Part of the BSA Group
BOARDING SCHOOL T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E B O A R D I N G S C H O O L S ’ A S S O C I AT I O N
SPRING 2021
Women’s History Month: A reflection on gendered education Learning to listen A fresh perspective on assessment
3
Andrew Gray Communications and Partnerships Manager Boarding Schools’ Association
From the editor Welcome to the spring edition of
Jeffrey, Principal of New Hall School.
this magazine, Captain Sir Tom Moore,
to believe but Easter is almost upon
the role of the school library in
and foremost, our thoughts are with
Boarding School magazine. It’s hard
us, and what feels like a blink-and-
you’ll-miss-it first quarter of 2021 is nearly over. As I write this, it’s a year ago to the day that strict
lockdown measures were first
introduced in England and the
lifting of the latest round of
We’ll also be exploring in more detail modern studying with Andrew
O’Sullivan from Wells Cathedral
School, as well as music in the time of coronavirus with Chris McDade,
Director of Music at Pangbourne College, and much more.
who sadly passed away recently. First
his grandson, Benjie, whose role in his grandfather’s fundraising efforts we enjoyed bringing to you in our
autumn issue, and with all of Captain Sir Tom’s family and friends at this very sad time.
restrictions is still a few weeks
Throughout the magazine, you’ll see
It’s hard to think of anything that
COVID-19 is still being felt all over
training and events taking place next
his extraordinary achievements, but
away. The ongoing impact of
the world, but as summer
approaches, there is definitely
room for optimism as we begin to
negotiate the path back to some
sort of normality.
Once again, this edition shows that
even a global pandemic can’t bring a halt to the amazing work and
tremendous achievements that
continue to happen every day across
reminders of our forthcoming virtual term, including two virtual
conferences: Learning from the IICSA investigation into residential school settings, run jointly by BSA and our
sister organisation, the Safeguarding
and Child Protection Association, on
for many years to come, and the
selflessness of his efforts to help
others is an example we would all do well to follow.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue – if
available at both of these events, so if
editions of the magazine, please email
for Heads, on May 4-5. Places are
you haven’t already done so, please go to the events section of our
website to secure your spot.
mark Women’s History Month, we’ll be
Before I conclude, I’d like to take a
gendered education with Katherine
cover star from the previous edition of
taking a look at a reflection on
the legacy he leaves behind will be felt
April 28, and our Annual Conference
the whole boarding community, and we’ve got a packed issue for you. To
hasn’t been said already to describe
moment to pay our respects to our
you would like to contribute to future
us at bsa@boarding.org.uk. The next
issue of the magazine will be
published in May – please send us your contributions no later than Friday, April 30.
The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) champions boarding excellence and delivers boarding support worldwide. The BSA represents more than 600 independent and state boarding schools in the UK and overseas. BSA services include professional development, government relations, communications, media, publications, conferences and events.
Front cover: New Hall School
Contents 03. FroM tHe editor
AndreW GrAy, CoMMuniCAtions And PArtnersHiPs MAnAGer
07. it’s not About tHis WAr
robin FLetCHer, Ceo, bsA And bsA GrouP
08. boArdinG: A uniqueLy Positive exPerienCe bex teAr, bsA CHAir 2021, HeAd, bAdMinton sCHooL
11. neWs in brieF #1 A round-uP oF soMe oF tHe stories FroM ACross tHe boArdinG CoMMunity 16. WoMen’s History MontH: A reFLeCtion on Gendered eduCAtion KAtHerine JeFFrey, PrinCiPAL, neW HALL sCHooL
26. yes We CAn!
JoHn J tAyLor, FoundAtion HeAd oF boArdinG, MiLL HiLL sCHooL FoundAtion
30. A PArt oF soCiety, not APArt FroM it: reFuGee outreACH At briGHton CoLLeGe 32. HeAds on tHe Move 33. royAL seAL oF APProvAL For boArdinG orCHArd initiAtive 34. GoinG FroM strenGtH to strenGtH 36. HouseMAster/HouseMistress v HousePArent ALex LArGe, dArtMoutH HouseMAster, HeAd oF boArdinG, royAL WoLverHAMPton sCHooL
42. LeArninG to Listen
Ann JACKson, dePuty HeAd, PAstorAL CAre, dAuntsey’s
46. bsA CertiFied AGent sCHeMe 48. bsA CertiFied GuArdiAn sCHeMe 50. tHe best oF oLd And neW
AndreW o’suLLivAn, teACHer oF enGLisH And House PArent, WeLLs CAtHedrAL sCHooL
55. AdAPtAbiLity: nAviGAtinG A PAndeMiC rebeCCA MACKAy, HeAd oF boArdinG, WisbeCH GrAMMAr sCHooL
60. uniFroG: LoCKdoWn sKiLLs 62. MusiC in tHe tiMe oF CoronAvirus
CHris MCdAde, direCtor oF MusiC, PAnGbourne CoLLeGe
64. neWs in brieF #2 More stories FroM tHe WorLd oF boArdinG 68. A FresH PersPeCtive on AssessMent
MAttHeW ALbriGHton, dePuty HeAd ACAdeMiC, st edWArd’s oxFord
72. bsA MeMber List
Boarding School Magazine
To subscribe: T. +44 (0)207 798 1580 E. bsa@boarding.org.uk
Editor Andrew Gray, Communications and Partnerships Manager andrew.gray@boarding.org.uk
Advertising Aileen Kane, Chief Operating Officer aileen@boarding.org.uk
Boarding Schools’ Association
First Floor, 27 Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster, London SW1H 9BU
Image courtesy of Shiplake College
Part of the BSA Group
VIrtuAL COnfErEnCE:
SAFEGUArDING AND CHILD PrOTECTION ASSOCIATION
Part of the BSA Group
28
WEDNE SDAy
Learning from the IICSA 0A9P:3r0IL-12021 6:30 investigation into residential school settings
This one-day event, led jointly by BSA and Sacpa (Safeguarding and Child Protection Association), and in association with independent safeguarding expert, Marcus Erooga, aims to highlight the major themes and key learning points from the residential schools' investigation as part of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). The conference is designed to enable delegates to be proactive in their responses to these areas of concern in advance of the publication of the enquiry report. Audience • Governors • Heads • SMT/SLT • DSL • Other key safeguarding staff
The day will include sessions on: • Listening to survivors • Insights into abuse in residential schools what we can learn from the research • Looking beyond inspection • Understanding the role and developing a working relationship with your local LADO • Peer-on-peer abuse Cost: £185 members (BSA/BAISIS/SACPA) £90 members (BSA/BAISIS/SACPA) additional representative fee £370 non-members
V
Visit https://boarding.secure.force.com/pmtx/evt__quickevent?id=a0k3z00000hnqeEAAQ to book now.
5
7
Robin Fletcher Chief Executive BSA and BSA Group
It’s not about this war Imagine you are fighting a conflict
We have been approached by several
There are too many unanswered
are devoted to defeating enemies
about new models, changes or
too important to be left to chance.
in which all your national resources
imperilling liberty and freedom.
And while you are doing this you
still find enough time to think
schools over the past year thinking reforms they could or need to introduce post COVID-19.
ahead to how education and
Some of these schools have been
restored.
structures, new markets or
society will look when peace is
BSA member schools have, like the
rest of the world, spent the last year
looking about staffing, organisational
‘Who are my customers going to be?’ and ‘will increasing international
demand continue?’ are just two of
them, but there are of course many more.
arrangements for boarding. Others
To paraphrase a former UK prime
presented by COVID-19 to review and
COVID-19 or even the beginning of the
have been taking the opportunity
fighting a global enemy, this time a
restock.
state. Much of their resources have
The biggest danger perhaps once
faceless virus rather than a nation
questions facing schools which are
minister, we are not yet at the end of
end, but we are perhaps at the end of the beginning.
understandably been devoted to this,
COVID-19 becomes one of the many
As we look ahead therefore to the
testing or managing cases while trying
than the one dominating the world, is
question to ask is ‘what would Butler
be that reopening, quarantining,
to continue teaching and learning.
The resolve, ingenuity, creativity and adaptability boarding schools have
shown through COVID-19 has been
everyday hazards to health rather that we hope, think or desire that
things will return to ‘normal’, to how they were perhaps at the start of
September 2019. To wish for such a return to ‘easier’ times is natural or
remarkable. The question is however
normal, to expect it however is
Beveridge landmarks have members
at worst.
is what equivalents to the Butler and been thinking about and creating at that same time?
perhaps optimistic at best and foolish
end, when it comes, maybe the key and Beveridge do now?’. Perhaps
that’s a good question to set school
senior leadership teams, or even year 13 students, and what would the
answer to that question look like?
boarding: a uni positive experie It was a great honour becoming
As BSA Chair, I am mindful of BSA’s
and a daunting one too with the
safeguarding excellence’ so it’s a
BSA Chair at the start of this year world in the tight grip of a global
pandemic with many schools not opening for the new term in the
pleasure to write something on these themes for this issue.
normal way. At the time of writing
One thing that has become really
relief to see many boarders
boarding is a uniquely positive
this piece in mid-March it is a
Bex Tear Group Chair BSA 2021 Head, Badminton School
mission to ‘champion boarding and
returning to UK schools for
learning and being together
before the Easter break, albeit
briefly. The spectre of COVID-19
remains with us however, with continuing restrictions on
international travel, protocols on
clear to me over the past year is that experience that cannot be substituted or replicated. Schools around the
world have done a great job providing high quality on-line learning for
students unable to attend school in person because of the pandemic.
testing, hygiene and social
It is one thing however presenting a
rolled out at a rapid pace. We all
getting school orchestras to perform
distancing and vaccines being hope and pray that we will at
some point view the virus and its impact on everyone as a distant
memory. However, what we must not do is forget the many things
that the experience developed in us all; from an understanding of the community that binds a
boarding school and how that can be harnessed in challenging times through to the way we have enhanced our IT skills.
way to learn Maths on-line or even wonderfully by live video. But that does not work for boarding. Why? Because as Tony Little, former
Headmaster of Eton College and
former Honorary President of the BSA has written before in this magazine, boarding is a ‘shared experience under a common roof’.
9
iquely ence
It is a cliché of course, but boarding is one of education’s best-kept secrets and in some respects long may that continue!
Naturally parents want their children
new things away from the classroom
Such professional benching marking
school, to achieve of their best and
rather than yourself. These are all
BSA helps ensure that boarding is an
to fulfil their academic potential at
maximise their life chances by gaining
a place at a top university. We all
know however that gaining high
grades in exams can be done in many
different ways, with or without
boarding.
This focus however is predicated on
or giving your all for your ‘House’
attributes (sometimes called ‘soft
skills’) developed brilliantly by the
experience of boarding and ones that are increasingly important for young people to navigate successfully the increasingly complex and everchanging world around them.
the notion that grades alone are
The second part of the BSA mission is
success in the outside world, which is
excellence, an area with many
enough to prepare young people for
where boarding comes into its own.
With intelligence, application and hard work most students may achieve the grades they want, but what about
their development in areas that are just as vital but not tested by
examiners?
Learning to live with others, leading
by example, supporting your peers,
contributing to the success of a group,
about championing safeguarding strands. Some of this is about
ensuring physical safety in the
boarding house, but other areas include health, wellbeing and
inclusion. Every day all those in the
boarding community, anywhere in the world, put the welfare and safety of
students first, whether they work in a
school inspected and regulated by
their in-country government, or not.
