INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
Spring 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
SENIOR EDITION
FREE FOR PARENTS AND PUPILS
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
ARE YOU THE NEXT STEPHEN HAWKING?
Win!
A £5,000 HOLIDAY
WHICH TYPE OF UNIVERSITY SUITS YOU? TAKE OUR TEST…
HARROW UNCOVERED WHY THEY’RE HOUSE PROUD
girl
POWER BREAKING BOUNDARIES ON AND OFF THE PITCH
PLUS REVISION SKILLS BOOKS AND APPS THE NEW “A LEVELS” CARIBBEAN HOLIDAY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
EDITOR’S LETTER
CLAUDIA DUDMAN Editor
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
HELPING YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES FOR YOUR CHILDREN
CNP Ltd, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ Tel (020) 7349 3700 Fax (020) 7349 3701 Email editor@independentschoolparent.com For website and subscriptions, please visit: independentschoolparent.com/register EDITORIAL Editor Claudia Dudman Senior Sub Editor Natalie Milner Editorial Assistant Eleanor Doughty Senior Art Editor Chloë Collyer Senior Designer Emily Weller Designer Brigitta Holmar PUBLISHING Publisher & Managing Director Paul Dobson Deputy Managing Director Steve Ross Commercial Director Vicki Gavin Media Manager James Dobson Subscriptions Manager Will Delmont 020 7349 3710 will.delmont@chelseamagazines.com Production www.allpointsmedia.co.uk Printed in England by William Gibbons ADVERTISING Client Development Manager Lesley McDiarmid Sales Executives Coco Strunck, William Bernard DISTRIBUTION Independent School Parent magazine is for parents of children educated in Prep and Senior independent schools across the UK. The prep and senior issues are published termly. Parents can subscribe for a free issue at: independentschoolparent.com/register Independent School Parent also publishes The Guide to Independent Schools biannually to help you choose the right school.
PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK
© CNP Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. Text and pictures are copyright restricted and must not be reproduced without permission from the publisher. The information contained in Independent School Parent magazine has been published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. All liability for loss, negligence or damage caused by reliance on the information contained within this publication is hereby excluded.
COVER: Millie, a Year Nine pupil at Blundell’s School, Devon, is not only a cricketer but also plays rugby and belongs to a local U15 girls’ team who recently won the South of England championship. Millie captained the Blundell’s U14 hockey team to the national finals, where they came third.
WELC ME… This issue our Curriculum feature tackles physics, (page 12) and how pupils should be encouraged to persevere with this demanding yet rewarding subject. It is a highly coveted qualification when it comes to the workplace and graduate salaries for those who have taken it at a higher education level are among the highest on offer. We go Behind the Scenes at Harrow School (page 30) where deputy master Alastair Land writes on the house system and how it builds a unique educational experience for pupils. Are you craving to get away from it all? Travel writer for the London Evening Standard Cathy Hawker, shares her top City Breaks, including beautiful Barcelona, with kids in tow (page 70). Plus, enter our competition where you can win a luxury family break (page 62) worth £5,000! Enter at: independentschoolparent.com/win. A bit closer to home, we have a round-up of fun events to keep you busy at half term. And don’t miss Times’ columnist and restaurant critic Giles Coren (page 82) share his School Memories. Claudia Dudman, Editor Independent School Parent, independentschoolparent.com
amos, , amaat am
7 12
WHAT’S INSIDE? Issue 16 Spring 2015 • independentschoolparent.com
45
News Our round-up of hot topics
Inside the laundry at King Edward’s
The Theory of Everything
Witley with Karine Butcher
46
Physics unwrapped: could you be the next Stephen Hawking?
21
21
Heads-Up Rodean’s Oliver Blond explains how being a male head of a girls’ school works
22
The Education Equation How to buy the near-school property of
48
28
50
The best way to use IT at school
55
Keep Calm and Carry On
60
46
Stressed Out? for navigating the exam season
House Proud Behind the scenes at Harrow School
impact of the latest exam reforms
34
62
64
A getaway worth £5,000 could be yours
64 66 70
Girls Will Be Boys Eleanor Doughty meets the girls playing
75
41 82 81
30
Download our free app to read the magazine on your phone or tablet...
City Break Calendar Our top dates for your diary
Book Club New finds for your shelf
School Memories The Times’ restaurant critic Giles Coren
boys’ sports, really, really well…
On the cover...
