SPRING/SUMMER 2020
SIR NICHOLAS SEROTA
Calls for a creative education
ENTERPRISING MINDS
Why schools are thinking ahead
TOP CLASS
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THE WORLD NEEDS NEW THINKING GET READY COME AND SEE CURIOSITY AT WORK At ACS we prepare our students to be ready. Ready to ask new questions and demand better answers. Ready to innovate and create. Ready for cultures that crossover, boundaries that blur and ideas that interconnect. We ready them for a world that demands a new kind of learning – and a new kind of citizen. Girls and boys aged 2–18 International Baccalaureate (IB) Advanced Placement Programme (AP) Bursaries and scholarships Extensive busing
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ACHIEVEMENT IS EXCELLENT ISI REPORT
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CONTENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2020
42
82 UNIVERSITY 87 90 95 96
118
100
EDUCATION 40 42
46
NEWS 19 20
EDUCATION Academic updates PREP AND SENIOR SCHOOLS Pupils excelling, heads moving and buildings expanding
52 56
62
AND VIEWS 29 31
33 34 36
FIRST WORD Sir Nicholas Serota on why schools must be creative PROFESSIONAL’S VIEW Embrace failure, says Silicon Valley resident, Miriam González Durántez COVER STORY David Paterson of Woodcote House on the pre-test SENIOR HEAD St Edward’s, Oxford, is replacing the GCSE PREP HEAD Mall House is closing its doors to years eight and nine
HEAD OF SCHOOL Gabriella Gordon of Francis Holland, London TOMORROW’S WORLD Are independent school children natural leaders? asks Max Davidson A BETTER RELATIONSHIP Victoria Lambert explores the mutual advantages to a state and independent school unity THAT’S THE SPIRIT Challenge fosters resilience, says Sally Jones LOOK WHO’S TURNING HEADS Victoria Lambert asks what makes a good school leader? FOCUS: ENTREPRENEURIALISM Five experts on the importance of enterprise
REGULARS 73 74 76 78 82
EDITOR’S INTERVIEW Author, Margaret Rooke’s advice on teenagers INSIDE STORY Confessions of a Bedalian housemaster TEEN SPIRIT Quinta Thomson, 15, volunteers in Sierra Leone BEST OF... MATCH TEAS Some school favourites ON THE SOFA Victoria Lambert talks to Max Pemberton
NEWS Key information for savvy students LEARNING FOR PLEASURE Emma Love on creative gap years CV PREP Carina Cunha tells you how to get your CV Oxbridge-ready UNIVERSITIES UNITED Charlotte Fairbairn on European unis post-Brexit MAKE IT COUNT How to make your money last at university
SCHOOL’S OUT 107 109 110
116
118
124
WHAT’S ON Ideas for the holidays LIBRARY Books and apps YEOTOWN: WE NEED YOU Annabel Heseltine finds mana from heaven in Somerset GREENER PASTURES Anna Tyzack susses out where to live for commuter schools FESTIVALS, MINUS THE MUD Alex Bloom-Davis researches the cultural festival scene CELESTIAL HEIGHTS Planetary scientist, Dr Sheila Kanani, remembers Wimbledon High School
DIRECTORY 127 167 215
LONDON SCHOOLS COUNTRY SCHOOLS SCHOOLS’ LISTINGS
ON THE COVER: Woodcote House School, Surrey. Photography by Hugo Burnand
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C O N T R I B U TO R S SIR NICHOLAS SEROTA
Sir Nicholas is Chair of Arts Council England. As Director of the Tate he oversaw the opening of Tate St Ives, Tate Modern and Tate Britain. He is on the Visual Arts Advisory Committee of the British Council, a Trustee of the Architecture Foundation and oversaw the building of the Olympic Park in East London. He is also on the Executive Board of the BBC.
MIRIAM GONZÁLEZ DURÁNTEZ
Ms González is an international trade lawyer, board member and public speaker. She founded Inspiring Girls International to advocate women’s rights and the education of girls. She lives in California with her husband, Sir Nicholas Clegg, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats, and their three sons.
STEPHEN JONES
The 13th Warden of St Edward’s, Oxford, was Head of Dover College, received a first in philosophy and then maths from Durham; an MSc maths in 1991, and was awarded his MLitt for a thesis on the philosophy of maths in 1997. His passion for the subject took him through teaching posts at the Dragon, Cheltenham College and Radley. He coaches rugby and fives, and has sailed from the age of two.
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‘Leading the way in educational initiatives is instinctive for this
DYNAMIC Oxford school.’
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C O N T R I B U TO R S DR SHEILA KANANI
Dr Sheila Kanani fell in love with physics when she was at Wimbledon High School, GDST. She is a planetary physicist, science presenter, school physics teacher, public speaker and author. She is also the Education, Outreach and Diversity Officer at the Royal Astronomical Society and wants to improve the representation of women and girls in physics.
DAVID PATERSON
STUDY EUROPEAN CIVILISATION WITH AHA Helping students interpret the world around them through art and culture Open to all students, both arts and sciences An organised course with accommodation, travel with Italy and tuition
David Paterson is Headmaster of Woodcote House in Surrey which was started by his grandfather in 1932 and educates boys from years three to eight. He has been working there since 1992, when his elder brother, Nick, was in charge, first teaching maths and then becoming Deputy Headmaster in 2003 and Head in September 2017. Describing himself as an outdoors man, his main hobbies are golf and skiing.
• Study art and architecture on site • Special access to places not usually open to the public • Brilliant, unstuffy tutors • Art studied in the context of philosophy, music, history and literature • Small tutor groups of 9 or fewer
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MARGARET ROOKE
Former Telegraph columnist, Ms Rooke wrote Dyslexia is my Superpower (Most of the Time) and Creative, Successful, Dyslexic. Her latest book, You Can Change the World, seeks to empower young adults by showcasing extraordinary successes achieved by ordinary teenagers. She also interviews older people for the charity Independent Age. She lives in north London with her family.
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“ONE WORD: EXCEPTIONAL”
“MOST FORWARD THINKING SCHOOL”
“THERE’S A RICH VEIN OF KINDNESS”
TATLER
THE WEEK
TATLER
BRIGHTON COLLEGE
WISH YOU WERE HERE England’s Independent School of theYear 2019 THE SUNDAY TIMES
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schoolhousemagazine.co.uk EDITOR Annabel Heseltine EDITORIAL & PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Alex Bloom-Davis EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Lucy Cleland MANAGING EDITOR Amy Wakeham FEATURES ASSISTANT Sofia Tindall ONLINE EDITOR Rebecca Cox ONLINE WRITER Ellie Smith ONLINE ASSISTANT Daniella Saunders CREATIVE & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Parm Bhamra PRODUCTION DESIGNER Samuel Thomas
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SCHOOL House is a biannual magazine published with Country & Town House magazine and distributed to AB homes in Barnes, Battersea, Bayswater, Belgravia, Brook Green, Chelsea, Chiswick, Clapham, Coombe, Fulham, Hampstead, Highgate, Holland Park, Kensington, Knightsbridge, Marylebone, Mayfair, Notting Hill, Pimlico, Putney, Richmond, South Kensington, St John’s Wood, Wandsworth and Wimbledon. It is also on sale at selected WHSmith, Sainsbury’s, M&S, and Waitrose stores and independent newsagents nationwide. School House is published by Country & Town House Ltd, Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios, 115 Harwood Road, London SW6 4QL (tel: 020 7384 9011). Registered number 576850 England and Wales. Printed in the UK by William Gibbons and Sons Ltd, West Midlands. Paper supplied by Gerald Judd. Distribution by Letterbox. Copyright © 2020School House. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Materials are accepted on the understanding that no liability is incurred for safe custody. The publisher cannot be responsible for unsolicited material. All prices are correct at the time of going to press but are subject to change. Whilst every care is taken to ensure all information is correct at the time of going to press, it is subject to change, and School House takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. School House is published by Country & Town House Ltd.
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The start of an incredible journey
Leading co-ed prep school Open day Friday 27 March bassetths.org.uk
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King’s College School, Wimbledon
Wild Photography Holidays
EDITOR’S LETTER T
he certainty that Brexit is happening has brought some peace, and, perhaps, this should be the aspiration for schools over the next decade with independent and state schools working together for mutual benefit, as Victoria Lambert outlines on page 46. Certainly, independent schools are looking for ways to close the gap. David Price, headmaster of The Mall School, a London boys’ prep school, has closed the doors to years seven and eight to better support boys moving on to state and grammar schools (p36). As ever, independent schools excel in their freedom to think creatively. Whether this means introducing entrepreneurial skills onto the curriculum, which is covered in this issue’s ‘Focus’ (p62), or in reinventing the GCSE exam system, as Stephen Jones has done at St Edward’s, Oxford (p34). But the concept itself is now being endorsed in an entirely different way, as Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair of the Arts Council, explains in our leader column (p29). The Arts Council has just released some research conducted by Durham University on the importance of bringing creativity into education. Education is a serious business; aside from a home, it’s the largest single investment most parents make in their lifetime, but it’s important to understand what this means in its entirety. Education isn’t just about success,
Heathfield School, Ascot
as illustrated by exam results and university entrance, it’s about understanding the world our children are walking into, and helping them to be confident and resilient, giving them the life skills to meet the challenges it brings. That might mean sailing to the North Pole in order to embrace adversity, says Sally Jones (p52), signing up for a charity in Sierra Leone, as 15-year-old Quinta Thomson did (p76), or learning how to fail and recognising that this is a stepping stone to success, as expounded by international trade lawyer Miriam González Durántez, who founded the charity Inspiring Girls and now lives in Silicon Valley (p31). It is also about finding balance in our lives, whether that’s motivating your teenagers to get fit, as suggests consultant psychiatrist, Dr Max Pemberton (p82), searching for the original arts or books festival to inspire (p118), or just taking a few days out to walk and connect with nature, which is what I have just done this week at Yeotown, the ultimate detox retreat in beautiful Devon (p110). I wish you all a very happy and healthy decade.
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Scientist, singer, dragon slayer.
A family of schools where girls learn without limits. Visit gdst.net
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Shortlisted
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Every Heathfield girl has verve! A character trait that we encourage as your daughter grows and develops into a confident young woman. As well as providing an excellent academic education coupled with top-class pastoral care, we help your daughter understand her unique strengths, live her ambitions, celebrate her talents and spirit and develop as the best version of herself. Live life like a Heathfield girl.
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UPFRONT NEWS | EVENTS | COMMENT | OPINION
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NEWS
WHAT’S UP? Academic news and some vital statistics
MOVES TO SAVE THE PLANET
SAVE THE OCEAN
SAVE EACH OTHER
After years of campaigning, lifesaving first aid is going to be added to the school curriculum, something charities say could ‘save thousands of lives’. The British Heart Foundation, St John’s Ambulance and British Red Cross, who together coined the phrase ‘Every Child a Lifesaver’, campaigned for first aid skills to be taught in schools. From 2020, secondary school pupils will be taught how to administer CPR and primary school pupils are set to learn a more basic first aid as well as supporting the health and wellbeing of others.
GET IT ALL OUT
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES
EARN WHILE YOU LEARN?
The employment rate of 16 to 17-year-olds with weekend jobs has plummeted from 48 per cent between 1997 and 1999 to 25 per cent between 2017 and 2019. The think tank group, Resolution Foundation, says the number of teenagers with Saturday jobs has halved over the past 20 years, as many school children are focusing on their studies instead of ‘earning while learning’.
Police and council members involved in Greater Manchester’s Serious Violence Action Plan have suggested boys aged 12 to 13 should be given anger management lessons to help prevent violence. Justyn Page, a former boxer and founder of First Round Fitness, says this is a step too far. ‘Intense physical activity and sport is enough to drain excess energy and give young boys a positive outlet,’ he says.
The Ocean Conservation Trust and Connect Academy Trust are developing the UK’s first ocean conservation curriculum to be trialled at five primary schools in southwest England from September 2020. Nicole Bridge, head of conservation education and communications for the Ocean Conservative Trust says: ‘It’s vital that we ensure the next generation grow up with a better understanding of their connection to the ocean for the future of our planet.’
DON’T BUY IT!
DISCONNECNT TO CONNECT
‘Hold Hands – Not Phones’ is an initiative led by an Old Bromsgrovian, Violetta Onishchenko and Laszlo Bliss, to tackle smart phone addicition, or nomophobia. Recognising that young people in particular are becoming more reliant on their phones, with poor mental and physical health consequences, they want to connect people together in real time. ‘Hold Hands – Not Phones Day’ is on 18 March, 2020 – the day to hang up.
The number of unwanted, unused and subsequently discarded pairs of brand new trainers each year is a staggering 58m. Research suggests that advertisers are conning young people by convincing them that buying more provides them with satisfaction, whereas in reality it fails to address the underlying need for self worth, apparent in so many teenagers. Global Action Plan is the group who have started the initiative #Idontbuyit, calling out the forces that drive hyper-consumption, and exposing the market techniques that are harmful to young people and the planet. Consuming less and focusing more on what keeps you happy long term are steps we need to take to save the planet and the people living on it.
TOMORROW’S MUSICIANS The Department of Education has agreed to spend £79m on the funding of music education hubs across the UK for 2020 to 2021 following requests from the Incorporated Society of Musicians and Music Mark.
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NEWS
PREP SCHOOLS Charities, champions and policing parents
Small soldiers Pupils from All Hallows Prep School, in Somerset, got physical when they were put through their paces by Corporal Tom Hunt and Marine Ben Smith – of the Royal Marines – when they visited the school. After a Q&A on what it takes to be a Royal Marine Commando, pupils were given a taste of life in the Marines with a field gun relay, a stretcher race and woodland observational tasks.
FLYING HIGH
Henry Kitchen, an 11-year-old pupil at Abbey Gate College, Chester, was selected to sing the muchloved Christmas song, Walking In The Air, at Chester Cathedral over the festive period. Henry performed the solo during a screening of The Snowman, accompanied by an orchestra to a packed-out audience.
THE GREEN POLICE
Pulling together
Maltman’s Green School, Buckinghamshire, has won its fifth Green Flag from Eco-Schools. Peer-elected pupils on the independent girls’ school’s Eco Council meet every half term with parents, teachers and the school governors to see how the school can improve its sustainability. Initiatives include a ‘Switch Off Always’ campaign; every morning, girls police their parents by roaming the car park, making sure there are no idle engines running.
Swanbourne House School, Milton Keynes, has announced a collaboration with the mental health charity, CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), to raise awareness and promote positive mental health among the school’s pupils. Although CALM has collaborated with several partners, Swanbourne House is the first school to make such a collaboration with the charity, and over the next year they will work on age-appropriate awareness and fundraising campaigns. Maltman’s Green School’s bug hotel
Bromsgrove Prep School, Worcestershire, pupil Freddie Slater was crowned Junior Champion at the SKUSA ProTour SuperKart Championships (Junior X30 US – age 12-16) in Indianapolis. Liam McNeilly, from Brentwood School, Essex, spent his last summer karting around Europe and was placed 15th overall in the 2019 X30 European Karting Championships out of over 80 competitors. Meanwhile, Chen Yiu Royce Yu, a pupil at Abbey College Manchester, finished in the top 25 per cent of the Italian American Motor Engineering South East Asian Championships, racing in exotic locations such as Thailand, the Philippines and finally Malaysia, where the season concluded, securing him an admirable ninth place position out of 38 talented racers. 20 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | Spring/Summer 2020
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WINNING WHEELS
NEWS
Charitable endeavors All of the pupils from years three to eight at Bede’s Prep School, Eastbourne, took part in a charity walk, raising £4,000 for Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare. The pupils all wore different colours to denote their year group, resulting in a rainbow of walkers over the South Downs. On the other side of the UK the pupils from Belhaven Hill School, Dunbar, raised £4,000 for the homeless charity, Social Bite, with their own ‘Wee Sleep Out’. The pupils camped out in the school’s unheated sports hall; spirits were kept up with various activities, performances and a David Walliams bedtime story. Meanwhile, pupils in mixed-age-teams at Westbourne House, Sussex, pushed themselves with a whole school triathlon, running, swimming or cycling to raise money for their various school charities.
WORLD CHAMPION AT TEN
Taunton School pupil, Emily Miller, ten, has been awarded three world championships, for Biathle, Triathle and the Biathle Relay and also won two team gold medals for Great Britain. Emily says, ‘It is an amazing feeling to become a world champion – it was hard with the time difference and heat, but I gave it everything and tried my hardest. I never give up!’
FOOTBALLING FRENZIE
Having been promoted to play in the Independent School Football Association (ISFA), Papplewick, Ascot, won its first ever game in the league despite the pressure of a knock-out scenario. The team won five-two, and Dylan Deegan was awarded Man of the Match after a ruthless hat-trick.
Inspiring with science Lord Professor Winston, of Imperial College London, enthralled pupils from Stamford Junior School, Peterborough, with a talk on science and the human body. With over 300 scientific publications, it is no wonder that, in the words of Will Phelan, principal of the Stamford Endowed Schools, ‘Professor Winston held the students he spoke to absolutely spellbound’.
BACON BUTTIES
Pupils of Barrow Hills School, Surrey, joined in the national Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning campaign. Ordinarily, Barrow Hills has a weekly Friday morning bacon butty sale to raise funds for the Barrow Hills Community Committee, but they added coffee to the menu for this special event and raised an impressive £455.26.
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES; © TOBY RONEY
KARATE KID
William Butcher, from Bishop’s Stortford College Prep School, Hertfordshire, won a bronze medal at the IKU World Karate Championships in Brazil. With just five years of karate under his belt, William represented Great Britain, competing against opponents from 49 nations. Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 21
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NEWS
CHANGING FACES COMMUNITY CARE
Dunhurst Prep School, Petersfield, performed its biannual concert for a local elderly residents’ club. After the performance, which included songs Hey Jude, Hallelujah and Somewhere Over the Rainbow, the pupils chatted with their audience over tea, learning about their school days during the war. In Cumbria, year five pupils from Windermere School, helped local elderly residents suffering from dementia with an initiative called ‘Community Come Dancing’, in association with Dignity in Dementia and The Kendal Dementia Action Association. At the fortnightly dance young pupils partner up with dementia sufferers to dance and recreate a ’50s and ’60s atmosphere, thereby stimulating the recall of old memories.
GOOGLE SAYS YES
Gateway School, Buckinghamshire, is the first UK prep school to be recognised as a Google Reference School for its outstanding use of technology to drive positive learning. Gateway will share its expertise with other local schools, as well as receiving regular staff training in new areas of teaching technology.
GB International Hockey player, Holly Hunt, visited Chandlings, Oxford, a member of the Cothill School Trust, to open its new AstroTurf. The new sports field will be used to develop partnerships with local primary schools. ‘It is a fantastic addition to the sports and outdoor facilities we already have,’ said head, Christine Cook. Holly also gave a masterclass session to the Chandlings prep year five and six girls.
Alice Holifield is the new head of Elstree Pre-Prep, Berkshire. Ms Hollifield was previously Director of Teaching and Learning at Garden House School in London, and looks forward to leading the pre-prep in its transition towards a fully co-educational Elstree. Jeremy Wyld took up the reins at St Hugh’s, Woodhall Spa as headmaster in September 2020, having previously been deputy head at Holmewood House in Tunbridge Wells. Mr Wyld went to Repton School and the University of Leicester.
Rydal Penrhos, Conway, has appointed former pupil and head of The Firs Prep School, Lucy Davies, to be interim head. She has the National Professional Qualification for Headship and a postgrad in dyslexia and teaching.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS All weather sports
Heads on the move
THE TWO YOUNGEST
Beech Hall’s youngest pupil, Bentley Williams, four years old, cut the ribbon, marking the official opening of the brand new Science and Design Technology Building at the Cheshire-based school. In what is a huge push for STEAM subjects at the school, it was fitting that the youngest pupil formally open the youngest building.
Belhaven Hill School has announced that Olly Langton will be the seventh head, from September 2020. Mr Langton got a first class degree in history at Edinburgh, was a housemaster at Radley College, and is a qualified ski instructor. He arrives with his wife, Rosie. Andrew Harvey joins Twyford School in Hampshire as headmaster from September 2020. Andrew was the headmaster at The Paragon in Bath. He is accompanied by his wife, Anna, daughters Sophie and Imogen, and Hetty, their Labrador.
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NEWS
Titus Mills takes up the reins at Port Regis in January 2021. He and his wife, Jemima, are highly experienced in leading schools, having been head of St George’s International School in Rome, The Paragon School and Walhampton School, where he is currently. Kate Oakley is the new head of The Oratory Pre-Prep, Oxfordshire. Ms Oakley, who is ‘passionate about the formative years of a child’s education’, has spent her career working in preprep departments in London, Yorkshire and Buckinghamshire. Neil Bailey will become the headmaster of Pinewood School, Wiltshire. Already an established head, and previously an investment banker, Neil enjoys sports, playing the guitar, and will be joined at Pinewood by his wife, Nicola, and two sons. Mowden Hall School, Northumberland, is delighted that Kate Martin will take the role of headmistress from September 2020. Having taught at Oundle School and Ampleforth College, Ms Martin joined Mowden Hall in 2011 and became deputy head in 2015. The headship of The Firs School, Chester, has been filled by Rosemary Black. Ms Black is a former swimmer for North-West England, continues to play lacrosse for Liverpool Ladies Lacrosse Club and enjoys caravaning with her husband and two children.
BIG SPLASH!
St George’s Ascot has opened a top-of-the-range sporting facility: a £5.6m, six-lane, 25m swimming pool complex which took just over a year to complete. The new facility was opened by sports presenter, journalist and alumna Kirsty Gallacher. The pool has been put to good use immediately, with the school’s swim squad using it to train for their various galas.
SCHOOLS EXPANDING SCHOOLS MERGING
Rugby School and Bilton Grange Prep School, Warwickshire, solidified their close links by merging in January, thereby creating an easy road from prep school to university entry. Two other schools to have formalised close pre-existing links are Reeds and Ripley Court, Surrey. The two schools share a philosophy of education focusing on whole child development within a nurturing environment. The schools will benefit from outstanding staff and facilities whilst retaining independence. Chatsworth Schools have announced that Highfield Prep School is the newest addition to their family of nine schools and nurseries. Anita Gleave, founder and CEO says, ‘I’m delighted to welcome Highfield Preparatory School. We will continue to enable outstanding futures for all our pupils and staff.’ (Left) Alex Osiatynski, head of Bilton Grange; (right) Peter Green, head of Rugby
NEW NURSERY AT NEW HALL New Hall School, Essex, welcomed its youngest contingent in September 2019 with the opening of its nursery, taking pupils from ages one to four. Besides increasing the school’s provision to provide wraparound care for children as young as one, the newly built, timber-framed nursery offers a welcoming and stimulating space – the perfect place for one to four year olds to do arts and crafts, messy play and dance!
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SENIOR SCHOOLS Sustainability, mental health and Marines in the making
Question Time
THE GIFT OF WATER
A group of 23 pupils from Bedales School, Hampshire, helped to create a new water supply for 500 Swazi children. Before the ten-day project in Eswatini – which saw the contingent of pupils install running water at a rural primary school – the students raised £10,000 by doing sponsored walks, bike rides and bake sales.
Heathfield School, Ascot, hosted a Question Time-style political debate, ahead of the December 2019 General Election. The students were given the chance to articulate their political opinions and welcome local politicians from all parties to join the discussion, led by a panel of four Heathfield girls, aged 12 to 17. The event, which was open to local students and parents, marked the centenary of Nancy Astor, the first woman to take a seat in parliament.
COMMANDO CHAMPIONS
A team of nine pupils at King’s College Taunton, Somerset, has won the Sir Stuart Pringle Trophy – the annual military skills and leadership national competition, held at The Commando Training Centre – for the sixth time in ten years. Not only did King’s Taunton smash their own Royal Marines Endurance Course record, but they were the clear winners this year in what is usually a closely contested competition.
SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS
Christ College Brecon pupils have been finding ways to increase their school’s sustainability. Each house has a representative who monitors its progress, and every pupil has been issued with a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste. Sporting powerhouse, Millfield, in Somerset, is taking things to the next level by launching its own brand of student and staff sportswear, made from recycled plastic waste taken from the ocean. And members of Suffolk’s Royal Hospital School pupil-led Eco Committee collected the Gold Carbon Charter Award on behalf of the school. The prestigious award recognises the school’s carbon reduction measures and its work with pupils, staff and the wider community to raise awareness and change behaviours, becoming more environmentally sustainable – these are measures which were explained by the RHS pupils during a presentation at the ceremony.
Millfield School, Somerset
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NEWS
SMALL ART, BIG IMPACT
Money and Mother Nature, by year 12 St Mary’s Calne pupil, Nina Waterlow
Pupils from St Mary’s Calne, Wiltshire, along with artists such as Anthony Gormley, have created original postcard-size artwork for ‘cARTes postales’ – art on postcards – in support of Erlestoke Prison (Wiltshire). Led by The Friends of Erlestoke Prison and The Salisbury Museum, over 300 pieces were created and auctioned off in order to help raise funds to support rehabilitation projects at HMP Erlestoke, including a much-needed all-weather sports pitch.
BRIGHT SPARKS TENNIS ACE Last summer, Toby Samuel (16), from Bournemouth Collegiate School, played at the Wimbledon Junior Championship. Toby and his partner, Arthur Fery, reached the doubles semi-final at the tournament.
TAYLOR TAKES OFF Olivia Taylor, of The Maynard School, Exeter, has won a place on the Skyborne EASA Integrated ATPL training course to become a fully qualified airline pilot. She admits it’s a bit daunting to be the only female on the course, but she can’t wait to start.
MATHLETE Eleanor,from King’s Ely, Cambridgeshire, was one of just two year ten girls nationwide to attend Oxford University’s Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp, organised by UK Mathematics Trust and hosted at Queen’s College. Eleanor spent the week attending lectures on combinatorics and number theory.
DANCING QUEEN A sixth-form student from Wellington College, Berkshire, organised and completed a 24-hour danceathon for the mental health charity, MIND. Lottie took a school assembly explaining why the stigma surrounding mental health has to be removed, before dancing non-stop for 24 hours, and raising £3,000.
INSPIRING ALUMNI
Blackheath High GDST welcomed back one of the school’s most notable alumnae, the fashion icon Dame Mary Quant. Quant, who is often cited as the inventor of the miniskirt and a champion of female empowerment, delivered a talk on how she transformed the fashion industry forever. Not only were original Quant designs on display, but also dresses designed by the girls of Blackheath High, who learned the art at the V&A museum.
Lateral thinking Downside School, Somerset, represented the UK as the only British school to attend the Asia-Europe Foundation Conference. Over 1,700 schools from across Europe, Asia and Oceania applied for the chance to present at the policy making event, which focused on Educational Sustainable Development and the use of Artificial Intelligence in the classroom.
CHORISTER OF THE YEAR Will Miles-Kingston, a 13-year-old at St Peter’s School York, has won the 2019 BBC 2 Young Chorister of the Year competition. Will beat eight contestants aged 11 to 17 in the final with In the Bleak MidWinter and The Sussex Carol. DANCING TO THE PODIUM Brentwood School, Essex, pupil and dance scholar, Nicholas Rashkov (12), has been crowned the 2019 British National Ballroom and Latin Juvenile Champion. Having previously danced along to Strictly Come Dancing in front of his TV at home, watch out for Nicholas on the other side of the screen soon.
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CHANGING FACES
MENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCE
Heads on the move
Godolphin School, Salisbury, recently hosted its first ‘GO Parent’ conference, an initiative launched with the Magna Learning Partnership to talk all things mental health and wellbeing. Set up by deputy head, pastoral, Jenny Price, who sought the expertise of professionals from the industry with real, up-to-date and pertinent messages on a wide range of subjects, the conference received overwhelmingly positive feedback, and plans for the 2020 conference are already underway.
Andy Johnston starts as head of Truro School in September 2020. Married to Pamela with two young children, Audrey and Alec, Andy and his family have strong ties to Cornwall and can’t wait to start the next chapter of their lives in Truro.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS
The Power of Four Cup, at ACS Cobham
SPORTING INVESTMENT
The first match played on ACS Cobham’s £1.2m state-of-the-art, all-weather, powerfully floodlit, Fifa and World Rugby-accredited AstroTurf was the Power of Four Cup – a football tournament comprising teams from ACS Cobham, Egham, Hillingdon and ACS Doha. In London, Sir Alastair Cook – former England cricket captain and highest point Sir Alastair Cook at UCS, Hampstead scorer – opened University College School’s new sports centre and renovated playing fields. Oundle School’s new £24m sports centre has a 50-metre swimming pool, an eight-court sports hall, a 70-station fitness suite, a dance studio and three multi-purpose rooms.
King’s High Tops All King’s High School and Warwick Prep School have invested in ten new science labs, an innovation centre, a school hall, a green quad, two professional-level drama studios, a new sports facility and a high-tech school of music – all part of the ‘Project One Campus’, to provide facilities and opportunities for all pupils in the Warwickshire Independent Schools Foundation.
Martlet House, Cranleigh, Surrey
NEW HOUSES
In Surrey, Cranleigh School’s new girls’ house was opened by former pupil, Flight Lieutenant Victoria Turner – one of the few female jet pilots in the UK. Loughborough Amherst School has partnered with Loughborough University and the Lawn Tennis Association to open a new house for tomorrow’s tennis stars. Alumnus, Sophie Hahn MBE, British Paralympic athlete cut the ribbon.
The current head of Woldingham returns to James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) as head next September. Mrs Alex Hutchinson, who read Chemistry at Oxford and completed her PGCE at Bristol, previously taught Chemistry at JAGS and is looking forward to returning. Steven Winter is the founding head of Maida Vale School, London, which opens this coming September. Mr Winter is a keen sportsman and coaches rugby and hockey, as well as competing in motor sports.
Sally-Anna Huang will be the first female High Master of St Paul’s Boys School in its 510 year history. Ms. Huang, who moves from JAGs and read Classics and English at Oxford, will also serve as Chair of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference in 20/21. George Budd is the new Principal of Moreton Hall, Shropshire. Mr Budd, who joins from Godolphin School in Wiltshire, arrives at Moreton Hall with his wife, Nicky, who was previously director of sport at Lady Eleanor Holles School.
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NEWS
Eaton Square SixthForm’s founding headmaster has been announced as John Wilson. Mr Wilson, who is currently the co-head at Eaton Square Mayfair, will start his new role in September 2020 when the new sixthform college opens in Belgravia. Susan Brooks is to be the first head of NorthWood Senior, the newest addition to the Northwood Schools group. Educated in Australia, Ms Brooks is currently deputy head (academic) at Broomwood Hall, the first school to open in the Northwood Schools Group. ACS International School Cobham appoints Barnaby Sandow as head from this September. Mr Sandow moves from Jerudong International School in Brunei. He strongly believes that ‘schooling with an international outlook is what the world needs right now.’ Sarah Richardson will take up the headship of Mount House School, Herts, in September 2020. A history graduate from the University of Kent and currently the deputy head of The Perse School, Ms Richardson said, ‘The moment I walked through the front doors I felt at home.’ Andrew Allman has been appointed as the new headmaster of the fastest growing independent school in the UK, Myddelton College, Denbigh. Mr Allman attended Shrewsbury School, before reading Theology at Durham University.
NEW COLLEGE
Major Gen. Ben Bathurst inspecting Millfield’s CCF
FOOD FOR ALL
As part of a new upgrade, Portland Atul Kochhar and Place, Marylebone, DLD College London opened a school Principal, Irfan Latif refectory where healthy meals are made on site. ‘We are seeing lots of clean plates,’ says head, David Bradbury. Michelin-starred chef, Atul Kochhar opened DLD College, Westminster’s, new dining space. Oliver Towler, the chef, promises constantly changing and exciting menus to match the ‘Global Kitchen’ theme.
One of the oldest schools in the country, King’s College, Canterbury, has opened its pioneering King’s International College, which is designed to be a stepping stone school for pupils aged 11 to 16 who are entering the UK education system for the first time. Millfield School stands to attention with its officially launched Combined Cadet Force (CCF). Partnered with St Dunstan’s School, Glastonbury, the corps’ first inspection was conducted by Major General Ben Bathurst CBE. Aligned with the Welsh Guards, 100 pupils, now new cadets at the Somerset sporting power house, are excited by the new ways they can now pursue outdoor activities.
Royal Opera House, Live@Bry Residents of Dorset can now see Royal Opera House productions right on their doorstep. Bryanston School’s theatre has been fully equipped with the technology required to live stream the ROH’s productions to Coade Hall. Some Live@Bry, performances are open to the public; tickets can be purchased online. Lancing College and Friends of Lancing Chapel have launched a fundraiser campaign to complete the West End of the Lancing Chapel. With 80 per cent achieved, they are seeking the final £195,500 to complete the work on the largest school chapel in the world.
A digital render of St Dunstan’s new STEM building and sixth-form hub
SWISH NEW SIXTH-FORM CENTRES
Bede’s School, Sussex, has unveiled its brand new sixth-form centre, equipped with a coffee bar, social space and individual and group study rooms allowing for a more independent sixthform experience. Likewise pupils at King Edward’s School, Bath, were delighted to find their new sixth-form centre echoing a university-style space for working in. Francis Holland in London is rehoming its sixth-form to its new Centre for Creative Enterprise, a place that goes above and beyond a study space – the sixth-form girls will also be able to meet business mentors and practice interview techniques and CV presentation. St Dunstan’s College, London, is partnering with Willmott Dixon for a significant planning development including work on a new junior school, STEM building and a sixth-form hub. Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 27
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LEADER
FIRST WOR D
CRITICAL THINKING Sir Nicholas Serota, Chairman of the Arts Council, calls for education to be more creative
t has almost become a cliché to say that we live in a time of unprecedented technological change, but it is certainly true that how we live, work and communicate with each other has been altered in ways we could not have foreseen a decade ago. Things that previous generations would have taken for granted as consistent features of daily life, such as linear television Sir Nicholas Serota schedules, the dominance of print media and the UK’s status as a centre of manufacturing, have shifted dramatically. This pace of change shows no signs of slowing. So how do we prepare young people for the decades ahead of them, when we have no way of knowing what the world will look like in a few years? The answer, I believe, lies in creativity. Knowledge-based education is valuable, but it cannot by itself produce adults who are equipped to thrive in an evolving world. The rise of digital media means that today’s children are exposed to increasingly complex information from innumerable sources, and as technology continues to evolve they will need to find solutions to problems that do not yet exist. It is now clear that critical thinking and creativity will be just as necessary as knowledge, if they are to successfully navigate and shape the world they come to live in. What can we do to help them? We are all born with the capacity for creativity, and the right education can help to make the most of this potential. Teaching for creativity is fast becoming a global phenomenon, and is a key part of the curriculum in countries including Finland, Canada, Singapore and Australia. Artistic activities are an excellent way to stimulate creativity, and cultural subjects are an essential part of a creative education. However, creativity is not limited to the arts. It is the driving force behind progress in every discipline, including the humanities and
PHOTO: © HUGO GLENDINNING, 2016
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the sciences. We may recognise it most easily when we see new art, literature, music or performance, but creativity is equally present in scientific discovery, entrepreneurship, technological innovation and the development of new ideas in the humanities and social sciences. Humanity’s greatest achievements are all founded on the creative application of deep technical expertise and understanding. The report of the Durham Commission on Creativity and Education, published last year by Durham University, outlines a vision of how better teaching for creativity can be achieved in the UK. It contains ten recommendations designed to improve access to creativity for all young people, including the development of new assessment frameworks, a broadening of Ofsted’s inspection criteria to recognise teaching for creativity, further research into the role of creativity throughout the curriculum and the establishment of a new ‘National Plan for Cultural Education’. The system will not change overnight, but implementing these changes over time will result in a significant shift in the way we value and promote creativity in the UK. Far from being a luxury, cultural subjects and teaching for creativity have become an essential part of a wellrounded education. As the Durham Commission found, supporting children’s creativity is good for everyone – they are happier, more resilient and better able to adapt to the world around them. We all benefit from the presence of a highly skilled creative workforce – the creative industries are the fastest growing sector of the UK economy, contributing over £100bn in 2017. For their sake,and ours, we cannot afford to deny our children a creative education. The Durham Commission on creativity and education can be read at dur.ac.uk/creativitycommission ■ Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 29
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OPINION
SILICON VALLEY ZEITGEIST
International trade lawyer and founder of the charity, Inspiring Girls, Miriam González Durántez explains why learning to fail prepares people for success prepare, the sooner self-confidence kicks in. f I close my eyes I can easily picture my mother Nonetheless, in the last year – the 12 months that I have been when I was little telling me again and again that living in Silicon Valley – I have found myself reconsidering some effort was the key to success; that living on my of my beliefs. I have worked and travelled in many countries own terms would come from hard work; and throughout my professional life, but I’ve rarely been in a place that life is about striving to be always at your where people think as big as they do there. The distance very best. She will turn 80 this year, but she is still relentlessly between Silicon Valley and going on about it! It is because the UK, or indeed any other of her that I have the culture of Miriam González Durántez European country, is what effort engrained in my DNA: I put separates a laboratory from time in to what I do; underline a museum. And that laboratory what I read; prepare meticulously – the Mecca of the tech world every case, every speech, every – is built on the acceptance single thing I write; and yes, I even of failure and the risk that rehearse if needs be. I have failed comes with it. Many venture many times, but I can honestly say capitalists and angel investors it has almost never been because do not even provide finance to of a lack of effort on my part. new projects unless founders Throughout my life I have met are able to point out how they countless women who, like me, have failed beforehand. People do not spare any effort to avoid there do not hide the fact they failure: women often overprepare, have fallen, but are genuinely try to become specialists at any proud of it. They simply accept job they undertake, and freeze if that failure is part of life, and pushed to do something they do they embrace it fully, which not feel ready for. I am convinced is why they naturally accept that the root cause of all this comes the risk that any new venture from the adolescent years when implies. The key to success for girls start developing doubts about them is not only effort, but also themselves and their confidence understanding risk. takes a dip – working hard is our Self-confidence is indeed way to overcome that dip. 'The distance between Silicon Valley the product of our experience, I run an international campaign, and the UK, or indeed any other but it is also the product of headquartered in the UK, called European country, is what separates a our failures; of knowing that Inspiring Girls to connect female you will fall, because we all do, role models with girls. We work laboratory from a museum. And that and that nevertheless you will in 15 countries and through a laboratory – the Mecca of the tech stand again; of learning that new tech-tool we reach girls from world – is built on the acceptance of no failure is the end of the all around the world. Wherever failure and the risk that comes with it' world and that you can always we are, from Singapore to Morocco, start afresh. We need to teach and Italy to Chile, we keep the new generation, girls and encountering girls who give up boys, that success comes from subjects and sports at the age of effort, but also from not being scared to fail. 12 to 14 because they think they are not ‘for girls’. The question we are most often asked is, ‘how we developed Miriam González Durántez lives in Silicon Valley with her husband our self-confidence?’ and I tell the girls that confidence is the Sir Nicholas Clegg, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats and product of your experience; that the more you do something their three sons ■ the more confident you become at it; and that the more you
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SCHOOL HOUSE PARTNERSHIP
WHAT KIND OF EDUCATION PREPARES YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE FUTURE? Self-assured, resilient and empowered to succeed – that’s our ambition for every child in a Cognita school
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ith 70 schools around the world – 40 in the UK – Cognita provides a uniquely global education that goes beyond exam results. Alongside strong academics, our schools focus on developing the inner character and global mindset that young people will need to meet the challenges of a future they can’t yet imagine. We encourage positive, international perspectives for our students through sharing
educational expertise, insights and best practice from across the world – and by collaborating to develop rich learning environments for every child. Our schools offer a wide range of opportunities, both academic and extra-curricular, all of which help our students progress to over half of the world’s top 100 universities. To find your nearest Cognita school: cognita.com/school-finder
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COVER STORY
TESTING TIMES
David Paterson, of Woodcote House School, explains the value of the ISEB Common Pre-Test curriculum, partly of course to protect themselves against hat is the ISEB (Independent Schools Education parental disquiet if results are not positive. Bond and BOFA Board) Common Pre-Test? Introduced a few years are amongst the most popular online platforms that pupils can ago, it is now used by an increasing number of use to prepare, but there are others, including Atom Learning, senior independent schools to assess the academic Pre-Test Plus and Keystone Tutors. All of them are broadly similar, ability and potential of prospective pupils. The but the feedback suggests that Keystone provide questions closest test is split into four sections – verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, in style to the test itself. These can be particularly useful over the maths and English – and is online, in multiple choice format, with course of the long school holidays to keep things ticking over, and the emphasis therefore on natural cognitive ability rather than not just with regard to the Pre-Test. rote learning of the necessary techniques. It is adaptive, with the As one might expect, there has been much discussion about these questions becoming either harder or easier dependent on how tests amongst schools and parents, with social media platforms – the pupils are faring, and this affords the means to differentiate. Mumsnet to name just one – fully It is taken in the pupils’ current involved! With any system of testing, school and, once complete, the David Paterson there are bound to be weaknesses results can be accessed by the senior or disadvantages, and the main schools to which each candidate has one with the ISEB Common registered. This means that the test Pre-Test is that it happens two needs only to be taken once in each years to three years before the academic year – either year six or actual point of entry. This can seven, with the former increasingly cause some stress, both amongst being the required option. pupils and parents, which may For most of the senior schools who require careful handling. Also, use the Pre-Test, now numbering in some pupils’ academic profile excess of 150, it is just one part of the can alter significantly between admissions process, with references, years six and eight meaning that interviews and assessment/activity they may not reveal their true days on top. However, some of the potential at such an early stage. very over-subscribed schools – Eton However, despite these and Harrow for example – use it misgivings, it appears that the as a pre-qualifier for their own test, test is here to stay for the foreseeable thus ensuring that they only take future. With Common Entrance forward candidates who are of the now used largely as a placement required academic level, and also exercise, although still valuable cut numbers down to a manageable and relevant in my opinion, the level – to organise assessment days ISEB Common Pre-Test, for those for over 1,000 pupils would be both schools who use it, has become very difficult and, indeed, unfair on ‘There has been much discussion about a vital bit of academic data that the candidates themselves. these tests, with social media platforms informs an integral part of their Can one prepare effectively for – Mumsnet to name just one – fully admissions process. It affords these tests? This is always a hot topic a level playing field, covers the for discussion and, if one reads the involved! With any system of testing, blurb on the ISEB website, it states there are bound to be weaknesses and necessary bases, and gives a pretty good indication of pupils’ ability that no special preparation disdvantages, and the main one is that and potential, and whether they is required, apart from a few it happens two to three years before the are likely therefore to be able to example questions to do in the actual point of entry’ cope with the academic demands test itself before starting each of their intended senior school. section, and there are no specific It must be kept in perspective practice papers available. However, and not allowed to impact too much on the rest of the curriculum, and there is no doubt that an element of practice will help, if only as mentioned previously, it is important that its purpose relative to each to familiarise the candidates with the various techniques needed senior school is explained carefully to both pupils and parents. This will and to enable them hopefully to approach the tests with confidence, help to avoid unnecessary confusion or stress, but overall, I believe that in particular with respect to verbal and non-verbal reasoning. To this the test represents a fair and useful part of the admissions process. n effect, many prep schools now include these two subjects in their
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St Edwards School, Oxford
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SENIOR HEAD VIEW
END OF AN ERA Stephen Jones, Warden of St Edward’s, Oxford, believes GCSEs should be consigned to the dustbin of antiquity
a programme of eight GCSEs plus two of our own courses. he Times Education Supplement (TES) reported The Pathways programmes offer pupils a chance to explore more recently that schools are dropping A-level English deeply and rigorously their academic passions in a specific direction. For because pupils are put off by the ‘dull’ and ‘tedious’ example, in the ‘applied science pathway’ pupils will study topics such as nature of the revised GCSE in the subject. The Girls’ medical science, astronomy, molecular gastronomy and forensic science. School Association was told in November by Rose In contrast, the Perspectives programmes are designed to Hardy, Headmistress of Haberdashers’ Aske’s, that ‘GCSEs belong develop the attitudes of mind in the Victorian era along with needed to become successful dunce caps’ and that GCSEs are Stephen Jones learners in the modern world. ‘not fit for purpose’. Something The ‘big ideas’ course examines is most definitely in the air. questions such as ‘can robots With no formal need for exams be conscious?’ or ‘how should at the age of 16, there is a genuine we study different world views?’; question as to what the purpose of the course on global societies the GCSE is in modern education. and environments looks at GCSEs have a number of possibly urban sustainable technologies, unattractive features: their reliance climate change, the challenges on the retention of knowledge as of ageing populations and the only means of assessment; the artificial intelligence. reliability of their grading; their A significant benefit of effectiveness as a preparation these new courses is the variety for sixth-form study – the list of assessment methods employed. of questions is significant. Perhaps GCSE pupils are mainly tested the most important is to do with through end of course exams. their fundamental educational value. Pathways and Perspectives courses The aim of school educators will be continuously assessed is to ensure that our pupils are against a range of criteria equipped intellectually and morally including extended writing, for the rigours of life – not simply presentations, artefacts, research for the next stage of education or, reports, performances and exams. indeed, for work. Our view at St Our new courses are the Edward’s, a 13 to 18 co-educational ‘At Teddies, we have decided to result of several years of research boarding and day school, is that start the process of throwing off and consultation with leading education is a continuous process the limiting straitjacket of GCSE educationists, universities and all the way through school, so we careers advisors. Moreover, they question where the skills – such framework and to work towards will be validated by academics as they are – which are developed replacing it with our own in-house at Buckingham University. by GCSEs, fit in. The world of work courses, Pathways and Perspectives’ We are giving the pupils the is highly competitive, but it is also opportunity to benefit from collaborative and thoughtful; success, partnerships with a wide range whatever that might mean for each of organisations such as the medical school at Buckingham and individual, requires intellectual rigour. the oceanography department at the University of Southampton. So, here at Teddies, we have decided to start the process We want pupils to meet experts in particular fields and reflect of throwing off the limiting straitjacket of the GCSE framework on what it is to be a professional in a particular discipline. The and to work towards replacing it with our own in-house courses: programmes are built around real experiences and an approach Pathways and Perspectives. I’d love to boast that we are doing this to learning that is both relevant and adaptable to the skills they root and branch, but in truth our pupils have to live in the real will need in the future. ■ world of competitive university entrance and thus we will be offering
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The Mall School, London
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PREP HEAD VIEW
CHANGING TACK David Price, Headmaster of The Mall School in London, explains why his boys will be leaving at the end of year six
they used to join at 13+, as well as selective state grammar early three years ago, I announced to parents schools such as Tiffin and Wilson’s. that we were going to phase out years seven and Advising on senior schools is one of my key roles as a prep eight, and from 2020 all boys at The Mall School school head and I have researched and visited many schools would leave the school at the end of year six. It to ensure parents can consider as many options as possible at was a bold move, given our record of success in 11+. One of the things that really strikes me when I go to senior preparing boys for their Common Entrance exams and securing schools is how well they manage 13+ places for them at the top the settling in process at 11+. Our London boys’ day schools. We felt David Price boys, like the majority of children sure, however, that it was the right in this country, really will benefit move at the right time to enable pastorally and academically us to maintain our strong record from leaving at the end of year of success in securing senior school six to take up all the fantastic places for all our pupils. opportunities the senior schools The decision to move to an 11+ offer and make use of their exit came after a period of internal facilities sooner. They want to and external assessment of our move at 11 and with many senior local market and conditions for schools now making the 11+ senior schools. We commissioned pre-test their assessment point independent research, including for 13+, I wonder how much interviews with the heads of longer 13+ schools can make years the senior day schools our boys seven and eight appealing and traditionally went to at 13+, about relevant to both pupils and parents? the future of Common Entrance We have had to make minor and transfer at 11+. Senior schools adjustments to our curriculum reported an increase in demand to prepare the boys for 11+. There for 11+ places, driven largely by is slightly more focus on verbal parents’ preferences. The supply and non-verbal reasoning and of 11+ places at these schools has we have introduced personal also increased, with a corresponding development sessions to help decrease in the number of 13+ the boys manage the demands places. It was our view that this of the 11+ process, including trend would only continue and the development of strategies over time most senior day schools to overcome stress and help them would move towards 11+ as their relax. There is still plenty of focus main point of entry. on sport, music and the arts In recent years, I had also started ‘Senior schools reported an increase in as well as encouraging greater to feel there were increasingly limited demand for 11+ places, driven largely independence in readiness for 13+ day options for the boys in our by parents’ preferences. The supply their next school. school who were not suited to the There has been much in highly academic senior schools. of 11+ places at these schools has the media about the future We are not a selective school for also increased, with a corresponding of independent schools, and boys joining us in Reception, and decrease in the number of 13+ places’ prep schools in particular. moving to 11+ has meant they have Schools must adapt to meet a much larger pool of schools to the demands of their existing choose from. Last September, our and new markets and keep the 11+ leavers went to twice as many best interests of their pupils at the centre of everything they do. schools as our 13+ leavers, including a number of very popular I know from talking to parents considering and choosing The Mall co-educational schools. Our 11+ offers also included places that we were right to change the structure of the school and that at St Paul’s Juniors, Westminster Under and King’s College, our bold move has paid off. ■ Wimbledon, so our brightest boys will still go on to all the schools
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FEATURES SCHOOLS | EDUCATION | FOCUS
Gresham’s School, Norfolk
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Francis Holland, Sloane Square
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HEAD OF SCHOOL
GABRIELLA GORDON, FRANCIS HOLLAND, LONDON
Gabriella Gordon, 17, is the head girl of the Sloane Square branch of Francis Holland, an independent girls’ day school with 600 pupils, aged four to 18. Gabriella was photographed in their new library, created last year as part of an ambitious building project that also includes a GCSE building and a new sixth-form centre. Apart from her head girl duties, which involve looking after the younger girls, liaising between pupils and teaching staff, being a school ambassador on all open days and overseeing the Green Council – which is currently battling to reduce food wastage – Gabbi is a music scholar and plays in various school orchestras, as well as appearing on stage frequently, as becomes the drama prefect. Gabbi is taking A-levels in English Literature and Psychology, hoping to study the latter at Cambridge, Durham or Exeter. Maybe a clue as to her interests lie in the title of her recently completed EPQ, ‘To what extent did Woodstock empower the hippy movement?’ Gabbi, who has two siblings – a sister who is in year seven at Francis Holland and a brother in year eight at Hampton School for Boys – was previously at the Unicorn School in Kew, and chose to attend Francis Holland ‘because it wasn’t too terrifying’, a feeling that was confirmed when one of the sixth-formers sat down and talked to her on her 11+ interview day. ‘The school is academic,’ Gabriella says, ‘but while the teachers are keen for us to get good grades, we are also encouraged to go outside the curriculum with enrichment programmes.’ Gabriella also runs the feminist society as a means of education for her and her peers, so that in the future they can help to make real change.
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TOMORROW’S WORLD Independent schools are second to none in creating a new generation of leaders, says Max Davidson
eads of independent schools could be forgiven for heaving a collective sigh of relief after the general election. A Labour government could have posed an existential threat to the whole sector, particularly in the Home Counties. Analysis by The Knowledge Academy suggests that, in Surrey alone, some 120 schools and over 46,000 students would have been affected by the abolition of independent schools that might have resulted from Labour policies. Hertfordshire (49 schools, over 22,000 students) and Kent (57 schools, over 20,000 students) were also vulnerable. With an Old Etonian now firmly ensconced in Downing Street, it is worth reflecting, not for the first time, on the extraordinary resilience of the independent sector. It has constantly re-invented
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itself and found new ways to showcase what it has to offer. It will no doubt do so again. But one strand in the hoary old debate is surely worth highlighting. Yes, Old Etonians and alumni of other top independent schools may be over-represented, numerically, in the House of Commons, as they are in the judiciary and the higher echelons of the media and the Armed Forces. But could it be that their presence there owes less to cronyism and a sense of entitlement and more to the proven ability of good independent schools to instill leadership qualities in their pupils? It is built into the DNA of such schools that passing exams is all very well, but that being a prefect or captaining a sports team could be just as important in the long run. You don’t become a leader simply because your parents have been able to afford to give you a good
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PHOTO: JACK OFFORD
Northwood College Junior School, GDST, Middlesex
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education. You become a leader because you have been taught to be a leader – though exactly how those leadership skills are best taught is a matter of contention. Forty years ago, any boys’ public school worthy of the name had a combined cadet force (CCF), where boys would spend hours polishing their boots, square-bashing and negotiating muddy obstacle courses in driving rain to make themselves worthy successors to the generation that had fought in the war. It was not necessarily as much fun as art or swimming, but it toughened them up. It would be a brave school in 2020 that boasted about toughening up its pupils. ‘What next?’ cry the snowflake generation. ‘Beatings? Cold showers?’ But you will not meet a head teacher who does not talk about the importance of resilience – and worry about pupils who seem to lack it. What is resilience, when it comes down to it, but a process of toughening up, in preparation for the slings and arrows of adult life? Yes, bullying must be stamped out, and every good head teacher understands that, but given that bullying, alas, is a fact of life, and has taken myriad insidious new forms in the internet age, with trolls lurking in every chat room and Facebook group, it is not fair on anyone, particularly young people, to pretend that it is other than a fact of life. A thick skin is probably preferable to a thin one, which is why, in the long run, developing resilience, and finding coping strategies to combat bullies, can be a far more important life skill than Latin or algebra. But resilience alone is not enough to make a good leader As more and more educators are realising, a thick skin is only one element in an increasingly complex skill-set. ‘Leadership
can be a loaded term,’ reflects Andrew Halls, Head of King’s College School, Wimbledon, a predominantly boys’ school that admits girls in the sixth-form. ‘We want pupils to have the courage to take responsibility for decisions and for others, but not to turn them into bossy-boots or young men who think they are entitled to power.’ Thus, although King’s College consciously creates leadership roles drawn from the old public school playbook – prefects, sports captains, senior ranks in the CCF etc – the school also takes trouble to build variety into those roles. ‘We do not want to create a cliché of what leadership is,’ says Halls, who clearly has no truck with the gung-ho, look-at-me types who so often end up at the top of the pile. ‘Leadership at its best is selfsacrifice, not self-aggrandisement.’ The school emphasises public service of the kind that members of the Royal Family epitomise. Every Friday afternoon, some 350 senior pupils fan out across the area, playing mentoring roles in state secondary, primary and SEN schools. ‘The pupils may not have leadership titles, but what they are doing is an essential way for them to learn responsibility.’
