MERIDIAN
SUPPLEMENT
Our guide to the best in education locally
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Education Tutoring
LCN Performing Arts If your children like the idea of drama games, street dance, musical theatre, singing the latest songs and creative improvisation then LCN Performing Arts is for you. Held locally at Kingswood Halls Annex (SE13 5BU) for 3 – 16 year olds on a Saturday morning with a new class for pre-schoolers due to popular demand. LCN runs holiday schools where everyone wins something for their contribution and progress - from a medal to a mug or even a trip to see a west end show. LCN has been running for 9 years and its success is the friendly fun classes and consistent staff. Call Laura on 07790 037288
Celebrations at Blackheath Prep Blackheath Prep School has had much to celebrate recently. The school was delighted to be awarded with a trophy from Best-Schools League Table naming them as a Top Ten London Preparatory School.
Ruth offers in-home assessment and tuition to pupils who need help and support with preparation for the new 11+ assessment tests and Common Entrance exams. With a current fully enhanced DBS check, Ruth has 20 years teaching experience in London Secondary Schools. Her individual tutoring started by helping her nephew, a Year 5 boy, prepare for Grammar School Entry. Many schools do not prepare students for these tests. With a holistic approach to teaching, she not only evaluated the work he was doing, but made suggestions to improve his working conditions, which had an enormous impact on his learning. His parents can see that he has made exceptional progress and are really pleased. Very keen on the importance of homework, her students are set this on a weekly basis and their progress monitored and tracked with regular assessments. Every child is treated individually according to their needs. For further information ring Ruth now on 02088574672 / 07415697247.
Ahoy there! Faraday School children took to the high seas in an innovative collaborative art project that celebrated the River Thames important historical trading past. Pupils in Years 2 - 6 were treated to an art workshop provided by working artists Felipe Martinez- Villalba (Captain Felipe!) and Daniel Simon Ayat. The activity taught children about the history of international trade and shipping and how this shaped Faraday School’s local area. The pupils used their imaginations to ‘sail’ across the ocean by selecting a colour of fabric which best represented the colour of the sea and this provided a background on which the children could sail their ships.
Their ranking was based on the high percentage of leavers progressing to top academic Senior Schools in 2013. Year on year, the results of the leavers at Blackheath Prep are exceptional. In 2013 28 out of 43 pupils were awarded academic scholarships at Alleyn’s, Dulwich College, JAGS, Sevenoaks, City of London Boys and Girls, Eltham College and Colfe’s and/or places at Newstead Wood and St. Olave’s. The school’s Chamber Choir has also reached the finals of the BBC1 Songs of Praise Choir of the Year Competition 2014. This is a fantastic achievement – out of over 1000 entries from Junior and Senior schools, six junior choirs and six senior choirs are selected to take part in the televised competition which will be shown on national television in the spring. The Chamber Choir will also be competing in Barnardo’s Choir of the Year competition at the Barbican in March. Blackheath Prep is an independent prep school for boys and girls aged 3 to 11.
The fabrics that the children chose will be used to determine the colours of a new sculptural installation on Orchard Place. This will serve as a lasting reminder of the children’s fictional explorations and demonstrates just how valuable the Faraday children are to the thriving artistic community on Trinity Buoy Wharf. Head Teacher, Mrs Susan Stark, said: ‘Faraday School’s location, where the River Lea meets the River Thames, offers so many rich learning experiences for the children.’
Blackheath Preparatory School Tel: 020 8858 0692, 4 St Germans Place, Blackheath SE3 0NJ www.blackheathprepschool.com
Faraday School is an independent primary school, owned and operated by the New Model School Company.
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Nurturing a Lifetime of Music Monkey Music is the UK’s premium music group for pre-school children. In its 21st year, Monkey Music offers music classes in the local area to pre-school children. For tailor-made curricula catered specifically for each individual age group: Rock’n’Roll for very young babies 3 – 10 months, Heigh-Ho 10 months – 2 years, Jiggety-Jig 2 – 3 years and Ding-Dong 3 – 4 years. Original songs are supported by interactive props and unusual percussion instruments. Booking now. For your free, complimentary session please call Rebecca on 020 8764 5185 or click on http://www.monkeymusic.co.uk/area/ blackheath-greenwich Young Education Services has been established for 23 years. We provide extra educational support for students from KS1-KS4. Many parents are often unsure of their child’s academic ability. Therefore, students can now sit a one-off national assessment in order for parents to ascertain their level. YES has also become a mock exam centre. Parents may send their children to YES for regular practice prior to 7+, 11+ or 13+ exams. During holiday times we run courses relevant to students’ academic needs. If you would like to know more about these facilities, please contact the centre on 0208 858 9180/ 07850 132 904, or you may email your enquiry to info@youngeducationservices.co.uk. Alternatively, you can visit our website at www. youngeducationservices.co.uk.