Paradise Found
Cathy Hawker explores Barcelona
Should I Stay or Should I Go? schools, writes Charlotte Phillips
My Subject, My University
Editor Claudia Dudman visits Barbados
Lost and Found
Sixth form offers a good time to switch
Win a Luxury Holiday!
their way from school to real life
Cohen’s book on young people and drugs
41
to help you choose where to go next
How the country’s headteachers found
Student Lydia Yarlott reviews Julian
36
Choosing a University Eleanor Doughty’s indispensible quiz
Testing Times James Wardrobe explains the
The Graduate Jobs Formula graduates he wants to share
Glynis Kozma offers words of advice
33
Internet Safety
Dr Paul Redmond has a theory on
cool with her top revision tips
30
Why Study Philosophy? AC Grayling explains all
Sophie Green helps you keep your
28
Ones to Watch Independent school success stories
your dreams, by Andrews Brooks
27
School Hero
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD David Moncrieff, Chairman Tor Down, Parent James Durant, UCAS Andrew Fleck, Sedbergh School Tory Gillingham, AMDIS Rachel Kerr, Girls’ Schools Association Glynis Kozma, Education journalist Zoe MacDougall, Teacher Heidi Salmons, The Headmasters’ & Headmistresses’ Conference Elaine Stallard, Elaine Stallard Consulting The Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP, Chairman of the Education Select Committee Sheila Thompson, Boarding Schools’ Association Ben Vessey, Canford School David Wellesley-Wesley, Independent Schools Show Peter Young, Marketing/Brand Consultant Sir Anthony Seldon, Wellington College
Alistair Land, deputy head master of Harrow shares all on p.30
looks back at his time at Westminster
x + y2 = 4 Let us know what you think Tweet us @ISParent
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Google+
Pinterest ISchoolParent
SPRING 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
5
CURRICULUM
12
independentschoolparent.com | SPRING 2015
CURRICULUM
PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK
THE THEORY OF
Physics is a notoriously challenging subject to study. However, the hard work pays off as many pupils go on to enjoy intellectually and financially rewarding careers, writes Thalia Thompson SPRING 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
13
ANDREW BROOKS managing director, Bewley Homes
Above and top right, Byways property in Ascot, Berkshire
22
| SPRING 2015
PROPERTY
“Families are reluctant to abandon the cosmopolitan lifestyle they have become accustomed to, but by moving to places like Berkshire they have seen they don’t have to compromise”
Berkshire has a total of 52 independent schools
BERKSHIRE
THE EDUCATION EQUATION Looking for a dream home near a good school? Andrew Brooks has some sage advice…
LONDON
T
he value of providing a good quality education for our children has, and always will be, a key factor in property purchase decision-making. As a parent myself, I understand too well the importance of finding the perfect home near a range of great schools. As a developer in the south east of England, Bewley Homes are lucky to provide fantastic properties in some of the best schooling areas in the UK. Even with the May election looming, we are still confident that the UK property market will continue to bounce back in 2015, especially in locations offering the
SPRING 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
23
LOOKING TO GET AHEAD WITH HIGHER EDUCATION? Then look no further than The Good Universities Guide… Available in print and online versions, The Good Universities Guide is a multi-media directory of all the universities and higher education colleges across the UK – an invaluable resource for students planning the next step in their educational career.
THE GOOD UNIVERSITIES GUIDE
FOR 2015/16 APPLICANTS
AU T U M N 2 0 1 4 | W W W.G O O D U N I G U I D E .CO.U K
Deciding on the perfect course, city and campus is no mean feat. Our Good Universities Guide offers top tips and expert advice to help you make the right choices.
Download your FREE digital copy of The Good Universities Guide for your phone or tablet.
9 772054 427003
24
£3.99
FR E E
Over 600 Universities and Higher Education Colleges 002_GUG_cover_V6B.indd 1
AD TO DOWNLO 05/11/2014 12:50
THE GOOD UNIVERSITIES GUIDE
FOR 2015/16 APPLICANTS
AU T U M N 2 0 1 4 | WWW.G O O D U N I G U I D E .CO.U K
The Good Universities Guide is also available in selected supermarkets and all good newsagents for just £3.99 or visit www.chelseamagazines.com/Independent-School-Parent
9 772054 427003
24
£3.99
Over 600 Universities and Higher Education Colleges 002_GUG_cover_V6B.indd 1
You can read more on choosing the right university and course, plus find tips on funding and living expenses online at: www.independentschoolparent.com
05/11/2014 12:50