And BSA, through its widely respected
organising your possessions, building
Commitment to Care Charter, plays a
becoming more independent, trying
maintaining safeguarding standards.
self-confidence and resilience,
leading role in driving and
(as well as the training available) from area of school life where aspects such as wellbeing, inclusion and
safeguarding are always in the
spotlight; never has there been a
greater focus on excellence in this area.
So, if you are reading this magazine as a boarding practitioner, a former boarder, the parent of a current
boarder or maybe a parent thinking about boarding for your son or
daughter, I hope you find it interesting and useful. I hope too it conveys the enthusiasm and passion I have for
boarding both as Chair of BSA, Head
of a girls’ boarding school in England, a mother of two sons who boarded and, albeit a long time ago, as a boarder!
‘CLICK’
11
NEWS in brief
#1 A round-up of some of the stories from across the boarding community
#1
Downe House unveils plans for a
Winchester College to admit girls
School merger
the Governors of Downe House have
Winchester College has announced
have announced that Edgeborough will
sister school in Muscat
announced they are working in
partnership with the Oman Ministry of
Defence Pension Fund to open Downe
House Muscat, the first girls-only, day
school in the Middle East founded by a
British girls’ school.
Construction is well under way on
Downe House Muscat which will provide
both Omani and international families
with a premium, world class, all-round
education tailored just for girls on an
impressive purpose-built campus.
Downe House Muscat will offer the
Cambridge International Curriculum
(CIC) which prepares girls for IGCSE and A Levels, blended with the Oman
Ministry of Education’s curriculum for
the teaching of Arabic, Islamic Studies
and Social Studies. All teaching staff will have uK-recognised teaching
qualifications and will teach their
specialist subject in an extended day
which will give more time for girls to get
involved in a wide range of co-curricular activities to discover their individual interests and talents beyond the
classroom, helping to build character,
teamworking skills and self-confidence and so much more.
and day pupils into Sixth form
‘Winchester College in the 21st Century’,
a new vision and significant programme
of change for the school. the changes
include:
• the admission of girls and day pupils into the Sixth Form.
• A growth in the school’s bursary
provision, with the initial objective of a
25% increase, to 150 pupils by 2024.
• Expansion of the school’s online
learning provision to provide greater
opportunities for collaboration with
the maintained sector.
under the new programme, there will
also be a new emphasis on the global
context and the forces which have
shaped the modern world, and an
increased emphasis on creativity,
collaboration and innovation. In addition,
there will be improvements to built and natural spaces, with a focus on
imaginative and sustainable design, pupil wellbeing and enhancing the individual
character of each house community.
Charterhouse and Edgeborough School
join the Charterhouse family in
September 2021 as the two charities
merge to create an exceptional
independent, co-educational prep and
senior school offer.
A single Governing Body will have
responsibility for both schools, with
three current Edgeborough Governors
joining that body. Dan thornburn will
remain as Headmaster of Edgeborough,
and Alex Peterken will continue to be
Headmaster of Charterhouse with
overall executive responsibility for both
schools. Both schools will retain their
current identity, name, ethos, values,
badge and uniform, as well as their dayto-day operational autonomy.
the merger will take effect from the start
of the 2021/2022 academic year, and
both schools are looking forward to
building on their respective success to
create the pre-eminent combination of
prep and senior schools in the region, and beyond.
#1
Site secured for Twyford School
development
twyford School has recently completed
on the purchase of Orchard Close, a
substantial property adjacent to its
current school premises. this will enable
the school to deliver a state-of-the-art
modern boarding facility, capable of
offering extended flexi-boarding
opportunities to the many more children
who wish to experience this at twyford.
It will also provide greater flexibility for
families to access boarding at shorter
notice.
13
Much-loved Doctor remembered as
Partnership provides school rugby
the death of one Haberdashers’ Adams’
Grassroots rugby across the county is
new House named in his honour
most beloved alumni is to be marked by
the naming of the school’s newest
House in his honour.
Alfa Sa’adu had a distinguished career in
the NHS; he had returned to work
following his retirement in 2017 and died
boost
set to benefit from the partnership of
two organisations of excellence –
Harlequins rugby Football Club and
Gordon’s School, as the two link to
provide a pathway for promising rugby players.
of COVID-19 in 2020.
the game-changing initiative – a first for
Pupils and staff at Adams were invited to
rugby players aged between 16 and 18
Harlequins and Gordon’s – will enable
vote on the name of the new House and
years old, to train in an environment
the school is expanding and will be
whilst receiving a first-class education.
Year 7 each year starting in September
the scheme is endorsed by the rugby
by Sixth Form pupils and together they
by the Government’s Education and
Sa’adu was a front runner from the start.
welcoming an additional 30 pupils into
2021. the new Year 7 class will be joined
similar to that of a professional club,
Football union and will be part-funded
will be the founding members of the
Skills Funding Agency.
Headmaster Gary Hickey said: “Our
School (will in 2021-2022) enter a Sixth
and I can’t think of a more fitting way to
League, playing fixtures against the ACE
Adams than by honouring one of our
Premiership clubs.
new Sa’adu House.
school has stood for nearly 400 years
introduce a new House into 21st century
own who gave so much in the service of
As part of the programme, Gordon’s
Form team into the rFu’s National ACE
School/Colleges of the other 11 Aviva
others. He is a worthy role model for our
young people, and I know this will be universally applauded by those who
knew him from school.”
>>>
#1 >>>
Christ’s Hospital pupil wins national
Charley chases golf pro dream
Millfield student develops India’s
A Year 10 pupil at Christ’s Hospital
professional golfer has joined a leading
Millfield upper Sixth student Saina Sodhi
poetry prize
School fought off stiff competition to win
the Stephen Spender Prize 2020 for
poetry in translation in the 14-and-under
A rydal Penrhos pupil and an aspiring
American university scholarship agency
as he looks to progress his career across
the pond once his school studies have
category. Hannah Jordan won first prize
concluded.
translation of a tamil poem.
Charley Simpson, a Year 11 pupil at the
the judges agreed that Hannah’s
Dream uSA, which helps young golfers
out of over 1,000 entries with her
“thoughtfully translated” poem And Yet –
school, recently signed a deal with Pro
answer to TikTok, ‘Theek Thaak’
has developed a social media platform based on tiktok that has seen her named as India Achievers’ Young
Entrepreneur of the Year. ‘theek thaak’,
which was developed by Saina and
released in November 2020, was created after Saina, from Delhi, wanted to
increase Indian culture representation
from across the world connect with the
on apps like tiktok.
supporting them throughout the
the main features of the app are video-
“both funny and moving,” “boisterous,
sporting potential.
live-streaming and live-broadcasting. It
for our difficult times.”
Charley is widely regarded as one of the
Our Tamil Life by Manushya Puthiran was a worthy winner of the 14-and-under
category, and called Hannah’s translation
charming” and “a poem full of wisdom
best universities in the united States,
strenuous process to fulfil academic and
best young golfers anywhere in the
uploading and video-editing as well as
also comes with a ‘theekcode’ scanner as well as geolocation, reactions,
socialsharing, sounds, ‘theekmojis’ and a
country and has achieved a significant
Stories function among many others.
community as a Year 7 pupil.
languages like Gujarati and tamil.
amount since joining the rydal Penrhos
the app also is available in eight Indian Saina said: I’m taking inspiration from fearless entrepreneurs of today to
continuously improve the app. We still have a long way to go, and I won’t be
content until my app can target every
remote place in India and its users can successfully showcase their creative
expressions.”
#1
Strathallan’s special delivery
Strathallan School has delivered a year’s supply of sanitary towels
to over 300 girls in Kenya to help make sure they do not miss
school.
the student-led Strath Kenya Project is supporting two Sanitary
Education Programmes in the country. One in the Mashimoni
area of the Kibera Slum, Nairobi – Africa’s largest slum, and another project in Kivuli Kijijini in Kalifi.
David Barnes, Deputy Head of Pastoral at Strathallan School, who has been involved with the Strath Kenya Project since it began 12 years ago, said: “It is not about charity but empowerment, it’s about providing the possibility of a pathway for our Kenyan
friends to journey towards their aspirations and dreams. We are
privileged to be able to support these inspirational young women to become equal members of their communities.”
15
Women’s History Month: A reflection on gendered education
“Well now that we’ve decided to take
Loren Bridge, chief executive of the
Modernising a school means leaving
Head. No parent will send a son to a
told The Guardian in 2019 that the co-
might involve avoiding the arrival of
senior boys, we’ll have to have a male school with a female Head. I’ve got
three boys and I know that I wouldn’t.”
Or so the School Bursar told me
following our decision to make New
Hall co-educational back in 2005.
His attitude does, perhaps, exemplify why so many parents still favour
single-sex education for their
daughters: too often lurking in the
Alliance of Girls Schools in Australia,
ed movement is primarily about boys’ schools choosing to take girls: “There aren’t girls’ schools that go co-ed. It’s
basically a boys’ school with girls in it. And the girls are there to help socialize the boys.”
you might wonder why a school like
New Hall would choose to take boys if
Even at a school like New Hall, that
replacing me with a man, and in fact
founding mission for almost four
words, a girls’ school with a female
this reversal of the norm – in other Head choosing to welcome boys,
feeling that co-education would mean
rather than the standard story Bridge
same standard is certainly not applied
recipe for creating an atmosphere of
to the boys’ schools that decide to take girls.
choose who it educates on the basis of gender alone, and why should a
school which directs itself according
to a Catholic ethos choose to exclude brothers and divide families?
wanting to retain the pastoral and
this. The Bursar did not get his wish of
the abandonment of this legacy. The
as the enemy. Why should a school
educational does not have to mean
deal, and that girls are merely a side.
centuries, there was the misplaced
means refusing to see boys and men
At New Hall, we rejected the idea of
side, but of course going co-
has held the education of girls as its
any “toxic masculinization”, it also
it means shunting their girls to one
darker corners of co-education is the unnerving idea that boys are the real
old stereotypes behind. Whilst that
alludes to – has been the perfect
true gender equality. Women’s History
Month is the perfect time to reflect on
how best to achieve that balance.
full co-education fairly early on,
academic advantages that can and do come with gendered education. Education for girls is no more
important than education for boys, of course, but to abandon this legacy would have been to abandon
something vital to the School’s foundations.
Instead, we opted for a Diamond
Model system which would keep girls
17
Katherine Jeffrey Principal New Hall School
>>>
>>> and boys in separate classes on the
Meanwhile, keeping boys and girls
Having overseen a Diamond Model
uniting them again in the Sixth Form.
necessary positive discrimination. We
to single-sex teaching. The world is
same site between years 7 and 11, It is lack of imagination more than
anything that has prevented more
than a dozen or so schools across the
UK from doing the same.