Bishop Challoner At Bishop Challoner your child will learn within a caring happy and secure environment. We are committed to ‘outstanding pastoral care’ and the highest level of academic achievement. As a Catholic, Independent, Co-educational Day School, all our students in our Nursery, Junior, Senior and Sixth Form are able to grow to their full potential so that they may become confident, responsible and caring members of society.
Our ethos is one that nurtures individual talent, respects all faiths and creates a learning partnership for all. We are proud of our students who flourish in a community where individual support and attention is second to none. We achieve excellent results at GCSE and A Level representing a lot of hard work and dedication. Our motto challenges each and every student to ‘dare to do their very best’. This advertisement can do no more than briefly describe the school and its community. Therefore, we invite you to visit us, to experience the life of the school at first hand; you can be assured of a warm welcome.
Have you ever felt that your daughter’s education is not quite top notch?
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erhaps the teachers don’t always go the extra mile, or the quality of pastoral care isn’t what you would like? Maybe the school does not offer much in the way of co-curricular and enrichment activities, and seems to focus too much on pushing her in the core subjects but without thinking about what really makes an education excellent? If these are the kind of questions that arise in your family, you might have looked around at other schools and considered the benefits of an Independent education, but been frightened off by the fees and assumed that this is not a route that you might be able to consider. Excellent Independent Schools are very aware of the challenges on all families’ budgets at the moment; it is for this reason that they place such emphasis on the need to provide fees assistance through scholarships and bursaries. At Bromley High School we are proud to be launching a new scholarship programme this year for 13+ years girls who are looking to join the school in Year 9 in September 2014. A scholarship could be the gateway to a life changing education for your daughter. An award could allow her access to an excellent education in the very broadest sense. A hard working school, with an ethos which focuses on the individual needs of each girl; an enriched curriculum with many opportunities for activities within and beyond the classroom that will support, engage and extend her learning, and, crucially, excellent pastoral care and life long relationships with her friends and teachers that will support her to thrive in the classroom and achieve things that you never thought possible. If your daughter could benefit from an academic scholarship, or one in sport or the creative arts, and could give much to the school in return, please get in touch with us at; admissions@bro.gdst.net. We look forward to meeting your daughter. Louise Simpson, Head Bromley High School, Blackbrook Lane, Bickley. Bromley, Kent BR1 2TW www.bromleyhigh.gdst.net Email: admissions@bro.gdst.net Tel 020 8781 7000
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The Pillars of Learning
The fundamental values for educating the whole person
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t Blackheath High School we deliver an education that provides opportunities to develop skills, to gain knowledge and to strengthen character. In order to achieve this, our teaching and learning is supported by our unique ‘Pillars of Learning’ which are: Resilience; Enterprise; Innovation; Community Spirit and Environmental Awareness. Implementing these pillars encourages our girls to develop the thoughts, values and behaviours that we promote at Blackheath High School. We provide an enriched curriculum that is not confined to a classroom or restricted to school hours. Instead, we recognise that everything we do has the power to influence the kind of women that our girls will become. Our ‘Pillars of Learning’ support our aim to equip our learners with the confidence needed to see opportunities not boundaries, challenges not obstacles and a belief in themselves that they have an important contribution to make to their School, to their community and beyond. Our focus is on all round development; each pupil is inspired to ‘aim high’ in all that they do, academically and beyond. Whilst we are obviously proud of our girls’ academic success, we realise that, whilst excellent qualifications will enable our girls to study at their university of choice and provide them with the basic entry requirements for their chosen careers, it is their personal qualities and skills that will help them to climb the ladder of success in a globalised, competitive work place. Our Pillars of Learning are nurtured, as part of the school’s culture, during lessons, assemblies and form times. For example, to help instil ‘Resilience’, girls are encouraged to take risks in their lessons and to learn the importance of being able to bounce back from inevitable failure.
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Even our youngest pupils have a mantra ‘be brave and strong, when little things go wrong’ and, throughout their school lives our girls are taught to face challenges that push them out of their comfort zones. In addition, all girls participate in outward bound adventure trips, through which they gain confidence and self-esteem. Similarly, ‘Enterprise’ is taught through supporting and guiding our students to plan, organise and manage initiatives such as fundraising events, displaying a wealth of ideas and creative skills with great enthusiasm! This helps them to learn to use their initiative, to research products and ideas, and to apply their academic knowledge to ‘real life’ situations. This develops resourcefulness and the ability to make informed decisions. They are also encouraged to think “outside of the box” and be innovative. Here, girls benefit from an education described by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate as “stimulating and extraordinarily supportive; conducive to the highest standards of teaching and learning.” We appreciate that each girl is different and we value those differences. But, with our distinctive approach to education, all of our girls develop a love of learning, and typically become resilient and confident young women. We look forward to welcoming you to visit our school to see for yourself what makes our school so unique.
