do their homework in the same spot each day, ideally somewhere with a clear work surface, good lighting and no interruptions.

• If you have younger children: give them an activity to do, like a sticker book or colouring sheet, while their sibling is doing homework, so they feel involved.

• If your child struggles: make sure you praise the effort they’re putting in.

Don’t point out the wrong bits first and do gently encourage corrections.

• Sit down with your child: by sitting side by side you will quite literally see things from their perspective, gaining valuable insights into the task.

For more support with your child’s learning go to theschoolrun.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

omework is ingrained in most children’s education. It can also be the bane of family life.

With the increasing demands on schools, it’s not just teachers who are feeling the pressure, but children, too. Schools are subject to ever-more stringent inspections and the result is that schools now set homework from an early age, often in copious amounts.

There is a growing backlash among those who think young children shouldn’t be subject to educational pressures.

The Save Childhood Movement was established in 2013 by a coalition of education experts in response to the increasing pressure of the schooling system. Its Too Much, Too Soon campaign proclaims children in England are starting formal learning too early, that the value of their creative and expressive play is being undermined and that they are subject to developmentally inappropriate pressures.

Many parents are fed up with the amount of work being sent home, too.

Mum-of-two, Charlotte Thomas, from Battersea, says: “My daughter was the youngest in her year, just three weeks after starting school she was coming home with reading books and letterwriting practice. She was exhausted from school, I couldn’t believe she was

Sydenham High School GDST

15 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL T: 020 8557 7000 E: info@syd.gdst.net W: www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net Head Teacher: Mrs Kathryn Pullen MA Head of Junior School: Ms Claire Boyd BA Admissions: Mrs Jo Coveney, Registrar.

E: admissions@syd.gdst.net Key facts Gender / Ages: girls 4-18 Total pupils: 620. 220 in Junior School Type: Day school Fees: Pre-Prep – £3,997 per term. Prep: £3,997 per term Entrance procedure: Junior School is usually at Reception (4+) or Year 3 (7+) in the September after a girl’s fourth or seventh birthday. Offers of a place are made on the basis of an assessment conducted in the November or January before her year of entry. You can register your daughter by submitting an application form and registration fee (see website for full details).

What makes us different is the difference we make

Open Mornings for 2017 entry Pre-Prep and Prep Wednesday 16 March 2016

9.30 - 11am

Please see our website for details of further Open Events and Taster Sessions.

15 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net

020 8557 7003 admissions@syd.gdst.net

School Philosophy: We’re here to find the potential within each girl, discover and stimulate passions and interests and lay the foundations for a lifetime of learning. Our Junior School nurtures girls through their formative years, encouraging enquiring minds, fostering a love of learning and establishing the values, disciplines and attitudes that are central to their success as well-rounded learners. We also prepare girls for the academic curriculum of the Senior School in a creative and innovative way that suits young minds. Our girls are fun, ambitious, realistic, inspiring and so much more as you will see when you come to visit us.

Academic Record: For more than 125 years Sydenham High has

been educating girls from across London and the South East to outstandingly high standards with excellent GCSE and A level results. Our Sixth Formers regularly gain places on the courses of their choice, be that at Oxbridge, medical school or a Russell Group university. Please see our website for the most recent results.

Extra-Curricular: Our innovative Flourish and Fly programme is designed to embolden and inspire pupils as well as stretch ability with half termly programmes of experiences and challenges. There are also many opportunities for organised educational and cultural visits and trips – our proximity to London’s museums, galleries and visitor attractions is something we readily take advantage of. Meanwhile school visitors regularly give workshops and masterclasses on a whole range of topics and activities which both educate and entertain – from turning Reception in a Rain Forest to Year 6 exploring the work of forensic scientists.

Notable Achievements and Alumni: As well as being proud of our strong academic record we are equally proud of our award-winning choir, our actors, musicians, artists (praised by the MD of Conran) and our athletes, many of whom achieve national success. Our alumnae include: Lily Waring (artist); Kathleen Halpin (feminist); Clemence Dane (writer and actor); Margaret Lockwood (actor); Winifred Gérin (biographer); Professor Elizabeth Anscombe (philosopher); Kathleen Shackleton (portrait artist, sister of Ernest Shackleton); Diana Harris (Olympic swimmer); Claire Bennett (GB fencer, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust althete co-ordinator and sports commentator); Sandy Powell (costume designer); Dr Philippa Darbre (scientist); Rachel Joyce (actor and writer); Emily Joyce (actor); Sophie Mckenzie (writer); Evie Wyld (writer); Bianca Miller (entrepreneur, Apprentice 2014 finalist) Open Days: Wed 16 Mar 9.30-11am. Weekly tours are also available – please contact the school to book. Stay and Play for 0-4 years with their parents is available every Tue 9.30-11am during term time – please contact the school to book. Please see our website for Autumn 2016 dates and popular Taster events.

hen you are juggling a busy home life, the long holidays can sometimes be more stressful than term time. What do you do with your children all day and how do you initiate a routine to avoid turmoil when term time comes back around?

It’s not just parents who can fear these long breaks. The debate over the length of school holidays has reached feverpitch in educational institutions, which are questioning the current structure of the school year. Academic research now suggests that long breaks can even have a detrimental effect on children’s academic performance. One key US study (Cooper) found that, at best, students showed no academic growth over the summer and, at worst, students lost three months of learning. This regression can be a daunting piece of news, especially when your child is facing important exams in the new term. Many parents are recognising that they may actually be doing their child a disservice by not continuing their education during the longer holidays.

There are lots of possibilities to explore to keep your children’s minds engaged, be it a more structured learning programme or playing fun educational games with you at home. A 2011 research paper discovered that children demonstrated significant improvements in their literacy skills if they took part in academic programmes, putting those children ahead of their peers who’d had no educational input over the holidays.

The brain acts like a muscle – you either use it or lose it. Keeping up the momentum is essential to ensuring that your child is not at a disadvantage back in the school environment, and one way to keep on top of your child’s learning during the holidays is through gentle tutoring, whether by you or a professional tutor.

The right tutor doesn’t just prepare your child for their exams but will take the role of mentor, confidence-grower

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

W

USE IT or LOSE IT!

TOP U P WITH TUTORING IN TH E HOLIDAYS, SAYS Kate Shand, AN D SEE YOU R CHILD’S BR AIN BEN EFIT and inspirer. Tutoring is about expanding children’s educational horizons.

Taking a child to the theatre or a museum can bring a subject to life in a way that can’t be replicated in the classroom. If the tutor can work this experience into a project, a child will then feel the wider creative benefits.

The impact of real-world learning has been shown to be effective at bringing subjects to life that children might traditionally have found ‘tricky’. A report by the University of Manchester (2010) found that children are more engaged with and enthusiastic about their learning when it is applied to a practical situation.

A good tutoring agency will offer you a number of options. Every child is unique and their learning programme should be

EVERY CHILD IS UNIQUE AND THEIR LEARNING SHOULD BE TAILORED TO REFLECT THAT

tailored to reflect that.

At Enjoy Education, we ensure that all children are offered a full assessment before being assigned a tutor to understand what areas children need to improve and how each child learns best.

Some parents choose to take a tutor away with them abroad, fitting in lessons around activities, while others decide that a Back to School booster course will suit their child better. This particularly applies for children entering Year Six, when they face multiple exams.

We’re all agreed that the school holidays provide children with muchneeded rest and rejuvenation, but they also offer a wonderful opportunity for your children to enjoy learning, explore a passion and build their confidence, ready to start the new term with relish.

Enjoy Education would like to offer a free initial consultation to Little London readers.

To arrange a meeting call: 020 7352 8800 or email: sophie@enjoyeducation.co.uk

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 57

DIRECTORY

OPEN DAYS IT’S TIM E TO PL AN AH E AD. H ER E YOU ’LL FIN D THOSE IM PORTANT DATE S FOR TH E DIARY AN D SCH OOL DE TAIL S

BERKHAMSTEAD SCHOOL Castle Campus, Castle Street, Berkhampsted, Hertfordshire HP4 2BB

01442 358 000 berkhamstedschool.org FRIDAY 4 MARCH

BRAESIDE SCHOOL 130 High Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex IG9 5SD

020 8504 1133 braesideschool.co.uk WEDNESDAY 9 MARCH

BRAMBLETYE SCHOOL Lewes Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3PD

01342 321 004 brambletye.co.uk SATURDAY 23 JANUARY

BRAMLEY SCHOOL Chequers Lane, Walton on the Hill, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7ST

01737 812 004 bramleyschool.co.uk SATURDAY 5 MARCH

BUSY BEES CHISWICK (CHISWICK NURSEY AND PRE-SCHOOL) 4 Marlborough Road, Chiswick W4 4ET