What the Diamond Model demands from the schools running it is equal
emphasis. A school aiming to have a
smattering of girls amongst crowds of boys, for example, could not function
under this system – nor could a school
aiming to have a smattering of boys
amongst crowds of girls. Following
equal emphasis comes the necessity
of equal provision. When I interviewed
the first boys that came to New Hall,
an astonishing number of them
declared Design Technology a
favourite subject. We had had little
demand for a DT centre before, and
partly separate allows for some
run an annual STEM careers evening for girls, in which every speaker is a female role model – research
scientists, doctors, engineers. All of
the girls are invited and must attend, to think about whether they might
want a career in an area that is not
typically dominated by women. Every year a few boys ask to attend and,
rather than rejecting them, we choose to reward their confidence. They will
be one of a handful of boys in a room full of women, which is in itself a rare and educational experience. They
might even ask themselves why we
and girls want out of school and I do find myself wondering whether
Conference, I was struck by the
been co-educational for years without ever having reached equal numbers. “But we found it so easy!” I said,
naively, before someone took me to
one side and explained that some of
these schools were not trying to reach
schools like Winchester that decide to
equal numbers – they actually wanted
adequately provide for all genders,
a school for girls, driven by an
take just a few girls and no more can
when the difference in numbers is so vast.
people rather than concepts. Even so, one of my favourite things about the
British education system is its variety. There is no ‘one size fits all’ method and there will always be some girls who flourish in a single-sex or
predominantly male environment, but I do wonder about the values of a
school that chooses to prioritise the education of one gender over another.
diversity within schools, there are
equal opportunity.
number of HMC schools that had
marked differences in what most boys
another, and to see each other as
who understand the importance of
a boys’ division without one.
exceptions, but there can also be
girls must learn to live with one
Although I genuinely believe that
STEM evening and grow up into men
At a Boarding Schools’ Association
There are of course constant
not a single-sex place and boys and
feel the need to run an all-female
so I went straight to the governors to
tell them that I would not be opening
school for so long, I would not return
to remain a school for boys more than emphasis on boys’ sport that required a large cohort.
diversity of schools is as important as important principles based on
equality and fairness that ought to be
followed at all times. This should start
in leadership. I don’t know the answer, but I would be surprised if the
decision-making bodies of boys’
schools that choose to take “a few” girls and no more were 50/50 men
and women. One reason things move so slowly is that power at the most
senior levels is not in the hands of the
women. I am proud of the equality we have achieved at New Hall, but am under no illusions that gender
equality has reached its global endpoint.
19
Change needs to start in education, and Women’s History Month should help remind us of the importance of that fact.
21
Image courtesy of New Hall School
JIUST IN CASE YOU MISSED US...
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23
SchoolPlaces
We’ve teamed up with Bulldog Publishing to launch Schoolplaces.org, a dedicated live information resource for schools, parents, and education agents. Schoolplaces.org is designed to help agents and families easily find available school places, all in one location. And it’s also the ideal platform for schools to showcase themselves and let parents and agents know what they are offering. If you’re interested in getting your school listed on Schoolplaces.org, please email hello@schoolplaces.org.
Click here to download a copy of the school places media pack.
BSA Annual Conference for Heads
VIrtuAL TWO-DAY
Inclus ivity Rising to the ge challen
5 0 04MAy 1 202
nt Curre te clima
Global community
Safeguarding
Ma rke tin rec and g rui tm ent
Dig ita shif l t
BSA invites Heads to join this two-day virtual conference, chaired by rebecca tear, Headmistress, Badminton School. the theme for the conference is “world class” and the aim is to inspire and empower attendees after an academic year like no other.
#bsaconf2021
CLICK HErE FOr MOrE InfOrMATIOn AN
25
Part of the BSA Group
DAY 1
DAY 2
• World class inclusivity and the global community
• Character strengths & leadership
Our expert speakers will be covering:
this session will look at how we can work together to understand the challenges and lived experiences faced by others, and ensure those challenges are not insurmountable for anyone. the panel will also consider how we can pass this ethos onto students. Where the world has never felt smaller, but travel and access has been restricted, our panel will consider how we continue to build a global outlook and embrace cultural differences to create a diverse and informed global community.
• Being world class post-COVID
Continuing to inspire and empower our attendees, topics will include: this session, delivered by the Institute of Positive Education, will share strategies to enable leaders to leverage character strengths as tools, to help bring out the best in and empower colleagues and students. Building on the tests of the last 18 months, this session will provide strategies to share to better manage stress, overcome challenges and increase engagement and performance.
• World class promotion, publicity and exposure
Following a worldwide change to recruitment and marketing opportunities for boarding schools, our panel will address the latest developments and themes in marketing coming out of COVID, and consider whether schools should be approaching recruitment differently in the future.
• Looking to the future, the resilience of boarding
taking opportunity from the challenge presented by COVID, what can we learn about what can be achieved and progressed when the status quo is disturbed, or no longer fit for purpose? What can the school community as a whole learn about their own resilience, and how can they turn these new strengths to greater development in the future?
A conversation considering what “world class” will look like for the boarding sector as the global recovery from COVID-19 settles, and what smart boarding schools are thinking about, and reviewing, to get ahead for the future of boarding.
• Scenario planning
Our safeguarding panel of experts will address how we can change our thinking around safeguarding, both practice and policy, so the focus is on delivering “world class” safeguarding, and going beyond the “minimum” standards and requirements.
• Digital shift
• Safeguarding: world class standards
• World class support: young people and the school community As the impact and implications of the COVID-19 pandemic continue, the particular impact on young people is becoming greater and clearer. this panel will bring delegates up to date with what young people are facing coming out of the pandemic, and ways to provide meaningful support. V
ND tO BOOK
the COVID pandemic has highlighted the difficulty of relying on predictions and forecasts. Adopting a model used by organisations and corporations worldwide, across many sectors, this session will take delegates through a scenario framework that can be used even with unforeseen circumstances. Delegates should come prepared to follow the steps shared during the session to create the template for their own individual scenario framework by the end of the session. While we know that we cannot turn our back on the progress made in delivering learning, social interactions, and bridging distances online, we also know we need to combat the issues that come with being online, both mental and physical. this session will consider positive interventions to limit the problems that come with increased reliance of the online space, and devices.
• Secure your own mask first: rising to the challenge and looking after yourself
Being an exceptional leader means mastering the skill of wellbeing – both personally and culturally. In this talk, Elke Edwards will share her three secrets of Proactive Wellbeing, ask why so many of us consistently fail at it and examine the overriding beliefs that keep us stuck.
Yes we can
R U N N I N G B OA R D I N G I N A PA N D E M I D O E S N ’ T N E E D TO B E A L L D O O M A N
Image courtesy of Mill Hill
27
n!
C N D G LO O M !
>>>
>>> Since starting in the new position of Foundation Head of Boarding here in Mill Hill in the summer, many people have asked how I’m enjoying the new job. My response is usually: ‘I love it, though I do wish it wasn’t in a pandemic’. One of my senior colleagues here coined the phrase ‘huddle, bubble, toil and trouble’, and this term has very much been imbued with that sentiment. I know from my Whatsapp group with fellow Heads of Boarding (which we affectionately term the ‘HoB Support Group’) that the term has been extraordinarily challenging across the sector, as we have navigated issues of households, testing, pre-flight test, isolation, dealing with positive cases, online and blended learning, and various other factors which we hadn’t even imagined a year ago. It has certainly been an exceptional and
extraordinary term. Before arriving at
John J Taylor Foundation Head of Boarding Mill Hill School Foundation
offsite trips. Bearing in mind we are in
London, with so many opportunities on
Mill Hill, we had decided to break down
our doorstep, this was a tough call, and
households, which we call ‘Huddles’, in
course, on January 4th, we returned fully
our boarding houses into smaller
order to reduce the number of boarders
very hard for boarders. And then of
prepared for mass testing, and opened
self-isolating. this strategy has helped to
boarding at 6pm, only to be met with the
to an extent, bearing in mind that Mill
lockdown two hours later. We have
reduce the number of boarders isolating Hill Boarding uniquely serves two
opposite was true for our boarders. We
opened our theatre and operated it as a
socially-distanced, ‘Huddle specific’
cinema, to give boarders the opportunity
to watch whatever terrible movie they
chose to watch. Our fabulous Graduate
Assistant team continued to open the
Prime Minister’s announcement about
gym, sports hall, and fitness suite for our
stayed open in this lockdown, with
exercise and keep healthy. One of our
boarders so that they could continue to
schools – Mill Hill School, and Mill Hill
around 40 boarders remaining on site.
challenging for boarders. We based our
However, it is all too easy to be
permissions, trips and activities on the
negatives of a COVID world and the
house, and one house held their
systems, which were soon escalated
indeed, there have been many positives.
Huddles gathered around fire bowls,
International. However, it has still been
rules on visitors to boarding, off-campus government’s four tier COVID Alert
downbeat and to focus only on the things we haven’t been able to do;
from Level 3 to Level 4. this meant we
During the second four-week English
shops, stopped them from using public
public were unable to go to cinemas or
restricted boarders’ ability to go to local
transport, and stopping having any
Housemasters, held what he refers to as
‘probably one of the few legal five a-side
Huddle-contained basketball matches in
the country’ on the lawn beside his
Christmas ‘House Hog’ celebration with
Christmas films on an inflatable screen, a
national lockdown, when the general
real hog roast, and even a chocolate
gyms or play competitive sport, quite the
photos this term, one of our boarding
fountain. Since we couldn’t have house
29
“In a world where we’re so divided, the best thing I ever did was come to board with people from lots of other countries. By living and working together and learning about each other’s cultures, my eyes were opened.”
Image courtesy of Mill Hill
staff got pictures of every girl in the
house and created one by the mystical
power of Photoshop, of which I
understand not.
Indeed, there are things we will likely
involved boarders making short films on
the theme of ‘Kindness’, with some
excellent results. (the temptation of a
If COVID has helped our young people to
some competition here). the girls who
mutual understanding, then it’s not all
Kind’ were the winners. Likewise, one girl
of isolation and the negativity of a
made a short film entitled ’10 Ways to be
boarders has traditionally involved
came up with a plan to host online
boarders getting up and going over to school for their activities, but with the
other’s cultures, my eyes were opened.”
milkshake prize from ‘Shaketastic’ on the
Mill Hill Broadway may have sparked
keep from these COVID times also. the Saturday morning programme for
working together and learning about each
movie nights and quiz nights for
boarders who were in quarantine or
practice kindness, consideration, and
bad. rather than focusing on the misery worldwide pandemic, we have found
hope, care and enlightenment from our
staff and boarders and their problem-
isolating, as she didn’t want any of our
solving approach to this pandemic. In an
socially-distanced teaching staff have
uS elections, and following our Diwali
have chosen instead to loudly proclaim
activities from the house. this has been
lights and no end of glow sticks, one of
choice of Year Group Bubble-based of
Household Huddle-based activities, our
come more into boarding to lead
community to be lonely. Just before the
celebrations, involving many neon laser
good for boarders, as well as being good
our boys from India said to me: “In a
sense of what boarding life is life, and to
I ever did was come to board with people
for the teaching staff to give them a
get to know boarders in a different way. One of our Saturday morning activities
world where we’re so divided, the best thing
from lots of other countries. By living and
unprecedented era of ‘no you can’t’, we that ‘yes, we can!’
A part of society, not apart from it: refugee outreach at brighton College
Every Sunday for the past five
years, boarders and teachers at Brighton College have met with refugees from their local Syrian
Community Action Group to help
with conversation and interview
skills, teaching support for
teenagers and younger children
and Life in the UK Test preparation.
During the recent lockdowns, pupils have been teaching
members of the group remotely with virtual lessons and
conversation practice using
Microsoft Teams.