www.blackheathhighschool.gdst.net 020 8853 2929 Open Mornings: Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th March and visits welcomed at other times by arrangement
Education
The Best of Both Worlds P J Henderson (Headmaster, Eltham College)
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arents and educationalists often divide themselves into two camps when it comes to discussions on co-education in schools; they are either for it or against it! It is either ‘the most natural thing in the world’, or it ‘must be avoided at all costs’. However, there is surely a third way, which can both work and be natural. While the Girls School Association for some time has been promoting the advantages of single sex education, the trend over the latter half of the 20th Century was to move towards co-educational establishments. The supporters of this move pointed out that it was more natural and most other countries worked that way, while the cynics argued that, particularly amongst independent schools boys, schools went co-ed to improve their results! However, it has been accepted in most educational circles that boys and girls learn and study in very different ways. While it may be dangerous to generalise, most teachers will tell you that girls
between the ages of 11 and 16 are hard-working, very precise and want to get a perfect answer. Meanwhile boys of the same age will cut corners, will need to be cajoled into completing anything on time and will respond much better to the competition within the class. These differences have given rise to the creation of “diamond” schools i.e. co-educational at the Primary level, single sex for the Years 7 – 11, and then co-educational in the Sixth Form. At Eltham College, we may not have the full diamond shape but we are committed to single sex education up to the end of Year 11 and then having boys and girls together in Sixth Form. We find that adolescent boys have no stigma about singing in choirs, reading Shakespeare or learning modern languages when there are no girls about. We can also concentrate on the things that boys like doing outside the classroom like rugby, fencing, building kit cars and rockets!
become more mature almost instantly, meanwhile the girls learn that the boys’ self-confidence is a remarkable gift when it comes to achieving success. At the same time they both discover the joy of reading literature together, or working on an experiment in Biology together: having both the male and female perspectives gives a better understanding of the human condition in both disciplines. And finally, as most of our pupils are looking to go on to University, the co-educational environment is the ideal preparation for the next step. Therefore, can I suggest that many young people would benefit from a mixed style of education? Let them each develop through the adolescent years apart and then enjoy the best of both worlds when they come together in the Sixth Form years. Telephone: 020 8857 1455 www.eltham-college.org.uk
An amazing thing tends to happen at the age of 16 when we introduce girls into our Sixth Form. The boys
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WANTED - Friendly and Welcoming Host Families Earn £200+ per week
Have you got a spare room in your home? Then turn it into cash: host our well behaved, lovely, polite foreign students. You will be required to give breakfast, packed lunch and dinner. Our students go to school in the morning and sightseeing in the afternoon with their teachers. No daily pick-ups or drop-offs as the students are over 15 years old, independent with their own travelcards.They are here to improve their English so you must be out-going and willing to engage them in conversation. We are interested in hearing from you if you live in one of the following postcodes:
SE9 (Eltham only) SE3 SE10
SE12 SE7 SE18 (Shooters Hil)
You should live close to bus routes 286, 177, 386, 180, 188, 129 and others going directly into East and West Greenwich Please call one of our friendly team on 07591 502376 or 07572 793558
Op Mornen ing
Bringing out the best
Sat 1 M 10.00 arch -12.0 0
Young Education Services Give your child a head start At YES we can help pupils fulfil themselves academically.
Now booking for February half term revision courses for 11+ from 17th - 21st February We are now a mock exam centre for 11+ exams. Next mock exams will be held on 8th,15th February, 15th March and 12th April Not sure of your child’s ability? Worried about your child’s academic progress? Book a formal assessment with us.
TUTORS & VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
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Education
Turn your spare room into cash Are you a friendly and welcoming family with a spare room in your home?
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he company English Elite Home Stays was created several years ago by two experienced, qualified teachers, Margaret and Annabel. Both have experience teaching TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) in the UK and Europe and wanted to give their students a more rounded experience. So setting up the successful business, English Elite Home Stays offering students from Austria, Germany and Switzerland a combination of English lessons, tourist visits and the experience of an English family home was a natural progression. Due to demand English Elite are looking for additional host families in the SE3, SE7, SE9 (Eltham only), SE10, SE12 and SE18 (Shooters Hill) area. If you live in one of the above postcodes and have a spare room in your home to offer a pair of students then it could generate an income of £238 per week.
Host families are not required to arrange time consuming daily pick-ups or drop-offs as all the students are aged 15 years and above and are independent with their own travel cards. As the students travel every morning into central Greenwich for their classes it would be an advantage if host families were situated close to bus routes 129, 177, 180, 188, 286, and 386. Host families are required to provide breakfast, packed lunch and dinner. The students have classes during the morning and sightseeing visits during the afternoon with their teachers before making their way home for dinner. Staying with a host family is a very important part of the student’s visit and as they are here to improve their English you should be out-going and willing to engage them in conversation. A host family should be welcoming, kind and happy to spend
time with the students. Some students will be nervous and away from their home for the very first time without their parents, so it is important that they feel ‘at home’ in your house. If you feel that you and your home fit the criteria then please call one of the telephone numbers below to find out more. Offering your hospitality to foreign students can be most enjoyable. Some students stay in touch with their host families for many years to come. The welcome you give them can form a lasting impression of English culture and the people they meet. If the spare accommodation you have available has on-suite facilities it might be considered for the foreign teachers that accompany the students. For more information call one of the friendly team on 07591 502376 or 07572 793558.