020 8742 0011 busybeeschildcare.co.uk

CHANNING SCHOOL The Bank, Highgate, London N6 5HF

020 8340 2328 channing.co.uk

CHEAM SCHOOL Headley, Newbury, Berkshire RG19 8LD

01635 268242 cheamschool.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

CLAREMONT FAN COURT SCHOOL Claremont Drive, Esher, Surrey KT10 9LY

01372 467 841 claremont-school.co.uk SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY & SATURDAY 12 MARCH

LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016 | 59

DIRECTORY

COOPERSALE HALL SCHOOL

HAMPSHIRE COLLEGIATE

OAKLANDS SCHOOL

ST BENEDICT’S SCHOOL

Flux’s Lane, Epping, Essex CM16 7PE

Embley Park, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 6ZA

6-8 Albion Hill, Loughton, Essex IG10 4RA

54 Eaton Rise, Ealing, London W5 2ES

01992 577 133 coopersalehallschool.co.uk

01794 512 206 hampshirecs.org.uk

020 8508 3517 oaklandsschool.co.uk

020 8862 2000 stbenedicts.org.uk

FRIDAY 11 MARCH

TUESDAY 15 MARCH

THURSDAY 10 MARCH

CRANLEIGH PREP SCHOOL

HAWKESDOWN HOUSE

Horseshoe Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8QH

27 Edge Street, London W8 7PN

PAINT POTS MONTESSORI SCHOOL (BAYSWATER BRANCH)

THURSDAY 21 JANUARY, TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY, THURSDAY 10 MARCH

01483 542 058 cranprep.org

020 7727 9090 hawkesdown.co.uk

ST HILARY’S SCHOOL Holloway Hill, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1RZ

SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY

HAWLEY PLACE SCHOOL

St Stephens Church, Westbourne Park Road, London W2 5QT

EAGLE HOUSE SCHOOL

Fernhill Road, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey GU17 9HU

07527 100 534 paint-pots.co.uk

Sandhurst, Berkshire GU47 8PH

01276 32028 hawleyplace.com

PARKSIDE SCHOOL

ST JOHN’S WOOD PRE-PREP

01344 772 134 eaglehouseschool.com

SATURDAY 12 MARCH

The Manor, Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3PX

St John’s Hall, Lord’s Roundabout, London NW8 7NE

SATURDAY 5 MARCH

HIGHFIELD & BROOKHAM

01932 862749 parkside-school.co.uk

020 7722 7149 stjohnswoodprep.org.uk

FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY

THURSDAYS, EVERY FORTNIGHT

EATON HOUSE SCHOOL (BELGRAVIA BRANCH)

Highfield Lane, Liphook, Hampshire GU30 7LQ

01482 416 551 sthilarysschool.com THURSDAY 25 FEBRUARY

3-5 Eaton Gate, SW1W 9BA

01428 728 000 highfieldschool.org.uk

QUAINTON HALL SCHOOL

020 77924 1530 eatonhouseschools.com

FRIDAY 5 & SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY

Harrow, Greater London HA1 1RX

EDGEBOROUGH SCHOOL

HOLMEWOOD HOUSE

020 8861 8861 quaintonhall.org.uk

Frensham, Surrey GU10 3AH

Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0EB

SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

01794 513 231 stroud-kes.org.uk

01892 860 000 holmewoodhouse.co.uk

QUEEN’S GATE SCHOOL

SUTTON HIGH SCHOOL

133 Queen’s Gate, SW7 5LE

FARLEIGH SCHOOL

THURSDAY 10 MARCH

86 Grove Road, Sutton, Surrey SM1 2AL

Red Rice, Andover, Hampshire SP11 7PW

020 7589 3587 queensgate.org.uk

KING’S HOUSE SCHOOL

01264 710 766 farleighschool.com

68 Kings Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6ES

RAVENSTONE SCHOOL

SATURDAY 23 APRIL

020 8940 1878 kingshouseschool.org

020 7225 3131 ravenstoneschools.com

Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6LR

LUDGROVE SCHOOL

REIGATE ST MARY’S

Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3AB

Chart Lane, Reigate RH2 7RN

020 8467 0395 farringtons.kent.sch.uk

0118 978 9881 ludgrove.net

01737 244 880 reigategrammar.org

NORMANHURST SCHOOL

WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY & WEDNESDAY 9 MARCH

THE HAWTHORNS SCHOOL

68-74 Station Road, North Chingford E4 7BA

SANCTON WOOD SCHOOL

Pendell Court, Bletchingley, Surrey RH1 4QJ

020 8529 4307 normanhurstsch.co.uk

2 St Paul’s Road, Cambridge CB1 2EZ

01883 743 048 hawthorns.com

TUESDAY 8 MARCH

01223 471 703 sanctonwood.co.uk

FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY

01252 792 495 edgeborough.co.uk

FOREST SCHOOL Snaresbrook, London E17 3PY

020 8520 1744 forest.org.uk

GLENESK SCHOOL

NOTRE DAME SCHOOL

Ockham Road North, East Horsley, Surrey KT24 6NS

Burwood House, Convent Lane, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1HA

01483 282 329 gleneskschool.co.uk

01932 869 990 notredame.co.uk

THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY

TUESDAY 1 MARCH

60 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

Highwood House, Highwood Lane, Romsey, Hants SO51 9ZH

020 8225 3072 suttonhigh.gdst.net WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY

24 Elvaston Place, SW7 5NL

FARRINGTONS SCHOOL

FRIDAY 4 MARCH

STROUD SCHOOL

SYDENHAM HIGH JUNIOR SCHOOL 15 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL 020 8557 7070 sydenhamhighschool.co.uk WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH

TOWER HOUSE SCHOOL ST ANNE’S SCHOOL 154 New London Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0AW

01245 353 488 stannesprep.co.uk

188 Sheen Lane, East Sheen, London SW14 8LF

020 8876 3323 thsboys.org.uk FRIDAY 29 JANUARY

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INTERVIEW

MY SCHOOL LIFE Louise Roe

TH E FASHION JOU R NALIST AN D T V PR E SENTER TELL S US HOW H ER EDUCATION L AID TH E FOU N DATION S FOR H ER FUTU R E SUCCE SS Did you enjoy school?

I did! I was at Guildford High School from the age of 11 to 18, so I had my ups and downs, like any student. I threw myself into sports, and worked hard.

Did you always want to work in the fashion industry?

No, but I always wanted to write. My father is a travel journalist, and I was inspired by him. I became an intern at ELLE after graduating, and soon realised I could combine writing and fashion.

Then came TV presenting, which was never planned!

Tell us about your most memorable time at school?

Playing lacrosse on freezing Saturday mornings – I loved it. Our team got to the nationals, which we were very proud of. My strongest friendships were made on that pitch, and I’m still really close with a lot of those girls.

Your book, Front Roe, is all about being the leading lady of your own life. Were you always confident?

Actually, I wasn’t. I had a difficult phase in my teens where I became introverted.

I definitely drew on that to write Front Roe. It’s the same when I’m doing a makeover show – I want to empower others because I think we all have periods of low self-esteem.

What were your favourite subjects?

English literature, which I went on to study at Durham University. I had fantastic teachers who talked to us like adults, and brought plays and novels to life. I loved French, too. At A-level, we studied French cinema, which I adored.

In what ways did your schooling help shape your future?

I was taught that anything was possible.

It was ingrained in us to work hard, and achieve anything we set our minds to. I also spent time debating, which helped me speak up for myself in later life.

62 | LITTLE LONDON GUIDES | SCHOOLS 2016

Louise (second fro m left) attended all -girls Guildford High for seven years

What was the greatest lesson you learned at school?

The year I started high school, my dad gave me a bookmark that read, “You can achieve anything for which you have unlimited enthusiasm”. I still have it in my book right now – and that about sums it up. I’d also say signing up to extracurricular clubs is really important.

What plans do you have for the future?

I’ve been living in LA for seven years now and love it. I intend to write another book, keep travelling, and continue with my main business, my fashion blog.

Front Roe (£16.99, Running Press) is available from amazon.co.uk and book shops nationwide. Louiseroe.com

Louise with Guildford High School’s head teacher, Fiona Boulton, for Prizegiving

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

How did you feel about going to an all-girls school?

I loved it, it allowed us to be ourselves without the pressure of boys. I went to a mixed primary school, which was great – but I honestly think that being in a singlesex environment allowed me to focus more. If I have a daughter in the future, I’ll encourage her to do the same.

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about the best years of your life

We hold 6 open events each year, please visit website for details Extensive private coach routes all over Surrey and SW London

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about the girls www.notredame.co.uk

Notre Dame School, Cobham 01932 869990 A Foundation of the Company of Mary Our Lady