Bedales School, Hampshire
PHOTO: JACK OFFORD
Andrew Halls, Head of King’s College School, Wimbledon
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Gender is also central to the leadership debate. If preparing boys for leadership roles can be a stiff challenge, preparing girls can be an even stiffer one. It is a cliché to talk of girls having to bridge ‘the confidence gap’ to rival the accomplishments of their (often less naturally talented) male peers. Perhaps they just lack the feral determination that comes with testosterone. But one should not underestimate how much store the best girls’ schools put on leadership. ‘At our schools it is simply assumed that girls are natural leaders as all leadership positions are occupied by other girls,’ says Cheryl Giavannoni, CEO of the Girls’ Day Schools Trust (GDST). If you see a woman succeeding in previously male-dominated worlds, there is a fair chance she will be a GDST alumna. Look no further than Khadijah Mellah, educated at Sydenham High School GDST, who not only became the first Muslim jockey to ride in a hijab, but won the prestigious Magnolia Cup at Goodwood this year. At Northwood College Junior School, GDST, a ban has been placed on ‘princess culture’ and replaced with a superhero campaign, rewarding girls with superhero capes for extraordinary behaviour. ‘We want to encourage Northwood girls to celebrate their individual strengths,’ says Zara Hubble, Headmistress.
‘Leadership can be a loaded term. We want pupils to have the courage to take responsibility for decisions, and for others, but not to turn them into bossy-boots or young men who think they are entitled to power’ ANDREW HALLS, HEAD OF KING’S COLLEGE WIMBLEDON
Prefects at Heathfield School, Berkshire, have to acknowledge and emphasise their strengths
‘A Northwood girl is in control of her own destiny and is equipped with all the tools she needs to develop and maintain both strong mental health and emotional resilience.’ For Marina Gardiner Legge, head of Heathfield School in Berkshire, leadership is a much subtler skill than is sometimes acknowledged. ‘You hear a lot of talk about women having to break the glass ceiling, but I prefer the metaphor of a labyrinth: tricky to negotiate and demanding a wide range of life skills. Don’t forget that, for men, achieving leadership roles can be a relatively simple, linear process. Women have it harder, particularly if they are trying to combine being good mothers with a successful career.’ Self-assertiveness, so natural for so many boys, does not come easily to the girls at Heathfield, Gardiner Legge admits. ‘They find it very hard to take credit even when they deserve credit. They underestimate their own abilities. They are not good at
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Cadets from Ampleforth College, Yorkshire
promoting themselves. We have to take active steps to encourage them to be less diffident.’ Typical of the Heathfield approach to assertiveness-building is the process used to select prefects. It is no longer just a case of a tap on the shoulder from the headmistress. Girls have to submit an application setting out what they have achieved and emphasising their strengths. Then they have to make a presentation to the whole school, like a stump politician. No false modesty here. Motivational talks by the likes of round-the-world yachtswoman Tracy Edwards and polar explorer Rosie Stancer are another regular feature of school life. ‘You need to be authentic if you are going to succeed,’ Gardiner Legge says. ‘You also need a strong sense of morality, with perhaps a streak of bloody-mindedness. One key leadership skill, often underestimated, is the ability to negotiate successfully. Problemsolving in the 21st century is increasingly complex, and you will not get anywhere unless you are good at interacting with other people.’ Two hundred miles to the north of Heathfield, Sheffield Girls’ School strives to inculcate the business acumen and entrepreneurial flair which are key to success in the private sector. The school enjoys kitemark enterprise school status, knows which girls to steer Downside School, Somerset towards MBAs and graduate apprenticeships, rather than academic degrees, and collaborates closely with local businesses in giving students a taste of the commercial world. Year nine students form teams and take part in an Apprentice-style competition called ‘The Big Challenge’. ‘The notion of leadership is embedded in our school culture,’ says Sheffield Girls’ School head Nina Gunson. ‘We always stress that leadership is a job, not a badge or a title. A lot of our girls regularly give up their free time to take on mentoring roles in local state primary schools, building their confidence as leaders. We also encourage them to take the lead in the field of IT, putting together an e-magazine for the school. Some of them are now such assured digital leaders that teachers defer to them rather than feeling the need to supervise them.’ The great battles of the mid- 21st century will not be won on the playing fields of Eton. Nor will they be won in French lessons or yoga classes. But they could be won by determined individuals of both sexes who, from childhood onwards, have had it instilled in them that people in leadership positions need to conquer their own self-doubt, put their heads above the parapet Sydenham High School, GDST and fight for what they believe in. n Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 45
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Independent and state school children are increasingly working with each other
A BETTER RELATIONSHIP omparisons between independent and state schools have always been ‘odorous’, to borrow a phrase from William Shakespeare. But a new generation of educationalists are finding ways to bring school communities closer than ever, drawing from their individual strengths to a joint benefit. The impetus is stemming from a mutual respect: as state school results burn brighter, independents have to justify their fees more than ever. But there is also a need to counter the perception that the existence of private schooling adds to inequality in the country, with children from schools like Eton still dominating in prestige areas of employment such as politics and banking. For Joanne Thomson, head of Claysmore school, Dorset, the important point to stress is that pitting one type of school directly
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against each other is in no one’s interest – and ignores the practical value a school like hers can offer. ‘Lots of our parents choose us for reasons of convenience,’ says Thomson. ‘Longer school days mean that busy parents can work later, even when they don’t have family nearby to relieve the childcare burden. ‘In addition, independent schools can take care of the extracurricular activities side of things too, again relieving pressure on busy parents and for some children, boarding can provide greater stability if parents are travelling a lot with work.’ She adds: ‘Military families depend heavily on independent boarding schools.’ But having set out her stall, Thomson points out that state schools do a ‘fantastic job’ and she is keen to see more interaction. ‘One of my governors is the head of the local maintained school and we share ideas and have a fabulous mutually beneficial working relationship.’
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES
Independent school heads are keen to close the gaps between fee-paying and state schools, says Victoria Lambert
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PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES
Thomson is not alone in her views – in Lewisham, St Dunstan’s College has forged partnerships with state primary and secondary schools. These are not schemes based around largesse or patronage which could increase division. Instead, St Dunstan’s hosts masterclasses and workshops in subjects such as geography, religion, philosophy and ethics and science, which bring together its pupils with those from Bonus Pastor Catholic College. St Dunstan’s is keen to encourage multi-school productions: a recent three-day drama performance, led by National Theatre director, Kate Beales, included pupils from St Dunstan’s and three local state schools and was performed to friends, family and members of the local community. Headmaster, Nicholas Hewlett, said: ‘We are extremely proud of our partnerships and the rich opportunities afforded by them. It is vitally important to us that our facilities and expertise can be of benefit to, and be enhanced by, the communities that extend beyond our college gates.’ No doubt, this also helps state school pupils to feel more confident about applying for sixth-form bursary-funded places at St Dunstan’s. Several ex-Bonus Pastor students who joined in year 12 are currently applying for top universities in degrees including medicine and engineering. A different approach is found at Sevenoaks School where students help put together ‘outreach boxes’ – subject-specific educational resources that are loaned
at no charge to local primary schools. Dr Adrian Rainbow, deputy head co-curriculum at Sevenoaks School, explains: ‘We launched the outreach box initiative in 2017 with the aim of sharing fun, specialist teaching and learning materials with local schools, to support key topics in the curriculum and to give every child the opportunity to access the kind of equipment needed to learn specific skills such as coding.’ Since their launch more than 4,000 children have benefitted from the resources – across 38 schools and organisations – which might otherwise be unaffordable. Dr Rainbow adds: ‘Our technology boxes are particularly popular and teachers love being able to use virtual reality headsets in the classroom and to teach coding with our Arduino classroom pack.’ The scheme will be extended so that subjects ranging from sport to drama also have a ‘box’, but the value cuts both ways, says Dr Rainbow: ‘We place great focus on servicebased education with more than 400 students involved in weekly placements in the local community, ranging from teaching the minimus Latin programme and junior science in primary schools, to how to play the Gamelan.’ Sharing resources in south London, students from Dulwich College, together with local schools ,form the Southwark Schools’ Learning Partnership (SSLP). Last autumn, this culminated in a symposium on
Pupils from the Key Education Centre cooking at Bedales School, Hampshire
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Dulwich College, London, shares its resources with other schools in the Southwark Schools’ Learning Partnership
consumption, with a packed programme of seminars, workshops and talks by experts including Riverford Organic’s Guy SinghWatson and Simon Werrett, Professor of History at UCL’s science and technology department, among others to which children from lots of different schools were invited. Bringing children together to talk about their shared future is also a way that schools can reach out. The Royal Hospital School in Suffolk, for example, has been running a two-day Model United National conference with Sudbury-based Thomas Gainsborough School for eight years. The event is aimed at year sevens and around 100 pupils from each school are involved, with teams made up of four, two from each school, allotted a country to represent. ‘The event gives children the chance to work alongside people they don’t know and who might hold different opinions,’ says organiser, Janine Routledge, who is head of French at the Royal Hospital School. ‘However,’ she adds, ‘they all have to pull together to represent their country’s values and not their own. It builds their confidence, makes them internationally aware and provides an ability to understand the need for co-operation at a global level.’ At Bedales School in Hampshire, an unusual partnership is afoot. Here, students from the Key Education Centre, a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), have been taking part in a unique educational
experiment for the past 16 months. Working with Bedalians, the PRU students are taking part in activities such as blacksmithing, tree-planting, and animal husbandry; they learn pizza-making and craft skills as well. ‘We want our students to have a chance to engage with people their age who face different sorts of challenges,’ says Alistair McConville, director of learning and innovation at Bedales, ‘so that they can empathise more fully with people from different backgrounds, and understand the issues they face.’ He sees the PRU partnership as a ‘two way’ act of friendship. ‘The PRU pupils get to see places and have experiences that they otherwise wouldn’t get. We get to understand our own privilege more fully, and be challenged by it, as well as recognising that we have more in common with people from different socio-economic backgrounds than we have differences.’ One of the most ambitious collaborations can be found in Cambridge, where the Academy Council at North Cambridge Academy (NCA), part of the Cambridge Meridian Academy Trust (CMAT), has formed an innovative bond with the Stephen Perse Foundation (SPF). Teachers and sixth-form students from SPF provide extra lessons and academic clubs for NCA pupils, including Latin, maths, English and physics. This helps ensure that able students
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can reach their potential, while also enabling SPF students to help less fortunate children in the community – in many cases, this is a real eye-opener: for example, at NCA, 50 per cent of the pupils receive free school meals. Why is the partnership important? Tricia Kelleher, principal of Stephen Perse Foundation, believes there is an imperative that we recognise ‘young people are young people’. ‘It doesn’t matter what school they attend,’ she says, ‘young people share the same planet; they need to work together and be friends together. There is a big imperative to make sure there isn’t a divide.’ Kelleher makes it clear she is not interested in some sort of Victorian-era philanthropy:, emphasising that ‘we have an important role to play in the community.’ She points to the need to work with students in their own setting: ‘It’s not just about coming here with our lovely facilities. You have to be mindful of other students’ location and space.’ This interaction early on leads to NCA students being more confident of applying to Stephen Perse schools at sixth-form where bursaries are available, she points out. This has to become a tsunami, Kelleher adds. ‘It’s not about children stepping into an arcane posh world but into one of opportunity that everyone should have access to.’ But how do the partnered schools feel? Rebecca Hill, leader of
careers, information, advice and guidance at Bonus Pastor is more than happy with the links to St Dunstan’s. ‘It is wonderful to see how quickly our ex-students settle into the sixth-form,’ Hill says, ‘and it is testament to St Dunstan’s staff and students that they always speak so highly of their experiences there. It is clear that St Dunstan’s is a place of warmth, ambition and inspiration.’ She has praise for the masterclasses which have opened her students up to ‘opportunities that they would not otherwise have known about or thought possible for them’. At the Key, headteacher, Leanne Forde-Nassey, points out that what has been most pleasing is ‘all the pupils independently realising it is the similarities between them, not the differences, that are most noticeable – the only differences being the usual teenage discussion points of music and fashion.’ ‘This has never been a project of tokenistic outreach, of a rich independent school handing out charity.’ She adds, ‘this is and always has been, a collaboration of equals. As staff, we share expertise and learn from each other. The Bedales staff have taken as much from us in terms of professional development as we have from them.’ The idea that the teaching staff are looking to collaborate only reinforces the potential of such schemes, turning them into virtuous circles where shared interests in the future clearly outweigh the old rivalries of the past. ■
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3,700 pupils have sailed 235,000 miles on Dauntsey’s ship, The Jolie Brise
THAT’S THE SPIRIT Sally Jones finds out how challenge and adventure can build resilience and inspire pupils to discover that there is more in them than they knew
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rooke Mowat, 18, from Moray is a sixth-former at Gordonstoun, the famously outdoorsy school in the highlands of Scotland. She recalls the awful weather they encountered en route to the Arctic. ‘It was so scary! The boat would rise up on a wave then drop down on the other side of it. Absolutely everyone had to lend a hand, taking turns on watch – four hours on, eight hours off – sail the boat and make sure nothing went wrong. The storm lasted three days and we were exhausted at the end, but you can’t say, “I can’t do it”. You can’t not do it. You just have to get on with it.’ For Brooke and the 25-strong crew, their 2019 summer’s voyage to Spitsbergen aboard the school’s 80-foot long ocean-going Bermudan ketch, Ocean Spirit of Moray, was inspirational. Sailing amid extraordinary scenery and wildlife – including seals and walrus colonies – guarding against the small but real risk of polar bear attack, coping with foul weather and the inevitable seasickness which accompanied it, while seeing first-hand the dramatic impact of global warming in this remote region, brings out hidden reserves in everyone. The expedition vividly illustrated the school’s motto, ‘Plus est en vous’ (there is more in you [than you think]). ‘They’re learning essential life skills, living in close quarters,’ explained Gordonstoun’s sail training coordinator, Ian Lerner. ‘So they have to be tolerant, take responsibility for everyone’s safety and be resilient. It requires focus, listening and a lot of teamwork to sail a big boat.’
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Character-building sailing training is equally important at Dauntsey’s School, Wiltshire, renowned for its 106-year-old tall ship Jolie Brise, in which, since 1977, 3,700 pupils have sailed 235,000 miles. Voyages include crossing the Atlantic six times, navigating 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle and, this summer, sailing to Iceland via the Faroe Islands. ‘Sailing on Jolie Brise is a big confidence builder,’ said Dauntsey’s Head of Sailing, Toby Marris. ‘Our pupils walk taller when they come off the boat.’ ‘I’ve sailed on her in Norway and across the Bay of Biscay to Portugal,’ said alumna, Harriet Steptoe, ‘but the highlight was sailing across the North Atlantic for 19 days. I saw incredible things that I couldn’t have experienced anywhere else. It’s been life-changing.’ For many top independent schools, building resilience through challenging endeavour is as crucial as good exam results and sporting success. It sets them apart from purely academic institutions; something that is vital in an era dominated by social media and unprecedented peer pressure, triggering an epidemic of anxiety, body issues and mental illness. Back in 2014, Andrew Halls, headmaster of King’s College School, Wimbledon, was among the first to recognise the need to broach these often taboo subjects, attacking social media for making teenagers ‘feel like the inadequate star of their own second-rate biopic’. KCS’s ground-breaking conference, ‘True Grit’, introduced the idea of resilience training ‘to show children they could change things both within
King’s College School, Wimbledon
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them and around them for the better, helping teenagers rise above despair, focus on their own strengths and win the battle of life’. ‘At King’s, that meant trying to make sure children were positively engaged in everything from sport to music to clubs to lessons,’ Mr Hall explained. ‘We banned the use of mobile phones during the school day for children below the sixth-form, and we introduced a theme called “Kindness at King’s”, which we still refer to, emphasising that none of us should ever deliberately make someone feel worse about themselves. The emphasis on positivity, involvement and kindness underpins all of our pastoral care and it seems to work very well.’ This combination of positivity and teamwork, is proving equally successful elsewhere. Sporting powerhouse Millfield School’s fencing star, Paul Williams, 18, and top coaches, Tristan Parris and Glen Golding, have been selected for a global mindfulness mentoring programme, ‘The True Athlete’, which pairs potential champions with senior experts. This aims to promote mental wellbeing in the ‘pressurecooker’ atmosphere of international competition and unleash sport’s power to effect social change. Overcoming hardship is a central element in building resilience. Ten teenagers from Malvern College, including Molly McNicholas, 16, who has type one diabetes, recently made national headlines when they became the first group to paddle-board across the Channel – the world’s busiest shipping lane – during a human-powered trip from Malvern to Paris. The youngsters, who paddled a giant stand-up paddleboard in shifts from Dungeness to Boulogne, hired two powerboats to alert passing oil tankers and ferries to their presence
‘They’re learning essential life skills, living in close quarters, so they have to be tolerant, take responsibility for everyone’s safety and be resilient. It requires focus, listening and a lot of teamwork to sail a big boat.’ GORDONSTOUN’S SAIL TRAINING COORDINATOR, IAN LERNER
Malvern College pupils paddle boarding across the Channel
and carry backup equipment. Jay Watts, the college’s Head of Outdoor Pursuits travelled with the team, but refused to step in except in an emergency – fortunately he didn’t have to. ‘I was thrilled the kids made it, despite the stress and the blisters,’ he said. ‘They kept going even when things were tough and they felt exhausted. Some people said we were mad to attempt something so potentially dangerous, but there’s a big difference between real danger and manageable risk. Even paddle-boarding across the Channel is only dangerous if you don’t plan and prepare properly. The kids organised every shred of equipment, trained hard and did all the cooking, cleaning and routeplanning themselves. They learned a lot
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Year nine pupils from Gordonstoun, Moray, on an expedition
about themselves and it’s made them stronger and more confident at dealing with life in general.’ ‘My diabetes was an extra complication,’ added Molly. ‘It was a gruelling trip and as any activity uses sugar, you have to manage it carefully. When your blood sugar is low it makes you tired, grumpy and bad at decision-making, but no one at school ever said: “You’re diabetic; you can’t do that” – just, “How do we keep you safe?” The others all kept an eye on me, but I’d trained carefully and luckily there were no dramas. My mother was stressed about us crossing busy shipping lanes on a paddle-board, but I really wanted to test myself. It’s made me realise that with enough preparation, I can do anything I want – though I can still hardly believe we did it!’ The Malvern Hills provide the perfect setting for pupils to escape everyday pressures and walk, run or simply commune with nature in glorious surroundings. Likewise, Christ College, Brecon uses the nearby Brecon Beacons for numerous CCF and outward bound expeditions, boosting pupils’ confidence and self-belief. Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, combined its proximity to the rolling South Downs Way with service to the community, using a demanding 13-mile whole school walk to raise part of the £44,000 needed for an ambitious project building classrooms in three deprived Kenyan schools. Mount Kelly, beside Dartmoor, which boasts its own Adventure Centre and moorland bunkhouse, uses ‘an awfully big adventure’ to build its pupils’ resilience: the ‘Mount Kelly Seven’ includes three Ten Tors challenges – the longest is a 55-mile trek with overnight camps – plus the three Duke of Edinburgh Awards and the 4-day 125-mile Devizes to Westminster Kayak Marathon. Ryan Gunther-Leece, 18, is the latest pupil to combine this feat with good academic results. ‘Completing the Mount Kelly Seven was the highlight of my time at school,’ he said. ‘It’s given me the confidence to take on anything life throws at me.’ The Kayak Marathon often proves a revelation to less sporty youngsters, previously lacking in self-belief. ‘You build resilience through a series of successes but also through coping with a few failures,’ explained Sam Moore, Dauntsey’s Head of Adventure Education. ‘One girl who applied for the Devizes-Westminster Marathon wasn’t a natural sportswoman but started training 15 hours a week with her friend, and after early setbacks, they just discovered the ability to keep going well for 30 miles a day. They got better and better – and actually finished second in the overall girls’ event, beating around 40 other teams. It was great to see someone not especially sporty get fired up after finding something she was good at. It transformed her schooldays, as it does for many kids, giving them the confidence to tackle big challenges like the Paris Half-Marathon or signing up to become prefects. It’s so rewarding when they suddenly say “I know how this process works. I can prepare thoroughly - and I can Mount Kelly’s Ten Tors team achieve stuff.”.’ ■ Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 55
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Emma Taylor (left) is Head of Dean Close, Cheltenham
LOOK WHO’S TURNING HEADS As three stalwart boys’ schools open their doors to female heads of school, Victoria Lambert asks what makes a good leader?
arents expect a lot from their head teacher: we want someone with a strong academic record, but not so highbrow we can’t talk to them on sports day. They need to be financially able but not a bean-counter, innovative without scaring the horses, a details type while also a blue-sky thinker. A Blue in rowing or lacrosse would be preferable. Add in that independent schools are having to be more innovative in the way they attract pupils and balance the books and you can see why competition to hire the star heads is fierce.
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Some schools have widened their traditional criteria of matching heads to the sex of their pupils, especially as more schools go co-ed: Milton Abbey has welcomed Judith Fremont-Barnes (ex- Duke of Kent School, Surrey) and King Edward’s Birmingham saw Dr Katy Ricks take up the reins as chief master last year, having come from Sevenoaks School. Even the remaining single-sex institutions are ditching the idea. St Paul’s has just snapped up Sally-Anne Huang to be its next high master from September 2020.
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So, what makes the perfect head – and how do schools find them? Ms Huang, currently head at James Allen’s Girls School (JAGS), in south London, says there’s no one perfect answer to the question. ‘So much of it depends on fit and context,’ says Ms Huang. ‘Different schools need different heads with a variety of skill. Some require serious academic clout, others want specialists in pastoral care and some need people with strong marketing and business skills.’ Milton Abbey, Dorset, is a small school with a big punch; many of its pupils have dyslexia or other learning difficulties, so pastoral care is key. Head Judith FremontBarnes believes that optimism is crucial for a good leader. ‘You have to see the good in children and never stop believing in their ability to progress. It’s about enabling others to become good people and when you are dealing with teenagers, you need them to know that you are on their side.’ But the needs of a school change with time: ‘The same school could benefit from very different headteachers, depending on its individual journey and at a specific moment in its history,’ says Huang. If a new head is a chance to bring in change, sometimes it’s about consolidation and continuity. At Edge Grove Prep in Hertfordshire, long-standing head Ben Evans will be replaced in September 2020 by Lisa McDonald, currently deputy head at The
British International School in New York. ‘McDonald was appointed after much deliberation,’ says Ian Elliott, chair of the board of governors. ‘We wanted someone who could match Ben Evans’ style,’ he explains, ‘not someone to kick the place upside down.’ Many believe that modern heads also need to have a firm grasp of corporate skills, from reading a balance sheet to knowing HR practices – and so schools consider a range of candidates; a pool which could include bursars or even CEOs of companies with no educational component. Not everyone agrees with this analysis. Emma Taylor, the new warden at Dean Close School in Cheltenham, and formerly of Christ College Brecon, believes that a background in education is important, ‘to have someone who properly understands the challenges of being in the classroom. Heads should be brilliant educators who can rise to the challenge of designing a curriculum to help children meet the challenges of the 21st century. To get children flying.’ Taylor is in an interesting position as warden, that role is more CEO than headship – and becoming increasingly common in independent schools. In fact, she oversees the four heads who each run one of the four Dean Close schools (the pre-prep, prep and senior schools in Cheltenham, plus St John’s on-the-Hill Preparatory School in Chepstow). ‘I do all the external facing stuff,’ she explains.
Dr Katy Ricks, Chief Master of King Edward’s School, Birmingham
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Judith Fremont-Barnes, head of Milton Abbey, Dorset
‘Education studies suggest a head is at their most effective between four and seven years in post. Earlier than that and the alliances, networks and appointments needed to effect change won’t have been embedded, and later than that people will become accustomed to doing things a certain way’ MAGNUS BASHAARAT, HEAD OF BEDALES
‘I deal with alumnae, donors, governors, external organisations as well as working on longer term strategy. Being a head is not just running a large boarding house anymore – it’s more like a small industry.’ Fremont-Barnes agrees: ‘Being a good leader is key, and having a good team around you vital. Heads can loose their sense of humour, getting weighed down in paperwork or policy. You need to be able to not take yourself too seriously, while never forgetting your mission or your vision for the school.’
Huang shares these same sentiments: ‘One of the things I love about the job is the incredible variety of activities, even on a daily basis. Obviously, I do the things people would most associate with a headteacher. I take assemblies, meet with parents and pupils regularly and I still teach. For me, the teaching is very important. However, you also end up becoming an expert on HR, finance, site development and public relations. I can’t think of many jobs that would provide that full range of experiences and you have to be flexible; but it’s a huge privilege.’ Taylor says the most rewarding part of her work is actually looking after the other heads. She believes that honesty and self-knowledge are vital qualities to look for in a head: ‘Understanding your skills is paramount; someone might not be a powerful speaker, but they might be great with prospective parents. I can step in and mentor through the areas where they may need support.’ It works both ways, of course. A good head is one who can recognise the right setting for them. Magnus Basharat moved from Milton Abbey to Bedales, Hampshire, in 2018. He believes that heads gravitate towards schools for which they feel a natural connection and empathy in terms of their values and ethos. ‘If you’ve spent time working in mostly day schools, then it’s unlikely you’ll want to lead a boarding school in the countryside
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that doesn’t have phone signal, let alone a local shop.’ He adds: ‘As you spend time in the education world there will be schools you watch and hear about and stay interested in because they’re doing something you like, and feel is valuable and distinctive. I think it’s quite hard to take a violent lurch in order to become head at a school for which you have no instinctive connection.’ But how much does a head impact a school? Can they change its ethos or must they fall in line? Basharat says: ‘I think that a head can do both, depending on how much energy and imagination they have. Wellington College in 1985 (which was taken on by legendary headmaster Sir Anthony Seldon, who also transformed Brighton College) was nothing like Wellington in 2015 when he left. But some schools have an institutionalised culture and ethos, for good or ill, that can’t, or shouldn’t, be changed.’ Parents might be surprised to know that the process of ‘headhunting’ is exhaustive. Ian Elliott, governor of Edge Grove, says the school went through a specialised search agency who contacted 300 potential candidates before the governors looked at 30 of them. One of these 30 was Lisa McDonald, the deputy head of The British International School of New York, who was then interviewed by Skype and finally chosen from a shortlist of five. ‘We thought there was some commonality between a school in Manhattan and one in North London,’ Elliott explains. ‘They are both fairly tough, busy environments.’ He adds that it was important too that their head had a strong academic background and would feel comfortable holding their own with parents who were successful professionals, which he believes McDonald will do with ease.
ABOVE AND LEFT: Helen Pike, Master of Magdalen College School; Sir Anthony Seldon
Once in place, it can take time for a new head to really become embedded into an established school and make it their own. ‘Education studies suggest a head is at their most effective between four and seven years in post,’ Basharat says. ‘Earlier than that and the alliances, networks and appointments needed to effect change won’t have been embedded, and later than that people will become accustomed to doing things a certain way. I would say it takes four years to make a real difference.’ So what makes such an intense job worthwhile? ‘Helping someone from a bad place to a good place; student, staff or parent,’ Basharat offers. ‘I think most teachers and headteachers feel that there is so much to celebrate when our pupils succeed,’ agrees Huang, ‘either publicly with academic or sporting success, or in private when they overcome hurdles and difficulties.’ n
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Space to breathe. Set in 200 acres of beautiful countryside and just four miles from the breathtaking North Norfolk coast, a Gresham’s education gives your child all the time and space they need to develop into a confident, well-rounded individual.
greshams.com | Holt, Norfolk An independent boarding and day school for children aged 2-18
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ENTREPRENEURIALISM With BTECs in entrepreneurialism, Young Enterprise clubs and A-levels in business studies, canny pupils are taking a leap to get ahead of the game
Independent school pupils are launching their own entrepreneurial careers
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THE JOURNALIST
AN AMBITIOUS MINDSET Eleanor Doughty charts an industrious course
hen jobs are no longer guaranteed – even for Oxbridge students – and in a world changing as rapidly as ours is today, it is not surprising that enterprising young students want to take matters into their own hands. Data collected by the Royal Bank of Scotland found that 55 per cent of 18 to 30 year olds aim to start a business, compared to 35 per cent of the total adult population. Entrepreneurship is big business. Schools have known this for some time. Sir Walter Saloman was awarded his knighthood for creating the Young Enterprise Awards back in the 1960s, which in 2017/18 had over 320,000 entrants. Most independent senior schools put forward a young team of excited would-be businessmen and women every year. But awareness and interest grew in the mid-noughties with the introduction in 2005 of TV reality shows like The Apprentice and Dragon’s Den. Today, inspired young people can log on to YouTube and start a business from their bedrooms, and schools are working hard to engage pupils with the business community, equipping them with ‘soft’ skills for the next step forward. At Cheltenham College, sixth-formers can add a ‘mini MBA’ to their timetable. This programme – also offered to a group from All Saints’ Academy, one of Cheltenham’s partner schools – is now in its third year. Development director Sebastian Bullock explains: ‘Pupils learn about producing a cashflow forecast and meet with external speakers – alumni, parents, or local businesses. They then team up to produce and pitch a business plan to a panel, the best of which go to London to present to business figures in a boardroom for a cash prize. For those looking towards a full MBA, it’s an excellent start and, even if students opt for a different path, they have a grounding in something with long-term value.’ Former businessman and now head of business studies at John Lyon School in Harrow, Michael Fletcher says, ‘I entered our sixth-
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form boys into the London Institute of Banking and Finance’s student investor challenge, where they run portfolios of £100,000 worth of stocks. The trading captured the boys’ imaginations – I can’t walk around school without being stopped for some advice on a stock pick.’ Moira Davies, head of careers and higher education at King Edward’s, Witley, says that young people today are more business savvy. ‘They are already thinking about their own businesses, whether it’s in or out of school,’ she says. The growth of social media may be responsible: ‘The technology available now means starting a business is achievable on your own,’ says Hannah Graydon, of Caterham School in Surrey. Pupils partake in the school’s innovation award, developing a business idea to present to judges. ‘They are pretty enterprising,’ she says, ‘and keen coders are selling apps on the App Store.’ No longer does ‘work’ have to mean going to the same office every day: according to the Office for National Statistics, numbers of self-employed people increased by 180,000 from March 2018 to March 2019. Generation Z, born after the mid-1990s, are likely to be the ‘slash’ generation – for example, accountant/interior decorator. Emma Gannon writes in her 2018 book, The MultiHyphen Method, ‘being a multi-hyphenate is about having the freedom to take on multiple projects’. The next generation entering the workplace will ‘have all these other skills which will ensure that they are future-proofed for employability,’ says Davies, although of course, she acknowledges it is important to recognise that not everyone is a natural entrepreneur. Business studies is still a viable subject for the would-be business owner. At Queen Anne’s School in Caversham, girls campaigned to have the subject reintroduced, says Andrea Robinson, who teaches economics, business and enterprise. Straightaway it attracted two classes. ‘It’s growing in popularity,’ says Robinson who attributes this partly to parental influence, but says that the girls enjoy the practical subjects. ‘Our syllabus is based on how businesses make decisions – it’s the problem-solving skills that I talk about the most.’ Last year, Milton Abbey in Dorset won the BTEC of the year award and business is high on the agenda. The level three BTEC in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, which is equivalent to an A-level, is ‘designed for students who wish to know how to start up a business,’ says Rebecca Barton, head of enterprise and economics. ‘We allow students to mix A-levels and BTECs to suit their needs. Options are grouped into “pods”; the business and entrepreneurship pod includes subjects ranging from modern languages to marketing, international business, property management and accountancy. These give students the opportunity to specialise at 18,’ she says. ‘It shows universities and employers that they are focussed on that area.’ Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 63
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Pupils from Queen Anne’s School, Caversham presented with an award by Peter Jones
Alongside their academic studies, pupils can enjoy the Entrepreneur in Residence scheme, preparing a business plan to pitch to a panel, each year lead by a notable entrepreneur. ‘The winner gets £2,000 to continue their business,’ says Barton. Unsurprisingly, it’s popular: ‘We get students doing it who I’ve never taught before.’ For some schools, entrepreneurial activities are extra-curricular and about making a difference. Lucy Elphinstone, Head of Francis Holland, Sloane Square, is passionate about introducing her girls to business from the age of 11, and even offering their sixth-form workspace to entrepreneurs in the local central working hub in exchange for mentoring. ‘Our girls are being trained to be job-makers, not job-takers,’ says Ms Elphinstone who also talks about intrapreneurs. ‘At the heart of it, it’s about social impact and we can all make a difference within a society.’ This attitude would resonate with Sue Grice, Head of Careers at Merchant Taylors’ School, Hertfordshire, where sixth-form boys work with the charity Phab, helping disabled teenagers. ‘Some people see enterprise as just being commercial. An
Take risks in a safe environment
enterprising attitude goes past that – it’s about being able to work in teams, solve problems, and prioritise.’ These skills are illustrated during a ten-day activity programme that the boys put on for young people with disabilities at the school, says Grice. ‘They learn as many skills through that type of programme as they do through Young Enterprise.’ St Edward’s School, Oxford, has gone so far as to devise a new curriculum to replace GCSEs. On their new design and entrepreneurship course, pupils will create business plans, market ideas, and learn about negotiation, as well as re-imagine design. ‘Kids see design as woodworking or metal-working, because that’s what their parents have told them it is,’ says Matthew Albrighton, deputy head (academic). ‘Now, we are designing a course to teach them about being an entrepreneur. We want them to embrace the challenge of solving problems, rather than just doing the necessary paperwork to get a grade at the end.’ Pupils will learn how to fail in a safe environment. ‘They might feel that if they don’t succeed first time then they’re going to fail the course,’ says Albrighton. ‘They should never seefailure as a bad thing.’ Celebrating failure is a new trend in today’s work world. The journalist Elizabeth Day’s popular podcast, How to Fail with Elizabeth Day, sees public figures explore their failures on air. As Day writes in her accompanying book, How to Fail: Everything I’ve Ever Learned From Things Going Wrong, ‘I have evolved more when things were going wrong than when they were going right.’ Carol Chandler-Thompson, headmistress of Blackheath High School GDST, is keen for her girls to engage with risk-taking. ‘We want to get them used to risk-taking in an environment where it’s not a crisis if things go wrong,’ she says. ‘We’ve got to embrace this idea of failure as being an enjoyable challenge. Failure is a driving force to succeed,’ adds Albrighton. And as most entrepreneurs will concede, failure is a rite of passage in entrepreneurship but the good ones know this, pick themselves up and try and try again until they get it right.
THE ENTREPRENEUR
IS ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR YOU? Julian Hall is Entrepreneur in Residence at Putney High School GDST
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ne of Putney High School’s many entrepreneurial alumnae, Ali Pumfrey told my sixth-formers: ‘I didn’t know that I was going to become a chef and set up my own food business when I left school! Be open and do as much work experience as possible to discover your passion.’ Entrepreneurship as a career is unpredictable, uncertain and requires the resilience of graphene and will power, said a top CEO of a highly regarded London firm. And it is about solving problems. Deloitte Digital has released a short film, The Stages of Business Disruption, providing insight and humour into the story of business and digital transformation, and highlighting a critical aspect of becoming an entrepreneur; trying to solve a problem by building or doing something that (lots of) people want. Most people don’t become entrepreneurs until they’ve found a problem that they are passionate about solving. But for those desperate to become entrepreneurs, Y Combinator, one of the world’s largest and most successful start-up accelerators, identified a negative, pre-entrepreneurial behaviour of a ‘solution looking for a problem’ – coming up with solutions for problems that don’t actually exist. It doesn’t matter whether you become an entrepreneur or not, the skills are useful and transferable. There is entrepreneurship – and having the mindset to set up a business that disrupts or innovates – and then there’s the application of entrepreneurial skills, which can be applied anywhere, many of which are akin to life or employability skills. Whether it’s in the finance sector, music, education, tech or even fashion, young people need these skills. Some are more obscure; adaptability, curiosity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence and failing fast are all commonly touted as ‘must-have’ traits in new talent hires. So the question isn’t so much ‘Is entrepreneurship for you?’, but more ‘what entrepreneurial skills do I need for future success?’ At ‘Start It’, the recent creation of the West London Schools Entrepreneurship Programme in which Putney collaborates with St Paul’s and other local partner schools, creative problem-solving is the essence. Teams of post-GCSE students join together to brainstorm, plan and negotiate their way to a final pitch of a sustainable business solution to a pressing world problem. The passion is palpable and creative ideas flow. Not everyone will be an entrepreneur; not everyone cares enough to solve the problem, but as Steve Jobs said in his 2005 Stanford address: ‘Do what you love, because if entrepreneurship is for you, that will be the spark.’
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THE TEACHER
BTECS FOR EMPLOYABILITY Rebecca Barton, Head of Economics & Enterprise at Milton Abbey, explains how BTECs can prepare pupils for a career in business him to become a dealer specialising in African art and antiques. ilton Abbey places a high priority on employability, Of course, the majority of our leavers still go to university first, with many students discovering an entrepreneurial many studying business-related degrees. Thankfully, it’s now quite streak at school that enables them to go on to widely known that there is a parity between BTEC and A-level achieve success in business. We are in our 13th year grades for most universities’ entrance requirements. of offering BTEC courses and our success is However, this doesn’t fully illustrate the ‘worth’ of BTECs in recognised by Pearson, the external awarding body for BTEC securing university places. For Milton Abbey graduates last year, qualifications who named us BTEC School of the Year. Enterprise 90 per cent of our students studied either a pure BTEC programme and Entrepreneurship is one of our most popular BTECs at sixth-form, or a mixed one including an A-level. All of these leavers who wished both for students going to university and those already focused on to go to university received at least one offer to study on the course a business career. they were interested Our sixth-form students are able to combine BTECs with A-levels, in. Our analysis shows allowing the school to find exactly the right subject mix for each Annoushka Ducas that studying a BTEC student. For some, an A-level in economics may be the best option relevant to their degree to build their analytical and statistical skills, but many prefer the more actually improved the rounded combination of theory, practical skills and industry-focused numbers of university projects offered by the Enterprise & Entrepreneurship BTEC. offers, compared to Highlights have included students planning, organising and what they might have running their own events and small businesses at school, combining received if they had their theoretical knowledge – such as making sure they made a profit only studied A-levels. – with practical skills such as complying with food health and safety We are continuing laws, liaising with external suppliers and producing promotional to develop a course material. Students have also benefited from entrepreneurs visiting mix that is responsive the school and external trips; last year, we visited both to the needs of Warner Brothers Studios to research the financial our students, but also impact of the Harry Potter series. to the needs of the The school’s entrepreneurial spirit isn’t just increasingly creative present in our sixth-form courses. We also run an and entrepreneurial innovative ‘Entrepreneur in Residence Scheme’, world they will enter. with lectures and one-to-one business As a result, 2018 saw the start of a new course in games mentoring from household names that have development, tapping into a global market that is included designer Cath Kidston, fashion worth more than Hollywood and the music industry mogul Johnnie Boden, Nick Wheeler combined. Last September, we launched a new OBE of Charles Tyrwhitt and David Ross, Fashion Design and Production BTEC and a music co-founder of Carphone Warehouse. Last technology-focused course. Many students who have year the school hosted jewellery designer a desire to launch their own businesses in areas like Annoushka Ducas MBE, who co-founded this choose to combine an industry-specific course with Links of London and Charlie Bigham takes JK Rowling with Eddie Redmayne, who portrays Newt Scamander the business skills offered by our Enterprise up the mantle this year. in the Fantastic Beasts series & Entrepreneurship BTEC. The scheme has a competitive element, It’s a model that gets results. Ninety-seven per with students pitching ideas for a start-up cent of our leavers last year achieved their desired business and receiving funding to help make outcome; whether that was a university place, a their ideas a reality. This year’s winner, Joe Sturdy, work-based apprenticeship, or the confidence and left school last July and is already running a knowledge to follow their entrepreneurial dreams at business converting mountain bikes to electric bikes a relatively young age. using the scheme’s funding to run his business, alongside studying at university. He won the bronze award for Business and Enterprise Student of the Year at the national BTEC awards. ‘Enterprise and Entrepreneurship remains Further down the line, our leavers have gone one of our most popular BTECs at sixth-form, on to set up a number of different business, including successful London restaurants, a sound both for students going to university and engineering company that helped orchestrate the those already focused on a business career’ opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Rebecca Barton, Milton Abbey Games, and a recent leaver’s passion for art led
M
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v i s i t w w w. g e o r g e s c h o o l . o r g
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‘We wanted to make something sustainable and fun, but most importantly, it had to make a genuine difference to young people’s mental health’ – Charlie Slater
social media channels for people to keep up with our company antics online and we have set up our own podcast and blog, as extensions of our book. Currently, we are running a series of interviews with people who inspire us and using our podcast to interview the authors of our articles and expand on ideas we couldn’t fit into the book. Young Enterprise has involved problemsolving, not least convincing our school that the book was appropriate enough to be published, but also dealing with print deadlines and editions. It’s been a steep learning curve. Setting up our own company has taught me that if you have a good cause to believe in and really persevere, you can find a way to make it work. The most rewarding part is receiving positive feedback from satisfied customers and the people who have genuinely been helped by Note to Self – it makes all the hard work we’ve put in worthwhile, as clichéd as that sounds. Across the UK, students in their penultimate school year create Young THE PUPIL Enterprise companies, competing for regional and national titles in the summer term. At Calne, we attend weekly meetings Sixth-formers at St Mary’s Calne formed a Young Enterprise run by our elected managing director and company to produce a book, written by and for girls about benefit from the guidance of our Young mental health issues, recounts sales director, Charlie Slater Enterprise Supervisor – our economics teacher – which keeps the project studentled. Additionally, being a part of a Young Enterprise company arlier this year, a group of friends and I decided is good for the CV, but what’s really valuable about Young Enterprise to run a Young Enterprise company at our school, is that it has given us experience of running a real company with St Mary’s Calne. We wanted to make something all of the accompanying challenges. Entrepreneurship teaches sustainable and fun, but, most importantly, it had resilience through risk-taking, teamwork and learning how to fail to make a genuine difference to young people’s – all of which are invaluable lessons. Writing a book, especially mental health. We burned through ideas: themed socks were one that aims to help people with mental health, was by no means ‘not original enough’, and a sustainability starter pack with bamboo an easy option for us, but it has ultimately been so worthwhile and toothbrushes failed to win a unanimous vote. I’ll recommend the experience to anyone who’ll listen. Having just done our GCSEs, someone suggested recording our exam tips for younger students. Someone else suggested St Mary’s Calne Young writing a collection of our anecdotes about mental health to try Enterprise team and reduce stigma; we merged these two ideas and Note to Self was born. Note to Self is a collection of anecdotes, insights and art from 28 sixthformers on the various issues that affect us. Some wrote about struggles with mental health, and others gave advice about other challenges faced by young people today, from exam stress and social media, to social issues like feminism and racism. Crucially, every author has personal experience of the issue they wrote about. For parents, it’s an insight into the mind of a 16 year old and for other young people, it gives the knowledge that whatever you’re facing, you’re not alone. Once we’d written, edited and published our book, our focus turned to selling and promoting it. As Sales Director, I helped to organise sales events and promote our book by writing articles for blogs, magazines and newspapers. We set up promotional
NOTE TO SELF
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Children coding with Cypher
CREATIVE SCREEN TIME The most positive use for screens is by making music, creating digital art, making videos and learning computational thinking. ‘Communicative Screen Time’ is really important because it’s about learning that the rules of manners, grammar and structure are as relevant in emails as they are in letter writing. FaceTime and Skype are great ways to keep the family closer.
ACTIVE SCREEN TIME
A MOTHER’S VIEW
COGNITIVE CODING Mother and computer scientist, Elizabeth Tweedale, founder of Cypher, believes being computer-savvy is key to entrepreneurialism ’m a self-confessed serial entrepreneur and a mother of three young children who teaches and runs creative coding camps for five to 12 year olds. I believe that the benefits of children learning to code is not about individual languages (which may be obsolete by the time our students reach secondary school) but becoming fluent in computational thinking and honing an entrepreneurial mindset. With the evolution of careers, there will be a shift towards more entrepreneurs in the work place and an understanding of technology will be paramount. The entrepreneurial mindset is something that I encourage in young people. My ten year old has been running a website shop since he was eight, selling curiosities for his school charity. My daughter is currently recruiting followers to her YouTube channel. Entrepreneurs are exemplified by behaviours: we think on our feet, we road test ideas – we fail and we try again. We develop resilience, we pitch, and we solve problems. Yet these aren’t just qualities people need
I
to succeed in business – they are the qualities that young people need to succeed in the future. Children can develop these qualities by learning to code. Developing their computational thinking opens their eyes to different possibilities and goes hand in hand with problem solving. It helps children adopt a positive can-do attitude to their future. Screen time for children is often given a bad press these days, but it’s good to remember that there are different types of screen time. I believe that encouraging children to embrace an entrepreneurial urge and learn to code helps them take control of their destinies. They can begin to feel more able to understand the fast-moving world, see how they can make a difference and gain a sense of empowerment and confidence. In contrast to the topsy-turvy political landscape, the reports of the effects of AI on our future and the overwhelming cloud of environmental impact on the earth, empowering children with the tools to embrace proactivity and problem solving can give them a greater sense of wellbeing, self-confidence, balance and optimism.
Gaming and searching are particularly good for training entrepreneurs, forcing fast decision making, inevitable failure, getting up and doing it again! Searching can be for homework (positive) or ‘social grazing’ on Instagram for instance (not so good).
PASSIVE SCREEN TIME Some TV watching is beneficial and worth seeking out and doing together. Some is not. Children would be better off playing with Lego, holding a dolls’ tea party or kicking a ball around. Most of the time, the viewer is not being asked to interact or engage intellectually. ■
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SCHOOL HOUSE PARTNERSHIP that they arrive each day ready for work, to study and to challenge themselves as they might in their future careers.’ The college’s USP, then, is a type of sixth-form education with a business-like preparation for university, something Mr Wilson suggests hasn’t really existed before ES6. In addition to the bespoke A-level curriculum on offer, every ES6 student will be expected to take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) on a topic of interest to them. Students will be assigned a supervisor to guide them through the project, training them in research, study and presentation skills that will be crucial for their years at university. John Wilson, Headmaster As a part of the Dukes Education family, ES6 benefits from a collection of consultancy services to aid students in university preparation and the securing of university places. Special workshops will be offered at ES6 for those candidates applying to Oxbridge, medical school, Ivy League institutions and other US Eaton Square Sixth-Form College will offer ‘a completely colleges. However, ES6 are also bringing different type of sixth-form education to the local market,’ in experts of their own, not to mention says founding head, John Wilson Mr Wilson’s 20 years of experience of working in, and leading, London sixth-form colleges. Students aspiring to study at ES6 will face an entrance procedure that purposely mirrors that of UCAS: applicants will be required to write a personal statement, undertake an interview with Mr Wilson and supply a reference from their current school. ES6 is also pioneering the Individual Learning Activity (ILA) with its students, as Mr Wilson explains: ‘We want students to choose one area beyond the curriculum in which they want to make progress or study independently. So, if they’re musical they could write or practice music; if they want to study another language independently, they could do that – it will be something singular to them. We expect them to make progress in their chosen area in the same way they will make progress in their A-levels and their EPQ.’ ES6’s first cohort can expect to be a part of a state-of-the-art, fresh new college. The college will boast a brand new science laboratory, graphics studio and contemporary common room. ‘The building will be a contrast of the traditional and modern. Our grade ituated in the heart of Belgravia, II listed home will contain exciting just five minutes from Victoria and contemporary facilities that will Station, is the new member make our students want to come to of the Eaton Square Schools study each day. We want them to take family, Eaton Square Sixth-Form College immediate ownership of their college (ES6). Opening in September 2020, the and feel proud to belong to it.’ first generation of ES6 students will find John Wilson has created a sixththemselves in an unique college that form college for the 21st century; stands out in a saturated market. a place where aspirational young ES6 promotes an atmosphere that adults can get a head start on their it sees as crucial in an establishment for peers, getting ahead of the game young adults. ‘We want to be mature for university, and whatever career but nurturing, immersive and ambitious,’ lies beyond. explains Mr Wilson. ‘We are going to ask eatonsquareschool.com/ our students to wear business dress, so sixth-form-college
START UNIVERSITY AHEAD OF THE GAME
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REGULARS TEEN SPIRIT | INSIDER VIEW | A DVICE
Harrow School, London
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Wetherby Kensington School is part of the Alpha Plus Group. Learn Learn more: more: www.wetherby-kensington.co.uk www.wetherby-kensington.co.uk Tel: Tel: 020 020 7487 7487 6000 6000 Twitter: Twitter: @Alpha_PlusGroup @Alpha_PlusGroup
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EDITOR’S INTERVIEW
CHANGE THE STORY Annabel Heseltine talks to Margaret Rooke, author of You Can Change the World, about teenagers who are making a difference
What prompted you to write this book about teenagers? I read some research by the Royal Society of the Arts where they asked adults how they felt about teenagers and the answers were so negative: selfish, lazy and antisocial. I thought we really need to redress this. Teenagers challenge things, but if we view them negatively they will pick up on it, so it is important that we are positive towards them. And we know that teenagers are influenced by their peer group. Often that’s seen as a bad thing, that they will be prompted to misbehave – drink too much or take drugs – but it can also be a good thing if those teenagers are being proactive.
What did you learn from writing the book? What always surprises me with the books I have written is how simple the answers are. When I wrote Dyslexia Is My Superpower (Most of the Time), I interviewed children and teenagers with dyslexia, discovering that if they knew what interested them, and if they had an adult or a teacher on their side who believed in them, that was often enough. A similar pattern emerged in this book; if teenagers knew what inspired them, and if they felt they were taken seriously by an adult, then that was enough for them to achieve, whether they grew up with not very much or with a lot.
What were you like as a teenager? I didn’t feel I could make a difference to things important to me, but today’s teens are brought up being listened to and taken seriously in their families. So, they have an expectation that they can do things. There is this wave of amazing teenage attitude like the climate change protests and, in America, the anti-gun demonstrations. Teenagers are saying we are here and we can make a difference now. That feeling wasn’t around when I was growing up.
Has the internet influenced this change? People rightly have concerns about social media, but many people in my book have achieved what they have because of the internet. Take Lucy, for example. Aged 14, she went to Tesco head office and persuaded them to stop selling eggs from caged hens.
the fringes of gang violence and then he got support. Now he is helping other struggling teenagers to focus on music. He said, ‘I know the news has to cover stabbings and gangs but why can’t they also say this teenager has just made a track and, amazingly, it has gone viral? Why can’t we see more of that?’ That’s a very powerful message I want to spread. Recently, I asked a year six class in an east London school where they felt they could make a difference. Their answers blew me away. They felt very strongly about homelessness and food waste. They had so many logical, clear ideas that the school is running both campaigns this year.
Margaret Rooke
What inspired you to write two books about dyslexics? My daughter
For years she had been writing letters but nobody listened. Then she did an online petition and hundreds and thousands of people signed it. They listened. She’s one of many teenagers who know how to harness the internet for the greater good.