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Education
An exciting year for King’s Rochester ith a history of 1400 years, it’s not always easy to single out any one year as a highlight for King’s Rochester, but 2013 has brought many new developments and achievements for the school.
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largely as a result of the popularity of Toddler Time, a fun activity group held on term-time Wednesdays for local parents/carers and children from birth to four. Early registration for the King’s Nursery is now essential.
The year started with the commencement of King’s halfmillion pound refurbishment of the former, Council-run Stirling Centre. The re-named King’s Rochester Sports Centre is now home to seven top-quality, outdoor tennis and/or netball courts, a large gymnasium, a fitness room featuring a new range of Technogym cardiovascular equipment, a physiotherapy suite and refurbished changing rooms. In addition to the existing indoor swimming pool on the school site and two national-standard hockey pitches at Holcombe, this has transformed sport at King’s Rochester into some of the best in the South East. King’s Nursery increased its numbers greatly in 2013,
Last August, King’s celebrated top A level and GCSE successes with its pupils. 33% of all A level passes were in the coveted A* and A brackets and 66% were at A* to B, making 2013 results even better than 2012’s high standards.This was particularly impressive in a year when grades dropped nationally. As a consequence 43% of King’s A level leavers entered Russell Group universities and over half went to the Top 30 UK Universities (The Sunday Times League Table). 2013 GCSE pupils at this broad-ability school achieved an impressive 43% A*/A and 70% A*-B grades too which makes last year’s results some of the best in the last five years.
King’s Rochester has always taken seriously the job of providing its pupils with an outstanding education and preparing each one for the challenges of an evermore demanding world. King’s not only supports pupils to achieve the sort of top examination results which open the doors to the best universities and future careers, but also offers wide and challenging extra-curricular programmes, extended days to help working parents and friendship networks which last a lifetime. To find out more about King’s, a great place to start is the Open Day on Saturday 1 March 2014. The event takes place from 9.30 to 12.00 noon, and Principal, Jeremy Walker will speak at 9.45 am. Booking is not required but please contact Registrar, Lynne Davies on 01634 888590 with any questions or email her on admissions@kings-rochester.co.uk. You can also visit www.kings-rochester.co.uk for more information.
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GCSE results misrepresented It was appalling to see some of the examination results misrepresented in the national papers last week. Babington House School’s 2013 GCSE results were very strong indeed, but unfortunately the school was not recognised for its undoubted achievement. In fact Babington House achieved 100% 5 A*-C (not 43%), with 77% 5 A* C including English and Mathematics (not 33%). 85% of pupils achieved 7 A* - C, with 68% of all grades at A*, A and B. The percentage of A* and A grades was 35%. The Department for Education have been advised and assurances made that the results will be amended and correctly detailed in newspapers before the February 2014 editions. Babington House School is very proud of its long standing academic achievements and continues to do its utmost to improve them even further; in fact an entrance examination for entry to Year 7 has been introduced this year. One of Babington’s greatest strengths is the way it improves pupils’ academic levels above their predictions, with almost all pupils achieving two or three grades higher than their predictions at GCSE across a whole range of their subjects. This critical fact is hardly ever mentioned in the newspapers. ‘We will continue to get the very best results, benefiting as we do from small class sizes and an individual approach’, said Tim Lello, Headmaster. For further information please contact: Helen Balfour, Marketing Manager Tel: 020 8467 5537 Ex 291
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Education
Education
Tougher Minds: the real Olympic legacy?