Boarders at the College say they have a moral responsibility to
support those fleeing war and persecution, and have thrown
themselves into supporting the
group. Upper Sixth boarder
Mason explains: “Taking part in
The College’s Syrian Refugee Support Partnership was nominated for a TES WholeSchool Community Initiative Award in 2020.
the local and wider Syrian
Ongoing links with the refugee
writing copy and producing video
led the College to recently
community – designing pages,
content. With full support from the group, the running of the website will pass to the community once pupils have fully trained key
representatives. The website will
contain teaching resources as well as useful community information
for the group and will be bilingual, in both Arabic and English.
Describing the connection, Ahmad yabroudi, Community
representative of the group, says:
“We consider our relationship with Brighton College to be like a
brother and sister. Pupils have
helped our community so much,
and we are grateful for all the time they spend with us.”
Sunday classes brings a human
Syrian community celebrations are
portrayed in the media as
College, including Christmas
face to those who are often
statistics, rather than souls with
experiences.”
In a pivotal move, since the
beginning of the year boarders
have been setting up a website for
also regularly hosted by the
parties, Mothers’ Day dinners and summer barbeques plus
fundraising events are held for the group.
community in Brighton have also launch Opening Doors - a
scholarship for young people in the local area with talent and ambition, and who have experienced a
significant disadvantage, or who have been displaced.
This scholarship was inspired by two Old Brightonians,
Sulaiman Wihba and Elias Badin, young refugees who arrived in
Brighton after long and incredibly demanding journeys from their home in Syria. Through the
connection with Brighton College as part of the Syrian Community Action Group, both boys were awarded full scholarships to
Brighton. They both did so well that they received additional
scholarships for university - to study maths at Balliol College,
Oxford, and medicine at Queen Mary’s, University of London.
Monday 21 June Sunday 27 June 2021
Boarding Week
National Celebrating the importance of health and wellbeing in boarding life in collaboration with Limitless, a unique brand that offers high-quality sportswear to many of our member schools. from home, we encourage everyone to get involved in fun and innovative activities that support mental health and wellbeing. Don’t forget to post all activities using the hashtags
#nationalboardingweek • #limitless • #iloveboarding
Ideas include: • 2k run challenge – run for a charity of your choice • Kindness challenge – send us your videos and images of charity work • Fitness challenge – inter-house Press up and Keepie uppie competitions • Inter-house zoom bake-off – can you rise to the challenge? • The boarding zoom choir – sing together during lockdown and share your videos with BSA • Audiobook challenge – read your favourite story, poem or book to fellow boarders.
Sponsored by
Heads on the move Chetham’s School of Music Nicola Smith and Tom redmond (Joint Principals)
Kent College, Canterbury Dr David Lamper (Executive Head)
Dulwich College Yangon David Massiah
Kent College, Canterbury Simon James (Head of Junior School)
Frensham Sarah McGarry
Port Regis Titus Mills
Heathfield School Sarah Wilson
Tudor Hall School Julie Lodrick
33
Royal seal of approval for Boarding Orchard initiative the bsA’s boarding orchard initiative, which
scotland and northern ireland - have joined the
encourages boarding schools to do their bit for the
boarding orchard, and trees have also been planted at
environment by planting fruit trees has received
boarding schools in switzerland, russia and the usA.
support from His royal Highness, the Prince of Wales. in a reply to bsA, a Clarence House spokesperson the Prince, a well-known supporter of eco-friendly and
passed on the Prince’s ‘warmest wishes for every
sustainable initiatives, recently appeared on bbC one’s
success with the project’, calling it ‘an excellent way of
Countryfile, where he joined celebrities including
promoting environmental awareness.’
actress dame Judi dench, model twiggy and legendary queen guitarist brian May, to give his backing to the
robin Fletcher said: “For many years, HrH the Prince
programme’s ‘Plant britain’ campaign, a two-year
of Wales has been a great champion of a wide range of
project which will see 750,000 trees planted.
causes and projects relating to protecting the environment and sustainability, so we’re delighted that
Following his appearance on the programme, bsA
our boarding orchard scheme has his support.
Group Chief executive robin Fletcher wrote to the Prince to highlight the bsA’s own boarding orchard
“since its creation, more than 150 schools all over the
tree-planting project.
world have contributed to the boarding orchard, planting over 180 trees and each year, more of our
the boarding orchard was launched by the bsA in
members join the scheme. through this project, we can
2014. it aims to be the ‘largest’ orchard by geography
work together to address the urgent need for action on
in the world and encourages schools to involve their
climate change and play our part in protecting the
pupils in planting trees to support the environment.
environment for generations to come.”
since launch, schools across the uK - including Wales,
For more information on the boarding orchard, please visit the bsA website: https://www.boarding.org.uk/440/national-boarding-week/boarding-orchard
Going from strength to strength The following schools have joined the BSA this year.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to:
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Ashfold School Rugby School Thailand The Hill School, USA Dulwich College, Suzhou, China North London Grammar School International School of Creative Arts Prefleuri International Alpine School, Switzerland Alexandra College, Ireland Rockwell College, Ireland Wymondham College Prep School Exupery International School, Latvia Elmfield Rudolf Steiner School Bristol International College Nord Anglia School Jiaxing, China St Peter's International School, Portugal S.Anselm's Preparatory School, East Midlands
35
For more information on how to join the BSA
please visit our website www.boarding.org.uk or email bsa@boarding.org.uk
H Housemaster Housemistress v Houseparent
Alex Large Dartmouth Housemaster, Head of Boarding Royal Wolverhampton School
H
37
After a visit from the principal, his leaving remarks were: “About time the sign on your door was updated, Alex”. When i took on my current role, i was incredibly proud and remember moving into the boarding accommodation and noticing the sign on the door to my new flat – it read ‘Housemaster’ and must have been up since the house was built in the mid-90’s. And that’s what i thought my role would be – a Housemaster. so when it came to choosing the new sign for the door, which would include my name as well, it should have been a straightforward process – except it wasn’t.
I was always keen to get in to boarding for a variety of reasons and was incredibly excited when my school advertised for an Assistant Houseparent in the boys junior
house. At the time I thought the name of the role was interesting – having attended a boarding school myself I was
used to the terms ‘Housemaster’ and ‘Housemistress’. At the time I simply assumed that houseparent was an all
encompassing term for any gender. there was also thread
on Linkedin recently similarly talking about advertising for
the role of houseparent and there were ongoing discussions
about whether this is the correct term to use in terms of not
simply professional identity but gender identity. It was not
until I read John rae’s ‘Delusion of Grandeur’ that it finally clicked there was distinct difference between the definitions
of Housemaster (traditionally those that taught as well as
looked after the house) and Houseparent (a non-teaching role). And so, when it came to creating my first email
signature for my new role in boarding I took delight in seeing ‘Assistant Housemaster’ under my name.
I am in my ninth year of teaching mathematics and have taught everything from bottom set Year 7 to further maths
in Year 13. When I started, I thought that was it, I had
discovered my identity – I was Alex Large, Maths teacher. I
was determined to be the best and make a name for myself in that regard. However, it turned out that while I enjoyed
what I did, I found myself looking for new challenge, what about pastoral care?
I fell in love with boarding from my very first shift. I watched
the Blind Side with a group of boys in the common room
and just thought – this is brilliant. Watching them interact
with each other, forging lifelong friendships and sometimes
just acting like the teenagers they were. they made mistakes
(as we all do) and I relished the challenge of supporting
them to make better decisions going forward. this was it I
was an Assistant Housemaster and I couldn’t wait to run my own house one day. I was fortunate that this opportunity
came up in the same school, sooner rather than later. I applied and got the role. I had my own house to run – much
>>>
>>>
like the title of Jill Murphy’s book, Mr Large was in charge! I deleted the word Assistant
from my email signature and
was ready for action – I was a
Housemaster.
If I was given the opportunity
at that point nearly two years ago to change the sign on my
door I would have had no hesitation for it to read: ‘Mr A Large – Housemaster’, but I
am thankful now that I didn’t get round to changing it straight away. My view of the
Image courtesy of Queen Margaret’s
39
role
and
means
what
has
it
really
changed
drastically since taking over
the house. My house is unique
have to do now that I never
envisioned would be part of my
role
including
going
shopping for clothing and
in that we not only have
toiletries, then stopping off to
also unaccompanied asylum-
ever McDonald’s. I was in
looked
after children, but
seeking children. I thought I
knew what the role entailed
treat someone to their first effect dad to these boys; it was then I realised that I
from my own experience
pretty much was. I have even
those who work in boarding
‘sons’ to the bitter end in
during my schooling and all will no doubt know about the
many hats that we wear on any given day. Given that,
there were still things that I
been known to defend my
disciplinary meetings in front
of the Principal much like a real parent would!
>>>
>>>
I took great pride then when one of the inspectors said that the two key terms that keep coming up again and again were ‘family’ and ‘community’.
Image courtesy of Clayesmore School
41
One of my proudest moments in my role was during an inspection last year. For six months
since taking over the house I was determined to shift the culture of the house to create a
family-orientated environment. I took great
pride then when one of the inspectors said that the two key terms that keep coming up again
and
again
were
‘family’
and
‘community’. And while some of this culture
needed to be harvested organically, I had really pushed these themes throughout my time to try and create this idea of a family environment in the boys’ home away from
home. Of course my efforts were helped
thanks to my wife who took on the role of matron – or ‘house mum’ – and my two-year
old son who likes to be involved in everything the boys do. I had shifted the culture from a
testosterone-filled house to one where boys
were greeted everyday with a biscuit and squash by Mrs Large and a ‘fist-bump’ from
Harry. We had become one big family and I knew I had found my professional identity.
In a world where wording and identity are so
important, I think that we are in the perfect place to start questioning some traditions and
to take ownership of our professional boarding responsibilities separate from any teaching role. I am in no way proposing that we simply dismiss the terms housemaster
and housemistress as they are both defined job roles, but I would encourage anyone who works in boarding to recognise that those two roles encompass two distinct identities,
namely houseparent and subject teacher. I
believe that now is the time that all
housemasters and housemistresses should
take the opportunity to think deeper about
what the terms actually mean in today’s
technology-based frenetic world.
It will come to you as no surprise for you to know that I did make a decision on my
door sign and I can tell you it reads ‘Mr &
Mrs Large – Houseparents’. My wife and I are proud houseparents. What about you?
L E A r n I n g T O L I S T E n
Good mental health and wellbeing must be embedded into the culture of all our schools. With high-profile campaigns encouraging us to talk about how we feel, it is important that pupils can access the support that they need. Here at Dauntsey’s, pupils know that they can turn to their Housemaster or Housemistress, their tutor, their teachers, a school counsellor or, alongside these, our peer Listening Service.
The Listening Service at
by one of our counsellors. The
The concept was developed by a
surrounding safeguarding and
Dauntsey’s started 15 years ago. group of Upper School pupils,
who wanted to receive training in order to be the first point of
contact for other pupils to talk
through any problems or worries. It is well known that young
people often turn to each other as their first line of support.
There can be many reasons that young people may not feel that
they want to approach an adult initially and that talking to a
fellow pupil can sometimes be easier, and therefore it is vital
that we equip our pupils with the tools to do this.
Today, we have 28 volunteer
listeners ranging from those in
the Fourth Form to Upper Sixth pupils. Each volunteer receives
three one-hour training sessions, plus a one-to-one interview led
training sessions focus on issues confidentiality, they give guidance on how to provide support and when to refer pupils to a
counsellor or a member of the pastoral team. Each listener is assigned a buddy within the
group so that there is someone with whom they can discuss
individual cases and agree the
best course of action. Nobody is
left to deal with anything on their own.
Listeners wear a silver badge on their jacket or blazer to help identify them. Posters are
displayed around the school with contact details for all the
listeners, along with the school safeguarding leads and
counsellors. Pupils can chat to
listeners anywhere in the school
and there is also a small meeting
43
Pupils are made aware of the Listening Service as soon as they arrive and it is very much a part of the fabric of school life.
Ann Jackson Deputy Head, Pastoral Care Dauntsey’s room dedicated to the service where
for pupils and parents to see that
the Listeners to realise they are not
widely but often relate to stress and
part of the culture at Dauntsey’s.
their peers find the answers for
they are able to meet. Topics vary
anxiety, homesickness and friendship
talking about worries and emotions is
issues. These can often be dealt with
Carole Coop is one of the qualified
necessary. The listeners are helpful in
trains the Listeners. She has been at
by the listener but staff will step in if
feeding back to us on common threads that might emerge.
As well as the initial listener training,
school counsellors who oversees and
themselves. Often it is a case of just talking things through and being
helped to see a different perspective.
the school for some 23 years. Her
“But it’s important to look after the
therapy dog, is much loved by all.
support to them, ensuring they are not
cavapoo, Hollie, who is a trained
we hold regular meetings, dinners and
“The students who volunteer for the
recent speaker was Fred Coombs who
good listeners and used to being there
workshops with outside speakers. A
there to provide solutions but to help
Listening Service are often already very
Listeners. I see my role as being a
overwhelmed by, or worried about, the information they are receiving. I aim to check in with them regularly and I am supervised myself each month by an
publishes a regular podcast called
to support their friends and fellow
of the taboos around talking about
you would want to talk to and
“The listeners do an amazing job and
approachable. I like to think of them as
school so that when other pupils come
“Dead Dad” which tries to dispel some death. Some of our listeners recently attended a pupil-led mental health conference that provided useful
insights. We hope that the skills that
students. By nature they are people therefore pupils find them very
a First Aid team – often they can help
resolve worries that pupils might have.
they learn with us will also be put to
If not, they can refer them to any
It is very encouraging that the
that we have – either a tutor,
good use once they leave school.
conversation around mental health is
growing nationally and it is reassuring
member of the pastoral support team housemaster, housemistress or me
and my colleague. “It’s important for
external counsellor.
their contribution feeds through the
up to the Fourth Form, they are keen to get involved. It can sometimes become stressful for them though and they
can, at any time, ask to come off the
list of Listeners for a week or two. They just remove their silver badge until
they are ready to come back on board.”
>>>
>>>
“Being part of the Listening Service has been really rewarding. We have learnt a lot about how to listen which is such an important life skill, both at home and in the workplace” Clemmie
Ben, a boarding pupil in the
link them up with a counsellor
Service, supported by deputies
peer can feel less of a big deal
Upper Sixth, leads the Listening Hal and Clemmie.
“We find it a really rewarding thing to do. The training was
enormously helpful in showing
us how to listen, how not to step
here – taking the first step with a and, once they have spoken
about what’s on their mind, it
becomes a lot easier to open up to professional support,” says Ben.
in with solutions and how best to
“Our main objective is to provide
resources,” says Hall.
come and talk to us. We won’t tell
lead pupils to the right
“Sometimes it can be as simple as a First Form pupil coming to
a safe space where anyone can them what to do but talking
about things can make a real
difference. We sometimes feel
us because they have lost their
we have nipped a problem in the
about what will happen. It may
conversation.
gym kit and are really worried
seem a small thing but it’s a big
worry to them. We can help them deal with that.
“At other times it can be
something bigger, such as stress
caused by divorce or changing
circumstances at home. We can
bud just by having a
45
BSA Certified Agent – 2021/2024
the bsA Certified Agent scheme is designed to improve the working relationship between high-quality agents and education consultants working with bsA boarding schools. this rigorous scheme is a clear demonstration of the quality and intention of the agents and consultants who join and provides unrivalled assurance to bsA boarding schools that they are dealing with top-class agents who have the highest standards in recruitment, safeguarding and student placement.
47
Abby Plumb Education Guardian Service (China and Hong Kong) (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian)
BeGo Education (China) British United Education Services (Hong Kong) i-Learner (Hong Kong) IQ Consultancy (russia) JD Consultancy (China) (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian) Panoba (Nigeria and Saudi Arabia) QED Education Group (China) Sarah Jochums Internatsberatung (Germany) Sino-UK Arts & Cultural Bridge Ltd (China). Full list of BSA Certified Agents
{
The following organisations have achieved BSA Certified Agent status since the last edition of the Magazine was published.
Abby Plumb Education Guardian Service (China and Hong Kong) (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian) Academic Asia (China) Academic Families (worldwide) (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian) Barbara Glasmacher Internationale (Germany) BeGo Education (China) Better School! Internatsberatung (Germany) BOSSS UK (China) Britannia StudyLink (Hong Kong) British United Education Services (Hong Kong) Chamberlain Educational Services (Hong Kong and China) Cherry Education Consultancy (China) For more information Connexcel (China) (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian) Crest Education (China) on the BSA Certified Dickinson School Consulting (Germany and worldwide) Agent Scheme, please i-Learner (Hong Kong) IQ Consultancy (russia) visit our website. ITEC (russia) J3 Group (HK) JD Consultancy (China) (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian) Mark Brooks Education (Ghana, Nigeria, worldwide) Overseas Personal Development Services (China) Panoba (Nigeria and Saudi Arabia)
QED Education Group (China) rise Smart Overseas Education Centre (Hong Kong) Sarah Jochums Internatsberatung (Germany) School Britannia (France) Sino-UK Arts & Cultural Bridge Ltd (China) The Independent Education Consultants (worldwide) The Watanabe Office (Japan) UK Education Guide (Middle East, worldwide) UK Tuition Services (China) (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian).
BSA Ce r t ifie d Gua rdia n – 2021/ 2024
BSA Certified Guardian Scheme 2021/2024 The BSA and our member schools are looking to work with the best educational guardians and our Certified Guardian Scheme is an assurance of professional quality. This training and certification programme provides assurance to BSA boarding schools that they are dealing with educational guardians who have the highest standards in safeguarding of children, safer recruitment and training of staff and host families, and careful liaison with parents and schools. The scheme is a clear demonstration to BSA boarding schools of the quality and intention of the educational guardians who reach certified status.
49
Access UK Education Alpha Guardians Boarding Schools Ireland Cambridge Guardian Angels Clarendon International Education College Guardians Edinburgh Guardian Angels Education and Exchange in Europe (provisional) Gabbitas Genesis Education Planning International Student Guardianship Ireland (ISGI) (provisional) JD Consultancy (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian) Overseas Personal Development Services (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian) redoor Education (Provisional) Trusted Guardianship UKGuardianship ying Lang Guardian Glamour Edu Ltd.
{
The following organisations have achieved BSA Certified guardian status since the last edition of the Magazine was published.
Full list of BSA Certified Guardians Abby Plumb Education Guardian Service (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian) Academic Families (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian) Access UK Education Alpha Guardians Amber Education Belgravia Guardians Berkeley Guardians Boarding Schools Ireland Cambridge Guardian Angels Clarendon International Education College Guardians Connexcel (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian) For more information Cotswold Guardians on the BSA Certified Edinburgh Guardian Angels Education and Exchange in Europe (provisional) Guardian Scheme, Elite Anglo-Chinese Services English Country Guardians please visit our Gabbitas website. Genesis Education Planning Guardians International Support High Schools International Hostlink UK International Student Guardianship Ireland (ISGI) (provisional) JD Consultancy (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian) Overseas Personal Development Services (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian) redoor Education (Provisional) regent Guardians St George’s Guardians Study Links The Guardian Family Network Trusted Guardianship UK Guardians UKGuardianship UK Tuition Services (Certified Agent and Certified Guardian) ying Lang Guardian, Glamour Edu Ltd.
The best of Is a library still a justifiable use of school funding in an age where students have the potential and the distraction of the internet so readily at their disposal? Teaching in the shadow of one of the
great Medieval buildings in Europe, I
hope I might be forgiven for allowing
intellectual and emotional skills they need for later life.
my thoughts to roam in the past from
As teachers of English Literature, we
an inescapably historical place, with
promoting and celebrating our literary
time to time. Wells Cathedral School is more listed buildings than you can
have to strike a balance between heritage and at the same time
shake a stick at and an eccentric
presenting the subject as a dynamic,
year of the founding of the school and
rooted in the modern world. Where
activities). But teaching is about the
have followed: specifications allow for,
attachment to the number 909 (the
the name of our Thursday afternoon
present and future of the students, not
responsive discipline which is entirely
universities have led, exam boards and in most cases positively
the past of an institution, so for all the
encourage, exam text choices which
on our doorstep and medieval
contemporary literature alongside a
excitement of having a Chained Library gargoyles gurning down at us as we file
in for Cathedral assembly on a Monday morning, when it comes to what happens in the classroom, the
priorities at this 1,111 year old school
embrace and celebrate the richness of fair representation of works from the past half-millennium.
reading for exams is one thing; self-
directed reading is another. All praise,
are no different from that of a school
then, for the many schools which have
of learning and equip children with the
stocked, staffed by well-qualified
that has just opened: stimulate a love
managed to keep libraries open, well-
librarians and central to the academic
provision of a school. We are fortunate at Wells to have just such a library; in the Fiction section alone, the shelves
heave with an enticing range of titles,
beautifully presented in our old stable block, the range judiciously balanced
between classics which have stood the test of time and bang-up-to-date titles
from, say, the most recent shortlists for the Carnegie Award (for young Adult fiction) and the Booker Prize (for
Adult). Such a library makes it so much easier for us to promote strong wider reading habits for our students.
But is a library still a justifiable use of school funding in an age where
students have the potential and the
distraction of the internet so readily at their disposal? I would argue,
passionately, that it is. Firstly, I’m a big believer (surprise surprise) in the
incomparable value of reading a book -
old & new
51
Andrew O’Sullivan Teacher of English and House Parent Wells Cathedral School
>>>
I have yet to find a better place than a library for that soft and gentle cocooning which allows and encourages students to seal themselves off from the rest of the world, hopefully even turning their phone off and closing their laptop, and engage in truly independent reading.
53
>>> not a website, not a forum posting,
evolving spaces, where the
As long as sound pedagogical
source of an incredible range of
information have been allied with
not to allow technology to be as
but a book; to have a library as a
books, to showcase what is
available to students is a rich and
wonderful privilege. Secondly, I believe that the independent
research skills which will equip
students best with the tools they
advantages of electronic sources of the traditional benefits of libraries
as repositories of books. The need for a place which provides both
time and space for independent work won’t change.
need to manage and navigate the
In the classroom and more widely
available to them are best taught,
education are evolving, and that’s
bewildering range of information
and practised, in a dedicated space
free of subject affiliation. I might
also mention that I have yet to find
a better place than a library for
that soft and gentle cocooning
which allows and encourages
students to seal themselves off from the rest of the world,
hopefully even turning their phone off and closing their laptop, and engage in truly independent reading.
This is not to say that electronic
devices have no place in a library.
Far from it. The use of the library as a space for independent research makes a powerful argument for it to be as connected as possible.
School libraries, in common with
other libraries, have benefited from the technological advances of
recent decades precisely because
they have proved themselves to be
in students’ lives, some aspects of all for the good. When Wells
Cathedral School was founded,
students wrote on wax tablets; now we have returned to tablets, albeit electronic ones. In 2020 our
modern experience of Pestilence
has necessitated a rapid evolution of the nature of a ‘classroom’ - in
many cases to gain a capital letter
and a preceding proper noun in the form of Google Classroom. The Forum of ancient Athens has become the Virtual Learning
Environment Forum upon which I might ask students to add
comments for a homework task. Where students might one have
relied upon their English teacher’s unfailing memory for, say, a
quotation from King Lear, said
teacher might now (in one of my off-days) ask them to check the
internet for the precise phrasing of an apposite line.
principles abide, there’s no reason central in the classroom as it is in so many other areas of a
teenager’s life. So it is with the
choice of literary texts to teach:
texts will remain worthy of serious
consideration, and of study, if they
prove to be of continuing relevance whenever they are taught. Texts
encountered in class and in wider reading habits will remain of the
utmost value if, whatever the age or culture they first sprang from, they encourage our students of
today to respond in a personal and considered way to the world
around them. It is the English teacher’s job to ensure that,
however much he or she may get
enjoyably lost in the past from time to time, the way in which literary texts are approached makes the experience continually new and
relevant. It’s an exciting challenge.
SAFEGUArDING AND CHILD PrOTECTION ASSOCIATION
Part of the BSA Group
ONLINE TrAInIng:
Safer recruitment training
13 M
THUrSD Ay
Ay 2021 10:00-1 5:30
This course is suitable for staff in the role of designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputy designated safeguarding lead (DDSL) as well as members of management teams with recruitment responsibilities, including HR and Governors/Trustees. The training will enable you to meet statutory responsibilities referenced in Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children, and required by OFSTED. This course is provided by an experienced consultant with a background in policing and experience delivering training to police and social workers working in the Child Abuse field, specialising in the interviewing of children and the assessment and investigative approach. Course details: • What is safer recruitment? • The recruitment process • advertising • interview and selection stages • self-disclosure form • the recruitment panel • job description and person specification • references • Safeguarding policy • Regulated activity and Disclosure and Barring Service checks • Single Central Register (SCR) • Risk assessments • Existing staff • Volunteers • Induction • Creating a safer culture • Reporting • Offending behaviour.
By the end of the course, participants will understand: • The guidance that leads to safer recruitment procedures • Outline what is meant by safer recruitment and the practices involved • Explain how safer recruitment supports effective safeguarding practice within their organisation • Define pre-employment and employment checks • Be able to identify legislation that underpins safer recruitment, with a focus on Keeping Children Safe in Education 2020 (UK) and cases where a safe recruitment process could have prevented abuse • Understand how to assess the suitability of a candidate and have an understanding around offending behaviour – in particular sex offending by professionals. Cost: £185 members • £370 non-members
V
Visit www.sacpa.org.uk/event/safer-recruitment-training-3/ to book now.
55
Rebecca MacKay Head of Boarding Wisbech Grammar School
ADAPTABILITY:
Navigating a pandemic Boarding schools offer an unparalleled
entrepreneurship by allowing pupils to
school community. In an article
inclusion and growing independence
homesickness, learn how to live away
estimated that up to 30% of UK private
school experience, as diversity,
are celebrated on a daily basis. This can
be seen in any successful boarding provision through the pupil’s daily
interactions with their peers, house
develop the resilience to cope with
from their families or carers and build their confidence in working
independently to achieve their goals.
staff and teaching staff. Boarders are
recent global events and the ongoing
time within the school community and
the sustainability and demand for
fortunate to benefit from additional
this certainly comes with its own perks
– and occasional challenges! resident tutors who are specialist teachers in
coronavirus pandemic have impacted boarding places. A number of
Independent Schools in the UK have been forced to close their doors or
their subject/s can assist pupils with
boarding houses due to the financial
lessons to promote pupil learning
The fee payers at UK Independent
revision techniques and offer additional beyond the classroom setting. For
those pupils in Sixth Form, boarding can be a useful stepping-stone to university, apprenticeships or
impact of coronavirus on the economy. Boarding Schools may have been
impacted by being furloughed, facing
redundancy or suffering job losses and this inevitably impacts on our wider
published in the TES, it has been
schools could go out of business, as a
result of the COVID-19 pandemic (Lowe, 2020). In another vein, it is also
understandable that overseas families may be anxious when considering sending their children overseas to
boarding schools. The uncertainty as to whether new travel restrictions will be implemented that may affect their
child’s ability to return from home to school and back safely. regular
developments are commonplace with
various global governments’ guidance
on travel to and from the UK altering on a day-to-day basis. Overseas parents
may be fearful of the impact of these ever-changing regulations on
>>>
>>> their child getting home. It is
challenging to plan for all
potential eventualities when
organising any flight at present.
Extended quarantines, cancelled
flights or positive test results if
asymptomatic may mean pupils are
Our boarding schools have been hit by possibly the biggest existential threat in their history and schools being proactive to support pupils and their families is therefore paramount.
potentially unknown duration; parents
school community; in other words, not
their child as safe as possible in these
to the diverse nature of those pupils
are understandably anxious to keep
unpredictable times.
So what can boarding schools do to
adapt to such a dynamic situation to
support our boarders’ safety, academic
progress and overall well-being? Our boarding schools have been hit by
possibly the biggest existential threat in their history and schools being
proactive to support pupils and their
families is therefore paramount. I will
attempt to share some lessons learnt
during this challenging period,
although I am well aware that this
situation remains fluid and requires
constant adaption to fulfil our pupils’
solely within the boarding houses. Due attending our wonderful boarding
schools, it is important that pupils from minority cultures are well supported upon re-entering the wider school
strategies that boarding schools and
their staff can adopt to reduce pupils’
community about the complex issues involved and for the pupils to be
encouraged to support this. For some of our overseas pupils, careful
reintegration will be vital if they have been required to undergo a longer
period of self-isolation; this may have resulted in a later start than their
domestic peers. A former controversial have publicised articles that refer to
state they have proof that COVID-19
was produced in a laboratory in China. Some of our pupils and their parents
may have read these articles and used this information as a basis for their
own viewpoints on the epidemiology of
risk of psych-social stressors that may
COVID-19. Sally Weale, Education
most influential piece of guidance for
stressed that the number of Chinese
negatively impact mental health. The me highlighted the importance of
facilitating a safe and secure boarding
lockdown periods. Therefore, being sensitive to their needs whilst supporting the global school
population must be handled delicately to ensure a culture of understanding and inclusion of all.
appropriately. This will ensure those
coronavirus as the ‘the China Virus’ or
Chris Thurber. This focused on various
effects following the worldwide
educate and inform the broader school
At the start of this academic year, I was Psychologists Dr Szu-Hui Lee and Dr
experienced bereavements, mental
The boarding and wider school
on the schools’ senior leaders to both
world leader and sections of the media
insightful BSA seminar led by Clincial
will have had family members who
have suffered from coronovirus,
population. It is therefore incumbent
needs.
fortunate to be able to attend an
be running high at present, as it is
increasingly likely that individuals’
health issues and other life altering
unable to depart or they may have to
isolate in airport accommodation for a
must be alert for xenophobia. Our
school communities’ emotions will
Correspondent for ‘The Guardian’,
pupils at private schools in the UK has
grown in recent years and that schools
provisions should be adapted
pupils unable to come into school, due to coronavirus restrictions and the
most recent lockdown, are still offered opportunities to thrive, both
academically and pastorally. In terms
of academic support on offer to pupils,
some schools are fortunate to have the technological resources to support live streaming of lessons for their pupils and provide access to electronic
devices for their pupils to support this.
Wisbech Grammar School Headmaster, Chris Staley, acted proactively in
response to the first UK lockdown and
drove the school’s technology strategy forward to roll out online learning platforms. All teaching staff were
provided with Apple iPads complete with Microsoft Teams to ensure
teachers were able to stream live lessons from home during any
lockdown periods. Any pupils who had access to laptops, phones and
57
of the unknown in relation to
computers were then able to
future airport restrictions and flight
view their lessons and contact
bans into and out of the UK or their
teachers for support with
home countries. It is also likely that
assignments, classwork and any
families will be anxious that they or a
other academic issues. Computers were also loaned to those families
loved one may develop symptoms of
Pastoral staff were empowered to
returning pupils may be facing the
coronavirus whilst separated.
who did not have access to technology. contact pupils via a secure school
system to keep track of any needs or
tutorials in person. It is important that
experienced. Staff induction in
learning resources particularly where
personal challenges pupils may have
September and January focused on
training teachers to maximise their use
of the Microsoft Team platform on the school iPads. This was aimed to instil
confidence for teachers when utilising these tools for pupils working from
home. This work ethic and recording of
lessons has carried through into our
Michaelmas term. This provided
confidence for staff, pupils and their
parents that pupils will be actively
aided to keep up to date with their
school curriculum if unable to attend
school. With the most recent
government lockdown, our lessons are
all schools guarantee pupils’ access to
individuals are forced to isolate in line
with government guidance. This will be crucial in the engagement of all pupils within their school communities.
regular communication with any
distanced learners will help reinforce pupil-staff relations to allow for
safeguarding and well-being support during any periods of isolation. The importance of this has been
highlighted by the NSPCC who
reported a 32% increase in average monthly contact by children and
adolescents under the age of 19 with the ChildLine service during the first
going ahead as normal with teachers
lockdown. As a staffing body, we must
resources to engage productively with
for and protect our pupils during these
and pupils armed with the tools and
the wider school community in lessons and beyond.
This was particularly advantageous for our boarders returning from overseas
be aware of our responsibility to care challenging times.
This leads me on to how school can
welcome boarders back into boarding following an extended period of
when they had to isolate for a 19 day
absence from school during this
guidance in September. These pupils
lockdown or COVID isolation. Any
period in response to UK travel
were supported by the boarding team to get involved with school life and
their lessons from the outset; despite
not being able to join their classes or
pandemic, such as a school holiday, international pupils re-entering the UK will understandably be experiencing
some trepidation in leaving their home countries. This could be due to a fear
prospect of their well-loved school
being immeasurably changed, due to
new restrictions and social distancing measures. Whilst new pupils may be dealing with similar fears with no
personal experience of who is available to support them upon their arrival. It
would be prudent for a senior member of the boarding team to greet them at
the airport upon their arrival in the UK, i.e. House Parent, House Mistress,
House Master or Head of Boarding.
This ensures that pupils are welcomed by someone who will have a direct input into their pastoral care and
responsibility for monitoring their wellbeing; tailored support can begin from the first meeting. It is reassuring for
pupils to have had contact from this
staff member before their arrival in the UK. Working closely with admissions beyond the recruitment stage is
important to ensure pupil numbers or contact information is correct to
support pupil retention. This will
enable the boarding team to touch base with pupils via WhatsApp,
WeChat, Microsoft Teams or even email (using school devices or
platforms to safeguard staff and
pupils). Feedback from our current boarders was extremely helpful in
gleaning what had gone well with our collection process from the airport.
>>>
>>> One of our boarders told me that he
felt instantly better upon landing, as he
was able to WeChat our duty mobile
and get an instantaneous response. He
knew immediately that I was present at
the arrivals gate looking forward to
meeting him and had a brief
description what to look out for to help
identify me. When he arrived through the gate, he looked a little fazed but
was clutching his phone like a lifeline
with the added reassurance that he
isolation periods has been invaluable with feedback on the
Despite the late hour and tiring
Overall, it has been extremely pleasing to hear from pupils that
knew how to get hold of staff quickly.
journey to the airport, I greeted him
with a big smile and made sure he knew how happy the school
community were to be gaining him as a
pupil. These small touches may seem obvious to most of us working in
boarding schools, particularly in the
current economic climate. However, it does not always happen and it
clearly means more to these pupils than staff and schools may realise. During any isolation period with
boarders, staff should celebrate this intensive time with the pupils and utilise it as an opportunity to
understand their boarders’ pastoral
and academic needs in great depth. It
food, activities and academic provision on offer to them. mealtimes in the house can be enjoyable and pupils are grateful for the family atmosphere this creates. regular
communication with our catering department has been
paramount during this period. For thepupils being isolated,
there was no option to pop out and get their favourite snacks. This has meant the school staff needed to provide them with
access to good quality meals and tasty snacks or treats proved
vital to maintaining a positive, happy living environment; pupils were grateful to our caterers for listening to their view points and even cooking up a curry night complete with papadums,
naan and all the side dips! It made our boarders feel valued in
the eyes of the school during a time when they could have felt
isolated or separated from our wider community. We even had a member of the school teaching staff offer to help us to
purchase appropriate snacks when doing their own ‘essential supermarket trip’ at an International Supermarket; the
boarders were delighted to receive treats from their home
is a chance to reassure pupils of what
country to help ease any homesickness!
them during these unprecedented
Staff also noted that outdoor items and household activities
have their boarding team discuss social
swing ball and table tennis) have been used regularly by pupils,
the school will be doing to support
times. The pupils will be grateful to
distancing, PPE regulations and any
changes they may be facing in relation
purchased for these in house periods (dart boards, frisbees, particularly when less able to engage in formal Physical
Education lessons. These activities boosted overall morale in
to their boarding or wider school
house and our pupils fed back that they found this helpful in
pupil voice meetings to gain pupil
down’ in house. Staff in house have also run mental health
experience. We found that hosting perspectives during our lockdown and
separating schooling and recreational time when being ‘locked well-being sessions, such as yoga and meditation. The sign up
59
mainstream school setting and aid integration beyond the boarding
community. It is also useful to be
proactive in planning for any additional support for any international pupils for whom English is not their native
language. Special Educational Needs support should also be planned for
and timetabled for any pupils requiring this so they gain support where
for these meant that a third of the house were actively
choosing to engage in mindful activities and taking time for
themselves to reflect on their isolation experience. This allowed staff to closely observe and better understand each pupil’s
specialist needs and offer well-being support when needed. We worked hard to produce a well-being booklets for our whole school community, this was designed to signpost pupils and their families to allow them to access support for online
distance learning, mental health, physical health and answer
any questions about the current COVID-19 situation they may
not wish to voice openly. For our overseas pupils, we produced a version with key aspects translated into their home language to promote their understanding and strengthen the level of
support on offer to them; this was key as some of our pupils
have not been able to travel home since the summer holidays. Finally, the reintegration process for boarding households or
year group bubbles should be carefully planned for by schools
to ensure that pupils feel supported and comfortable returning into the global school population. Any new pupils joining the
school during this period should be assigned buddies to take them to their first location for the day where they should be
greeted by their Head of year or Tutor. Being welcomed to the wider school community by a senior member of the school
team will make the pupils feel special and familiarise them with the key staff who have oversight over their progress during the school day. Speaking to key staff prior to the assignment of
buddies is vital to ensure a good match can be made to best support the new boarder or day pupil and their peers in
bonding from their first meeting. This will help these new 5
boarding pupils navigate their first few weeks in the
required. Teaching staff should be
reminded that the boarding pupils may require some additional support when entering the classroom for the first
time. Communication lines should be kept open between tutors, Heads of year, boarding staff and teachers to
maximise the support on offer to our boarders in these challenging times. These are unique times for our inspirational boarding schools.
However, I am confident that if schools work together to share best practice to support pupils and their families then
the wider UK boarding community will be able to safeguard the survival of
these outstanding establishments. I am looking forward positively to the year ahead and to working flexibly to
support our boarders and their school peers to celebrate diversity,
achievement and resilience in the face
of this pandemic both in the classroom and remotely.
It is the start of an unparalleled new era for our boarding schools so let’s embrace the changes together!
ADVErtOrIAL
Lockdown skills Challenging students’ misconceptions
As we enter the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, school doors across the UK are once again closed to the majority of students. We’re starting to gain a better understanding of the impact this is having on how able students feel to develop the skills they’ll need for the future.
Why the focus on skills? As we all know, skills are essential to help young people develop into well-rounded adults who will stand out in what’s likely to be a highly competitive job market. What’s more, making sure that employers are able to hire people with the necessary skills will be vital to help successfully revive the post-pandemic economy.
Difficulty developing skills
At Unifrog, we’re in a privileged position to explore this. We analysed aggregated data from 700,000 active UK students on the platform and 6,253 student survey responses to find out more about how the pandemic has impacted skills development.
Unfortunately, the majority of students we surveyed believe the pandemic has made it more difficult to develop skills that might be useful for their future career. And as they get older, the more likely students are to report difficulty developing these skills. 70% of those in Year 13 report finding it more difficult to develop useful skills, compared to 46% of Year 10 students.
Which skills have been most impacted? Analysis of the Unifrog Competencies tool gives us an insight into students’ skills development during the pandemic. Students use the Competencies tool to reflect on and record the key skills that employers and universities look for, ready to use in strong applications. The two competencies which saw the greatest decline in logging during the pandemic were teamwork and leadership. Compared to the year before, there was an 82% drop in the number of teamwork competencies logged, and a 79% fall for leadership.
How students’ competencies logging behaviour changed during the pandemic, compared to 2019
Arguably these are two of the skills traditionally most reliant on in-person interaction and as a result, students perceive them to be difficult to demonstrate during lockdown.
ADVErtOrIAL 61
Challenge misconceptions However, it’s important to help students realise that, while they may not be able to demonstrate some skills in the traditional way, they’re still using and developing them in other ways. Just as we have all had to learn new ways of working as part of a team and leading others while working remotely, students have adapted in the same way. For example, any online collaborative projects will involve students using their teamwork skills while conducting any school or house responsibilities virtually requires strong leadership abilities. In the same way, many students have been using their communication and listening skills to support friends who may be struggling while using technology to work from home often requires a fair bit of problem solving!
Reframe the pandemic By challenging students’ misconceptions, we can reframe the pandemic as an opportunity for students to develop new skills and further existing ones. By encouraging them to reflect on the skills they’ve developed and finding opportunities for them to practise their teamwork and leadership skills, we can motivate them to strive towards their best futures.
BSA partners Unifrog are a careers and destinations platform helping students to find their best next steps. Find out more at www.unifrog.org
Music in the time of coronavirus During the Summer of 2020, the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) undertook research on how the pandemic had affected the provision of music in UK schools. Most of the respondents (75%) were from the state sector. The research was published in December in a report called ‘The heart of the school is missing: Music education in the COVID-19 crisis’.
Chris McDade Director of Music Pangbourne College
The research shows that 39% of
deal of relief from the pressures of the
reported a reduction in music provision
stress and anxiety, yet it would appear
secondary school teachers have
as a direct result of the pandemic. Furthermore, 28% of secondary
schools have not continued face-to-
outside world, and helps to reduce
that many children are being deprived of this outlet.
face instrumental lessons in the
Whether or not your child is a musical
thirds of schools, extra-curricular music
and performing music is a critical part
2020/2021 academic year, and in two activities are not continuing at all.(1)
This news is incredibly disappointing.
As a music teacher of over 30 years, I know only too well how beneficial
prodigy, I truly believe that learning of your child’s wider educational
experience; it improves their wellbeing, enriches what they do academically and enhances their other skills.
music education can be for pupils,
This is where an independent school
In terms of academic achievement, it is
Schools in the independent sector
both academically and psychologically. well documented that learning a
musical instrument can contribute to a child’s academic performance.(2)
And children’s mental wellbeing has undoubtedly suffered during the pandemic. Anyone who plays an
instrument knows that immersing
yourself in that activity offers a great
education can be extremely beneficial. usually have access to excellent
musical facilities, such as specialist teachers and equipment, and
Pangbourne College is no exception. For example, as one of only 20 ‘all
Steinway’ schools in the UK, we have three concert pianos housed in our recital Hall and Falkland Islands Chapel.
63
As an independent school, we are in
for a recorded Service of
continue our one-to-one lessons
and provided Advent music for a
the fortunate position of being able to
during the national lockdowns, albeit
online. When we reopened in
September 2020, we reinstated our individual music lessons, providing
over 140 one-to-one lessons in our
state-of-the-art music centre, every
week. Of course, along with all other
remembrance, a College Carol Service
Sources:
collaborative service with other choirs
is missing: Music education in the
in Pangbourne village. We have
produced two music ‘showcases’ with recordings of our most advanced
musicians which have been shared
with the College community online.
schools who have maintained their
Of course, we are a long way from
very hard to adapt our teaching,
won’t be too long before all schools
music provision, we have had to work ensuring that we follow Government
guidance at all times.
For most musicians, it’s really
versions of what we would normally
perform live. For example, our pupils
have delivered beautiful performances
Cambridge Assessment report: The
relationship between taking a
https://www.cambridgeassessment.
musical education; it’s far too valuable to allow it to disappear. In the
meantime, at Pangbourne College we practice and perform music.
events, we have shared recorded
report_Dec-2020_A4_ONLINE-2.pdf
throughout the UK can reinstate their
want to continue engaging with our performances at local and national
M_UK-Music-Teachers-survey-
formal music qualification and
will continue to provide a safe
local community. So, instead of ‘live’
COVID-19 crisis’
https://www.ism.org/images/files/IS
being back to ‘normal’ but I hope it
important to have the opportunity to
perform to an audience, and we really
ISM report: ‘The heart of the school
environment for our pupils to learn,
overall attainment at Key Stage 4
org.uk/Images/603850-the-
relationship-between-taking-a-
formal-music-qualification-and-ove rall-attainment-at-key-stage-4.pdf
NEWS in brief
#2 More stories from the world of boarding
#2
65
royal Hospital School drummers
Lola of the Antarctic
glenalmond lifts spirits with show
royal Hospital School’s corps drummers
Butler won a flag designing competition
A rarely-performed play which was first
which saw her flag travelling to
Plague 400 years ago has been brought
play at the royal Variety Show
had a virtual brush with royalty when
they recorded a performance for the
royal Variety Show, which aired in
December. the band was asked to take
part in the show to accompany former
pupil Jon Courtenay, who attended the
school from 1984-1991, while he
performed at the royal Variety Show as
Stamford High School student Lola
organised by the British Antarctic Survey,
Antarctica with a scientist.
Students from across Year 7 at the
school entered their designs for an
Antarctic flag. Lola’s design included one
penguin for each country that has
part of his prize for winning this year’s
signed the Antarctic treaty.
Last summer, Jon came to the school to
Alexandra Dodds to Bird Island Landing
Britain’s Got talent.
give a virtual concert for the pupils
leaving in the summer following
completion of their A Levels. His
performance was recorded and shared
with the pupils as part of a virtual leavers event. He formed a close working
relationship with the school’s band
Her flag travelled with researcher
Bay, in Antarctica, in late 2020.
first performed after Plague
staged in London after an 18-month
back to the stage by Glenalmond
College.
the College resurrected Epicene, a 1609
renaissance comedy by Ben Jonson,
which caught the eye of Glenalmond’s
Director of theatre, Liz Moss. Echoing
events in recent times, the play was
originally performed after a long period
when London theatres were closed due
to the Plague.
the College’s version was adapted to
ensure it could be performed to meet
COVID-19 safety requirements, with no
live audience present.
master Luke Allen and they stayed in
touch. together they formulated a plan
to incorporate the Corps of Drums into the royal Variety Show as part of his performance.
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#2
Whodunnit?
Dragon QUEST
boarders were on the case in a recent
have been immersing themselves in
Kimbolton School’s White House
murder-mystery game of ‘Cluedo at the
Castle’. Pupils and boarding house staff
dressed up for an atmospheric candlelit
dinner in the State rooms, followed by a
Year 4 and 5 pupils at Dragon School Dragon QuESt, a recently-launched
can choose from activities as diverse as
Northern countryside.
mechanics, visits to a working farm,
twelve international students at ‘Barney’
place on Saturday mornings. Children
historic - and reputedly haunted - Grade
paddle boarding and calligraphy.
Much-loved characters came to life as
teachers took on the roles of Professor
Plum, reverend Green, Miss
Scarlett, Mrs Peacock and Colonel
Mustard. Working in teams, the
girls wandered the Castle corridors and
rooms on the hunt for clues to solve the
murder.
celebrations
Barnard Castle School’s boarding
community was able to enjoy a Merry
cultural outings in Oxford, bike
1-listed building.
barrier to Barney boarders’ festive
enrichment curriculum which takes
live version of the popular board game
in various locations around the School’s
Travel restrictions and lockdown no
QuESt aims to develop young Dragons holistically so that they discover new
interests, develop new skills and dare to
do something new. the programme is
due to be extended to the whole Prep
School from September 2021.
Christmas and Happy New Year in the
were unable to go home for the holidays
as global travel restrictions were
imposed in the run up to Christmas. Boarding staff rallied round to ensure
the pupils were able to have a relaxing
and enjoyable festive period, arranging for a series of meals, including on
Christmas Day, a New Year’s Eve
celebration, a range of activities as well
as access to facilities across the School
site. Barney’s alumni network of ‘Old
Barnardians’ provided additional support
after hearing about the international
students’ situation, by setting up a fund
and purchasing Christmas gifts for the
pupils and food items for their
celebrations.
#2
Yoga and body combat at Leweston
Leweston has added an exciting new element to the boarder’s after-
school and weekend activity programme this term with yoga and body
combat sessions offered in each Boarding House. the classes have
proved very popular with the students and are a great opportunity to
unwind!
the sessions have been led by Leweston’s new GAP Assistant, Zoe Sing,
who has a BSC in Food with Nutrition. As well as running health and
fitness sessions, Zoe has been providing nutrition and wellbeing advice to
the students and has put together beautiful and informative displays
across the Houses. the displays are designed to make a positive impact
on boarders’ mental health, with information about sleep and the
benefits of a healthy diet and exercise programme.
Zoe’s classes are the first step in a wider health and well-being
programme and she is working alongside Leweston’s Director of
Boarding, Beth Simkins-Smith, to deliver well-woman and well-man clinics
A Christmas staycation for
Concord students
At the end of the Autumn term, 130
students stayed at Concord College for
Christmas – the first time the college has
stayed open during the festive period for
14 years.
In a varied and exciting Christmas
programme, students from all forms had
the opportunity to take part in optional activities between 9am and 9pm every day, from December 8 to January 3, in their ‘bubbles’ for COVID-19 safety.
Such activities included sports drop-ins,
arts and crafts, gaming, an exotic
animals on-site visit, Christmas films, carol-singing, local walks and more.
Concord’s temporary marquee outside
the Main Hall was also decorated and
transformed into a Christmas grotto,
with lights and attractions such as a mini bowling alley, fair games and even a dry ice-skating rink.
to boarders. these will focus on some of these topics in more depth and
provide an opportunity for students to explore their physical and mental
health.
67
A fresh perspective o assessment
Matthew Albrighton Deputy Head Academic St. Edward’s Oxford
69
on Lord baker, at a conference held in november at the Chartered College of teaching, conveyed his view that, though he was responsible for their introduction in 1988, GCses are now ripe for abolition.
Image courtesy of St Edward’s Oxford
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At the same event, respected speakers from a range of educational contexts,
highlighted the need for a serious
review of the nature and purpose of
assessment in years 10 and 11. The
group, known collectively as Rethinking Assessment, points toward a more
holistic vision for education and
assessment, but as yet there is no alternative plan.
Indeed, the challenge of finding an
resulting chasm between what is
assessment at 16 is not insignificant in
students in the Sixth Form (and then
alternative framework for learning and
scale and complexity. At St. Edward’s
School in Oxford we find ourselves at the forefront of this national
needed at 16 and the demands on
university) is for many, too difficult to bridge.
discussion, as this year we began
The negative stranglehold that GCSEs
alternative to a standard GCSE
design is further tightened because of
offering a coherent and intelligent
programme of study.
The St Edward’s Pathways and
Perspectives courses that run here
alongside GCSEs are a programme that
respect the direct relationships
between the way young people are
taught, what they learn and how they
have on curriculum and teaching the weight these lone timed
assessments potentially have on the
future of a young person and, for what it’s worth, the school. The new courses we teach at St. Edward’s throw out the premise that recall is the only
important learning skill and places
central a wider range of skill sets that
learn. Tests in themselves are not to be
incorporate spoken communication,
tested influences how and what is
collaboration and self-management.
of GCSEs; to hold information in
developed. GCSEs test the ability to
continuous assessment downplays the
communication under pressure and
arbitrary, body of knowledge in a very
reduces the potential teenage mental
frowned upon, the problem is what is
taught and the nature of learning skills recall a tightly prescribed, often
specific format. Skilled teachers do
research, thinking, creativity,
There is still room for a test or two but
emphasis on the pressurised exam and health issues of a single moment of
more with the GCSE format than this,
failure. Instead our Pathways and
measured in such a narrow way why
encourages the building of a more
but with the best will, if success is
explore the limits of knowledge and
skills when there is potentially a risk of
affecting the grade by straying away from the prescribed content. The
Perspectives assessment approach diverse portfolio of skills.
We do not discount the skills
developed through a core programme
memory enables effective
does allow for deep thinking. The
practice of knowledge retrieval clearly
trains some elements of the brain. But this is not the only important skill. We want to develop and celebrate other
abilities and to take advantage of the enhanced neuroplasticity of the
teenage brain. The over-arching vision of the St Edward’s education is an
exploration of what it is to be human
71
“Education is not the filling of the pail, but the lighting of a fire” W.B. Yeates
Image courtesy of St Edward’s Oxford
and an individual within a community.
resilience and then light a spark. The
pupils to learn in their own way, be it in
conversations that relate to personal
part of our holistic approach to the
floor reading room, the bustle of the
GCSEs limit our ability to have the
development. The boundary that is too often placed between the academic
Pathways and Perspectives are a key
process of young people becoming.
quiet study in the collegiate-style top
Library and collaborative study decks,
or engaged in robust group discussion in the ground floor café.
and pastoral elements of nurturing a
We are convinced by this holistic
at St Edward’s where we emphasise
have committed this belief into bricks
At St Edward’s we have unpicked the
Christie Academic Centre in Autumn
prison doors to look at the pupils in
young person is, quite rightly, blurred
the coaching relationship between
teacher and pupil. Our skilled teachers work with pupils to help them
understand themselves, recognise
strengths and weaknesses, build
approach and over the last two years and mortar. We opened our new
2020, and from conception, it has been designed to provide the flexible
working spaces that will allow our
handcuffs of GCSEs and opened the front of us with fresh eyes. The
education establishment is taking note.
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Mill Hill School Foundation Millfield Preparatory School Millfield School Milton Abbey School Monkton Combe Preparatory School Monkton Combe Senior School Monmouth School for Boys Monmouth School for Girls Moor Park School Moorland School More House School Moreton Hall School Moulsford Preparatory School Mount Kelly School Mount St Mary’s College Mowden Hall School Moyles Court School Myddelton College New Hall School North London Grammar School Northbourne Park School Oakham School Ockbrook School Old Buckenham Hall School Old Swinford Hospital Orwell Park School Oswestry School Oundle School Oxford Sixth Form College Packwood Haugh School Padworth College Pangbourne College Papplewick School Perrott Hill School Peter Symonds College Pinewood School Plymouth College Pocklington School Port regis Preparatory School Prestfelde School Princess Helena College Prior Park College Prior’s Field School Queen Anne’s School Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate Queen Margaret’s School Queen Mary’s School Queen Victoria School Queen’s College, Taunton Queenswood School radley College ratcliffe College reading School reddam House Berkshire reed’s School rendcomb College repton School richard Huish College riddlesworth Hall Preparatory School rikkyo School in England ripon Grammar School rishworth School rochester Independent College rockport School roedean School rookwood School rossall School royal Alexandra & Albert School royal High School, Bath royal Hospital School royal russell School rugby School ruthin School rydal Penrhos School ryde School with Upper Chine rye St Antony School Saint Felix School Saint ronan’s School Salisbury Cathedral School Sandroyd School Scarborough College Scarisbrick Hall School Seaford College Sedbergh School Sevenoaks School Sexey’s School
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Shaftesbury School Shebbear College Sherborne International Sherborne Preparatory School Sherborne School Sherborne School for Girls Sherfield School Shiplake College Shrewsbury School Sibford School Sidcot School Skegness Grammar School Slindon College S.Anselm’s Preparatory School St Andrew’s Preparatory School, Eastbourne St Andrew’s School, Pangbourne St Bees School St Catherine’s, Bramley St Christopher School St Clare’s, Oxford St David’s College, Llandudno St Edmund’s School, Surrey St Edmund’s College & Prep School, Hertfordshire St Edmund’s School, Canterbury St Edward’s Oxford St Francis’ College St George’s School for Girls, Edinburgh St George’s School, Ascot St George’s School, Harpenden St George’s School, Windsor St Hugh’s School, Lincolnshire St Hugh’s School, Oxfordshire St John’s College School, Cambridge St John’s College, Southsea St John’s Beaumont Preparatory School St John’s School, Leatherhead St Joseph’s College St Lawrence College St Leonards School, Fife St Margaret’s School, Bushey St Mary’s Calne St Mary’s Music School St Mary’s School, Ascot St Mary’s School, Cambridge St Mary’s School, Melrose St Michael’s School St Paul’s School, London St Peter’s Prep School St Peter’s School, york (incl St Olave’s) St Swithun’s School St Teresa’s School Stamford Endowed Schools Stamford Junior School Stephen Perse Foundation Stewart’s Melville College Steyning Grammar School Stoke College Stonar School Stonyhurst College Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall Stover School Strathallan School Summer Fields School Sunningdale School Sutton Valence School (incl Prep) Swanbourne House School Talbot Heath School TASIS, The American School in England Taunton Preparatory School Taunton School Teikyo Foundation School Terra Nova School Terrington Hall School Tettenhall College The Chorister School The Downs Malvern The Duke of york’s royal Military School The Elms School The Hammond School The King’s School, Canterbury The Leys School The Mary Erskine School The Montessori Place, Hove The Mount School Correct at time of print
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