Not all teenagers show this wonderful streak of determination and social thinking. What would you say to parents of teenagers who are struggling and don’t have much motivation? This book might enable a parent to open up a conversation with their teenager, but we must model the behaviour we want them to copy because even if they are rebelling, they will be learning from what they are witnessing. A friend really struggled with her teenager son, then he got a girlfriend and one day she overheard them discussing what to do: ‘I know what we can do,’ he said. ‘Let’s go for a walk.’ She realised how their effort had paid off. Some of the teenagers in the book have made really impressive incremental changes with very little going for them. One boy was on
was diagnosed when she was 13. I didn’t want her to grow up thinking that because she has this ‘label’ she can’t do whatever she wants in her life. So I started interviewing really successful people with dyslexia. When she was doing GCSE photography I got the photographer, David Bailey, to be in it, and then Darcey Bussell. Back then dyslexia wasn’t recognised as having advantages, but discovering all these really successful people with dyslexia was tremendously inspiring. In Dyslexia Is My Superpower (Most of the Time) and Creative, Successful, Dyslexic, children and teenagers can identify with these people and think, ‘they did this, so I can too.’ ■
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INSIDE STORY
CONFESSIONS OF A HOUSE MASTER Peter Thackrey’s day is never dull, starting, as it does, with the lambing and finishing at the witching hour
every single night, for as long as it takes. Some nights are joyous; cherished my image of a house master; boys have an endless capacity to revel and delight in life and short, rotund, dressed in tweed, with spectacles when they succeed I burst with pride. It is supporting the boys benevolently smiling upon his young charges through life events both big and small that one builds up an while he wanders around the boarding house, authentic lifelong bond with those whom you have cared for a thread of smoke rises from his pipe as he some of their most formative years. shuffles off to bed and sherry at 9pm. It did not take long There are, of course, some (about two minutes after I entered conversations I will never forget. the boarding sector of an independent Peter Thackrey Dimitri was an overseas boarder who school) for this beautiful vision to set off a smoke bomb in the toilets. be crushed under the high-octane He sighs heavily as he flops into juggernaut of 21st-century boarding a chair in my office, looking bored. house life that hit me when I became ‘About the smoke bomb,’ I begin. a housemaster at Bedales. He rolls his eyes to the ceiling with My day starts at 6.30am when I get a groan of frustration. ‘Urrrrgghh. up and unlock the boarding house Yes.’ His thick, rich Eastern-European for boys going on an early morning vowels colour the air. ‘And the whole run, or to help with lambing in the building was evacuated?’ He raises spring term. I then check the boys an eyebrow in assent. Obstreperous are up and chase the stragglers off and contemptuous as he is, I feel to lessons before I start teaching I have to ask the obvious question. French and Russian for the day. ‘Why did you do this inside, Dimitri?’ After classes I attend meetings or Dimitri raises both eyebrows in run an activity before the boys return surprise. ‘Because Peter,’ he said, to the house for the evening. More explaining slowly and clearly for my meetings follow: a student council, benefit, ‘If I do this outside, someone a chat with a boy struggling will see it was me. In toilets, no one academically or socially, a call knows it is me.’ His logic is flawless. to a parent perhaps. Some nights are truly difficult. We do not have a prefect team Telling a boy someone they love in house, but four teachers are on has died; trying to heal widening duty helping with the boys each rifts between boys and their friends evening, thereby building rapports ‘My evenings are the toughest, or family; or trying to reach boys which pay dividends in the classroom. most unpredictable and who are struggling with mental Our mixed-age dorm system enables most important part of the day health issues can all be heartbreaking. authentic relationships to be built-up Not to mention helping them negotiate across the ages with the older students and I have to be on top form the myriad of challenges they face acting as positive role models (with every single night, for as long in the world outside of school: social training from me). as it takes’ media, drugs, alcohol, self-harm. Every week a group of boys come The list is endless and as a new parent to my kitchen for dinner – typically myself, it can be frightening. However, raclette or fajitas. We cook, eat, clear this is what I’m trained to do and I take great pride in the up and chat together. Having put the boys to bed, my staff astonishing level of expert care we are able to provide for young leave around 11pm, at which point I do a few more rounds, people while they are with us. The job of a boarding housemaster or lock up the house and write up conversations from the evening. mistress is exhausting, all-consuming and not for the faint-hearted. But If I’m lucky, I get to bed at midnight. I am also in the enviable position of being able to say that my job is a joy My evenings are the toughest, most unpredictable and and a privilege. Even without the tweeds and sherry. ■ most important part of the day and I have to be on top form
I
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Quinta, 16, from St Mary’s Ascot, teaching for the charity Educaid
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TEEN SPIRIT
MY MONTH IN MARONKA Quinta Thomson, of St Mary’s Ascot, was only 16 when she volunteered to work for a charity in Sierra Leone
voiding approaching lorries on a dual carriageway late at night with my sister – who was ill and close to collapsing – was more adventure than I had bargained for. With warnings ringing in my ears not to drive after dark, I prayed to God that if he could get us back home safe and well, I would be eternally grateful. Last summer I decided to go and work for Educaid, an educational charity set up in Sierra Leone. The African country is not known for its amazing culture or stunning landscapes, but for a brutal ten-year civil war, Ebola, and a landslide that killed 1,141 citizens in its capital back in 2017. I was 16 and had no previous experience of travelling. Nor did I have any contacts. People said I was senseless and irrational to go, but I was determined. Human rights are something of a calling for me; it was at the Trust Conference for Human Rights that I realised I wanted to do something to help others of my age who are so limited by lack of a good education. And then I heard Miriam Mason speaking at my school, St Mary’s Ascot, about her charity. Miriam believes that by instilling staple values such as resilience, equality and effort through education, it is possible to create a ‘democratic, dignified and prosperous Sierra Leone, where poverty is
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eliminated by educated citizens.’ My sister, Octavia, and I arrived in Freetown less than 24 hours after I had taken my last GCSE. Exhausted, nervous and very uncomfortable in the heat, we reached Maronka School in the Port Loko district 15 hours later to be greeted by a large, inquisitive crowd of children breaking away from their makeshift football game to size-up the visitors. Our bedroom comprised a mattress, a mosquito net and corroded bars entwined to form a window. It was not the Ritz, but it would do. Throughout my stay I was thrown in at the deep end; trying to teach interesting lessons with limited resources, putting children to bed and organising activities – soon I learned to improvise. I found it hard to listen to the children’s stories and backgrounds but I loved it, learning so much from teachers and the children; from their relentless enthusiasm and willingness to overcome huge obstacles and throw themselves into any form of education. It made me reevaluate my attitude towards education and the Quinta and her sister limitless freedoms available in England. Octavia in Sierra Leone We were stripped back to the essentials; a generator two hours an evening, a plastic bucket for a shower, a scoop, and a barricade of dried palm leaves; every afternoon we collected our water from a well on top of a hill – it was humiliating for my sister and me to watch an eight-year-old girl carry a full bucket of water on her head when we couldn’t manage one between us; we fell ill and found unremitting cold rice with cassava leaves for breakfast, lunch and supper repetitive and unnourishing. I tried out things I would not have dared at home – like riding on the back of a motorcycle in the middle of a thunderstorm – and I met the most inspirational individuals, including the remarkable first female Mayor of Freetown, who plans to rebuild the capital. There were uncomfortable moments too: rejecting polite marriage proposals and running a workshop on tramadol – an opioid that 80 per cent of Sierra Leonean adults are addicted to – at the local senior school, where I was shocked to be told by a boy my age that it was a common activity for his friends because ‘there was nothing else to do really when they got bored’. These children are set up to struggle through life, disadvantaged from birth by lack of education, accommodation and guidance; these were things given to me which I have never questioned. Many times I wondered who was the one who learned most from the experience? Certainly I came away with far more than memories. n Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 77
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B E S T O F. . .
MATCH TEAS Alex Bloom-Davis dines like a king on schools’ post-sport snacks
CORKING CURRIES Hazlegrove, Somerset With a full match list at Hazlegrove, a co-ed day and boarding prep school, there is plenty of opportunity for the pupils to fully indulge in the delights of physical activity – and for the catering department to shine. An afternoon of football, hockey, netball or cricket inevitably leaves big holes in the pupils’ stomachs, but these are easily filled by head chef, Simon Van Loo, and his home-made soups, assorted cakes, brownies, cookies and what have been called ‘the best curry I’ve ever tasted’ by a visiting school’s parent. The praise doesn’t stop there: ‘You should do your own cookery book for charity,’ another parent commented. Indeed, Simon runs a fully fledged kitchen, with a sous-chef, a pastry chef and a sandwich artist. Particular favourites are the Hazlegrove homemade sausage rolls and the pavlova with fresh berries. All produce is seasonal and local, from the best farms Somerset has to offer. 78 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | Spring/Summer 2020
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MATCH TEAS
MUNCH ON THE MOVE Fettes College, Edinburgh At Fettes College you don’t go to match tea – it comes to you. Enter the Fettes Coffee and Cake Cart, which whizzes around the beautiful Scottish campus during the college’s regular sporting fixtures. Brimming with hot drinks and home baking, all prepared by head chef, Alistair MacDonald, and his team – which recently won the Independent Schools of the Year Award for Healthy Eating – the new addition of homemade Scottish tablet has been a huge hit. With 20 sports on offer at Fettes, you can be sure to be kept busy – and the cake cart will be on its way to keep your energy levels up.
PURVEYORS OF THE FINEST Bradfield College, Berkshire It is hard to distinguish between a Bradfield match tea and afternoon tea at The Ritz: peppered venison loin, dauphinoise potatoes, caramelised celeriac purée, orange blossom honey and truffle are what you can expect. Robert Pynegar, Bradfield’s catering manager, excels at the superb, also offering blackberry trifle and white chocolate and raspberry blondies. Bradfield pupils enjoy clay pigeon shooting, skiing and water polo, as well as benefitting from one of the most picturesque cricket squares in the south of England. While pupils take on those essential postmatch carbs, parents simply gobble up the food because it’s scrumptious.
FLYING HIGH Eagle House, Berkshire When the average response to the Eagle House match tea is ‘delicious’, head chef, Kirsty Wilcock can be assured she is ticking all the boxes – and then some. After watching their children competing on the touch line in the winter, parents can look forward to warming up by the open fire in the Old Library with a spread of winter soups, pork and apple pastry sausage rolls and carrot cake topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Menus are seasonal, so in the summer lighter and more refreshing options are available; strawberries and cream, raspberry mille feuille and fresh cordials are served as the perfect filler between cricket overs. Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 79
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MATCH TEAS
THE BEST DISHES IN DORSET Port Regis, Dorset As the home of the National Centre for Junior Gymnastics, the standards of Port Regis’ match teas are in the same league as the nationwide reputation it has built over the years. Regarded as offering some of the best match teas on the competition circuit, their menu – including Ceasar salad and jam scones – is reviewed every term so the parents and pupils are always left utterly satiated after a match tea. Whether pupils and parents are coming off Port Regis’ ninehole golf course, or their all-weather Astroturf, they know they are in for a treat when they arrive at the school’s dining hall.
TAILORED TEAS Summer Fields, Oxford
MASTER CHEFS Downside School, Somerset Sport is a key part of Downside life, and the famous teas that follow sporting matches are legendary. In the colder months, teas are served in the welcoming warmth of the main school hall. Friendly catering staff greet you with a variety of freshly made hearty soups and rolls, lighter-than-light cakes, innovative tasty bakes and more. Summer brings the match teas up to the cricket pavilion where you can enjoy delicious sandwiches, cakes bedecked with summer berries and refreshing drinks while taking in the magnificent view from the pavilion terrace. These are not your average match teas – and they definitely make bearing the muddiest of rugby pitches bearable.
Summer Fields is surely the Savile Row of the match tea circuit. Created with perfection in mind, the Summer Fields head chef, James Rudman, acutely examines what goodies the parents at this boys’ prep school like the most: looking at what food is trending on social media, in books and magazines, and what is flying off the shelves on the high street before determining the correct size, colour, flavour and texture of the snacks so they are not clumsy to eat. The final result of this process may be the pastrami and gherkin mayo sandwich on dark rye bread or the lemon balm and lemon posset with raspberry.
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AT THE PUPILS’ PLEASURE Brambletye, Sussex Keeping match teas fresh and exciting at Brambletye, a co-ed day and boarding prep school, is as natural as the changing of the seasons. Incidentally, this is the method employed by head chef and Brambletye veteran, Annabel, who has been at the school for 20 years. Keeping things seasonal doesn’t just mean hot in winter and cold in summer; Brambeltye determines what will be a source of excitement at match teas by asking the pupil’s Food Committee what they would like to see – this is in addition to the Food Committee’s trips to places like Borough Market for inspiration on what is trending. Brambletye pupils host their opposite team in the school dinning room, while parents are captivated by the stunning views of Ashdown Forest and Weirwood Reservoir from The Walnut, Brambletye’s old-dormitoryturned-entertaining-room.
FOOD FIT FOR A QUEEN Durlston Court, Hampshire Having previously cooked for the Royal Family, Durlston Court’s head chef, Mike Turner, is no stranger to the pressures of a kitchen. Needless to say, he rises above and beyond the challenge on every occasion, especially on match day. The smoked salmon blinis, cheese scones and raspberry and lemon madelines will all knock your socks off. Mike’s number two, Sally Rogers, bakes a cake so light it has been said to lift off the table. So impressive are the teas are Durlston Court, a parent from a competing school wrote in to say, ‘I felt obliged to write to you regarding the standard of your match tea. I have travelled to watch my child play sport at many schools, and yours was absolutely first class.’ n Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 81
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ADVICE
ON THE SOFA
Victoria Lambert asks Max Pemberton how parents can motivate their children to get fit Aysgarth School, Yorkshire
HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN GET FIT ne in three 11-year-olds is overweight or obese,’ says the NHS, and many parents are worrying about what their children are eating. But are enough of us thinking about exercise too? Regardless of weight, young people are becoming less fit and their muscles weaker as a result. Research from the University of Essex in 2018, published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, found that boys and girls are doing less exercise than ever before, which has resulted in significant falls in muscle strength. This is true of children from affluent areas as much as any other. Yet motivating hormonal young teenagers to get off the Xbox or mobile can take considerable persuasive powers. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Max Pemberton, author of The Marvellous Adventure of Being Human, says he appreciates it’s a constant battle. ‘It can be so hard to get the message across to young people that they need to understand and take care of their bodies,’ says Dr Pemberton, ‘but it’s essential that they learn early on, not only how the body works, but how to care for it.’ ‘It’s far more motivating if you understand why you need to get fit or eat well, rather than just hearing it from your parent or biology teacher as a command. In the current age of Instagram, we need to ensure young people grow up with a sense of body confidence – which comes best with education.’ It helps when parents understand too. Dr Pemberton has noticed how many adults know surprisingly little about their bodies and how they function. ‘One of the comments I keep getting from parents is that they don’t understand the reasons behind health advice. It’s really important to educate yourself if you want to support your child.’ He advises parents to focus on and understand their child’s unique structure, underlining the importance of valuing their own bodies. ‘We can’t compare our bodies to other people’s. I talk to young people and I remind them that there are seven billion people on the planet and only 10 of them are super models.’
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EXERCISE TOGETHER ‘Lead by example,’ says Dr Pemberton. Meal times are a great way of reconnecting and addressing family conflict and difficulties. Adults are some of the worst culprits for looking at their phones and not interacting. Adults need to address their own bad habits first. Rather than lamenting that kids don’t exercise, think about the amount of physical activity we do and set an example. Start a family exercise routine: badminton matches, five km park runs or outdoor fitness circuits.
SET GOALS Motivating youngsters isn’t easy. Avoid saying ‘should’. ‘It’s easy to put pressure on youngsters who often react by rebelling. Don’t say, “You should exercise”. Reframe it as “You will feel more energised after you exercise” or “You like how you feel after you exercise”. Keep it light and fun and accessible and set good habits for life. There are some great apps out there that can help.’
‘It doesn’t matter what shape your body is; it’s still incredible. It’s an amazing machine. The more you learn about it, the more you realise how extraordinary it is. Focus on this, rather than comparing it to other people’s bodies.’ Teaching children about how their body works should start as young as possible, specifically when it comes to fitness. Dr Pemberton suggests parents follow this informed approach: ‘Explain that exercise helps your heart stay strong,’ he says, ‘which in turn means it can pump blood that contains oxygen and nutrients to every part of your body that needs it. ‘The most important thing is that it gets your heart beating fast for at least 30 minutes a few times a week. Exercise is also good for the mind too – it realises chemicals that improve our mood.’ The same idea is useful when it comes to eating well. No lectures about crisps or Coca-Cola – talk to your child about the immune system. ‘No one likes being in bed with a heavy cold,’ he says. ‘But it’s an opportunity to explain how we put our bodies through a lot, even without realising it. ‘The body is being bombarded continuously by microbes that want to infect it. So it is constantly repairing itself to keep everything in balance. Even something as simple as standing up puts your body under strain because your heart has to work harder to counter the effects of gravity. ‘It does so many things without us even really realising it. It’s constantly working, even while we are resting – but none of this is possible without the fuel we need in the form of good food like fruit and vegetables.’ The Marvellous Adventure of Being Human by Dr Max Pemberton (Wren and Rook, £14.99) ■
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extraordinary Come and see what Stowe has to offer at one of our Open Mornings. Mixes the erudite with the sporty and studious, with space reserved for the eclectic and maverick. Ideal for those keen to learn within and beyond the bounds of the classroom. Good Schools Guide
Stowe is an independent co-educational boarding and day school inspiring pupils aged between 13 and 18.
e | admissions@stowe.co.uk t | 01280 818205 w | www.stowe.co.uk Stowe SS20.indd 1
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SCHOOL HOUSE PARTNERSHIP
THE WORLD IN TWO LANGUAGES The Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill establishes a new standard in bilingual excellence.
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esearch has long established that students who have learned two languages from infancy develop better cognitive skills, including reading, concentration, and problem-solving. Alongside the world’s most innovative international schools, the Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill has decided on a unique setup for the new Early Years programme, opening in September 2020, for children entering pre-reception and reception years. Classes are taught conjointly by a French native speaker and an English native speaker, present at all times, like two parents in a bilingual household. This more natural, more organic approach to bilingual teaching is carried out by highly-trained specialists of early learning. Their innovative, project-based methods and joint teaching strategy will enable young children to learn through play, discovery and experience in a safe, nurturing and familylike environment. Because smaller groups in early years lend themselves to more individual pastoral care, to differentiated teaching, and to better development, our pre-reception and reception classes are limited to 16 pupils. With this unique Early Years programme, young minds are exposed to both French and English throughout the school day, and soon learn to associate one teacher with one language. They will adopt the requisite
flexibility to effortlessly switch between both languages, developing transversal learning abilities, such as independence and logical deduction, as well as a heightened sensitivity to interculturalism. This openness to the world and early appreciation of diversity and dialogue, born of their ability to grow up comfortable in two mother tongues, will equip students with an essential edge in our increasingly global 21st-century society. This initial full-time exposure to French and English paves the way for a robust bilingual curriculum throughout the primary years, based on a harmonious interweaving of the British and the French frameworks, with dedicated half-days in each language. Starting in year seven, students and their families may choose a secondary stream that will lead them either to the French Baccalauréat or to the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP). Either way, their education will remain bilingual until the age of 18, always steeped in the international and caring atmosphere that the Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill is renowned for. The proven, yet innovative teaching methods are all carefully studied for shaping future well-rounded, openminded, culturally aware young adults, and offer a joyful, supportive and challenging learning environment in which students can thrive from the youngest age. Pupils are offered places at the most prestigious universities in the world, to study courses like medicine, aeronautics, art or business. Book a visit at admissions @lyceeinternational.london Visit our website lyceeinternational.london
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SCHOOL LEAVER NEWS | GA P YEA R | UNIVERSITY
Oxford Media & Business School
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"IT WAS A BRILLIANT INTRODUCTION TO LATIN AMERICA. WE LOVED THE ANIMALS, THE CLIMATE, THE GEOGRAPHY, THE PEOPLE, THE FOOD AND THE AMAZING HOTELS." LW, London
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NEWS
ON THE BRINK News and views for those about to make the leap OXBRIDGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR BLACK BRITONS LIGHT BLUE
BREXIT INSPIRES A GENERATION
Brexit has sparked a boom in applications to study politics at university, says UCAS, with applications to political courses rising by 28 per cent since 2016. But the flip side is that, according to a study from QS, Brexit will discourage one in five international students from studying in the UK, costing the UK £1bn in first-year tuition. Another survey, by Universities UK, suggests international students are responsible for £11bn of UK export earnings.
The ‘Stormzy Effect’ has helped to increase the number of black students applying to Cambridge by nearly 50 per cent, the university says. In 2018 Stormzy pledged to pay tuition fees and living costs for two black British students entering Cambridge each year for their time at university.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
The University of London has just celebrated 30 years of being in Malaysia. Pupils there can study subjects such as economics, law and social sciences. The 30th anniversary celebrations held in Kuala Lumpur also launched the UoL’s Business Placement scheme in Malaysia.
DARK BLUE US entrepreneur, Arlan Hamilton, is funding the first scholarship for disadvantaged black British students at Oxford University. The Oxford-Arlan Hamilton and Earline Butler Sims Scholarship is open to applications and covers tuition and living costs, as well as a £3,000 internship grant post-university.
SCOTTISH BUSINESS SCHOOL SCORES A FIRST Aberdeen Business School at Robert Gordon University is the first business school to receive joint accreditation from the Association of MBAs and Buisness Graduates Association (AMBA & BGA), two of the world’s leading authorities on post-graduate business education. It joins a network of world-leading business education providers.
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BEWARE OF UNCONDITIONAL OFFERS! Unconditional offers have risen from one to 34 per cent between 2013 and 2018, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. Applicants who accept unconditional offers are more likely to miss their predicted A-level grades by two (or more) grades, and unconditional offers only remain so if the applicant confirms it as their first choice of uni – that’s the same as pressure selling, which is illegal. Universities risk receiving financial penalties, or losing their degree-awarding power if they step out of line.
SEA-FARING APPRENTICESHIPS
Ferry giant DFDS has launched its new apprentices’ careers at sea. Nine people who lived in or around Dover were chosen to be trained in all aspects of seamanship, with the hope of being the ships’ captains and chief engineers of the future. DFDS was the first maritime company to offer these apprenticeships, and this intake of new apprentices are the sixth who have been given the opportunity to sail the Seven Seas. The apprenticeship programmes last for 24 months, with on-board training and courses in the classroom based at North Kent College.
SOBER EXPOSURE
The University of Winchester has exhibited a series of portraits and stories of 12 young people who have chosen not to drink alcohol. The photographer, Tamsyn Warde, hopes that Sober Exposure will inspire students to discover sober role models and practise abstinence themselves instead of falling into the peerpressure-led culture of excess drinking at university. After the exhibition the show is set to tour the country. Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 87
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IS UNIVERSITY THE ONLY OPTION? It is not about where you start, but where you finish
Andrea Freeman, Principal
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aking a decision about the next step after school is more important than ever before. There is still an expectation that students will leave school, go to university and get a job. This is perfectly understandable as it has always been the traditional route to a career. However, this choice is not necessarily the only option. Some students are really unsure about what to do after they leave school and it takes plenty of research – and no small degree of courage – to find different alternatives. Whatever the chosen path, at some stage students need to start their career. Currently there is a saturation in the graduate market and employers are able to take their pick of applicants. They are looking for a powerful CV that stands out from all the other candidates and need someone who can hit the ground running from day one. The one year intensive Professional Business Diploma at Oxford Media & Business School provides options for students who:
• Are ambitious and want a fast track to a career; who need to learn about the world of business in depth and breadth, gaining advanced office skills within three terms rather than three years. • May not know what to study at university or are worried about the cost and are looking for an alternative. A gap year in Oxford will give them the opportunity to learn more
about what sort of career they would like to follow. • Might have already graduated from university and now realise that they need to add some advanced workplace skills to their degree. They want to ensure that they stand out from all the other graduates who are applying for the same jobs, and want to be able to offer the employer something more than just academic excellence. The Professional Business Diploma at Oxford Media & Business School teaches the essential skills for the world of business: advanced IT skills, digital marketing, business awareness and communications, key office skills, personal development, event and project management and interview techniques. Each student also undertakes a work placement and meets with independent boutique recruitment agencies throughout the year. The course is made up of 21 hours of classes per week, Monday to Friday, plus time with a personal tutor. This is one of the key reasons why students perform to the best of their ability as they do not have the opportunity to drift. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the student’s year at OMBS is living a university student lifestyle in the beautiful city of Oxford. Students choose to live in our student houses within the city, all of which are a short walk from the city centre and just a 20-minute walk from college.
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STUDENTS I chose the course because there was nothing that I wanted to study for three years at university. I have always wanted to start my own business and now I am able to build on this dream alongside the course. I run a clothing brand where I started selling secondhand clothes, but I am now starting to create my own clothing line. I am going out to India in the Easter holidays to start manufacturing my new designs. I am so glad I chose to do this course as I am having the best time and the more I study, the skills I am learning are helping me with my business venture. I would recommend it to anyone, whatever they are planning on doing after the course, whether it is travelling, going straight into a job or starting their own business. It’s a great alternative to university! I was not interested in going to university at all and my careers advisor at school mentioned this course in Oxford. I knew it was the right thing for me as it was mainly course work and covered all the topics I am interested in. After I graduate I am planning on following a career in either events or in property. I am now in my second term at OMBS having graduated from studying Fine Art at Bath Spa University. I’m thriving in this professional environment and am working towards building foundations for my future career.
ALUMNI I am working for a designer who has a boutique interior design company based in Hampshire and London. She is really amazed by my skills and has already given me more responsibility. I supervise the gift shop team, run the website, do all the social media, work in the showroom and travel to London three days a week with my boss, meeting clients in their homes, viewing new properties and managing her very busy schedule and commitments. I love my job working at a financial advice company in the City. I do a bit of everything and have the same responsibilities as our paraplanners, who help the financial advisers with their cases. Essentially, I am responsible for keeping an eye on all of our cases and chasing providers for funds and updates. My current role is working in a private household where I arrange, plan and organise all aspects of their public engagements including writing press releases, diary management and booking transport to and from events which may be by chauffeured car, plane or even helicopter. No two days are the same and I love it!
Visit us to find out more about the course and career opportunities. Contact Sarah Badger, Registrar, Oxford Media & Business School, 1 Cambridge Terrace, Oxford, OX1 1RR; sarahb@oxfordbusiness.co.uk; 01865 240963; oxfordbusiness.co.uk
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GAP YEAR
LEARNING FOR PLEASURE Emma Love explores gap year options for those wishing to develop their creative skills
hether or not to take a gap year before university – and if so, how best to spend it? – is a key question for many students. Once commonly viewed as a waste of time and money (and, in some cases, an excuse to sunbathe on a Thai beach for six months), now the benefits of taking time out to travel, volunteer or learn a new creative skill are widely acknowledged, regardless of which subjects students plan to go on to study afterwards. ‘Children have been seriously learning since the age of eight, so it’s vital to have a break and re-boot the system; what we offer is a bridge between school and the much broader university style of teaching,’ says Charlie Hall, director of John Hall Venice, a nine-week cultural course beginning with a week at the National Gallery, Christie’s and the Tate in London before relocating to Venice, Florence and Rome. Students don’t take notes or sit tests. Rather, Hall likens the lectures to TED Talks, which range from subjects such as energy and
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gravitational waves to philosophy and opera. ‘Students who sign up for the programme won’t necessarily be going on to study those topics, but because of the wide spectrum covered, they are encouraged to free themselves from the constrictions of education. This is about the fun of learning.’ Similarly, Art History Abroad, which runs courses in Italy, Spain and, from 2021, in India too, uses art as a base to spark discussions on anything from politics and poetry to religion and languages. ‘The bit that’s fallen out of education is culture; what we aim to do is put back some of that joy of being well read and artistically attuned,’ says director, Nick Ross. ‘As well as appreciating the talent of others, we’re keen on teaching students about the process of being creative themselves.’ At the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, the 15-week semester courses – subjects include design and the decorative arts, galleries and curating and art museums – take a more professionally oriented approach. ‘Artistry in schools is traditionally studied in a theoreticalacademic way, but our courses are vocational,’ says director, Dr Jonathan Woolfson. ‘Students get an insight into how the art world works. The earlier they can be exposed to that, the more their interests can develop.’ Some who take the courses aspire to be practising artists and use studying decorative arts or art history say, as inspiration, but the majority hope to become gallery owners, auctioneers, art dealers or want to run art fairs. ‘It’s a very exciting world and these semester courses are a strong grounding. On a CV, it also demonstrates motivation, direction and intellectual curiosity.’ Of course, one of the most obvious ways for those on a gap year to put that curiosity and creativity into practise is by getting stuck into something hands-on. At the Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland, the 12 Week Certificate (which runs three times a year) is equally
Art History Abroad
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suited to those aiming to pursue a professional culinary career as it is to someone wanting to become a chalet host for a ski season. It also, as general manager, Toby Allen, says, ‘equips anyone with enough core techniques to be able to cook for themselves for life’. These techniques include everything from classic French cooking to filleting fish, making pastries to whipping up stews, roasts and even ice-cream from scratch. The rural setting – students stay in shared cottages on the school’s 100-acre organic farm – also means that even when classes are over, there is still plenty to do. ‘There are all sorts of things going on that people can get involved in: some get up early to make 48-hour sourdough in the bread shed, others help out on our Saturday stall at the Middleton Farmers Market. What we try to do is demystify a lot of processes – making cheese, milking cows – that often society is led to believe only happens in factories.’ Another practical option is the series of ‘Folio’ courses at University of Arts London (UAL) in subjects such as fashion, textiles and graphics. ‘If someone is thinking about studying art and design at university, they will often do a foundation course first which can be fairly generic and diagnostic; what we’ve done is create programmes that are more focused on a particular pathway or specialist area,’ explains Berni Yates, course leader of the Textiles Folio at Central Saint Martins, UAL, which covers fine art, fashion and interior textiles. Students can experiment with, for instance, knit, print, weave, photography, drawing and digital design in stage one, while stage two focuses on finalising a portfolio (each stage is one and a half days for 10 weeks). ‘It’s a great way of building up a skill level through lots of workshops and one-to-one tutor time. We can advise students on putting a portfolio together so that when they arrive at university, they feel more confident.’ The fact that the Folio courses are only part-time means that many students also undertake work placements at the same time – something which Yates believes is a huge help. ‘Work experience, whether it’s in-house at a knitwear label, at an architect’s office or an interior design company, really does complement the course. The two feed into each other in a beneficial way.’ At Penguin Random House, two-week work placements and summer internships offer those thinking about going into publishing
Ballymaloe Cookery School
the chance to go behind the scenes in various departments such as editorial, sales, marketing and publicity (tasks could range from writing book blurbs and reading submissions to contributing to sales brochures). In the world of hospitality, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts regularly advertises three, six and 12 month internships at its properties around the world – perhaps working in the food and beverage department at the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa or with human resources at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze in Florence. And Global Volunteer Projects have a range of two to four-week media-themed placements for budding journalists in far-flung destinations, from a newspaper in Kerala to a radio station on the Cape
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Wild Photography Holidays, ice cave beneath Vatnajökull, Iceland
Coast in Ghana and in television production in central Mexico. ‘Media is one of those professions that is tough to break into; one way of finding a new, interesting angle is by doing work experience somewhere unusual and putting that on your CV so you stand out,’ says director Kevin Dynan, who arranges around 60 journalist-based placements a year. ‘Also, by working in the media in a community or culture with different issues to consider, it gives students another perspective on the world.’ Participants are supported by an on-the-ground team who meet them at the airport and, as part of the package, given meals and accommodation, often with a local family. For those feeling the pull of travel, another option is a holiday with a purpose: learning a new creative skill or honing in on a subject of interest, outside a classroom setting. Take the Arniano Painting School in Tuscany, run by artist William Roper-Curzon and Amber Guinness. They offer residential courses in a farmhouse near Siena, which are designed for both beginners and more experienced painters (there are plans in the pipeline to start offering courses at Pylewell Park in Hampshire too). ‘Amber and I try to make it feel as though you’re coming to stay for a house party, so the week is quite relaxed with lots of delicious food, but at the same time, it’s great for building up someone’s self-confidence as an artist,’ says Roper-Curzon. ‘Learning holidays are a new way to stimulate your brain.’ Equally stimulating are the small group trips run by Wild Photography Holidays, ranging from a photographic expedition to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, to visiting the Julian Alps in Slovenia and Greenland. ‘People get taken to fabulous locations and taught how to make the most of those locations,’ says Iceland-based co-founder of Wild Photography Holidays, Geraldine Westrupp. ‘The trips are quite structured in a way but we teach people at any level, whether they want to learn how to shoot with long exposures, capture the aurora borealis in the night sky or get the best out of street photography and portraiture. People tend to learn from each other, as well as the guides whose job is also to look after everyone’s safety.’ Before each trip gets underway, participants are sent a questionnaire asking about their ability, and on the first night, Westrupp makes a point of finding out what everyone hopes to get out of it. ‘We’re a holiday company first and foremost: when I initially came up with the idea I wanted to try and get away from the serious image that photography sometimes has, all men wearing black carrying multiple tripods. Our guests learn a lot but they have fun too.’ Which seems like just the right balance for a fulfilling Gina Sandrine Grünwald, and creative UAL Textiles Folio graduate gap year. ■ Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 93
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COMMENT
CV PREP
Carina Cunha, Managing Director of Crimson Education, prepares students for Oxbridge success
his year both Oxford and Cambridge Universities offered well over half of their places to state school pupils – 60 and 68 per cent, respectively. The trend is on an uphill trajectory and is unlikely to be reversed. Labour MPs recently called for a seven per cent cap on numbers of independently educated pupils accepted into elite universities, in line with the percentage of UK pupils educated in the private sector. Statistics like these are not welcome to parents who are paying between £25k–£40k a year for their child to be educated in the independent sector. A stamp of its success is entry into a top university; seen as the door to a lucrative career. So, the pressure is on these pupils to demonstrate their desirability to these universities. A hat trick of A*s isn’t going to be enough. It’s a given that most applicants will secure three As or A*s at A-level, or scores of 40 in the IB diploma. An impressive list of traditional extracurricular skills garnered at school won’t cut the mustard either. The Duke of Edinburgh scheme, the Young Enterprise award, running the debating club, taking part in musical or dramatic performances will improve students’ confidence and therefore their ability to impress at interview. But this is just the start. To snatch the laurel wreath, pupils need to find a way to stand out from the crowd and demonstrate a real love of their subject that cannot come from the classroom alone is the best way to do so. Imagine a physics student with a passion for Lego, who comes up with the idea for building prosthetics using their favourite blocks. They build a model arm using blocks and simple machinery, enter their
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design into a robotics competition and end up winning it. They raise awareness about prosthetic access for young people with a social media campaign and then launch a campaign with Lego to provide free product samples to child amputees in hospital. Another pupil wishing to study business and economics at Oxbridge sets up their own non-profit organisation providing unwanted reading glasses to poor children around the world. At their interview, this student can talk with confidence from a first-person perspective about the headaches of getting people to believe in your idea, the challenge of working with others and how to go about sourcing funding or shipping products. It is this kind of experience that sets one highachieving student apart from another. I worked with one student who wished to study English at Oxford. Not only did she have a good academic record, but she also created a blog where aspiring writers could submit their own works in progress to be encouraged and critiqued by other hopefuls. Learning from others enriched her own knowledge of good writing. It showed she was willing to help her peers and be part of the writing community. She also demonstrated leadership skills in identifying a problem – she wanted to improve her writing – and found a unique way to solve it. So when it came to the interview stage, she had much more to talk about than her peers and unsuprisingly secured her place at Oxford. The key with this example is that the student used the love of her subject to think beyond the ordinary and create an extracurricular activity tailored to her own skills and interests. Encouraging your child to think about why they love their subject and how they can expand on that interest is a good place to start when it comes to preparing for the Oxbridge admissions process. It could inspire them to do great things. Crimson Education has a 60 per cent acceptance rate in helping students secure places at Oxbridge. crimsoneducation.org ■ Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 95
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UNIVERSITIES UNITED Brexiteers may want to be shot of Europe, but the good news is that European universities still want British students and vice versa, says Charlotte Fairbairn
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n May 1996, Gillian Shephard, the then Secretary of State for Education, commissioned an inquiry from Sir Ron Dearing into the funding over the next 20 years of British higher education. A year later, the Dearing Inquiry told the new Labour government that in order to expand student enrolment, provide more support for parttime students and ensure an adequate infrastructure, additional billions would be needed – specifically £350m in 1998-99 and £565m in 1999-2000. One year later, under the Teaching and Higher Education Act, 1998, university tuition fees found their way onto the statute books. One of the unexpected outcomes of the introduction of tuition fees was that many UK students – traditionally less prone to study overseas than their European neighbours – began to cast their eyes to learning pastures new. While UK tuition fees were relatively low to begin with (around £1,000 per annum), by 2010 they had crept up to £9,000. It is a well-known fact of modern UK life that an average student today will leave university encumbered by a debt of £50,000 or more. Apart from feeling a reluctance to take on debt, students began to question whether, not only cheaper tuition, but better opportunities were available elsewhere. Under the EU regime, university education in Europe has remained largely fee-free. While each country has always been sovereign in terms of setting fees, few have. In Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Norway, citizens of the European Union
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could be treated in the same way as native students and receive tuition at no cost. In other countries such as Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic and France, only modest administration fees applied. Following the adoption of the freedom of movement principles, enshrined in the single European market in the mid 1980s, the numbers of Europeans studying in countries other than their own exploded. You could come from France and study in Germany and you were not treated, financially, as an international student. So why pay for your university tuition if you do not have to? Or at least, why not pay less? And why not benefit from all kinds of other advantages into the bargain, again, at a considerably lower price? You could enrol at a European university and even if you learned in English (an increasing number of European universities teach in English), you could still acquire a second language. The working world is globalised and graduates with broader horizons and good language skills are highly prized. In the USA, for example, speaking a second language can earn employees a premium of between five and 20 per cent. Bill Gates has spoken publicly about his regret at not speaking a second language. It turns out that an estimated 31 per cent of top US executives are at least bi-lingual, if not multi-lingual. Charlie Gere is Professor of Media Theory and History at Lancaster University. He points to another factor that makes European universities an appealing alternative for UK students. ‘While the notion of a polytechnic is now regarded as almost second
Is the Erasmus programme still your ticket to studying in Europe?
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Beirut – and while you work, the marks do not affect your grade. I want to focus on Middle Eastern Affairs and this has been amazing for me.’ Sophie took the full-time path into European study, but the partial option, the Erasmus programme, is another route. Created by the Italian educationalist Sofia Corradi as a consequence of having her work in Comparative Law at Colombia University disallowed by her Italian alma mater, Erasmus was launched in 1987 and fosters foreign exchange between European universities, for a term or a year. Any work done in exchange universities counts towards the home degree and students are treated not as international students financially, but in the same way as their native counterparts. While the take-up among British students has not been as great as from other European countries, the scheme has nevertheless been hugely popular with well over 200,000 of its three million plus participants from the UK. But how will these opportunities differ in a post-Brexit world? The Erasmus arrangement has been guaranteed up until the end of 2020 – but as yet, not beyond. There is no student loan programme in France but students can apply for maintenance under the Caisse d’Allocation Familiale system – and Sophie’s grant will no longer be available once we leave the EU. Under French regulations, there is a means-tested scheme for students based on their parents’ tax returns. Top annual fees are € 10,000, equivalent more or less to UK fees, and these will almost certainly become applicable to UK students.
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rate in the UK, that sort of bifurcation has never really taken place in Europe. The humanities and sciences are treated more equally. This makes some European universities – for example those in Holland or Scandinavia – very attractive propositions and really excellent in areas such as digital technology. The same can be said of the German approach to teaching engineering.’ Sophie Benson, 21, joined the UK student diaspora when she signed up to Sciences Po, Marseilles, in August 2016. A product of Rugby and Westminster, born in Scotland to parents who are both Scottish but nevertheless have international leanings, Sophie decided that a European education was better suited to her. She was 18, fresh out of seven years at boarding school, an academic high-achiever, but unsure which path to follow. ‘I am really a humanities person, but I did not know what I wanted to focus on. All I knew was that I was looking to broaden my social and academic horizons. UK universities on the whole offer study in one subject. At Sciences Po, you are given a wide choice. In my first year, I did modules in sociology, history, economics and law. Personally, I prefer more intensive tuition and at Sciences Po, you are taught for 30 hours per week. When I considered the £9,500 a year tuition fees, I decided that the European option offered me far better value. ‘Secondly, the Sciences Po course runs over three years, but you graduate after just two. The third year is an overseas year – I went to 98 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | Spring/Summer 2020
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‘There is definitely a notional commitment to maintaining Erasmus or something very similar. What that will be is not yet clear, but I do believe that the daughter of Erasmus could be even more exciting, reaching further afield than Europe.’ NICOLA DANDRIDGE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE OFFICE FOR STUDENTS
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Sciences Po, Nancy Campus
Students at Lancaster University
These are all knowns. But the intangibles, which make up the good news, is that the university system – at home and in the EU – likes having overseas students. The University of Maastricht (UM) for example, in 2018, had over 18,000 students. 53 per cent of them were from overseas. The UM’s commitment – even assuming a nodeal Brexit – remains strong to existing students and promising to future ones. If you are a UK citizen already registered in the Netherlands on 31 January 2020 in the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP) of your municipality, you can complete your studies with the same rights as an EU citizen. Similarly, on 30 May 2018 the EU Commission announced that for the funding cycle starting in 2021 any country in the world would be able to participate in the Erasmus+ programme if they met set requirements. According to official Office for Students guidelines, it is therefore possible that in the event of a no-deal Brexit the UK might still be able to access the Erasmus+ programme. Since September 2017, Nicola Dandridge has been chief executive of the Office for Students. Having been in the higher education sphere for most of her working life, she is well-placed to give an overview; and her words are reassuringly positive. ‘There is definitely a notional commitment to maintaining Erasmus or something very similar. What that will be is not yet clear but I do believe that the daughter of Erasmus could be even more exciting, reaching further afield than Europe.’ Moreover, she says: ‘Students wishing to go to EU universities may well be charged the same fees as international students – and that is up to each individual institution. But the British Council, for example, is very committed to maintaining international educational links and are running/setting up partnership programmes, scholarships and schemes to ensure that international exchange continues and develops.’ If you are a parent reading this and see only dark clouds on the post-Brexit horizon, take heart. Study in Europe still offers tremendous advantages. The financing of it may be about to change but the other benefits are not to be sneezed at. Benson says that ‘another big advantage of studying at a French university is that if you spend five cumulative years in France – and particularly if you have studied there – you will be eligible to apply for a French passport. This is true for other international students but particularly interesting for UK students who may want to keep their EU options open.’ Keen followers of Brexit will know that certainty has become one of the buzzwords of the process. As a student weighing up your options for the coming years, you may not yet be able to find certainty – and possibly not clarity either. But in spite of that, Dandridge, remains positive. ‘If I were a young thing thinking of going overseas, I wouldn’t assume that things are going to get worse.’ Watch this space. ■ Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 99
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John Ellmore, director of Know Your Money, advises freshers on how to budget for university
Don’t let money hold you back as a student
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tarting university is an incredibly exciting experience for many young people – and rightly so. You’re getting your first real taste of independence, meeting plenty of new people and studying a subject you absolutely love. It’s no wonder that, even after graduating, so many look back at fresher’s week with great fondness, often remaining life-long friends with those they met at university. But, quite naturally, it comes with an influx of social events; from big nights out at the student union, to quiet nights in the pub getting to know your flatmates, your bank account will inevitably take a hit. This is all before you even think about buying food, stationery and expensive textbooks. It’s amazing how much your money will be stretched before term time officially starts. For many first-time students, these financial challenges will come as a shock to the system. After all, in a recent survey of over 1,000 UK students, Know Your Money discovered that 60 per cent of undergraduate students have never budgeted before entering higher education. Many will have never needed to really think about money before. Yes, they may have received pocket money or an allowance, but the necessities such as food, utilities and housing will have generally been covered by their parents. Without understanding the importance of budgeting, they risk falling into the ‘skint student’ cliché; after all, student loans are the main source of student financing in the UK, but they aren’t infinite money sources. It’s easy to get excited when seeing over £1,000 suddenly appear in your bank account, but this can just as easily disappear with frivolous spending. It’s almost inevitable, therefore,
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that students will face financial difficulty at some point during their academic career. What is often overlooked, however, is the mental strain this causes students. Indeed, the research revealed 43 per cent of students feel incredibly stressed as a result of taking on a student loan. It’s clearly not just personal finances that will take a hit with a lack of budgeting know-how; mental health could also suffer, which could negatively impact their studies and social lives. The question, therefore, is what can be done to help students manage their finances effectively throughout their time at university? The thought of budgeting may be scary for some students, but you might be surprised how easy it actually is to get into good financial habits. Just by making some small changes early on, you could see your bank balance becoming much healthier. Get to grips with your finances, first and foremost, by understanding your situation. Start by assessing your income; student loans, for example, are usually paid in three big installments at the beginning of each term, so it’s important to make a note of exactly how much will be coming into your bank account and when. It’s also important to note any additional incomings, such as payment from a part-time job, or allowances from parents. Similarly, it’s important to also understand your expenditure, such as study supplies, groceries, transport, rent and, of course, nights out. Try to be as honest with yourself as possible, as this information will be a valuable point of guidance when it comes to sitting down and developing a realistic budget. Once you have firmly established your incomings and
Sixty per cent of undergraduate have never budgeted before entering higher education
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Working out your financial incomings and outgoings will mean you can budget effectively
‘Research revealed 43 per cent of students feel incredibly stressed as a result of taking on a student loan. So, it’s clearly not just personal finances that will take a hit with a lack of budgeting know-how; mental health could also suffer’
SAFE BUDGETING SUPPORT AT A GLANCE Useful websites and apps
Save The Student’s budgeting spreadsheet. savethe student.org Challenger bank apps set caps on various expenditure channels. which.co.uk Stepchange. stepchange.org Citizens Advice Bureau. citizensadvice. org.uk
outgoings, you will be able to work out your weekly budget. This might seem a bit overwhelming to begin with, however, as a rule of thumb, take your total income for a term at university, minus your essential expenditure, then divide by the number of weeks there are in a term – it’s as simple as that. The difficult part, admittedly, is sticking to your new budget. However, there’s now a plethora of techtools that can help you not only to develop your budget, but to stick to it as well. For example, Save The Student has recently created a budgeting spreadsheet which users can download from their website – many find it incredibly helpful to write down all their purchases in order to keep track of their spending habits. However, if spreadsheets aren’t your thing, there are numerous challenger bank apps that allow you to set a spending limit on various expenditures – from food, to partying – and sends you a notification when you are reaching the end of your budget. There are many new and innovative ways to keep track of your spending. Just experiment and find out which method is right for you.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP While an incredibly exciting time for many, university can also be overwhelming and, at times, you may feel unable to control your spending. As a result, many students find themselves feeling financially vulnerable and isolated from their peers. This can be an unnerving experience for anyone, but combined with the stress
of moving away from home and the pressure of meeting new people, financial worries can build up and cause serious damage to mental health. If you ever feel this way, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to go through it alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reaching out to a trusted friend or family member is a positive step in the right direction. Simply talking over your problems with a friendly face will not only be a large weight off your mind, but together, you can make plans to address your financial worries. Although if you prefer to talk to someone anonymously, there are numerous organisations such as the debt charity, Stepchange, or the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, who will be able to offer practical steps to overcome your money worries. Your university will also have counselling services, which are an invaluable source of comfort for many students. University is, of course, an exciting time, however it is absolutely vital not to cast aside finances as an afterthought. With a bit of careful planning and selfdiscipline, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy your undergraduate studies without feeling overwhelmed by finances. More importantly, it is always a shame when you have to miss out on social occasions because of your own poor budgeting – don’t let it happen to you. KnowYourMoney.com is an independent financial comparison website to provide clear, accurate and transparent comparisons for a wide range of financial products, such as business loans, mortgages and car insurance. ■
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KNOW YOUR MONEY SURVEY
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SCHOOL HOUSE PARTNERSHIP Zurbach, EIFA’s Head of School. The classes – which in the primary school follow the French curriculum and in the senior school, pupils can elect to study either the diplôme national du brevet (the national French diploma), the IGCSE or a combination of the two – are taught in both French and English, providing a full immersion in bilingualism. If a pupil needs additional teaching in either language, ‘English as Additional Language’ or ‘Français Langue Etrangère’ are offered until they reach the necessary linguistic standard. The influence of dual nations goes beyond the spoken word at EIFA: ‘We take the best of both worlds,’ explains Stéphane Kuhn, Deputy Head. ‘We use the rigour of the French curriculum, but the standards, knowledge and skills are applied using the British methods, also teaching both British and French values.’ It is true that the emphasis of EIFA’s curriculum is English and French, but it is not limited to these European neighbours. With teachers from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Tanzania, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada, a wealthy range of teaching styles are adopted in the small classes (the largest class has just 18 pupils). Mr Kuhn continues, ‘Our teachers were all trained to teach differently, but we still expect high standards and consistency – in teaching and learning.’ As a relatively small school, the teaching staff can afford to give every resource possible to the pupils. Indeed, the teachers offer ‘booster classes’ after the timetabled school day, and, given the mix of IGCSE or Brevet-taking pupils, it is not unusual to find an art student, for example, having a one-to-one class in order to bolster their art IGCSE portfolio. Beyond acute academic assistance, in the senior school, every class has two form tutors whom they meet with every day to discuss topics such as internet safety, or what initiatives they can plan to help their chosen class charity. There too are exciting things happening in EIFA’s imminent future. EIFA is pursuing authorisation as an IB World School and a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, which it plans to offer from September 2020. It also intends to cater for its new sixth-form by opening a new building. This expansion will see all three stages of the school – nursery, middle and senior – housed in their own building and comfortably within a five-minute radius of each other. EIFA also plans to become the leading hub on the benefits of bilingualism for children; EIFA already hosts talks and seminars, led by academics at top London universities and business leaders, who explain the benefits of giving your child a bilingual education. A modern school where pupils seamlessly receive all the benefits of an international, individual, nurturing and all-inclusive education, EIFA children receive the best the world has to offer.
LEARNING ON AN INTERNATIONAL SCALE EIFA teaches in French and English, and educates from everywhere else
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ou get a sense of EIFA’s – a French-English bilingual school for pupils aged 21 months to 18 – internationality before you even arrive there. Located in the heart of London, EIFA is a place that boasts representation of over 40 nationalities, all of whom bring something special and unique to the school. Although EIFA has a wealth of attributes, at its heart it is a bilingual school: ‘One of the things that makes us really different from other schools is that we start with the bilingual programme at nursery,’ says Françoise
eifaschool.com
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SCHOOL’S OUT HOLIDAYS | A PPS | BOOKS | PROPERTY
Cheltenham Literature Festival
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CHARITY
Inspiring Girls International is dedicated to raising the aspirations of girls around the world by connecting them with female role models. Sadly, we know that a lack of self-confidence and the pressure of gender stereotypes have a significant impact on girls’ educational and career choices. But meeting inspirational women makes a huge difference to their outlook – showing girls that there are no limits to what they can achieve, in whichever career they choose. If they can see it, they can be it! Our volunteers commit one hour a year to give talks in schools, sharing their personal career journeys and encouraging girls
to aim high. Our new online Video Hub also features filmed interviews with a diverse range of women, making incredible role models accessible to all girls wherever and whenever they want. And it works! 70% of girls say they are thinking differently about their future having spoken to one of our role models. Inspiring Girls International is currently active across 14 countries, and expanding every year. Visit our website to find out more about our campaign, get involved, and contribute towards a global network helping to effect real change in the lives of girls everywhere.
To donate or volunteer with Inspiring Girls please visit inspiring-girls.com inspiringgirlsf
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SCHOOL’S OUT
WHAT’S ON Laughter, adventure and the great outdoors
PLACES TO STAY
SUMMER TREATS
The best for getaways, retreats and holidays
THE PIG AT HARLYN BAY
FIRST STEPS Personalised cuddly toys for the new people in your life. my1styears.com
The Pig’s new hotel at Haryln Bay is a Cornish gem! Located beside the sea in a grade II listed house close to Harlyn village, Constantine Bay and Trevonne Golf course. thepighotel.com
GOOD SHOW
GIFFORD CIRCUS 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Providing a magical village green experience in old time tradition, Giffords Circus celebrates its 20th birthday this summer with performing animals and acts, shows. 9 April to 27 September. giffordcircus.com FINGAL, EDINBURGH
NEXT STEPS Beach cricket set, to keep the kids entertained on the sand. gray-nicolls.co.uk
KEEP IN STEP Hand-held espresso machine – get that extra buzz wherever you are. wacaco.com
UPSTART CROW ON STAGE David Mitchell makes his West End debut in Ben Elton’s stage adaptation of BBC sitcom Upstart Crow at the Gielgud Theatre. 7 Feb to 25 April. upstartcrowthecomedy.com BEHIND THE SEAMS Love Harry Potter? Visit the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio for the ‘Behind the Seams’ experience discovering how clothes are brought to life from initial sketches to final costumes! Every weekend and school holidays. wbstudiotour. co.uk/behind-the-seams
A hotel like no other, Fingal was initially a lighthouse tender on the stormy seas. Now far more lavish than it was during its commission, it has 23 luxurious cabins and is berthed in Leith’s Alexandra Dock. fingal.co.uk
THE NEWT, SOMERSET The 17th century country house-turned-hotel offers tours exploring gardening history, bee safaris and wreath making workshops, a spa and hammam. thenewtinsomerset.com
STOP PRESS For Somerset aficionados, Number One Bruton has opened with its own Michelin starred chef, Merlin Labron-Johnson. It is just a stone’s throw from Hauser & Wirth and Stourhead. numberonebruton.com
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REWILDING THE MIND 1 Aerial rope bridge walkways, a life-size pirate galleon, a flying fox zip wire and a series of tree-houses have created a playground at Bowood. bowood.org 2 At the Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum’s Family Forest School children can try their hand at den-building, learn forest skills and discover more about the wildlife around them from on high! obga.ox.ac.uk/event 3 ‘Camp Bonas’ is designed to ‘rewild minds’ in the Somerset countryside. July 2020. bonasmacfarlane.co.uk Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 107
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LIBRARY
READ & LEARN
APP-Y MINDS, APP-Y KIDS
Books and apps to feed curious minds
Informative Illustrations
Hard Truths
Astonishing Adventures
Children’s Classics what3words
AGES 6-10 Cities Around The World by Lucy Menzies and Tilly. This highly illustrated search and find book features 12 incredible cities from around the world. Ivy Kids. £12.99
FOR ALL This Is Not A Drill – An Extinction rebellion Handbook Be inspired to take action on climate change. Penguin Books Ltd. £7.99
AGES 9-12 On The Origin of Species Sabina Radeva’s retelling of Darwin’s crucial work brings the theory of natural selection to a new generation. Penguin Books Ltd. £12.99
FOR ALL It’s Not OK To Feel Blue (and other lies) Scarlett Curtis brings together high profile figures to talk about their mental health and the stigma around it. Penguin Books Ltd. £14.99
FOR ALL The Boy, The Mole, The Fox & The Horse Gorgeously illustrated, Charles Mackesy’s book strengthens the mind and soothes the soul. All ages. Ebury Publishing. £16.99
FOR ALL No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference A collection of Greta Thunberg’s speeches which have changed humanity’s conversation on climate change. Penguin Books Ltd. £2.99
FOR ALL Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire JK Rowling’s global phenomenon returns, beautifully illustrated by Jim Kay. Bloomsbury. £27.99
AGES 9-11 Famous Five: Five On A Treasure Island Enid Blyton’s first book is received as well today as it was when it was first published. Hachette Children’s Group. £9.99
AGES 7-12 The Beast of Buckingham Palace Best-selling author David Walliams takes on the world of fantasy and science fiction in another page turner. Harper Collins Publishing. £7.49
AGES 5-8 Winnie-the-Pooh, A.A. Milne Pooh sticks is a game passed on through the generations, just as Chrisopher Robin’s gang never ceases to enthrall. Egmont UK Ltd. £14.99
AGES 8+ The Somerset Tsunami Emma Carol’s newest character, Fortune Sharpe, is thrown in at the deep end. Faber & Faber. £6.99
AGES 7-9 The BFG, Roald Dahl Who doesn’t love this friendly giant? A classic enjoyed as much by adults as children. Penguin Books Ltd. £6.99
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SCHOOL HOUSE REVIEWS AGES 9-12
FOR ALL
AGES 9+
Travels With Sushi in the Land of the Mind
by Eduard Shyfrin
The Book of Dust volume 2: The Secret Commonwealth
The Sleeper and the Spindle
Eduard Shyfrin’s debut novel tells the tale of siblings transported to the Land of the Mind after eating sushi. The story weaves quantum physics, maths and philosophy into a page-turning narrative. Ages 9-12. White Raven Publishing. £12.99
by Philip Pullman
by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Chris Riddell
Lyra Silvertongue is back from The North, but as a rift is growing between her and her dæmon, she is drawn into her next adventure. Pullman’s story-telling never ceases to enthrall. Penguin Books Ltd. £20
Gaiman weaves together the classic tales of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty with a thread of dark magic and a modern twist. With illiustrations by Riddell. Bloomsbury Publishing PLC. £8.99
The whole world is divided into a grid of 3m x 3m squares, each with a unique three word address, so you won’t get lost again. Free, easy to navigate, and used by the emergency services, this is the most essential app of the year.