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he astounding success of the British Olympians in London 2012 owed as much to mental preparation for the games as to physical training. Every Olympic success story was as much about psychology as it was about physical training. Put simply, British athletes prepared more effectively for success than those whom they defeated. In September 2013, a year on from the Olympics, Colfe’s School introduced an academic training regime for GCSE pupils which borrows heavily from techniques developed in sport, not only in athletics but also in professional rugby, golf and elsewhere. The ‘Tougher Minds’ approach, as it is known, entails a highly proactive approach to learning with daily target setting and regular reflection on progress. A target could be as simple as ‘pay more attention in Maths.’ It could also be specific: simultaneous equations in Maths, or the use of the gerundive in Latin. The central point is that the pupils identify the targets for themselves. They take responsibility for their own learning and develop a real sense of academic purpose. The programme has been spear-headed by Jon Finn and Professor Jim McKenna of Leeds Metropolitan University. Jon has worked with a broad range of world-class athletes and coaches, including a number of professional golfers on the European Tour and Jim has coached a host of world-class performers over a 25 year period. Both are convinced of the validity of their approach outside the confines of the world of sport. Having worked recently with a number of our successful Oxbridge candidates, Professor McKenna is even more convinced about the potential of the programme in schools: ‘Many of the techniques developed for the Tougher Minds programme could be regarded as ‘common sense’ for effective learning. However they are not common practice; and the positive results at Colfe’s have been achieved by combining this approach with our understanding of neuroscience and human performance.’ The Tougher Minds approach has found fertile ground in the Colfe’s staff room as well and upwards of 30 members of staff have followed training to enable them to deliver the programme. But perhaps the most telling evidence of the success of the programme is the extent to which it has struck a chord with Colfe’s parents. More than a hundred Year 10 and 11 Colfe’s parents have already signed up for the Tougher Minds training, giving up evenings to follow the same disciplines as their children. Many have commented on the extent to which it has improved their own effectiveness, not only as parents but also in their working lives. This year and next, our objective is to embed the Tougher Minds approach at Colfe’s in the learning culture of the whole school and to involve parents, even more closely, in the academic lives of their children. I would like to think that the real Olympic legacy may eventually be identified in the classrooms of our schools. Colfe’s teachers and pupils certainly understand that success does not happen by accident. That knowledge will remain with them long after they have left school and will be of value throughout their working lives.
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Shooters Hill The Path to Meaningful Employment Shooters Hill Campus is celebrating its twelfth year of continuing success, higher achievement and greater numbers of students progressing onto University or finding meaningful employment. Over the last twelve months we have continued investing in updating our infrastructure and creating ‘state-of-the-art’ IT facilities as well as developing our campus to support 21st Century learning and teaching styles. Here at Shooters Hill we pride ourselves on providing a student centred, fun and exciting environment whilst maintaining a relentless pursuit of quality from both staff and students. Shooters Hill’s core values are at the heart of everything that we do and truly drive our organisation to exceed expectations. Through aspirational and motivating leadership the campus aims to inspire shared values, develop leadership skills and accountability in the young thinkers that study with us, to build strong collaborative
Education
partnerships with our students to help them grow and achieve to the best of their ability. Campus Courses As the second largest 6th form provider in the country, Shooters Hill has a wide ranging course offer available to new and existing students. Not only do we offer over 35+ different A-Level subjects we also offer an extensive range of Vocational Qualifications such BTECs & NVQs in many subjects, running through from Entry Level 3 to Level 3. In addition to this we also offer several Level 3 Advanced Extended Diplomas in subjects such as Applied Science, Construction, Art & Design, Creative Media Production and Sport, so here at Shooters Hill we really do have a course for everyone. If you would like to come and visit the campus, meet our teaching staff and have a good look around at what we can offer you, our next open events are:
Thursday March 6th 2014 5pm-8pm Friday 4th July 2014 12pm – 3pm To find out more information call our Admissions line on 0208 319 9427 or visit our website www. shootershill.ac.uk
Thursday 6th March 2014 5pm-8pm
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WARNING! Maths Problems?
Get your child the grade in Maths this year!
“I have managed to go from being on a D to getting B’s in the modular exams so far” Josh Lowe (Stourbridge, West Midlands) “Thanks to the Maths Tutor Online David got the grade he needed” Dean Pearson (Halesowen, West Midlands)
90% A* - C Pass rate CRB checked tutors KS3 and GCSE Level catered for First lesson FREE
For more information please visit us at: www.themathstutoronline.com or call 020 3286 1267
Job Vacancy Eltham Green Nursery
Early Years Practitioner - Maternity Cover Eltham Green Nursery is a term time only nursery. We require an EYP to work in our small friendly team to observe, plan, evaluate, and record children’s progress. Maintain high standards of care and hygiene, and to liase with parents. Requirements NVQ Level 3 or equivalent, be flexible friendly and to be able to work as part of a team. Hours 7:45am-17:30pm staggered shift system. Starting date Tuesday 22nd April 2014 £15,600 pa Term time only
To apply contact Susan Walker 0208 850 4720 / 0208 859 9233 or email swalker@elthamfoundation.com Closing date 21st February 2014 C/o Harris Academy, Middle Park Avenue, SE9 5EQ 38 | www.meridian-magazine.co.uk
Playing The Part
Education
“The confidence the girls acquire - it is terrifying getting up to perform in front of people - is fantastic and spurs them on to keep going in life, taking risks, going outside of their comfort zones, being brave… and can be applied to any goal they take on in life,”
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nly half of all Cobham Hall girls take formal drama lessons at any given time, but all girls at Cobham will be dramatically involved one way or another throughout their time at the school. We don’t believe that theatrics should be confined to drama lessons or to the dramatic elite. We expect and encourage all girls to participate in plays and festivals and skits of the comic or serious kind across many different subjects and events. Drama can be found in the annual Medieval Feast, in assemblies, talent shows, role-plays in Spanish and court room scenes performed entirely in Latin. But we’re not a performing arts school – in fact we pride ourselves on the all-round nature of a Cobham education. So what’s the point here? Speaking to Cobham’s Head of Drama, Kym Martin, after the recent Drama Festival provides the necessary insight. Drama, she says, is about so much more than the ability to act. Risk-taking, creative thinking, problem-solving, team work, communication, initiative and courage are all part of the process before and during any performance.
“The confidence the girls acquire - it is terrifying getting up to perform in front of people - is fantastic and spurs them on to keep going in life, in taking risks, going outside of their comfort zones, being brave…and can be applied to any goal they take on in life,” she says. Our approach to Drama highlights a number of important things about life at Cobham and the kind of education we believe in. The most obvious is the idea that not all education takes place in a classroom, sitting at a desk. It is entirely possible that some of the most important things girls learn at school – those that help them live successful, happy lives – will not happen during lessons. They might be learned on the sports field, on a school trip, through our community service programme or in the drama studio. The notion of experiential education – learning through doing – is a key element of the school’s Round Square philosophy.
The idea that all learning and experience is connected and that no activity, lesson or thought should exist in a silo is something else that proves the worth of activities like the Drama Festival or school production in developing multi-facetted young women. That these kinds of events, usually undertaken for pure enjoyment, might contribute to better performance in examinations – we achieved our best ever GCSE results and our highest International Baccalaureate Diploma pass rate in 2013 – is another wonder of a fully connected, integrated, interactive education – the kind girls find at Cobham. The aim of which is to instil in girls an enthusiasm for uncharted waters – an active desire to go forth and conquer the unknown; to understand themselves and the world better and to be amazed at what they find within themselves to change the world around them.
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The Perfect Start
Education
“Children trust and respect their teachers and relate well to each other.” (ISI 2013)
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any children at Sevenoaks Prep begin their school life in the Nursery at the age of two. It is a warm, secure environment with dedicated, experienced teachers who put children and parents at ease. Children are treated as individuals and take part in a wide range of activities that allow them to grow in confidence and to feel part of the wider school community. At the beginning of each morning the children and teachers in the Nursery gather round for circle time and introduce the activities for that morning. Cookery, music, nature trails, craft, colouring, tumble tots, stories, drama and science are just some that are enjoyed. It is vital that the children have fun while they are learning. Their social skills are greatly enhanced by the interaction they have with their peers and teachers. Mrs Sue Binnie, Head of the Nursery, recognises the importance of treating each child as an individual and understanding their strengths and challenges. In the 2013 ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) Report, and also in the most recent Ofsted inspection, The Early Years Foundation Stage was rated as
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‘outstanding’ in every area: ‘Children trust and respect their teachers and relate well to each other. They are provided with secure foundations for their future well-being in all aspects of their learning. As a result, they respond to school life with great enthusiasm and enjoyment’ (ISI 2013). The nursery classrooms and outdoor area lie in the heart of the Junior School with close access to the wider school facilities such as the large hall, the adventure playgrounds with specialist play equipment, the fields and access to Knole Park. Nursery children also join school celebrations including special assemblies. Through shared facilities and interaction with the older pupils, Nursery children have an
understanding of the bigger picture of the school which makes a fluid transition to Kindergarten, Reception and beyond. Families are welcome to visit the Nursery as part of a tour of the school, or as a taster session, to appreciate the very special atmosphere for themselves. For further information, please contact Clare Harrison, Director of Admissions, on 01732 762336, or at admissions@theprep.org.uk . Alternatively, visit www.theprep.org.uk.
Education
Enriching F young minds for a successful future
or over 126 years Sydenham High has been educating girls aged 4 to 18 from across London, and the South East to outstandingly high standards with excellent GCSE and A-Level results. But the school’s belief that a 21st century education needs to be about more than examining pupils is equally central to its success. The school’s most recent inspection report (2012) judged it to be outstanding for providing a first class education that allows pupils to be intellectually fulfilled whilst offering lively, stimulating enrichment beyond the classroom. That enrichment is embedded in school life. With small class sizes and individual attention, education at Sydenham High focuses on helping each student to aspire with realism to achieve her personal best. It may be in scuba diving or being part of the hockey team; organising a fundraiser or being in the chess club; producing a school show or leading a Duke of Edinburgh expedition in Morocco. Whatever her individual talent, the school will help her discover and harness it. Headteacher, Kathryn Pullen is proud of this transformational approach: ‘Our girls are articulate, well-informed and open-minded. They are not afraid to accept a challenge and have the courage to try new things and the self-belief to see them through. So as well as being proud of our students’ excellent academic achievements and the fact that they gain places on the courses of their choice, be that Oxbridge, medical school or a Russell Group university, we’re equally proud of our award-winning choir; our musicians; our theatrical productions; our creativity in art and design and our excellent sport.’
The school recently launched a scheme to support and encourage its elite performers, starting with athletes who train and compete at club level and aspire to be future Olympians. Community service and charitable fundraising are also central to the school’s approach and help girls to develop their communication, teamwork and initiative – skills that are important above and beyond academic qualifications for employability. Students raise thousands of pounds each year for the school’s nominated charities and last term alone raised over £2,000 in just one week for the Philippines Typhoon Appeal. ‘Our aim is to prepare each girl for what the future holds – by setting high expectations, providing a strong academic framework, instilling confidence and supporting every girl’s emotional development so that she gains our three Rs: resilience, resourcefulness and reliability – attributes that are vital to deal confidently with an ever-changing world.’ The school’s production of Disney’s Aladdin takes place on 10-12 February. Call 020 7557 7000 for tickets. Open Events take place on: Wednesday 7 May (9.30-11am) for Junior School and on Thursday 8 May (9.30-11am) for Senior School; also Wednesday 26 June (6.30-8pm) at Senior School to coincide with the annual art and design technology showcase. More details are on the school’s website at: www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net
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Want to leave school at 16 & 17?
A
pprenticeships are a great way to continue your training towards recognised qualification whilst actually working in your chosen career! We have salons and barbers waiting to employ enthusiastic assistants within their salon and reception areas, so if you are thinking about a career in customer service, hairdressing or barbering, then Shears Academy have the apprenticeship for you! As an employee, you will earn the national minimum apprenticeship wage of £2.68 per hour, but will also be supported to attend Shears Academy once a week for formal theory and practical training – you may even be paid more if you are hardworking and have good customer service skills.
The Shears education team are experts in hairdressing training; with their heritage of over 45 years in a salon environment offering excellent hairdressing skills and top-class client care; they will teach, motivate and inspire you to reach your full potential. Just bring your passion for hairdressing and client care and the Shears education team will do the rest. They deliver specialist one-to-one training in english and maths functional skills, and will also teach you your employment rights and responsibilities and develop your personal learning and thinking skills give you the best opportunities to success in this exciting and rewarding industry.
If you would like to know more about apprenticeships at Shears Academy go to our website www. shearsacademy.co.uk or call Carole now on 020 8461 3504 or email her at: carole@shearsacademy.co.uk. You can also check us out on facebook: www.facebook.com/shearsacademy - you might ‘like’ us!
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Apprenticeships are a brilliant way to learn, directly from the people that know best - Employers
Private bespoke courses are also available tailored to your success, simply call Dawn to book an appointment www.meridian-magazine.co.uk | 43
SHEARS ACADEMY
Then a government funded Apprenticeship could be for you!
Teaching as a change of career? Are you a graduate that is frustrated and bored by your current job? Do you want to challenge yourself and develop a new and valued skill set? Have you thought about teaching? Good honours graduates that have a few years of work after graduation are in demand for the schools direct (salaried) training scheme as they have important transferable skills that are valued by the teaching profession. This is a route in to teaching that suits those who have already valuable organisational and motivational skills that are looking for combining a passion for teaching with the need to earn a wage while training. Each year schools can bid for a number of places for specific subjects at secondary or in the primary age range and a subsidy is paid to the school to take on and train a teacher for a year. At the end of the training year, there is an expectation from the Government of employment of that teacher, but no guarantee of a job. Bromley Schools’ Collegiate is a consortium of Secondary and Primary schools in the local area that provide a large number of these places along with the tuition fee route and we are currently in the middle of recruiting for a September 2014 start.
Education
Generally schools that offer salaried training places are looking to train a high quality graduate that has the skills and confidence to learn how to teach ‘on the job’ with support and mentoring from an experienced outstanding classroom practitioner. The training is very much like an apprenticeship in that you are being shaped and developed by someone who knows how to teach already from a practical stand point. The training in the classroom is a mix of shadowing, observing and team teaching in the first few weeks building up to taking the responsibility for planning and teaching lessons within a short amount of time. As the term goes on, the trainee gradually builds up to a 50% timetable by Christmas and then eventually to around an 60-80% timetable by the end of their training. Training in the classroom is supported by tutorials and mentor sessions to develop the trainees understanding of whole-school issues and policies to ensure that they are familiar with the demands of being a professional teacher. If this route in to teaching is something that you are interested in, then please contact your local training provider, Bromley Schools’ Collegiate.
100% success rate in trainees securing a teaching post for September 2013
Outstanding Teacher Training Provider “I think this school-based training provided is excellent and I would recommend BSC to others” Trainee July 2013
• Infant, Primary, Secondary teacher training • Our School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) was awarded “Outstanding” status by Ofsted, recognising the highest quality in teaching training provision.
We are now recruiting trainees in all phases starting September 2014 Next teaching information event is at Bromley Library on 8th February 9:30 am to 12:00pm 020 8300 6566 | administrator@gradteach.co.uk | www.bscteach.co.uk
Bromley Schools’ Collegiate c/o Beaverwood School for Girls, Beaverwood Road. Chislehurst BR7 6HE
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THE POINTER SCHOOL ‘Preparing your child for the future’
A Nursery, Pre-Prep and Preparatory school Founded in Blackheath 1950 for Boys & Girls from 3 to 11 years (Where it “all” happens) First class academics with 100% success in 2012 and 2013 secondary examinations OFSTED inspection result: OUTSTANDING in all areas | Newly ISA Registered A Vibrant Christian ethos within the Christian tradition | A caring, joyful and stimulating learning environment Small class sizes Average 17, smallest 14, biggest 19 (2013) | Synthetic Phonics taught from Nursery Modern teaching resources i.e. interactive smart boards, computers, portable PC’s, iPad’s, IT Room etc. Two foreign Languages taught (Spanish & French) | Breakfast & After School Club for busy parents. 8.00-18.00 Freshly cooked food, in our on-site kitchen, using Organic produce direct from the farm in Suffolk Large number of outdoor activities & sports led by professional sport coaches. We use The Waterfront Leisure Centre Gym for Sports (bad weather – no problem!) | Swimming every week from Year 1 to Year 6 “The Brazilian Kickers” train our football team and supervise our playtimes Kidzcamp! Our holiday club to keep them busy at Christmas, Easter, Summer and all half term’ Extra-curricular activities include a lot of sporting activities & currently include: Archery, Horse Riding, Lego, Gymnastics, Mini-Tennis, Football, Chess, Cookery, Tae-kwon-do, Drama, Art and Craft, Rock Climbing, Designer-Bots, Ballet and Super Scientist and many more. New for 2014 (Mandarin) Chinese and German Extra Curricular Clubs, Choir & Music tuition, from the harp to the guitar!
INTERESTED? PLEASE CALL TO BOOK A FAMILY APPOINTMENT! Contact the School Secretary at 0208 293 1331 / 0208 858 7977 secretary@pointers-school.co.uk | www.pointers-school.co.uk
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Parental News
Lets get Physical together to issue the new guidance. It is the first time they have combined to issue UK-wide advice on exercise among the under-fives. For the first time government health experts are issuing advice to parents on exercise for children under five.They say the amount of time babies and toddlers spend strapped in buggies or car seats should be cut down. Instead, toddlers should be allowed to move around or be physically active for at least three hours a day. The new guidance reflects growing concern over children who do not exercise enough, which can be linked to obesity and brain development. Chief Medical Officers for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have come
From birth their recommendations include encouraging babies to move about and be active, for example on activity mats or swimming. They say that all under-fives should spend as little time as possible being restrained or sitting still except when they are sleeping. According to the Department of Health, recent studies suggest that only about 30% of children in England between the age of two and 15 get the recommended amount of exercise. Most UK pre-school children currently spend between two and two-and-a-half hours a day being
Get into the Swim Parents are being urged to get their kids swimming after international research revealed more under 5s know how to play a computer game than swim.The ASA, the English national governing body for all things swimming, is worried about the trend revealed in the AVG’s Digital Diaries global research especially as it includes children from the UK.
how to play a computer game but only two in ten know how to swim (20%). Jon Glenn, the ASA’s Head of Learn to Swim, said: ‘This new research is worrying because we urge parents to get their children in the water from six months old. Two to five years is the ideal age for children to learn to be confident and have fun in the pool.
The research asked mothers, all with children aged two to five years, to rank a list of computer and traditional life skills according to how early their children had mastered them. It showed nearly six in ten children (58%) know
‘Drowning is also the third most common cause of accidental death for children in the UK and although most children learn to swim at primary school, this could be too late.’
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day
For more information, and to register for a fundraising pack to host a Giant Wiggle near you, visit www.actionforchildren.org.uk/ giantwiggle or telephone 0300 123 2112 (lines are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).
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active. ‘Active play’ is described as something like using a climbing frame or riding a bike, running or chasing games, swimming or skipping - anything that makes a child ‘huff and puff’. Professor Terence Stephenson, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, welcomed the guidance and said: ‘The early years shape every child’s future. ‘Physical activity is important from an early age - if a toddler spends too much time sitting passively in front of a TV then problems will be stored up for the future’. ‘These guidelines offer an excellent first step and an active childhood helps to lay the foundations for an adulthood with less risk of health problems such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes.’
London children centres encouraged to celebrate The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ anniversary with a ‘Giant Wiggle’ Leading charity Action for Children is teaming up with The World of Eric Carle™ and encouraging children’s centres, nurseries and groups for under-5s in the capital to host a Giant Wiggle event on The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day, 20 March. The day, celebrated annually, marks the start of the 45th anniversary celebration of the UK’s most read children’s book, and 2014 marks Action for Children’s 145th year. The event will bring together under-5s to wiggle along in giant caterpillar conga lines, encourage them to help others, and open up their imaginations through storytelling and creative activities. Ruth Sorby, partnership fundraising manager at Action for Children, said: ