Dukes Education Annual Report 2024 by Dukes_Education

Founder’s Annual Review

TOGETHER WE’RE EXTRAORDINARY

Aatif Hassan Founder & Chairman Aatif Hassan founded Dukes Education in 2015 and holds positions as Chairman of Cavendish Education and trustee of St James Independent Schools. He holds a British Army officer commission and was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2019 for his contributions to education. He is also Chair of Dukes Foundation, trustee of British Asian Trust and founding trustee of The Queen’s Reading Room.

Welcome

WELCOME TO 2024

2023 has been nothing short of extraordinary: the organisation’s unrivalled progression, its phenomenal impact on society, the exemplary development of our teams and, most importantly, the incredible success of our pupils. I feel so proud of what we have achieved – it is genuinely remarkable. A big thank you to you all. It simply would not have been possible without your efforts. You all continue to inspire me, as do our pupils. At the launch event for Dukes in 2015, I asked the

tone for the year and, as you will read in this annual

audience “what makes your heart sing?” - setting the

report, has given us so many achievements to celebrate.

scene for the Dukes first value of leading with heart. 2023

The year ended with our festive dinner and awards,

started with a bang with our inaugural team conference

again showcasing some of the amazing work and your

titled Leading with Heart. It was a true demonstration

unparalleled commitment to leading with heart. Another

of the power of the collective and our primary focus

example was the Heroes Behind the Crown event that

on inspiring our teams to ensure that teaching and

highlighted the work of the unsung heroes in our settings,

learning is excellent and led with heart. That set the

often behind the scenes, working to support us all.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

We are all leaders. Regardless of our role, we all have a

Looking forward to 2024, it is very clear that we want

strong impact on the young people whose lives we serve,

more of the same. Fundamentally, we want to drive the

our wonderful colleagues, and the wider community. As

relentless pursuit of excellent teaching and learning and

custodians of our world, we endeavour to leave it in a

all that can support these efforts. There are so many

better place – and many of us would take that to mean

trailblazing projects across Dukes where this is happening:

a happier place. Today, the world is facing a crisis: rates of stress, anxiety and mental illness are higher than

— We have formed an education steering group,

ever, the poverty gap is growing, there are continued

alongside the development of our curriculum, our

wars, and serious mistrust of our politicians. The only

approach to Artificial Intelligence, and in-house

long-term solution to address these grave issues is

leadership programme for pupils;

education. We are blessed to be at the forefront of this and provide our new answer: to create better leaders.

— The growth of learning and development remains exciting under the leadership of Richard Fletcher. This remains a unique offering and pioneering in the sector;

We need to think about leadership from a new perspective. The traditional leadership narrative is all about you: your vision and strategy, your ability to make tough calls, your charisma, your heroic moments of courage and instinct. But leadership is not really about you. It is about empowering other people as a result of your presence. We set the standard for high performance and the first step is always understanding one’s authentic self, our purpose and knowing what we are truly capable of. We, as leaders, create conditions

— I am particularly excited by the unification and direction of Dukes Plus. We hope to add more services, expand our digital efforts and increasingly embed ourselves to support our pupils, parents and staff; — Little Dukes has been revolutionised by Rik McShane and the team, focusing on how our settings look, the training, central support offering, care for the staff and sharing of best practice in education; — Our European expansion is bringing new learnings

of safety so that our teams can be adventurous and

and connections as schools across the major cities in

innovate. We instil a sense of service, so we all have a

mainland Europe join this growing family and this will

bigger outlook and a level of empathy towards others.

continue at pace in 2024. I hope to announce a new

This is as true for our teams as it is for our pupils.

CEO for Europe very soon to support me and to build a European Board around.

DUKES = LEADERSHIP SERVICE + HIGH PERFORMANCE +

With all of this, and more, going on, I am delighted to

ADVENTURE & INNOVATION

promote Tim Fish to the new role of UK CEO who will

I am so proud that we have launched the Dukes Foundation. Its clear focus on service has so far included support for Great Ormond Street Hospital, mental health work for the British Asian Trust, funding for state schools

now lead the UK, Ireland and Switzerland operations. I am also delighted to invite Scott Giles, Claire Little and Damian Quinn to join Mark Bailey, Libby Nicholas, Mike Giffen and David Goodhew to the UK Board.

to give them Place2Be provision, essential bereavement

I want Dukes to be a beacon of positive capitalism at its

support for families working with Ruth Strauss Foundation,

very best. I want us to be the leader in our space and

and many other charities. In addition, I am delighted

an example of moral leadership. I want a brand which

about the Foundation’s focus on bursaries for pupils

totally embodies its values. An educational force to be

who would not otherwise be able to access our services.

reckoned with. I want to be THE BRAND. To paraphrase

As many of you heard at the Dukes Annual Awards, the

a famous speech by Theodore Roosevelt: I want us to

Dukes Foundation, ably led by Glen Fendley, is brewing

strive valiantly, dare greatly and spend our time in a

something seriously ambitious and which perhaps has

grand cause. I am so excited for our future. I feel we

never been done - at least not in the UK at this scale.

have only just got started. Welcome to 2024. Let’s go!

There will be more to follow on this in the coming months.

Scan to watch... Aatif’s interview with The

Independent Business Reporter for

Aatif Hassan

their Best of British Business series

Chairman & Founder of Dukes

Welcome

Vision Values

Method

We lead with heart We love learning We’re a team We do it well

Long-term An thinking extraordinary Flat structure life for our Pupil- children centric People who share a common -thread

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

WHAT DOES DUKES STAND FOR?

Welcome

Leadership expands our purpose and values.

LEADERSHIP SE R

H-

HIG

Inspiring self leadership, presence and collaboration in ourselves and our children.

U R

An innate sense of the greater good. Facilitating the success of others.

Being the best in your own terms – fulﬁlling potential at an individual level.

TION

Cultivating curiosity, fun and discovery – making education be more than just exam results.

Our purpose Our approach Our values

Empowering our children to live an extraordinary life

A family of schools committed to leadership inspired by service, high-performance and adventure & innovation

We lead with heart. We love learning. We’re a team. We do it well.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Our Strategy Across the group we are making great strides towards excellence in our five strategic priorities.

1. Operational resilience Ensuring we have the

5. Acting as a responsible organisation

right structures, resources and settings to succeed

How we re-invest into our educational settings, the Dukes Foundation and sustainability initiatives

Welcome

2. World-class admissions

Dukes Flywheel

Providing exceptional customer services

4. Quality of product

3. Having the best staff

Making our teaching and

Caring, supporting and

learning experience for our

rewarding our most

pupils extraordinary

important asset

Doing it well So how will we measure whether it’s working?

Pupil numbers

Happiness

Do people love working

For how long?

Staff retention & satisfaction

Are our parents and

Compliance

Are we upholding rigorous

How many are coming to us? How many are staying?

pupils reporting that

with us?

standards of care?

they are happy?

Educational outcomes

Are our academic programmes delivering?

Financial stability

Are we looking healthy enough to ensure we can provide quality education for our children in the coming years?

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Contents

Looking Back

Look at Dukes Now

Our Highlights

New Openings

Dukes Villages

Quality of Teaching

Dukes Awards 2023

Dukes by Numbers

Dukes Plus

Dukes External Awards

Our People

Little Dukes

Dukes Club

Education Leaders

Student Showcase

Poetry Together

Promotions

Where are they now?

International Students

100

Heroes Behind the Crown

Dukes Alumni

102

Meet the Dukes Champions

Meet the Family

Compliance, Safeguarding & Inspections

104

Dukes Hub

Quick Family History 105

Learning & Development

New Additions 110

Insight

111

bob

112

Well-being

116

Sustainability

Welcome

03 2024 and Beyond

124

Dukes Purpose

126

Adding Value

128

Dukes Young Leaders Award

130

Dukes Foundation

134

Marketing Highlights

136

Global Marketing

138

Net Promoter Scores

138

Mystery Shopping Scores

140

New Developments

144

Dates for your Diary

145

Dukes Conference 2025

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

01 LOOKING BACK

L o o king B a c k

Our Highlights

New Additions

Quality of Teaching

New Openings

Dukes Plus

Dukes Awards 2023

Little Dukes

Dukes External Awards

Student Showcase

Dukes Club

Where are they now?

Poetry Together

Dukes Alumni

International Students

Meet the Family

Quick Family History

Compliance, Safeguarding & Inspections

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Our Highlights: Little Dukes Hopes & Dreams

Hove Village Nurseries

Hopes & Dreams focus on teaching

In July, we opened Bloomsbury on

cultural capital and getting parents

the Beach nursery: an innovative pre-

thoroughly involved. Every day,

school provision for the Bloomsbury

parents visit to either read with the

Street Day Nursery situated directly

children or share their skills and

on the beach. The new site is the first

empower the children to think big.

nursery of its kind. The children thrive

By bringing books and characters

in the natural environment, enjoying

to life, the children learn about

the ever-changing sights and sounds

themselves and other cultures and

of the beach and learning from the

traditions. We take the children out

wonders of the coastline. The setting

to explore the wider community

brings together an exciting beach

and visit the library, theatre and of

school ethos with an emphasis on

course, celebrate festivals. Hopes

readiness for school and creative,

& Dreams promotes healthy eating

child-led development and takes the

and instead of cakes and sweets,

Hove Village nurseries to a total of

special days are celebrated with

four settings.

creative ‘fruit cakes’ instead.

“The children thrive in the natural environment, enjoying the everchanging sights and sounds of the beach.”

The Kindergartens Crescent II and Mouse House

milestone for The Kindergartens

SW18 nurseries have relaunched

and the parent feedback and

to provide early years care and

demand has been fantastic. New

education of children as young

baby facilities, changing and

as six months old. Previously

feeding areas, and resources

only having children from age

mean that we will continue to

two, this represents a huge

be the choice for parents.

L o o king B a c k

Miss Daisy’s Nurseries Miss Daisy’s really embraced

Miss Daisy’s Brook Green, Chelsea

the festive season this year and

and Knightsbridge all invited their

both the parents and the children

parents to Christmas sing-a-longs

celebrated in style. Miss Daisy’s

where the children sang loud and

Belgravia and Hyde Park both went

clear, dressed up in their festive

all-out with a wonderful Christmas

finery! Santa was even spotted at

fair at each setting that featured

some locations... in his sleighmobile.

hot chocolate, bouncy castles, giant igloos, gingerbread decorating, a

On the last day of term, the snow fell

Santa grotto and donkeys! Both

heavily on our Miss Daisy’s Schools

schools enjoyed a wonderful

and the children skipped off into the

morning for all of their families to

streets, ready for the festive season!

celebrate together.

Reflections The nursery will soon be welcoming two new residents: new baby goats. Both mums are doing well and the kids should be settling into their new home in early 2024. Weekly age-appropriate music and moment sessions have been a huge hit at Reflections. Little Acorns for under-ones and Little Willows for under-twos are hosted each week at the nursery, free of charge for local families. It has been a great way to connect with the local community and offer our time and expertise to support

new parents, many of whom have already registered to join the nursery in 2024 and 2025.

“It has been a great way to connect with the local community and offer our time and expertise to support new parents”

Riverside Riverside Nursery Twickenham Park introduced Forest School for 3 to 4 year old children. The weekly sessions enable children to learn to use tools and equipment safely, building their skills and confidence as well as growing their understanding and appreciation of the natural world.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Our Highlights: Prep & Senior Bassett House In a whimsical display of camaraderie, the Bassett staff, including the esteemed Head Teacher and Deputy Head, recently took to the stage for an enchanting staff pantomime. The lively performance of Jack and the Beanstalk unfolded with laughter and joy as teachers transformed into characters that sparked the imagination of pupils and parents alike. It was an unforgettable evening (oh yes it was!), where

unity, leaving the audience in

the magic of education extended

stitches. The collaborative effort

beyond the classroom. From

of the team, directed by the

a comical rendition of Abba’s

spirited Drama Teacher, Alexandria

Money, Money, Money to hilarious

Bouriot, not only entertained

twists on gender roles, the staff

but also fostered a sense of

showcased their creativity and

community and shared delight.

“It was an unforgettable evening (oh yes it was!), where the magic of education extended beyond the classroom.”

Broomfield House the highest order. The team was neck-and-neck with others to the end but emerged winners following the final, high-pressure round. The team was commended by the host of the competition, Principal of Radnor House, Mr Wideman, for fine teamwork and great effort winning against other excellent schools. The children were thrilled at the challenge and the adrenaline-filled afternoon. They were very grateful to Radnor House for the event A Broomfield House team of Year 6

team competed vigorously against

and this chance to pit themselves

mathematicians took part in Radnor

13 other top Prep schools through

against others in this way.

House School’s prestigious annual

a series of punishing rounds, each

maths competition. The Broomfield

with a different maths problem of

L o o king B a c k

Broomwood The latest academic year hailed a

in Pre-Prep, before moving on

new era, as the former Broomwood

either to Broomwood Prep – Boys or

Hall Lower and Upper School

Broomwood Prep – Girls. This means

and Northwood Lodge School

our pupils develop at their own pace

came together under one name:

but come together for a huge variety

Broomwood. Girls and boys arrived

of co-educational activities – from

on the first day of term wearing their

academic extension to sport, art,

freshly designed uniform, featuring

and music. Over the summer we

the distinctive ‘Broomwood blue’ and

celebrated outstanding exam results

we welcomed our youngest pupils

with 22 scholarships to top senior

to the newly opened Pre-School,

schools. We are excited to develop

Little Broomwood. Children at

our new collaboration, sharing

Broomwood are educated together

teaching expertise and facilities.

Colégio Júlio Dinis

Chiswick & Bedford Park

In October, Colégio Júlio Dinis

Directors and senior managers,

(CJD) celebrated the opening

together with local dignitaries

of its stunning new facilities in

including the Councillor for

Porto, and its partnership with

Education of the Porto City Council,

Dukes Education. In keeping with

Dr. Fernando Paulo. The special

the Dukes motto, ‘Together we’re

guests were welcomed by Director of

extraordinary’, the collaboration has

CJD, Marco Carvalho and General

enabled CJD to offer students an

Manager, Sofia Chamusca. It was

international education in English, in

also a source of enormous pride

addition to the existing Portuguese

to welcome João Pinto, one of the

curriculum. At a time when Porto is

greatest Portuguese football players

becoming an increasingly diverse

of all time.

In the autumn term, Forms 5 and 6

city, Colégio Júlio Dinis and Dukes

at CBPPS enjoyed meeting a former

Education have delivered an

A particular highlight of the

pupil who founded Tidey London,

innovative project in a unique space

celebration was a rugby match with

a non-profit organisation aiming to

in the city, maintaining their clear

Dukes Managing Director, Glenn

reduce water pollution. Tidey London

focus on students’ needs and goals.

Hawkins, acting as referee, and Aatif joining the team to play the

focuses on encouraging the rowing community on the Thames to collect

The event was attended by

plastic waste through litter-picking

Chairman, Aatif Hassan, Dukes

CJD U16s and scoring a try.

drives on the banks of our local rivers and streams and also highlights the plight of marine animals in the great oceans. The students were captivated by a talk on river pollution’s harm and methods to safeguard local ecosystems and wildlife. They then created vibrant environmental posters. CBPPS was excited to host this former pupil, whose work inspired the students’ dedication to sustainability and environmental protection.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Copperfield

Devonshire House The school’s quiz team won the prestigious Quiz Club UK General Knowledge Championship, the country’s largest inter-school, primary age quiz competition. The team of children aged 7 to 11 were selected for their wide-ranging knowledge and specialist expertise. After beating hundreds of schools in the regional heats, the team travelled to Oxford University to compete in the finals with 37 other schools.

Copperfield International School,

The Copperfield Olympics was

Tension built as they progressed

Verbier, held its first school

fun for all age groups and events

to the last round, leading the field

community Olympics at the end

included long jump, relays,

up to the penultimate round and

of summer. This fantastic event

volleyball, table tennis, wheelbarrow

making a fantastic come-back

involved staff, students and parents

races, and three-legged race.

before going on to win. Devonshire

in a joyful collaboration and

Parents and staff took part in a

House Head, Henry Keighley-Elstub

celebration of Copperfield’s second

highly competitive football match

was delighted with the team’s

year anniversary and successful

and the culmination of the day was

success. “I couldn’t be more proud.

accreditation as an International

a fiercely contested all-parents

They worked incredibly hard to

Baccalaureate School.

sprint race.

prepare, reading everything they could lay their hands on and quizzing teachers, family and friends. Even more impressive was

Eaton House Schools

the way they supported each other throughout the competition

Fair time fun was the order of the day

forecourt to sample the delights of

and helped to steady each other’s

at Eaton House The Manor School on

a traditional pop-up fairground.

nerves as they progressed through

19th May as pupils enjoyed a range

Pupils could take a spin on the large

the competition. It was an excellent

of rides and games to celebrate the

carousel to the sound of fairground

team effort.”

125th anniversary of Eaton House

tunes, try their hand at hook-a-duck

Schools. The day began with an

and prove their sporting abilities at

all-school drone photograph on

the penalty shoot-out stand. Laughs

Clapham Common, with pupils

abounded with a Victorian ‘test your

and teachers forming an enormous

strength’ machine, challenging even

‘125’ to mark the event. Later in the

the teachers. Old-fashioned candy

afternoon, custom bunting floated

floss and popcorn carts fuelled the

high above Eaton House The Manor,

fun as pupils celebrated the history of

as boys and girls raced onto the

their school in true Eaton House style.

L o o king B a c k

Eaton Square Prep The Independent Schools

to providing a holistic and inclusive

Association (ISA) Awards 2023

art education. Eaton Square Prep

brought recognition to Eaton Square

believes in going beyond the

Prep School as the school secured

traditional confines of art, taking

the Award for Excellence and

a multidisciplinary approach that

Innovation in Art and Design. The

incorporates various techniques

prestigious award recognises and

and mediums. From digital media

honours outstanding contributions

to sculpture, and more, students

made by educational institutions in

are encouraged to explore their

the field of art and design, making

creativity, experiment with different

this a momentous achievement for

forms of expression, and develop

the school.

their unique artistic voices. The

“The award is a recognition of Eaton Square Prep’s unwavering commitment to fostering creativity and innovation and their dedication to providing a holistic and inclusive art education.”

award was presented to Head of The award is a recognition of

Art and Design, Sabrina Tabuchi in

Eaton Square Prep’s unwavering

front of pupils in assembly by Head,

commitment to fostering creativity

Trish Watt.

and innovation and their dedication

Hampton Court House School The first Hampton Court House

with a stunning array of fireworks

The event would not have been

School fireworks display held on

that illuminated the night sky, set

possible without the dedicated

Bonfire Night was an extraordinary

against the backdrop of Hampton

efforts of the Friends of HCH

success, drawing 1,200 guests

Court House’s beautiful parkland

and staff, whose hard work and

from the school and the wider

grounds nestled in Bushy Park.

commitment ensured the event’s

community. Principal, Katherine

The atmosphere was electric and

success. Their dedication and

Vintiner, had the honour of

buzzing with excitement as families

support contributed significantly to

welcoming the MP for Twickenham,

and friends gathered to witness

making the evening a resounding

Munira Wilson to the event.

the brilliant display. Alongside the

triumph, fostering a sense of

fireworks, the addition of food trucks

community and getting the final

The display was a dazzling

and a bar offered delicious treats

half-term of the year off to a

spectacle, captivating the crowd

and drinks for all.

‘firecracking’ start!

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Heathside In keeping with Heathside’s values of Knowledge, Nature, Nurture, and recognising the fundamental importance of early childhood education, Heathside School has undertaken a complete refurbishment of its Early Years rooms. Working with innovative early years designers, the Heathside rooms have been brought up to industry-leading standards. The transformation has imbued the spaces with a sense of lightness, modernity, and airiness, providing an optimal environment for the

Years department also includes a

play and physical development,

youngest learners to develop their

remarkable addition: a ‘wow’ room

benefiting children from the Nursery

skills and knowledge. The Early

specifically designed for sensory

to Reception.

In a rapidly evolving world, the

re-imagine the whole interior of

There are learning spaces that offer

need for an adaptable, creative,

the school, as well as the working

tranquillity, while others buzz with

and collaborative education system

flow. They discarded the classic

activity. Vibrant colours contrast

has never been more pressing.

notion of classrooms with four

with neutral tones, and formal

With this in mind, the school

walls, opting instead for a diverse

settings co-exist with informal,

posed the question: how can we

array of working areas tailored to

relaxed atmospheres. The learning

stimulate creativity, innovation,

different teaching and learning

spaces accommodate various group

and inspiration when the space and

styles. The approach at ISS centres

sizes, fostering an environment

environment depict an outdated

on transforming the way students

that supports different modes of

school teaching style?

learn, placing emphasis on dynamic

learning, while stimulating students’

International Sharing School

teaching methods and creating

and teachers’ creativity, naturally

Their answer was to make changes

a conducive environment for

promoting collaboration between all

in the environment where teaching

collaboration, critical thinking, and

individuals in the school community.

and learning happens. ISS teamed

assertive decision-making.

up with designers who helped to

“ISS teamed up with designers who helped to re-imagine the whole interior of the school, as well as the working flow. They discarded the classic notion of classrooms with four walls, opting instead for a diverse array of working areas tailored to different teaching and learning styles.”

L o o king B a c k

Knightsbridge

London Park Schools

The annual Knightsbridge’s Got

Three schools came together under

London Park Schools takes a new

Talent show is always a feast for the

the London Park Schools banner this

approach to secondary education;

senses. From dancers to musicians

year. London Park Schools Clapham

one that celebrates the process of

and everything in between, there’s

was joined by Eaton Square Senior

learning, focuses on the individual

something to entertain everyone.

and Eaton Square Sixth Form.

within a smaller, collaborative

The 2023 contest saw none other

London Park Schools was delighted

community and which looks ahead

than Simon Cowell leading the

to announce the appointment of

to the future whilst recognising and

judges’ panel, with support from

Suzie Longstaff as Principal of the

celebrating the importance of an

Knightsbridge staff. It wasn’t just

new group. Suzie was formerly

ethical, sustainable, and forward-

pupils strutting their stuff on the

Headmistress of Putney High School,

facing approach. London Park

stage. Principal Mr Magoo joined

GDST, and has over 25 years’

Schools look forward and thanks

a troupe of parent dancers and

experience as a school leader. Before

to their agile approach, can design

even the teachers got involved. In

moving into education, Suzie had a

and deliver education that’s relevant

a glittering finale, dance teacher

successful rowing career, including

for the workplaces of the future. The

Mr Henry dressed up and treated

coxing the British Olympic VIII at the

Eaton Square schools will take on the

the audience to a dazzling rendition

1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and the

London Park Schools name next year.

of Bohemian Rhapsody!

Cambridge University ‘Goldie’ boat in the 1997 and 1998 Boat Races.

Notting Hill Prep Self-care takes centre stage at

the top of each page and a daily

Notting Hill Prep and has become

task set the children up for the day

particularly significant since the

and colouring pages encourage

pandemic. Penny Kane, NHP School

periods of reflection. The journal

Counsellor and Head of Well-being,

touches on kindness and gratitude,

created a journal for children from

as well as worries, hopes and

Year 3 upwards titled The Hare that

goals. It also helps the children

Cares to help children understand

to understand the importance of

and connect to their emotions.

writing down their worries which they may also add to the ‘Hare That

Children are encouraged to do

Cares’ worry jar.

five minutes’ self-care each day, starting by checking in with

Notting Hill Prep children have really

themselves and being aware of how

benefited from using the journal and

they are feeling and then linking

feedback has been very positive.

their feelings to the coloured zones

www.theharethatcares.co.uk

in the journal. A positive quote at

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Orchard House boxes in the playground of the school’s Newton Grove site were overflowing with pasta, washing up liquid and much more. The generous donations were divided between two London charities: local charity, The Upper Room, which offers free meals, employment support and counselling to those in need, and City Harvest London, who are finding solutions to London’s food The Orchard House community

surplus and food poverty.

held their annual Harvest Festival donation drive that saw parents,

The school is sincerely grateful for

pupils and staff bring in a wealth of

the generous donations and the

wonderful donations. From essential

community’s invaluable support

toiletries and household products

during this and all other charitable

to kitchen cupboard staples, the

endeavours over the past year.

Prospect House Emotional well-being is key to any child’s development and Prospect House has created a comprehensive pastoral care toolkit. The pastoral care team identified a gap between what class teachers are able to provide and access to an external specialist. To address this, Prospect House has introduced a bespoke care package led by a specifically trained member of staff. The school can now offer tailored 1:1 emotional support sessions for students with close collaboration between parents and class teachers to assess the child’s progress, discuss any challenges, and identify specific areas that may require additional support.

Radnor House This year, Radnor House pupils

the occasion with aplomb. The

raised the bar higher than ever

confidence from what was achieved

with a show-stopping musical

on the stage will surely be carried

performance of Made in Dagenham.

into the classroom, the exam hall and even into life beyond secondary

The quality of the singing,

education in due course.

acting and dancing, both individually and collectively, was outstanding, clearly the work of hours of dedicated rehearsal. The expectations of the teachers were high, and the pupils rose to

L o o king B a c k

The sessions empower children with practical strategies and coping mechanisms, enabling them to navigate challenging situations and regulate their emotions and allows the team to keenly observe and respond to the unique needs of each child, supporting their

“The quality of the singing, acting and dancing, both individually and collectively, was outstanding.”

emotional growth and resilience. For some this may be all that they need; however, for others it provides the stepping stones should external support be required.

Radnor House Prep Radnor House Prep opened its doors for the first time in September 2023. Being part of an all-through education setting has allowed the school to adopt a broad and creative curriculum. The school’s recent art exhibition revealed just how much can be done in a short time when children are inspired and motivated. The use of iPad’s across the curriculum for teaching and learning sparks creativity and enables collaborative

Scan to listen...

learning at all ages. The generously

to the Radnor

resourced STEAM spaces have

House Prep

proved very popular with parents

Podcast

and pupils and the children now create a weekly podcast.

Sancton Wood School been featured in the news with coverage of ‘Dragons being spotted at Sancton Wood’, an example that wonderfully illustrates the core values of creating curiosity and building a community of fun and energy. Outstanding pastoral care is still at the heart of Sancton Wood. The school was delighted to be invited to the House of Lords by the Independent Schools Council in recognition of the commitment to well-being. Our partnership with Sancton Wood’s tireless pursuit

recognised by being selected as a

Cambridge United was celebrated

of delivering the best pastoral

finalist in the Independent School

as part of our Supporters Club

and academic opportunities and

of the Year Awards for the third

initiative, designed to offer support

initiatives for students is receiving

consecutive year, this time for the

to teenage boys and their families.

national recognition and awards –

Student Careers Programme.

and press coverage. Sancton Wood’s academic strengths The Thriving Minds Symposium,

have been bolstered through the

attended by 170 Dukes students and

power of the Dukes family by

hosted by Lucy Hawking, made the

offering students a mentorship

BBC News homepage. The school’s

programme with Cardiff Sixth Form

commitment to preparing students

College, Cambridge. The creative

for bright futures was further

and imaginative teaching has also

“Sancton Wood’s tireless pursuit of delivering the best pastoral and academic opportunities and initiatives for students is receiving national recognition and awards – and press coverage.”

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

The Lyceum

The Pointer School

Lyceum pupils took to the stage with

The Pointer School’s chef and his

two shows in 2023: We’ll Meet Again

band of budding Class 5H waiters

performed by Years 5 and 6, and

and Maître d’s hosted The Pointer

Roald Dahl’s Cinderella performed

School’s first-ever parent restaurant.

by Years 3 and 4. Stepping back

Parents were invited to an evening

in time to wartime Britain, Years

of fine dining cooked by Chef Nico,

5 and 6 took their audience on

former double Michelin-starred chef.

an evocative journey through the

The pupils took orders, served the

experiences of children evacuated

food and ran the front-of-house.

from London to the countryside, while Years 3 and 4 performed

felt a great sense of pride and

Using the same suppliers and

an all-singing, all-dancing

accomplishment. The performances

produce that go into our famous

performance of an alternative

were so popular that the performers

school lunches, Pointer’s guests

Cinderella story.

have been invited back for an

feasted on crab, ox cheek, gnocchi

encore at the end of year prize-

and iced nougat and even had

giving ceremony.

their own Pointer’s cheese trolley.

After months preparing songs, lines, dance moves and costumes, pupils

The feedback from the guests was excellent and the high-quality service, as well as the delicious food, received praise. Profits for the parent restaurant will be donated to the children’s chosen charity, The Trussell Trust, and the event will run again soon for the second class of Year 5 pupils to practise their skills.

United Lisbon International School In June, United Lisbon International

experienced and insightful speakers

provoking conversations that

School hosted its first TEDx talk. The

shared their personal journeys of

expanded their horizons.

school library became the backdrop

overcoming challenges and the

for this groundbreaking occasion

valuable lessons they gained from

The event left a lasting impression,

when students, staff, and attendees

these experiences and provided

inspiring attendees to conquer their

came together to witness a series

a unique platform for diverse

own obstacles and continue their

of remarkable talks and discussions

viewpoints and stories, fostering

pursuit of knowledge and personal

under the theme of Breaking Barriers.

an environment of growth and

growth and was a testament to the

empowerment. Attendees had the

power of ideas and the strength of

The student-led initiative showcased

opportunity to network, exchange

the ULIS community.

the dedication and passion of

ideas, and engage in thought-

the ULIS community. A line-up of

L o o king B a c k

Our Highlights: College & Sixth Form Cardiff Sixth Form College Cardiff Sixth Form College was a

had already won recognition by

top three finalist in the World’s Best

the Welsh Independent Schools

Schools Prizes in the ‘Supporting

Council as winner of the Best

Healthy Lives’ category. Cardiff

Well-being Initiative and is on the

was recognised for its outstanding

way to achieving accreditation by

pastoral care scheme, CREATE,

AGORED, the Welsh education and

which helps the college’s high-

training accreditation authority.

achieving A-Level students to balance their mental and physical

Cardiff Sixth Form College was

health. CREATE nurtures the

congratulated by Jeremy Miles,

mental health needs and holistic

Welsh government Minister for

development of the students

Education and Welsh Language

through a range of structured

as well as Vikas Pota, Founder

“Congratulations to Cardiff Sixth

extracurricular activities. Through

of T4 Education and the World’s

Form College on being named Top 3

CREATE, students select three

Best School Prizes, who said:

finalists for the World’s Best School

focus areas from Community, Respect, Engage, Achieve, Thrive, Enrich and work towards a Bronze, Silver and Gold award. Before being recognised by the World’s Best Schools Prizes, CREATE

Prizes 2023. You, and your fellow

“Congratulations to Cardiff Sixth Form College on being named Top 3 finalists for the World’s Best School Prizes 2023.”

finalists, have inspired me with the leadership, vision and culture you have fostered and for the exceptional teaching and learning environment you have built.”

Cardiff Sixth Form College Cambridge to help foster the skills needed for this goal. The programme includes seminars, work observations, public speaking and projects, all based on links with Cambridge University and beyond. A notable component is our mentoring programme. Every six weeks our students spend time in conversation with mentors who are themselves former CSFC students now studying at the University of Cambridge. Our students to learn A key part of the mission of CSFC

competitive entry, such as medicine

from the experts – the very students

Cambridge is to help able and

or those at Oxbridge. Since our

who have achieved this sought-after

ambitious students to gain entry on

establishment in 2022 we have

goal themselves.

university courses that have highly

developed ‘The Cambridge Edge’

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Hampstead Fine Arts Hampstead Fine Arts have edited their Year in the Life of a Student video, created by former student George Selley, to a short version that encapsulates the variety and creative freedom of the students.

Earlscliffe To celebrate their 10th anniversary,

touching speeches were made by

Earlscliffe invited alumni to

the Head, Joss Williams, and the

attend an open day and evening

founder of Earlscliffe, Tim Fish,

celebration. The former pupils

which focused on the joy and

toured the school, ending in the

camaraderie of old friends reuniting.

newest of six boarding houses, Goldschmidt House, followed by

The visitors were also encouraged

a grand evening reception in the

to sign up for the new Earlscliffe

gardens of School House. Amid the

Alumni group which will see more

excitement of reunions between old

regular interactions between

Scan to watch...

friends, the charity auction raised

students and will be a forum for

FAC’s updated Year in a Life

over £1,000 for the school’s charity,

mentoring and sharing knowledge

of a Student video

Rwanda Action. Entertaining and

among the community.

Rochester Independent College unconventional and innovative

average 8 so the style of teaching

approaches to education” and

leans more towards university

“possessing distinctive qualities,

tutorials. The personalised attention

setting them apart from the

means excellent results with many

mainstream.”

securing places at top art colleges, and medical schools as well as

The guide says about Rochester:

Oxford and Cambridge. Everyone

“Flexibility is the watchword here.

is on first-name terms and with no

Whether you are looking for a

uniform the atmosphere is relaxed,

Rochester Independent College was

one-year GCSE or A-level course,

friendly and purposeful.”

named as one of Carfax Education’s

the opportunity to retake exams

‘25 Ones to Watch’ as part of their

or a chance to focus exclusively

2023 The Schools Index.

on the creative arts or preparing for medical school, RIC offers it.

Rochester was included in the

Not only that, pupils can start at

‘Something Different’ category,

different points in the school year,

which showcases “schools

into any year group with any

that break the mould, offering

subject combination. Class sizes

L o o king B a c k

“The personalised attention means excellent results with many securing places at top art colleges, and medical schools as well as Oxford and Cambridge.”

St Andrew’s The start of the academic year

collateral. The website focuses

opened in January. Opened in

saw the launch of the St Andrew’s

on the attraction of the college’s

conjunction with Cardiff Sixth Form

College brand new website. The

central location in the city of

College Cambridge, the canteen

website features a special digital

education, Cambridge.

serves food seven days per week

colour palette and some new

ensuring that boarding students’

brand elements that are being

Another attraction for students

nutritional needs are catered for in

incorporated into other marketing

is the new canteen facility that

their home from home.

The Institute of Education studies at prestigious universities in Ireland and worldwide. The occasion embodied the friendship, development and growth of these young adults and allowed all to reflect on the immense progress that these students have made in their time at our school. Students and staff joined together to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and academic excellence of each and every one of our students. It is a day of enormous satisfaction for our teachers, as they bear witness to these wonderful young people. The contribution that the class of 2023 will make to our community, society and planet, allows us to look to the future with great optimism.

On 16th May 2023 over 800

is a huge milestone in the lives of

students and their families attended

our students, it marks the next

The Institute of Education annual

step in their young lives as they

graduation ceremony. This event

leave our school to continue their

“It is a day of enormous satisfaction for our teachers, as they bear witness to these wonderful young people.”

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

QUALITY OF TEACHING Sustainability

Up-skilling Teaching Assistants

Education has a pivotal role

Collaboration Upgrading the Dukes Hub, the

in embedding a mindset that

A pilot training scheme is running in

online resource for all staff

understands the inter connectivity

2024 to help enhance teaching and

providing access to training and a

between human society and

learning skills, plus a Development

forum for sharing resources takes

the negative impacts it creates

Day for all Dukes Teaching

place this year. The new framework

on the environment, and that

Assistants will be held in March.

will go live in June, and will include

innovates and takes action to

The day will provide Teaching

a chat facility for all our staff

address that. By providing and

Assistants with skills and knowledge

to post queries, share ideas and

pooling curriculum resources and

to enhance their ability to support

extend good practice across the

advice for our schools, which can

students. By drawing Teaching

Dukes settings. Cluster groups

be used at different age groups,

Assistants together for the first

have been formed to coordinate

we will embed knowledge and

time, they will be able to discuss

and advise on the role of AI in the

understanding about sustainability

and share ideas, creating a support

curriculum and to introduce a

in staff and students.

network across Dukes settings.

‘Leading Teachers’ scheme that rewards outstanding teachers and develops them to become mentors and exemplars within their schools to promote excellent practice.

L o o king B a c k

In 2023 we conducted SEQR (School Educational Quality Review) visits to eight schools, spanning early years to A-levels, which involved 37 different people representing 20 separate Dukes settings. These visits are ‘critical friend’ reviews focusing on a particular aspect of the school’s education, identified by the school itself. So the focus varied from a full mock-inspection at some schools, or a close look at pastoral systems in another, to targeting the content and quality of STEAM education at another. By the end of 2025 all Dukes settings will have undergone an SEQR, and the cycle will start again. They present an excellent opportunity to share good practice, to develop the skills of senior leaders, to showcase the specialist knowledge of staff, and to improve the quality of education in all of our schools and colleges.

Deputy Heads Conference

Dukes Young Leaders Award

Inter-School Activities

A day of insight and connection,

By September 2024 all settings

Dukes schools to compete with

the inaugural Deputy Heads

must have a programme of co-

each other: events for athletics,

Conference provided inspiration,

curricular activities and curriculum

debating, swimming, chess and

learning and networking. Deputy

to develop leadership, service and

cricket have been organised for

Heads from schools and colleges

a sense of adventure among our

this year. Also to develop joint

joined for an inspiring and

pupils, which can be accredited as

activities, where schools can come

innovative day that included

part of the Dukes Young Leaders

together to create a sum greater

a session on the pivotal role

Award. Pilots are running for each

than the individual parts, such as

of personal brand in effective

key stage across Dukes schools,

an orchestra and rowing. The first

leadership and a collaborative

a partner will be contracted to

Dukes Scholars event was held in

exploration of the evolving

develop an online platform for

November, providing extension

landscape of school leadership.

assessing and recording individual

activities, keynote speakers and

progress, and discussions are

seminar sessions led by Lucy

underway with external providers to

Hawking. The event attracted

accredit the DYLA framework.

nearly 200 pupils from over a

A programme of activities to enable

dozen Dukes schools.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

We are here, so you can get there.

L o o king B a c k

Dukes Plus is a family of specialised consultancy services

Integrated into Dukes Schools & Colleges

and educational experience providers with the vision: To empower young people to live a happy and

Dukes Plus has embedded its leading programmes into

successful life. Made up of consultancy and experience

Dukes Schools and Colleges through Dukes Career School

provider organisations, Dukes Plus reaches over 1,500

(DCS). DCS will reach around 1,000 of our own Dukes

schools, over 5 million users and has over 100 corporate

students by the end of this academic year through a

and university partners.

unique blend of online and in-person learning. DCS is focused on equipping our students with the key 21st-

2023 has been a year of exciting developments and

century ‘career ready’ skills and bridging the important

excellent growth for Dukes Plus. More students have been

gap between school and employment. DCS has achieved

reached and positively impacted than ever before.

phenomenal feedback and we will expand this into our prep schools from next year onwards.

Consultancy

Experience Providers

A-List

InvestIN

US University specialist. Providing specialist support to

World class immersive experiences in London. 15 industries,

international students since 2005.

50,000+ students attended. Aged 12-18 years.

The Medic Portal

Summer Boarding Courses

The ‘Get into Medicine’ Experts with millions of users. In

The UK’s number-one multi-campus summer school

official partnership with the Royal Society of Medicine.

at premier locations including Eton College, Oxford

The Lawyer Portal Get into Law. Award-winning resources. In official partnership with the Law Society of England and Wales. JK Educate Bespoke private tutoring from 5+. Handpicked tutors and proven results. 97.4% 11+ success rate.

and Cambridge for students aged 6-17 years. 150+ nationalities attended. Ultimate Activity Camps Outstanding activity holiday childcare at renowned independent schools for children aged 4-14 years. Used by 17,000+ children each year.

Oxbridge Applications Established in 1999, the unequivocal leader in Oxbridge

CONSULTANCY

EXPERIENCE PROVIDERS

admissions. 20% of all applicants use OA.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Dukesplus.com The new platform, launched in the autumn of 2023, provides clients with a one-stop-shop, high-quality, premium suite of education services, focused on the education journey outside the classroom for children and young people from 4-18 years. The exciting new University and Career Pathway Tool provides students with a personalised report enabling them to explore career and university opportunities related

Scan to visit...

to their subject choices and grades.

the new Dukes Plus platform

International expansion

Integrated consultancy

Moving forward, our vision of creating unique

From 2024, the three Higher Education consultancies

educational opportunities for children aged 4-18 years

(A-List, Oxbridge Applications, The Careers Portal)

old will increasingly be taken out to the international

will be integrated behind the scenes to create a

arena. This can be reflected through our brands

more resilient operation driven by premium product,

successfully establishing enhanced connections with

customer retention, lead generation and world-class

well over 500 international educational consultants and

conversion. The three market-leading brands will

schools in the latter part of 2023.

continue to be customer facing.

L o o king B a c k

Consultancy

Oxbridge Applications welcomed a series of new school

Founded in 2010 and run by qualified, experienced senior

partners, most notably, large cohorts of Oxbridge

teachers and leaders, JK Educate joined Dukes in 2022

applicants from UCS, Tonbridge and Latymer Upper. The

as a trusted tutoring provider. JK Educate delivers expert

schools’ business grew and Oxbridge Applications will

tutoring to support all children to achieve their best in their

be visiting new Dukes school partners in Verbier, Lisbon,

current schools, in school admissions exams such as the

Madrid and Ireland in 2024 along with trips to Hong Kong

11+, and in public exams including GCSEs, A-levels and IB,

and BMSE to continue the global promotion of Dukes Plus.

with excellent success rates. JK Educate offers academic assessments to establish a child’s performance and

In 2023, Oxbridge Applications visited a series of

potential, as well as tutoring for all ages from early years

new territories for the first time and some of the team

to undergraduate level and specialist SEND support, across

presented in Dubai at the GEMS Get Into Medicine event.

the UK and globally. JK works in partnership with Dukes

Strong links with Elm’s Academy in Lambeth continued with Oxbridge Applications supporting students resulting in

Heads, Dukes Schools and also Dukes Plus businesses to support children in all areas of the Dukes family.

moving from zero Oxbridge offers in the school’s history, to regularly receiving 4-6 offers alongside massively increased Russell Group offer numbers. Head of Oxbridge Applications, Theo Boyce, has been made a governor at the school.

Delivered over

16,500

hours of tuition in 2022

Trust Pilot rating

100%

of homeschooled students in the 22/23 cohort successfully achieved their goals of either achieving their target grades or transitioning to first choice schools 11+ success rate of

500+

Tutors, all with either teaching qualifications or who have graduated from Oxbridge/ Russell Group Universities in their specialist teaching subject

98%

for the 22/23 cohort Successfully worked in partnership with Dukes Schools delivering entrance exam interview preparation to their Year 6 and Year 8 pupils.

In 2024, JK Educate will focus on growing its successful, bespoke homeschool tuition service to support the growing number of children who struggle to access education within mainstream schools and develop the international tutoring market by supporting more students from overseas with their academic needs.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

JK Educate aims to be the ‘go to’ tutoring support for all Dukes schools by working in partnership with head teachers, class teachers and SENDCos to provide a fully managed, wrap-around service for the children

A-List’s students have had record success in 2023, winning

they believe would benefit from additional one-to-

over $3.5million in scholarship money and 41 acceptances

one support.

to the Ivy League. 200 institutions have awarded places to A-List students, testament to A-List’s drive to achieve the best fit university for every student.

What our clients say: JK delivers quality, quality, quality! My daughter lacked confidence and with JK Educate she learnt to believe in herself. My daughter got her first choice school, she’s happy, confident and thriving. Honest, reliable and professional advice from the beginning. They helped us feel supported and calm through the whole process.

This year, A-List has completed a brand refresh by launching a new website. The latest version of the SAT Book of Knowledge, which includes 900+ exercises and is updated for the new digital version of the SAT, was published. The first Premier Day at Eaton Square Senior School was held and the new America Soc was launched an online platform of application resources. — Average SAT improvement – 250 points — 69% of students were accepted at their first choice university 2024 will see A-List creating an online SAT question bank for students and a focus in international expansion, particularly in Europe.

L o o king B a c k

Awards and endorsements The Career Portal has hundreds of independent five-star The Lawyer Portal helps aspiring lawyers achieve their ambitions. It is an award-winning platform, partnered with the UK’s three flagship professional bodies: the Law Society of England & Wales, the Bar Council and CILEX.

reviews on Feefo and won their Platinum Trusted Service Award for the second consecutive year in 2023. Our internal feedback system shows recommended rates of over 90%+ from thousands of students. In 2023, over 400 schools used Career Portal services. The Medic Portal is officially partnered with the Royal Society of Medicine, while The Lawyer Portal boasts the same arrangement with the Law Society of England

The Medic Portal is the UK’s leading resource for Medicine

& Wales. We held ‘Aspire’ Conferences this year for

applicants, in official partnership with the Royal Society

prospective medics and lawyers, hosted at the Royal

of Medicine. Its application support has been trusted by

Society of Medicine and The Law Society respectively.

40,000+ students, and over 500 schools around the world. The Lawyer Portal has commercial partnerships with The University of Law, Clifford Chance, Swansea University, and many more.

Survey of TMP Customers 2022-23 2022-23 Respondents who received offers and TMP’s contribution

13%

11%

Received one or more offer

Believe TMP helped get offers

87%

89%

Based on a survey sent to TMP 2022-23 customers (62+ responses). Offers includes offers to study Medicine, Dentistry or a related course.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

L o o king B a c k

Experience Providers Over 200 short-term staff joined SBC to make running the summer camps possible and run 64 different In 2023, InvestIN delivered summer experiences to over

excursions to locations including London, Oxford, Thorpe

2,700 students with a record number of international

Park, and Legoland.

students attending and 96 different nationalities represented. InvestIN was awarded accreditation as

2024 will see the expansion of the successful day camp

a Short Course Provider by the British Accreditation

partnership with Ultimate Activity Camps, growth of pre-

Council in June 2023.

university courses at Oxford University campuses and the launch of new values-based summer programmes.

InvestIN is proud to have launched the Dukes Careers School, a comprehensive and bespoke careers curriculum for students in Years 10–12, designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge to be career-ready upon leaving school.

93% 86%

of students said they would recommend InvestIN to a friend. of parents said their child came away from their experience feeling more confident about their future career.

2024 will see InvestIN focus on international growth so that even more international students register for summer experiences, and further development of the Dukes Careers School, the careers curriculum offering to schools across the UK and internationally.

Over 1,800 students attended residential courses, from over 100 different countries including St Kitts & Nevis, Syria, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, and Armenia. Scholarships worth

A significant improvement to customer service was implemented through a new late booking system which allows parents to view and book live availability for any group at any location, while maximising late booking and reducing call volumes. After a successful first year, the UAC tech and coding programme has been rolled out to 10 schools. UAC is supporting children’s hospice Helen Douglas House by fundraising over £4,000 for them in 2023 and have given free places on camp for siblings of terminally ill children.

450,000 89,247 hours of fun timetabled across all programmes

days booked by over 8,000 parents and 17,000 children

33,000

741

art pieces were created

staff members were recruited

All delivered by a central team of just 22!

more than £150,000 were awarded to 35 students to join SBC in 2023 from North Macedonia, Ukraine, UK, and more.

In 2024, the number of schools hosting Ultimate Activity Camps will grow from 40 to 45 and a new Ultimate

Successful British Council and BAC inspections completed.

Summer Residential programme for UK and international

SBC remains the only Summer School to have achieved

children will be launched at Twyford School in Winchester

15/15 areas of strength in a British Council inspection.

offering happiness coaching alongside a range of

EL Gazette once again ranked us number-one Summer

amazing activities.

School in the UK.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

L o o king B a c k

Little Dukes continues to provide high-quality, innovative, industry-leading childcare and will have over 1,600 children attending in 2024. The exciting new Little Dukes brand is being rolled out sympathetically across all of our nurseries. Initially appearing in the shared policies and any group-wide printed collateral, the refreshed Little Dukes brand will feature a new website and appear in a physical form at Sancton Wood and Little Dukes Holland Park. It has been designed to complement and draw inspiration from the Little Dukes family as a whole, with a colour palette created from some of the individual tones of our existing brands. This September, Little Dukes launched over 20 updated nursery policies, which are now in place across all of our groups. The aim here was to identify best practice and consistent approaches to the care we provide, as well as ensuring children receive high-quality early education in safe environments and with highly qualified educators. All of our early years settings have now fully adopted three systems: Salesforce, Famly and Bob, ensuring that our families and team members receive a highquality experience when joining or onboarding at one of our nurseries. Our nursery admissions team now benefits from connected telephone systems which enable them to take calls and respond to parents throughout the nursery groups. This has provided better response rates and coverage, whilst always ensuring the telephone is answered, on average, within 4 seconds.

Our People Over 140 new members of staff have joined Little Dukes settings in 2023, in roles from Nursery Assistant and Early Years Educators, to Head Teachers and Nursery Managers. Little Dukes have launched a set of ‘Foundation Modules’ training covering everything from safeguarding and storytelling, to pedagogical principles and professional development. This initiative ensures that our teams receive a world-class induction and continued support in their early years career. A mix of in-person sessions and ‘twilight' online modules means that the resources and training is accessible at a time to suit our teams. Planning for the Little Dukes Leaders Development Day is in full swing, and following on from the success of 2023’s event, will centre around shared best practice within the EYFS curriculum, enhancements that we can make with our own early years approaches, pedagogical principles and of course, world-class team inductions. In April 2024, Little Dukes will be hosting a residential Forest School training camp for 20 attendees. The first of its kind for our nurseries, the initiative will provide Forest School qualifications for those who join, whilst they immerse themselves in the true outdoor experience. With demand for places so high, we are already planning a second programme to ensure that more of our team can access this exciting outdoor curriculum.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Dukes Club

Ofsted Results:

The Dukes Club visited us at Riverside St. Margarets and Hopes and Dreams Old Street, to promote the community and provide our early years families with an exciting and interactive day for the whole family.

Little Learners

New Openings: — Miss Daisy’s Brook Green,

Little Dukes Little Learners, our early years introduction to the Dukes Young Leaders Award, has now been launched in all nurseries. Teams have two ways of recording Little Learners observations, both on our Famly app and in the child’s individual learning records which can be printed and shared with parents.

relocated January 2023 — Bloomsbury on the Beach, Brighton, July 2023 — Baby Rooms and The Kindergartens Crescent II and Mouse House SW18 — Riverside Richmond, February 2024 — Little Dukes Holland Park

Fantastic Food Our nursery chefs have been collaborating to ensure high-quality and nutritious menus are available to children across many of our settings. A huge emphasis has been made on inspiring children to try new tastes and know more about where the food they eat comes from. This has complemented kitchen gardens and vegetable patches in nurseries with outdoor space to enable children to explore how things grow.

L o o king B a c k

(Princedale Road), Summer 2024 — Little Dukes Cambridge @ Sancton Wood, Autumn 2024

— Miss Daisy’s Hyde Park Outstanding — Miss Daisy’s Chelsea Outstanding — The Kindergartens Mouse Hole SW11 Outstanding — Hove Village New Church Road Good — Reflections Good — Hopes & Dreams Old Street Outstanding at mock Ofsted

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Miss Daisy’s All five Miss Daisy’s nurseries have been refurbished during the year to create beautiful, creative learning spaces for children and a strong and consistent brand presence. The Miss Daisy’s nurseries were also all awarded Eco-Schools Green Flag award for sustainability in 2023. An externally catered hot lunch option for children is now available at Miss Daisy’s Chelsea and Belgravia

community and helping to create a

children to learn from their older

providing full-time children with

pipeline of new children joining Miss

peers while giving older children the

high-quality, locally sourced food

Daisy’s at age two.

benefit from mentoring younger

and menus designed specifically

ones. The new approach has been

with young children’s nutritional

Miss Daisy’s Brook Green has

very well received by parents, results

needs in mind.

relocated to a new site. The newly

in better outcomes for children and

resourced nursery is generating

also removes limits on set numbers

Daisy Buds, weekly music and

a great deal of interest from new

of places in classes.

movement sessions for the under-

families.

twos have started at Miss Daisy’s

At Miss Daisy’s Hyde Park, a

Belgravia. The sessions are very

Miss Daisy’s Chelsea has

refurbishment has created new

popular with families, providing

championed integrating year

outdoor space and a completely

a hub for parents in the local

groups vertically, allowing younger

new classroom for 16 children.

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries The Hopes and Dreams locations

Lyceum, visit regularly to read

at Angel and Old Street continued

at the nurseries so that children

their strong programme of parent

of all ages can enjoy stories

events to attract new families

together. The children took part

and build awareness for the

in the ‘My First Poem’ competition

nurseries. Families are able to take

for preschoolers run by Young

part in music sessions or ‘parent

Writers, winning the opportunity

surgeries’, themed around a

to have their own, independently

parenting topic such as readiness

written poetry published.

for school or children’s nutrition. Hopes and Dreams Old Street took Year 6 pupils from neighbouring

part in a mock Ofsted inspection

Dukes Education school, The

and gained an ‘Outstanding’ rating.

L o o king B a c k

The Kindergartens Crescent 11 and Mouse House 18

and airy new look. High-quality

both opened as full-time, year-

resources and new furniture have

round nurseries taking babies under

been brought in to each space to

two years old for the first time.

facilitate the continued provision

Parent interest has been very strong

of ‘Outstanding’ teaching and

and Crescent 11 is quickly filling

learning, that The Kindergartens

places. The number of FTE’s tripled

have been known for, for over

compared with 2022.

30 years.

All seven Kindergartens settings

The Kindergartens Mouse Hole was

have been refreshed, with a bright

rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

Riverside Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery

Riverside Nursery Schools had

received an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted

Significant investment was made

another successful year with

rating following inspection. Riverside

in Reflections’ outside space, and

Riverside St Margarets gaining a Top

Kew Montessori plans to increase

beach school and a refurbishment

20 award from daynurseries.co.uk

the number of sessions available

turned unused space into a new

and Riverside Holly Road winning a

following an increase in the number

pre-school room, thereby expanding

prestigious ‘British Institute of Interior

of FTEs and received a ‘Good’ rating

capacity for babies.

Design’ award, recognising the

from Ofsted. Reflections continued to strengthen

beautiful news and inspiring spaces The new flagship nursery at Riverside

connections with the local

Richmond is nearing completion and

community through food bank

FTEs at Riverside St Margarets are

interest in places for the exciting new

collections, sponsorship of the local

ahead of budget and the nursery

development is high.

pantomime and new weekly Little

created at the nursery.

Acorns and Little Willows drop-in music sessions for 0-12 and 12-24 month olds. A summer open day was held to thank parents for their continuing support and featured on the local news. Reflections was rated ‘Good’ in an Ofsted inspection.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Pippa Pop-ins Pippa Pop-ins nurseries joined Little Dukes in early 2024. Founded in 1992, the four Pippa Pop-ins nurseries are set in town houses in West London and provide a magical environment where children learn to be kind, independent and develop friendships. They aim for the children to understand feelings, respect for one another and have the opportunity to develop both

Hove Village Nurseries

holistically and academically. Pippa Pop-ins nurseries place a

Hove Village Nurseries opened the

the nursery. The investment has

great emphasis on individuality,

first of its kind Bloomsbury on the

extended to redecoration, structural

creativity and self-expression. They

Beach setting, a sister site to the

improvements and brand new

follow traditional standards with

Bloomsbury Street Day Nursery in

resources in every room. The team

contemporary concepts and have

Kemptown. Children graduate to

has also benefited from enhanced

created a curriculum which includes

the new beach setting for their final

professional development and

both the Early Years Foundation

pre-school year.

training which is evident in all of

Stage and Montessori elements.

their ongoing practices and 14 Early

They focus on the importance

New Church Road Nursery in Hove

Years apprentices have joined the

of laying the foundations for

was beautifully refurbished and

group. New Church Road Nursery

good manners, cultural diversity,

features a fresh new colour palette

was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

knowledge and sociability.

which reflects the individuality of

L o o king B a c k

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

STUDENT SHOWCASE Rochester Independent College Economics Olympiad One of RIC’s sixth form students, Angelina, was frustrated by the lack of an Olympiad-style competition in economics similar to ones in maths and the sciences that her fellow students can compete in. With no accredited host centre in the UK, she had to find her own solution.

serves as the national qualifier for

three-stage competition with the

Undeterred, Angelina contacted

the UK team.

final held in Rochester each year.

the International Economics

Over 1,000 students from across the

Olympiad Committee and

The Olympiad brings together

UK have taken part online in round

worked to help accredit Rochester

talented economics students from

one of this year’s competition and

Independent College. The Great

across the globe. It aims to promote

the winning team will represent the

British Economics Olympiad run by

interest in economics and identify

UK at the international final in Hong

Rochester Independent College now

future leaders in the field. It is a

Kong in 2024.

Matilda Salasportillo, Rochester Independent College

Emilia Momen, Fine Arts College

L o o king B a c k

Jemina Ifran, Eaton Square School

Carissia Li, Cardiff Sixth Form College

Jack Garrett, Rochester Independent College

Eli Lily Award The Institute of Education’s 6th Year student, Lynetta Wang, was awarded the Eli Lily Award at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2024. The prize is awarded to the best overall project for its chemistry or biochemistry content. Lynetta’s project examined the zinc finger CCHC domain-containing protein 4 (ZCCHC4) overexpression and its effect on the level of p53 responses in pancreatic cancer. Lynetta’s project won her second in her category: individual Senior Biological & Ecological Science.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Renaissance Scholars Symposium St Andrew’s College and Cardiff

the power of innovations, such

Sixth Form College Cambridge

as nuclear power generation and

jointly hosted the fifth Dukes

human health, and the implications

Education Renaissance Scholars

of artificial intelligence. The

Symposium with students from

group explored many aspects of

across Dukes colleges attending.

engineering including problem

The theme, ‘Looking to the future

solving, collaboration and ethical

as innovators, engineers and

considerations. Teams of students

leaders’, shone a spotlight on how

tackled challenges that included

human ingenuity can address

recreating unusual design of the

some of the profound challenges

Mathematical Bridge, a famous

facing the world today. Students

Cambridge landmark, and

heard from speakers from the

completed an engineering treasure

University of Cambridge and

hunt in the Cambridge University

other academics and discussed

Botanic Garden.

Ella Au, Cardiff Sixth Form College

Raika Sadat, Knightsbridge

Karl Bangayan, Rochester Independent College

L o o king B a c k

Lu Ren, St Andrew’s

Lara Amaya, Fine Arts College

Aysa Fani, Rochester Independent College

Amina Arkallayeva, Eaton Square School

Nuclear Fusor ‘Able and ambitious’ is Principal

college that his Extended Project

printed in the college. The device,

Dr Julian Davies’s answer to the

Qualification should involve the

known as a Nuclear Fusor, has

qualities he likes to see in CSFC

construction of a device to create

been demonstrated at the Dukes

Cambridge students. Cesare

nuclear fusion. He has worked

annual Renaissance Scholars

Mencarini has shown what this

with CSFC Cambridge’s physics

event, where it converted air in the

means when he convinced the

teacher Dr Pearson and convinced

chamber to plasma. The final stage

Jeremy Edwards of the University of

in commissioning the device is now

Cambridge Engineering Department

very close. Cesare has sourced the

to act as mentor. Cesare sourced all

final components and will very soon

the components and commissioned

relocate the device to the university’s

the bespoke construction of

engineering studio where it will

many parts from the university’s

be reassembled in its final form,

workshops. These components have

switched on and create nuclear

been combined with a Raspberry

fusion. An extraordinary project from

Pi, customised his computer coding,

an extraordinary student.

and various components that he 3D

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Thriving Minds Symposium Over 170 students from schools across the Dukes family attended a Thriving Minds Symposium entitled ‘Creating Mindsets for Bright Futures’, hosted by Lucy Hawking, daughter of Stephen Hawking, at Sancton Wood School in Cambridge. This special event gave students the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and explore subjects with higher-level thinking. The carefully curated workshops, held by experts in a range of areas explored the

Dukes Plus’ A-List, InvestIN and

students’ learning is practically

impact of their fields and how they

Summer Boarding Courses enriched

applied in industry. Dr Tim Witney

will develop and affect futures. The

the day with guidance on how

of the Witney Lab at King’s

day started with an inspirational

they can support students on their

College London, came armed with

keynote speech from Lucy Hawking,

educational journeys and beyond at

a wonderful array of practical

where she shared her experience of

our Futures Fair. Managing Director,

activities to show our young people

bold ideas, curiosity, daring to think

Professor Mark Bailey drew on his

how radioactivity is more than just

differently and asking questions

experience playing for the England

atomic bombs and cosmic rays.

and encouraged students to think

rugby team to deliver a popular talk

Other workshops included ‘From

about how they can make the world

to sports enthusiasts on ‘Creating a

Blank Canvas to a Signature Style’

a better place.

Winning Mindset’.

from children’s illustrator, Kate

The event was a wonderful example

‘The Future of Finance’ from Chris

of the unity of the Dukes family. As

Your Voice and Making it Heard’

Munson of Lloyds Bank, offered

well as the schools in attendance,

from novelist, Jim Keeble.

excellent context to how our

Winter and ‘Creative Writing Finding

Oliver Balmforth, Rochester Independent College

Emily Huang, Cardiff Sixth Form College

L o o king B a c k

Where are they now? Josh Bitton Former Knightsbridge School pupil, Josh Bitton, is now studying at IMG Academy boys’ tennis programme in Florida. Josh left his school in New York City this year in order to follow his passion to play Division 1 Tennis in university.

Leo Gomez-Franqueira

Eve Crosswaite

Formerly a pupil at Knightsbridge

Eve Crosswaite, formerly a pupil at

School, Leo starred in a West End

Knightsbridge School, is rowing in

production of The White Factory

the Geelong Grammar School First

in September and October. It was

VIII rowing crew, winning the Head

the world premiere of a daring

of the River race.

collaboration between Ukrainian, Russian and British creatives, led by writer Dmitry Glukhovsky, author of the bestselling Metro 2033 franchise, and visionary theatre director Maxim Didenko.

Sandra Adele Mae Muller Former student of Hampstead Fine Arts College, Mae Muller, represented the UK in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

Rochester Independent College was visited by former student, Sandra Adele. Sandra is currently reading for a DPhil in Clinical Medicine at Oxford and is a member of Christ Church College and the Junior Dean of Exeter College. Sandra’s background is in neuroscience, pharmacology and global health and she also works at the World Health Organisation supporting their Covid response. Sandra gave advice to RIC students about the application process and college selection and shared memories of happy times at RIC.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Where are they now? Buraq Ahmed Buraq graduated Cardiff Sixth

long research fellowship at Harvard

Form College in 2020 after being

University, focusing on interactions

awarded the Lexden prize for the

of important transcription factors

most ‘remarkable’ independent

in hormone-responsive tumours

school student at an ISA member

such as breast and prostate

school. Since then, he has

cancers. Buraq is also an academic

completed a BA in Biological Natural

supervisor at Fitzwilliam College,

Sciences with Pathology at The

Cambridge where he teaches

University of Cambridge, and is now

pharmacology to second-year

in the fourth year of medical school.

medical students.

Next year, Buraq takes up a year-

Maria Zagorulko Maria graduated Cardiff Sixth Form College in 2017 and is now a Senior Development and Operations engineer at Naked Energy Ltd, a manufacturer of hybrid solar thermal technology. She overlooks all technological changes to the product as well as optimising the company’s supply chain. She is actively involved

Colette Olive

in promoting sustainability within her sphere of work and

A former student at Hampstead Fine

acts as an executive producer

Arts College, Colette Olive is now

of a sustainability podcast in

a teaching associate at Fitzwilliam

renewable heating space.

College Cambridge specialising in Aesthetics, Ethics, Kant, post

Maria’s background is in chemical

Kantian Philosophy and Continental

engineering (Class of 2021,

Philosophy. Colette studied for her

Imperial College London) and she

BA in philosophy and her PhD in

is passionate about corporate

Russian philosophy of Art at King’s

ESG responsibility. Currently, she

College London. FAC was delighted

is collaborating with Royal Opera

to welcome Colette back to give a

House on building their Net Zero

talk to some Year 12 and 13 students.

vision and ESG strategy.

L o o king B a c k

Dukes Alumni Happy anniversary! Earlscliffe welcomed alumni, colleagues, friends and neighbours to join them for a fantastic 10th birthday celebration weekend and launch of the Earlscliffe alumni programme. Recently graduated students came

CSFC in Hong Kong

to meet Year 13 students to share their experiences, followed the next

The first Alumni event for four

day with a splendid lunch and tour of

years was held in Hong Kong

the buildings which have increased

as part of Cardiff Sixth Form

from just one in 2012 to eight. The

College’s summer event there.

evening dinner was a grand affair

About 30 alumni attended,

with live music and wonderful

weekend was a wonderful way to

some of whom graduated from

food, all set in the beautifully lit

thank everyone who has supported

CSFC nearly 10 years ago.

grounds of School House. The

Earlscliffe over ten wonderful years.

CSFC Cambridge mentoring scheme Cardiff Sixth Form College alumni, now studying at prestigious institutions like Cambridge University and top London universities, are actively giving back to their alma mater. They are mentoring a new generation of students at CSFC

London calling

Cambridge, sharing valuable

Cardiff Sixth Form College alumni

thriving mentorship programme,

also have the opportunity to

now in its second successful year,

An additional three Dukes settings

attend alumni events in London.

fosters academic and personal

launched alumni programmes this

Held in March and October, the

growth. Year 13 students had

year, St Andrew’s College, Hampton

evenings are very well attended

their final mentoring session with

Court House School and Rochester

with over 100 people each time

‘speed dating’ style interview

Independent College. With a current

enjoying food and dancing as

sessions and the Year 12 students

focus on collecting their student data,

well as plenty of laughter and

took part in their first session with

they plan to launch their alumni

catching up with old friends.

a new set of mentors.

programme over the next six months.

insights and experiences. This

Alumni programme

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Meet the Family

KEY: Nursery School Preparatory School

Founded in 2015, Dukes brings together a carefully curated group of nurseries,

Senior School

schools, colleges, education consultancies and student experience organisations.

Sixth Form College

Our central team is based in London. From here, we serve our settings in the UK and Europe, providing administrative support and training, whilst promoting highperformance, leadership, and well-being.

Pupils 2,565

2019

Broomfield House School AGES 3-11

18,500

2024

Riverside Nursery Schools Riverside Nursery Schools

KEW MONTESSORI • AGES 0-5

ST MARGARETS MONTESSORI • AGES 0-5

Riverside Nursery Schools TWICKENHAM GROSVENOR PARK • AGES 0-5

nursery brands

Radnor House Prep • AGES 2-11

Kneller Hall School*

AGES 11-18

Riverside Nursery Schools

prep school brands

TWICKENHAM PARK • AGES 0-5

TWICKENHAM GREEN MONTESSORI AGES 0-5

Radnor House School • AGES 11-18

Riverside Nursery Schools RIVERSIDE, HOLLY ROAD

senior school and college brands

• AGES 0-5

all through schools Hampton Court House School

AGES 2-18

Dukes Plus brands

L o o king B a c k

Opening soon

Heathside School Hampstead AGES 2-13

Devonshire House School AGES 2-13

Hampstead Fine Arts College Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nursery School

AGES 13-18

OLD STREET • AGES 0-5

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nursery School CITY ROAD • AGES 0-5

Bassett House School

The Lyceum School

AGES 2-11

Miss Daisy’s Nursery

The Acorn Nursery AGES 2-5

Notting Hill Preparatory School

Eaton Square Senior School, Mayfair

Pippa Pop-ins AGES 2-5

AGES 11-18

AGES 4-13

Orchard House School AGES 3-11

Knightsbridge School

Kindergartens

Belgravia School • AGES 3-11 Eaton Square Preparatory School • AGES 2-11

BROOK GREEN • AGES 2-5

Miss Daisy’s Nursery CHELSEA • AGES 2-5

Kindergartens

Miss Daisy’s Nursery

MOUSE HOUSE • AGES 0-5

WATERLOO PLACE OFFICE

Eaton House

Miss Daisy’s Nursery

AGES 3-11

Dukes Education

AGES 3-16

POOH CORNER • AGES 2-5

Chiswick and Bedford Park

AGES 4-11

HYDE PARK • AGES 2-5

KNIGHTSBRIDGE • AGES 2-5

Miss Daisy’s Nursery BELGRAVIA • AGES 2-5

Eaton Square Sixth Form • AGES 15-18 Kindergartens

Pippa Pop-ins

THE PARK • AGES 2-5

AGES 2-5

Kindergartens

Eaton House

MOUSE HOLE • AGES 2-5

THE MANOR GIRLS SCHOOL • AGES 4-11 THE MANOR BOYS SCHOOL • AGES 4-13

Kindergartens MOUSE HOUSE • AGES 2-5

The Pointer School

PRE-PREP • AGES 3-7

AGES 3-11

London Park School, Clapham • AGES 11-18

Prospect House School AGES 3-11

Broomwood

BOYS • AGES 8-13

GIRLS • AGES 8-13

Kindergartens

Kindergartens THE PARK • AGES 2-5

CRESCENT II • AGES 0-5

London ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

United Kingdom Sancton Wood School, Cambridge • AGES 1-16 St. Andrew’s College, Cambridge • AGES 15-18 Cardiff Sixth Form College, Cambridge Campus • AGES 16-18 Cardiff Sixth Form College • AGES 15-18

LON D ON * Rochester Independent College • AGES 11-18

Earlscliffe Reflections Day Nursery & Forest School AGES 0-8

Hove Village Nurseries

AGES 15-18

AGES 0-5

KEY: Educational Setting: Nursery School

Consultancies

Experience Providers Preparatory School Senior School Sixth Form College

Our collection of university

Dukes brings together the UK’s

application consultancies

leading providers of day camps

represent the best worldwide.

and residential summer courses.

Dukes Plus: Ultimate Activity Camps Summer Boarding Camps

Offering high-quality, bespoke

World-class immersive career

support for children aged 5-18.

experiences.

L o o king B a c k

InvestIN Education

Ireland Institute of Education AGES 12-19

United Kingdom

Ireland Bruce College AGES 16-18

Switzerland Copperfield International School AGES 3-18

Portugal Colégio Júlio Dinis

Spain

AGES 3-18

IEP Group

Portugal United Lisbon International School • AGES 3-18 International Sharing School • AGES 0-18

International ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Quick Family History

2013

2015

Applications is the

and Fine Arts College join,

first organisation to

US university application

become a ‘Dukes’

support is added to our

organisation

consultancy offering

Oxbridge

SEPTEMBER 2019

Summer Boarding Courses

AUGUST 2019

JULY 2019

Sancton Wood moves

Broomfield House

Heathside School,

into new Bateman Street

School, Kew Montessori

Reflections

building. Eaton Square Prep

School and St Margarets

Nursery, and Bright

moves into new building

Montessori School join

Beginnings join

SEPTEMBER 2019 The inaugural Dukes Schools Conference

2020

OCTOBER 2019

NOVEMBER 2019

JANUARY 2020

Hopes & Dreams

Radnor House

Bassett House,

Montessori Nursery

School Twickenham

Orchard House, and

School joins

joins

Prospect House join

CHRISTMAS 2019 The family, 1,000 people strong, sits down to Christmas dinner together

L o o king B a c k

2016 Rochester

Building the

Independent College joins

2017 Cardiff Sixth

The Dukes Publications

Crown, our

Form College and

series is launched: three

Culture Book,

Earlscliffe join

market-leading titles on

is published

university admissions

2019

2018

MARCH 2015 Dukes Education formally launched

JUNE 2019

MAY 2019

APRIL 2019

A-List UK joins

Active Education

Lyceum moves

Miss Daisy’s Nursery,

Group joins

into new building

Eaton Square, The Lyceum,

Knightsbridge School,

Sancton Wood, and Twickenham Park Day Nursery join

MARCH 2020

2021

JANUARY 2021

FEBRUARY 2021

MARCH 2021

First Senior

The Career Portal

Chiswick &

Hampton Court

Leaders

joins Dukes

Bedford Park

House joins

Conference

and St Andrew’s College join Dukes

DUKES TURNS

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

2021 JUNE 2021

SEPTEMBER 2021

Eaton House

Broomwood Hall Lower,

Dukes completes purchase of

Schools join

Broomwood Hall Upper, Northcote

Kneller Hall and announces that

Lodge, Northwood Senior and The

it will be the new home of an

Kindergartens group join

expanded Radnor House School

2023

APRIL 2023

FEBRUARY 2023

JANUARY 2023

The Institute of

Copperfield

The family, 2,500 strong

Education, Dublin, joins

International School

gathers at Wembley

the Dukes family

Verbier joins the family

Stadium for the Dukes Education conference

MAY 2023

JUNE 2023

JULY 2023

International Sharing

Colégio Júlio

Notting Hill Prep and

School Taguspark

Dinis Porto joins

The Acorn Nursery

Lisbon joins the family

the Dukes family

join the Dukes family

L o o king B a c k

NOVEMBER 2021

2022 MARCH 2022

MARCH 2022

APRIL 2022

Duchess of Cornwall

Devonshire

Inaugural Dukes

InvestIN Education

attends Dukes Poetry

House School

sustainable

& JK Educate join

Together event at Royal

joins the family

careers week

the Dukes family

Geographical Society

SEPTEMBER 2022

JUNE 2022

MAY 2022

CSFC opens new

The Pointers school

Dukes Club

campus in Cambridge,

in Blackheath joins

launches

and Eaton Square opens

the family

new Sixth form college

NOVEMBER 2022 United Lisbon International School joins Dukes as first international member

2024

AUGUST 2023

NOVEMBER 2023

Her Majesty Queen

IEP Group joins the

Pippa Pop-ins nursery

Camilla attends Poetry

Dukes family

schools and Bruce College,

Together Showcase

JANUARY 2024

Cork join the family

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

NEW ADDITIONS

new family members in 2023/24

The Dukes family continued to grow in 2023. In 2023, new members joined from Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. We now have 47 brands spread across 77 settings and 62 summer locations.

Copperfield International School

International Sharing School

The Institute of Education

Founded in London in 2020 to

ISS is one of the fastest-growing

The Institute of Education was

serve students affected by the

and premium IB schools, located in

founded in 1969 by Raymond Kearns

pandemic, Copperfield, the

Portugal’s first and most Innovative

to provide exceptional maths tuition

world’s only ski-in, ski-out IB

Science and Technology Park. The

to Leaving Certificate students.

school, later relocated to Verbier.

school’s philosophy is Learning

Today, The Institute is Ireland’s

It now welcomes students aged 3

Through Sharing, growing together,

most successful private school with

to 18 and offers the International

creating together, and succeeding

over 1,500 full-time students and in

Baccalaureate Primary Years

together, making a difference to

2023 achieved record Irish Leaving

Programme, A-levels, Cambridge

students’ academic journey.

Certificate results, matched by a

Verbier, Switzerland

IGCSE, and the IB Diploma in a unique and inspiring setting.

L o o king B a c k

Lisbon, Portugal

Dublin, Ireland

record number of students on roll.

Colégio Júlio Dinis

Notting Hill Prep and The Acorn Nursery

IEP

Colégio Júlio Dinis was founded in

At Notting Hill Prep, boys and

International Education Partnership

1934, making it one of the oldest

girls aged 4-13 are educated in a

was founded in 2018 with the

schools in Portugal, with a vision

nurturing and happy environment,

objective of becoming a major

to provide quality education to

where they are encouraged to

provider within the Spanish

children in Porto. The school was

question and explore on their journey

independent schools market. The

named after Júlio Dinis, a prominent

to becoming life-long learners. The

group has seven schools, employing

19th-century Portuguese writer, who

Acorn Nursery welcomes children

450 teachers and educating 4,800

had close ties to the city of Porto.

from 2 ½ to 5 years and is located in

students from 1 to 18 years old. IEP

CJD has grown and evolved and,

the heart of Notting Hill.

has the honour of being the first

Porto, Portugal

Notting Hill, London

Madrid, Spain

today, is recognised as a leading

schools group in Spain to join the

educational institution in the region.

Dukes Education family.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Pippa Pop-ins Nursery Schools

Bruce College

Pippa Pop-ins is a highly respected group of four

We are delighted to welcome the newest member

nursery schools located in West London. Established

of the Dukes family, Bruce College located in Cork,

in 1992, Pippa Pop-ins schools follow the best

Ireland. Bruce College is a co-educational school

of traditional standards and provide warm and

founded in 1990. Bruce College is associated very

welcoming environments in which children are

much with excellence and academic achievement in

nurtured, motivated and eager to learn. Children learn

the Cork region and currently provides senior cycle

to be kind, independent and develop friendships and

tuition and exam preparation courses in 26 Leaving

have a wonderful start to their early years education.

Certificate subjects to over 270 full-time students

Fulham, London

Cork, Ireland

and many thousands of part-time students annually.

L o o king B a c k

NEW OPENINGS

new schools in 2023

Radnor Prep

London Park School

Radnor House Prep opened its doors in September.

London Park School Clapham welcomed its first

The brand-new STEAM rooms are fully equipped for

students in September. Led by Head, Susan Brooks, the

a combination of traditional practical skills alongside

school offers a fresh approach to education, making

the more focused product design. Exciting projects

the most of all that London has to offer and preparing

such as the Dyson Award, Formula One design,

students for the workplaces and world of the future,

drone coding and building, motorised race-ready

sending them out as caring, compassionate, global-

boats, and stop-motion animation all form part of

thinking citizens. Eaton Square Senior and Sixth Form

our new and exciting STEAM curriculum which also

have joined the LPS family all under the overarching

sees the children producing a regular podcast.

leadership of Principal, Suzie Longstaff.

Twickenham

Clapham

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Dukes was founded with the mission to help children lead extraordinary lives, and we succeed in this because we are a team of extraordinary people. 68

L o o king B a c k

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Hosted by comedian, performer and best-selling author, Ruby Wax, at the Dukes Festive Party the awards celebrate and highlight what is most important across Dukes: innovation, pastoral care, our communities, customer service, sustainability, the enthusiasm of new joiners, and the teamwork in our settings. Many congratulations to all our nominees and finalists; to be recognised by your colleagues is an outstanding achievement.

AWARD 1:

INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES Arabella Chute, Notting Hill Prep

AWARD 2:

PASTORAL CARE Matthew Burnham, Cardiff Sixth Form College

AWARD 3:

AWARD 4:

Lisa Mellows, Eaton House The Manor

Hannah Smith, Prospect House School

CHARITABLE / COMMUNITY

WELL-BEING INITIATIVE

AWARD 5:

MARKETING INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR Ali Bucknall, London Park School

AWARD 6:

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE Tim Wenworth, Ultimate Activity Camps

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

AWARD 7:

SUSTAINABILITY Broomfield House School

AWARD 8:

STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR - LITTLE DUKES Naz Usman, Hopes & Dreams

AWARD 8:

STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR - SCHOOLS & COLLEGES Alistair Brownlow, Rochester Independent College

AWARD 8:

STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR - DUKES PLUS Katie Krais, JK Educate

AWARD 9:

NEW STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR Amy Soliman-Beard, Radnor House Twickenham

AWARD 10:

SERVICE ABOVE AND BEYOND Theo Boyce, Oxbridge Applications

L o o king B a c k

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

AWARD 11:

OVERALL ORGANISATION / SETTING OF THE YEAR The Institute of Education

AWARD 12:

HEAD PREFECT Charlotte Crookes, The Pointer School

Scan to see... all of the photos from the Dukes Festive Party and the Annual Awards 2023

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Dukes External Awards Independent Schools of the Year An astonishing eight schools were shortlisted for the Independent Schools of the Year 2023 awards with Eaton House Schools in the running for seven different awards. The shortlisted schools were Cardiff Sixth Form College, Devonshire House, Eaton House Belgravia, Eaton House the Manor, Eaton Square Prep, The Lyceum, Sancton Wood and The Pointer School.

World’s Best Schools Prizes Cardiff Sixth Form College reached the top three finalists in the ‘supporting healthy lives’ category of the World’s Best Schools Prizes for their Create programme. Create already won recognition by the Welsh Independent Schools Council as winner of the Best Wellbeing Initiative.

Award-winning design The team at Riverside Nurseries, Holly Road won an award from the British Institute of Design for

Pastoral care success

their new nursery space designed by House of Kin. Judges praised

L o o king B a c k

Many congratulations to Bassett

its harmonious and child-friendly

House School for winning the School

design, emphasising sustainability

House Magazine Award pastoral

with cork-clad walls, wood waste

care category. The judges were

flooring, and recycled plastic bottle

impressed with the initiatives that

tiles. The space offers various

Bassett House put into place that

interactive areas tailored to different

are individual to the school and that

personalities, fostering engagement

work! Head of Bassett House, Kelly

and through adaptive units and play

Gray said: “We understand that a

structures creating an imaginative,

child’s happiness is key, their well-

thoughtful environment perfect for

being is of utmost importance.”

children’s learning and growth.

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Little Dukes

MISS DAISY’S

HOPE AND DREAMS - ANGEL

— Hyde Park graded

— Graded ‘Good’ Ofsted

‘Outstanding’ Ofsted — Chelsea graded ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted

— Millie Marks Award — Healthy Eating London - Bronze Awards

— Hyde Park awarded

— Green Tree Awards

Green Flag Status

- Silver Award

RIVERSIDE

HOPE AND DREAMS - OLD STREET

— St Margarets Montessori

— Healthy Eating London

graded ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted — Kew Montessori graded ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted

- Bronze Awards — Green Tree Awards - working towards Silver Award

nurseries have had inspections from Ofsted with all awarded ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’.

— Holly Road graded ‘Good’ Ofsted — Grosvenor House awarded 5-star

HOPES AND DREAMS - GROUP

food and hygiene rating — UK Children’s Champion THE KINDERGARTENS

Award 2020 — Senior Leader of the Year

— Pooh Corner W8 graded ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted

(1st runner up) Islington Awards 2021

— Park SW2 graded ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Schools

RADNOR HOUSE TWICKENHAM — Silver Award for the School Mental Health Award from the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, Leeds Beckett University in association with Minds Ahead. ORCHARD HOUSE SCHOOL — TES Independent School Award for Sport. Head of Sport and PE at OHS, Steph Furneaux, won TES award for innovation in teaching sport. DEVONSHIRE HOUSE SCHOOL — Well-being Award for Schools in 2020

EATON SQUARE PREP

EATON SQUARE SENIOR

BASSETT HOUSE SCHOOL

— 2022 Dukes Innovative Education

— U11 player of the year 2022

— Unsung Hero finalist in Tatler

— Independent Schools Association

Schools Awards 2021

practises award (ISA) National Swim Finals 2022

Year 7 student, Jay Jethwa receives award at North Middlesex Cricket Club

5 medals (2 Gold, 2 Silver 1 THE LYCEUM

Bronze) — Winner of the ultimate title

— 1st prize in ISA London North Art competition 2021

of ‘Best Overall School’ in the Medium Schools category at the 2022 English Schools Swimming

SANCTON WOOD SCHOOL — Finalists in the Independent School Awards for two years running: 2022 - Independent Prep School of the Year, 2021 - Co-Educational Independent School of the Year — 7th place nationally in 2022

Association Finals — Winner of Royal Yachting

THE POINTER SCHOOL — Winner of the junior category of the ISA Young Musician Competition 2022 — Youngest ever winner of the London U8 Chess championship

Association’s Regional Junior Championships 2021 KNIGHTSBRIDGE — Pupil comes first in the Elite Epee Fencing event U13 category

EATON HOUSE — The Week Children’s Journalism Competition Prize. At Eaton House The Manor Girls’ School, pupil scoops top journalism prize

Sunday Times’ Parent Power List

L o o king B a c k

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Colleges

ROCHESTER INDEPENDENT COLLEGE

FINE ARTS COLLEGE CARDIFF SIXTH FORM COLLEGE — Winner of THE BIG IDEA

— Wins prestigious ISA award. Top independent school for excellence and innovation in fine arts — Dukes Education Sustainability Award in 2022

— Sunday Times Parent Power 2023 Welsh School of the Year — Top of the league tables Telegraph

CHALLENGE 2022 award. The competition is hosted by London Metropolitan University.

2022 — ISA Senior School of the Year 2022 — ISA Senior School of the Year 2022

EARLSCLIFFE — Fortune Top 250 Boarding Schools in the World 2023 (five-star rating) — UNESCO-associated school member — Accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK

— 2020 AMCIS Branding Impact Award — Top of small schools league tables for GCSEs Telegraph 2020 — ISA Pupil Personal Development 2020 — Welsh Independent Schools Council Well-being Initiative 2019 — ISA Well-being Award 2019

— Earlscliffe Interact, sponsored by Folkestone Rotary Club — Dukes Education award-winner for Sustainability — Dukes Education award-winner for best new employee (Admissions Administrator) — Dukes Education award-winner for Head Boy — Dukes Education nominated for Admissions Excellence — Dukes Education nominated for Well-being Initiative

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

L o o king B a c k

S E R V I CE

3,784 78 members

in-person events

118

517

webinars

articles

Dukes Club was created to bring together Dukes’ extraordinary community of families, staff and alumni and to use the power of the collective to be able to offer elevated, unique experiences and expert advice in areas that matter to them the most. Dukes Club speakers are expert in their fields.

Julie Wilkinson creator of Brave the Rage

Dr Tara Porter Clinical Psychologist and Author

Lulu Luckock education advisor and counsellor

Shona Colaco Head Knightsbridge School and Suzie Longstaff Principal London Park Schools

This year, our Dukes Club members will be offered the opportunity to take part in some truly extra special events. There will be something for everyone, covering a range of interests from sports to the arts. Our research has shown the areas in which our members look for advice, and the challenges that lie ahead, and we will respond with a programme of impactful and meaningful support. Look out for the Dukes Club’s very first podcast series which members can access and enjoy at their convenience. As we grow and develop, we will ensure that the Dukes Club offers real added-value to each of our settings so they can feel proud to offer the exciting and exclusive opportunities it presents to each of their families. Scan to join the club... You are warmly invited to join our Chris Ashton former England rugby player

extraordinary community and enjoy its exciting benefits.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

L o o king B a c k

S E R V I CE

Poetry Together brings younger and older generations together through the joy of poetry. It is the brainchild of author, broadcaster, and poetry fanatic, Gyles Brandreth, is organised by Dukes Education and is wonderfully supported by Her Majesty The Queen. Showcase for Her Majesty The Queen

Poetry Together Launch

This year’s initiative launched at the end of August with a

A week later, Poetry Together held a launch party at the

first; a wonderful showcase for Her Majesty The Queen,

British Library. 250 guests from both the independent and

at Fielding Primary School in Ealing. The event was an

state school sector and older members of the community

opportunity to welcome Poetry Together Champions,

joined together to enjoy poetry performances and

who have been recruited by Lord Lieutenants across the

workshops. The workshops were held by UK Children’s

country to spread the word about the project in their

Laureate, Joseph Coehlo, Slam Poetry star Steven Camden,

regions. Deputy Lieutenant, Dame Floella Benjamin,

aka Polarbear, and Jodie Russi-Red, Poet, Storyteller and

attended the event and is one of many Deputy Lieutenants

Co-Creation Manager at the British Library. Her workshop

and other people in key roles working with young and old,

explored, ‘what makes you, you’ with a sparkly pom-poms,

encouraging the communities to connect.

confetti and balloon-filled finale.

The showcase also welcomed Poetry Together partners,

We received the most incredible feedback from those

including Age UK, Girl Guiding, London Youth, The Poetry

who attended, but one message of thanks from a parent

Society, Forward Arts Foundation, the learning team at

stands out:

The British Library, and the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, who were involved in making this year’s Poetry Together the biggest and best yet. The event saw performances from both ends of the generational spectrum, including last year’s winners, Fielding Primary School students with their grandparents and members of Age UK and Girl Guiding. HM The Queen, brought a honey and cream cake to celebrate the event, which was presented on stage by the Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland. The day finished with a Mad Hatter’s tea party.

“Our lads came away from Joseph’s workshop knowing that when they are told to just write, write anything, a word, a sentence or more, and importantly that there are no rules, they really do have great ideas. And our eldest son who lives with physical and cognitive disabilities including a brain condition will always remember the message in Joseph’s poem - that it is perfectly OK if sometimes you want to say no.”

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

The launch party also offered interactive activities from Dukes Education, The Poetry Society, the British Library and Rosy Crow Publishers, for the guests to truly immerse themselves in all things poetry and leave feeling inspired.

L o o king B a c k

“And from Steven’s workshop, it was the first time we have seen both boys equally enthused when it comes to creative writing. Our youngest son rose to Steven’s challenge and Steven did something truly amazing for our eldest son. Despite his condition, in a very short space of time, Steven empowered him and left him knowing that he not only has some brilliant ideas but by trusting in Steve and doing what Steve suggested, he produced some powerful sentences to be proud of. Absolutely priceless.”

S E R V I CE

Happiness challenge The launch event began this year’s ‘challenge’ which invited those under 18 and over 70 to write poems based on the theme of ‘Happiness’. It also encouraged younger and older communities to get together to perform their poems for one another over tea and cake. We received over 400 brilliant poems; they made us laugh and they made us cry, and very special intergenerational get-togethers involving hundreds of people have taken place in care homes, schools and

Benefits of poetry

day centres from Southend-on-Sea to Shanghai. There is something quite special about people from both The most incredible stories of connection have

ends of the generational spectrum, connecting and

emerged: a school for children who have experienced

having a chat over a cup of tea. It is a wonderful way

childhood trauma wrote to tell us of one boy who

to bring communities closer together. The benefits of

had written his poem with his adoptive grandfather

younger and older generations working together are well

and how the process had given them a great way to

documented. Studies have shown that learning poetry

bond. Another care home told us about their resident,

by heart improves academic performance at school,

a former school teacher who had dementia and

improves concentration, and even supports better sleep.

how having the children come to visit, re-ignited a

For older people, evidence shows that learning poetry by

spark in her. Some schools visited en masse with one

heart can give you a happier and more successful life.

taking 150 Year 2 students to visit their care home

It improves the ability to communicate and strengthen

partners, while others used it as an opportunity

relationships, improves memory, increases brain capacity

to get to know their elderly neighbours better.

and can help keep dementia at bay. Learning poetry together changes lives and it has been wonderful to see it happening before our very eyes this year. Award-winning author, Lucy Cuthew, helped to select some winners from all the entrants. Avi, 9, and Colin, 91, were announced as winners Poetry Together’s 2023 winners live on ITV’s This Morning on 26th January. They both performed their ‘happiness’ poems superbly on the show. 15 other schools and care homes won £250 for books for their libraries and there are plans for Poetry Together’s first-ever anthology. The interest in the initiative in 2023 has been wonderful, and we have even bigger and more exciting plans for 2024 as the impact of Poetry Together spreads.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS There are

797

1,728

COLLEGE

# INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

St Andrew’s

144

Rochester

146

Fine Arts

Cardiff

279

Cardiff Cambridge

Earlscliffe

130

international students in our colleges

146

nationalities across the Dukes family

enquiries received for 2023 entry

with students coming from all over the world

The Dukes colleges have delivered some excellent results this year and helped their students go on to top universities.

COLLEGE

# NATIONALITIES

COLLEGE

A-LEVEL RESULTS A*-A

A-LEVEL RESULTS A*-B

St Andrew’s

Cardiff

95%

100%

Rochester

St Andrew’s

19%

26%

Fine Arts

Cardiff

Rochester

25%

49%

Cardiff Cambridge

Earlscliffe

41%

57%

Earlscliffe

Fine Arts

28%

60%

L o o king B a c k

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Team structure for international student recruitment

Tim Fish UK CEO

Russian-speaking markets & Eastern Europe

UK-based

Henrietta Lightwood

Jenny Seed

Janine Funsch

Scott Giles Group Sales & Marketing Director

Jon Peach

Natalia Volchugova

Ireland

Switzerland

Asia & Europe

Siobhan Murtagh

Hannah Leggett

Vickie Li

Svetlana Osipova

China & SE Asia

Florence Chow

Tony Blignaut Jasmine Nie

MENAT West Africa

LATAM

Eden Zhang

Angela Lok

Liz Li

Zack Abdulhamid Sharon Ehimwenma

Matthew McLarty

Summer courses recruitment SBC

Gianluca Polidori

InvestIN

Julie Fish

Musab Angudi

Carlos Taboas

Richard Lawless

Shu Han Chang

Willow Herold

Thanks to strong connections with the Royal Family, Dukes secured exclusive use of Windsor Castle for a special event for educational consultants in December. 50 of the top educational consultants from around the world were invited to attend the prestigious event. Collectively, they have sent over 700 students to study at Dukes colleges and this was an opportunity to thank them and showcase the many schools, colleges, summer camps and consultancy services that Dukes offers. The ‘money-can’t-buy’ experience culminated with guest speaker Peter Philips, the eldest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Compliance, Safeguarding & Inspections

L o o king B a c k

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

nurseries

colleges

had inspections by ISI

had inspections by

had formal inspections by

had successful

and were judged to be

Ofsted with the majority

their relevant inspectorate

material change

100% compliant to The

rated ‘Outstanding’ and

and were judged to be

inspections

Education (Independent

the others ‘Good’

100% compliant

schools

Schools Standards) Regulations 2014

Guidance and support Support to all Dukes settings comprised advice on Single Central Registers, staff recruitment regulations, health and safety tours, inspection-readiness workshops with senior leaders, policy developments, telephone enquiries, boarding house visits including new boarding houses in Dublin and Verbier, and sampling food in canteens.

Minibus licensing DSL development day Successful Public Service Vehicle (PSV) minibus licensing 39 staff across 21 schools, seven colleges and five

applications were achieved for the Eaton House and

Dukes Plus organisations attended the first Annual DSL

Broomwood and a successful formal Office for Transport

Development Day in May 2023. As well as networking

Inspection of PSV minibus operations was achieved at

and sharing best practice, external speakers and talks,

Reflections Small School and Nursery in November 2023.

exemplified to attendees the importance of their role.

Further support from Blue Flag Consultancy Ltd has included development of guidance material as well as an online defects and daily checking software system.

External audits A successful external compliance audit was carried out

Safeguarding audits

in January 2023. At the same time an external health and safety audit was also commissioned by Dukes with

A successful programme of Annual Safeguarding

no major concerns found.

Reviews across schools was achieved.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Dukes Plus Successful safeguarding audits of Dukes Plus organisations were carried out including a review of documentation and on-site compliance visits. This culminated with the first formal Annual Safeguarding Reviews with a member of the Dukes Education Board. A new safeguarding audit template was also implemented across the Dukes Plus brands. An Identity Service Provider has been appointed to ensure the large number of staff in the Dukes Plus organisations requiring ID / DBS / Right To work Checks are formally evidenced.

Dukes Hub

CAS

The Dukes Hub Compliance area has been

The first complete academic year of Dukes in-house

redesigned to make navigation easier and

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

new compliance guidance material uploaded

management team was completed. The team issued

including new templates, toolkits, staff guides and

a total of 617 CAS between September 2022 and

a new website content checking tool.

August 2023.

UKVI

Cluster Groups

Dukes Education manages seven UKVI Student

A cluster group for college Designated Safeguarding

Sponsorship License between 11 Schools/Colleges.

Leads (DSLs) and one for Heads of Boarding have

The process is managed by Student Immigration

existed for many years and provide colleagues with

Manager, Lee Tattum, and his team with

support and opportunities to share learning and

Compliance Director, Paul Ludlow, having overall

best practice. This has now been extended and the

responsibility as the licences Authorising Officer.

first annual DSL and Deputy DSL cluster groups are

UKVI granted three licences to colleges following

planned for the spring term 2024 across both prep

successful inspections.

and senior Dukes schools. In addition, a cluster group for school nurses will commence in the spring term.

L o o king B a c k

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Key pillars of safeguarding

Consistent, robust policies and processes Delivered by regularly

Effective use of technology to track data and assess trends

Consistent and continuous monitoring and review

trained staff, monitored

Including:

–

and reviewed by Governors, Senior Leadership

to Safeguarding Governor –

Teams and Designated Safeguarding Leads

Weekly safeguarding reports

SCR tracker (Safer recruitment)

–

/ Managing Director –

CPOMS – timely reporting and actioning of any concerns or allegations

Termly safeguarding report to the Governors

–

On-site annual safeguarding and compliance audits at all

including low-level concerns

settings –

Annual safeguarding reviews for all settings with the Board / Senior Leadership Teams to review the effectiveness of safeguarding

–

External advice and guidance sought as appropriate in line with KCSIE guidance

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

Dukes Board responsible as Safeguarding Governors and take ultimate responsible for safeguarding

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

LOOK AT DUKES NOW

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

Dukes Villages

104

Dukes Hub

Dukes by Numbers

105

Learning & Development

Our People

110

Insight

Promotions

111

bob

100

Heroes Behind the Crown

112

Well-being

102

Meet the Dukes Champions

116

Sustainability

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Bassett House School AGES 2-11

The Acorn Nursery AGES 2-5

Notting Hill Preparatory School

Miss Daisy’s Nursery HYDE PARK • AGES 2-5

Eaton Square Senior School, Mayfair

Pippa Pop-ins AGES 2-5

AGES 11-18

AGES 4-13

Kindergartens

Knightsbridge School

Eaton House Belgravia School • AGES 3-11 Eaton Square Preparatory School • AGES 2-11

Miss Daisy’s Nursery BROOK GREEN • AGES 2-5

Miss Daisy’s Nursery

CHELSEA • AGES 2-5

BELGRAVIA • AGES 2-5

Miss Daisy’s Nursery

MOUSE HOUSE • AGES 0-5

WATERLOO PLACE OFFICE

AGES 3-16

POOH CORNER • AGES 2-5

Kindergartens

Dukes Education

KNIGHTSBRIDGE • AGES 2-5

Eaton Square Sixth Form • AGES 15-18

Pippa Pop-ins AGES 2-5

Dukes Central London Village

Broomfield House School AGES 3-11

Prospect House School AGES 3-11

Broomwood Riverside Nursery Schools GIRLS • AGES 8-13

Dukes Villages

Riverside Nursery Schools KEW MONTESSORI • AGES 0-5

ST MARGARETS MONTESSORI • AGES 0-5

Kindergartens CRESCENT II • AGES 2-5

Dukes deliberately creates clusters of nurseries and schools in village settings to ensure that families can enjoy an allthrough education within the same area.

Kindergartens THE PARK • AGES 2-5 Riverside Nursery Schools TWICKENHAM GROSVENOR PARK • AGES 0-5

Radnor House Prep • AGES 2-11

Kneller Hall School* AGES 11-18

Riverside Nursery Schools

TWICKENHAM PARK • AGES 0-5

TWICKENHAM GREEN MONTESSORI AGES 0-5

Radnor House School • AGES 11-18

Riverside Nursery Schools

Senior schools & colleges

London

Preparatory schools

RIVERSIDE, HOLLY ROAD

Hampton Court House School

• AGES 0-5

Nurseries

AGES 2-18

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

AGES 2-13

Devonshire House School AGES 2-13

Dukes North Hopes and Dreams London Village

Heathside School Hampstead

Hampstead Fine Arts College

AGES 2-13

AGES 13-18

Montessori Nursery School

Devonshire House School

OLD STREET • AGES 0-5

AGES 2-13

Hopes and Dreams Hampstead Montessori Nursery School Fine Arts College CITY ROAD • AGES 0-5 AGES 13-18 Hopes and Dreams Bassett House School Heathside School Montessori Nursery School AGES 2-11 The Lyceum School Hampstead OLD STREET • AGES 0-5 AGES 4-11 Miss Daisy’sAGES Nursery 2-13 HYDE PARK • AGES 2-5 Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nursery School Devonshire House School Eaton Square Senior Notting Hill Pippa Pop-ins CITY ROAD • AGES 0-5 AGES 2-13 School, Mayfair* AGES 2-5 Preparatory School AGES 11-18

AGES 4-13

Orchard House School AGES 3-11

Kindergartens

Notting Hill Preparatory School

Hampstead The Lyceum School AGES 4-11 Fine Arts College Dukes Education

Knightsbridge School

POOH CORNER • AGES 2-5

Eaton House

OLD ST

Belgravia School • AGES 3-11 Hopes and Dreams Eaton Square Montessori Nursery School CITY ROAD • AGES 0-5 Preparatory School • AGES 2-11

AGES 4-13

Chiswick and Orchard Bedford Park House School AGES 3-11

GES 3-11

Bassett House School

Miss Daisy’s Nursery

AGES 2-11

BROOK GREEN • AGES 2-5

The Lyceum

BELGRAVIA • AGES 2-5

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Miss Daisy’s Nursery

KNIGHTSBRIDGE • AGES 2-5

Notting Hill School Miss Daisy’sPreparatory Nursery

Miss Daisy’s Nursery London Park School, HYDE PARK • AGES 2-5 Belgravia* • AGES 15-18 Eaton Square Eaton Square Senior Pippa Pop-ins School • AGES Kindergartens 2-11 Preparatory School, Mayfair* AGES 2-5 • AGES 2-5 THE PARK Miss Daisy’s Nursery AGES 11-18

Dukes Orchard Eaton House Kindergartens Kindergartens House School Miss Daisy’s Nursery London Park School, South-West Belgravia Kindergartens Broomwood LondonPippa Village Pop-ins CHELSEA • AGES 2-5

MOUSE HOUSE • AGES 2-5

Hopes a Montessori Nurs

AGES 13-18 WATERLOO PLACE OFFICE

AGES 3-16

AGES 4-13

BELGRAVIA • AGES 2-5

WATERLOO PLACE OFFICE

* THE MANOR BOYS • AGES 15-18SCHOOL • AGES 4-13

THE PARK • AGES 2-5

AGES 2-5

Dukes Education

THE MANOR GIRLS SCHOOL • AGES 4-11

MOUSE HOLE • AGES 2-5 AGES 3-11KNIGHTSBRIDGE • AGES 2-5

PRE-PREP • AGES 3-7

London Park School, Eaton House Clapham* • AGES 11-18

Kindergartens

THE MANOR GIRLS SCHOOL • AGES 4-11

MOUSE HOLE • AGES 2-5

THE MANOR BOYS SCHOOL • AGES 4-13

Broomfield use School

Kindergartens

AGES 3-11

MOUSE HOUSE • AGES 2-5

Broomwood

Broomwood Dukes Kindergartens LondonVillage Park School, Clapham Kindergartens GIRLS • AGES 8-13 PRE-PREP • AGES 3-7

Prospect Riverside House School sery Schools

ESSORI • AGES 0-5 AGES 3-11

CRESCENT II • AGES 2-5

Clapham* • AGES 11-18

Riverside Nursery Schools TWICKENHAM PARK • AGES 0-5

iverside ursery Schools

Kindergartens THE PARK • AGES 2-5

Broomwood

BOYS • AGES 8-13

GIRLS • AGES 8-13

CRESCENT II • AGES 2-5

Kindergartens

Eaton House

MOUSE HOLE • AGES 2-5

THE MANOR GIRLS SCHOOL • AGES 4-11

Kindergartens

Kindergartens Radnor House Prep • AGES 2-11

THE PARK • AGES 2-5

Broomwood

Kindergartens

PRE-PREP • AGES 3-7

MOUSE HOUSE • AGES 2-5

London Park School, Clapham • AGES 11-18

Prospect House School AGES 3-11

THE MANOR BOYS SCHOOL • AGES 4-13

Broomwood

BOYS • AGES 8-13

GIRLS • AGES 8-13

Kindergartens CRESCENT II • AGES 0-5

London

Kindergartens THE PARK • AGES 2-5

VERSIDE, HOLLY ROAD

GES 0-5 *

Opening soon

London ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

DUKES BY NUMBERS 45 77 Dukes brands

Dukes settings

185

nationalities represented

200

across our colleges

First Aiders trained

1,300

colleagues attended

3,960

18,500

Staff

Pupils

Youth Mental Health

3% 12%

3,784

members of Dukes Club

Dukes ‘Leading with Heart’ conference

2,500+

400+

poems were written for

Dukes family members

the Poetry Together

have registered onto the

challenge

Dukes Hub

CSFC Results

94.7%

A*-A 92

99.5%

A-B

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

83%

UK, Switzerland & Dublin by numbers

Nurseries

2,917 employees

Schools & Colleges Dukes Plus Central Team

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

3,600+

16,500

mock application interviews

hours of tuition

held with students

$3.5m

scholarship funding won

93%

#1 ranked summer school provider

of students would recommend to a friend

1 million+ 87% users each year access

of customers received

450,000

The Lawyer Portal’s law

one or more offer

programmes

hours of fun across all

guides and resources

Revenue

Little Dukes £20m

Dukes Plus £26m

Schools & Colleges £214m

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

OUR PEOPLE

Aatif Hassan Founder & Chairman

Tim Fish UK CEO*

Mike Giffin CFO

TBC European CEO

*plus Ireland and Switzerland

Board of Directors UK Board

European Board

Tim Fish CEO

Professor Mark Bailey Managing Director

Libby Nicholas Managing Director

Claire Little Director of People

Damian Quinn Director of Estates

David Goodhew Managing Director

Scott Giles Group Sales & Marketing Director

Dr Glenn Hawkins MD, Portugal

TBC European CEO

TBC MD Spain

Dukes Senior Leaders

Juan Casteres Dukes Spain

Jonathan Cuff Colleges Director

Isaac Dossa Divisional Finance Director

Suzie Longstaff Rik McShane Catherine Robertson London Park Schools Director, Little Dukes Divisional Finance Director

Glen Fendley Dukes Foundation Director

Richard Fletcher Director of Performance

Enrico Golia IT Director

Chris Skulte Finance Director, Dukes Plus

Dr Ricardo Tavares Tracey Whittington Director, Dukes Plus Finance Director, Little Dukes

Rob Humphreys Finance Director

Business Development Team

Will Bedford Director

Diogo Belo Director

Dr Glenn Hawkins Director

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

Tim Lakin Director

Tim Moss General Counsel

Jon Pickles Director

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Education Advisory Board

Jenny Aviss Senior Advisor and Governor

Christine Leslie Senior Advisor and Governor

Pam Mundy Senior Advisor and Governor

Executive Support

Neil Roskilly Senior Advisor and Governor

Vivienne Melville EA to the Chairman

Charlotte Pereira PA to the Board

Central Teams

Mike Giffin Chief Financial Officer

Claire Little Director of People

Scott Giles Group Sales & Marketing Director

Katherine Almeida Group Financial Controller

Kevin Chung Head of IT, Outer London Schools

Isaac Dossa Divisional Finance Director

Enrico Golia IT Director

Rob Humphreys Finance Director, Colleges

Ronak Mehta IT Technical Project Manager

Catherine Robertson Divisional Finance Director

Chris Skulte Finance Director, Dukes Plus

Tracey Whittington Finance Director, Little Dukes

Walid Ayubi Senior Data Analyst

Olivia Campbell L&D Executive

Richard Fletcher Director of Performance

Lauren Huntley HR Manager

Geoff Marston Group Compliance Director

Paul Ludlow Compliance Director Colleges

Stacey Smith HR Manager

Lee Tattum UKVI Manager

Anna Aston Director of Communications

Connie Cooper-Berkhout Marketing & Events Co-ordinator

Eliza Cummings-Cove Marketing & Admissions Director

Julie Fish Sales Director, Summer Courses

Janine Funsch Business Development Director

Alex Goddard Media Production Manager

Chris Hennessy Head of Digital

Andrew Kingston Senior Digital Marketing Manager

Henrietta Lightwood Global Director of Marketing & Student Recruitment

Ben Murray Marketing & Admissions Director, Little Dukes

Matthew McLarty International Recruitment Manager

Hannah Parkinson Group Alumni Manager

Annika Yerushalmy Marketing & Admissions Director

Laura Skinner Project Director, Dukes Brand

Natalia Volchugova Associate Director, International Student Recruitment

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Education Leaders Little Dukes & Schools

Rik McShane Director, Little Dukes

Nazish (Naz) Usman Principal, Hopes and Dreams Nursery

Aimee Kimbell Principal, Riverside Nursery Schools

Zanna Clarke Principal, Miss Daisy’s Nursery

Rachel Watson Principal, Pippa Pop-ins Nursery Schools

Jo Allen Principal, The Kindergartens & Reflections Nursery

Adam Anstey Head, Broomfield House School

Henry Keighley-Elstub Head, Devonshire House School

Kelly Gray Head, Bassett House School

Kevin Doble Principal, Broomwood Schools

Louisa McCafferty Head, Broomwood Girls

Caron MacKay Head, Broomwood Pre-Prep

Sarah Segrave Principal, Eaton House Schools

Ross Montague Head, Eaton House Belgravia

David Wingfield Head, Eaton House Boys

Claire Fildes Head, Eaton House Girls

Sebastian Hepher Principal, Eaton Square Schools

Patricia Watt Head, Eaton Square Prep

Suzie Longstaff Principal, London Park Schools

Susan Brookes Head, London Park School, Clapham

Dr Adrian Rainbow Head, London Park School, Mayfair

Henrietta Adams Head, Chiswick & Bedford Park Prep School

Magoo Giles Principal, Knightsbridge School

Shona Colaco Head, Knightsbridge School

Nadia Ward Head, Heathside School Hampstead

Darryl Wideman Principal, Radnor House School

Stephanie Piper Head, Radnor House Prep School

Katherine Vintiner Principal, Hampton Court House School

Sarah Knollys Head, Notting Hill Preparatory School

Kit Thompson Head, Orchard House School

Michael Hodge Head, Prospect House School

Mike Stanley Head, The Lyceum School

Charlotte Crookes Head, The Pointer School

Richard Settle Principal, Sancton Wood School

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Sixth Forms & Colleges

Jonathan Cuff Colleges Director

Micheál Landers Principal, Bruce College, Cork

Gareth Collier Executive Director, CSFC

Dr Julian Davies Principal, CSFC Cambridge

Tom Arrand Principal, CSFC Cardiff

Joss Williams Head, Earlscliffe

Candida Cave Principal, Hampstead Fine Arts College

Emmy Schwieters Head, Hampstead Fine Arts College

Yvonne O’Toole Principal, Institute of Education, Dublin

Alistair Brownlow Principal, Rochester Independent College

Wayne Marshall Principal, St Andrew’s College, Cambridge

Iberian Schools Dr. José Azcue Head of School, United Lisbon International School

Teresa Costa Monteiro General Manager, United Lisbon International School

Miguel Santos Executive Director, International Sharing School, Lisbon

Marco Carvalho Director, Colégio Júlio Dinis, Porto

Juan Casteres Dukes Spain

Rosa Maria Tortosa Head, La Nucia

David Russell Head, Castellon

Zoe Roberts Head, ESA

Michael Wright Elliott Head, Zaragoza

Carolina Gopal Head, Valladolid

Remedios Lopez Head, Engage

Esther Fernandez Head, JOYFE

Dr Ricardo Tavares Director, Dukes Plus

Shameer Thobhani Co-Founder & Director, InvestIN Education

Hitesh Chowdhry Co-Founder & Director, InvestIN Education

Katie Krais Managing Director, JK Educate

Will Finlayson Director, Summer Boarding Courses

Luke Hayward Managing Director, Ultimate Activity Camps

Alicia Luba Global Sales Director, Dukes Plus Consultancy

Alison Bissell Director, Dukes Plus Consultancy

Dukes Plus

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Promotions

Henrietta Adams Jo Allen Head Designate, Principal, Reflections Orchard House School Nursery (and The (effective Sep 2024) Kindergartens)

Adam Ansty Head, Broomwood House School

Tom Arrand Principal, CSFC Cardiff

Julian Davies Principal, CSFC Cambridge

Julie Fish Sales Director, SBC (from Earlscliffe)

Ali Bucknall LPS Marketing Director (from Broomwood)

Gareth Collier Executive Director, CSFC

Stephanie Piper Head, Radnor Prep School (from Devonshire House)

Dr Adrian Rainbow Laura Skinner Head, London Park Dukes Central School, Mayfair Marketing Team (from HCH) (from Sancton Wood)

Anna Aston Dukes Central Marketing Team (from Heathside School)

Alison Bissell Susan Brookes Director, Dukes Head, LPS Clapham Plus Consultancy (from Northwood Senior)

Michael Hodge Alex Goddard Head Designate, Media Production Manager (from Hove Broomwood Schools (effective Sep 2024) Village Nurseries)

Alicia Luba Global Sales Director, Dukes Plus Consultancy

Lauren Huntley HR Manager

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Barry Springham Minibus Driver, Broomwood Hall School Lower

Fouzia Elanqaoui Nursery Teacher, Heathside School Hampstead

Emilia Angelillo Lab Technician, Sancton Wood School

1 00

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

S E R V I CE

HEROES BEHIND THE CROWN

In every successful organisation there will be a team of people working behind the scenes; these are the people out of the limelight, the ones that work diligently, quietly and with humility, sometimes without the sight of wider recognition. As well as the many finalists and winners of Dukes Awards, it became clear that there are many unsung heroes in the Dukes family that colleagues want to recognise

“I am immensely thankful for the positive impact they have on colleagues, parents and children throughout the Dukes family.” Aatif Hassan Founder and Chairman of Dukes Education

and thank. In June 2023 we were delighted to welcome staff from across the group to our first Heroes Behind the Crown Awards dinner, hosted at Eaton Square Senior School in Mayfair. It was an opportunity to celebrate these extraordinary people, the ones who always go the extra mile, who clean up when everyone else has gone home, who notice the shy child on their own and make them laugh, the ones who keep schools open in freezing weather, or serve fresh, tasty food day in day out. The four Dukes values remind us why we do what we do every day: We lead with heart, We love learning, We are a team, We do it well. Our Heroes Behind the Crown are the embodiment of these values. Aatif Hassan and Director of People, Claire Little, gave opening speeches to thank our Heroes for the positive impact they have on colleagues, parents and children throughout the Dukes family. The winners were presented with a certificate and a brochure of commendation has been made in their honour. We know that there are many people within

Scan to see the brochure...

the organisation who are deserving of this

and read about this year’s

recognition and look forward to celebrating with

Heroes Behind the Crown.

them too in the future.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

1 01

Meet the

2023 highlights — Champions ran their first face-to-face CPD and TeachMeet networking sessions — SEND community collaborated with Cavendish schools — Annual Champions Development Day – facilitation session from laughology and the creation of ‘Champions best practice booklet’. Champions and the Dukes team are dedicated to developing the champions initiative and make the best product for our staff.

Being part of the Dukes family means we can come together to share ideas, expertise and

How can you get involved?

support each other. One way we can achieve this

You can get in touch with the Dukes champions by

is through communities, where colleagues working

contacting them on their work email address. They

in the same role or area can come together for

will then add you to their contact list to ensure you

support and better continued development.

don’t miss any top tips or networking opportunities.

A Dukes Champion facilitates these learning groups,

Our Champions will welcome your contribution

through stimulating discussion, harnessing knowledge,

and collaboration and they will play an important

and creating space for continued learning.

role in the Dukes Conference 2025.

C OMIN G S O O N TO D U KES : Collaboration and Cluster Groups Building upon the success of TeachMeets, we are expanding our commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing within our organisation by introducing cluster groups. More centrally run cluster groups will be formed from September 2024 onwards. These groups will complement the work done by the champions and will bring together various communities across Dukes. One example of this is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) community, which has now fully fledged. DSL cluster groups will meet once a term and an annual DSL Development Day will also take place.

1 02

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Who are the Champions? SUBJECT

CHAMPION

Art & Design - Primary

Sabrina Tabuchi

s.tabuchi@eatonsquareschools.com

Art & Design - Secondary

Chris Maughan

chris.maughan@standrewscambridge.co.uk

Biology – Secondary

Matthew Sison

mcs@hchnet.co.uk

Careers / UCAS

Hayley Bendle

hayley.bendle@dukesplus.com

Computing - Primary

Dee Edwards

deirdre.edwards@apps.prospecths.org.uk

Computing - Secondary

Andy Smith

andy.smith@rochester-college.org.uk

French - Secondary

Nadège Gandemer

ngandemer@radnorhouse.org

History - Secondary

Kyle Smith

kyle.smith@ccoex.com

KS1

Marina Yacoub

marina.yacoub@staff.orchardhs.org.uk

Lab Technician

Emilia Angelilo

emilia.angelillo@sanctonwood.co.uk

Librarian - Primary

Nicole Ferreira

nicole.ferreira@unitedlisbon.school

Maths - Primary

Donal O’Sullivan

donal.osullivan@apps.prospecths.org.uk

Mindfulness

Hannah Smith

hannah.smith@apps.prospecths.org.uk

Music - Primary

Michael Searle

michael.searle@staff.orchardhs.org.uk

Music - Secondary

Darren Taggart

darren.taggart@rochester-college.org.uk

Office Administrators

Jane Zinopolous

jane.zinopoulos@pointers-school.co.uk

Pastoral

Lisa Morton

lisa.morton@ccoex.com

PE - Primary

Russell Friese

russell.friese@apps.bassetths.org.uk

Photography

Michael Daks

michael.daks@rochester-college.org.uk

PHSE - Primary

Russell Friese

russell.friese@apps.bassetths.org.uk

PSHE - Secondary

Mark Young

mark.young@rochester-college.org.uk

SEND - Primary

Kerry Nicols

kerry.nicols@apps.prospecths.org.uk

SEND - Secondary

Esther Haworth

e.haworth@eatonsquareschools.com

We are continuing to develop the Dukes champion communities, if the subject or area you are interested isn’t listed and you are interested in becoming a champion, please email lauren.huntley@dukeseducation.com

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

1 03

Dukes Hub The Dukes Hub houses our shared content and resources across the group. An exciting new Hub platform is in development which will enable individuals to take ownership of their learning – connecting our communities, our courses and our learning journeys. The platform provider, Docebo, has been appointed and key features will be: — collaboration through a forum-style chat function which will also allow communities to form, collaborate and share content — a library of assets – videos, resources etc. created by ourselves and/or curated from elsewhere — accessible as an app — effective and easy to use search functionality

Want to book yourself onto a course? Visit: dukeshub.com

1 04

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

2023

in review: Over

100

Learning & Development

courses were offered in 2023 Over

620

hours of teaching took place this year Over

1,380

participants/learners attended courses Over

2,500

registered users on the Dukes Hub The facilitators received an average score of

9.2/10 this term

We delivered on the promise we made last year on providing more training opportunities and an EYFS training programme. There are over 100 more training programmes being offered for the rest of this academic year (until July 2024) with nearly 400 people already signed up to

The participants rated the courses both relevant and useful an average of

these events.

9.0/10 Over

92%

of people who attended the courses this term would recommend them to other learners

Scan to read the Learning & Development brochure... and book yourself onto one of our upcoming courses.

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

1 05

Leadership at Dukes Understanding the self is the foundation of leadership

Leadership and Management Skills

training and development at Dukes. The journey to self-

As well as honing one’s leadership and management skills,

understanding starts with the Foundations 1 course and

the programme helps participants to gain confidence

culminates in the Senior Leadership Programme.

and manage one’s own self-development. It also gives some fundamental tools to manage the professional

Foundations 1 - Self Leadership

relationships one has daily.

Becoming a leader means becoming more aware of yourself, how you think, and how you work. Foundations 1 helps participants to learn more about themselves, raising levels of self-awareness and enabling one to operate with greater agency.

“Very inspiring course. It provided clarity on thinking around self-awareness and self-regulation. I also came away with some clear goals and practical outcomes which I will employ in my job. I would whole-heartedly recommend this course.” “Different from any other course that I have ever done. It really emphasised that we need to think of ourselves and our own state of mind to be good managers and leaders. Very impressed.”

1 06

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

“This course has been one of the most beneficial courses I have attended within not just my career but a course that has supported my personal growth. I think everyone should do this course as it not only helped me to develop my skills as a leader but it also helped me discover parts about myself. Richard and his insightful team really do inspire through the passion in which they clearly show. All I can say is thank you!” “I have loved being part of the Leadership and Management Skills Programme over the last year. This is probably the best training programme I’ve ever been a part of. The journey doesn’t stop after the programme, the diagnostic tools continue to be useful and the introspective element and self-coaching touched on in the programme will continue to guide my professional development and work style.”

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Senior Leadership Programme This programme is designed to equip high-potential education leaders with the tools and confidence to excel. Through immersive learning, the participants gain insights, research, and inspiring teaching to unlock their leadership potential, driving organisational success.

“It has genuinely transformed my approach as a senior leader, enhancing my abilities to fulfil my responsibilities at an entirely new level. The Senior Leadership Programme was not just flawlessly organised but also executed at an outstanding level. Being part of this inspirational experience is something I consider a true privilege.”

C OM IN G S O O N TO D U KES: Foundations 2 - Purpose The current Dukes Foundations workshop offers participants the opportunity to explore the topic of self-leadership and has been very well received. Dukes Foundations 2 will give participants the opportunity to identify their personal purpose, and put it at the heart of their development and career.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

1 07

Deputy Heads’ Conference The inaugural Deputy Heads’ Conference, held on 12th January proved to be a dynamic and engaging event for Deputy Heads from Dukes Education schools and colleges. The conference combined elements of inspiration, learning, and networking, emphasising the importance of personal branding in leadership and addressing the evolving landscape of school leadership.

Key highlights: — The session led by Amy Leonard and Cal Watson of Denford Associates on ‘Developing Your Profile – Leading Your Brand’ left attendees with actionable and practical strategies for enhancing their personal brands. — The interactive session with Dukes Education’s board

“It was eye opening and really helped me to self reflect.” “Incredibly useful, well facilitated and perfect for our school at this stage in our journey.” “It was really beneficial to work with others in similar roles on the case study. It offered a great springboard for sharing ideas and strategies as well as a good opportunity to make connections that we could consult with on future real-life scenarios.”

members, facilitated by Neil Roskilly, forged a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the changing landscape of school leadership. The engagement with board members provided valuable insights that will inform future decision-making processes. — The focused breakout sessions brought together professionals in similar roles and addressed key topics related to school leadership. Participants were given challenges to collaboratively solve and, in doing so, engaged in meaningful discussions, gaining insights to implement in their respective institutions.

1 08

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

AI in Education applications of AI. The workshop received outstanding C OM IN G S O O N TO D U KES : AI workshops and summits Following our recent AI Summit, “Teaching & Learning in The AI Revolution,” held on 3rd November

ratings for both effectiveness and facilitation, reflecting the value our participants found in the content, its practicality and impact, and Dan’s ability to guide the participants through the day’s material.

2023, we will be rolling out a suite of training on ‘AI in Education’ from September 2024. These courses will be added to our training offering and will be guided by our newly formed AI Steering Group, made up of educators across the Dukes family.

AI Summit – November 2023 The day was led by Dan Fitzpatrick - ‘The AI Educator’. Filled with valuable insights, Dan helped us to explore the transformative power of AI in education, understand the importance of quality input in AI tools, and learn how to

“I loved the whole day. It was honestly the first time in many years that I left truly excited about the direction of education.” “It was a great session. Thank you!” “Thank you for the opportunity to attend the AI conference - a great day!”

harness AI in our teaching practices. We also dived into advanced AI and its implications for education. We looked at how to use AI tools effectively, explore prompt writing

Please stay tuned for more AI events and learning

principles, and had some time to discuss the practical

opportunities on the horizon!

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

1 09

130

Insight

articles written to date

Based upon serious journals such as the Harvard Business Review, the Dukes Education Insight journal is our opportunity to be thoughtleaders in the education sector. Articles are written by members of staff from across the group and printed copies are sent to all Dukes settings and education agents around the world. Editor, Tim Fish, sets a theme for each issue and this high-quality publication helps position Dukes as a premium, intelligent and progressive organisation. You can view past copies by visiting the Dukes Hub and Dukes website. Previous editions are now archived in the British Library.

1,700

copies distributed to Dukes settings and education agents around the world.

Writers wanted!

1 10

If you would like to contribute to the Insight

Scan to read...

journal in 2024, please get in touch:

the latest copy

marketing@dukeseducation.com

of Insight

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

I N N O VAT I O N & A D V E N T U R E

In 2023, ‘bob’, a cloudbased HR database, was successfully launched to our settings. In total, 2,305 members of staff have logged into bob. Employee engagement and communications bob is becoming the primary source of staff information in Dukes. Shoutouts on bob’s homepage will keep staff up to date with news and updates from individual settings

Self-service

and from Dukes. The Dukes staff newsletter is also published there.

Employees can take control of their personal and job-related information. Personal details such as a change of address can be updated easily using the self-service functionality.

Connect & Collaborate The group directory and organisation

View the benefits available to you

charts mean that it is easy to contact

Expect to receive tasks via

employees can even break the ice by

Bob in the coming months.

finding common interests.

other people around Dukes. With the option to list hobbies in your profile,

For example, keeping up to date with training, reading updated staff policies and updating your

One-stop-shop

personal data. Details of

bob provided quick access to work-

how to action tasks will be

related systems, including payroll,

published on the DHub.

Dukes Hub and Dukes Club.

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

111

WELL-BEING

Looking after our mental health and well-being is vitally important. The purpose of Dukes is to enable young people to lead an extraordinary life and we recognise that the well-being of our staff and pupils is vital in fulfilling

Raising awareness of issues surrounding mental health.

Reducing the stigma that surrounds the issue of mental health.

Helping our people to support themselves and build their levels of resilience.

Helping our people to support each other.

this purpose. The Dukes Mental Health and Well-being strategy seeks to support the mental health and well-being of everyone in the Dukes community and beyond by:

1 12

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Health assured

Employee Assistance Programme

How to get assistance

The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is available to all staff and provides a confidential telephone service

Call the free 24-hour telephone line:

with trained counsellors available 24/7, 365 days a year.

0800 0280199

The telephone calls are 100% confidential and can support you in dealing with personal and professional problems

Visit healthassuredeap.co.uk, and log in

that could be affecting your home or work life, health or

with user ID: Dukes and password: eap

general well-being. In addition, Health Assured also offers a virtual library of well-being articles, self-help guides, and assessment

Download the Health Assured app ‘My Healthy Advantage’ from the App Store or GoogleStore.

tools, including: — Four-week self-help programmes

For more information about Health Assured

— Mini health checks

and understand more about the employee

— Interactive health assessment providing tailor-made

assistance programme and how to access

dietary tips and fitness plans — Fitness and lifestyle advice, such as detoxing methods

it, visit: dukeshub.com/My-HealthyAdvantage-App/375

— Financial well-being articles

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

113

Mental Health and Well-being Courses

Adult & Youth Courses Foundations online 8-week course:

— Participants reported on

— Half-day and full-day

average a 40% uplift in

courses will equip staff

knowledge in confidence in

to spot, understand and

mental health and well-being

respond effectively to signs

topics since going on the course.

of suicide intentions.

— Instructor ratings of over

— Explore the potential causes of thoughts of suicide ideas and

9/10 on average.

provides tools and knowledge

— Nearly 200 Youth Mental

to help someone with suicidal

Health First Aiders have now

thoughts stay safe.

been trained with many more in the community

“This was one of the best courses I have been on! It had a great level of interactive features, a safe environment and new learning. I feel really confident knowing exactly what I want to take back to school and implement with SLT’s support.”

— Over 100 Adult Mental Health First Aiders within the Dukes community MHFA 2-day certificate:

Introduction to Mindfulness Workshop

Bespoke Well-being & Mental Health Courses — 100% recommendation ratings. — Topics covered include: Stress Management, Anxiety, Depression, Self-Harm,

— Relevance and usefulness scores of over 9/10 — Instructor ratings of over 9/10 — 100% recommendation ratings.

1 14

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

Suicide, Eating Disorders and many more.

“The training was interesting and informative. It provided useful steps to address stress in future scenarios and allowed you to pause and think about situations within your role where you may experience stress, and how to break these down to support in managing them better.”

In 2023, bespoke well-being and mental health training was delivered by Dukes.

40+

hours of training

settings covered

600

staff trained

.b Foundations 8-week course, Rated ‘Excellent’ by participants:

“I have used methods to help me sleep when there is a lot going on and changing my mindset so I become less stressed.”

‘Address Your Stress’ online workshop:

“There is never going to be a time in your life when you will feel like you have time to do the course. Life will always feel hectic and stressful. So, if you feel like you want to discover mindfulness, take the time and let the course guide you through the steps.”

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

115

SUSTAINABILITY

1 16

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Acting as a responsible organisation is one of the pillars of the Dukes strategy and a golden thread that weaves across the group involving our people, our students and settings. We recognise that advancing towards sustainable development requires continuous innovation and during the last year we created our sustainability strategy to bring life to our sustainability policy objectives and commitments. The overarching strategy is to reach Net Zero Carbon ahead of 2050 and implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This will be achieved via these four policy themes:

Health and well-being

Responsible consumption and production

Partnerships

— Nutrition, food

— Specification and

— The meaning of

and waste

procurement

partnerships and

Dukes Foundation is the main way this theme will be

— Stress and anxiety

— Energy selection

collaboration

management

and efficiency

— Types of partners

— Neurodiversity

— Climate and climate

— Clean water and sanitation

change — Water use, pollution

— Labour standards,

and aquatic life

poverty and

— Land use, pollution

economic growth

and terrestrial life — Air quality

Widening access to quality education

— Relationship building for equality, peace and justice — Achieving sustainable cities — Innovation

delivered. Membership of the Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) enables trustees to remain at the forefront of excellent practice in how we manage charitable work.

Together, these key themes provide the framework for our sustainability strategy and plan.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

117

How is Dukes moving to net zero carbon? From Dukes centre, we have focused on creating programmes to support the transition to net zero carbon.

Planet Mark Certification and Net Zero Carbon Planning

Partnerships for Energy and Carbon Reporting

Following the certification of all five Dukes colleges

Full Power Utilities became our partner to transition

by Planet Mark in 2022, we successfully extended the

electricity and gas procurement to green supplies. This

certification to all UK settings in 2023, reporting on

switch provides online billing in one IT portal improving

electricity, gas, oil and transport impacts. This ties us

accessibility to financial reporting as well as facilitating

into reducing these carbon impacts by at least 50%

access to energy use data for our half hourly and smart

by 2030, in line with the Race to Zero, and delivering

meters through a dedicated energy use portal. By July

more challenging reductions as we dovetail with our

2024, all supplies will be under one contract, creating

commitment to achieve net zero carbon ahead of 2050.

a group-wide metering programme so that data for the whole estate can be viewed through the portal.

During 2024 we will build a Dukes-wide net zero carbon trajectory supported by a net zero carbon

In addition, we partnered with Hyscore to trial their

plan for each setting, putting Dukes ahead of the

first-of-its-kind circuit level monitoring equipment at two

Department for Education requirement for net

schools. The technology provides significantly greater

zero carbon plans for all education settings. More

granularity of energy use which we plan to use to inform

importantly, however, the plans will help inform Dukes

net zero carbon planning.

investment approach to achieving net zero carbon so that investment is prioritised to reduce energy use and switch to renewable and low-carbon technology.

Sustainable Procurement Sustainable procurement is a key enabler to achieving net zero carbon and is a driver of resource circularity to reduce waste volumes, increase reuse, recycling and recovery and avoid the landfill of wastes. The collaborative, group-wide procurement of timber and timber products, water, waste and recycling, including unwanted uniform, IT and IT peripherals will begin in 2024. This will both support our commitment to implement the UN sustainable development goals and enable us to expand data reported to Planet Mark so that we can understand the carbon impact associated with procurement and take action to reduce this with the support of the supply chain.

1 18

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Aspect measured

Current

Impact target

CO2[e] - Our carbon footprint

3,324.0 tCO2e measured 5% reduction year on year UK emissions = 1.5 tCO2e per employee

Eco Champion per setting

80%

95% by 2025 UK

Water

5% reduction by 2026/27 UK

Waste

80% avoidance to landfill by 2030 UK

Paper use

100% recycled by 2035 UK

Central procurement

In place for IT, water, waste and paper by

Staff upskilling

Future targets

2027/28 UK 75% UK to complete sustainability foundation modules by 2025 Net zero plans/climate action plans

100% per UK settings by 2025

* Baseline in development

Greening our Estate Multiple projects are underway to improve energy efficiency and, like many organisations with a large portfolio of buildings that are listed or have heritage features, we need to sensitively manage energy use alongside heritage preservation. 2024 will see the start of stakeholder dialogue with different heritage organisations to better understand how to improve thermal efficiency and opportunities for renewable energy solutions so that we preserve these buildings and facilities for future generations in a way that also supports our net zero carbon aspirations.

Learning and development During 2023, we began the journey of embedding the principles, behaviours and literacy of what being a sustainable organisation means by creating a Sustainability Foundation Programme, a modular programme of staff learning and development, to be rolled out from January 2024. During the next year additional learning and development will be developed to upskill specific communities of staff as the sustainability strategy is implemented.

Education and Capability Growth During the year we created a Sustainability Champions Network that meets termly to share good practice and provide input to Dukes-wide plans.

Performance

Covering 85% of settings, the network champions

We have established a range of sustainability metrics

provide support to head teachers and lead the

this year including energy, transport and travel, paper

introduction of sustainability initiatives. An online

purchasing, charitable giving and sustainability training.

sustainability community hub provides a shared

These will be embedding over the next 12 months along

space for policies, advice and resource packs for use

with our carbon footprint measuring. Metrics will be

by champions and teaching staff as they develop

expanded to cover water, waste and paper purchasing,

lesson plans and learning experiences for children.

capturing of other key items required to operate our settings, with the objective of removing or reducing or

By the end of 2024 all settings will have a champion,

switching to more sustainable options wherever possible,

ahead of the Department for Education requirement

as well as measuring our social impact through our

for a sustainability lead in every school.

charitable contributions and staff upskilling.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

119

Policy in action

These examples showcase the work carried by our settings in 2023 against each of the Dukes policy objectives and demonstrate the breadth and depth of the sustainability agenda. POLICY OBJECTIVE:

Responsible consumption and production — Energy data initiatives including meter trials at Broomfield House, The Lyceum and Rochester College. — Energy efficiency investment – Sancton Wood completed a full window installation upgrade at the Prep school. — ‘Switch Off’ campaigns led by the Eco Clubs that exist in most settings encourage behaviour changes to switch off lights and taps when not in use. — Insulation – improvements in the thermal efficiency of our buildings including additional or replacement lagging on hot water pipes. — Greening travel – many of our settings are working on developing green travel plans. Devonshire House is now in a Camden Council ‘school street’ zone, Broomwood ensures that most of its school trips use public transport, and over half of our London settings have been accredited the Transport for London Stars award this year for their commitment to greener travel. — Reduce, reuse and recycle – Knightsbridge School has banned single-use plastic and Hampstead Fine Arts College has made a commitment to the same. Riverside Nurseries have increased children’s understanding of recycling by introducing clearer signage on bins. Chiswick & Bedford Park and Eaton Square Schools concentrated on food waste focusing on waste separation and a wormery. — Paper reduction – The Kindergartens nurseries and Radnor House Prep are moving to using mobile devices to reduce paper use. Earlscliffe and Prospect House have been looking at ways to reuse and repurpose their resources. The Institute of Education has reduced its paper use by 75% by changing their approach to printing.

1 20

L o o k at D uk e s n o w

— Water use efficiency – sensor taps are being introduced to settings to reduce water consumption whilst encouraging good hand washing. Miss Daisy’s and the Little Dukes nurseries have focused on teaching children to turn off taps from an early age. Rochester Independent College is reviewing their ground water source and building water sustainability across their curriculum. — Air pollution – awareness of air pollution is high across all of our settings and several, including Hopes and Dreams nurseries, have installed air purification units. The Lyceum is using carbon dioxide monitors to alert staff to the need for ventilation and prevent and dips in alertness due to high carbon dioxide levels. At Radnor House school, and others that take part in the TfL Stars Awards, the Eco Committee and students monitor and measure air pollution around their learning spaces to understand pollution better and implement change to improve the pollution levels.

POLICY OBJECTIVE:

Good Health and Well-being — Pastoral Care – Dukes settings are renowned for having excellent pastoral care. Bassett House, Radnor House and Cardiff Sixth Form College have been recognised with awards for student well-being. — New learning spaces – new learning spaces to support better well-being have been developed at The Pointers School early years and Heathside School. The Harmony Project to bring nature into learning is being trialled in the curriculum at Hampton Court House.

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

— Health Advantage App – the health advantage app has been made available through a group-wide deployment to all staff. — Mindfulness – at most settings mindfulness for children has been introduced in some form with the aim of reducing stress and creating calmer environments. — Global citizenship – Miss Daisy’s nurseries and Sancton Wood have both introduced programmes on global citizenship, helping our children understand the need to level up privilege and disadvantage

Quality of education — Sustainability curriculum – As part of its constant drive to improve the quality of education, Dukes is committed to embedding the principles of social, economic and environmental sustainability into its teaching. Many settings have dedicated sustainability days and events including Broomwood, The Lyceum and Radnor House. — TED Talks – Sancton Wood children develop and record TED Talks as part of their curriculum including topics around climate change like hydroponics.

Partnerships — Community and charity partnerships – settings support local or national charities that align with their own ethos and values, for example Heathside School’s support of Hampstead Heath’s charitable arm. Notting Hill Prep, Knightsbridge, and Eaton Square schools have their own charitable foundations. — Biodiversity – multiple schools have developed excellent partnerships within their communities to support biodiversity and provide further outdoor learning areas, such as the Growing Space Project at Bassett House, Reflections Nursery Forest school.

— Youth Voice – Actions to promote student voice are present throughout Dukes. St Andrew’s College elevates students’ views through a pledge campaign so they can be heard and acted upon. The Dukes Foundation will establish a Youth Advisory Board to provide insight and guidance on grant-making decisions. — Quality outcomes – Many of our settings are recognised for their excellent education provision. Cardiff Sixth Form College has been recognised as the top school in the UK for A-levels over the past 12 years. — Extraordinary facilities – Dukes continues to develop leading education facilities as seen in the refurbishment of many of the Little Dukes nursery settings that now provide industry-leading educational settings.

— Students from senior schools and sixth forms attended The Engineering and Design Institute as part of the annual sustainable careers programme.

Awards highlights — All five Riverside Nursery School settings were awarded Eco-Schools Green Flag Award. — Radnor House School achieved Eco-Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction. — Eaton House The Manor wins City Kids Magazine Green School Building Award. — Chiswick and Bedford Park achieved the RSPB’s Wild Challenge Gold Award.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

121

2024 AND BEYOND 124

Dukes Purpose

138

Net Promoter Scores

126

Adding Value

138

Mystery Shopping Scores

128

Dukes Young Leaders Award

140

New Developments

144

Dates for your Diary

145

Dukes Conference 2025

130

1 22

2 0 2 4 and b e y o nd

Dukes Foundation

134

Marketing Highlights

136

Global Marketing

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

123

DUKES PURPOSE So much in Dukes stems from a serviceinspired vision of leadership. Leadership through service empowers heads, teachers and staff to give children what they need to lead extraordinary lives. Dukes desire to add value to its schools results in platforms and programmes that help schools help children to succeed:

1 24

2 0 2 4 and b e y o nd

S E R V I CE

Leadership expands our purpose and values.

LEADERSHIP SE R

H-

HIG

Inspiring self leadership, presence and collaboration in ourselves and our children.

U R

An innate sense of the greater good. Facilitating the success of others.

Being the best in your own terms – fulﬁlling potential at an individual level.

TION

Cultivating curiosity, fun and discovery – making education be more than just exam results.

Our purpose Our approach Our values

Empowering our children to live an extraordinary life

A family of schools committed to leadership inspired by service, high-performance and adventure & innovation

We lead with heart. We love learning. We’re a team. We do it well.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

125

Adding Value Well-being Mental health training

Thought-leadership

for staff

and EAP support

Dukes Hub

Articles contributed by

Knowledge base and

teachers and school leaders

learning portal

Education Quality Frameworks Peer learning and evaluation

Celebrating Excellence Sharing Best Practice

Annual awards

Subject champion network

1 26

2 0 2 4 and b e y o nd

S E R V I CE

Renaissance scholars symposium

Interschool chess tournament

Chairman for the day

Giving back

Dukes Careers School

Dukes Young Leaders programme

Dukes careers school

for pupils

Dukes Club talks

Enrichment talks & interschool events

Student sustainability champions

Dukes debating festival

Interschool sports clinics and competitions

Alumni mentorship programme

Dukes interschool musical soiree

TED-X speech preparation

Poetry workshops

Sustainable careers week

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

1 27

1 28

2 0 2 4 and b e y o nd

I N N O VAT I O N & A D V E N T U R E

For young people to meet the challenges of our rapidly changing world, education needs to encompass far more than simply academic achievement.

We have an obligation to provide children with a well-rounded education that prepares them to achieve not only their own learning and fulfilment, but also encourages the development of the skills and understanding required to serve other people and become the leaders of the future. The Dukes Young Leaders Award enables children to record their achievements, both in and out of school and focus on three areas: service, entrepreneurship and adventure. Children work towards achieving the different levels of award as they progress through school or college. For our youngest children, the Little Learners scheme celebrates the joy of childhood and supporting children, focusing on the softer skills and positive behaviours that set children up for success as they move into a more formal educational setting. Each school and college has the flexibility to adapt this approach to best serve their students and all Dukes settings will be taking part in the Dukes Young Leaders Awards by September 2024. The skills students develop will provide a sense of challenge and achievement, and will demonstrate the worth of Dukes students to other academic institutions, employers and the wider community.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

129

We are thrilled to announce that Glen Fendley has been appointed the Dukes Foundation’s new Chief Executive. With his extensive leadership experience and proven track record over nearly 30 years in the charity sector, Glen will play a pivotal role in strengthening the Foundation’s governance and policies. As Chief Executive, Glen will guide the strategic development of the Foundation, ensuring all initiatives align with its mission to create an extraordinary impact. Glen will also oversee global operations for bursary funding and grant making, further expanding our reach and support to deserving individuals and organisations. We warmly welcome Glen to the Dukes Foundation and look forward to the exciting journey ahead under his guidance. The Chief Executive will receive invaluable strategic support Making grants to educational, health and well-being charities in the UK and overseas

and guidance from the highly experienced Board of Trustees: Aatif Hassan (Chair), Adriana Giotta, David Goodhew, and Magoo Giles. Each trustee brings a unique set of skills, expertise, and perspectives, enriching the board’s discussions and decision-making processes. Their unwavering commitment to

Partnering with organisations to help sustain the environment

the Foundation’s mission and vision has been instrumental in shaping the grant-making strategies and ensuring that funding has the greatest impact on the communities we serve. Additionally, Glen will be supported by Managing Director,

Funding causes that promote equity and fairness

David Goodhew, a renowned authority on bursary funding and social impact, a collaboration that ensures effective management and a seamless transition within the organisation. Laura Skinner, Dukes Marketing Director – Special Projects,

Working with our schools and colleges to facilitate access to the gift of a Dukes education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds

1 30

2 0 2 4 and b e y o nd

will bring her 20 years of marketing expertise to support the Foundation’s internal and external communications, and strengthen the Foundation’s connections with all Dukes settings and wider communities.

S E R V I CE

Charity compliance

Grantmaking focus

Our

Strategic Framework

Governance

Mission and Values The Foundation’s mission is to change lives, create

Mission and values

opportunities and spread hope by connecting children, families and communities to the compassionate and empowering spirit at the heart of Dukes. We will make an extraordinary impact with these values at our core:

Our Values

I MPA C T

Inclusivity

Meaningfulness

Passion

Ambition

Collaborativeness

Transparency

Governance and Charity Compliance

Grant-Making

In addition to strengthening the Board, there has been

During the year, the Foundation engaged in a

a clear focus on developing governance and policies

comprehensive strategic planning process to determine the

to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical

grant-making focus areas. After careful consideration and

practices. We have reviewed and updated data protection,

consultation with experts in various fields, key areas were

code of conduct, and conflict of interest policies have been

identified where funding can have the greatest impact.

reviewed and updated to align with best practices in the philanthropic sector. These measures not only enhance the Foundation’s internal operations but also instil confidence in stakeholders, including donors, grant recipients, and the communities we serve.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

1 31

Bursaries

Throughout the year, the Foundation supported organisations working in various sectors, including

The Dukes Foundation believes in the power of education

education, mental health, healthcare, and the arts.

to transform lives and break down barriers. We are

Grants have ranged from small, seed funding for

committed to promoting social mobility and ensuring

grassroots initiatives to larger investments in established

that every student, regardless of their socioeconomic

organisations with proven track records of success.

background, has equal chance to succeed. To further this

The Foundation recognises that no single approach or

mission, the Foundation is partnering with Dukes schools

solution can solve all the complex issues we face, and

and colleges to establish a ground-breaking bursary

as a result, it will continue to support a wide range of

programme designed to provide financial support to

charities and initiatives.

hundreds of deserving young people who may otherwise face limitations due to their financial circumstances.

The Foundation is proud to have been able to support organisations and individuals who are working tirelessly

Charities Grant-making benefactors will be selected through

to create a better world. Their dedication, passion, and innovative approaches inspire us and reaffirm our belief in the power of philanthropy to drive meaningful change.

the ‘Extraordinary Impact initiative’. This initiative

So far, the Dukes Foundation has made significant

invites charities and organisations to apply for

donations to: Great Ormond Street Hospital towards

grants that will make a significant impact on

the development of a new Children’s Cancer Centre,

their mission, projects or beneficiaries. They must

the British Asian Trust’s School Mental Health project,

align with the Foundation’s four commitments:

Place2Be, a children’s and young people’s mental health

charity, London Youth, the Ruth Strauss Foundation Mental Health and Well-being: Our Foundation

and Poetry Together as well as a group-wide matched

will fund programmes that provide accessible

fundraising effort to respond to the devastating

and affordable mental health services, raise

earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

awareness, and reduce stigma for young people.

Education Initiatives: We will fund projects that leverage technology, promote experiential learning, and foster creativity and critical thinking skills.

Protecting the Planet: Our Foundation supports projects and organisations that work towards sustainable solutions, conservation efforts, and environmental education.

Young People’s Healthcare: We will fund projects that improve access to healthcare, promote preventive care, and address the specific health needs of young people.

1 32

2 0 2 4 and b e y o nd

S E R V I CE

2024 priorities

1 2

Building the Bursary Fund Income: By increasing our Bursary Fund, the Foundation aims to be in a position to

Establish a Youth Advisory Board: A Youth Advisory Board, comprising students from across the Dukes schools and colleges network, will

transform the lives of thousands of young

provide invaluable insights and guidance on the

people over the next decade and beyond.

Foundation’s grant-making strategies. This initiative reflects our commitment to empowering young

Extraordinary Impact Initiative: Launching in 2024, this scheme seeks innovative, high-impact proposals that align with the Foundation’s core values and have the potential to create lasting change.

people and ensuring that their voices are heard.

Establish a Heads’ Advisory Board: It is important for the Foundation to work closely with schools, and headteachers’ experience and perspective will add real value in a meaningful role.

Website In line with our commitment to transparency and accessibility, we have launched the Foundation’s website. This marks an important step in efforts to connect with stakeholders, share information about grant-making activities, and provide a platform for potential grant applicants. Additionally, the website showcases the impact of the Foundation’s grants through success stories, testimonials, and case studies. Visitors can learn about the transformative projects and initiatives that have been supported by the Foundation, gaining insight into the difference that funding has made in the lives of individuals and communities. The launch of our new website and the opportunities it presents for increased engagement and collaboration are exciting new developments. We believe that this platform will serve as a valuable resource for stakeholders, enabling the Foundation to reach a wider audience and further its mission of creating positive change.

Scan to visit... the new Dukes Foundation website, dukesfoundation.org.uk

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

1 33

Heroes Behind the Crown: Honoring the unsung heroes that keep our schools and nurseries running.

Admissions systems rolled out: 26 settings now fully live on Salesforce.

Marketing Highlights of 2023

Marketing Leadership Programme and Admissions Leadership programme: 17 graduates of the inaugural cohort of marketing leaders

Digital Transformation: Launch of 11 new websites and the cutting-edge Dukes Plus platform

National PR Coverage: Dozens of articles and PR stories throughout the year.

1 34

2 0 2 4 and b e y o nd

Windsor Castle: 50 of our most valuable educational consultants attended a special event at Windsor Castle.

Marketing Masterclass: 6 productive sessions with guest speakers and peer-to-peer learning

I am so grateful for the professional development opportunities we have thanks to Dukes Education. What I loved about the ALP and MLP is that you don’t even realise how much you learn thanks to the great masterclass format. Everyone is here to share knowledge and experience and you always leave these afternoons with a notebook full of fresh ideas! And being able to apply this learning to obtain an official diploma from The University of Buckingham is the icing on the cake (the best kind!) Laura Martinez, Marketing Manager at Devonshire House School

Poetry Together: Delivered two highprofile Poetry Together events with national participation and coverage.

Marketing Campaigns: Delivered 30+ campaigns to grow awareness and drive pupil numbers

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

1 35

Global Marketing Efforts with local adaptation creating benefits of scale

Centralised marketing function

Global team

Centres of excellence

Coach and mentor

In-house experts on digital

Developed accredited

leveraging scale and automated

marketing, analytics, CRM,

marketing and admissions

processes and sharing best

SEO, and web, reducing reliance

masterclass learning and

practices across all settings.

on external creative agencies.

development for local teams.

Data-driven approach

Brand positioning

Digital marketing

Created consistent KPI framework

Developed clear brand

Central digital marketing initiatives

for all brands and use mystery

strategies for all schools and

aimed at cost reductions,

shopping and NPS data to

reviewing marketing activities

optimising customer experience,

benchmark performance.

to focus on impactful initiatives.

and driving incremental revenue.

Dedicated central marketing team

Cost savings

Local marketing playbook

Centralisation of marketing

Individual brands use the marketing playbook

function allows for group-wide

to select tactics to include in their annual

investment and economies of scale.

marketing plan.

1 36

2 0 2 4 and b e y o nd

Example of centralisation benefits WEB TRANSFORMATION

Today

Before

FY24

Websites were

Centralised back-

Additional

independently run

end hosting and

optimisation and

by each school.

infrastructure. Schools

CRM integration.

Information was

and nurseries retain

Continue Salesforce

inconsistent, not

their local look and

rollout across all

secure, and out of

feel but the website

sites plus SEO

date. Platform was

infrastructure is

enhancements and

slow and had limited

consistent and aligns

UX improvements.

data analytics.

to best practice.

–

Salesforce rolling out across all schools to measure enquiries and registrations

–

Improve lead generation and conversion

–

Reduce manual and administrative tasks

–

Automate marketing messages

–

Improve communication effectiveness

–

Streamline admissions process

Marketing & Admissions: the Dukes Difference TIME AND FOCUS

70%

20%

10%

Brilliant basics

Excellent practices

Change the game

Ensuring that we leverage

Actions that drive

Never been done

the power of the group and

efficacy but require

before in our sector.

support each brand to achieve

significant investment in

their growth ambitions.

effort and resources.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

1 37

World-class Net Promoter Score (NPS)

-21

Mystery Shopping Scores

Document

Commit

Deliver

Best practice standards for your setting

Whole team makes commitment

Consistently

We’re making improvements at every touchpoint, moving us from good to great. WE COMMIT TO: —

Warm, friendly, professional and reliable communication.

—

An impressively efficient process with help and support wherever needed.

—

A personalised journey so every family knows they are important.

—

A lasting impression that reflects the offering and values of the school.

World-Class Mystery Shopping Scores

Goal

78%

2023 2022

100%

75%

100%

Boarding school beds full

1 38

2 0 2 4 and b e y o nd

50%

25%

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

1 39

New Developments CapEx projects continue across the Dukes estate. Despite some headwinds with local planning permission, new developments continue at pace.

major projects were completed in 2023

Completed in 2023 Chiswick & Bedford Park

Broomwood Nursery

General building refurbishment.

Internal renovation and new outdoor play area.

Devonshire House Renovation of Lyndhurst building

Eaton Square Prep

and creation of new nursery.

Pimlico nursery renovation.

Heathside

Eaton Square Sixth Form

Refurbishment of playgrounds,

Completion of phase two of

reception and Early Years classroom

the new sixth form building.

including a new indoor/outdoor space. Knightsbridge School Orchard House

Reception upgrade.

New playground. Hove Village Nurseries The Pointer School

Bloomsbury on the Beach.

New nursery and drama studio. Broomwood New outdoor games space.

1 40

2 0 2 4 and b e y o nd

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

Heathside

The Pointer School

Eaton Square Sixth Form

Hove Village Nurseries

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

1 41

58 Buckingham Gate

RIC

58 Buckingham Gate

St Andrew’s

58 Buckingham Gate

1 42

2 0 2 4 and b e y o nd

H I G H - P E R F O R M A N CE

RIC

Ongoing major CapEx projects:

Kneller Hall Flagship new senior school in Twickenham.

Hampstead Fine Arts College New development in Belsize Park.

Cardiff Sixth Form College New campus and accommodation for CSFC students.

Due for completion in 2024 Sancton Wood Nursery

St Andrew’s College

Riverside Nursery Schools

Renovation of existing buildings to

Delivery of new boarding house.

Extension to current setting.

58 Buckingham Gate

Twickenham Park Nursery

Orchard House / Chiswick

Renovation and delivery of the

Extension to current setting.

& Bedford Park Merger

new Dukes Education office and

Renovation and upgrade to

training centre.

create a new Little Dukes setting.

Refurbishment of current setting.

deliver merger of both schools including nursery refurbishment

Hampton Court House

of nursery at Orchard House

Phase 1 renovation works.

and creation of STEM building at Chiswick & Bedford Park site.

Riverside Nursery Schools

New Church Road Day Nursery Refurbishment of current setting.

Dukes Education Boat House Renovation of former boat house in

Hove Village Nurseries

London Park Schools

Putney to create Dukes Education

Refurbishment of current setting.

Renovation of former Oliver House

rowing club.

School buildings to create a new Dukes Senior School.

Princedale Road

Richmond Day Nursery

New build of Little Dukes

Refurbishment of current setting.

flagship nursery.

Rochester Independent College Delivery of new state-of-the-art village in September 2024. 48 new en-suite student bedrooms and a new home for our award-winning arts department with new spaces for textiles, fine art, photography and graphic design.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

143

Dates for your Diary Spring January

February

March

— Governors meeting

— 12th - 20th February:

— 15th March: Senior Leaders

— ExCom meeting

Senior Leader Programme starts

Development Day

Summer April

May

June

— 27th March - 18th April:

— ExCom meeting

— Governors meeting

— 27th - 31st May:

— Sustainable careers month

Easter holidays — Annual Safeguarding Reviews

Half-term

— 21st June: Senior Leaders Development Day

Autumn September

November

January

— 3rd July - 4th September:

— 21st October - 1st

— 6th December - 7th January:

Summer holidays

November: Half-term

Christmas holidays

— Governors meeting

— Deadline for applying for

— 6th January 2025:

2024 leadership courses

Dukes Conference at

— 21st November: Senior Leaders Development Day — ExCom meeting

1 44

2 0 2 4 and b e y o nd

Wembley Stadium

Dukes UK Conference

SAVE THE DATE

6th Jan 2025

at Wembley Stadium

The Heart of Education: Finding the balance between Innovation and Human Connection

Highlights Innovative Insights: Gain valuable perspectives on the latest educational innovations from within

Driving educational innovation whilst maintaining

the Dukes family and beyond. Explore how they

human connection is a key challenge. The integration

can be integrated into the educational experience.

of technology and innovative teaching methods has the potential to enhance learning outcomes, but it’s equally

Human Connection in Education: Delve into

important not to lose sight of the human and relational

discussions on the significance of maintaining

aspects of education.

meaningful human connections in the digital age of education.

This conference provides a unique opportunity for educators and professionals to come together, fostering

Networking Opportunities: Connect with

collaboration, exchanging insights, and collectively

colleagues from across the Dukes family and

addressing the challenges and opportunities presented

beyond, building a network of support and

by the evolving educational landscape.

collaboration. Inspiring Keynote Speakers: Hear from thoughtleaders and inspiring individuals who have made a significant impact in the realms of education, innovation, and human connection.

Dukes Education 14–16 Waterloo Place London SW1Y 4AR 020 3696 5300 info@dukeseducation.com dukeseducation.com

Printed on 100% recycled paper from 100% post-consumer waste