Quizlet Flashcards & Homework Save paper with free flashcards on your phone. Test yourself and study on the go – with this app you’re bound to smash your exams!
Headspace Meditation for modern life, anywhere and anytime. Live a healthier, happier, more wellrested life with Headspace.
Seven – 7 minute workout You’ve got your healthy mind, now work on your healthy body to feel like a real spring chicken! When time is tight you can still get the maximum benefits of exercise with these scientifically devised workouts!
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Valley of the Rocks, North Devon
YEOTOWN, WE NEED YA Annabel Heseltine found her feet on the north coast of Devon at a very clever health and wellbeing retreat
tanding on the edge of a steep slope, sweeping down over brown bracken to a blue sea, glittering in a cold wintry sun, I suddenly realised how different I felt from the exhausted woman who had arrived at Yeotown in north Devon four days ago. Below me was the beautiful Valley of the Rocks. It felt good to be alive and I was happy. It sounds corny, but I had just remembered that there was a me. Mothers are a beleaguered species over the Christmas holidays. Firstly, there’s all the decoration – Christmas trees, houses and present wrapping – then there’s all the cooking; Christmas, New Year’s Eve, family visits, the odd birthday and finally back to school; trunk-packing, uniform naming and lots of driving. By the time I had returned my four teenagers to school, I was desperate for some me-time, to get away from everything and to let someone else take the load of organisation, food preparing and, if along the way, I could bring back some of the yoga and meditation practice that had slipped away over the last term when I had had a child off school, that would
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be even better. So when a friend mentioned Yeotown, a health and wellbeing retreat in my favourite part of the country, north Devon, I didn’t hesitate. It was all rather last minute so I didn’t have time to do the recommended week’s preparation – aka detox – for the retreat, meaning I was going cold turkey on alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes. Battling my way on day one through gale force winds and hail along the north Devon Atlantic coastal path at a challenging six kilometres an hour, designed to raise the heart beat, I wish I had done. I was woefully ill-equipped without gloves, hat or decent socks, and my stiff, 20-year-old hiking boots needed wearing in. I was puffing heavily and in a very bad mood. All my competitive, judgemental and uncharitable inclinations were coming to the fore as I watched the other, more professionally clad hikers, striding ahead of me. And I was feeling weak. Seven brazil nuts and an apple – coined by one guest ‘as a little bag of disappointment’ – as a mid-hike snack definitely didn’t do it for me. I didn’t know it then, but I was in fact a classic Yeotown guest; stressed and out of sorts.
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Every week, Simon and Mercedes Sieff, who set up the holistic healthy lifestyle retreat ten years ago, welcome an handful of people from all over the world to spend five days at their beautifully designed 300-year-old farmhouse. Simon, a keen surfer, was a furniture designer in another lifetime and has filled the elegant eco-lodges and bedrooms with beautiful artefacts collected on his travels chasing the wave. There are actors, writers, TV presenters, stressed city types and a spate of Middle Eastern Royalty after a Kuwaiti Princess’s Snapchat was vlogged all over the Middle East. One client arrives by helicopter and on my week there was an interesting and eclectic mix of guests, aged thirty to 55, including a Russian couple who were on their third retreat, an American living in London, an English actor (it’s not the Yeotown way to tell), a couple of city types and several women looking to relax, get healthy, lose weight or remind ourselves of who we are. It’s been littered with presitigious spa awards, but let’s be clear about one thing: it is not a spa, nor is it a boot camp or a yoga retreat for that matter. In fact, it’s refreshingly individual. The walk was strenuous and demanding, but there smiling in the rain on our satisfied – albeit drenched return – was the lovely Lauren, who acts as front of house manager, as well as de-facto counsellor, handholder and hanky supplier to emotional guests who are letting Yeotown hikers battling their way along the stormy coast path
go. On our return she was holding a tray with cups of warming hot chocolate, aka organic raw cacao. A hot bath and 45 minutes later we were in the yoga studio. Dinner was at six. Nine of us sat around a communal table to eat a delicious vegan curry and equally yummy blue spirulina pannacotta, while Simon explained a little bit about Yeotown, although he remained vague about the schedule. Apparently we were not allowed to know in advance what we were doing. Now I sat up. Something was going on here. It was clever and subtle. All we were allowed to know was that we would have a massage every night and those who had booked extra treatments like reiki, kinesiology and TRE (more of that later) would have them worked around the evening meal. The not knowing was deliberate. Stressed city types who thrive on control, routine and predictability just had to let go and be guided, this being part of the practice. Mindfulness and breathing awareness, designed to ground us, were cleverly woven through the entire day, whether it was the early morning yoga practice at 7.15, or the different experiences laid in our path throughout the rest of the day when we weren’t hiking. Even the walking was meditative, requiring grounding focus as we climbed over rocky paths running alongside steep slopes in high winds. Mercedes – a dynamic Canadian credited with bringing vinyasa flow to the UK in the 1990s and now spends much of her time training yoga teachers – took us for our first morning session. ‘Yoga,’ she said, ‘is not what happens in this room. You are just doing asanas [positions] here and learning to observe your breathing. Yoga happens when something goes wrong and you get angry or frustrated. You will still get angry or frustrated but if you learn to observe your breathing in this room you will be able to observe your behaviour out of the room and try to catch it. And even if you lose it, as I very definitely can sometimes,’ she admitted, honestly and very likeably, ‘at least you know you are doing it and can observe it.’ I have been practising yoga for over 20 years, but never have I heard a teacher explain it so clearly. ‘When we started there wasn’t much going on here in the UK, and yet there seemed to be an interest,’ Happy Yeotowners in the Valley of the Rocks explained Mercedes. ‘We invited friends down from London for a few weekends and it grew and evolved as we learned what people were looking for.’ And now they are keen to share their knowledge and help others to find a healthier, more grounded way of living, which their clients can take home with them (a vegan detox goody bag is given to London-bound guests to sustain them for the journey home so they don’t get tempted). They have just opened their first Yeotown restaurant in Paddington where guests can order vegan food and meditate in meditation pods while they wait for it to arrive. ‘Everyone says they struggle to find the time but there’s no excuse at our restaurant,’ says Simon, with a wicked grin. Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 111
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A two hour bike ride through Bideford breaks up the daily hike routine
‘Yoga is not what happens in this room. You are just doing asanas [positions] here and learning to observe your breathe. Yoga happens when something goes wrong and you get angry or frustrated and then its what you do with it.’ MERCEDES SIEFF
A good sense of humour is echoed around the kitchen on a shelf cluttered with some rather good wine bottles. ‘We are not saying never have a glass of wine or a caffe latte, but it’s about balance and finding grounding in your life,’ says Simon, who was out surfing the Devonshire waves at six am the following day. Most of the talking was done over meals of unbelievably delicious vegan food with some fish thrown in – think Thai curries with salmon and coriander, delicious loaves made from seeds and nuts, creamy chocolatey puddings - I would never have guessed it was avocado giving it the creaminess. ‘Nutrition,’ says Simon, ‘is the foundation of a healthy life. Without that nothing else works.’
Their formula is based upon some simple tenets that if you look after your diet and exercise you will lead a better life. ‘Stress is the number one precursor of the four big killers; cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and diabetes,’ explains Simon. ‘There is so much scientific research now to show the advantages of wellness, which is why it’s the fastest growing industry worldwide.’ Yeotown offers a combination of fresh air exercise, yoga, nurturing and nutrition: ‘we ask everyone to give up seven food groups when they come here, but it’s not too extreme and focuses on exercise, movement and getting the heart going,’ says Simon. Hence the daily hikes, with a mid-week bicycle ride thrown in along the beautiful Torridge estuary with the lovely Jo who looks like a much younger Jenny Agutter and, rather reassuringly, is a member of the Exmoor search and rescue team. They also offer collaborative weeks when they invite in guest retreat leaders; Mariella Frostrup is doing two for women facing mid-life challenges. There are also two Yeo-man retreats planned to encourage men to come and unwind, and in the summer, their first designated retreat for parents and children. I am not going to spoil their mystery tour, but the day is divided between two daily sessions of yoga, one fast and one restorative, a couple of hours of exercise. Nothing is ever too taxing, as they can split the yoga, bike-riding and walking classes according to ability, and some wonderful pampering sessions given by a caring team of dedicated practitioners, many of whom divide their time between
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WELLBEING
London and Yeotown, pulling together like oarsmen in a long boat. There’s Theresa, a deep tissue masseuse who teaches at the local sport college; Amber the kinesiologist; Naomi who does reiki and teaches meditation practices; and Georgie and Julia in the kitchen. Amanda does amazing shiatsu and works in London as well, and then there’s Natasha, who introduced me to TRE – tension and trauma releasing exercises. I took this with her in a beautiful old barn with a heated floor, a crackling fire and candles all around. As with all the therapists, part of the session is spent chatting while they get to know you a bit better and then tailored to help you in the way you need. Few of us have escaped trauma and with a nasty divorce, three failed pregnancies and a few war zones to boot, I have had my fair share. A pattern was emerging in the diagnoses of the various therapists and it didn’t come as any surprise when I was told that I was running on empty and needed to look after myself, but standing on that hill, looking down to a sapphire ocean sublime in the morning sun, I was immensely grateful to the friend who had showed me the way to Yeotown. When I texted her later to thank her she replied, ‘Yes, Yeotown is pretty amazing. I would go back in a heartbeat.’ Suffice to say, I have paid my deposit for a return visit. With my life it’s good to know that there’s a place I can go to when I need to feel nurtured and get my feet planted firmly back on the ground – and, oh yes, I got the meditation practice back too. ■
FACT FILE WHEN
Retreats run from Wednesday to Sunday all year. WHERE
Yeotown, Snapper, Devon, EX32 7JY. +44 (0)1271 343 803; yeotown.com WHAT
Yoga, hikes, bike rides, sauna, hot tub meals, drinks, a daily massage and station transfers. Guests are asked to detox a week in advance.. Additional treatments on demand. HOW MUCH
Prices from £1,950-£3,500 for a simple room and shared bathroom to the Eco cottage, a large suite with a double-sided fireplace dividing a restful bedroom from the sitting room. SPECIAL COLLABORATIVE RETREAT DATES
A good nutritious diet is the keystone to a healthy life
Mid-life Makeover: with Mariella Frostrup: 4-8 March and 9-13 September 2020. Sleep & Anxiety: 22-26 April 2020. Parent & Child/ Family Retreat with wellness expert Suzanne Duckett: 15-19 July 2020. YOGA WITH MERCEDES
mercedessieff. com YEOTOWN IN LONDON
Vegan food and meditation pods in Paddington T: 0207 298 8799 yeotownkitchen. com Annabel’s bedroom at Yeotown in North Devon
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SCHOOL YEAR SUCCESS WITH LINDAMOOD-BELL It is not about where you start, but where you finish
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t Lindamood-Bell, we believe that all students can learn to read and comprehend to their potential. We can be the right fit for many types of students, including accelerated learners, students who need a flexible schedule, and students with previous diagnoses such as dyslexia or autism. And, we believe every child can experience school year success. If school is hard, we can help you find out why and provide the help your child needs to thrive. How can we help your child? Read on for typical solutions.
SENSORY-COGNITIVE INSTRUCTION Students who need help may have a weakness that is affecting learning. Unfortunately, these students typically fall further behind as the year goes on. Students with poor comprehension, critical thinking, writing, or memory may have weak concept imagery – the ability to create an imagined gestalt (whole) from language; students who are poor decoders
and spellers, or slow readers, may have weak symbol imagery – the ability to visualise letters in words. These difficulties are not only frustrating for a student but prevent them from accessing the school curriculum. We start by identifying strengths and weaknesses that may be affecting performance in reading, comprehension, and maths. Based on those strengths and weaknesses we make recommendations for individualised instruction plans that create learning gains.
APPLICATION TO CONTENT Our sensory-cognitive instruction results in extraordinary gains for students; it can be one of the most positive learning experiences of a child’s life. Tailored to individual needs, ‘Application to Content’ is a bridge between new skills and current school work. For example, a student who received comprehension instruction may benefit from assistance when applying new skills to a book report.
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SCHOOL HOUSE PARTNERSHIP
HOMEWORK MATTERS AND EXAM PREPARATION For many busy families, protected homework time is not always practical, at least not for every night of the week. Whether it’s a work schedule that keeps us from homework help until after dinner or family bustling around the studying child, our best-laid plans can quickly go astray. ‘Homework Matters’ is supervised homework and exam preparation help, one to four afternoons per week. Our skilled instructors take the struggle out of homework and studying for tests.
LINDAMOOD-BELL ACADEMY If your child’s current school is not meeting their needs, the stress and frustration can become too much, and start to affect learning. Lindamood-Bell Academy is an accredited private school
that features individualised instruction in-person or online. It is an excellent solution for students who thrive in a non-traditional teaching environment. Utilising our unique, evidence-based methodology, students can receive instruction in reading and comprehension, in addition to advancing through accredited school curriculum. The learning needs of each child are addressed so they are ready to learn.
LET’S TALK ABOUT SCHOOL YEAR SUCCESS Since 1986, more than 35,000 students have been taught how to learn to their potential at Lindamood-Bell. We’d love to talk to you about your student’s learning needs. Everything we do is available at our Notting Hill and Hampstead locations and online! Call +44 (0) 207 727 0660 for more information or to enrol.
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Sevenoaks School, Kent
GREENER PASTURES London parents are giving their children plenty of fresh air by sending them to good country schools along the city’s commuter arteries, finds Anna Tyzack
n term time, the platforms at Clapham Junction are busy with blazer-wearing youngsters heading off to school. With their book bags and Starbucks cups, many are heading into central London; an increasing number, however, are escaping the city for a school day in the countryside. ‘Sport and facilities tend to be better at country private schools and they’re often better value – not to mention the abundance of space and fresh air,’ says Richard Marsh, of buying agents Property Vision. The trend for commuting from the city to country schools is picking up pace in London, according to Marsh. Traditionally parents have been the ones commuting from the countryside to jobs in town; if the wheel is reversed, however, and children commute from
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‘If education is the only thing forcing you out of London this is a good option. The family can stay put in town where they might have other children at school, jobs and friends.’ RICHARD MARSH, PROPERTY VISION
London to a rural school within an hour of the capital, they can enjoy a country education without the family having to decamp to the sticks. ‘If education is the only thing forcing you out of London this is a good option, the family can stay put in town where they might have other children at school, jobs and friends,’ says Marsh. Parents are also spared the competitive rigmarole of getting their children into London day schools. The downside, of course, is that children spend up to an hour on a school shuttle bus or train each morning and evening, and parents must travel up to an hour or more to watch their children play in matches or perform in plays; the reality of London living, however, is that often school runs across town often take this time anyway. As the number of country schools offering shuttle buses for London pupils grow, parents are scrambling to buy houses close to the relevant bus stops and stations. Whitgift, a boys’ public school which occupies a spacious green campus in South Croydon, has become so popular with parents living in London that last year the admissions department received more than 1,200 applications. The school achieves strong academic results and has an extensive extracurricular offering, but most important for city-dwelling families is that the beautiful and historic park surrounding it can be easily reached from Clapham Junction. Whitgift pupils can also take school buses from Putney, Wimbledon, Clapham, Wandsworth and Dulwich
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Papplewick School, Ascot
For girls living in Clapham and Wandsworth, Woldingham is easily commutable; the catholic school in the 700-acre Marden Park, outside the village of Woldingham in Surrey, is a 29-minute journey from Clapham Junction. Meanwhile, south-east London families who want a school with a larger campus than Dulwich College, can look to Sevenoaks School in Kent, which is easily accessible from Greenwich, Blackheath, Bromley and Hither Green, and there’s also a 25-minute rail connection from London Bridge. It’s not just rural senior schools that are appealing to London families. Papplewick, a boys’ prep school near Ascot, runs three daily return services from London: one from Chiswick, one from Brook Green, Hammersmith and the third near the Millennium Gloucester Hotel. ‘We’ve had a substantial number of enquiries from London parents who are considering an out-of-London school for their sons as day boys from as early as year two, with boarding – either weekly or full – from age ten or 11,’ says headmaster, Tom Bunbury. ‘Our bus service enables London families, including those living in the areas around Chelsea and Belgravia, to take advantage of all we have to offer boys here at Papplewick.’ Families living in the roads off Brook Green or near Gloucester Road can walk their children to the bus stop in the mornings and meet them back there after school – safe in the knowledge that they have spent a day surrounded by fields and woodland.
Lambrook prep, also near Ascot, runs buses from Brook Green and Chiswick, and Woodcote House in Windlesham, Surrey, picks up children from Wimbledon, Fulham and Barons Court. Feltonfleet in Cobham runs buses to Wimbledon, Putney, Esher and Southfields and Caldicott School in Buckinghamshire picks up children from Notting Hill, Chiswick, Brook Green and Hammersmith Bridge. With such active days, there’s every chance your child will snooze in the bus going home, but says David Paterson, headmaster of Woodcote House, any rest will be well deserved. ‘Boys are returned at 6.45pm with all homework complete, which parents find very helpful,’ he says. ■
PROPERTY ON THE MARKET
Houses close to commuting transport links for good schools close to London are more precious than gold dust.
FOR COMMUTING TO LAMBROOK AND PAPPLEWICK This five-bedroom, detached riverside villa in Chiswick is within easy reach of the Lambrook and Papplewick school shuttle bus stops. It has large entertaining spaces, five bedrooms and an 180ft garden with pool, studio and outbuildings. £10m, harrodsestates.com
FOR COMMUTING TO WOLDINGHAM AND WHITGIFT
Whitgift School, Croydon
A spacious family house within walking distance of Clapham Junction, with trains to Woldingham and Whitgift. The property has been extended on the top floor into the loft space, on the ground floor and into the basement. £2m, ramptonbaseley.com
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The Edinburgh Fringe Festival
FESTIVALS, MINUS THE MUD estivals are a staple part of school summer holidays, but that doesn’t have to mean music, mud and sleeping in a field for three days. If Glastonbury et al aren’t your bag there are plenty of other options: literature festivals, history festivals, festivals for dance, comedy, drama and everything in between, all conducted by leading professionals in their respective fields. Hardcore partying maybe Havana for some, but Capital Crime – a festival celebrating all creative things crime and thriller – was the only place in 2019 where you could have seen Tom Bradby and Charles Cumming together exploring the concept that we might be living in an espionage thriller. Similarly, where else but the 2019 Chalke Valley History Festival could you have heard Jacob Rees-Mogg leading a passionate talk about the Victorians, claiming they transformed Britain into the global force it is today. And at last year’s Cheltenham Literary Festival, David Cameron admitted there was a day when even his own daughter forgot he was once Prime Minister, while discussing his highly anticipated autobiography, For The Record. Ardent fans have been trooping north of Hadrian’s Wall in August to attend the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for decades. With the London International Mime Festival, it is one of the
F
most popular artistic and cultural events in the world. A recent graduate of Edinburgh University told me during the Fringe the city ‘feels electric’. ‘Edinburgh is transformed into a giant theatre park; it’s an oasis of energy and creation,’ she explains. ‘The shows are limitless in their ideas, from hypnosis in a theatre to a one-man show in a postbox. By the end you’ll feel both exhausted and energised.’ Edinburgh aside, theatrical and performance-based festivals are popping up all over the place, many of which aren’t based in the UK. The New Generation Festival reopens its gates to all in Florence, bringing the delights of opera and music. With a dress code of ‘Fabulous’, you are instructed to get into the mood of the event by wearing whatever makes you happy, ‘whether that’s ball gowns and black tie, colourful linen suits and dresses, or a kaleidoscopic glittering onesie’. Perhaps you should book your 2020 summer holiday with the New Generation Festival in mind? There is a festival celebrating everything you could ask for somewhere out there, and the special thing is, the invitation to join the celebration is open access. Go to one! Let world leading thinkers, speakers and performers inspire, entertain, shock and stir you. When you see people in desperate need of consolation because they missed out on Glastonbury tickets, why don’t you suggest one of the following to them instead?
PHOTOS: © EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE SOCIETY
Alex Bloom-Davis chooses some of the best
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SUGGESTIONS TO GET YOU GOING…
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EDINBURGH FRINGE
It is called ‘the single biggest celebration of arts and culture on the planet’, and you would be hard pressed to contest this fact, as every year the Scottish capital is taken over by an explosion of world-wide creativity. At the Fringe you could see an acting troupe who are just about to start sixth-form in the morning, and then one of the most highly regarded comedians in the afternoon. When variety is the watch word, with some 57,000 performances in over 300 venues, you will have an unforgettable experience somewhere, or everywhere. 7-31 August 2020. edfringe.com
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ALTHORP LITERARY FESTIVAL
A more intimate celebration of the written word at the Spencer family home, Althorp, this is an environment where you can be sure original thought, talent, performance
and word is exposed and delivered. Writers and colourful personalities include Alastair Campbell, Julian Fellowes, Sebastian Faulks and Michael Palin. Saul David’s only worry was ‘that all future literary festivals will seem a disappointment after yours’. A good place to start exploring cultural festivals then. Autumn 2020. spencerofalthorp.com
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HAY FESTIVAL
Perhaps the jewel in the crown of literary festivals, Hay-on-Wye – the Welsh ‘town of books’ – hosts the best writers, thinkers, performers and readers from all over the world. Speakers and performers who have come to Hay over the years include Maya Angelou, Zadie Smith, Paul McCartney and Benedict Cummerbatch. Widely regarded as a bastion of British culture, Hay Festival is now an international phenomenon, with festivals in Colombia, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Croatia, Peru and Spain. A Welsh success story that surpasses that of Sir Tom Jones. 21-31 May 2020. hayfestival.com
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THE TIMES AND THE SUNDAY TIMES CHELTENHAM LITERARY FESTIVAL
Meet the protagonist of the literary festival line-up: the Cheltenham Literary Festival. One of the most significant literary festivals in the world, in 2019 140,000 tickets were issued and over 900 of the most globally influential authors, actors and personalities were hosted, including Salman Rushdie, Helena Bonham-Carter and David Cameron. In a packed programme you’ll want to attend as many of the events as you can. Look out for Gruffalos when rushing from one talk to another. 2-11 October 2020. cheltenhamfestivals.com
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UNDERBELLY FESTIVAL SOUTHBANK
Pop-ups are fun, cool and edgy, so what could a pop-up festival offer? Underbelly Festival Southbank returns to London’s South bank for the 11th year, with everything from plays and musicals, to acrobatics and a London Pride celebration. A six-month packed programme of 170 shows. April to September 2020. underbellyfestival.com
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LIVE @ THE RSC: COMEDY FESTIVAL
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LONDON INTERNATIONAL MIME FESTIVAL
Having taken Edinburgh by storm, 22 of the country’s top comedians are moving from Edinburgh Fringe to take part in Live @ The RSC. Some of the world’s funniest comics, Ivo Graham, Phil Wang, Adam Kay and the highly acclaimed Showstoppers, will have you in stitches. 12-21 September 2020. rsc.org.uk
Since 1977, January has seen a celebration of contemporary visual performance, involving live art, physical and circus theatre, mask, puppetry movement and object theatre. Your perspective of how the human body moves will be shattered, as the acts appear to defy space and gravity. Workshops and professionally-led classes are on offer to share the art of visual and physical theatre skills. Takes place around London including the Barbican, Soho Theatre and the Southbank Centre. January 2021. mimelondon.com
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CAMDEN FRINGE
An alternative to the Edinburgh Fringe, the Camden Fringe has garnered a reputation for supporting new acts and enabling up-and-coming performers to try out new material. Opened in 2006, it now has 200 acts in over 20 venues each year. Includes writers, musicians, comedians, dancers, operas and improv workshops. Camden Fringe may be junior to its big brother in Edinburgh, but it is no less ambitious or prestigious. August 2020. camdenfringe.com
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CHALKE VALLEY HISTORY FESTIVAL
PHOTO: JEN O’NEILL, ANDREW ALLCOCK, DARINA & GETTY IMAGES
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It’s the favourite week of the year for all history lovers, Chalke Valley History Festival has earned its place at the top of the history festival hierarchy. Anyone connected with history has spoken there: a random line-up might include Max Hastings, Kate Williams, Ian Hislop and Dan Snow. Designed to enthuse young historians, three days are allocated to school parties with reenactments, old war planes and wonderful historians. When school children worry so much about the future, this is the perfect opportunity to help them value the past. 22-28 June 2020. cvhf.org.uk
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FURTHER AFIELD
IRELAND
MOTHER TONGUES FESTIVAL
PHOTO: JEN O’NEILL, ANDREW ALLCOCK, DARINA & GETTY IMAGES
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CHELSEA HISTORY FESTIVAL
Another new player in town for historians: Chelsea History Festival brings a second year of influential speakers such as Roderick Williams, Max Hastings, Sonia Purnell, Damien Lewis and Gyles Brandreth, as well as a parade and chapel service from the Chelsea Pensioners and Band. Held at iconic venues including the National Army Museum, the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Chelsea Physic Garden. There’s also an interactive walk around one of London’s most beautiful boroughs on the ‘Hidden History Hunt’. 23-27 September 2020. chelseahistoryfestival.com
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CAPITAL CRIME
A new name on the block, but one that entered the scene with a bang, Capital Crime held its first festival in 2019 celebrating all things criminal and thrilling in literature. Where else would you be able to see Anthony Horowitz build an idea from concept to pitch live, or Robert Harris interviewed by Steph McGovern. A creative festival which is bound to become an annual pilgrimage for all fans of criminal literature. 1-3 October 2020. capitalcrime.org
If the diverse range of world languages was God’s punishment to mankind for the construction of the Tower of Babel, the creators of Mother Tongues Festival have made a bad thing good. A festival celebrating linguistic diversity through the arts, the Irish-based festival is an oasis of multilingualism and artistic endeavour. Take a Japanese origami workshop, learn Chinese or Persian calligraphy or attend various talks on the benefits of bilingualism. This is no such thing as a language barrier at Mother Tongues. 21-23 February 2020. mothertonguesfestival.com
GALWAY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL From humble beginnings, the Galway Arts Festival changed its name in 2014 to Galway International Arts Festival, reflecting the fact that the festival is a world-class display of art and performance. A fortnight of performance, music, visual art and theatre (international sensation and heartthrob, Cilian Murphy is a frequent performer), GIAF transforms Galway into a haven of the arts, and promises to transform all who attend as well. 13-26 July 2020. giaf.ie SPAIN
FESTIVAL DELTEBRE DANSA A two-week festival devoted to contemporary dance and circus in sunny Spain – sign me up. Whether you are a professional seeking high-level training in artistic dance and circus from internationally renowned teachers, or if you are new to boogying and want a scenic setting to take a beginners’ workshop, Festival Deltebre Dansa will fulfil your every need and satiate your itching desire to move and be free. 6-19 July. deltebredansa.cat
ITALY
NEW GENERATION FESTIVAL Featured in ‘the best festivals in the world’ by Condé Nast, the New Generation Festival (NGF) promotes the finest young creative artists. The NGF showcases rising stars of the opera, theatre, visual arts and music industry in extraordinary settings, from the Swiss mountains of Andermatt in winter to the Italian Gardens of the Palazzo Corsini in Florence at the end of every August. newgenerationfestival.org
ICELAND
CHILDREN’S CULTURE FESTIVAL, REYKJAVÍK A festival where the headliner is you. Reykjavík’s Children’s Culture Festival was launched ten years ago with the purpose of introducing a wide range of arts to young children through workshops and performances. For all children up to the age of 16, participation is the word of the day at this festival, be this in the theatre or circus workshops, puppetry or storytelling. See the excitement and joy of cultural festivals from an early age here. 21-26 April 2020. childrensculturefestival.n
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SCHOOL HOUSE PARTNERSHIP understanding of different cultures. To this day ÉJM offers an attractive – and highly relevant –peaceful outlook on the world. By no means a French school where the pupils speak English, ÉJM is a totally bilingual school, and one with an ambitious definition of what it means to be bilingual: that is for all of its pupils to be able to speak and write both French and English with equal fluency. While pupils work towards this means, clearly either English or French is not the first language for many pupils, a fact which makes the high IGCSE marks – 100 per cent of pupils obtained A*-C marks, with A* or A achieved by 58 per cent for First Language English and 67 per cent for English Literature – even more impressive; many of the pupils obtain these strong results in a language which is not necessarily their mother tongue. These marks are reached by ensuring the school follows its ‘student first philosophy’, keeping the children happy and healthy, which, as research shows, is far more conducive to positive learning. results A wellbeing curriculum is implemented through the whole of the school, from nursery up to the sixth-formers, and which can take many different forms. The youngest children can often be found pulling superhero poses in the superhero-themed yoga sessions; year six pupils have mindfulness sessions, mulling over thoughts such as ‘what makes a good friend?’, and then the older students have workshops on those tricky teenage topics, which include internet safety and self-esteem. With the students at the centre of everything that happens across the board at ÉJM, it is no surprise that all of the teaching staff and senior team have a very good, personal relationship with the pupils – something ensured by the small class sizes, the largest of which is just 20 pupils. Collaborative work is something very important to the school, and the crossdepartment, student-staff projects further these relationships and additionally, older pupils may often find themselves teaching the younger pupils during cross year group projects. This sense of a strong community is extended beyond the school walls. Regardless of whether or not they are taking the International Baccalaureate (IB), every sixth-former is enrolled onto the IB Community Action Service, giving them the chance to get active, volunteer and meet people who aren’t part of the school. This instils upon them the virtues of service, responsibility, helpfulness and being kind. Other opportunities afforded to the pupils to engage in activity is the hugely popular Duke of Edinburgh programme and access to the UCL gym. An innovative school, constantly
A PLACE WHERE HAPPINESS PREVAILS École Jeannine Manuel put its pupils first, to terrific
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school that proves the point, happy learners are the best kind of learners, Écoel Jeannine Manuel – a French-English bilingual school for pupils from nursery to sixth-from – is the top independent school in France, and now it also stands in highest academic echelons on this side of the Channel, as the London school’s first cohort of IGCSE pupils launched École Jeannine Manuel (ÉJM) to rank of the fourth best small independent school in the UK. ÉJM offers a fully bilingual education to breed pupils with unity and
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Wimbledon High School, GDST
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ALUMNUS
CELESTIAL HEIGHTS Dr Sheila Kanani, a planetary scientist, remembers Wimbledon High School GDST
Space School was held at Leicester University. It’s a week-long started at Wimbledon High School (WHS) at seven residential course during the summer holidays. We had lectures years of age. It was before the nice, new primary by research scientists and did practicals like building satellites school that’s there now – but we didn’t need all the which we would launch from the top of a stairwell to see if they fancy stuff then. It was great; just teaching and survived impact. I loved Space School; it was a real bubble of sport. The most exciting thing was the swimming people like me. I went when I was 15 or 16 and then I returned pool being built – though I can’t say I was ever a fan of swimming. as a teacher in my 20s when I was doing my PhD. I was born in London and grew up in Merton Park. Both of After my PhD (at the Mullard my parents are pharmacists, so Space Science Laboratory) I grew up in a house that was full I realised I liked the science of science, although my parents but I enjoy telling people about didn’t push me in any particular it more. I went back to WHS direction. My mother has always and shadowed Mr Yee (my been involved in the healthcare A-level teacher) to see if I liked profession, so it’s not surprising it. I didn’t want to be a fullthat my older sister went into time science teacher though, healthcare, and is now a GP and so I took a job at the Royal Medical Director of Primary Astronomical Society where Care for NHS England. I am the Education, Outreach When I started at the senior and Diversity Officer. I am very school I wanted to be a vet, but interested in getting greater my interest in physics was sparked diversity into the space industry. by my teacher, Mrs Gallivan. She My sister and I set up told my parents I had a natural STEMMsisters five years ago. flair for the subject, and after that We wanted something that I started to pay more attention. I brought our skill sets together remember thinking, ‘If she thinks and to provide a network to I’m good, then I’ll show her I’m those who aren’t usually exposed good.’ I just always enjoyed physics to the world of science and lessons; I remember the sense of medicine – the extra ‘M’ in the awe I felt when she told us about title. We were lucky, we went splitting white light into a rainbow to great schools (my sister went of colours. to Sutton High GDST) and had Looking back, I just never felt Dr Shelia Kanani a mother who took us to the that physics wasn’t for me – it was Science Museum. We want only at university that I thought ‘My interest in physics was sparked by my to help facilitate exposure like of physics as a boys’ subject. I don’t teacher, Mrs Gallivan. She told my parents that and link people together. know if that was because of WHS I had a natural flair for the subject, and I’ve just been really lucky in particular – now, of course, it has its amazing new STEAM after that I started to pay more attention. in everything I have done. STEM and the sciences are tower – or because we were all I remember thinking, “If she thinks I’m just so important to our girls. There was a group of us who good, then I’ll show her I’m good”’ world,to our future – we did A-level physics; we all played must encourage young hockey, we were all in a band and people to get into it. we all loved physics. We were a real crew with a real sense of camaraderie. I still meet regularly with Dr Sheila Kanani is the Education, Outreach and those friends from Wimbledon. We were a close year group. Diversity officer of the Royal Astronomical Society. It was the film, Apollo 13, that first sparked my interest Her publications include ‘How to be An Astronaut and in space. Another teacher at WHS, Miss Hunt, showed me Other Space Jobs’ and ‘The Extraordinary Life of Rosa an advert for Space School UK. That’s what got me into the Parks’. Puffin will publish her biography of Amelia science side of astronomy – I wanted to know about the planets Earhart this year. ■ and stars, how they were formed, where they came from.
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LONDON SCHOOLS NURSERY | PREPA R ATORY | SENIOR
University College School, Hampsted
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
Broomwood Hall, Lower School
Broomwood Hall, Upper School
ADDRESS: The Vicarage (Reception & Year 1) 192 Ramsden Road, London, SW12 8RQ; (Years 2 & 3): 50 Nightingale Lane, London, SW12 8TE WEBSITE: www.northwoodschools.com FOUNDED: 1984 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 400 AGES: 4-8 HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Carole Jenkinson FEES: £5,610. Fees are inclusive of all tuition, lunch, compulsory school trips and most school books and equipment. RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian but all faiths are welcome ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: School visit and random ballot at age four. Additional entry point at age 7 from September 2020. CONTACT: Susannah Lloyd, Registrar, 020 8682 8830 EMAIL: admissions@northwoodschools.com SCHOOL VISITS: Northwood Schools All Sites Open Event – Friday 9 October 2020.
ADDRESS: 68-74 Nightingale Lane, London SW12 8NR. WEBSITE: www.northwoodschools.com FOUNDED: 1984 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 240 AGES: 8-13 HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Carole Jenkinson FEES: £6,880. Fees are inclusive of all tuition, lunch, compulsory school trips and most school books and equipment. RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian but all faiths are welcome ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Automatic entry for girls from Broomwood Hall Lower School; External by assessment in January of year of entry. CONTACT: Susannah Lloyd, Registrar, 020 8682 8830 EMAIL: admissions@northwoodschools.com SCHOOL VISITS: Northwood Schools All Sites Open Event – Friday 9 October 2020.
THE CURRICULUM: A broad curriculum, designed to provide mastery of the building blocks of education, delivered in an inclusive, enjoyable manner, harnessing curiosity and desire to learn. GAMES & THE ARTS: All children take part in PE and Games for at least five periods per week and progress from learning basic skills to playing in competitive matches. Great emphasis is placed upon drama, art and music. A multitude of clubs from Year 1 onwards include karate, coding, art and cookery. Winners of prestigious Gold Artsmark Award.
THE CURRICULUM: A broad and stimulating curriculum, with technology used at every level, fosters a love of learning, bolsters self-confidence, creativity and critical thinking, helping girls to maximise their potential. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport and the arts are an important part of our curriculum and we offer a surprisingly wide variety. We place great value on creativity with exceptionally strong music, art and drama departments. Winners of prestigious Artsmark Gold Award.
PASTORAL CARE: We pride ourselves on our nurturing and caring environment. The school is split between two sites with each one being small enough, and intimate enough, for all children to be well known to all staff. We have a strong pastoral team which includes learning support, a full-time school nurse and a qualified school counsellor.
PASTORAL CARE: We know that happy children thrive academically. With small class sizes, an excellent tutor system and mindfulness and wellbeing programmes in the curriculum, we pride ourselves on nurturing the whole child and developing individual strengths so that when girls leave us at 11 or 13, they are confident, happy, well-rounded individuals with a strong sense of purpose.
EXIT SCHOOLS: Children from Broomwood Hall Lower School have automatic entry to either Northcote Lodge (boys) or Broomwood Hall Upper School (girls) providing these are the right schools for them.
SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: 11 & 13+ to London day and boarding including Benenden, Emanuel, Marlborough, Bradfield, JAGS, Streatham & Clapham High, Woldingham, Wellington, Cranleigh and King’s, Canterbury.
HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We embrace traditional values promoting ‘soft’ skills such as kindness, collaboration, creativity, communication, and community. We are also a modern school, coupling the latest educational thinking and practice with the problem-solving and analytical skills children need to succeed, keeping an eye on workplaces that they will enter in the future. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: - Broomwood Hall Lower School is part of the Northwood Schools family, comprising Broomwood Hall Upper School, Northcote Lodge and NorthWood Senior, providing an outstanding education from 4 – 16 - Firm believers in encouraging children to recognise that achievement and success comes in many forms - Winning combination of traditional values and innovative teaching - Fostering a love of learning and happy, confident children - Friendly, family-feel school
RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: 25 per cent of leavers win awards across all areas. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We prepare for life, not just the next school. Our focus is on the essential building blocks of creativity, critical thinking, resilience and confidence – all the benefits of a holistic education where everything is important, and each girl is supported and enabled to be and do her best. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – The only girls’ prep school preparing for 11+ & 13+ in SW London – Winning combination of traditional values and innovative teaching – Nurturing individual strengths to enable each girl to shine – Fostering a love of learning and happy, confident girls – Friendly, family-feel school
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
Northcote Lodge
ADDRESS: 26 Bolingbroke Grove, London SW11 6EL WEBSITE: www.northwoodschools.com FOUNDED: 1993 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 260 AGES: 8-13 FEES: £6,880. Fees are inclusive of all tuition, lunch, compulsory school trips and most school books and equipment. HEAD TEACHER: Clive Smith-Langridge RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian but all faiths are welcome ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Automatic entry for boys from Broomwood Hall Lower School if it’s the right school for them. Preferential entry for younger siblings of Northcote Lodge or Broomwood Hall pupils (subject to assessment). External candidates – assessment in Year 3 (prior to entry in Year 4). CONTACT: Susannah Lloyd, Registrar, 020 8682 8830 EMAIL: admissions@northwoodschools.com SCHOOL VISITS: Northwood Schools All Sites Open Event – Friday 9 October 2020.
NorthWood Senior
ADDRESS: 3 Garrad’s Road, SW16 1JZ WEBSITE: www.northwoodschools.com Opening September 2020 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 140 AGES: 11 – 16 FEES: Fees will be in line with those of Northcote Lodge and Broomwood Hall Upper School (currently £6,880). There will be a Founders Discount of 20 per cent. HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Susan Brooks RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian but all faiths are welcome ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Main entrance in Year 7. Additional places in Year 9 with preferential entry for pupils from Northcote Lodge and Broomwood Hall.. Assessment morning in January of the year of entry. CONTACT: NorthWood Senior Enquiries: 020 8682 8821 EMAIL: NWSSenior@northwoodschools.com SCHOOL VISITS: Northwood Schools All Sites Open Event – Friday 9 October 2020.
THE CURRICULUM: Boys thrive in our ‘country prep school’ environment which nurtures and develops individual strengths whilst preparing boys for entry to top secondary schools – both day and boarding.
THE CURRICULUM: We will offer a wide range of GCSE and iGCSE subjects and will always consider the possibility of offering subjects that may be unavailable in larger schools.
GAMES & THE ARTS: All boys play matches in the major sports and our teams are very competitive even against much bigger schools. A wideranging clubs programme includes karate, coding and spy-club. Thriving and vibrant music, drama and art departments with ambitious projects, multiple choirs and exciting performances.
GAMES & THE ARTS: The arts will play an important part in the life of the school and we will offer both team and individual sporting options.
PASTORAL CARE: Our tutor system ensures that each boy has someone looking out for him over and above the care he receives from every staff member. The small size and relaxed, country-feel of the school enables staff and boys to get to know each other well. Parent partnership is actively encouraged, and the Headmaster’s door is always open. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: Mix of London day and boarding schools including Bradfield, Dulwich, Harrow, Tonbridge, Marlborough, Wellington, Whitgift, Charterhouse, Sherborne, Cranleigh and Eton. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Strong showing in all areas including academic, music, DT, drama and sport. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: I believe in educating the whole child: academic rigour, a focus on traditional manners, outstanding extra-curricular opportunities, holistic pastoral care and most importantly, running a school that allows the boys to be happy. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Northcote Lodge is a country prep school right in the heart of South West London – giving boys the advantages of a relaxed, nurturing, but stimulating, learning environment without having to leave town.
PASTORAL CARE: The strong focus on pastoral care that the school group is known for at the preparatory level will continue, alongside a thorough development of the skills required for the challenges of modern life. Our tutor system will ensure that all children are known by staff on a personal level, with staff truly invested in their individual success. AFTER NORTHWOOD SENIOR: We don’t believe that there should be a typical exit – just the one that’s right for each individual pupil. This could include A levels, BTecs or something else at various settings including sixth form at day and boarding schools or specialist sixth form colleges. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: NorthWood Senior will offer an alternative to a focus on endless exam preparation; something particularly prevalent in London. As a small school, a more bespoke approach will provide an education that is not only academically excellent, but which equips pupils with skills and experiences to face their future with confidence. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: - A small, family feel where community really matters - A rounded, stimulating and healthy education, both physically and mentally. - A focus on developing the self; building reflective, community-minded young adults. - Creating a continuing passion for learning. - Delivering individual success without unhealthy or unnecessary stress. - Giving pupils the skill set to tackle the exciting future that awaits them.
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
Chepstow House School
ADDRESS: 108A Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, London W11 1QS WEBSITE: www.chepstowhouseschool.co.uk FOUNDED: 2010 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 384 AGES: 2–13 years FEES: £3,395 (Nursery); £7160 (School) per term HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Angela Barr RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Register from birth for nursery and reception intake. Informal assessment for 7, 8, 11 and 13+ entry CONTACT: Linda Farrow, School Administrator, 0207 243 0243 EMAIL: info@chepstowhouseschool.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Tours available on request. THE CURRICULUM: A rigorous curriculum prepares children for 11+ and the 13+ Common Entrance. However, we encourage boys and girls to strive in all areas through providing a broad and balanced learning experience. GAMES & THE ARTS: Music recitals, whole school productions and art specialist weeks are highlights throughout the key stages. PE lessons enhance physical skills and knowledge of the sports the children play and a strong emphasis is placed on competitive sporting activities through weekly fixtures. PASTORAL CARE: Staff encourage pupils to apply themselves diligently to tasks and develop positive attitudes both in their work and in their personal relationships. The house system creates a strong community within the school and the extremely successful links with both local and international charities promotes a sense of wider social interaction and responsibility. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: Children follow on to a variety of schools including St Paul’s, City of London, The Harrodian and Wetherby. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Chepstow House is a happy and purposeful family environment, where every member of the school community is important and all are valued as individuals, We aim to discover the best in every child and challenge them to go beyond their expectations. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – The highly nurturing and welcoming ethos and environment – By the end of Year 3, the majority of pupils achieve well above expected levels of attainment in reading, writing, speaking and mathematics. – ‘They develop excellent creative and aesthetic skills in art, drama, music and cookery. Their physical development is excellent’ (most recent Ofsted report)
Chiswick & Bedford Park Preparatory School
ADDRESS: Priory House, Priory Avenue, London W4 1TX WEBSITE: www.cbppschool.co.uk FOUNDED: 1915 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 200 AGES: Boys 3–7, Girls 3–11 FEES: £4,875 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Sally Daniell RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective. Registration and ballot. CONTACT: 020 8994 1804 EMAIL: info@cbppschool.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: The head teacher will show around prospective parents by appointment. Please call the school office to arrange. THE CURRICULUM: Broad, balanced and exciting education. Enriching and challenging activities encourage independent thinkers. Visual, auditory and kinaesthetic approaches provide for all learning styles. Educational outings, workshops and visiting speakers make learning meaningful and fun. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sports include netball, football, hockey, rounders, tennis, cricket, dance, gymnastics, swimming. Outstanding drama, dynamic art and vibrant music departments. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS FOR THE LAST ACADEMIC YEAR: London day schools including Francis Holland School, Godolphin & Latymer School, Lady Eleanor Holles School, Latymer Upper School, Latymer Prep School, Notting Hill & Ealing High School, St Paul’s Girls’ School, St Paul’s Juniors and Westminster Under School. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: We win academic and music scholarships to a range of schools. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We aim to provide a broad education that enables each child to discover their strengths in a warm and nurturing environment. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: We place great emphasis on pupils’ personal development, helping them to build their self-confidence and resilience. Our children learn the important values of responsibility, courtesy and respect for others and the environment. We are proud of the kindness and warmth shown within our small, close-knit community, which we feel makes our school so special.
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
Durston House
ADDRESS: 12 Castlebar Road, Ealing, London W5 2DR WEBSITE: www.durstonhouse.org FOUNDED: 1886 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 390 boys AGES: 4–13 FEES: £4340–£5230 per term HEAD TEACHER: Ian Kendrick RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Inter-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non selective at Reception. Entry to Y1-8 by assessment. CONTACT: Mrs C Ferns, Registrar, 020 8991 6532 EMAIL: info@durstonhouse.org SCHOOL VISITS: Please contact the registrar to arrange a tour or attend one of our Open Days. THE CURRICULUM: Our broad, profound education encompasses the best of the National Curriculum, as well as the requirements of the entry examinations to successful, independent senior schools. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport and the arts are a vital part of the education of any well-rounded boy, and here at Durston these are promoted enthusiastically. PASTORAL CARE: To Durston, the term ‘pastoral care’ is all-embracing; it is the complete care of a boy, in his whole education and the development of his character. From the ISI Inspection Report 2015: ‘The social development of the pupils is an outstanding feature of the school.’ SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: Day schools: St Paul’s, Merchant Taylors’, St Benedict’s, Hampton School, John Lyon School, City of London, Mill Hill, Kings College, St James’s, Emanuel, Westminster; boarding schools: Harrow, Charterhouse, Tonbridge, Cranbrook, Eton, Radley, Stowe, Wellington. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Since 2013: Merchant Taylors (ten), St Paul’s (nine), John Lyon (ten), Hampton (five), Mill Hill (two) and Kingswood (one). HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: A boy’s education here is shaped by the development of his character, his curiosity to learn and discover more, and his expanding capability. These three concepts – character, curiosity and capability – are the cornerstones of his success at Durston House and his success in life. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: A Durston education seeks to help the pupils to develop into ‘renaissance men’. We want to encourage Durston boys to be curious, to become ‘thinkers’ and ‘problem solvers’ in the broadest sense, with an open, positive outlook on the world.
Bassett House School
ADDRESS: 60 Bassett Road, London W10 6JP WEBSITE: www.bassetths.org.uk FOUNDED: 1947 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 180+ AGES: 3–11 FEES: £3,070 - £6,400 per term HEADMISTRESS: Philippa Cawthorne MA (Soton) PGCE RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective in the early years and places offered from Form 1 upwards after a taster morning and academic assessment. CONTACT: Thalia Demetriades, Registrar, 020 8969 0313 EMAIL: info@bassetths.org.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Open Day: 27 March 2020. Private tours may be arranged by contacting the school’s registrar.
THE CURRICULUM: Rich and diverse curriculum led by subject specialists with academic rigour so that children are able to reach their full potential and develop skills for life. GAMES & THE ARTS: Specialist teachers for PE, music and art teach to a very high standard using excellent facilities in or close to school including the school’s own gym, Kensington Memorial Park and from September 2019, a new performance studio. PASTORAL CARE: Excellence in pastoral care at Bassett House recognised by TES in the 2019 shortlist for their healthy schools award. Robust system for checking on pupils’ happiness in place and high staff to child ratio ensures that all children are known inside out. Support given, if necessary, through intervention sessions or advice from the school’s own life coach. Close links with parents ensures that everything is done to ensure that the children are happy at school. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: UCS, Latymer Upper, Godolphin and Latymer, Notting Hill and Ealing, Francis Holland Regent’s Park, Emanuel and Queen’s College. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Each child’s formative years are crucial for academic success; children should enjoy school and be able to develop skills in many different areas. Bassett House is characterised by its warm and nurturing atmosphere, in which every child feels secure and is challenged to build a firm educational foundation. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – Success without stress (each child reaches his or her academic potential in a supportive yet challenging environment) and outstanding pastoral care. – Children develop an inner core of confidence wherever their strengths lie. – Maximising opportunities to develop in all curriculum areas with academic rigour. – Developing skills for life, including; a growth mindset, grit and determination and an ability to problem solve and work well in a team. – Close knit community of parents, staff and children.
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
BLACKHEATH PREPARATORY SCHOOL IAPS co-educational school for 3-11 years
Overlooking Blackheath and set in five acres of beautiful grounds, this leading prep school offers an outstanding education. Regular open mornings are held throughout the term when you can come and join us on a normal working day. 4 St. Germans Place, Blackheath, London. SE3 0NJ Tel: 020 8858 0692 Email: info@blackheathprepschool.com www.blackheathprepschool.com Company limited by guarantee No. 672569 Charitable Status No. 312732
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
Devonshire House Prep School
ADDRESS: 2 Arkwright Road, Hampstead, London NW3 6AE WEBSITE: www.devonshirehouseschool.co.uk FOUNDED: 1989 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 650 AGES: 2½–13 years FEES: £3,515 to £6,490 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Stephanie Piper RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Early Years entry by informal, group, play-based assessment. Years 1 to 7 assessment/taster morning. CONTACT: Mrs Helen Ridard, Head of Admissions – 020 7435 1916 EMAIL: Admissions@devonshirehouseprepschool.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Contact Admissions to arrange a tour or attend one of our termly Open Mornings; dates advertised on the website. THE CURRICULUM: There is specialist teaching from reception in many subjects and the older children receive a broad and challenging curriculum leading to CE and scholarship. ‘Pupils are highly motivated in their learning.’ (ISI report) GAMES & THE ARTS: PE and games play an integral part in our overall timetable, as do music and art. Providing solid foundations in a variety of sports: football, netball, rugby, cricket, athletics and dance. Dynamic, busy music and drama departments, with performances at all ages. Art and DT buzzing with creativity. PASTORAL CARE: Small class sizes, friendly, inviting, safe and happy place to learn. We listen to the ‘child’s voice’ with observation and tracking. Children know they can come to teachers who will listen to pupils’ issues and give the necessary tools for children to feel more equipped to deal with future situations. Strong relationships with children and parents alongside an ethos of family values. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: DHS pupils win scholarships to a wide range of day and boarding schools every year. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We seek to offer a high quality education whilst ensuring that the emotional needs of our children are also met. We aim for their development into confident, caring individuals with a passion for learning, initiative and a sense of responsibility for others and for the world around them. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Outstanding pastoral care enables pupils to feel part of the Devonshire House family. With plenty of opportunity to develop interpersonal skills and for children to discover their own strengths and talents. ‘Pupils leave the school as confident, resilient young people who have strong selfesteem and a well-developed understanding of how to improve their own learning.’ (ISI Report)
Dolphin School (Inc Noah’s Ark Nursery Schools)
ADDRESS: 106 Northcote Road, London SW11 6QW WEBSITE: www.dolphinschool.org.uk FOUNDED: 1986 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 304 boys and girls AGES: 2½–11 FEES: Nursery £2,095 per term; Reception, Years 1 and 2 £4,295 per term; Years 3–6 £4,695 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Nicola Baldwin RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Reception class, early registration recommended; Year 1–6, assessment day and past school reports. CONTACT: Mrs Vivienne Benson, 020 7924 3472 EMAIL: admissions@dolphinschool.org.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Thursday mornings by appointment. THE CURRICULUM: Our small class sizes enable us to get to know your child extremely well so that we can not only set specific individualised academic targets, but also discover how they learn best. We prioritise English and maths, also focusing on interactive science classes, colourful geography lessons, whole-school Spanish and history often leads to outings to the real thing GAMES & THE ARTS: We train pupils in the arts with fantastic specialist teaching and a plethora of performing and exhibiting opportunities. We also coach children in a wide range of sports through dynamic teaching and a superb fixture list. PASTORAL CARE: We are committed to giving both time and care to grow your child’s character on his or her journey from reception to year six. Our Christian ethos leads us to believe that personal growth ultimately matters more than lists of achievements. So while we are thrilled by children’s awards and accolades, we are even more excited about who they are. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: Alleyn’s, City of London Boys, City of London Girls, Downe House, Dulwich College, Emanuel, Francis Holland, Hall School Wimbledon, Ibstock Place School, JAGS, Lady Margaret School, Putney High School, Royal Russell School, Streatham & Clapham High, Thames Christian College, Sydenham High School & Croydon High School. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: If we want children to be the best they can be, academically, artistically, in sport or as people, we must start by valuing them for who they are. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: –The combination of nurture and dynamism. –The passionate commitment of the staff. –A fantastic all-round education. –One of the Sunday Times’ top 50 prep schools.
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
Eaton House The Manor & Eaton House Belgravia Nursery Schools
ADDRESS: 58 Clapham Common Northside, London SW4 9RU & 3-5 Eaton Gate, Belgravia, London SW1W 9BA WEBSITE: www.eatonhouseschools.com FOUNDED: 1993 & 2017 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 64 in total AGES: 3 – 4 ½ FEES: From £580 for one afternoon to £3,310 for 5 mornings (per term). Costs vary with time slots. HEAD TEACHER: Roosha Sue (EHTM); Katie Bostelmann (EHB) RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational Christian ethos ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective CONTACT: Sam Feilding, Head of Admissions, 020 3917 5050 EMAIL: sfeilding@eatonhouseschools.com SCHOOL VISITS: Book Open House tours online at www.eatonhouseschools.com; individual tours via Admissions THE CURRICULUM: Our nurseries are a constant hive of activity where children are happy, busy and curious to learn. Every child is challenged at their own level in a kind and caring atmosphere and the sky is the limit! Individual and small group work allows us to constantly differentiate between pupils. There are many activities on offer, from sports and swimming to IT, drama and design in our brand new state-of-the art nurseries. GAMES & THE ARTS: At the Manor, large wooden blocks and sand and water develop fine and gross motor skills, with free flow out into the playground that allows children to play in an inviting space. At Belgravia, children enjoy a dedicated, educative environment in a wonderful mansion house nursery. All children take part in our annual Nativity and throughout the year we also have smaller performances. PASTORAL CARE: ‘Pastoral care is extremely strong, 100% rated it excellent or good’ – Cappco. Each child is supported and encouraged, gaining independence and confidence. When children leave our nurseries they are fully prepared for school at 4+. This allows them an easy transition to Eaton House Belgravia Pre-Prep and Eaton House The Manor Pre-Prep. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Roosha Sue: ‘My philosophy for our nursery is for every child to settle in, be happy and treated as unique. Our pastoral care is second to none. We hope that all of our Cubs and Bears are excited and curious to learn through being exposed to a variety of experiences, from cooking, yoga and pottery to languages. Our children leave school ready, confident and eager to continue their learning journey.’ Katie Bostelmann: ‘I believe that Nursery should be a ‘happy place’ where children have the freedom to explore and discover. They should have the courage to take risks to reach their full potential.’ OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – We empower children to be happy, independent and school ready – Children are unique and so is their learning journey – New additional class for September 2020 due to exceptional demand
Eaton House The Manor Pre-Preparatory School
ADDRESS: 58 Clapham Common Northside, London SW4 9RU WEBSITE: www.eatonhouseschools.com FOUNDED: 1993 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 510 (Pre-Prep & Prep) AGES: 4-8 FEES: £5,693 per term. HEAD TEACHER: Roosha Sue RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational Christian ethos ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective at age 4, older children may be subject to assessment. CONTACT: Sam Feilding, Head of Admissions, 020 3917 5050 EMAIL: sfeilding@eatonhouseschools.com SCHOOL VISITS: Book Open House tours online at www.eatonhouseschools.com; individual tours via Admissions THE CURRICULUM: We teach boys in an active and inspiring way, accelerating their learning by leaps and bounds. Inspiring teachers and excellent resources help to develop a life-long love of learning. Boys are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and adopt a ‘can do’ attitude. Learning is highly academic, exploratory, and above all, fun! Boys love learning by doing and the curriculum is very varied. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport plays an essential role in the development of character and teamwork. Specialist sports staff nurture a love of sport through positive experiences. Drama, art and music have a boosting impact on all-round academic performance, all seen as fundamental in developing communication skills and confidence. PASTORAL CARE: Our exceptional teachers understand and support the boys so that they grow in self-belief. Our buddy system helps to integrate the newest boys into the school right from the beginning. Our House system provides another layer of support and guidance. Team work is encouraged along with a healthy competitive spirit. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Mrs Roosha Sue says: ‘Developing a lifelong love of learning is our ultimate goal. We believe that it is no coincidence that children learn best when they feel happy and secure. We recognise each boy as an individual, understanding what makes him tick and nurturing his talent, ensuring that he feels known and valued.’ Further, it is ‘crucial that we do our best to prepare our boys to flourish in this very competitive, fast-paced, fast changing world.’ OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – Boys transition easily to Eaton House The Manor Prep School, where a number of boys win scholarships every year, including a coveted John Colet Scholarship to St Paul’s School in 2018 – Boys are taught to be kind, considerate, thoughtful and mannerly and to always strive to do their best, both academically and personally – We offer the perfect blend of traditional values with a forward thinking education. All our learning is active!
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
Eaton House The Manor Girls’ School
ADDRESS: 58 Clapham Common Northside, London SW4 9RU WEBSITE: www.eatonhouseschools.com FOUNDED: 2008 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 260 AGES: 4 - 11 FEES: £5,693 per term (Junior) HEAD TEACHER: Oliver Snowball RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational Christian ethos ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective at age 4; English & Maths assessment for older girls CONTACT: Sam Feilding, Head of Admissions, 020 3917 5050 EMAIL: sfeilding@eatonhouseschools.com SCHOOL VISITS: Book Open House tours online at www. eatonhouseschools.com; individual tours via Admissions THE CURRICULUM: ‘Teaching is highly effective in promoting pupils’ excellent progress and attainment.’ (ISI Report). Our relaxed but highly stimulating classroom environment promotes intellectual curiosity. Academic exploration and risk-taking are two essential ingredients in our teaching. GAMES & THE ARTS: Being regularly active enhances the girls’ physical and emotional health. They have access to excellent facilities both indoors and outdoors. We teach our girls how to generate original and meaningful ideas for themselves, and actively encourage a fresh, imaginative response. PASTORAL CARE: The Good Schools Guide (2019) says the headmaster ‘sets a very warm, supportive and nurturing tone for the school.’ He says: ‘At Eaton House The Manor Girls’ School we believe that when girls are happy they are more effective learners and more confident participators. For us, pastoral care is about understanding and supporting each individual child. Our House system, excellent form teachers and visible senior management team all combine to ensure that each girl feels supported in her learning.’ RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: In the years 2017 -2019, the girls received over 33 scholarships to top London day and country boarding schools. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: The Good Schools Guide (2019) says: ‘Mr Snowball seems to have hit the ground running with his vision for the school.’ He says: ‘I want each of the girls to have an adventure at school, to feel they are known, nurtured, encouraged and challenged and I want our school to inspire a genuine love of learning.’ OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – 33 scholarships from 2017-19. Girls are prepared for schools such as St Paul’s Girls’ School, James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS), Wimbledon High, Wycombe Abbey, St Mary’s Ascot and Downe House – We have a ‘sky is the limit’ approach to learning - anything is possible – We treat each girl as a confident individual so that she can blossom academically, socially and behaviourally, ready to take on the world – We aim to develop the girls spiritually, morally and intellectually, producing intelligent, kind and socially aware girls
Eaton House The Manor Prep School
ADDRESS: 58 Clapham Common Northside, London SW4 9RU WEBSITE: www.eatonhouseschools.com FOUNDED: 1993 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 510 (Pre-Prep & Prep) FEES: £6,838 per term AGES: 8-13 HEAD TEACHER: Sarah Segrave RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational Christian ethos ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective for internal candidates, 8+ for external candidates CONTACT: Sam Feilding, Head of Admissions, 020 3917 5050 EMAIL: sfeilding@eatonhouseschools.com SCHOOL VISITS: Book Open House tours online at www.eatonhouseschools.com; individual tours via Admissions THE CURRICULUM: The Good Schools Guide (2019) says that ‘This is a school with excellent academic outcomes, good value added [...] and consequently a school of really high expectations.’ We believe passionately in the benefits of single-sex education. We do everything that we can to nurture and empower every single boy to achieve his senior school of choice. By offering a curriculum adjusted to fit with the developmental stages, interests and strengths of boys, we are able to create the very best start for each boy. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport is an integral part of life at school, whether boys are representing the school or their House, or simply learning to be part of a team. Nearly 75% of our boys play a musical instrument and every boy within the school has weekly drama lessons. There are many plays and musical events in the school – all to a very high standard and greatly enjoyed by parents. PASTORAL CARE: We know the boys, share their highs and lows, and are there for them in every way. Pastoral care is intrinsic in all we do, the fundamental cornerstone of the school. Our Form Tutors and well-established House system provide the overarching structure for our pastoral care, but it is the attention to detail from the staff that ensures that their care is outstanding. Every boy is noticed and supported at Eaton House The Manor. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: An impressive number of 2018-19 scholarships, including a St Paul’s John Colet Scholarship. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: The Good Schools Guide (2019) comments that Mrs Segrave ‘lives and breathes Eaton House’ having worked in the Eaton House Schools Group since 1993. She asks her staff to consider – every single day – whether they have made a difference. She feels that: ‘A school is a place where children grow intellectually and emotionally, guided by teachers who are determined that [...] children succeed and are happy.’ OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – Academically outstanding. From 2010-19, over 62 per cent of boys went to Eton, Dulwich, Tonbridge, Harrow, Westminster, St Paul’s, King’s College Wimbledon, Winchester, Radley and Charterhouse, and all pupils received offers to a range of top schools – ‘The pupils [...] demonstrate an outstanding natural courtesy’ (ISI Report) – ‘Everyone is so happy and so encouraging’ (Zach, Year 8)
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
Eaton House Belgravia Pre-Prep
ADDRESS: 3-5 Eaton Gate, Belgravia, London SW1W 9BA WEBSITE: www.eatonhouseschools.com FOUNDED: 1897 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 240 AGES: 3-8 FEES: £6,530 per term HEAD TEACHER: Huw May RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational Christian ethos ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective at age 4, older children may be subject to assessment. CONTACT: Sam Feilding, Head of Admissions, 020 3917 5050 EMAIL: sfeilding@eatonhouseschools.com SCHOOL VISITS: Book Open House tours online at www.eatonhouseschools.com; individual tours via Admissions THE CURRICULUM: Our curriculum is designed to offer our boys a breadth of experience and prepare them to the highest academic standards through their individual learning plan. Some 60 per cent of Eaton House Belgravia boys gained places at Westminster Under School, St Paul’s Juniors, Westminster Cathedral Choir School, King’s College Junior School, Sussex House, Dulwich College Junior School, Ludgrove, Haberdasher’s Aske’s School, Dragon School and Summer Fields, from 2010-2019. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport and the Arts are central to our philosophy. A combination of onsite PE lessons and offsite games and swimming sessions enable our boys to develop key sports skills. Our wide range of performance opportunities enables boys to share their talents with the community. Drama and music are very popular here. PASTORAL CARE: Our buddy system helps to integrate the newest boys into the school right from the beginning. Our House system provides another layer of support and guidance. Team work is encouraged, along with a healthy competitive spirit. The form teacher is the key person who ensures the boys are supported in their emotional development. Parents are encouraged to drop off and pick up their son from the classroom where they can have a nice moment with the teacher chatting about how the day has gone. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: The Good Schools Guide (2019) says that Mr May is ‘Ambitious for his school, shows vision and is full of enthusiasm for developing each boy’s all-round potential.’ He asks that boys are ‘intelligent, articulate, self-aware, kind and considerate and that they look after each other.’ Above all, he wants ‘Eaton House boys to be distinguishable for the strength of their moral character and to want to make a difference in the world.’ OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – We achieve some of the most outstanding 7+ and 8+ Pre-Prep results in London, with the best results for five years in the 2018 and 2019 examinations. – Winner of a Highly Commended in the Boys’ School of the Year category in the Independent School of the Year Awards – We offer the perfect blend of traditional values with a forward thinking education using personalised learning plans agreed with the boys – Our ‘Open Door’ policy means that parents can feel fully involved – Boys have the option to move up to the Prep, where they prepare for 11+
Eaton House Belgravia Prep
ADDRESS: 3-5 Eaton Gate, Belgravia, London SW1W 9BA WEBSITE: www.eatonhouseschools.com FOUNDED: 2017 AGES: 8-11 FEES: £7,240 per term HEAD TEACHER: Huw May RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational Christian ethos ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective for internal candidates, 8+ for external, Maths and English assessment CONTACT: Sam Feilding, Head of Admissions, 020 3917 5050 EMAIL: sfeilding@eatonhouseschools.com SCHOOL VISITS: Book Open House tours online at www.eatonhouseschools.com; individual tours via Admissions THE CURRICULUM: Eaton House Belgravia takes on the baton from Eaton House Belgravia Pre-Prep, which prepares boys for 7+ and 8+ examinations. The Prep takes boys at age 8 and prepares them for the 11+ examination. As an ambitious and aspirational school we want to empower all our boys to reach their next destination successfully. Boys will make remarkable progress in their three years here, acheiving entry to a range of top senior schools, both London day and country boarding. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport is an integral part of life at school, whether representing the school or their House, or simply learning to be part of a team. Nearly three-quarters of our boys will learn to play a musical instrument and all the boys also have lessons in our new Art Room. PASTORAL CARE: Pastoral care is intrinsic in all we do, the fundamental cornerstone of Eaton House Belgravia Prep. Our Form Tutors and wellestablished House system provide the overarching structure for our pastoral care, but it is the attention to detail from the staff that ensures that our care is outstanding. Every boy matters and is noticed. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We encourage boys to try everything, be aware of the world around them, have an opinion, listen to others, adapt, be confident, persevere, learn from their mistakes, be responsible, make good choices, be kind, considerate and to look after each other. Boys will thrive in a school which makes personalised learning important and focuses on each boy’s potential. We want all the boys to develop a lifelong love of learning and a real appetitite for study and to have fun! OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – Prep boys can sit 11+ exams as another option to 7+ or 8+ exams in the Pre-Prep -Eaton House Belgravia won a Highly Commended in the Boys’ School of the Year category in the Independent School of the Year Awards – The teacher: pupil ratio is outstanding, with boys receiving an exceptional degree of personal input towards exam preparation – The boys brim with academic confidence
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Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys
ADDRESS: 2 Burnaby Gardens, Chiswick London W4 3DT WEBSITE: www.falconsboys.co.uk FOUNDED: 1956 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 110 AGES: 3-7 (Pre-Reception to Year 2) FEES: £2,500 (Pre-Reception); £4,750 – £5,235 (Reception to Year 2) HEAD: Ms Liz McLaughlin RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Candidates are invited for an informal classroom assessment session. Sibling priority. CONTACT: Mrs Barbara Ivie EMAIL: admissions@falconsboys.co.uk; admin@falconsboys.co.uk OPEN MORNING: 12 March 2020, 09:00-10:30. Contact the school to arrange a visit. THE CURRICULUM: As a boys only school, we are proud of our curriculum that is designed specifically for how boys learn which allows us to inspire them with topics of high interest. Play-based learning is at the heart of our Early Years provision, with our maths and literacy teaching tailored in a way that enables our boys to achieve outstanding results.
Preparatory School & Nursery For Boy and Girls aged 2½ to 13 years Quainton Hall School for excellent academic results and extensive extra-curricular & sporting opportunities
Registration for 4+ (2021), 7+ and 11+ entry is now open Headmaster’s Tours: Call us to arrange a visit
Quainton Hall School, Harrow, HA1 1RX Please Call 020 8861 8861 admin@quaintonhall.org.uk www.quaintonhall.org.uk Registered charity number: 312638
GAMES & THE ARTS: We have specialist teachers in PE, art, music, and French. We believe that young boys need opportunities to learn beyond the standard curriculum to inspire possible future artists, musicians, linguists or professional athletes. Physical education and sport is a dedicated part of our timetable to allow boys the opportunity to move and to be active. PASTORAL CARE: Care is one of our core values and it is a vital part of our ethos. Falcons boys’ emotional and social wellbeing are essential in all that we do. As a small school, we are able to give individual care to each and every boy to ensure his happiness while learning. Our experienced team of teachers provide support and teaching opportunities for our boys to learn social skills, perseverance, and self-care. HEAD’S PHILOSOPHY: Courage, curiosity and care are our core values. Every child who leaves our school at the end of year two will be equipped with skills and knowledge pertaining to each value. We provide an outstanding academic curriculum in a way that promotes a love of learning and, as a result, boys come to school happy every morning and ready to learn. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: We work closely with our parents throughout their son’s journey with us and we pride ourselves on the close relationship that we have with our families. We are proud of our ‘open door’ policy for parents to discuss their son’s progress at any time. A recent parent quote summarizes everything that we strive to achieve: ‘They clearly take great responsibility in their role as a teacher, role model and mentor to our children. The curriculum is clearly geared to giving the boys the best chance of success when they move on from the school, whether it is through 7+ to a competitive school, or the move through the system in another prep or elsewhere.’
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Falcons Prep, Richmond
ADDRESS: 41 Kew Foot Road, Richmond TW9 2SS WEBSITE: www.falconsprep.co.uk FOUNDED: 2008 NUMBER OF PUPILS: Maximum 200 AGES: 4-13 years FEES: Competitive (inclusive of trips, resources, food and many after-school clubs) HEAD TEACHER: Miss Olivia Buchanan, BSc, PGCE, MEd RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Falcons Prep is not an academically selective school, however, we have high expectations of our boys and through the entrance process will ensure that they can keep up with the academic demands. CONTACT: 0208 9489490 WEBSITE: www.falconsprep.co.uk EMAIL: Registrar@falconsprep.co.uk OPEN MORNINGS: Parents are welcome to contact the school and arrange a tour and conversation with the Head at any time. We also have termly Open Mornings as advertised on the school website. THE CURRICULUM: Falcons is an ambitious school with a strong set of values focused on providing every boy with the opportunity to reach their full potential. Nurturing a love of learning, we ensure that every boy acquires and secures the skills to become effective lifelong learners, fit not only for the world we live in today, but for a future yet to be determined. GAMES & THE ARTS: Outstanding facilities including music school, art studio and links with the local theatre. Asides from our obvious link with Richmond Rugby Club and Old Deer Park, we are incredibly lucky to benefit from some fantastic outside space, using grounds and developing links with a variety of external providers, to give our boys the opportunity to experience an education with adventure. PASTORAL CARE: We have a pastoral care system which allows us to collaborate, share and support the boys as a community. Boys feel safe at Falcons and as a result they are happy. We also never lose sight of the fact that our boys belong first and foremost to you, our parents, and so we do all we can to foster a relationship with you that not only allows, but promotes, the opportunity to come together and work alongside one another. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Falcons boys enjoy a vibrant learning environment where staff nurture a love of learning. We are an ambitious 4-13 school with a strong set of values focused on providing every boy with the opportunity to reach their full potential. Yet, just as importantly, we realise what an exciting, and challenging, time it is to be growing up and the significant role we play in preparing the boys for their future beyond this. We appreciate that academics alone will not provide the boys with the skills they need to succeed and are therefore proud to offer a range of opportunities in leadership, sports, the arts, within the community, through charity work, drama whilst also promoting a range of cultures, ideas and an understanding of the world around us. We want all our boys to acquire and secure the proficiency to become effective life-long learners. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: - Outstanding facilities both in and out - Links with 11+ and 13+ day and boarding schools - Specialised teaching - Enrichment activities and trips abroad - Strong sense of community
Falcons School for Girls
ADDRESS: 11 Woodborough Road, Putney, London SW15 6PY WEBSITE: www.falconsgirls.co.uk FOUNDED: 2000 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 93 AGES: 3 – 11 years FEES: Nursery £2,500 - £4,250; Reception £4,750; Years 1 to 6 £5,235. Fees are inclusive of learning resources, after school care, day trips, meals on site, including lunch and after school snacks. HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Sara Williams-Ryan RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: All faiths welcome ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective CONTACT: Chetna Kava, Admissions Officer EMAIL: admissions@falconsgirls.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Early Years Open Event: 30th January 2020. Open Day: 24th April 2020. Private tours available. Booking required. THE CURRICULUM: Our forward-thinking, knowledge-rich curriculum gives the girls the knowledge and skills required to thrive in modern Britain. It is designed to ensure our girls are prepared to succeed in the 11+ examinations for London day and country boarding schools. GAMES & THE ARTS: Games, music, art and drama are taught by our own specialist teachers, twice a week, giving all of our girls the best opportunity to flourish athletically and creatively. PASTORAL CARE: We are a family school, now incorporating Peregrines Nursery School, where every child and parent is known to all staff. We encourage parents to be active partners, operating an ‘open door’ policy so any problems are dealt with efficiently. We promote an anti-bullying ethos and the Falcons Rules are upheld with clearly defined rewards and sanctions. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: Godolphin and Latymer, Ibstock Place School, Putney High, Wimbledon High, Surbiton High, Kew House, Francis Holland and Queen’s Gate. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Happy children are successful learners, which is why emotional literacy and academic buoyancy are essential skills. Teaching your daughter, from the start and in an age-related way, how to overcome challenges and develop positive, flourishing relationships will ensure she deals successfully with life’s ebbs and flows, in and out of school and develop in her a lifelong love of learning. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – Exceptional pastoral care and extensive extra-curricular offering. – Excellent 11+ preparation with the majority of girls awarded their first choice of senior school. – Outstanding facilities: an acre of beautiful landscaped gardens, science laboratory, drama and ballet studio, art rooms, outdoor classroom, astroturf and forest school area. – A friendly and active Parents’ and Friends’ Association. – We take part in the Universal 15 Hours Free childcare for Early Years scheme provided by Wandsworth Council.
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Hurlingham Nursery
Hurlingham School
ADDRESS: The Old Methodist Hall, Gwendolen Avenue, London SW15 6EH WEBSITE: www.hurlinghamschool.co.uk NUMBER OF PUPILS: 100 AGES: 2–4 (Nursery) FEES: £2,950 (Nursery 5 sessions) £4,915 (Nursery 5 full days). We offer the 15 or 30 hours Universal Funding to those who are eligible. HEAD TEACHER: Jonathan Brough RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Register from birth CONTACT: nursery.office@hurlinghamschool.co.uk; 020 8874 7186 SCHOOL VISITS: Please contact the school to arrange an appointment.
ADDRESS: 122 Putney Bridge Road, London SW15 2NQ WEBSITE: www.hurlinghamschool.co.uk NUMBER OF PUPILS: 320 AGES: 4–11 FEES: Lower School (Reception to Form II) £5750 Middle/Upper School (Form III to Form VI) £5950 HEAD TEACHER: Jonathan Brough RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective CONTACT: Mrs Fiona Driver, admissions secretary, 020 8874 7186 EMAIL: admissions@hurlinghamschool.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Please contact the school to arrange an appointment.
THE CURRICULUM: Hurlingham School’s Nursery offers outstanding provision for girls and boys aged 2-5 in a cutting-edge setting on Gwendolen Avenue in west Putney. The final year emphasises all aspects of school readiness to give children a flying start to their formal education. It includes a one day per week Forest School option. GAMES & THE ARTS: Music, drama and sport are all co-ordinated by specialist staff. The children enjoy regular music, movement, yoga, karate and outdoor learning, including Forest School. PASTORAL CARE: ‘Pupils are exceptionally well cared for. The school has excellent arrangements in place to ensure that pupils are safe at all times. The school is a kind place where adults are extremely caring and pupils are considerate towards others. A pupil summed this up by commenting, “children are kind and we share what we have with one another.”’ Ofsted, February 2018. EXIT SCHOOLS: Hurlingham Nursery provides an excellent foundation for all children with a particular teaching and learning focus to prepare pupils for learning on the school’s main site on the Putney Bridge Road. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Nursery provision at Hurlingham fosters and develops children’s interest in the world around them through initiating a life-long love of learning and academia. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: An idyllic, small school with large classrooms and lots of scope for self-expression in a nurturing, academic setting. Children quickly become confident, outgoing and inquisitive about the world around them.
THE CURRICULUM: Hurlingham initiates a love of learning in all children: wherever each and every pupil’s strengths lie, we value and celebrate their gifts and talents. This was recognised by the National Association for Able Children in Education in 2017 through success in gaining the prestigious Challenge Award. GAMES & THE ARTS: Children enjoy a range of sports including football, netball, rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, ballet and karate. These are all taught by specialists both on-site and in Wandsworth Park and Rocks Lane. Music, including four choirs and an orchestra, is a particular strength of the school. Creative art is dynamic and original. The school achieved Artsmark Gold in 2017 and featured in the recent ‘London Schools Talk Artsmark’ film. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS FOR THE LAST ACADEMIC YEAR: Tiffin Boys, Tiffin Girls, Queen’s Gate, Whitgift, Downe House, Kings College School, Epsom College, Putney High School, Godolphin and Latymer, Francis Holland, Harrodian and Wimbledon High, Lady Eleanor Holles, Hampton, Ibstock Place School, St Paul’s, St Paul’s Girls School RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Surbiton High, Lady Eleanor Holles, Kingston Grammar School, Notre Dame, Woldhingham, Ewell Castle, St Paul’s Girls’, Whitgift PASTORAL CARE: Happiness is central to everything that goes on at Hurlingham. Our pupils’ successes result from their confidence, enjoyment of school life and ever-increasing appetite for new learning and discovery. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Children at Hurlingham are never just taught, but are educated in the broadest sense of the word as each day brings fresh opportunities, challenges, discoveries and achievements. As a school, we aim to capitalise on them all and not to waste a single one. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Fantastic children, wonderful, dedicated staff, purpose-built learning environment for the 21st century. Rated ‘outstanding’ in all areas of recent inspection.
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Hawkesdown House
Ibstock Place Prep School
ADDRESS: 27 Edge Street, Kensington, London W8 7PN WEBSITE: hawkesdown.co.uk FOUNDED: 2001 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 70/130 AGES: 2–11 years FEES: £6,885 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Jenny Mackay RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational, Christian ethos ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Register from birth for nursery and reception intake. Informal assessment for entry into Years 1 and above. CONTACT: Mrs Sophie Zazzarino, School Secretary and Admissions on 020 7727 9090 EMAIL: admin@hawkesdown.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Please contact the School Office if you would like to visit and meet the Headmistress.
ADDRESS: Clarence Lane, London SW15 5PY WEBSITE: www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk FOUNDED: 1894 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 140 boys, 140 girls AGES: 4-11 FEES: £5,705 – £5,870 per term HEAD TEACHER: Miss Kate Bevan RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Registration in the academic year preceding entry, followed by assessment. CONTACT: The Registrar, 020 8392 5803 EMAIL: registrar@ibstockplaceschool.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Friday mornings by appointment
THE CURRICULUM: A broad, balanced curriculum, with excellent teaching, to encourage a love of knowledge and independent thinking: ‘Top-notch across the whole breadth of the curriculum.’ GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport, music and drama are all carefully integrated into the school week, to develop a wide mix of talents and interests, and for a happy and varied day. PASTORAL CARE: Pastoral care at the school is outstanding. The whole ethos of the school is of kindness, individual attention and very close links with parents: ‘Hawkesdown is the warmest, friendliest, most loving school we have come across in London.’ SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: Pupils go on to St. Paul’s Junior, Westminster Under, Westminster Cathedral Choir, King’s College School, Dulwich College, Summer Fields, Sussex House and a range of other schools, in London and elsewhere. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: The school is: A safe place where people are kind, considerate and capable, where a child can start school life happily and make early friends with confidence. A place of fun, purpose and success providing an excellent education; inspiring and challenging the mind and the imagination. In a world that is changing at an accelerating rate, we concentrate on knowing each child and understanding what is important to every family. Parents are fiercely loyal to this philosophy; it is borne out in excellent results and in the open, thoughtful and happy children. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Hawkesdown provides outstanding education with individual attention for every pupil and excellent outcomes, including for the pupils’ next school entry. Parents and staff are devoted to the school, and prospective parents are always most welcome to visit.
THE CURRICULUM: Kindergarten children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum in a rich and stimulating environment. Prep years 1-6 follow a broad curriculum that goes beyond the national curriculum and balances building strong academic foundations with a commitment to the arts and sport. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport is taught by specialists throughout the school and, from Prep 3, pupils take advantage of the senior school sports facilities which are all within walking distance. Pupils follow a curriculum rich in the arts, with many performance opportunities throughout the year PASTORAL CARE: A warm and welcoming atmosphere is palpable. Caring teachers and classroom assistants develop a successful home/school partnership, encouraging trust and keeping parents informed. There is a strong sense of community and of pupils and staff working together. Class teachers are a constant source of encouragement, praise and advice, supported by the wider staff. All children are provided with a delicious and nutritionally balanced lunch in order to develop good habits for life. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships in 2019: IPS, Hampton School, King’s College School, Magdalen College School, Westminster Under School. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We find and develop the talents of our pupils in a supportive and purposeful environment. The curriculum is broad and challenging, augmented by around 70 co-curricular clubs, ensuring every child reaches her or his potential. Children are fully prepared for the 11+, but never at the expense of the wider curriculum. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: IPS offers pupils a nurturing start to their school career within purpose built spaces, surrounded by greenery and play spaces. From the prep school, they access the specialist facilities on their doorstep: the swimming pool, science laboratory, IT suites, performance spaces, sports fields and Richmond Park.
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Kew College
ADDRESS: 24-26 Cumberland Road, Kew, Surrey TW9 3HQ WEBSITE: www.kewcollege.com FOUNDED: 1927 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 296 AGES: 3–11 FEES: Nursery – £2,450 per term; Kindergarten-Year 6 – £4,250 per term. Bursaries are available for those entering in Years 3 and 4. HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Marianne Austin BSc (Hons) MA (Hons) ACA PGCE RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Children must be registered as soon as possible after birth. CONTACT: Mrs Michelle Warburton, 020 8940 2039 EMAIL: registrar@kewcollege.com SCHOOL VISITS: Please contact the registrar to arrange a visit or to attend an Open Morning. THE CURRICULUM: The importance of English, maths and science is emphasised at the school, but within a broad curriculum. This includes art, drama, French, Latin, history, geography, technology, music and sport. GAMES & THE ARTS: Netball, hockey, rounders, rugby, football, swimming, athletics and gymnastics. Inter-school matches. Drama and music are encouraged, there are summer plays, Christmas and spring concerts, as well as several school choirs, an orchestra, string and wind groups. PASTORAL CARE: The welfare and happiness of the children is of primary importance to us. This was highlighted in the ISI Inspection report of October 2010 which concluded that, ‘pupils’ personal development and the school’s arrangements for welfare, health and safety are outstanding.’ RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Year 6 pupils this year were awarded 29 scholarships. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Pupils should feel excited about learning and about communicating their ideas. They need an excellent grounding in core skills combined with inspirational teaching to give them the confidence to achieve their personal best in all curricular and extracurricular areas. Mutual respect between staff and pupils is of paramount importance. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Kew College is an outstanding prep school achieving high academic standards and a consistent record of scholarships to west London secondary schools. – ISI Inspection report October 2010 rated our pastoral care ‘outstanding’. – In the ISI Regulatory Compliance Inspection of November 2016 the school was deemed to have met all of the ISI standards, with no action points. – Well-resourced ICT facilities. – Residential week in France for Year 6 pupils. – Traditional teaching with a creative flair.
Kensington Prep School GDST
ADDRESS: 596 Fulham Road, London SW6 5PA WEBSITE: www.kensingtonprep.gdst.net FOUNDED: 1873 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 295 girls AGES: 4–11 FEES: £5,955 HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Caroline Hulme-McKibbin RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Registration followed by assessment. CONTACT: Ms Jennifer Care, registrar@kenprep.gdst.net SCHOOL VISITS: Please check school website for Open Day details for registered girls. THE CURRICULUM: Genuinely broad, well-balanced education. Reflective and independent thinking encouraged in all subjects. Residential trips in years 4, 5 and 6 (to Spain in 2019) and overseas choir tour (to Salzburg in 2020). GAMES & THE ARTS: Netball, rounders, football, dance, swimming and gym. Fantastic pitches, large gym. Generously timetabled, quality music, art, drama, design technology. Orchestras, choirs, recorder and string groups. All girls perform in music concerts and plays to parents. PASTORAL CARE: Happiness is our first priority. Staff know the girls well, support and encourage them, and build strong relationships with home. We treat the girls as individuals, nurturing their development. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS FOR THE LAST ACADEMIC YEAR: St Paul’s, City of London Girls’ School, Godolphin & Latymer, Latymer Upper, Benenden, Putney High GDST, Wimbledon High GDST and Wycombe Abbey. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: City of London Girls, Ibstock Place, James Allen’s Girls’ School, Wycombe Abbey, Francis Holland Graham Terrace, Latymer Upper, Putney High School GDST, St Paul’s and Wimbledon High School GDST. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Excellent staff make an excellent school where children can learn whilst secure, happy and having fun. The school is about growing great minds. Each pupil is unique and we believe that asking good questions is as important as answering. High importance placed on mutual respect. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: School now has some of the best prep school facilities in the UK following an innovative £2.7m building project. – ’Warm, buzzy atmosphere.’ – School achieved highest possible grades in inspection of education provision: ‘Quality of the pupils’ achievements and learning is exceptional.’ – Questioning, brave thinking encouraged with innovative teaching and latest ICT. – Girls treated as individuals. Close relationships with supportive parent body. – High academic standards. – Winner: Independent Prep School of the Year 2018 & Innovation in Teaching and Learning Award 2019 – New school library transformed to put reading at the heart of the school
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Knightsbridge School
ADDRESS: 67 Pont Street, London SW1X 0BD WEBSITE: www.knightsbridgeschool.com FOUNDED: 2006 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 446 AGES: 4–16 years FEES: £6,730 – £7,145 HEAD TEACHER: Head: Shona Colaço | Principal: Magoo Giles RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Assessment in the previous year to entry; non-academically selective. CONTACT: Mary Caldecott-Smith, Registrar, 020 7590 9006 SCHOOL VISITS: Tours on Tuesday and Wednesday at 9am during term time. Please call to book. THE CURRICULUM: Knightsbridge School (KS) is expanding and will be providing GCSEs from 2021. We deliver an all-round and soon to be all-through education, ensuring children are equipped to pursue any path they choose in the future. GAMES & THE ARTS: We attend over 300 matches per year as well as parent vs staff role modelling matches. We excel in gymnastics, dance, fencing, ballet and performing arts. For example, we have two current students performing on the West End in Les Miserables and School of Rock, another who represents the Great Britain 9-11 years’ team in gymnastics as well as a student who fences for the Welsh national team. We have over 60 extra-curricular clubs’ weekly, allowing our students to expand their curiosity beyond just the academics and experience robotics, horse-riding, lacrosse and many other choices. PASTORAL CARE: KS is a high energy and positive family, the school runs timetabled wellbeing and personal reflection sessions each week through PSHE lessons and form time to try and maintain this and deal with issues as soon as they arise. We had a Mental Health Week, where the children practiced doing secret acts of kindness and participated in a whole school yoga session. KS is the first independent day school to introduce children’s mental health counselling service ‘Place2Be’ onto its premises, a cause we will be marching alongside in this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show. PRINCIPAL’S PHILOSOPHY: ’Work hard, play hard’ is the motto. Mr Magoo expects everyone to do their best, embrace a healthy body and mind, give and share, and to realise how lucky they are at all times. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: At KS there is an ecosystem of happiness between the children, staff and parents cultivated through open communication. We are immensely proud of our diverse extra-curricular programmes, events, trips and visiting speakers that are integral to the all-round success of the individual as lifelong learners outside of the classroom. KS is a school that prides itself on giving back to the local community, whether this be through our Global Goals Projects, which saw students sending letters about positive eco change to the local Kensington and Chelsea council or our KS Education Foundation bursaries, allowing children access to outstanding education throughout their entire school career.
Lyndhurst House School
ADDRESS: 24 Lyndhurst Gardens, Hampstead, London NW3 5NW WEBSITE: www.lyndhursthouse.co.uk FOUNDED: 1952 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 150 AGES: 4–13 years FEES: £6,515 to £7,290 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mr Andrew Reid RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Selective, by assessment and/or interview. CONTACT: Miss Jessica Orrett - Admissions EMAIL: office@lyndhursthouse.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Please contact the Registrar to arrange a tour or attend one of our open mornings. THE CURRICULUM: Our curriculum prepares boys for the requirements of senior school entry. At the same time, we teach a broad range of subjects from the traditional (Latin) to ultra-modern (coding) and everything in between. GAMES & THE ARTS: Our boys have the opportunity to experience a full range of sporting activities, with the main sports being football, rugby and cricket. Music lies at the heart of the school, with regular performance opportunities. Both sport and creative arts are highly valued. PASTORAL CARE: All form teachers have the responsibility to care for their pupils and teach them a range of topics relating to mental wellbeing through weekly PSHE lessons. The Headmaster and heads of year pride themselves in making themselves available both to pupils and parents. We hold regular workshops with outside speakers on a range of topics such as internet safety, bullying and mental health. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: King Edwards, Bath and St Edwards, Oxford (Academic); Haileybury (Music). HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: I want the pupils to achieve their full potential and make the most of all their opportunities, both academically and in extracurricular activities. When boys leave Lyndhurst they should be confident and believe in themselves, but with a recognition of the need to treat others with respect. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – A high achieving and happy school where pupils understand the importance of tolerance, respect for others, and above all, kindness. – The small class sizes and the individual attention to all pupils. – The school is non-denominational and so reflects the cultural mix of north west London. – The atmosphere is friendly and hardworking; one where the boys are allowed to express themselves. – The school really feels like a family.
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
Kew Green Preparatory School
ADDRESS: Layton House, Ferry Lane, Kew Green TW9 3AF WEBSITE: www.kgps.co.uk FOUNDED: 2004 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 280 (140 boys, 140 girls) AGES: 4–11 FEES: £6,120 per term, all ages HEAD TEACHER: Mr Jem Peck RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective at four years old. CONTACT: Ms Michelle Wadsley, 020 8948 5999 EMAIL: admissions@kgps.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: 26 February, 11 March, 13 May, 10 June.
Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School
ADDRESS: 16 Ravenscourt Avenue, London W6 0SL WEBSITE: www.rpps.co.uk FOUNDED: 1991 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 420 (210 boys, 210 girls) AGES: 4–11 FEES: £6,120 per term, all ages HEAD TEACHER: Mr Carl Howes RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective at four years old. CONTACT: Mrs Charlie Hayden, 020 8846 9153 EMAIL: admissions@rpps.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: 4 February, 5 March, 7 May, 2 June.
THE CURRICULUM: Our curriculum far exceeds the national curriculum in both breadth and depth. Highly differentiated lessons are delivered creatively and pupils enjoy the learning process. We embrace technology in our educational approach to all subjects. This invariably produces excellent academic results and children develop self-confidence. In its 2015 ISI Inspection report, KGPS was judged ‘Excellent’ in all categories.
THE CURRICULUM: Our curriculum far exceeds the national average in both breadth and depth and has been carefully crafted to enable each child to fulfil their individual potential. As a non-selective and inclusive school, we take pride in motivating and developing every child, bringing out individual talent, realising abilities to the full and instilling a life-long love of learning. In its 2016 ISI Inspection report, RPPS was judged ‘Excellent’ in all categories.
GAMES & THE ARTS: We have strong art, music and sports departments
GAMES & THE ARTS: We offer a plethora of opportunities for our pupils to immerse themselves in music, the arts and sport. Our curriculum and co-curricular is enriched with opportunities for our pupils to participate in competitive sporting fixtures, perform in regular concerts and events, or learn an instrument. Pupils also frequently take part in external competitions.
as any visitor would realise immediately. All our children compete, perform and enjoy the exceptional standards we achieve in art, music, games and PE. PASTORAL CARE: We operate a genuine ‘open door’ policy where parents
play a very active role in school life. Every adult in school knows every child. Relationships are strong, children are happy, well-motivated and confident to ask questions, make mistakes and give opinions. They are valued and listened to.
PASTORAL CARE: The pastoral care and well-being of our children is paramount. Our ‘open door’ policy reflects a genuine partnership between teachers and parents – the family atmosphere is noticeable as soon as you visit.
RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Colet Court, Hampton, King’s College School, Lady Eleanor Holles, Westminster, Latymer and Kingston Grammar.
RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Latymer, Hampton, Queen Anne’s Caversham, St Benedict’s and King’s College Wimbledon.
HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Children thrive in an environment that
HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: At RPPS, laughter and learning go hand in hand and we ensure that the years with us are happy, successful and fulfilling for each and every child. Our pupils engage in the excitement of learning and develop the confidence to question, analyse and express their opinions; they leave at the end of year 6 ready to make the most of the opportunities ahead of them, both at their choice of senior school and in later life.
is loving and supportive. Physically, socially, emotionally, creatively and intellectually our children experience an exciting and stimulating learning journey where they are able to flourish and reach for the top. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: The school is situated in an
exceptionally beautiful position on the River Thames beside Kew Green. Each term is packed with activity where a loving, energetic and happy atmosphere is generated. Our pupils have enjoyed a French ski trip, a choir tour to Venice, tournament wins in netball, rugby and football, drama productions and music soirées, all alongside our continued pursuit of academic excellence. Above all, we believe that children need to be nurtured, guided, motivated and inspired to allow them to blossom.
OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: RPPS is a thriving school, situated on Ravenscourt Park. We pride ourselves on our excellent pastoral care and believe that learning should be limitless. All our children from Yyear 3 to year 6 take part in residential weeks which help to develop teamwork, resilience and perseverance. This is in line with our belief that children should develop a ‘growth mindset’ approach to their learning where taking on challenges and learning from mistakes is encouraged.
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
L’Ecole des Petits “10 minutes from Chelsea” Founded in 1977
International Bilingual Nursery and Pre-Prep school for 3-6 year olds
Creative and structured learning from the earliest years OFSTED 2017 Report: “Outstanding in all categories” 2 HAZLEBURY ROAD, FULHAM, LONDON SW6 2NB TEL. 020 7371 8350
admin@lecoledespetits.co.uk
www.lecoledespetits.co.uk
L’Ecole de Battersea “5 minutes from Chelsea” Founded in 1977
International Bilingual Nursery and Prep school for 3-11 year olds leading on to top English and French schools, including Lyée Français
In Tatler’s Top 225 Private Schools list, 2009-2019 OFSTED 2018 Report: “Outstanding in all categories” TROTT STREET, BATTERSEA, LONDON SW11 3DS TEL. 020 7371 8350
admin@lecoledespetits.co.uk
www.lecoledespetits.co.uk
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
North Bridge House Nursery, Pre-Prep & Prep Schools
ADDRESS: Nursery, 33 Fitzjohn’s Ave, NW3 5JY; Pre-Prep, 8 Netherhall Gardens, NW3 5RR; Prep, 1 Gloucester Ave, NW1 7AB WEBSITE: www.northbridgehouse.com FOUNDED: 1939 NUMBER OF PUPILS: Nursery & Pre-Prep 380, Prep 465 AGES: 2–13 FEES: £7,635 - £19,275 per annum HEAD TEACHER: Nursery & Pre-Prep Schools - Christine McLelland, Prep School - James Stenning. RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Children meet with the head teacher. For the Prep school there is also a maths and English assessment. CONTACT: Admissions office 020 7428 1520 EMAIL: admissionsenquiries@northbridgehouse.com SCHOOL VISITS: Open events are held throughout the year. Please check our website for more details: www.northbridgehouse.com/open
GAMES & THE ARTS: Sports, which range from the traditional to the unusual (such as flamenco, salsa dancing and yoga), help to develop pupils’ physical and emotional wellbeing as well as their teamwork skills. The arts are key to NBH’s curricular and extra-curricular offering – with plays and concerts regularly staged. PASTORAL CARE: Pupil wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. From confidence workshops to Philosophy for Children, we incorporate excellent pastoral care into every aspect of school life. All staff are committed to nurturing character and wellbeing within the small tutor groups and warm community, so that every pupil thrives on a strong sense of belonging and security. Pupils are equipped with the skills needed to make moral and informed life choices whilst we consistently promote children’s personal and emotional development. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Pupils are placed at leading senior schools with academic, art, music and sports scholarships. HEAD TEACHERS’ PHILOSOPHY: North Bridge House provides an individually tailored co-education, celebrating high-achieving pupils in a mixed ability environment. From our focus on knowing the individual and developing strength of character, we achieve academic excellence in confident pupils who are proud of their successes. With specialist teaching and outstanding extra-curricular opportunities, we challenge and inspire each child to fulfil their true potential, providing a solid foundation for their future studies, careers and adult lives. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: All NBH pupils can transition from nursery to sixth-form without the pressure of entrance exams. From actively avoiding external assessment to encouraging personal development in a stressfree environment – complete with pet chickens – NBH sees KS1 pupils perform in the top five per cent of the country for English and maths. Prep pupils do exceptionally well in 11+ and 13+ CE assessments – with bespoke preparation for the various academic pathways.
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
Orchard House School
ADDRESS: 16 Newton Grove, London W4 1LB WEBSITE: www.orchardhs.org.uk FOUNDED: 1993 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 290+ AGES: 3–11 FEES: £3,070 - £6,400 per term HEADMISTRESS: M V Edwards BEd (Bedford) CertEd (Man) RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective in the early years and places offered from Form 1 upwards after a taster morning and academic assessment. CONTACT: Mrs Tiffany Hyatt, registrar, 020 8742 8544, registrar@orchardhs.org.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Open Day: 14 March 2020. Tours may be arranged by contacting the school’s registrar. THE CURRICULUM: Children are taught by experienced, dedicated and enthusiastic teachers. From the academics to art, music, sport, ICT drama and languages, we ensure that all children can experience a stimulating curriculum that stretches and enthuses each and every child. GAMES & THE ARTS: As well as its own artificial grass and tarmac play areas, Orchard House has the use of the nearby Chiswick Back Common and Rocks Lane astro turf. Children are also taken weekly to Acton New Pools and to Brentford Leisure Centre. The school is well equipped with laptops and the latest technology. It also has its own dedicated art teacher and is able to fire ceramics. The music department is led by the director of music; concerts are held regularly in St Michael and All Angels Church. Drama productions are staged at venues such as Chiswick Town Hall. PASTORAL CARE: Form teachers are the basis of our excellent pastoral care. This care together with our carefully designed interactive pastoral plan ensures that all children can feel safe, nurtured and happy at school. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Francis Holland, Hampton, More House, KCS Wimbledon, Notting Hill & Ealing, St Benedict’s, St Mary’s Calne, Wycombe Abbey, City of London Boys, Hampton, KCS, Latymer Upper, Notting Hill and Ealing, Putney High, Francis Holland, Bedales, Heathfield, Haberdashers Monmouth, Downe House, Lady Eleanor Holles and Emanuel. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: The children are cared for first and taught second. We believe learning should be exciting and fun, and that children should positively want to come to Orchard House each day. The professional and committed staff respond to each child’s needs rather than being a hostage to league tables: nevertheless our approach leads to very strong academic results. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: - Bright, naturally lit and well equipped classrooms. State-of-the-art ICT resources and specialist ICT staff. - Friendly, homely atmosphere; attention to/respect for each child. - Very committed teachers – low turnover of staff; many specialist teachers and high academic standards. - Special needs identified early and appropriate remedial programmes arranged quickly. - Home-cooked lunches of top quality.
Prospect House School
ADDRESS: 75 Putney Hill, London SW15 3NT WEBSITE: www.prospecths.org.uk FOUNDED: 1964 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 328 AGES: 3–11 FEES: £3,070 - £6,400 (including lunch) HEAD TEACHER: Michael Hodge BPrimEd (Rhodes) QTS RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective, date of registration but with sibling priority. Nursery is the main point of entry. CONTACT: Emily Porter, Registrar, 020 8246 4897, registrar@prospecths.org.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Open Day: 15 May 2020 and tours by appointment. THE CURRICULUM: Children enjoy a lively, challenging, broad and balanced curriculum designed to stretch them so they can perform to their best ability. We deliver a curriculum which meets the needs of all our children. GAMES & THE ARTS: A range of extra-curricular clubs are on offer after school each day and sport, art, music and drama form an important part of school life. Highlights of the year include Sports Day, subject themed weeks, drama productions and music concerts. PASTORAL CARE: We create a stimulating, happy school environment where children feel valued, safe and are eager to learn. We promote high expectations and standards so that children take pride in their work and achievements. Taking the time to get to know each and every child is part of our core to help them grow and celebrate their achievements. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: City of London Freemen’s, Claremont Fan Court, Dulwich College, Emanuel School, Epsom College, Francis Holland Sloane Square, Hampton, Ibstock, Hampton School, King’s College, Kingston Grammar, Lady Eleanor Holles, Latymer Upper School, Notre Dame, Reed’s, Putney High School, Reigate Grammar, Surbiton High, Sutton High, St John’s, Wimbledon High and Whitgift. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: The positive relationships and strong communication links between the staff, pupils and parents create a safe and nurturing environment. Our caring school community then provides the strong foundations the children need to become well-rounded, happy and confident, believing they can achieve anything. We want our students to look back at their time at Prospect with pride in what they learned and achieved, and most importantly, with fondness. We ensure this happens by providing rich experiences, inside and outside of the classroom. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – High staff-to-pupil ratio which allows for a personalised approach and high academic standards. All teachers are passionate about and committed to ensuring that each pupil achieves their full potential. – Well resourced with excellent computing facilities to enrich learning and a wide range of specialist teachers – Our staff know our children well and will go the ‘extra mile’.
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
St Philip’s School
ADDRESS: 6 Wetherby Place, London SW7 4NE WEBSITE: www.stpschool.co.uk AGES: 7-13 FOUNDED: 1934 NUMBER OF PUPILS: Approx. 100 boys FEES: £5,600 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mr Alexander Wulffen-Thomas RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Roman Catholic ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Register from birth, entry by assessment. CONTACT: Mrs Julia Ironside, Registrar, 020 7373 3944 EMAIL: J.Ironside@stpschool.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Please contact the Registrar to arrange a tour or to attend one of our open days.
St. Anthony’s School for Girls
ADDRESS: Ivy House, 94-96 North End Road London NW11 7SX WEBSITE: www.stanthonysgirls.co.uk FOUNDED: 2015 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 60+ AGES: 4-11; 3+ entry from 2020 FEES: £6,135 per term RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic/ All faiths welcome HEADMASTER: Mr Donal Brenan ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Selective. The school has an inclusive policy and all girls’ needs are assessed on entry. CONTACT: Stefanie Ross EMAIL: admissions@stanthonysgirls.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Wednesdays by appointment. Private school tours can be arranged upon request.
THE CURRICULUM: Excellent academic results where boys are challenged in a warm and nurturing environment. Focus is given on the individual to bring out the very best in every child, with inspirational teaching in small classes.
THE CURRICULUM: The curriculum offers pupils a greater depth of experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education in a happy, secure and stimulating environment.
GAMES & THE ARTS: The school makes full use of its facilities at Barn Elms where the boys take part in a variety of sports two afternoons a week including: cricket, rugby, hockey, athletics and cross-country. Music is an intrinsic part of school life, where there is a strong choral tradition. Plenty of extra-curricular activities are available, with a wide variety of clubs on offer.
GAMES & THE ARTS: The sporting activities available include athletics, swimming, gymnastics, dance and team games. Individual musical tuition is offered in violin, cello, piano, guitar and singing. LAMDA lessons are available to 7+pupils.
PASTORAL CARE: Pastoral care is particularly strong with excellent individualised support in a caring environment with a strong Catholic ethos. Parents often say that the school feels like an extended family. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Eton, Harrow, Westminster, City of London, Charterhouse, Worth and Ampleforth. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: The Head Master believes in the core values of honesty, courage and determination: being honest to yourself and to others, having the courage to acknowledge your actions and the determination to do better. Our boys aren’t squeezed into a box – they are given space to breathe and think, to embrace their mistakes and learn from them. We want our boys to be secure in who they are, but have a world view. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Passionate staff who recognise the potential in every child. Happy boys in a caring, nurturing environment. Strong academic results. Approximately half of all leavers go on to: Eton, Harrow, Winchester Dulwich, KCS Wimbledon, St. Paul’s, Westminster
PASTORAL CARE: The school prides itself on the high-quality pastoral care on offer. Pupils feel safe, secure and valued as part of the St. Anthony’s family. They are taught the importance of caring for their emotional well-being and work in an environment where they can freely express concerns or anxieties. The curriculum provides valuable learning experiences which promote practical life skills in independence and resilience. SCHOLARSHIPS: Academic scholarships and means tested bursaries are available . HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: The social, moral, cultural and spiritual development of children is the most integral part of my role as Headmaster of St. Anthony’s School for Girls. I deem it my duty to help shape young minds into morally and ethically responsible individuals; to inspire children to seek the opportunities in life that will lead them to become valued members of their society. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Rated Ofsted Outstanding in all areas, St Anthony’s School for girls provides a safe nurturing environment for young girls to thrive academically, socially and spiritually. The small class sizes and individualised curriculum enable the teachers to tailor learning to the needs of each child, therefore enabling success in all curriculum areas; academic, sporting and creative. A wide range of extra curricular activities are held before, during and after school.
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LONDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
Sydenham High Prep School GDST
ADDRESS: 15 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL WEBSITE: www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net FOUNDED: 1887 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 238 girls AGES: 4–11 FEES: £4,541 per term HEADTEACHER: Ms Victoria Goodson RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Group assessment for reception (4+) and written exam for 7+. Please enquire about occasional places.
CONTACT: Admissions Office 020 8557 7004 EMAIL: admissions@syd.gdst.net SCHOOL VISITS: Open Morning: 26 March, 9.30-11am.
THE CURRICULUM: A broad academic curriculum that encourages independent thinking, enquiring minds and prepares girls for the academic curriculum at the senior school. Girls learn French from reception and Latin from year 5. There are specialist teachers for languages, sport, music, art and DT as well as computing and science for pupils in year 5 and 6. GAMES & THE ARTS: Wide and varied co-curricular programme that includes over 50 extra-curricular clubs and a large variety of day trips and residential visits, including a ski trip to the Austrian mountains. Regular use is made of senior school facilities including the Westwood Theatre, Recital Hall and Astroturf as well as the eight-acre sports ground in Lower Sydenham. Swimming takes place at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, a short walk away. PASTORAL CARE: A strong PSHE programme is backed up by a positive social environment, supportive teaching staff and close relationships between home and school. The school’s innovative ‘Flourish and Fly’ initiative emboldens pupils and stretches ability with a half termly programme of experiences and challenges. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: Thorough 11+ preparation process starts in year 5 with careful preparation for entry to the senior school and a variety of London schools. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Our aim is to prepare each girl for what the future holds – by setting high expectations, providing a strong academic education and supporting a child’s emotional development to ensure each girl becomes the best she can be. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: The school was judged ‘outstanding’ in its most recent Inspection report. ‘Excellent relationships between staff and children’; ‘emphasis on independent learning ensures that the school provides a stimulating and secure environment’; ‘instills a positive attitude to learning’.
The White House Prep School
ADDRESS: 24 Thornton Road, London SW12 0LF WEBSITE: www.whitehouseschool.com FOUNDED: 1985 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 152 AGES: 2 ½ –11 years FEES: Reception–Year 2 £4,960 per term, Year 3–6 £5,127 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mr Tony Lewis RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Early registration essential, places allocated in order of registration. Interview for Year 1-6. CONTACT: 020 8674 9514 EMAIL: office@whitehouseschool.com SCHOOL VISITS: Weekly showrounds available by appointment only. Please contact admissions@whitehouseschool.com to arrange. THE CURRICULUM: The White House Prep School offers an excellent education, as recently confirmed by the ISI. It delivers strong literacy, maths, extra-curricular lessons and activities. Children relish challenges, enjoy working together to solve problems, have an excellent attitude to learning and are both enthusiastic and eager to participate. GAMES & THE ARTS: Physical education is an integral part of the curriculum at the White House and all pupils are given the opportunity to develop personal fitness and participate in team activities. The annual drama production and art exhibition are highlights in the school’s calendar and illustrates their commitment to performing and creative arts and the involvement of all children in these activities. PASTORAL CARE: The school provides an outstanding education which is shown through excellent 11+ results and achievements from pupils throughout the year. More importantly the children are happy. They are encouraged to develop emotionally as well as intellectually and the ISI commented that both pupils personal and moral development was excellent. Dedicated and experienced staff work closely with parents to enable all children excel most especially as people with confidence. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Over 50 per cent of pupils receive academic, music, sports and all round scholarships to top London day schools and boarding schools when they leave at 11+. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: A culture of supporting one another combined with a safe, inspiring, engaging and fun learning environment that sets high expectations and ensures children have an empowering educational experience. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: A vibrant, forward thinking school with purposefully small class sizes which encourages and supports independent thinking. The school feels like one big family; this develops strong self-esteem in pupils who are confident but without arrogance.
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LONDON PREPARATORY & SENIOR SCHOOLS
The Study Preparatory School, Wimbledon
ADDRESS: Wilberforce House, Camp Road, Wimbledon Common, London SW19 4UN WEBSITE: www.thestudyprep.co.uk FOUNDED: 1893 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 320 girls AGES: 4–11 FEES: £4,725 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Susan Pepper MA (Oxon) RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Entry at 4+ by ballot; priority given to siblings. Thereafter by informal assessment and interview. CONTACT: Jane Davis, Admissions Secretary, 020 8947 6969 EMAIL: admissions@thestudyprep.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Regular tours and one major open event per year. THE CURRICULUM: The Study offers a broad, creative and enhanced curriculum where every girl is encouraged to achieve her best, and the focus on the needs and strengths of every individual is key to the success of the school. GAMES & THE ARTS: Although academic rigour is at the heart of the school, The Study is highly creative, with a reputation for excellence in music and the performing and visual arts, and has had Artsmark Gold status since 2009. The dynamic PE department ensures success at both regional and national level across athletics, hockey, cross country and netball and has a spacious off-site sports ground with multi-use pitches for training and matches. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS FOR THE LAST ACADEMIC YEAR: Day schools include Wimbledon, Putney and Surbiton High Schools, St Paul’s Girls’ School, The Lady Eleanor Holles, Epsom College, Marymount, Notre Dame and St John’s Leatherhead. Boarding schools include Benenden, Downe House, St Mary’s Ascot and Wycombe Abbey. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: 2019 was another strong year for scholarships, with 25 offered to the Year 6 girls, including academic, sport, art and music. This brings The Study’s total of scholarships achieved over the last three years to an impressive 99. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Mrs Pepper’s mission is to enable each individual to fulfil her potential in a supportive and happy environment. The girls enjoy a rich diversity of experiences, in and out of the classroom, and an understanding of important issues beyond the school gates. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: The Study is a creative school, but not at the expense of academic rigour, as illustrated by its excellent results at 11+. The Study combines the warmth and sense of community of a traditional village school with the facilities and achievements of a leading preparatory. It has two beautiful sites adjacent to Wimbledon Common. The Wilberforce House site is to be redeveloped in 2019/2020 to create 6 new classrooms, a performing arts space, and a new library.
DLD College London
ADDRESS: 199 Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth SE1 7FX WEBSITE: www.dldcollege.co.uk FOUNDED: 1931 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 400 AGES: 14-19 co-ed boarding and day school FEES: Course fees from £23,950 to £31,000 per annum; boarding from £18,900 to £29,400 per annum HEAD TEACHER: Mr Irfan Latif RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Selective based on personal interview, GCSE or equivalent grades if applicable. CONTACT: Admissions; dld-admissions@dld.org SCHOOL VISITS: Personal school visits can be arranged upon request. The next Open Evening is 21st May 2020. THE CURRICULUM: DLD offers 30 A-level course options as well as BTECH courses in business, media and music tech, nine IFP courses, one year and two year GCSE, and the DLD Academic Preparation Course. GAMES & THE ARTS: We recognise the benefits of regular exercise and students are encouraged to keep active through a range of activities including football, netball, yoga, rowing, running club, swimming and many more. Our co-curricular programme encompasses music, drama and art clubs, cultural trips, DofE, concerts, events and much more. PASTORAL CARE: Pastoral care is a strength at DLD which is demonstrated by the opening of our award-winning Wellbeing Centre in 2018 allowing students to access a range of support services in one location within College. This includes the College Nurse, Counsellors, Life Coach, Head of Wellbeing and Student Liasion Officer. Boarders receive only the best, individualised pastoral care through Houseparents and Personal Tutors who meet with students every week. UNIVERSITY PLACES: Every year DLD College students secure places at top Russell Group universities including Oxbridge and universities in the US. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: ‘We aim to provide our students with the very best holistic, all-round education to prepare them for world class universities and beyond. There are a number of essential components to such an education: excellent pastoral care and outstanding teaching, a wide range of co-curricular opportunities and world-class facilities to name but a few.’ OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – Award-winning Wellbeing Centre – Oustanding academic results – Excellent pastoral care (ISI October 2019) – Urban boarding philosophy (nominated for Boarding School of the Year 2020) – Aspiring to be a Microsoft Showcase School – Central London location
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Ibstock Place School
ADDRESS: Clarence Lane, London SW15 5PY WEBSITE: www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk FOUNDED: 1894 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 325 boys, 325 girls AGES: 11-18 FEES: £7,245 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Anna Sylvester-Johnson RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Admission at 11 and 16 via entrance examination and interview; occasional places at 12, 13, 14. CONTACT: The Registrar, 020 8392 5803 EMAIL: registrar@ibstockplaceschool.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS 6 May 2020 5-7pm; 19 September 9am-1pm THE CURRICULUM: Committed to a liberal and humane education, we also recognise the primacy of traditional academic subjects as essential devices through which our pupils can build an understanding of the world. GAMES & THE ARTS: A wealth of opportunity for co-curricular participation: A purpose built sports hall; playing fields; swimming pool; all-weather pitch; stunning 300-seat theatre. IPS Singers tour internationally; Berkeley Ensemble is ensemble-in-residence. IPS artists exhibited by Royal College of Art. National Theatre Live screenings. PASTORAL CARE: We maintain an outstanding pastoral programme which monitors each pupil’s development with care, sensitivity and guidance. From Senior 7–10, pupils join a vertically tutored house group for four years, thus building strong relationships between pupils, their housemaster, two house tutors and pupils’ families. In PVI (Year 11), pupils are supported by a tutor and Head of PVI. A head of sixth -form and his tutor team provide VI pastoral care. UNIVERSITY PLACES: 2018-19: Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Exeter, Imperial, UCL, Warwick, Exeter, Bath, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol, York, Leiden. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We attach great importance to developing pupils’ individuality and their regard for tolerance, courtesy and respect. Pupils are able to find their strengths here, whether as the promising musician, the meticulous scholar, the outstanding sportsman or the talented artist. We strive to ensure pupils’ accomplishments reflect their talents and interests. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Co-educational London day school for pupils aged 11 to 18 in beautiful grounds adjacent to Richmond Park. Challenging and inspirational curriculum extends and stretches. Pupils renowned for creativity, resilience and empathy. Enthusiastic and ambitious staff. Stunning new Refectory opened 2020. Rated ‘Excellent’ in every area of last ISI inspection.
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Kew House School
ADDRESS: Kew House, 6 Capital Interchange Way, London, TW8 0EX WEBSITE: www.kewhouseschool.com FOUNDED: 2013 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 550 AGES: 11–18 FEES: £7,450 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mr M Hudson RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: All faiths welcome ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Entrance exam and relaxed interview CONTACT: Mrs D Hassett EMAIL: admissions@kewhouseschool.com SCHOOL VISITS: 12 February, 25th February, 4 March, 19 March, 27th April, 26 June THE CURRICULUM: Our aim is to provide a rich and broad education to all students whatever their specialism, pursuing excellence in all areas whether examinable or not. The basis of the timetable is six taught hours per day plus the extra-curricular programme which includes academic, non-academic and sports-based clubs. GAMES & THE ARTS: Although academic rigour is at the centre of our
school, our students are highly creative, with a reputation for excellence in music and the performing and visual arts. Our dynamic PE Department ensures success at both regional and national level across rowing, athletics, tennis, table tennis, cross country and netball. We value the importance of inclusivity, opportunity and choice to ensure participation is maximised across all ability levels.
PASTORAL CARE: We aim to develop the feeling of a family and social hub
giving emotional support and security to all students and employees. Each student receives individual attention both educationally and pastorally. Children and young adults thrive when their self-esteem is bolstered and confidence enables them to flourish. Our approach is holistic as we believe that there can be no artificial barriers between a student’s intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual growth. A number of staff are involved in the life of each student, but in particular, the Personal Tutor who meets their tutee on a daily basis, stays the same staff member throughout the student’s seven years with us.
HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We recognise and enhance the individual abilities of each child, welcoming students with varying academic profiles and placing emphasis on confidence, self-esteem and creativity. By operating a true ‘open door’ policy that welcomes parents and members of the wider community to become a part of school life, Kew House has developed the feeling of a family and social hub that provides emotional support and security for all students and employees. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: In 2017, Kew House opened a brand
new sixth-form centre which benefits from a beautifully designed independent learning centre on the ground floor. This building reflects the fact that sixth-form students are approaching adulthood and encourages independent study in an attractive environment. Facilities include a sixth-form café, library, roof terrace, audio-visual suite, and sixth-form seminar rooms. Following an inspection of the school in February 2018 by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Kew House was particularly delighted to learn from the lead inspector that the results of the student and parent questionnaires were the most positive they had ever seen.
North Bridge House Senior Hampstead & Senior Canonbury
ADDRESS: Senior Hampstead, 65 Rosslyn Hill, NW3 5UD; Senior Canonbury, 6-9 Canonbury Place, N1 2NQ WEBSITE: www.northbridgehouse.com FOUNDED: 1939 AGES: 11–18 FEES: £19,230 - £20,400 per annum NUMBER OF PUPILS: Hampstead - 380; Canonbury - 180 HEAD TEACHER: Brendan Pavey RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Assessments and interview. CONTACT: Admissions office 020 7428 1520 EMAIL: admissionsenquiries@northbridgehouse.com SCHOOL VISITS: Open events are held throughout the year. Please check our website for more details: www.northbridgehouse.com/open THE CURRICULUM: Inspirational teachers deliver a rich and varied range of academic and extra-curricular activities, tailored to challenge and stimulate every pupil according to their individual needs, abilities and interests. The curriculum is designed to educate the whole child and provides excellent learning opportunities for all pupils. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sports range from the traditional track and field activities to the more unusual – particularly for London schools – sailing and rock climbing. Our games curriculum promotes pupils’ physical and emotional wellbeing whilst developing their team skills. The arts are just as key to our curricular and extra-curricular offering: plays and concerts are regularly staged, art exhibitions are an annual event and pupils relish the opportunity to perform in the local area. PASTORAL CARE: Pupil wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. From confidence workshops to an onsite counsellor, we incorporate excellent pastoral care into every aspect of school life. All staff are committed to nurturing character and wellbeing within the small tutor groups and warm community, so that every pupil thrives on a strong sense of belonging and security. UNIVERSITY PLACES: Students receive offers from a range of universities, typically accepting places at Russell Group institutions. HEAD TEACHERS’ PHILOSOPHY: NBH provides an individually tailored coeducation, celebrating high-achieving pupils in a mixed ability environment. From our focus on knowing the individual and developing strength of character, we achieve academic excellence in confident pupils who are proud of their successes. With specialist teaching and outstanding extra-curricular opportunities, we challenge and inspire each child to fulfil their potential. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Sixth-form students benefit from later school starts – as do all students on a Wednesday – in line with leading research. Oxbridge preparation, higher education fairs and ‘World of Work’ guest speaker events best inform students for successful futures.
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Portland Place School
Sydenham High School GDST
ADDRESS: 56-58 Portland Place, London W1B 1NJ WEBSITE: www.portland-place.co.uk FOUNDED: 1996 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 290 AGES: 10 - 16 years FEES: £7,185 per term HEAD TEACHER: David Bradbury RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: All faiths welcome ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Selection is based on assessment and interview. CONTACT: Bronagh Preston EMAIL: Admissions@portland-place.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: We hold open mornings and Saturday school tours with the Headmaster throughout the year.
ADDRESS: 19 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL WEBSITE: www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net FOUNDED: 1887 AGES: 11–18 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 415 girls FEES: £5,775 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Katharine Woodcock RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Entrance exam and interview for year 7 entry.
THE CURRICULUM: Portland Place School was founded as an alternative to the intense, large, examination focused independent day schools of which there are many in London. At Portland Place, our creative approach to academic study helps your child find their own path to learning. It’s the same goal, but with a different journey. The result? Our students are successful – on their own terms. GAMES & THE ARTS: Competitive and recreational sport has always had a special place in Portland Place and whilst some pupils have gone on to represent their county and country we also take pride in stating that most of our pupils have represented Portland Place in an inter school fixture, because we recognise that sport develops self-confidence and leadership. Recent heavy investment will create an unrivalled centre of creative, academic, sporting and technological excellence at Portland Place School. The investment includes the creation of a new studio to benefit their Graphics, Photography, Film and Media department, and a new workshop space for superior Creative Arts provision and a more integrated offer. PASTORAL CARE: We believe that the happier your child is, the more likely it is that they’ll be receptive to new ideas and in the right state of mind to learn. At Portland Place, your child won’t be tested left, right and centre, but will have the time and space to discover how they like to learn. The atmosphere is relaxed so our students are more relaxed, too. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Here at Portland Place we believe that exceptional teaching, combined with a modern curriculum inside and outside the classroom, provides the best stimulus for children to become inquisitive and creative learners and achieve beyond exams. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: The Good Schools Guide describes us as ‘small, nurturing and refreshingly relaxed. A haven of creativity in the pushy, academically competitive world of London day schools. A place for engaged, lively kids’. 85% of pupils achieved five plus A*-C grades at GCSE level.
Scholarship exams for year 7 and 12. Bursaries available.
CONTACT: Admissions Office 020 8557 7004 EMAIL: admissions@syd.gdst.net SCHOOL VISITS: 18 March, 29 April, 9.30-11am. Year 7 taster sessions (AM and PM) for year 5 on 21 May all bookable online. THE CURRICULUM: Senior school students study a broad range of academic subjects which develop analytical, creative and lateral thinking skills to build a strong foundation for A-levels and university. At sixth-form, in addition to A-levels, we offer the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which prepares students for the independent learning required at university. GAMES & THE ARTS: The school offers an extremely varied programme of sport and extra-curricular clubs and activities, including cricket, rowing, fencing, trampolining, and rugby, alongside traditional school sports such as hockey and netball. Girls are able to join, and lead, a range of performing arts activities and clubs such as choirs, concert band, dancing, gymnastics and acting. PASTORAL CARE: As a smaller school community, with intrinsic pastoral care, each girl is known and visible. We believe our girls deserve nothing less than the highest standards of academic and pastoral excellence. Our inclusive environment allows all of our students to be independent, take risks and learn resilience through trying new things without the fear of failure. UNIVERSITY PLACES: Our students leave with excellent exam results, ambitious about their futures, and go on to study at a range of higher education destinations including Oxbridge, Russell Group universities, medical schools and art colleges. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Our motto, ‘fear nothing’, underpins all that we do. Our girls are ambitious and open minded, well round, happy and down to earth. Above all, our school is simply bursting with warmth, creativity, talent and excellence. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: We are a small but high achieving school where self-belief and happiness, alongside a ‘can do’ approach, enable our girls to thrive and succeed. A Sydenham High education not only develops the necessary skills for university and employment but offers an inspirational environment where students can be themselves, learn to take risks, develop independence and resilience, leaving happy and confident about their future.
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Wetherby Senior School
ADDRESS: 100 Marylebone Lane, London W1U 2QU WEBSITE: www.wetherbysenior.co.uk FOUNDED: 2015 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 330 AGES: 11-18 FEES: £8,310 per term HEAD TEACHER: Seth Bolderow RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Boys enter at Year 7, Year 9 or Year 12. Entry is by competitive examination. Scholarships and bursaries are available. CONTACT: Henry Warner, Director of Admissions EMAIL: registrar@wetherbysenior.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Open day is held in the autumn term. Visitor Mornings are held throughout the year. Booking is required. THE CURRICULUM: Through nurturing a genuine enjoyment of learning, intellectual curiosity and academic excellence we aim to develop our pupils into confident and independent learners. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport is an important part of the boys’ development and wellbeing, and is a compulsory activity for all boys at Wetherby Senior School. The main sports are rugby, football, cricket and tennis with other activities available. Music, Drama and Art are strong with many concerts, exhibitions and dramatic productions held throughout the year. PASTORAL CARE: All boys are supported by a tutor throughout their time at the School. We understand that success in all areas of school life and in the future is based on developing the boys’ resilience to cope with challenges, the ability to reflect and the willingness to contribute positively to their community. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Our goal is to provide an outstanding all-round education, supporting our pupils to achieve academically and to develop as people, fully preparing them to meet the challenges of being a young man in the twenty-first century and ready to contribute to the communities in which they live. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – Academic rigour – Outstanding teaching – Excellent pastoral care – A strong community of pupils, staff and parents – An exclusive and varied sports programme with outstanding facilities at Ealing Trailfinders – Philosophy is embedded in the curriculum from Year 7 to develop independent thinking
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COUNTRY SCHOOLS PREPA R ATORY | SENIOR
Beaudesert School, Gloucestershire
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NEXT STEPS: THE BOARDING OPTION A Saturday morning information event, featuring a discussion and Q&A with Heads of leading girls’, boys’ and prep schools
A chance to discover how modern independent schools prepare young people to be the next business leaders
Saturday 21 March, 10.30am Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4RY Info and booking: www.benenden.school/next 168 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | Spring/Summer 2020
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Bedales
ADDRESS: Bedales School, Church Road, Steep, Petersfield GU32 2DG WEBSITE: www.bedales.org.uk FOUNDED: 1893 NUMBER OF PUPILS: Bedales Pre-prep, Dunannie: 81; Bedales Prep, Dunhurst: 223; Bedales Senior School: 457 AGES: 3–8 (Dunannie); 8–13 (Dunhurst); 13–18 (Bedales). FEES: (Per term) Nursery: £447-£620; Dunannie: £3,330-£4,350; Dunhurst: Day £5,785-£6,415; Boarding £7,590-£8,520; Bedales: Day £9,745; Boarding £12,400
HEAD: Magnus Bashaarat RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Main entry points at 2 yrs 9 months, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, 16+. Selection by assessment/residential assessment and interview.
CONTACT: 01730 711733/ admissions@bedales.org.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Open Days, Bedales: 1 February; 29 February; 25 April. Dunhurst: 14 March; 16 May; Dunannie: 14 March; 16 May
THE CURRICULUM: From the very youngest, pupils ‘learn through doing’ with a curriculum that has breadth and depth. In the senior school students take a combination of IGCSEs and its own Bedales Assessed Courses (recognised by UCAS) in Global Awareness and Digital Game Design, for example. Sixth-formers take enrichment courses in addition to A-levels. GAMES & THE ARTS: Bedales competes in many sports including football, hockey, tennis, cricket and netball. Excellent facilities include floodlit astroturf, tennis courts and netball pitches as well as an indoor swimming pool. The school is acclaimed for its drama, theatre, art and music with many opportunities for participation in performances and concerts, including overseas tours. PASTORAL CARE: Every student is assigned to a member of house staff with whom they build a close and strong relationship. Students also benefit from having a tutor who monitors and guides their academic progress, tailoring the level of support to the individual. Tutor groups and dormitories are mixed age, encouraging communication and the sharing of experience across the years. There is a separate 6.2 (upper-sixth) house. SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships are available from 10+ for music and academic, 13+ for art, and 16+ for drama, sport and design. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Bedales was founded to be different from the schools of its time. Where others imposed conformity, Bedales nurtured individuality, initiative and an enquiring mind. True to its roots and founding principles the school places emphasis on collaboration and care for others. Our students are naturally inquisitive, eager to explore and challenge ideas. They trust and build strong relationships with each other and their teachers based on mutual respect. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: - Shared progressive ethos and vision across the three Bedales schools - Impressive university destinations including Oxbridge, music conservatoires, art college and overseas institutions such as Yale - Innovation in the curriculum (eg. Bedales Assessed Courses and new sixth-form courses) with high academic expectations - 120 acre estate in the South Downs National Park, complete with working farm which has plenty of opportunities for pupil involvement
Brighton College
ADDRESS: Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 0AL WEBSITE: www.brightoncollege.org.uk FOUNDED: 1845 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 1,020. Day: 393 boys, 262 girls. Boarding: 183 boys, 182 girls AGES: 11–18 FEES: Day: £8,110. Weekly boarding: £11,800. Full boarding: £13,240 HEAD TEACHER: Richard Cairns RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England, welcomes all/no faiths ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Assessment and interview at 11, 13 and 16 CONTACT: Mrs Alison Withers, Registrar SCHOOL VISITS: Open Morning or individual visit. Please contact Admissions to arrange a visit on 01273 704200 THE CURRICULUM: We encourage inquisitive minds, inspire confidence and provide challenging activities outside the classroom. A wide range of subjects are experienced and we ensure each pupil achieves a happy school/ life balance. GAMES & THE ARTS: As one of the leading sports schools in England, we believe every child deserves to enjoy sport whatever their level. Our arts calendar is full of music, dance, art and drama activities for boys and girls to get involved in. PASTORAL CARE: Our last ISI inspection rated our provision of pastoral care as ‘excellent’ – the top grade possible – and the last Ofsted inspection awarded our welfare for boarders as ‘outstanding’. We take considerable care in maintaining a supportive and accepting community that celebrates differences between people, affirming a sense of belonging for all. UNIVERSITY PLACES: Oxbridge: 20 per cent of pupils each year. Russell Group: 660+ offers each year PERCENTAGE OF OXBRIDGE CANDIDATES: Around 40 per cent of the upper-sixth apply each year. A strong record of success with 227 offers in the past decade. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: ‘I believe passionately in the importance of the individual. Every child at Brighton College is valued for their own sake, encouraged to develop his or her talents to the full in a community where there are no stereotypes and where every achievement, however small, is noticed.’ OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – GCSE and A-level results amongst the best in the country – Pupils go to the world’s leading universities – New £55m School of Science and Sport – ‘England’s Independent School of the Year 2019’ – The Sunday Times – ‘One word: exceptional’ – Tatler – ‘Britain’s most forward-thinking school’ – The Week
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Breaside Prep School
ADDRESS: 41-43 Orchard Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 2PR WEBSITE: www.breaside.co.uk FOUNDED: 1950 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 374 AGES: 2.5-11 years old FEES: From £2,320 to £4,498 per term. HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Karen Nicholson RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England. ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Selective. CONTACT: Lucy Greaves, Registrar EMAIL: info@breaside.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Book either a personal tour or attend an Open Morning. THE CURRICULUM: Our curriculum is designed to meet our objective of preparing children for senior schools. In addition, we attach great importance to providing all children with a balanced and broadly based education, from their first days in kindergarten through to the age of 11. GAMES & THE ARTS: We do not limit learning to within the four walls of a classroom. We offer our students a multitude of extra curricular activities, to encourage development of new skills and practise ones that are already established which includes music, the creative arts, PE/games. PASTORAL CARE: We carefully monitor each child’s progress to support their learning journey, taking time to understand their development stages and check they are on track to meet key milestones. We are proud of all our students and know that they can achieve more when they are happy and inspired to do their best. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: In 2018 and 2019, pupils received a mixture of academic and sport scholarships to Alleyn’s School, Blackheath High, Bromley High School, Babington House, Colfe’s School, Eltham College, Farringtons, Radnor House, Sackville School, Sydenham High School, Trinity School and Walthamstow Hall. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Breaside is a happy school with a kind and caring ethos. Our aim is to provide excellence in education. Our children enjoy learning, are well motivated and have very high expectations of their own individual achievements. At Breaside we believe education to be a threeway partnership between parent, teacher and pupil. The school’s vision is: ‘if children are happy, they are learning.’ OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – Early Years centre of excellence, tailored learning – Friendly, caring and safe environment – One of two co-ed prep schools in local area – Extra-curricular and wrap around care 7.30am to 6pm – Specialist teachers – ‘Outstanding’ inspection and excellent results. 11th on The Sunday Times Independent Schools list 2019
Cottesmore School
ADDRESS: Pease Pottage, West Sussex RH11 9AU WEBSITE: www.cottesmoreschool.com FOUNDED: 1894 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 175 AGES: 4-13 FEES: Prep. Boarding: £9,550; Day Boarding: £6,290. Pre-prep: £3,360-£4,480. HEAD TEACHER: Tom Rogerson RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Interview with head, previous term’s report and an English and maths assessment if necessary CONTACT: Lottie Rogerson EMAIL: rogersonc@cottesmoreschool.com SCHOOL VISITS: 29 February (10am-12pm); private tours organised through the registrar. THE CURRICULUM: Cottesmore achieves excellent academic results. The strength of Cottesmore’s academic programme lies within its breadth. There are 21 different curriculum subject taught. Through this rich variety of intellectual experience, each girl and boy finds their particular strength and this in turn lifts their academic potential. GAMES & THE ARTS: Cottesmorians are equally likely to be found on the stage, the games field or in the art and design studios. A dizzying array of activities and hobbies give each individual pupil confidence, making strong academic results more achievable. PASTORAL CARE: Every new boy or girl is given a ‘shadow’ or buddy who looks after them when they first arrive. Every pupil is matched with, and becomes, a Peer Mentor or ‘listening ear’. Each pupil has a ‘Form Tutor’ (daily logistics), a ‘Pastoral Tutor’ (well-being), a Matron (domestic) and a House Master/ Mistress. Every adult at Cottesmore contributes to the well-being of every child. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: Eton, Downe House, Harrow, Radley, Wycombe Abbey, Winchester, Benenden, Wellington, Cheltenham Ladies’, Marlborough, St Edwards and other top schools. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Everyone has a talent. Whatever creative or academic outlet makes a child tick, Cottesmore finds and nurtures it. Endeavour and fun are the most important elements of intellectual life at Cottesmore. Success follows this explosion of discovery and purposefulness. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Cottesmore is an academic boarding prep school for boys and girls in West Sussex, less than an hour from London. They provide a train service to London Victoria Station, which is popular with London ‘S.W.’ families. Cottesmore has been preparing children for major public schools since 1894 and continues to provide excellent preparation for senior boarding schools who share Cottesmore’s belief in nurturing a rounded, dynamic individual.
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Cranleigh Preparatory School
Cranleigh School
ADDRESS: Cranleigh Preparatory School, Horseshoe Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8QH WEBSITE: www.cranprep.org FOUNDED: 1913 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 340 AGES: Girls and Boys 7-13 FEES: Boarding: £25,164 annually, Day: (Years 5 to 8) £20,838 annually, Day: (Years 3&4) £16,062 annually HEAD TEACHER: Mr Neil Brooks RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Age appropriate assessments and report from the head of the pupil’s current school. CONTACT: Head of Admissions EMAIL: admissions@cranprep.org SCHOOL VISITS: Parents are welcome to visit throughout term. Open Mornings: 26 February, 2 May and 17 June 2020.
ADDRESS: Horseshoe Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8QQ WEBSITE: www.cranleigh.org FOUNDED: 1865 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 400 boys, 229 girls AGES: 13–18 FEES: Boarding: £39,330 annually. Day: £32,370 annually. HEAD TEACHER: Mr Martin Reader MA (Oxon), MPhil, MBA RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England; welcomes pupils of all faiths, and none. ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: To learn about the admissions process for both 13+ and 16+ entry, please contact our admissions team directly. CONTACT: 01483 276377 EMAIL: admissions@cranleigh.org SCHOOL VISITS: Cranleigh welcomes visits from prospective parents and pupils. Please visit this page of our website to book a school visit: www.cranleigh.org/admissions/book-a-visit
THE CURRICULUM: A stimulating academic programme, leading to Common Entrance or scholarship exams at 13+. Latin from NC Year 6. Food tech, music, drama, art and DT are part of the balanced curriculum. GAMES & THE ARTS: An outstanding reputation for sport, with individual pupils and teams regularly playing at county and national level. The arts are an integral part of the school, with excellent plays and concerts throughout the year and a brilliant, inspirational art department. PASTORAL CARE: A warm and welcoming atmosphere is present from a child’s first day. There is a remarkable sense of community, and of pupils and staff working together. Form Tutors are a constant source of encouragement, praise and advice, supported by a strong pastoral team within this very happy school. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: 33 scholarships in 2019, 202 scholarships over the last five years to some of the country’s best schools, including Brighton College, Cranleigh, Charterhouse, Eton, KCS Wimbledon, Marlborough, RGS Guildford, Tonbridge, Wellington and Winchester. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We focus on enabling each child to fulfil their intellectual potential, whilst encouraging them to find real enjoyment, and to seek success from their participation, at whatever level, in the many artistic, cultural and sporting opportunities which the school promotes. We believe that children should grow up with an understanding of the importance of personal responsibility, respect for other people and how to work as part of a team. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – Set in 40 acres of stunning Surrey countryside, less than 50 minutes from London. – Outstanding academic results. – First class sports and music facilities. – An exceptional art department. – Unique pastoral care in a wonderfully relaxed, happy and inspirational environment.
THE CURRICULUM: A broad fourth-form curriculum leads into an options system allowing between nine and ten GCSEs. At sixth-form pupils take A-levels with the option of adding EPQ and Pre-U. Classes are a good size (approx. ten in sixth-form), and extra support is readily available. GAMES & THE ARTS: Outstanding facilities include a huge sports centre, indoor pool, equestrian centre, 31 pitches and a golf course. The music school features a wide range of ensembles and top-class practice/performance facilities; drama has its own modern theatre, while Duke of Edinburgh, CCF and canoeing are popular. The Woodyer Art Studios provide some of the best art facilities in the country, with six large studios providing specialist provision for painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture and ceramics. The Design Engineering department has three design studios and workshops, including 3D printing facilities. PASTORAL CARE: Cranleigh’s philosophy is to nurture pupils as individuals, ensuring happy and fulfilling school years while preparing them for the wider world. The housemasters/mistresses, matrons and personal tutors who closely follow their tutees’ progress, Deputy Heads and Chaplain all play a key part in the pupils’ pastoral care. UNIVERSITY PLACES: 99 per cent go on to higher education, with around 80 per cent getting into their first-choice university (including Oxbridge, Bristol, Durham, LSE, UCL) in recent years. PERCENTAGE OF OXBRIDGE CANDIDATES: Oxbridge is a focus for many of Cranleigh’s pupils, with impressive results year on year. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Family values feature strongly at this ‘local boarding school’. A highly regarded school/home partnership enables pupils to remain close to family while participating fully in school life. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: The 280-acre setting and outstanding facilities offer an enviable environment in which to develop in both academic and co-curricular spheres. Cranleigh believes feeling valued within various spheres impacts positively on grades, and results in confident, open-minded individuals who leave with lifelong friends.
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The Hawthorns School
ADDRESS: Pendell Court, Bletchingley, Surrey RH1 4QJ WEBSITE: hawthorns.com FOUNDED: 1926 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 520 AGES: Girls and boys from 2 to 13 years FEES: Termly Fees: Nursery £1,810; Reception £3,650; Years 1 & 2 £3,860; Years 3 & 4 £4,720; Years 5 to 8 £5,260 HEAD TEACHER: Mr Adrian Floyd RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational with a Christian heritage ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective. After the main Reception intake places are offered subject to a successful taster day and assessment CONTACT: Debbie Kingerlee, Registrar 01883 743048 EMAIL: admissions@hawthorns.com SCHOOL VISITS: Regular Open Mornings and individual visits by appointment through the admissions team THE CURRICULUM: Purposefully broad, the curriculum is designed to foster a child’s natural curiosity about the world through expert teaching and diverse opportunities, both in and out of the classroom. Instilling a lifelong love of learning and a strong sense of self-belief are cornerstones of our curriculum. GAMES & THE ARTS: We believe in ‘Sport for All’ and provide a wide breadth of opportunity so each child can feel sporty. Weekly matches allow children to learn how to win humbly and lose graciously. Specialist teaching in Art, Music, Drama, Dance and D&T gives children a wealth of opportunity to embrace their creativity and learn how to perform. PASTORAL CARE: Our principle ‘Happy Children Learn’ sums up the warm and caring relationships which support our unique educational and developmental experience. In order that each child develops a confidence and an inner belief in their ability, form tutors and the pastoral care team carefully monitor their well-being, happiness and attitude to school. The culture of looking after one another is fostered by the ‘house’ structure. Smaller house families give a wonderful opportunity to develop teamwork across age groups. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Each year over 40 per cent of pupils achieve scholarships and awards to their senior schools, including academic, sport, music, performing arts, art and D&T. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: In a happy, family atmosphere we give each child every opportunity to realise their potential through academic achievement and by engaging in an exceptional breadth of activities which build their confidence and character. We wish to fuel each child’s enthusiasm for life and encourage them to engage positively with the world they live in. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Set in 35 idyllic acres of country estate, Hawthorns children are given the time and space they need to enjoy their childhood. Just 30 minutes from Central London by train, we support busy parents by offering daily wraparound care from 7:15am to 6.00pm during termtime, as well as all year round holiday clubs.
Farleigh School
ADDRESS: Red Rice, Andover, Hampshire SP11 7PW WEBSITE: www.farleighschool.com FOUNDED: 1982 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 460 AGES: 3–13 FEES: £1,860 (KG), £3,720 (Pre-Prep), £6,400-£8,810 (Year 3 day to Year 8 boarding) per term. HEAD TEACHER: Fr Simon Everson RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Roman Catholic, all faiths welcome ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective CONTACT: Mrs Sarah O’Rorke, Registrar (01264 712838) EMAIL: admissions@farleighschool.com SCHOOL VISITS: Individual visits, as well as two-three open mornings per year. Next open mornings: Friday 28th February and Saturday 14th March.
THE CURRICULUM: The stimulating curriculum is broad and tailored to individual needs. Our multi-sensory approach encompasses every type of learner, and imaginative teaching methods ensure all children thrive. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport, art, DT, music and drama are pupil-centred and all-inclusive with countless opportunities to develop interests and discover talents. Every child benefits from specialist teachers supported by state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. PASTORAL CARE: Our Catholic ethos values every individual and we go to great lengths to ensure the fulfilment and happiness of every child. Pastoral care is inextricably linked to the structural organisation of the school, through the quality of teaching and learning, the exceptional relationships between staff and pupils, and between the pupils themselves. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Academic (Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Oundle, St Mary’s Ascot, Stonyhurst), sport, art, DT, music, drama and all rounder to Ampleforth, Bryanston, Downside, Godolphin, Marlborough, Radley, St Mary’s Calne, St Swithun’s, Sherborne and Sherborne Girls. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Farleigh is a place of energy and spirited enquiry. Boys and girls of all abilities thrive in the warm and safe environment which values every individual and prepares them for senior school and beyond. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – Outstanding value-added academic and social development for children of all abilities with successful transition to a wide range of senior schools due to excellent, individualised preparation. – Almost half the pupils in the prep board so the place is always buzzing! – Everyone benefits from the stunning setting with its 70 acres of beautiful parkland and woodland, and the exceptional facilities that enhance the pupils’ learning: the new music school, the flood-lit all weather pitch and tennis courts, theatre, indoor swimming pool, Pre-Prep offering wrap around care 7.30am-6.00pm, and the outside education with its Forest School, outdoor classroom and adventure play area.
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S C H O O L H O U S E M AG A Z I N E
Education with The next issue of SCHOOL HOUSE MAGAZINE is out in Autumn 2020 To advertise in the next issue of School House Magazine, or on our website www.schoolhousemagazine.co.uk, please contact Camilla van Praagh on 020 7384 9023 or alternatively, email her on camilla@schoolhousemagazine.co.uk
Character Co-educational prep school and nursery for girls and boys aged 2-11, where there’s more to a good education than learning. Contact Admissions to arrange a personal tour. SUTTON LANE | BANSTEAD | WWW.BANSTEADPREP.COM | 01737 363600
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Dunottar School
ADDRESS: High Trees Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7EL WEBSITE: www.dunottarschool.com FOUNDED: 1926 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 361 AGES: 11–18 FEES: £5,610 for Direct Debit payments and £5,685 for other methods. HEAD TEACHER: Mr Mark Tottman RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England (welcomes all faiths or none). ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Assessment, interview and group activities. CONTACT: Mrs Sue Edwards, Head of Admissions EMAIL: admissions@dunottarschool.com SCHOOL VISITS: Open mornings - 25 February; 29 April; 25 June Visitors are welcome for private tours throughout the year. THE CURRICULUM: A well-balanced curriculum is the foundation for innovative teaching where technology is used creatively to enhance learning. Pupils are encouraged to be determined, inquisitive and actively engaged in their learning. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport is competitive, enjoyable and inclusive. Rugby and football are the main boys’ sports, with netball and lacrosse for girls and cricket, swimming and athletics for all. The arts flourish with choirs and ensembles, dramatic productions and excellent creative facilities. PASTORAL CARE: The atmosphere at Dunottar is truly special. Pastoral wellbeing is vital to children’s development and Dunottar recognises that pupils need to feel safe, fulfilled and happy in order to thrive. The school strives to allow every pupil to be themselves, with their own unique needs, strengths and potential. This exceptional standard of care ensures that each student has the confidence to contribute and succeed. UNIVERSITY PLACES: Tailored support ensures success in UK and international institutions. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: My philosophy on education is that it is all about learning to improve. I love being able to inspire pupils to achieve more than they thought possible. We create a vibrant, supportive community where pupils grow in confidence, responding well to setbacks and seeking out new challenges for themselves. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Dunottar School combines the convenience of a town centre location, just outside Reigate, with the atmosphere of a countryside setting. The stunning Palladian mansion is set in 15 acres and the excellent facilities nclude a swimming pool, large sports hall with four-lane cricket net system and a state of the art sixth-form centre with study space, cafeteria and recreation room.
Edgeborough School
ADDRESS: 84 Frensham Road, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 3AH WEBSITE: www.edgeborough.co.uk FOUNDED: 1906 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 336 AGES: 2-13 FEES: (Per term) £3,690 - £5,990 HEAD TEACHER: Mr Dan Thornburn. RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England: All faiths welcome. ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective. Tour with headmaster followed by taster day. Reports requested from current school. CONTACT: Mrs Christine Davis EMAIL: admissions@edgeborough.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: 2020 Open Days: 13th March, 1St May, 2nd October and 27th November.
THE CURRICULUM: Alongside Common Entrance in maths, English and science, the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate (PSB) is taught, offering a broad based, ambitious academic and creative extra-curricular programme that allows children to excel and find their talents and areas they are passionate about. GAMES & THE ARTS: With 50 acres of countryside, sport is key to daily life at Edgeborough. The school delivers a hugely varied programme of competitive team sports as well as swimming, athletics, tennis, cross country and climbing. Performing arts are integral to the curriculum with an extensive variety on offer in music, dance, drama, art, DT and design. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: Children’s wellbeing, self-esteem and happiness are at the heart of the school’s ethos. The school provides an intimate learning environment and exceptional pastoral care embedding a sense of independence, self-reliance and confidence where mutual trust and respect between pupils and staff are the fundamental guiding principle and above all encourage good citizenship. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Charterhouse, Cranleigh, Lord Wandsworth College, Wellington College, RGS Guildford and Bedales HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Edgeborough’s ethos is that happy children thrive in a warm, kind environment where opportunities are abundant. Edgeborough prides itself on finding talent in each child that is recognised, nurtured and developed to create motivated, confident, independent learners. Kindness, happiness and respect for others are at the heart of everything. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: - Excellent teaching staff with high academic standards and a broad-based curriculum - Strong emphasis on cross-curricular learning and outdoor learning is a large part of everyday life - Children are encouraged to try new interests and take risks in a safe and supportive environment to build resilience for future challenges - Individual pupil achievements are celebrated, large or small and each individual is taught to celebrate the accomplishments of others. - Pupils are well prepared both academically and socially for a smooth transition to senior school and beyond. - ‘Inclusive, ambitious and a huge amount of fun’ The Good Schools Guide Spring/Summer 2020 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 175
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Rowan Prep School
Parkside School
ADDRESS: The Manor, Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3PX WEBSITE: www.parkside-school.co.uk ADDRESS: Rowan Brae (2-7yrs), Gordon Rd, Claygate KT10 0PJ. Rowan Hill (7-11yrs) Fitzalan Rd, Claygate KT10 0LX WEBSITE: www.rowanprepschool.co.uk FOUNDED: 1936 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 327 AGES: 2-11 FEES: Per term: £3,842 - £5,098 HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Susan Clarke, BEd, NPQH RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Entry at Nursery, Reception and Year 3. Occasional places in other year groups. CONTACT: Mrs Philippa Edwards, Head of Admissions EMAIL: admissions@rowanprepschool.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Open Mornings are held each term with showrounds at the school’s discretion. Friday 13 March 2020 and Thursday 14 May 2020. THE CURRICULUM: Learning at Rowan gives all girls the chance to investigate, be challenged, take risks and be curious about the world around them. Academics are developed through experiences, adventurous learning and a specialist teaching model. GAMES & THE ARTS: ‘Sport for All’ is our mantra. All girls enjoy regular games, swimming and PE lessons and our excellent facilities support those competing at regional and national levels. Drama and music form a key part of the curriculum with over 95 per cent of girls learning an instrument, performing in musical theatre and choirs. PASTORAL CARE: Over their time at Rowan, the girls develop a toolkit of strategies to manage the small bumps in the road which they will inevitably face in life. Social and emotional skills are cultivated in many ways, from dedicated SEW (Social and Emotional Wellbeing) lessons on their timetables to a highly personalised pastoral programme which keep the individual needs of every girl at the heart of what we do. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Epsom College, Guildford High, KGS, LEH, SHS, St Catherine’s, Bramley, St John’s Leatherhead, SWPS and Wycombe Abbey. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: It is my belief that when a school balances academics, with nurture, support and opportunity to learn about yourself and from others, that you are creating an environment which will inspire and nourish every girl. We do this every day at Rowan, ensuring girls are happy, confident and enabled individuals. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: - 100 per cent success rate at 11+ with 40 scholarships awarded. - Access to over 20 acres of woodland for adventurous, outdoor learning - Exceptional specialist training in Science & Engineering with a focus on robotics. - Strings initiative for all Year Ones to learn the cello or violin. - Sport for all approach with a mix of traditional games and extensive co-curricular offerings. - Outstanding facilities including specialist spacces for engineering & technology, music, science, library, art and computing.
FOUNDED: 1879
NUMBER OF PUPILS: 261 AGES: 2-13 years (2-4 years co-ed; 4-13 years boys only) FEES: £440 - £5703 HEAD TEACHER: Ms Nicole Janssen RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: All faiths welcome ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Entrance assessment and taster day CONTACT: Lindre Scott, Registrar 01932 862749 EMAIL: office@parkside-school.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: By prior appointment or open morning. Next open morning 7 February and 15 May 2020 THE CURRICULUM: Parkside aims to inspire children with its innovative and creative curriculum, which, coupled with academic rigour and a breadth of enriched learning opportunities: offers something for all. The teachers set out to expand the children’s aspirations through skill-based learning, developing their intellectual curiosity and a ‘can do’ attitude, where anything is possible. The school’s motto ‘Built on Tradition – Embracing the Future’ wholly encapsulates the essence of Parkside. Driving towards a fully enriched curriculum has seen a newly opened food technology room and STEM room, along with the introduction this year of Forest School education and weekly touch typing lessons for years three to eight. GAMES & THE ARTS: Music, drama and art are an integral part of the curriculum, with many opportunities for the boys to showcase their talents and passions, from a beginner at Grade one to the West End stage and national championship level. Boys continue to excel in sport, with specialist coaching in all sports from experts in their field including Chelsea Football Club and London Irish Rugby Club, whilst benefitting from their very own Parkside Cricket Academy. PASTORAL CARE: Pastoral care remains strong at Parkside and underpins the core values and expectations set by the school. Respect, chivalry, empathy and manners are not buzz words in the school but are, more importantly, an expectation of all boys. This is promoted, taught and celebrated in many ways; supported by reflective well-being walks, chill and chat sessions, teambuilding sessions and all night camp outs. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: 2019 saw 41 per cent of leavers obtaining scholarships to their senior school, with a 100 per cent pass rate in their Common Entrance exams. Leavers move on to schools including Charterhouse, King’s Wimbledon, Epsom College, Royal Grammar School, Bradfield College and Lancing College. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Parkside’s holistic approach to educating its pupils is second to none and allows the boys to reach their full potential. The Head’s philosophy is ‘make it happen’, and she nurtures a thirst for academic achievement. The exceptional body of staff support the boys in developing the courage to rise to each challenge, persevere when the going gets tough and to face their fears with confidence. Parkside’s approach promotes good manners, respect for yourself and others in the wider community. This results in Parkside boys leaving as well rounded, exceptional individuals with solid foundations and outstanding moral fibre. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Parkside is set in 45 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside with direct access to the River Mole, an orchard and Surrey’s oldest church, St Mary’s. The vast playing fields host ample outdoor learning space for the Forest School and playtime adventures. The many exceptional facilities allow for the diverse curriculum offered which ensures the school is able to accept children at a variety of ages and guide them to a range of outstanding senior schools.
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St Catherine’s, Bramley
ADDRESS: Station Road, Bramley, Guildford, Surrey GU5 0DF WEBSITE: www.stcatherines.info FOUNDED: 1885 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 900 girls (of which 260 in the prep school) FEES: Day £6,125 per term, Boarding £10,095 per term AGES: 4–18 HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Alice Phillips M.A. Cantab RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: By St Catherine’s own entrance examination at 11+ CONTACT: Registrar, 01483 899609, admissions@stcatherines.info SCHOOL VISITS: Friday 31 January, Tuesday 10 March and Thursday 30 April. THE CURRICULUM: In the first three years of the senior school, girls follow a broad academic programme which allows them to experience a variety of subjects from which they then select options to study at IGCSE/ GCSE. St Catherine’s offers 27 A-level subjects, providing girls with a perfect platform for higher education. Thinking Skills, a PPPE programme, a vibrant and relevant careers programme plus regular lecture slots complement the curriculum. All pupils have iPads. GAMES & THE ARTS: Exceptional facilities include a sports hall, fully equipped fitness suite, dance studio and indoor pool. In addition there is a large assembly/performance hall with superb acoustics for music and drama productions. We promote an ethos of ‘sport for all’, encouraging every girl, whether she is an elite player or playing for the sheer fun of it. St Catherine’s has its own popular dance school and studio. PASTORAL CARE: Girls are welcome to join our dynamic and successful school as day pupils, or as full or weekly boarders. Six school houses underpin the pastoral provision where girls feel valued and supported. ‘House spirit’ is strong as is a huge sense of fun and loyalty to the school and each other. BOARDING: Weekly and full boarding. A brand new sixth-form boarding house is opening in Autumn 2020. PERCENTAGE OF OXBRIDGE CANDIDATES: 10 -15 per cent on average. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Mrs Phillips believes that girls thrive best, both academically and pastorally, in a single-sex environment where happiness is the key to successful learning. St Catherine’s girls go out into the world confident that there is nothing that a woman cannot do.
St Edmund’s School Canterbury
ADDRESS: St Thomas Hill, Canterbury, Kent CT2 8HU WEBSITE: www.stedmunds.org.uk FOUNDED: 1749 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 259 girls, 293 boys AGES: 3–18 FEES: Nursery and Pre-Prep from £2,632, Prep day from £5,196, Prep boarding from £8,485, Senior day £7,044, Senior boarding from £11,397 HEAD TEACHER: Mr Edward O’Connor, MA (Cantab), MPhil (Oxon), MEd (Cantab) RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Entry into school by visit, assessment and report. Scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+. CONTACT: Admissions 01227 475601 EMAIL: admissions@stedmunds.org.uk SCHOOL VISITS:Open Days: 4 March, 6 May & 6 June; individual visits by appointment. THE CURRICULUM: A challenging and exciting curriculum throughout the school. Offers GCSE, IGCSE and A-level. GAMES & THE ARTS: The school enjoys a fine reputation for its sport, art, music and drama, an integral part of the learning experience. An exciting range of extracurricular activities keep boarders and day pupils engaged. PASTORAL CARE: The well-being of every pupil is supported by a comprehensive system of pastoral care. The chaplain performs a central role for the whole school. Regular communication fosters the relationships between the parents, the school and the pupils. UNIVERSITY PLACES: Pupils are given close guidance in making their choices and are successful in achieving places at their first choice university including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL and Durham. Pupils also go on leading institutions including London drama schools and the Royal Academy of Music. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We inspire creativity through a lifelong love of learning and nurture original thinkers who have a desire to make a difference. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: St Edmund’s offers an exceptional school experience where pupils are treated as individuals. One site for all pupils aged 3–18 including the Canterbury Cathedral Choristers. Located on a beautiful site overlooking Canterbury, the school s within easy reach of the South East and London; under an hour from London on the high speed train.
OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: St Catherine’s pupils’ attitudes to learning are exemplary and they enjoy a strong rapport with their teachers and peers. Staff create an ambience of encouragement where learning thrives. By the time girls leave St Catherine’s, they are able to think critically, have high aspirations and the self-belief that there are few things they cannot achieve.
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Worth School
ADDRESS: Paddockhurst Road, Turners Hill, West Sussex RH10 4SD WEBSITE: www.worthschool.org.uk
FOUNDED: 1933
NUMBER OF PUPILS: 600
AGES: 11–18
FEES: £5,510 - £11,740 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mr Stuart McPherson RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Roman Catholic ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Broadly selective. Online tests, activity/ interview day plus scholarship assessments. CONTACT: Mrs Lucy Garrard, Registrar EMAIL: admissions@worth.org.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Open days: 19 September 2020, 10 October 2020, 14 November 2020 and 13 March 2021
THE CURRICULUM: A broad liberal curriculum to inspire a love of learning and intellectual curiosity. A-level or IB available in the sixthform, pre-IB also offered. GAMES & THE ARTS: Pupils achieve top honours, including Olympic medals. Staff coaches have also played at the highest level professionally. The school is known for excellence in music, such as its Abbey Choir and for drama/musicals with at least three productions each year. PASTORAL CARE: Every pupil belongs to a house under the leadership of a housemaster or housemistress who has overall responsibility for pastoral care. Every pupil also has a tutor with whom they meet regularly, formally and informally, to review progress and to address issues raised through the extensive SMSC programme. Each house also has a chaplain, and every boarding house has a matron and assistant matron who provide further invaluable pastoral support. UNIVERSITY PLACES: Leading UK and international universities, including Oxbridge, Brown and NYU. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Worth is a place where we seek to uncover and ignite children’s passions and talents. The path a life takes often begins at school, and this is why we do not just provide education, we offer learning with heart and soul, and this gives Worth a difference that sets us apart. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – Caring community based on the Benedictine tradition – Stunning 500-acre location in the Sussex countryside – Academically ambitious with IB and A-level offered in the sixth-form – Huge range of extra-curricular activities – Outstanding reputation for music, art and drama – Growing reputation for top-level sports
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Walthamstow Hall Junior School
ADDRESS: Bradbourne Park Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3LD WEBSITE: www.walthamstow-hall.co.uk FOUNDED: 1838 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 160 AGES: 3-11 FEES: Nursery £325 per session per term; Reception to Year 2 £4,045 per term; Year 3 – 6 £5,100 per term HEAD TEACHER: Miss Stephanie Ferro, MA (Oxon), MA (Lond), PGCE (Surrey) RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: All girls attend a taster day where they are assessed, this includes test papers from Year 3 – Year 6. CONTACT: Mrs Alex Knight, Registrar 01732 451 334 EMAIL: registrar@whall.school SCHOOL VISITS: Please contact Mrs Knight to arrange a visit. THE CURRICULUM: A broad and well-balanced curriculum is taught by committed teachers. Learning outside the classroom and half termly whole school ‘theme days’, e.g. ‘Courage Day’, ‘Environment Day’, ‘Community Day’ are cornerstones to a creative curriculum. GAMES & THE ARTS: An extensive extra-curricular programme encourages the exploration of a diverse range of sporting and artistic interests. Pupils are taught by dedicated sports, art, music and drama specialists. PASTORAL CARE: ‘A caring and nurturing school where effort is celebrated and where learning is fun. The kind of school that girls run into every morning and leave “as the best version of themselves – not someone else’s version of what they should be,” as one parent puts it.’ – The Good Schools Guide 2019 RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: On average, 19 per cent of leavers gain scholarships, mainly to Walthamstow Hall Senior or Sevenoaks School. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: For 180 years we have been true to our founding aim to provide an education for girls which is full of opportunity, challenge and possibility. At Walthamstow Hall your daughter will discover that learning is an active process which enables her to get personally involved, not one which just passively happens to her. She will recognise that learning is a consequence of thinking. She will not merely pass through a door, but be set on a voyage of discovery. We are not promising a polished product, but a profound process. We are not about growing grass which will wither once it faces the real world, but cultivating patterns and disciplines of learning that will last a lifetime. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: - Specialised teaching facilities for young pupils include a science lab, art and DT room, music block and EYFS classrooms. - Use of Walthamstow Hall Senior School facilities includes weekly swimming and use of School Theatre for plays and concerts. - A ‘Creative Curriculum’, that is enquiry led and topic based, runs across the Early Years stage.
Walthamstow Hall, Sevenoaks
ADDRESS: Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3UL WEBSITE: www.walthamstow-hall.co.uk FOUNDED: 1838 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 420 AGES: 11–18 FEES: Senior School & Sixth Form £6,895 per term HEAD TEACHER: Miss Stephanie Ferro, MA (Oxon), MA (Lond), PGCE (Surrey) RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Selective entrance examinations and interview at 11+, 13+ and 16+. CONTACT: Mrs Alex Knight, Registrar; registrar@whall.school SCHOOL VISITS: Thursday 12 March and Saturday 26 September 2020. Book online THE CURRICULUM: Offers unusual breadth, choice and flexibility. Lively teaching from highly qualified, enthusiastic specialists to optimum sized groups of around 20. Girls study IGCSE and A-level. GAMES & THE ARTS: All pupils are encouraged to get involved. There are many opportunities to participate in a rich panoply of artistic, musical, dramatic and sporting activities. Students compete strongly at national and county level in sport and gain places at the National Youth Theatre and Orchestra. National titles currently held in athletics, badminton and swimming. PASTORAL CARE: A supportive and harmonious community where all individuals are respected and contribute. Belief that strong pastoral systems underpin academic progress and that emotional, personal and intellectual development go hand in hand. The personal development of pupils is excellent. They are confident and articulate young people, with a welldeveloped sense of right and wrong and a high degree of emotional maturity. UNIVERSITY PLACES: Typically over 95 per cent of students go to university, the majority to their first choice and over 75 per cent to Russell Group. Higher level apprenticeships recently taken up at Deloitte and IBM. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: For 180 years we have been true to our founding aim to provide an education for girls which is full of opportunity, challenge and possibility. At Walthamstow Hall your daughter will discover that learning is an active process which enables her to get personally involved, not one which just passively happens to her. She will recognise that learning is a consequence of thinking. She will not merely pass through a door, but be set on a voyage of discovery. We are not promising a polished product, but a profound process. We are not about growing grass which will wither once it faces the real world, but cultivating patterns and disciplines of learning that will last a lifetime. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTIC: Inspiring teaching, wonderful facilities, the close partnerships that exist between parents, staff and girls and a shared sense of pride in our history and achievements lie at the heart of our success.
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Westbourne House
ADDRESS: Coach Road, Chichester, West Sussex,PO20 2BH WEBSITE: www.westbournehouse.org/shm FOUNDED: 1907 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 350 AGES: 2 ½ - 13 FEES: £3,660 (Reception), £6,300 (Day pupil Year 5), £7735 (Weekly Boarder), £8445 (Full Boarder) HEAD TEACHER: Mr Martin Barker BA (Ed) RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective CONTACT: Ms Aline Pilcher, Admissions, 01243 782739 EMAIL: admissions@westbournehouse.org SCHOOL VISITS: Open morning 16 May or contact Admissions for a private tour and chat with our headmaster.
THE CURRICULUM: Designed to be holistic and stimulating, it’s an unforgettable journey of discovery: science experiments, IT, field trips, drama, poetry, art, music, kayaking. We attract talented teachers who bring the joy of learning to the classroom. We systematically teach pupils to be intellectually curious and confident learners across all fields with our cutting-edge High Performance Learning framework. GAMES & THE ARTS: We are passionate about sport, make time for ambitious drama productions, and believe in art and musical opportunities for all. Enjoyment and discovering individual strengths are key. Children are encouraged to be the best they can be. PASTORAL CARE: There is a strong sense of family and community here. Children have a comprehensive network of support, including the headteachers, teachers, form tutors, pastoral staff and houseparents. Our sector-leading wellbeing programme includes lessons and practical experience in leadership, learning for life (wellbeing strategies), peer mentoring and mindfulness. Charity work, cultural opportunities and trips are also part of the curriculum. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: Pupils go on to top senior schools including Bedales, Bede’s, Brighton College, Canford, Charterhouse, Cranleigh, Eton, Harrow, Lancing, Marlborough, Millfield, Portsmouth Grammar, Roedean, Wellington and Whitgift. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: 36 scholarships awarded in 2019 across the curriculum: academic (Brighton, Portsmouth Grammar), music (Brighton, Harrow), sport (Portsmouth High, Canford), art (Cranleigh, Seaford), drama (Hurstpierpoint), all-round ability (Millfield, Marlborough). HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: ‘A happy, healthy education is one that lights up young minds, explores the world around them, develops new interests and presents wonderful opportunities. All these elements are at the heart of a Westbourne House education. Our exceptional staff enable every child to become confident, resilient and achieve their best.’ OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: We give children the best of both worlds: an idyllic childhood, with opportunities for independence, self-discovery and adventure in 100 acres of beautiful parkland, uniquely coupled with an outstanding holistic education. Our pupils are known for becoming great all-rounders with well-developed characters.
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Christ Church Cathedral School
ADDRESS: 3 Brewer Street, Oxford OX1 1QW WEBSITE: www.cccs.org.uk FOUNDED: 1546 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 154 AGES: 2-13 FEES: From £1,441 a term in nursery; from £3,830 in pre-prep; £5,5710 a term in prep; £3,600 for choristers. HEAD TEACHER: Richard Murray RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective in nursery and pre-prep, subject to a satisfactory taster session; selective in prep CONTACT: Clare James, Registrar EMAIL: registrar@cccs.org.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Individual tours available throughout the year; forthcoming Open Mornings: 10th March and 10 October. THE CURRICULUM: We aim to instil a love of learning in all our pupils. Our curriculum prepares boys for Common Entrance and scholarships to senior schools. French is taught from nursery; from form five English and maths are taught in sets of ten boys. Reading is central to the life of the school. GAMES & THE ARTS: Our playing fields are among the most beautiful in the world. All boys participate in rugby, football, cricket, and athletics. Real Tennis, squash and swimming are also on offer. Being a small school, all boys have the opportunity to play in matches. Music permeates the school, which provides choristers for three choirs in Oxford: the Cathedral, Worcester College and Pembroke College. We have a large number of instrumentalists who achieve high grades. School productions are written by our head of classics. PASTORAL CARE: ‘Pupils’ strong personal development is successfully supported by the school’s values and practices. Its caring ethos is promoted consistently throughout all aspects of school life and it stems from the calm and considered leadership provided.’ (ISI Report 2017). Every pupil and member of staff plays a vital part in the creation of a culture of kindness. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Radley, Magdalen College School, Abingdon, St Edward’s, Oxford HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We have high expectations of our pupils; to take any other approach is an insult to those in our care. Our teachers are exceptional and it is their inspiration which sows the seeds of a love of learning. Manners are seen as the outward sign of a civilised life, of kindness, thoughtfulness and proper self-confidence. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: We are an intimate school set in an incomparably beautiful city with stunning playing fields and Woodland School. Three outstanding choirs, one of which is world famous, are at the heart of our community. Our children are intellectually vibrant, charming and self-motivated. Our school dogs, Gordon, Thistle and Tikka, help the children feel at home.
d’Overbroeck’s, Oxford
ADDRESS: 333 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7PL WEBSITE: www.doverbroecks.com FOUNDED: 1977 NUMBER OF PUPILS: Years 7-11: 195, sixth-form: 370 FEES: Years 7-11 tuition £6,050 per term; sixth-form tuition £8,100 per term; boarding £3,900 to £5,750 per term (weekly or full-time). Principal: Mr Jonathan Cuff RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Years 7-9: Assessment, reference, interview. Sixth-form: predicted GCSE grades, reference, interview. CONTACT: Sixth-form Admissions, 01865 688600 EMAIL: mail@doverbroecks.com SCHOOL VISITS: Individual visits by appointment. Next open morning: 16 May 2020 THE CURRICULUM: A broad curriculum in years 7-11 and an outstanding range of A-level subjects in the sixth-form. A-level subject choices are possible in any combination, plus enrichment. d’Overbroeck’s Plus offers ‘super curricular’ involvement and brings students together to work on crossdisciplinary projects. GAMES & THE ARTS: Busy sports and activities programme across the school and a new Tennis Academy for exceptional tennis players. Strong arts, drama and music departments. New facilities in the sixth-form including drama and music studios. New sixth-form building (and boarding) including art, photography, drama and music studios. PASTORAL CARE: Outstanding pastoral care regularly praised by students and parents. Major strength is support and encouragement for students. d’Overbroeck’s is very much a ‘people place’ where each individual thrives. First name terms highlight a sense of working together; underpinned by high level of mutual respect. Years 7-11 is for day pupils only and they are taught in very small tutor groups. In sixth-form each student has a Director of Studies who meets with them individually to discuss progress. Parents kept very well informed. Parent/student satisfaction is exceptional. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: d’Overbroeck’s is built on personal relationships, a lack of stuffiness and a strong conviction that every individual lies at the heart of the school. Students are creative, think for themselves and relish stretching the boundaries of their knowledge and do very well academically. A forward-thinking school full of energy, laughter and achievement. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Inclusive, collaborative approach with strong focus on learning being enjoyable as well as successful. Students’ views are valued and listened to; teaching is interactive and motivating in small classes. Students gain confidence in expressing themselves more effectively, in questioning, being independent thinkers, debating and feeling happy in themselves. Large direct entry at sixth-form (day, weekly and full-time boarding). Outstanding value added: 20 per cent A* at A-level in 2019 and 37 per cent 8/9 grades at GCSE. Superb sixth-form and boarding facilities.
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Elstree School
ADDRESS: Woolhampton, Berkshire, RG7 5TD WEBSITE: www.elstreeschool.org.uk FOUNDED: 1848 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 190 AGES: Nursery & Pre-Prep 3-7; Prep 7-13. Becoming fully coeducatinal from September 2020 FEES: Day £6,050- £7,250; boarding £7,550 - £9,700. Prep-Prep £3,950. HEAD TEACHER: Mr Sid Inglis, BA (Hons), P.G.C.E. RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England: All faiths welcome. ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Tour of the school, registration followed by a successful taster day. We would also ask for copies of a child’s latest reports. CONTACT: Mrs Tish Gauci, Registrar – Tel: 0118 971 3302 EMAIL: registrar@elstreeschool.org.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Open Morning on Saturday 29th February 2020, Elstree Girls’ Discovery Morning on Saturday 7th March 2020 and Foundation Award on Saturday 21st March 2020. We also welcome individual visits during term-time.
THE CURRICULUM: A first-class, progressive education in preparation for Common Entrance/scholarship to the first-choice senior school. We have an excellent track record of our pupils gaining places and scholarships at leading public schools. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport is an integral part of life at Elstree. Every child receives daily sport coaching and can represent the school. With four choirs, orchestras, ensembles, and 90 per cent learning an instrument, music is also thriving at Elstree. Drama plays a huge role with multiple school productions per year. PASTORAL CARE: Elstree School prides itself on the individual care that each child receives. Our dedicated staff play an essential role in supporting the pastoral programme which is a fundamental part of life in and out of the classroom. Each child’s academic and personal progress is monitored, attesting to our belief that personal growth and academic development derive from a happy, caring environment where children are encouraged and feel valued. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: Abingdon, Bradfield, Eton, Harrow, Marlborough, Pangbourne, Radley Sherborne, Stowe, Uppingham, Winchester and Wellington RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Abingdon, Bradfield, Eton, Harrow, Marlborough, Pangbourne, Radley, Sherborne, Stowe, Wellington and Winchester HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: At Elstree we are academically ambitious and provide a first-class, all-round education. Our pupils go on to the top public schools and we are immensely proud of the strong Common Entrance and scholarship record. The emphasis is on building confidence, developing talent and maximising potential. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: - Set in 150 acres, Elstree has an all-weather pitch, modern music department, a lake for kayaking, and forest for bush camps and crafts. - Children are nurtured and encouraged to work hard, but be kind. They achieve great things without feeling stressed or under pressure. - 45 scholarships and exhibitions have been awarded to Elstree pupils since 2015. - With class sizes averaging 13, Elstree pupils are given the opportunity to shine, and develop a sense of accomplishment and personal worth.
St Edward’s School, Oxford
ADDRESS: Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 7NN WEBSITE: www.stedwardsoxford.org FOUNDED: 1863 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 700 AGES: 13-18 FEES: Boarding: £13,160; Day £10,530 (per term) HEAD TEACHER: Stephen Jones RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Selective. Academic entry exams: ISEB Pre-Test and Common Entrance/PSB or St Edward’s own exams. Interview and school reports. CONTACT: Nicola Jones, Registrar EMAIL: registrar@stedwardsoxford.org SCHOOL VISITS: Most Saturdays during terms. Main Open Days: May for 13+ and September for sixth-form THE CURRICULUM: St Edward’s is at the forefront of modern educational thinking. A collaborative, engaging, discussion-based approach in the classroom prepares our pupils for university study and the workplace beyond. GAMES & THE ARTS: The professionally-run North Wall Arts Centre and the new Ogston Music School combine to create outstanding cultural opportunities for our pupils. Sport is a big part of school life with pupils able to participate at many levels. PASTORAL CARE: St Edward’s is well known for the strength of its community and the quality of its pastoral care. A comprehensive network of support surrounds each individual pupil, including House staff, Tutors, specially-trained Sixth Formers, on-site Counsellors, and our Health Centre and Chaplaincy teams. UNIVERSITY PLACES: Over 80 per cent go to the best universities in the UK and overseas. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We deliberately select on ambition, energy and curiosity rather than on raw test results; we actively seek a community in which a broad range of academic abilities is represented. Our character is shaped by our pupils’ willingness to engage – with each other, in the classroom, on stage, on the sports field, in the recital room – and in our local community. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – A green and spacious 100-acre site in the vibrant university city of Oxford. – Innovative new courses, Pathways and Perspectives, to be introduced from September to enhance the GCSE programme. – An outstanding pupil programme of volunteering and community activities. – A major new development opening later this year to provide world-class academic facilities and a stunning new hall. – A professional arts centre, The North Wall, running an impressive public programme alongside its role as home to pupil drama, dance and exhibitions. – A stunning Music School, and exceptional art and design facilities. – Alumni including Kenneth Grahame, Sir Laurence Olivier, WWII heroes Guy Gibson and Douglas Bader, aviation pioneer and engineer Geoffrey de Havilland, leading actors Emilia Clarke, Florence Pugh, Pippa Bennett-Warner, presenter Jon Snow and composer George Fenton.
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Open Events Summer 2020 Friday 15th May 9:30am Wednesday 24th June 9:30am
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Papplewick
ADDRESS: Windsor Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7LH WEBSITE: www.papplewick.org.uk FOUNDED: 1947 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 216 boys AGES: 6–13 FEES: Boarding £10,310. Day: Year 2 £7,470. Years 3 and 4 £7,470. Years 5 and 6 £7,920. Forces bursary available. HEAD TEACHER: Tom Bunbury BA, P.G.C.E. RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Visit and meeting with headmaster – all boys assessed but no entrance exam. CONTACT: Sarah Tysoe, 01344 621488 EMAIL: registrar@papplewick.org.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Next Open Morning: Saturday 2 May, 9 - 11am
THE CURRICULUM: Outstanding record academically at both CE and scholarship level to major public schools. We aim to challenge and excite boys through inspirational teaching. Broad but challenging curriculum with small class sizes. GAMES & THE ARTS: Rugby/football/cricket (12 teams), athletics, hockey, tennis, squash, golf, fencing, shooting, karate, scuba, polo. Covered swimming pool. Art and drama flourish. Cathedral standard choir. Three quarters learn musical instruments. PASTORAL CARE: A school which celebrates individuality and where boys can still be boys. The tutor/houseparent system ensures outstanding pastoral care. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS FOR THE LAST ACADEMIC YEAR: Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Wellington, Charterhouse, Stowe, Shrewsbury, Oratory. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Papplewick maintains its high academic record gaining no less than 38 scholarships to top independent schools in the last three years, including 3 King’s Scholarships to Eton. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: The excellence our boys achieve is worth little unless they are happy – thus, our most coveted prize is for greatest enthusiasm for life, contribution to the community and kindness to others. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Tatler Good Schools Guide award: Prep School of the Year 2018-19. Exceptional scholarship record.Outstanding preparation for top public schools. Best known for happy, confident and well-mannered boys. Three daily London transport services run from Brook Green, Hammersmith, and Gloucester Road area. Comprehensive daily activities programme (30 activities including 100-strong snake club). Daily chapel. Modern and family-friendly approach to boarding.
Greene’s Tutorial College
ADDRESS: 45 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP WEBSITE: www.greenes.org.uk FOUNDED: 1967 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 60+ AGES: 15+ FEES: From £19,200 per annum Bespoke programmes available on request. PRINCIPAL: Mrs Zoë Spilberg, B.A. (London), P.G.C.E. RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: The college is non-selective; we require an initial academic consultation,with diagnosis and assessment tests. CONTACT: Imogen Harris, Academic Registrar; 01865 664400 EMAIL: registrar@greenes.org.uk COLLEGE VISITS: The college is open every weekday between 9am and 5pm. Visitors are very welcome by appointment. THE CURRICULUM: Individual or very small group tuition allows for a flexible and directed curriculum for every student. An interactive leadership programme strengthens students’ academic study and interpersonal skills. ’Teaching, learning, and assessment are excellent and of consistently high quality. Students learn well and make very good process.’ Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), 2019 GAMES & THE ARTS: Greene’s has a thriving student social committee.
Students have access to a wide range of city and university clubs and societies, including membership of the famous Oxford Union. Careersrelated topical seminars are given by eminent speakers. Greene’s central location offers easy access to cultural and sporting facilities. PASTORAL CARE: Every student is assigned a personal tutor, in addition to academic tutors, who supervises and advises on academic study, personal development and guides and supports the student towards clearly identifies goals. ‘Excellent support is provided through regular meetings with a personal tutor on academic and personal matters.’ ISI, 2019
PHILOSOPHY: Our focus is each individual. We strive to provide independence and skills required for all students to succeed at university and their future career. We nurture individual talents; our students develop confidence and self-reliance leading to career success and personal fulfillment. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: • Each student has their own individualised programme; • Academic progress closely monitored by individual personal tutors and the director of students; • Our outstanding tutorial staff challenge, stretch and encourage; • Small groups and individual tuition to allow students to progress at their own rate; • A relaxed, friendly environment with academic rigour and sense of purpose in the heart of Oxford.
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Lambrook School
ADDRESS: Lambrook School, Winkfield Row, Nr Ascot, Berks RG42 6LU WEBSITE: www.lambrookschool.co.uk FOUNDED: 1860 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 560 AGES: 3–13 FEES: Nursery £2,113–£4,223; Pre-prep £4,223; Prep (day) £6,232–£6,770; Prep (weekly boarding) £7,580–£8,118 HEAD TEACHER: Mr Jonathan Perry BA Hons PGCE (Cantab) RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Informal assessment for pre-prep entry and formal assessment for prep entry. All parents are invited for a meeting with the Headmaster and a tour of the school. CONTACT: Penny Cardwell, Registrar EMAIL: registrar@lambrookschool.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Personal tours by appointment. Biannual Open Days in May and September. THE CURRICULUM: At Lambrook, we inspire our pupils from nursery through to year 8, ensuring an outstanding level of education from our exceptional and inspiring staff. We seek to equip and prepare our pupils for the next stage of their educational journey - our children consistently achieve a 100 per cent Common Entrance pass rate as well as numerous scholarships to top senior schools. GAMES & THE ARTS: We provide all of our pupils with an abundance of opportunities to discover, develop and showcase new talents. On-site facilities include 52 acres of grounds, a golf course, swimming pool and AstroTurf pitches. Our performing arts are first rate, producing West End stars, renowned choristers and musicians. PASTORAL CARE: We consider the nurturing of our pupils at Lambrook to be of paramount importance. Through an outstanding level of pastoral care, we enable pupils to flourish in a happy environment. We have a popular weekly and flexi boarding model, a strong focus on kindness towards others as well as many fundraising opportunities for both local and national charities. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Many scholarships are consistently offered in academia, art, music and sport. Our leavers go on to top senior schools including Eton, Bradfield, Wellington, Downe House, St George’s Ascot and Charterhouse. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: ‘Whilst opportunities abound at Lambrook, we recognise the vital role we also play in raising happy children. They have one opportunity for the education that will form the basis of their lives, and at the same time, one childhood. Our aim is to keep a happy balance between the two and to develop their “feathers to fly” ready for their senior school and life beyond.’ OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – Extensive grounds of over 52 acres – Day school with both weekly and flexi boarding available – Sports facilities inspire players from county to international level – Performing Arts Centre and brand new art, design, and IT facilities – Opportunities to make a difference through charity work and conservation
Ludgrove School
ADDRESS: Ludgrove, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3AB WEBSITE: www.ludgrove.net FOUNDED: 1892 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 190 all boys AGES: 8-13 FEES: £9,420 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mr Simon Barber RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England predominantly ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Non-selective in Year 4, assessment thereafter CONTACT: Registrar, Jossie Austen 0118 978 9881 EMAIL: registrar@ludgroveschool.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Open days in May and Sept, two years prior to entry for registered boys. Individual visits by appointment with the registrar. THE CURRICULUM: Our main focus is to build firm academic foundations and encourage a love of learning. We aim to realise the highest academic expectations for all the boys with first class teaching and small classes. GAMES & THE ARTS: We offer a vibrant extracurricular programme with exposure to music, drama, the creative arts and many sports, making the most of exceptional facilities including extensive playing fields, a 350 seat theatre, an astroturf, 20m indoor swimming pool, and well equipped art block. PASTORAL CARE: We have an outstanding body of staff who get to know the boys incredibly well, thereby understanding what makes each individual tick. Sophie Barber, the Headmaster’s wife, oversees the pastoral care and together with the resident matrons, school nurse, boarding house parents and all other staff is committed to ensuring that every child’s confidence and character are nurtured at every opportunity. Only if the boys are healthy and happy will they flourish in and outside the classroom. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: Eton and St Paul’s academic scholarships; Eton Classics Award; Harrow all-round scholarship; Marlborough art exhibitions; Radley and Marlborough sports scholarships. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We are unashamedly ambitious for every boy and are proud of our strong academic record. Most importantly, we aim to develop the boys’ confidence in a caring supportive environment, where each boy is valued as an individual, makes friends for life and can flourish and realise their potential. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: – Outstanding academic results, with over 70 per cent leaving to Eton Harrow, Radley and Winchester – 100 per cent full boarding with fortnightly exeats – Set in 130 acres of spectacular grounds, just 45 minutes from London – Delicious food cooked on-site using fresh local ingredients – An exciting addition for the 2020 academic year will be the opening of a £2.5m, state-of-the-art Exploration Centre, which will provide one of the finest prep school scientific and creative learning environments in the country. – Exceptional pastoral care
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SOUTH WEST SCHOOLS
Badminton School
Bryanston School
ADDRESS: Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3BA WEBSITE: www.badmintonschool.co.uk FOUNDED: 1858 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 470 AGES: 3–18 years FEES: Day fees per term: £3,331 – £5,612. Boarding fees per term: £7,535 - £12,995. Nursery sessional fees: £28 per session. HEAD TEACHER: Mrs Rebecca Tear, BSc, MA, PGCE RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Non-denominational ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Girls take entrance exams, sit an online adaptive test and are interviewed by a senior member of staff. CONTACT: Katherine Stewart, Admissions Manager: 0117 905 5271 SCHOOL VISITS: Individual visits welcome. Senior and sixth-form Open
ADDRESS: Blandford, Dorset DT11 0PX WEBSITE: www.bryanston.co.uk FOUNDED: 1928 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 375 boys, 312 girls AGES: 13–18 FEES: Boarding £13,231 per term; day £10,849 per term HEAD TEACHER: Mr Mark Mortimer (MBA, BA) RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England but other faiths welcome. ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: At 13, assessments and interviews (full details at www.bryanston.co.uk/admissions). At 16, entrance tests and interview. CONTACT: Anne Megdiche, Admissions Registrar, 01258 484500 EMAIL: admissions@bryanston.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Small group visits most weeks during term time. To arrange a visit please contact the admissions office.
Morning: Friday 28 February. Whole school Open Morning: Friday 8 May. Contact Admissions for further information or book online. THE CURRICULUM: The emphasis at Badminton is on a holistic education, not narrowly academic, and both the curriculum and the timetable are constructed to create a balance between academic achievement, personal development, life skills and other enterprising activity. GAMES & THE ARTS: The outstanding Creative Arts Centre provides girls with the inspiration and facilities to excel in the various mediums of art. Music is a large part of school life with countless opportunities to perform and develop. Sports and well-being is an important part of the school day. The new sports centre, which opened in October 2018, provides girls with top of the range facilities on site. With wide ranging activities from sporting performance pathways through to community and relaxation events, girls have a large number of opportunities to get involved. PASTORAL CARE: The size of the campus and community at Badminton gives a homely and vibrant feel to the school. This, coupled with excellent pastoral care,leaves no scope for anonymity, but rather lends itself to strong mutually supportive relationships between girls as well as between girls and staff. At Badminton, we wish every girl to feel happy and confident about her school life. We work to ensure a well ordered and supportive environment where we ask the girls to take responsibility for themselves and others. This gives them opportunities to face challenge and build resilience. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: At Badminton, our focus continues to be on nurturing the girls’ natural curiosity and fuelling their passion for learning. We believe in practically engaging with the subjects and really getting under the skin of them. The enduring excellence that Badminton girls achieve, stems from the positive atmosphere in the School and the holistic approach to education. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: While Badminton retains a nationally outstanding academic record, the community gives girls a chance to develop an understanding of the viewpoints of others and to think about contributing to the world around them. Girls leave Badminton ready to face the changing and challenging wider world and, when they do, they take with them a strong network of lifelong friends developed through a wealth of shared experiences.
THE CURRICULUM: Bryanston prides itself on the breadth and flexibility of its curriculum. Unrivalled one-to-one tutoring and state-of-the-art online assessment encourages pupils to develop independent learning while supporting progress at every stage. In the sixth-form we offer A-levels and both the IB Diploma and IB Career-related Programmes. All pupils benefit from one-to-one work feedback periods with their teachers. Creativity is encouraged in all pupils and in all subjects. CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Bryanston is renowned for the variety and quality of everything that happens outside the classroom, be it music, drama, sport, outdoor pursuits, leadership, academic enrichment or the many clubs and societies. These are all supported by outstanding facilities. Our approach is inclusive: participation is encouraged and valued, while ensuring that elite potential is identified and fully realised. PASTORAL CARE: Bryanston’s tutor system is unique, bespoke and at the heart of the school. We match pupils carefully to their tutor and they meet regularly, individually, to discuss all areas of school life (and beyond), throughout their five years here. This system underpins all that we do at Bryanston and is complemented by an extensive network of support and a house system which avoids tribalism and encourages lifelong friendships. UNIVERSITY PLACES: Pupils apply to courses best suited to their individual strengths and aspirations, at a range of universities including Oxbridge and the Russell Group, prestigious art foundation courses, as well as universities overseas. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Get stuck in, seize your opportunities, give 100 per cent to everything, support one another and be kind. Set high standards and clear expectations, take calculated risks and bounce back from failure to go again. Be curious and ambitious; be creative and intelligently challenge convention. Leave with a sense of the duty of service. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Every school will tell you it cares about the individual. Where Bryanston differs in practice is the time it allocates for pupils’ one-to-one contact with both tutors and teachers. This support makes a significant impact academically, socially and pastorally. We send pupils onto the next stage of their education who are comfortable and confident in adult company, and who know how to work successfully and independently.
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Canford School
ADDRESS: Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD WEBSITE: www.canford.com FOUNDED: 1923 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 387 boys, 275 girls AGES: 13–18 FEES: Boarding per term £12,686; day per term £9,657 HEAD TEACHER: Ben Vessey MA RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: At 13+, pre-assessment in Year 6 or Year 7, leading to Common Entrance, scholarship or our own entry tests in Year 8. At sixth-form, scholarship or our own entry tests in the autumn of Year 11. CONTACT: Susan Hogan, Registrar 01202 847207, admissions@ canford.com SCHOOL VISITS: Open Days: 25 April & 10 October 2020. Personal visits also welcome – please contact the Admissions office to arrange
THE CURRICULUM: The academic curriculum offers GCSEs, IGCSEs, A-levels and Pre-U qualifications. Canford is proud of its reputation for academic rigour and high achievement. There is an extensive academic enrichment programme across all year groups which develops minds way beyond the confines of any exam syllabus. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport should be for all, and at Canford it is. Sports scholars receive additional specialist coaching, with regular England and GB representation. Art, music and drama thrive and are integral to school life, with co-curricular opportunities as well as academic choices. The school’s extensive Community Service programme promotes social responsibility, teamwork, resilience and leadership.Over 8,000 hours of Community Action were given by pupils to local, regional, national and international projects last year. PASTORAL CARE: Ofsted rated the school ‘outstanding’ in its last inspection. ISI found the quality of pastoral care to be ‘excellent’ – the highest category – and a major strength of the school. UNIVERSITY PLACES: Over 95 per cent of leavers move on to university. 86 per cent of all university offers in 2018/19 were for Russell Group/Sunday Times Top 12 institutions. Over 100 places at Medical Schools in the past decade. Degree apprenticeships with PwC, Accenture and Goldman Sachs in past two years. PERCENTAGE OF OXBRIDGE CANDIDATES: Around 30 per cent of the upper-sixth apply each year. A strong record of success, with 96 places in the past decade, including a number of scholarships. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We are ambitious for our pupils and strive to ensure they recognise the coherence across and connections between their learning in all contexts. A key to our success is creating an expectation of personal achievement and ensuring the support is there to fulfil this. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Among the top ten most beautiful schools (Daily Telegraph), Tatler Public School of the Year 2019, Boarding School of the Year 2018 (Independent School Parent) and one of only seven independent schools to fully sponsor an Academy. Global links with schools in Rajasthan and Princeton, USA, promote joint learning, outreach in India, Argentina and Ghana alongside over 30 community projects in the UK. ‘All members of the school community feel part of something special,’ said a current parent. 198 | SCHOOLHOUSEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | Spring/Summer 2020
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Hazlegrove
ADDRESS: Hazlegrove, Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7JA WEBSITE: www.hazlegrove.co.uk OPENED: 1947 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 202 boys, 187 girls AGES: 2½–13 FEES: Pre-prep £3,016; Prep Day £4,794–£6,115; Prep Boarding £7,093–£9,051 HEAD TEACHER: Mr Mark White MA (Hons) RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Informal interview and assessment. CONTACT: Miss Ali Rogers, Admissions, 01963 442606 EMAIL: admissions@hazlegrove.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Open Days 2 & 14 May 2020 11am–1pm. Visitors always welcome during term time by appointment. THE CURRICULUM: The breadth and balance in the curriculum give pupils an opportunity to get excited about the lessons they have each day. The development of a creative and innovative curriculum sits alongside outdoor learning and sustainability. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport is a clear strength and significant success is achieved by pupils in team and individual sports. Drama and music are part of our DNA with choirs, ensemble groups and theatre productions filling in any gaps. Every pupil performing in a major drama production every year means the stage should hold no fears. PASTORAL CARE: There is a distinctive sense of community and wellbeing at Hazlegrove. The happiness of every child is a priority, especially for the 100 or so boarders. ‘The pastoral care of the pupils is exemplary.’ ISI SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: Numerous, including our own senior school King’s Bruton. Also Bryanston, Canford, Downside, Marlborough, Millfield, Sherbourne, Sherbourne Girls, St Mary’s Ascot, St Mary’s Calne and Winchester. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: An impressive 99 scholarships and awards have been gained to 27 different schools over the last three years – these included 20 academic, 30 sport, 15 music and 12 all-rounder scholarships and awards. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We delight in children being children and are committed to actively celebrating childhood, protecting those in our care whilst fully preparing them for when they leave the school at the age of 13. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: The Good Schools’ guide writes: ‘Try as we might, we could not find anything to fault about this super oneoff school.’ Pupils lay down firm foundations in all areas of the curriculum, on which they can build in future years. Academic rigour sits alongside creative ambition, teamwork and a love of learning. Hazlegrove encourages individuality and values determination and perseverance, as well as qualities such as compassion and kindness. For the boarders there is a genuine sense of belonging to the Hazlegrove family.
Port Regis
ADDRESS: Motcombe Park, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 9QA WEBSITE: www.portregis.com FOUNDED: 1881 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 320 (co-ed) AGES: 2–13 FEES: Pre-Prep £3,100; Prep £5,400–£6,700 (Day), £9,250 (Boarding) HEAD TEACHER: Mr Stephen Ilett MA RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Informal interview and assessment. CONTACT: Mrs Lally Holme, Registrar, 01747 857914 EMAIL: admissions@portregis.com SCHOOL VISITS: Open mornings are held every term or personal tours are available upon request. THE CURRICULUM: Our broad academic curriculum is second to none, enabling pupils to meet the challenges of pre-testing, Common Entrance and scholarship examinations. It is also designed to instill a love of learning and inquisitive, independent thinking. GAMES & THE ARTS: The school has an excellent reputation for sport at both team and individual levels. Music, art, design, drama and technology are also very strong and we benefit from outstanding facilities. Dozens more hobbies, clubs and after school activities are also offered. PASTORAL CARE: Every child matters at Port Regis and we take the responsibility of caring for all our pupils extremely seriously. We work tirelessly to ensure a nurturing atmosphere in which each child feels secure and happy. Boarding, in all forms, thrives at Port Regis and is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. SENIOR EXIT SCHOOLS: Leavers move on to a wide selection of schools including Eton, Harrow, Radley, Winchester, Marlborough, Oundle, Sherborne Boys & Girls, Canford, Bryanston and Stowe. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: 22 scholarships this year to schools including Marlborough, Bryanston, Sherborne, Sherborne Girls, Downside, Harrow and Radley. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Our aim is to provide an outstanding education which will set your child up for life. We also strive to equip pupils with the qualities of character and the confidence which will see them through the next stage of their education and beyond. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: - Superb education and teaching by experienced and highly qualified, specialist staff, as well as excellent pastoral care. - Proven track record of Common Entrance and Scholarship success. - Exceptional academic, sporting and musical facilities. - Pupils go on to a wide range of local and national schools. - Located within two hours commute of central London and Heathrow.
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Warminster School
ADDRESS: Church Street, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 8PJ WEBSITE: www.warminsterschool.org.uk
FOUNDED: 1707
NUMBER OF PUPILS: Approx. 550
AGES: 3–18
FEES: Prep from £2,865, senior day £5,310, senior boarding £10,600 HEAD TEACHER: Mr Matt Williams RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England and welcomes all faiths. ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Entrance exams, school reports and interview with headmaster. Entry at Yr 7, 9 and lower-sixth. CONTACT: Fiona Beach-MacGeagh, Head of Admissions EMAIL: admissions@warminsterschool.org.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Please register online for open days: April and October. Private visits also welcome.
THE CURRICULUM: We offer an extensive range of subjects to enable pupils to reach their potential. The co-curricular programme is a vibrant and vital part of school life. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport at Warminster helps pupils develop their understanding of the importance of teamwork, commitment, responsibility and leadership. Self-expression and the ability to communicate with confidence are crucial tools for life, with over 40 performances a year, pupils have numerous opportunities to perform in music concerts and drama productions. PASTORAL CARE: Warminster prides itself on the strength, warmth, consistency and thoroughness of its pastoral care. Every pupil, whether day or boarding, is in a small tutor group and sees his or her tutor twice daily. Their relationship is vital and the keystone of effective tutoring. UNIVERSITY PLACES: 92 per cent of our leavers get into their first choice university and course. Includes Russell Group and overseas universities. We advise and focus on the needs and ambitions of each pupil. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Clear and robust values underpin all that Warminster does and we are proud of our community spirited ethos. We have a strong and tangible sense of community and emphasis on an all-round education, where co-curricular activity is valued and treasured by pupils and staff. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: ‘We believe that it is our sense of community, mutual support and happy atmosphere that set us apart. It is genuine, authentic and impossible to contrive.’
St Mary’s Calne
ADDRESS: Curzon Street, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 0DF WEBSITE: www.stmaryscalne.org FOUNDED: 1873 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 365 AGES: 11–18 FEES: Boarding £13,295 per term; Day £9,915 per term HEAD TEACHER: Dr Felicia Kirk BA (University of Maryland), MA (Brown University), PhD (Brown University) RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Common Entrance, own entrance papers and interviews. CONTACT: 01249 857200, admissions@stmaryscalne.org SCHOOL VISITS: Individual visits throughout the term. Open days: 29 February and 25 April 2020. Pre-booking essential. THE CURRICULUM: Our focus is ‘Connected Teaching and Learning,’ encouraging girls to think broadly and deeply. We challenge girls to grow and develop personally, academically and socially, empowering them to be independent learners. GAMES & THE ARTS: Sport is key to school life and success is achieved at local, national and international level. The arts are very strong, with world premieres in music, London theatre transfers and art exhibitions. St Mary’s offers a unique course with RADA in the sixth-form. PASTORAL CARE: Praised as consistently outstanding, St Mary’s has a close and caring atmosphere, with a vibrant, warm community. Every girl is known and cared for as an individual. Girls can approach anyone for support, with tutors fulfilling a vital role. They support and guide the girls through every aspect of school life; from organisational skills and subject choices through to university application. UNIVERSITY PLACES: The majority of the girls gain places at their first choice university. Expert advice is given on UCAS, careers and university choices. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: St Mary’s Calne offers a transformative and empowering education in a relaxed environment where girls love learning and aspire to be their best selves. In a successful, happy school such as St Mary’s the pupils feel good about themselves; their talents and gifts are spotted and nourished. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: We provide an enriching, personalised curriculum, inspirational teaching and outstanding exam results. The school experience is enhanced by excellent facilities as well as trips, outings and over 40 extracurricular clubs. We are ranked 2nd independent secondary school in the South West (The Sunday Times Schools’ Guide, Parent Power 2020).
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CENTRAL SCHOOLS
Bromsgrove School
Cheltenham Ladies’ College
ADDRESS: Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 7DU WEBSITE: www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk FOUNDED: 1553 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 500 (7–13), 950 (13–18), 507 Boarders FEES: Prep day: £3,980 - £5,160. Weekly board: £6000 - £7,310. Full board: £8,280 - £10,215. Senior day: £5,695. Weekly board: £8,445. Full board: £12,740 (all per term) HEAD TEACHER: Peter Clague, BA, MBA RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Anglican ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Entrance examination and interview. CONTACT: admissions@bromsgrove-school.co.uk SCHOOL VISITS: Individual visits welcomed – contact Mrs Amanda James, ajames@bromsgrove-school.co.uk
ADDRESS: Bayshill Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3EP WEBSITE: www.cheltladiescollege.org FOUNDED: 1853 NUMBER OF PUPILS: 850 girls AGES: 11–18 FEES 2019/20: Boarding £12,780; Day £8,580; New sixth-form entrants boarding £14,390; New sixth-form entrants day £9,760 (all per term). HEAD TEACHER: Ms Eve Jardine-Young MA RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian – all welcome. ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: 11+, 12+ and 13+: CLC’s own exams. Sixthform: exams in chosen subjects for A-level or IB. CONTACT: Admissions Department: 01242 707070 or admissions@cheltladiescollege.org SCHOOL VISITS: 7 March, 6 June and 26 June 2020. More dates and private visits available, see the website for details.
THE CURRICULUM: Outstanding results at all levels including the IB Diploma, the majority of pupils go on to top UK and world universities. GAMES & THE ARTS: There is genuinely a big variety of sport on offer and Bromsgrove is consistently ranked in the top five independent schools for sport in School Sports Magazine. The school has recently had teams in national finals for hockey, netball, cricket and rugby. The extracurricular life of the school is hugely important with activities sessions every afternoon and on Saturday mornings. Pupils are encouraged to reach their highest possible level at sport, music, drama, debating, CCF and in numerous other areas. Major productions take place every year. A new performing arts centre was opened in November 2017. PASTORAL CARE: Each house has resident house parents and a dedicated tutor team. There are no exeats: Bromsgrove is always open at weekends. The school has a team of nurses who, under the control of the school doctor, provide on-site medical care in the school’s modern health centre. Pupils enjoy high-quality varied food. Prep school boarders are housed in a superb state-of-the-art facility, and weekly as well as full boarding is offered. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Bromsgrove’s scope is staggering: from A-level to the International Baccalaureate, day to boarding, the arts to sport, pupils can soar. Utterly dedicated to the individual pupil, Bromsgrove looks to produce creative citizens with a strong moral compass. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: The passion, vision and flair that have transformed Bromsgrove intellectually, culturally and on the games fields is also manifest in its latest facilities: a new home for performing arts; new residential buildings for senior and prep pupils and an immense sports arena development all show the School’s commitment to providing pupils with the very best environment in which to live and learn.
THE CURRICULUM: Students are taught in small classes by teachers with a deep enthusiasm for their subjects. We are committed to providing high-quality teaching which develops intellectually curious, self-motivated, enthusiastic young women with an enduring love of learning. GAMES & THE ARTS: We understand that every student is an individual, and appreciate the talent and potential of all our pupils. College offers a programme of over 160 co-curricular opportunities, including over 30 different sports and multiple drama performances and music concerts throughout the year. PASTORAL CARE: Pastoral care isn’t something that happens when things go wrong; it’s a constant support system for each girl’s time in College. Our academic staff, tutors, house system, chaplain and medical centre create a pastoral network to support every girl, from the reserved to the extrovert. Pupils also undertake a wide range of activities as part of a whole-school Wellbeing Programme. UNIVERSITY PLACES: Our dedicated Professional Guidance Centre offers a wealth of insight, expertise and opportunities to help encourage, guide, support and embolden students as they strive to find the right path. The Centre runs comprehensive programmes to support students applying for higher education, both in the UK and abroad, including specialist provision for US and Oxbridge applications. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: A 21st century education needs to inspire, prepare and equip young people to sustain a lifetime of independently sought learning, and give them the flexibility and resourcefulness to flourish in our rapidly changing world. Academic excellence forms the basis of College life, but girls also embrace the co-curricular programme, develop a global outlook, and enrich the communities to which they belong. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: College was founded in 1853 with the purpose of providing girls with a thorough academic education. We remain committed to that pioneering goal, and pupils from all corners of the globe benefit from the knowledge and expertise gained from over 160 years of putting girls first and pursuing educational opportunities for young women. Girls are at the heart of all we do and we are ambitious for their futures.
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CENTRAL & WALES SCHOOLS
SCHOOLS GUIDE 2019 NORTH INDEPENDENT SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR
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NORTHERN SCHOOLS
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NORTHERN & EASTERN SCHOOLS
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EASTERN SCHOOLS
Orwell Park School
Royal Hospital School
ADDRESS: Holbrook, Ipswich Suffolk IP9 2RX ADDRESS: Orwell Park School, Nacton, Ipswich, Suffolk IP10 OER
WEBSITE: www.royalhospitalschool.org
WEBSITE: www.orwellpark.co.uk
FOUNDED: 1712 in Greenwich London, moved to current site 1933
FOUNDED: 1868
CLASS SIZES: 12-16
NUMBER OF PUPILS: 750
NUMBER OF PUPILS: 300
AGES: 2 ½–13
FEES: Day £16,440 - £18,330; Weekly Boarding £25,230 - £31,335; Full
AGES: 11-18
FEES: Pre-prep day: £2,795 - £3,974. Prep Boarding: £7,715-£9,200.
Boarding £26,490 - £34,140
Prep day: £5,792- £6,386
HEAD TEACHER: Mr Simon Lockyer, BSc MEd
HEAD TEACHER: Adrian Brown MA, PGCE
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of England
ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Selective at 11+ and 13+ (assessment
ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Interview and assessment.
test, interview and reference). 16+ entry subject to GCSEs.
CONTACT: Bernadette Ross-Smith, Registrar
CONTACT: Mrs Kate Evers, Senior Registrar
EMAIL: admissions@orwellpark.co.uk
EMAIL: admissions@royalhospitalschool.org
SCHOOL VISITS: Please contact the school.
SCHOOL VISITS: Open mornings Saturday 2 May 2020 and Michaelmas Term 2020. Private visits by arrangement during term time.
THE CURRICULUM: ‘The school is extremely successful in fulfilling its aims of providing an academically challenging and fulfilling all-round education, and strong pastoral care where all pupils are able to benefit form a vibrant boarding experience.’ Independent Schools Inspectorate
THE CURRICULUM: Balanced and enriched with the aim of stretching and challenging pupils of all abilities through active differentiation in teaching and learning. 28 subjects offered at A-level.
GAMES & THE ARTS: Extensive grounds provide abundant opportunities for sport. Excellent facilities include an assault course, astroturf, golf course, games pitches, swimming pool, squash courts and sports hall. Art, design technology and music are real strengths.
GAMES & THE ARTS: Achievements outside of the classroom are as important as those within, and all pupils are encouraged to become fully involved in school life. This involvement helps produce confident, healthy and well-round individuals who will contribute to society beyond school.
PASTORAL CARE: Pastoral care is given top priority in ensuring that every child is listened to, cared for, valued and encouraged. RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS: 27 awarded this year. Academic, allrounder, sport, art, DT and drama. Local and national exit schools – Radley, Wellington College, Gordonstoun, Benenden, The Leys, Oakham, Haileybury, Oundle, Framlingham, Ipswich, Woodbridge. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: Inspire our children and make learning fun. Help every child to fulfil their potential in a supportive, nurturing environment in which they can develop a lifelong love of learning and the self-confidence and self-esteem that will prepare them for the future. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: High quality education in one of the most beautiful school settings in England. Orwell Park is a unique school where boys and girls of all abilities will thrive and enjoy their childhood.
PASTORAL CARE: Pastoral Care is at the heart of the school community and the ‘house’ evokes a sense of pride and belonging. Blake House for juniors in their first year offers a nurturing environment and a valuable stepping-stone to the senior houses (four boys’, three girls’ and two co-educational houses). Pupils in their final year are encouraged to live more independently in Nelson House, preparing them for life beyond school. UNIVERSITY PLACES: 97 per cent gain places to their first choice university. HEAD TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: We encourage pupils to show commitment, integrity and belief in themselves, whatever path they choose. Everyone has the potential to achieve exceptional things but we are all different. We focus on the individual looking for their strengths and nurturing their motivations. Education should be the foundation for lifelong happiness and success. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Sailing Academy on site: RYA accredited training centre with 60 racing dinghies from beginner to Olympic Pathway craft and a fleet of Cornish Shrimpers. Musical excellence: Chapel Choir perform at the Royal Albert Hall and St Paul’s Cathedral annually and Marching Band regularly play at Royal occasions and sporting events.
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SCOTLAND & IRELAND SCHOOLS
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DIRECTORY LONDON SCHOOLS | COUNTRY SCHOOLS
Queen Anne’s School, Caversham
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LONDON SCHOOLS
London NURSERIES
St Benedict’s Nursery 5 Montpelier Avenue, London W5 2XP T: 020 8862 2253 www.stbenedicts.org.uk Open Days: 21 May. ■■■■L
Cumnor House School Nursery 91 Pampisford Road, CR2 6DH & 13 Woodcote Lane, CR8 3HB T: 020 8660 3445 www.cumnorhouse.com Open Days: Personal Tours every day throughout the year. ■■L 134
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Eaton House Belgravia Nursery 3-5 Eaton Gate, London SW1W 9BA T: 020 3917 5050 www.eatonhouseschools.com Open Days: Open House or individual tours. Book at www. eatonhouseschools.com ■■L
Eaton Square Nursery, Knightsbridge Rutland Gardens, London SW7 1BX T: 020 7052 9019 www.eatonsquareschool.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
Eaton Square Nursery, Pimlico 32a Lupus Street, London SW1V 3DZ T: 020 7976 6511 www.eatonsquareschool.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
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University College School Pre-Prep 36 College Crescent, London NW3 5LF T: 020 7722 4433 www.ucs.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
Eaton House The Manor Nursery 58 Clapham Common Northside, London SW4 9RU T: 020 3917 5050 www.eatonhouseschools.com Open Days: Open House or individual tours. Book at www. eatonhouseschools.com ■■L Eaton Square Nursery, Belgravia 28 & 30 Eccleston Street, London SW1W 9PY T: 020 7823 6217 www.eatonsquareschool.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
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Thomas’s Kindergarten, Battersea St Mary’s Church, Battersea Church Road, London SW11 3NA T: 020 7738 0400 www.thomas-s.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
EIFA International School London 36 Portland Place, London, W1B 1LS T: 020 7637 5351 www.eifaschool.com Open Days: Contact the school ■■L
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Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys 2 Burnaby Gardens, London W4 3DT T: 020 8747 8393 www.falconsboys.co.uk Open Days: 12 Oct. ■■■9
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Hurlingham Pre-Prep The Old Methodist Hall, Gwendolen Avenue, London SW15 6EH T: 020 8874 7186 www.hurlinghamschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
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North Bridge House Nursery 33 Fitzjohn’s Ave, London NW3 5JY T: 020 7428 1520 www.northbridgehouse.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L The Minors Nursery School 10 Pembridge Square, London W2 4ED T: 020 7727 7253 www.minorsnurseryschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L Peregrine’s Pre-Prep 11 Woodborough Road Putney, London SW15 6PY T: 020 8992 5189 www.peregrinespreprep.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L Rolfe’s Nusery School 34A Oxford Gardens, London W10 5UG T: 020 7727 8300 www.rolfesnurseryschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
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Channing School 1 Highgate High Street, Highgate, London N6 5JR T: 020 8342 9862 www.channing.co.uk Open Days: 10 & 17 Sept. ■■■■■8
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Chepstow House 108a Lancaster Road, London W11 1QS T: 020 7243 0243 www.chepstowhouseschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
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Chiswick & Bdford Park Preparatory School Priory House, Priory Avenue, London W4 1TX T: 020 8994 1804 www.cbppschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
Young England Kindergarten St Saviours Hall, St George’s Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 2HP T: 020 7834 3171 www.youngenglandkindergarten. co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
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Abercorn School 28 Abercorn Place, London NW8 9XP T: 020 7286 4785 www.abercornschool.com Open Days: 13 Sept, 18 Oct & 22 Nov. ■■■■L
City of London School for Girls St Giles Terrace, London EC2Y 8BB T: 020 7847 5500 www.clsg.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■8 154
Cumnor House School, Boys 168 Pampisford Road, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 6DA T: 020 8660 3445 www.cumnorhouse.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■9
Bassett House School 60 Bassett Road, London W10 6JP T: 020 8206 7431 www.bassetths.org.uk Open Days: 27 March. ■■■■L
Cumnor House School, Girls 11 Woodcote Lane, Purley, Surrey CR8 3HB T: 020 8660 3445 www.cumnorhouse.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8 133
Broomwood Hall Lower School 192 Ramsden Road SW12, 50 Nightingale Lane SW12 & 3 Garrad’s Road, London SW16. T: 020 8682 8830 www.northwoodschools.com Open Days: 9 October. ■■L
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Bute House Preparatory School Luxemburg Gardens, London W6 7EA T: 020 7603 7381 www.butehouse.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■8 Cameron House 4 The Vale, London SW3 6AH T: 020 7352 4040 www.cameronhouseschool.org Open Days: Contact the school ■■■L
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Eaton House Belgravia Prep 3–5 Eaton Gate, London SW1W 9BA T: 020 3917 5050 www.eatonhouseschools.com Open Days: Open House or individual tours. Book at www.eatonhouseschools.com ■■9
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Eaton House The Manor Pre-Prep School 58 Clapham Common Northside, London SW4 9RU T: 020 3917 5050 www.eatonhouseschools.com Open Days: Open House or individual tours. Book at www.eatonhouseschools.com ■■9
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Eaton House The Manor Prep School 58 Clapham Common Northside, London SW4 9RU T: 020 3917 5050 www.eatonhouseschools.com Open Days: Open House or individual tours. Book at www.eatonhouseschools.com ■■9
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Eaton House The Manor Girls’ School 58 Clapham Common Northside, London SW4 9RU T: 020 3917 5050 www.eatonhouseschools.com Open Days: Open House or individual tours. Book at www.eatonhouseschools.com ■■■8
Devonshire House Prep School 2 Arkwright Rd, London NW3 6AE T: 020 7435 1916 www.devonshirehouseschool.co.uk Open Days: 6 & 7 May. ■■■■L
Eaton Square School 79 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PP T: 020 7931 9469 www.eatonsquareschool.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
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Dolphin School (inc Noah’s Ark Nursery Schools) 106 Northcote Road, London SW11 6QW T: 020 7924 3472 www.dolphinschool.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
Ecole Jeannine Manuel 43-45 Bedford Square London WC1B 3DN T: 0203 829 5970 www.ecolejeanninemanuel.org.uk Open Days: Visit the website. ■■■■■■L
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L’Ecole de Battersea Trott Street, London SW11 3DS T: 020 7371 8350 www.lecoledespetits.co.uk Open Days: Weekly Friday morning visits by arrangement. ■■■■L
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L’Ecole des Petits 2 Hazlebury Road, London SW6 2NB T: 020 7371 8350 www.lecoledespetits.co.uk Open Days: Weekly Thursday morning visits by arrangement. ■■■L
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EIFA International School London 36 Portland Place, London, W1B 1LS T: 020 7637 5351 www.eifaschool.com Open Days: Contact the school ■■■L
Dulwich College Junior School Dulwich Common, London SE21 7LD T: 020 8299 8432 www.dulwich.org.uk/junior-school Open Days: 12 Oct & 13 Nov. ■■9
Broomwood Hall Upper School 68–74 Nightingale Lane, London SW12 8NR T: 020 8682 8810 www.northwoodschools.com Open Days: 9 October. ■■8
Eaton House Belgravia Pre-Prep 3–5 Eaton Gate, London SW1W 9BA T: 020 3917 5050 www.eatonhouseschools.com Open Days: Open House or individual tours. Book at www. eatonhouseschools.com ■■9
Croydon High School GDST Old Farleigh Road, Selsdon, South Croydon CR2 8YB T: 020 8260 7543 www.croydonhigh.gdst.net Open Days: 12 Oct & 15 Oct (Sixth Form). ■■■■8
Alleyn’s Junior School Townley Road London SE22 8SU T: 020 8557 1519 www.alleyns.org.uk Open Days: 21 Sept, 3 Oct & 5 Nov. ■■■L
Blackheath Preparatory School 4 St Germans Place, London SE3 ONJ T: 020 8858 0692 www.blackheathprepschool.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
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Durston House 12-14 Castlebar Road, London W5 2DR T: 020 8991 6532 www.durstonhouse.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■9
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■ NURSERY ■ PRE PREP ■ PREP ■ SENIOR ■ SIXTH FORM
Eltham College Junior School Mottingham Ln, Mottingham London SE9 4RW www.elthamcollege.london Open Days: 21 Sept. Book online. ■■9 137
Fairley House School 30 Causton St, London, SW1P 4AU T: 020 7976 5456 www.fairleyhouse.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■Ls
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The Falcons School for Boys 41 Kew Foot Road, TW9 2SS T: 020 8948 9490 www.falconsprep.co.uk Open Days: 4 & 11 Oct. ■■■■9
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Hornsby House Hearnville Road, Balham, London SW12 8RS T: 020 8673 7573 www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
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Hurlingham School 122 Putney Bridge Road, London SW15 2NQ T: 020 8874 7186 www.hurlinghamschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
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Ibstock Place Prep Clarence Lane, London SW15 5PY T: 020 8392 5803 www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk Open Days: Friday mornings by appointment. ■■■■
The Falcons School for Girls 11 Woodborough Road, London SW15 6PY T: 020 8992 5189 www.falconsgirls.co.uk Open Days: 28 Sept. Email the registrar to book your place. ■■■■8 Falkner House 19 Brechin Place, London SW7 4QB T: 020 7373 4501 www.falknerhouse.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■8
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Fulham Prep School 200 Greyhound Road, London W14 9SD T: 020 7386 2444 www.fulhamprep.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L Garden House School Turks Row, London SW3 4TW T: 020 7330 1652 www.gardenhouseschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep School Gloucester Road, Hampton, Middlesex TW12 2UQ T: 020 8979 1844 www.hamptonprep.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
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Prospect House School 75 Putney Hill, London SW15 3NT T: 020 8246 4897 www.prospecths.org.uk Open Days: 15 May. ■■■■L
The Moat School Bishop’s Avenue, Fulham, London SW6 6EG T: 020 7610 9018 www.moatschool.org.uk Open Days: Please call for a tour. ■■Ls
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Prince’s Gardens Preparatory School (Opening September 2020) 10-13 Prince’s Gardens T: 020 7591 4620 www.princesgardensprep.co.uk Open Events: Contact the school. ■■■■L
Milbourne Lodge School 43 Arbrook Lane, Esher, Surrey KT10 9EG T: 01372 462737 www.milbournelodge.co.uk Open Days:Contact the school.. ■■■L
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Quainton Hall Harrow HA1 1RX T: 020 8861 8861 www.quaintonhall.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8
Queen’s College Preparatory School 61 Portland Place, London W1B 1QP T: 020 7291 0660 www.qcps.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8
Queen’s Gate Junior School 131–133 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5LE T: 020 7589 3587 www.queensgate.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8
Newton Prep 149 Battersea Park Road, London, SW8 4BX T: 020 7720 4091 www.newtonprepschool.co.uk Open Days: 12 Oct. Book online. ■■■L North Bridge House Pre-Prep 8 Netherhall Gardens, Hampstead, London NW3 5RR T: 020 7428 1520 www.northbridgehouse.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
Kensington Wade 205 Warwick Road, London W14 8PU T: 020 3096 2888 www.kensingtonwade.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
North Bridge House Prep 1 Gloucester Ave, London NW1 7AB T: 020 7428 1520 www.northbridgehouse.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
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Northcote Lodge 26 Bolingbroke Grove, London SW11 6EL T: 02cf0 8682 8830 www.northwoodschools.com Open Days: 9 Oct. ■■9
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Old Vicarage School 48, Richmond Hill, Richmond TW10 6QX T: 020 8940 0922 www.oldvicarageschool.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8
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Orchard House School 16 Newton Grove, London W4 1LB T: 020 8987 9886 www.orchardhs.org.uk Open Days: 14 March. ■■L
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Orley Farm School South Hill Avenue, Harrow on the Hill HA1 3NU T: 020 8869 7634 www.orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk Open Days: 15 May 2020; Wednesday mornings by appointment. ■■■L
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Parsons Green Prep School 1 Fulham Park Road, London SW6 4LJ T: 020 7371 9009 www.parsonsgreenprep.co.uk Open Days: 5 Oct. ■■L
Kew Green Preparatory School Layton House, Ferry Lane, Kew Green, Richmond TW9 3AF T: 020 8948 5999 www.kgps.co.uk Open Days: 18 Sept, 2 Oct & 13 Nov. ■■L Knightsbridge School 67 Pont Street, London SW1X 0BD T: 020 7590 9000 www.knightsbridgeschool.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
Lyndhurst House Prep School 24 Lyndhurst Gardens, London NW3 5NW T: 020 74354936 www.lyndhursthouse.co.uk Open Days: 16 & 31 Oct. ■■■9
MIXED SIXTH FORM s SpLD
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Kew College 24–26 Cumberland Road, Kew, Surrey TW9 3HQ T: 020 8940 2039 www.kewcollege.com Open Days: 23 Sept – booking is required, please contact the school to book a place. ■■■■L
8 GIRLS 9 BOYS L MIXED
The Mall School 185 Hampton Road, Twickenham, TW2 5NQ T: 020 8977 2523 www.themallschool.org.uk Open Days: 16 March. ■■■9
Kensington Prep School GDST 596 Fulham Road, London SW6 5PA T: 020 7731 9300 www.kensingtonprep.gdst.net Open Days: Visit the website. ■■■8
Latymer Prep School 36 Upper Mall, London W6 9TA T: 020 7993 0061 www.latymerprep.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
Hawkesdown House School 27 Edge Street, London W8 7PN T: 020 7727 9090 www.hawkesdown.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■9 The Holmewood School 88 Woodside Park Rd, London, N12 8SH T: 020 8920 0660 www.thsl.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■Ls
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James Allen’s Preparatory School 144 East Dulwich Grove, London SE22 8TE T: 020 8693 0374 www.jags.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school.■■■8
Francis Holland School (Sloane Square) 39 Graham Terrace, London SW1W 8JF T: 020 7730 2971 www.fhs-sw1.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8 Fulham Pre-Prep School 47A Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JJ T: 020 7371 9911 www.fulhamprep.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
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■ BOARDING ■ WEEKLY BOARDING ■ FLEXIBOARDING ■ BOARDING & DAY ■ DAY
Pembridge Hall School 18 Pembridge Square, London W2 4EH T: 020 7229 0121 www.pembridgehall.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■8
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Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School 16 Ravenscourt Ave, London W6 0SL T: 020 8846 9153 www.rpps.co.uk Open Days: 17 Sept, 10 Oct & 12 Nov. ■■■L Redcliffe School 47 Redcliffe Gardens, London SW10 9JH T: 020 7352 9247 www.redcliffeschool.com Open Days: Tours every Tues and Thurs. Please call to book. ■■■■L
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Sinclair House School 59 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JJ. T: 020 7736 9182 www.sinclairhouseschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L St Anthony’s School for Boys 90 Fitzjohn’s Avenue, London NW3 6NP T: 020 7435 3597 www.stanthonysprep.org.uk Open Days: Visit the website. ■■9
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St Anthony’s School for Girls Ivy House, North End Road, London NW11 7SX T: 020 3869 3070 www.stanthonysgirls.co.uk Open Days: Visit the website. ■■8 St Augustine’s Priory Hillcrest Road, Ealing, London W5 2JL T: 020 8997 2022 www.sapriory.com Open Days: 18 Sept (Sixth Form) & 12 Oct. ■■■L St Benedict’s Junior School 5 Montpelier Avenue, London W5 2XP T: 020 8862 2253 www.stbenedicts.org.uk Open Days: 21 May. ■■■■L
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Thomas’s Clapham Broomwood Road, London SW11 6JZ T: 020 7326 9300 www.thomas-s.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
St Dunstan’s College Junior School Stanstead Road, London SE6 4TY T: 020 8516 7200 www.stdunstans.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
Thomas’s Fulham Hugon Road, London SW6 3ES T: 020 7751 8200 www.thomas-s.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
St James Prep School Earsby Street, London W14 8SH T: 020 7348 1793 www.stjamesprep.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
University College Junior School 11 Holly Hill, London NW3 6QN T: 020 7435 3068 www.ucs.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■9
St Paul’s Juniors St Paul’s School, Lonsdale Road, London SW13 9JT T: 020 8748 3461 www.stpaulsschool.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■9 St Phillip’s School 6 Wetherby Place, London SW7 6NE T: 020 7373 3944 www.stpschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■9 Sussex House School 68 Cadogan Square, London SW1X 0EA T: 020 7584 1741 www.sussexhouseschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■9 152
Sydenham High Prep School GDST 15 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL T: 020 8557 7004 www.sydenhamhighschool. gdst.net Open Days: 14 Sept and 17 Oct. ■■■8 The Lyceum School 6 Paul St, City of London EC2A 4JH T: 020 7247 1588 www.lyceumschool.co.uk Open Days: 11 Sept & 6 Nov. ■■■■L
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The Study Preparatory School Wilberforce House, Camp Road, London SW19 4UN T: 020 8947 6969 www.thestudyprep.co.uk Open Days: Regular tours; contact the school for details. ■■■8 Thomas’s Battersea 28-40 Battersea High Street, London SW11 3JB T: 020 7978 0900 www.thomas-s.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
Wetherby Kensington 4 Wetherby Gardens SW5 0JN T: 0203 910 9760 www.wetherby-kensington.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■9
Wetherby School 11 Pembridge Square, London W2 4ED T: 020 7727 9581 www.wetherbyschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■9
Wetherby Preparatory School Bryanston Square, London W1H 2EA T: 020 7535 3520 www.wetherbyprep.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■9
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The White House Preparatory School & Woodentops Kindergarten 24 Thornton Road, London SW12 0LF T: 020 8674 9514 www.whitehouseschool.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
Babington House School Chislehurst, London Borough of Bromley, Kent BR7 5ES T: 020 8467 5537 www.babingtonhouse.com Open Days: 12 Oct. ■■■■L 154
Bancroft’s School High Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0RF T: 020 8505 4821 www.www.bancrofts.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
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Blackheath High School Vanbrugh Park, London SE3 7AG T: 020 8852 1537 www.blackheathhighschool. gdst.net Open Days: 12 Oct. ■■8 Bromley High School, GDST Blackbrook Lane, Bromley, BR1 2TW T: 020 8781 7000 www.bromleyhigh.gdst.net Open Days: 5 Oct. ■■■■■8
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ACS International Cobham Portsmouth Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1BL T: 01932 869744 www.acs-schools.com/acs-cobham Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■■L ACS International Egham London Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 0HS T: 01784 430611 www.acs-schools.com/acs-egham Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L ACS International Hillingdon 108 Vine Lane, Hillingdon, Middlesex UB10 0BE T: 01895 818402 www.acs-schools.com/acshillingdon Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L
Alleyn’s School Townley Road London SE22 8SU T: 020 8557 1500 www.alleyns.org.uk Open Days: 10 Sept, 11 Sept, 28 Sept & 6 Nov. ■■■■L
Dulwich College Dulwich Common, London SE21 7LD T: 020 8299 9263 www.dulwich.org.uk Open Days: 5 Oct. ■■■■■■■8 123
Ashbourne College 17 Old Court Place, London W8 4PL T: 020 7937 3858 www.ashbournecollege.co.uk Open Days: Contact the college. ■■L
Thomas’s Kensington 17–19 Cottesmore Gardens, London W8 5PR T: 020 7361 6500 www.thomas-s.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
St Nicholas Preparatory School 23 Princes Gate, London SW7 1PT T: 020 7225 1277 www.stnicholasprep.co.uk Open Days: 2 May. ■■■■L
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Channing School Senior The Bank, Highgate London N6 5HF T: 020 8340 2328 www.channing.co.uk Open Days: 19 Sept, 24 Sept, 10 Oct & 14 Nov. ■■■■■8
Eaton Square Mayfair 106 Piccadilly London W1J 7NL T: 020 7491 7393 www.eatonsquareschool.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L 70
Eaton Square Sixth-Form 30 Eccleston Street London SW1W 9PY T: 020 7491 7393 www.eatonsquareschool.com/sixthform-college Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
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EIFA International School London Duchess House, 10 Duchess Street, London, W1G 9AB T: 020 7637 5351 www.eifaschool.com Open Days: Contact the school ■■■L
Eltham College Grove Park Rd, Mottingham, London SE9 4QF T: 020 8857 1455 www.elthamcollege.london Open Days: 21 Sept. Book online. ■■■■L 137
Fairley House School 30 Causton Street, London SW1P 4AU T: 020 79765456 www.fairleyhouse.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■Ls
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Forest School College Place, London E17 3PY T: 020 8520 1744 www.forest.org.uk Open Days: 21 September. ■■■■Ls
City of London School Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 3AL T: 020 3680 6300 www.cityoflondonschool.org. uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■9
Francis Holland School (Regent’s Park, NW1) Ivor Place, London NW1 6XR T: 020 7723 0176 www.fhs-nw1.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8
City of London School for Girls St Giles’ Terrace, London EC2Y 8BB T: 020 7847 5565 www.clsg.org.uk Open Days: 18 & 27 September & 12 October. ■■8 154
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Croydon High School GDST Old Farleigh Road, Selsdon, South Croydon CR2 8YB T: 020 8260 7543 www.croydonhigh.gdst.net Open Days: 12 Oct & 15 Oct (Sixth Form). ■■■■8 DLD College 199 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7FX T: 020 7935 8411 www.dldcollege.co.uk Open Days: Please contact the college. ■■L
École Jeannine Manuel 52 -53 Russel Square London WC1B 4HP T: 020 3687 2330 www.ecolejeanninemanuel.org.uk Open Days: Visit the website. ■■■■■■L
Francis Holland School (Sloane Square, SW1) 39 Graham Terrace, London SW1W 8JF T: 020 7730 2971 www.fhs-sw1.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8 156
Fulham Senior School 200 Greyhound Rd, London W14 9SD T: 020 7386 2444 www.fulhamprep.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L Godolphin and Latymer School Iffley Road, London W6 0PG T: 020 8741 1936 www.godolphinandlatymercom Open Days: 20 & 26 Sept, 16 Oct. ■■8
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Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School Butterfly Lane, Elstree, WD6 3AF T: 020 8266 1700 www.habsboys.org.uk Open Days: 5 Oct. ■■■■■9
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Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls Aldenham Road, Elstree WD6 3BT T: 020 8266 2300 www.habsgirls.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■8 158
King’s College School Southside, Wimbledon Common, London SW19 4TT T: 020 8255 5300 www.kcs.org.uk Open Days: 14 Sept, 24 Sept (16+) & 8 Oct (11+). ■■■■9
Hampton Court House Hampton Court Road, East Molesey, KT8 9BS T: 020 8614 0857 www.hamptoncourthouse.co.uk Open Days: Every Wednesday. Please contact the school. ■■■■■L
Kingston Grammar School London Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6PY T: 020 8546 5875 www.kgs.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
Harrow School 5 High Street, Harrow on the Hill HA1 3HP T: 020 8872 8007 www.harrowschool.org.uk Open Days: 3 & 10 Nov. ■■■9 Highgate School North Road, London N6 4AY T: 020 8340 1524 www.highgateschool.org.uk Open Days: Please visit our website for details. ■■■■L The Holmewood School 88 Woodside Park Rd, London N12 8SH T: 020 8920 0669 www.thsl.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■Ls 157
Ibstock Place School Clarence Lane, London SW15 5PY T: 020 8392 5803 www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk Open Days: 21 Sept. Book online. ■■■■■■L
Lady Eleanor Holles Hanworth Road, Hampton TW12 3HF T: 020 8979 1601 www.lehs.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■8 Latymer Upper School King Street, London W6 9LR T: 020 7993 0063 www.latymer–upper.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L 84
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Kensington Park School (Years 7-11) 40-44 Bark Place, London W2 4AT T: 020 7225 0577 www.kps.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L Kensington Park School Sixth Form 59 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5JP T: 020 7225 0577 www.kps.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
Lycée International de Londres 1 Kings Drive, Wembley HA9 9HP T: 020 3824 4900 www.lyceeinternational.london Open Days: Contact the school ■■■■■L
ICF-1 Maida Vale School 18 Saltram Crescent, London W9 3HR T: 020 3196 1860 www.maidavaleschool.com Open Days: 27 Feb, 17 March & 23 March. ■■■L Marymount London George Road, Kingston upon Thames KT2 7PE T: 020 8949 0571 www.marymountlondon.com Open Day: 5 Oct. ■■■■8
James Allen’s Girls’ School 144 East Dulwich Grove, London SE22 8TE T: 020 8693 1181 www.jags.org.uk Open Days: 25 Sept, 5 Oct & 17 Oct. ■■8 John Lyon School Middle Road, Harrow on the Hill HA2 0HN T: 020 8515 9400 www.johnlyon.org Open Days: 21 Sept. ■■■9
Kew House School 6 Capital Interchange Way, London TW8 0EX T: 020 8742 2038 www.kewhouseschool.com Open Days: 16 Sept, 8 Oct, 16 Oct, 31 Oct, 15 Nov, 19 Nov & 25 Nov. ■■■L
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MPW London 90–92 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5AB T: 020 7835 1355 www.mpw.ac.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L North Bridge House Senior Canonbury 6-9 Canonbury Place, London N1 2NQ T: 020 7428 1520 www.northbridgehouse.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L North Bridge House Senior Hampstead 65 Rosslyn Hill, London NW3 5UD T: 020 7428 1520 www.northbridgehouse.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
North London Collegiate School Canons, Canons Drive, Edgware HA8 7RJ T: 020 8952 0912 www.nlcs.org.uk Open Days: Visit the website. ■■■■■8 Northwood College for Girls GDST Maxwell Road, Northwood, HA6 2YE T: 01923 825446 www.northwoodcollege.gdst.net Open Day: 5 Oct. Book online. ■■■■■8
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NorthWood Senior School 3 Garrad’s Road, London SW16 1JZ www.northwoodschools.com Opening: September 2020. All site event 9 Oct ■■■L
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Old Palace of John Whitgift School Old Palace Road, Croydon CR0 1AX T: 020 8688 2027 www.oldpalace.croydon.sch.uk Open Days: 5 Oct. ■■■■■■8
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Portland Place School 56-58 Portland Place, London W1B 1NJ T: 020 7307 8700 www.portland-place.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
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Putney High School GDST 35 Putney Hill, London SW15 6BH T: 020 8788 4886 www.putneyhigh.gdst.net Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■8
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Queen’s Gate 131-133 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5LE. T: 020 7589 3587 www.queensgate.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■8
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Queenswood Shepherd’s Way, Brookmans Park, Hatfield AL9 6NS T: 01707 602500 www.queenswood.org Open Days: 28 Sept, 2 Oct (Sixth Form) & 13 Nov. ■■■■■8
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Merchant Taylors’ School Sandy Lodge, Northwood HA6 2HT T: 01923 845514 www.mtsn.org.uk Open Day: Contact the school. ■■■9 2-3
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Royal Masonic School for Girls, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF T: 01923 773168 rmsforgirls.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■8
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St Benedict’s School – Senior & Sixth Form 54, Eaton Rise, London W5 2ES T: 020 8862 2254 www.stbenedicts.org.uk Open Days: 21 May. ■■■■■■L St Dunstan’s College Stanstead Road, London SE6 4TY T: 020 8516 7200 www.stdunstans.org.uk Open Days: Tours available in summer term. Open Days in Sept and Nov. ■■■■■■L
MIXED SIXTH FORM s SpLD
St Helen’s School Eastbury Road, Northwood HA6 3AS T: 01923 843210 www.sthelens.london Open Days: 21 Sept, 10 Oct (Sixth Form) & 6 & 7 Nov. ■■■■■■8 St James Senior Girls’ School Earsby Street, London W14 8SH T: 020 7348 1748 www.stjamesschools.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8 St Paul’s School Lonsdale Rd, London SW13 9JT T: 020 8748 9162 www.stpaulsschool.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■9 St Paul’s Girls’ School Brook Green, London W6 7BS T: 020 7605 4882 www.spgs.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■8 Sutton High School GDST 55 Cheam Road, Sutton SM1 2AX T: 020 8642 0594 www.suttonhigh.gdst.net Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■8
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Sydenham High Senior School GDST 19 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL T: 020 8557 7004 www.sydenhamhighschool. gdst.net Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8 Trinity School Shirley Park, Croydon CR9 7AT T: 020 8656 9541 www.trinity-school.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■9 University College School Frognal, London NW3 6XH T: 020 7433 2117 www.ucs.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■9 Westminster School Little Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PF T: 020 7963 1003 www.westminster.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school.
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Wetherby Senior School 100 Marylebone Lane, London W1U 2QU T: 020 7535 3530 www.wetherbysenior.co.uk Open Days: 5 Oct. ■■9
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Whitgift School Haling Park, South Croydon CR2 6YT T: 020 8688 9222 www.whitgift.co.uk Open Days: 21 Sept. ■■■■■■9
South Hampstead High School GDST 3 Maresfield Gardens, London NW3 5SS T: 020 7435 2899 www.shhs.gdst.net Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■8 154
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Wimbledon High School GDST Mansel Road, London SW19 4AB T: 020 8971 0900 www.wimbledonhigh.gdst.net Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■8
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Home Counties South 4-5
ACS International Cobham Portsmouth Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1BL T: 01932 869744 www.acs-schools.com/acs-cobham Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■■L
4-5
ACS International Egham London Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 0HS T: 01784 430611 www.acs-schools.com/acs-egham Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L
168
Aldro Lombard St, Shackleford, Godalming, Surrey GU8 6AS T: 01483 813535 www.aldro.org Open Days: 21 Sept. ■■■■9
Box Hill School Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6EA T: 01372 373382 www.boxhillschool.com Open Days: 5 Oct, 14 Nov & 11 Feb. ■■■L 173
Caterham School Harestone Valley Rd, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6YA T: 01883 343028 www.caterhamschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■■L
18
Charterhouse Godalming, Surrey GU7 2DX T: 01483 291501 www.charterhouse.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■9 Christ’s Hospital School Horsham,West Sussex RH13 0YP. T: 01403 211293 www.christs-hospital.org.uk Open Days: 14 Sept. ■■L
Ashdown House Forest Row, East Sussex RH18 5JY T: 01342 822574 www.ashdownhouse.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■L 174
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69
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Banstead Prep School Sutton Lane, Banstead SM7 3RA T: 01737 363600 www.bansteadprep.com Open Days: 6 Feb, 20 March, 6 May, 5 June. ■■■■L
Bede’s Senior School Upper Dicker, East Sussex BN27 3QH T: 01323 843252 www.bedes.org Open Days: 7 March & 12 September 2020. ■■■L
Edgeborough School Frensham, Surrey, GU10 3AH T: 01252 792495 www.edgeborough.co.uk Open Days: 4 Oct. ■■■■L
172
Farleigh School Red Rice, Andover, Hampshire SP11 7PW T: 01264 712838 www.farleighschool.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L Farringtons School Perry St, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6LR T: 020 8467 0256 www.farringtons.org.uk Open Days: 28 Sept. ■■■■■■■■L Frensham Heights Rowledge, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4EA T: 01252 792561 www.frensham.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■■L
177
Chinthurst School 52 Tadworth Street, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5QZ T: 01737 812011 www.chinthurstschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L 171
Bedales Steep, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32 2DG T: 01730 711733 www.bedales.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■■L Bede’s Prep School Duke’s Drive, Eastbourne East Sussex BN20 7XL T: 01323 734222 www.bedes.org Open Days: 29 Feb, 26 September 2020. ■■L
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Cranleigh Preparatory School Horseshoe Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8QH T: 01483 542051 www.cranprep.org Open Days: 26th February, 2 May & 17 June 2020 Please book a visit online. ■■■L
Benenden Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AA T: 01580 240592 www.benenden.school Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8
Cumnor House Sussex London Rd, Danehill, Haywards Heath, Sussex RH17 7HT T: 01825 792006 www.cumnor.co.uk Open Days: 27 Sept. ■■■■L
Brambletye East Grinstead, Sussex RH19 3PD T: 01342 321004 www.brambletye.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
Dover College Effingham Crescent, Dover, Kent CT17 9RH T: 01304 205969 www.dovercollege.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■L
Breaside School 41– 43 Orchard Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 2PR T: 020 8460 0916 www.breaside.co.uk Open Days: 9 Oct. ■■■■L
175
Brighton College Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 0AL T: 01273 704200 www.brightoncollege.org.uk Open Days: 25 April (college), 2 May (pre-prep & prep). ■■■■■■■L
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The Hawthorns School Pendell Court, Bletchingley, Surrey RH1 4QJ T: 01883 743048 www.hawthorns.com Open Days: 12 Oct & 22 Nov. ■■■■L Hoe Bridge School Hoe Place, Old Woking Rd, Woking, Surrey GU22 8JE T: 01483 227909 www.hoebridgeschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
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Lanesborough Prep School Maori Rd, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2EL T: 01483 880650 www.lanesborough.surrey.sch.uk Open Days: 12 Oct. ■■■■9
Leighton Park Shinfield Road, Reading RG2 7ED T: 01189 879600 www.leightonpark.com Open Days: 28 Sept, 8 Oct, 15 Oct (Sixth Form) & 5 Nov. ■■■L
182
IBC
Hurst College College Ln, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex BN6 9JS. T: 01273 833636 www.hppc.co.uk Open Days: 14 March, 2 May. ■■■■■■■L
6
Lancing College Lancing, West Sussex BN15 0RW T: 01273 465805 www.lancingcollege.co.uk Open Days: 2 May ■■■■■L
Longacre School Hullbrook Ln, Shamley Green, Guildford, Surrey GU5 0NQ T: 01483 893225 www.longacreschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
179
Mayfield School The Old Palace, Mayfield, East Sussex TN20 6PH T: 01435 874642 www.mayfieldgirls.org Open Days: 20 March & 21 April. ■■■■■8
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Parkside School The Manor, Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham,Surrey KT11 3PX T: 01932 862749 www.parkside-school.co.uk Open Days:Contact the school. ■■■ ■9 The Pilgrims’ School The Close, Winchester SO23 9LT T: 01962 854189 www.thepilgrims–school.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■9
Kent College, Canterbury Whitstable Rd, Canterbury, Kent CT2 9DT T: 01227 763231 www.kentcollege.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L King Edward’s Witley Godalming, Surrey GU8 5SG T: 01428 686700 www.kesw.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L
Lord Wandsworth College Long Sutton, Hook, Hampshire RG29 1TB T: 01256 862201 www.lordwandsworth.org Open Days: Contact the school.
Manor House School Manor House Lane, Little Bookham, Leatherhead, Surrey KT23 4EN T: 01372 457077 www.manorhouseschool.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■8
OBC Hurtwood House Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NU T: 01483 279000 www.hurtwoodhouse.com Open Days: Headmaster’s interviews by appointment only. ■■■L
Dunottar School High Trees Rd, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7EL T: 01737 761945 www.dunottarschool.com Open Days: 25 Feb, 29 April & 25 June. ■■L Eastbourne College Old Wish Rd, Eastbourne BN21 4JX T: 01323 452323 www.eastbourne-college.co.uk Open Days: 29 Feb & 6 June. ■■■■■■■L
Lancing College Prep at Worthing Broadwater Rd, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 8HU T: 01903 201123 www.lancingcollege.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
Embley Embley Park, Romsey, Hampshire S051 6ZE T: 01794 512206 www.embley.org.uk Open Days: 27 Sept, 28 Sept & 6 Nov. ■■■■■L
Cranleigh School Horseshoe Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8QQ T: 01483 273666 www.cranwleigh.org Open Days: Please book a visit online. ■■■■L Cottesmore School Buchan Hill, Pease Pottage, West Sussex RH11 9AU T: 01293 520648 www.cottesmoreschool.com Open Days: 29 February ■■■L
Guildford High School London Rd Guildford, Surrey GU1 1SJ. T: 01483 543853 www.guildfordhigh.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■8
Lancing College Prep at Hove The Droveway, Hove, East Sussex BN3 6LU T: 01273 503452 www.lancingcollege.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
Prior’s Field Priorsfield Road, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 2RH T: 01483 810551 www.priorsfieldschool.com Open Days: 5 Oct. ■■■■■8 176
Reed’s School Sandy Lane, Cobham, Surrey KT11 2ES T: 01932 869001 www.reeds.surrey.sch.uk Open Days: 4 per year. Please visit the website for details ■■■■9
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■ NURSERY ■ PRE PREP ■ PREP ■ SENIOR ■ SIXTH FORM
180
■ BOARDING ■ WEEKLY BOARDING ■ FLEXIBOARDING ■ BOARDING & DAY ■ DAY
Roedean Roedean Way, Brighton BN2 5RQ T: 01273 667500 www.roedean.co.uk Open Days: 5 Oct 2019 & 7 March 2020. ■■■■■■8
MIXED SIXTH FORM s SpLD
St Swithun’s School Alresford Road, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1HA T: 01962 835700 www.stswithuns.com Open Days: 20 Sept, 7 Feb. ■■■■8
Reigate Grammar School Reigate Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0QS T: 01737 222231 www.reigategrammar.org Open Days: 5 March, 30 April, 14 May, 16 June & 18 June. ■■■■L Reigate St Mary’s Chart Lane, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7RN T: 01737 244880 www.reigatestmarys.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
8 GIRLS 9 BOYS L MIXED
179
Tonbridge School High St, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1JP T: 01732 304297 www.tonbridge-school.co.uk Open Days: 14 Sept (Sixth Form) & 5 Oct. ■■■■9 Tormead School Cranley Rd, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2JD T: 01483 796040 www.tormeadschool.org.uk Open Days: 17 Sept, 9 Oct & 20 Nov. ■■■■■8 Walhampton Lymington, Hampshire SO41 5ZG T: 01590 613300 www.walhampton.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L
The Royal Alexandra and Albert School Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0TD T: 01737 649000 www.raa-school.co.uk Open Days:Contact the school. ■■■■■L
The Royal Grammar School, Guildford High St, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3BB T: 01483 880600 www.rgs-guildford.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■9 Trinity School & College 10-13 New Road, Rochester, Kent ME1 1BG T: 01634www 812233 www.trinityschoolrochester.co.uk Open Days: Contact school for a tour. ■■■■■Ls Sevenoaks Prep School Godden Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0JU T: 01732 762336 www.theprep.org.uk Open Days: Open to visits any day during term time. ■■■L
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Sevenoaks School Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1HU T: 01732 455133 www.sevenoaksschool.org Open Days: 28 September. ■■■L
183
Walthamstow Hall Junior School Bradbourne Park Road, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3LD T: 01732 451334 www.walthamstow–hall.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■8
30
Wellington College Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 7PU T: 01344 444013 www.wellingtoncollege.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
St Hilary’s Preparatory School Holloway Hill, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1RZ T: 01483 416551 www.sthilarysschool.com Open Days: 20 & 21 Sept, 15 Nov & 28 Feb. ■■■■L
Westbourne House School Coach Rd, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 2BH T: 01243 782739 www.westbournehouse.org Open Days: 28 Septl. ■■■■■■L
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103
Windlesham House School West Sussex RH20 4AY T: 01903 874701 www.windlesham.com Open Days: 5th Oct. ■■■L 182
Worth School Paddock Road, Turners Hill, West Sussex RH10 4SD T: 01342 710200 www.worthschool.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
Beachborough School Westbury, Nr. Brackley, Nort Hants NN13 5LB T: 01280 700071 www.beachborough.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L Beechwood Park Markyate, Herts AL3 8AW T: 01582 840333 www.beechwoodpark.com Open Days: 18 Oct & 14 Feb 2020. ■■■■■■■L Berkhamsted School Overton House, 131 High Street Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 2DJ T: 01442 358001 www.berkhamsted.com Open Days: 28 Feb (nursery, preprep & prep), 29 Feb (Heatherton) 24 Sept (sixth-form),25 Sept (senior boys & girls), 2 Oct (pre-prep, prep & Heatherton), 3 Oct (nursery, preprep, prep & Heatherton) ■■■■■■L
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187
Downe House Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 9JJ T: 01635 200286 www.downehouse.net Open Days: 23 Nov & 18 Jan 2020. ■■■8 d’Overbroeck’s 333 Banbury Road, OX2 7PL T: 01865 310000 www.doverbroecks.com Open Days: 5 Oct & 12 Nov (Sixth Form). ■■■L
Elstree School Woolhampton, Reading, Berkshire RG7 5TD T: 0118971 3302 www.elstreeschool.org.uk Open Days: 12 Oct. ■■■■■9 Felsted Preparatory School Felsted, Essex CM6 3JL T: 01371 822611 www.felsted.org/prephome Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■L
186
Felsted School Felsted, Essex CM6 3LL T: 01371 822600 www.felsted.org Open Days: 28 Sept. ■■■■L
190
Greenes Tutorial College 45, Pembroke Street, Oxford, OX1 1BP T: 01865 248308 www.greenes.org.uk Open Days: Please contact the college. ■■L
188
Haileybury Haileybury, Hertford SG13 7NU T: 01992 706353 www.haileybury.com Open Days: 6 Oct. ■■■L
188
Highfield Preparatory School 2, West Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1PD T: 01628 624918 www.highfieldprep.org Open Days: 27 Sept & 16 Nov. ■■■■8
16
Heathfield School London Road, Ascot SL5 8BQ T: 01344 898 342 www.heathfieldschool.net Open Days: 7 March & 2 May. ■■■■8
Christ Church Cathedral School 3 Brewer Street, Oxford OX1 1QW T: 01865 242 561 www.cccs.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■9 Cothill House Cothill, Oxfordshire, OX13 6JL T: 01865 390800 www.cothill.net Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L
186
Eton College Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 6DW T: 01753 370611 www.etoncollege.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■9
Bancroft’s School High Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0RF T: 020 8505 4821 www.www.bancrofts.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
Cheam School Headley, Newbury, Berkshire RG19 8LD T: 01635 267822 www.cheamschool.com Open Days: Visits by appointment. ■■■■■■L 185
Dragon School Bardwell Rd, Oxford OX2 6SS T: 01865 315413 www.dragonschool.org Open Days: 21 Sept, 12 Oct & 15 Nov. ■■■L
ACS International Hillingdon 108 Vine Lane, Hillingdon, Middlesex UB10 0BE T: 01895 818402 www.acs-schools.com/acshillingdon Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L Ashfold School Dorton House, Dorton, Bucks HP18 9NG T: 01844 238237 www.ashfoldschool.co.uk Open Days: 12 Oct, 7 Feb & 9 May. ■■■■■L
Winchester College College St, Winchester, SO23 9NA T: 01962 621100 www.winchestercollege.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■9
St Catherine’s, Bramley Station Rd, Bramley, Guildford GU5 0DF T: 01483 899609 www.stcatherines.info Open Days: 31 Jan, 10 March & 30 April. ■■■■■■■8 St Edmund’s School Canterbury St Thomas’ Hill, Canterbury, Kent CT2 8HU T: 01227 475601 www.stedmunds.org.uk Open Days: 28 Sept. ■■■■■■L
Walthamstow Hall Holly Bush Ln, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3UL T: 01732 451334 www.walthamstow–hall.co.uk Open Days: 28 September. ■■■■■■8
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The New Beacon School Brittains Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2PB T: 01732 452131 www.newbeacon.org.uk Open Days: 11 October. ■■■■■9
Rowan Prep School 6 Fitzalan Road, Claygate, Esher, Surrey, KT10 0LX T: 01372 462627 www.rowanprepschool.co.uk Open Days: 13 March & 14 May. ■■■8
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Home Counties North
Horris Hill Newtown, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 9DJ T: 01635 40594 www.horrishill.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■9 191
Lambrook School Winkfield Road, Nr Ascot Berkshire RG42 6LU T: 01344 882717 www.lambrookschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L Leighton Park School Shinfield Road, Reading, RG40 3AB T: 01189 879600 www.leightonpark.com Open Days: 28 Sept, 15 Oct & 5 Nov. ■■L
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Home Counties North South West 191
Ludgrove School Ludgrove, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3AB T: 01189 789881 www.ludgrove.net Open Days: Contact the school. ■■9
189
Magdalen College School Oxford OX4 1DZ. T: 01865 242191 www.mcsoxford.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■9
188
189
Moulsford Preparatory School Moulsford-on-Thames, Oxfordshire OX10 9HR T: 01491 651438 www.moulsford.com Open Days: 20 & 21 Sept. ■■■■9 New Hall School The Avenue, Boreham, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 3HS T: 01245 236098 www.newhallschool.co.uk Open Days: 28 Sept. ■■■■L The Oratory Preparatory School Goring Heath, South Oxfordshire RG8 7SF T: 0118 9844511 www.oratoryprep.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■L The Oratory School Woodcote, Nr Reading, South Oxfordshire RG8 0PJ T: 01491 683522 www.oratory.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■9
88-89 Oxford Media & Business School 1 Cambridge Terrace, Oxford, OX1 1RR T: 01865 240963 www.oxfordbusiness.co.uk Open Days: Contact Sarah Badger, Admissions L 189
190
163
194
St Christopher School Barrington Rd, Letchworth Garden City, Herts SG6 3JZ T: 01462 650947 www.stchris.co.uk Open Days: 10 March & 25 June. ■■■■■■L
192
St Edmund’s College and Preparatory School Old Hall Green, Ware, Herts SG11 1DS T: 01920 824247 www.stedmundscollege.org Open Days: 22 Sept. ■■■■■L
9 187
St Edward’s Oxford Woodstock Rd, Oxford, OX2 7NN T: 01865 319200 www.stedwardsoxford.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
195
193
195
83
Pangbourne College Pangbourne, Reading, Berkshire RG8 8LA T: 01189 767415 www.pangbourne.com Open Days: 21 Sept. ■■■L Papplewick Windsor Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7LH T: 01344 621488 www.papplewick.org.uk Open Days: 2 May ■■■9 Pipers Corner School Pipers Lane, Great Kingshill, High Wycombe, Bucks HP15 6LP T: 01494 718255 www.piperscorner.co.uk Open Days: 5 Oct. ■■■■■8
193
194
Queen Anne’s School Henley Rd, Caversham, Berkshire RG4 6DX T: 01189 187333 www.qas.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8
194
196
196
Queenswood Shepherd’s Way, Brookmans Park, Hatfield, Herts AL9 6NS T: 01707 602500 www.queenswood.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8 Shiplake College Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 4BW T: 0118 940 2455 www.shiplake.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. Sherfield School
Sherfield-on-Loddon, Hook, Hampshire RG27 0HU T: 01256 884800 sherfieldschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school ■■■■■L
192
St Francis’ College Broadway, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire SG6 3PJ T: 01462 670511 www.st-francis.herts.sch.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■8 St George’s Ascot Wells Lane, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7DZ T: 01344 629920 www.stgeorges-ascot.org.uk Open Days: 6 March. ■■■8
All Hallows Prep School Cranmore Hall, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 4SF T: 01749 881600 www.allhallowsschool.co.uk Open Days: Termly. ■■■■■■L 197
Bruton School for Girls Sunny Hill, Bruton, Somerset BA10 0NT. T: 01258 452411 www.brutonschool.co.uk Open Days: 19 Sept & 23 Oct. ■■■■8 197
198
St George’s School Windsor Castle, Datchet Road, Windsor SL4 1QF T: 01753 865553 www.stgwindsor.org Open Days: 13 March. ■■■■■■L Stowe School Stowe, Buckingham MK18 5EH T: 01280 818205 www.stowe.co.uk Open Days: 7 March (13+) & 25 April (16+). ■■■L
Badminton School Westbury Rd, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3BA. T: 0117 905 5271 www.badmintonschool.co.uk Open Days: 28 Feb (Senior & Sixth Form) & 8 May (Whole School). ■■■■■■■■8
Bryanston School Blandford, Dorset DT11 0PX T: 01258 452411 www.bryanston.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
Summer Fields Mayfield Road, Oxford OX2 7EN T: 01865 459 204 www.summerfields.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■9
Downside School Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Bath, Somerset BA3 4RJ. T: 01761 235330 www.downside.co.uk Open Days: 7 March & 16 May. ■■■L Godolphin School Milford Hill, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2RA T: 01722 430509 www.godolphin.org Open Days: Visit the website. ■■■■■■■■8
Tring Park School for the Performing Arts Mansion Drive, Tring, Herts HP23 5LX T: 01442 824255 www.tringpark.com Open Days: 4, 10 & 11 Oct. ■■■■L
198
Tudor Hall Wykham Park, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 9UR T: 01295 756263 www.tudorhallschool.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8
Hanford School Child Okeford, Blandford, Dorset DT11 8HN T: 01258 860219 www.hanford.dorset.sch.uk Open Days: 5 Oct. ■■■■8
201
Winchester House School 44 High St, Brackley, Northants NN13 7AZ T: 01280 846497 www.winchester-house.org Open Days: 28 Sept & 15 Nov. ■■■■■■L
Hazlegrove Preparatory School Hazlegrove, Sparkford, Somerset BA22 7JA T: 01963 442606 www.hazlegrove.co.uk Open Days: 5 & 11 Oct. ■■■■L
202
King Edward’s School Bath North Road, Bath BA2 6HU T: 01225 820399 www.kesbath.com Open Days: 20 & 21 Sept. ■■■■■■L
York House Sarratt Road, Rickmansworth, Herts WD3 4LW T: 01923 772 395 www.york-house.com Open Days: 5 Oct. ■■■L
Kingswood Senior Lansdown Road, Bath BA1 5RG T: 01225 734200 www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L
202
Knighton House School Durweston, Blandford, Dorset DT11 0PY. T: 01258 452065 www.knightonhouse.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■8
Kingswood Prep College Road, Bath BA1 5SD T: 01225 734460 www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk/prep Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L
Leweston School Sherborne, Dorset DT9 6EN T: 01963 210691 www.leweston.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L Marlborough College Bath Rd, Marlborough, Wilts SN81PA. T: 01672 892300 www.marlboroughcollege.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
202
Canford School Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD T: 01202 847207 www.canford.com Open Days: 25 April & 10 Oct. ■■■L Dauntsey’s School West Lavington, Devizes,Wiltshire SN10 4HE. T: 01380 814500 www.dauntseys.org Open Days: 12 Oct. ■■■L
199
199
Millfield School Street, Somerset BA16 0YD T: 01458 444296 www.millfieldschool.com Open Days: 5 Oct. ■■■L Millfield Prep Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 8LD T: 01458 832446 www.millfieldprep.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L
28
Milton Abbey School Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 0BZ T: 01258 880484 www.miltonabbey.co.uk Open Days: 5 Oct (Lower) & 9 Nov (Upper). ■■■L
200
Monkton School Monkton Combe,Bath BA2 7HG T: 01225 721133 www.monktoncombeschool.com Open Days: 15 Sept, 5 Oct, 15 & 16 Nov. ■■■■■■■■L
200
Perrott Hill School North Perrott, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 7SL T: 01460 72051 www.perrotthill.com Open Days: 4 Oct. ■■■■■■L Pinewood School Bourton, Shrivenham, Wilts SN6 8HZ T: 01793 782554 www.pinewoodschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L
201
Port Regis Motcombe Park, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 9QA T: 01747 857800 www.portregis.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L The Royal High School Bath, GDST Lansdown Rd, Bath BA1 5SZ T: 01225 313877 www.royalhighbath.gdst.net Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■■8
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■ NURSERY ■ PRE PREP ■ PREP ■ SENIOR ■ SIXTH FORM
Central 203
Sandroyd School Sandroyd, Rushmore, Tollard Royal, Sailsbury, Wilts SP5 5QD T: 01725 530124 www.sandroyd.org Open Days: 29 February, 16 May & 6 Jun. ■■■■■■L Sexey’s School Cole Road, Bruton, Somerset BA10 0DF T: 01749 813393 www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■L Sherborne School Abbey Rd, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3AP T: 01935 810403 www.sherborne.org Open Days: Group open mornings available, please call to find out more and book a place. ■■■■9
Sherborne Girls Bradford Rd, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3QN T: 01935 818224 www.sherborne.com Open Days: Group open mornings available, please call to find out more and book a place. ■■■8
206
204
St Mary’s Calne Calne, Wilts SN11 0DF T: 01249 857200 www.stmaryscalne.org Open Days: 19 Oct & 9 Nov. ■■■8
203
St Mary’s School, Shaftesbury Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 9LP T: 01747 852416 www.stmshaftesbury.uk Open Days: 4 Oct, 6 Dec. ■■■■■8
200
Talbot Heath Rothesay Rd, Bournemouth BH4 9NJ T: 01202 761881 www.talbotheath.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■■8 Taunton School Staplegrove Rd, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6AD T: 01823 703703 www.tauntonschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L
203 204
Warminster School Church St, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 8PJ T: 01985 210160 www.warminsterschool.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L Wells Cathedral School The Liberty, Wells, Somerset BA5 2ST T: 01749 834200 wells.cathedral.school Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■L
Abbotsholme School Rocester, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 5BS T: 01889 590217 www.abbotsholme.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■L
The Downs Malvern Brockhill Rd, Colwall, Worcestershire WR13 6EY T: 01684 544100 www.thedownsmalvern.org.uk Open Days: 11 & 12nOct. ■■■■■L
Adcote School for Girls Little Ness, Shrewsbury Shropshire SY4 2JY T: 01939 261346 www.adcoteschool.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school ■■■■■■■8
Headington School 26 London Road, Oxford, OX3 7PB T: 01865 759400 www.headington.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■8
206
Abberley Hall School Worcester WR6 6DD T: 01299 896275 www.abberleyhall.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■L
206
Beaudesert Park School Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire GL6 9AF T: 01453 832072 www.beaudesert.gloucs.sch.uk Open Day: 20 March. ■■■■■■L
208
Sherborne Preparatory School Acreman St, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3NY T: 01935 810911 www.sherborneprep.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L
205
205
■ BOARDING ■ WEEKLY BOARDING ■ FLEXIBOARDING ■ BOARDING & DAY ■ DAY
208
King’s High School for Girls Banbury Road, Warwick CV34 6YE T: 01926 494485 www.kingshighwarwick.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■8
210
Malvern St James Girls’ School 15 Avenue Rd, Great Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3BA T: 01684 584624 www.malvernstjames.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■8
Bromsgrove School Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 7DU T: 01527 579679 www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk Open Day: Contact the school ■■■■■■L
208
Moreton Hall Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 3EW T: 01691 773671 www.moretonhall.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■8
Cheltenham College Bath Rd, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7LD T: 01242 265600 www.cheltenhamcollege.org Open Day: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L
59
Oakham School Chapel Close, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6DT T: 01572 758758 www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk Open Days: 14 Sept (Lower), 28 Sept (Middle), 19 Sept (Upper). ■■■■L
MIXED SIXTH FORM s SpLD
Repton School Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6FH T: 01283 559222 www.repton.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
207
Rugby School Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 5EH T: 01788 556274 www.rugbyschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
207
Shrewsbury School The Schools, Shrewsbury SY3 7BA T: 01743 280552 www.shrewsbury.org.uk Open Days: 14 Sept & 9 Nov. ■■■■L
Tettenhall College Wood Rd, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 8QX T: 01902 751119 www.tettenhallcollege.co.uk Open Days: 28 Sept. ■■■■■■L
Uppingham School Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9QE T: 01572 820611 www.uppingham.co.uk Open Days: 29 Sept (13+) & 15 Sept (16+) ■■■L
Malvern College College Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3DF T: 01684 581500 www.malverncollege.org.uk Open Days: 5 Oct. ■■■L
Bredon School Pull Court Bushley, Tewkesbury Gloucestershire, GL20 6AH T: 01684 293156 www.bredonschool.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■Ls
Concord College Acton Burnell Hall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5 7PF T: 01694 731631 www.concordcollegeuk.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
Maidwell Hall Maidwell, Northampton,NN6 9JG T: 01604 686234 www.maidwellhall.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
Bilton Grange School Dunchurch, Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 6QU T: 01788 810217 www.biltongrange.co.uk Open Days: Throughout the year. ■■■■■■L
Cheltenham Ladies’ College Bayshill Rd, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3EP T: 01242 520691 www.cheltladiescollege.org Open Days: 21 Sept, 5 Oct. ■■■■8
209
8 GIRLS 9 BOYS L MIXED
Oundle School Oundle, Peterborough PE8 4GH T: 01832 277125 www.oundleschool.org.uk Open Day: Contact the school. ■■L Radley College Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 2HR T: 01235 543174 www.radley.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■9
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Eastern 212
Ampleforth College York YO62 4ER T: 01439 766863 www.ampleforth.org.uk/college Open Days: 28 Sept. ■■■L
Abbey College Homerton Gardens, Cambridge CB2 8EB T: 01223 578280 www.abbeycambridge.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L Beeston Hall School West Runton, Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9NQ T: 01263 837324 www.beestonhall.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
Gresham’s Cromer Rd, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6EA T: 01263 714500 www.greshams.com Open Days: 2 May. ■■■■■■L
Gretton School Manor Farm Rd, Girton, Cambridge, CB3 0RX T: 01223 277438 www.grettonschool.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■Ls
61
Northern
212
211
South Lee School Nowton Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 2BT T: 01284 754 654 www.southlee.co.uk Open Days: 27 September. ■■■■■■■■L
Aysgarth School Newton-le-Willows, Bedale, N.Yorks DL8 1TF T: 01677 450240 www.aysgarthschool.com Open Days: 31 Oct. ■■■■9
Queen Ethelburga’s Thorpe Underwood Estate, York YO26 9SS T: 01423 333300 www.qe.org Open Days: 28 Sept, 16 Nov, 18 Jan. ■■■■■L
Rossall School Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 8JW T: 01253 774201 www.rossall.org.uk Open Days: 19 Sept (Sixth Form), 5 Oct (School). ■■■■■■L S. Anselm’s Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1DP T: 01629 812734 www.sanselms.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■L
Kilgraston School Bridge of Earn, Perthshire PH2 9BQ T: 01738 812257 www.kilgraston.com Open Days: 29 Sept, 2 Feb. ■■■■■■8
212
Alexandra College Milltown Road, Dublin 6 T: (+353) 1497 7571 www.alexandracollege.eu Open Days: 17 October. ■■■■■■8 214
214
Glenstal Abbey School Murroe, Co. Limerick T: (+353) 6162 1010 www.glenstal.com Open Days: 5 Oct. ■■■■■9 The King’s Hospital School Lucan Road Old, Brooklawn, Dublin 20 T: (+353) 1643 6500 www.kingshospital.ie Open Day: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■■L
Merchiston Castle School Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH13 0PU T: 0131 312 2201 www.merchiston.co.uk Open Days: 29 February 2020. Personal tours and tasters welcome all year ■■■■■9
St George’s School for Girls Garscube Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 6BG T: 0131 3118000 www.stge.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■8
Strathallan School Forgandenny, Perthshire PH2 9EG T: 01738 815003 www.strathallan.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L
Christ College Brecon Brecon, Powys LD3 8AF T: 01874 615440 www.christcollegebrecon.com Open Days: 22 Sept. ■■■■■■L
Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools Hereford Road, Monmouth NP25 5XT T: 01600 711100 www.habs-monmouth.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■8 210
Myddelton College Peakes Ln, Denbigh, North Wales LL16 3EN T: 01745 472201 www.myddeltoncollege.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
Rathdown School Upper Glenageary Road, Glenageary, Co. Dublin T: (+353) 1285 3133 www.rathdownschool.ie Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■■8 Rockport School Craigavad, Holywood BT18 0DD T: 028 9042 8372 www.rockportschool.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■L
WALES
Haberdashers’ Agincourt School Dixton Lane, Monmouth NP25 3SY T: 01600 713970 www.agincourtschool.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■L
Campbell College Belmont Road, Belfast BT4 2ND T: 028 90763076 www.campbellcollege.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L Clongowes Wood College Clane, Co Kildare W91 DN40 T: +353(0)45 838258 www.clongowes.net Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■9
Loretto School Linkfield Rd, Musselburgh, East Lothian EH21 7RE T: 0131 653 4455; www.loretto.com Open Days: 28 Sept (Senior) & 5 Oct (Junior) ■■■■■■L
Stonyhurst College Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9PZ T: 01254 827073 www.stonyhurst.ac.uk Open Days: 7 March, 14 March & 8 May 2020. ■■■L Windermere School Patterdale Road, Windermere The Lake District LA23 1NW T: 015394 46164 www.windermereschool.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■L
IRELAND
Lathallan School Brotherton Castle, Johnshaven, By Montrose DD10 0HN T: 01561 362220 www.lathallan.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■■L
St Peter’s School, York Clifton, York, YO30 6AB T: 01904 527300 www.stpetersyork.org.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■L 211
UWC Atlantic College St Donat’s Castle, Llantwit Major, CF61 1WF T: 01446 799000 www.atlanticcollege.org Open Days: www.uwc. org/howtoapply ■■L
Fettes College Carrington Road, Edinburgh EH4 1QX T: 0131 311 6744; www.fettes.com Open Days: 13 Oct. ■■■L Gordonstoun Elgin, Moray IV30 5RF T: 01343 837829 www.gordonstoun.org.uk Open Days: Visits available all year round. ■■■■■■L
Queen Margaret’s School Escrick Park, York YO19 6EU T: 01904 727600 www.queenmargarets.com Open Days: 12 Oct. ■■■8
Orwell Park School Nacton, Ipswich, Suffolk IP10 0ER T: 01473 653224 www.orwellpark.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■■L
Royal Hospital School Holbrook, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 2RX T: 01473 326136 www.royalhospitalschool.org Open Days: 2 May ■■■■■■■L
214
Manchester High School For Girls Grangethorpe Rd, Manchester M14 6HS T: 0161 2240447 www.manchesterhigh.co.uk Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■8
Perse Girls’ School & Stephen Perse Sixth Form College Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8QF T: 01223 403800 www.stephenperse.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■8 51 213
SCOTLAND
Harrogate Ladies’ College Clarence Drive, Harrogate HG1 2QG T: 01423 537045 www.hlc.org.uk Open Days: 28 September. ■■■■■■■■8
King’s School Ely Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4EW T: 01353 660700 www.kingsely.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■■L 213
Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Rest of World
St. Columba’s College Whitechurch, Dublin 16, Ireland T: +353 1 490 6791 www.stcolumbas.ie Open Days: Viewings made by appointment. ■■■L
REST OF WORLD Concordia Bilingual School 41 Avenue de la Grande-Armée 75116 Paris, France T: (+33)1820 92863 www.concordiaschoolparis.com Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■■L 66
George School, USA 1690 Newton, Langhorne Road, Newton PA 18940-2414 USA T: 215.579.6500 www.georgeschool.org Open Days: Contact the school. ■■■L
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A breath of fresh air
Come and explore our 1200 acre campus and meet our remarkable pupils. 11-18 years | Co-educational | Boarding & Day | 1 hour from London www.lordwandsworth.org Lord Wandsworth College SS20.indd 1
03/02/2020 10:37
YES, IT’S A CRYING SHAME…
…that she left it too late to apply for Hurtwood House, because it’s simply the best for acting, dancing, singing, film-making – “A utopia for creative minds” – as the Good Schools Guide says. And crucially, this exciting school is equally successful academically. In fact, it’s statistically one of the top co-ed boarding schools in the UK. So, if you’re looking for a really exciting and rewarding change of school at 16 – don’t leave it too late. Contact Cosmo Jackson or visit our website for more information.
T: 01483 279000
E: info@hurtwood.net
hurtwoodhouse.com
Hurtwood House SS20.indd 1
03/02/2020 10:37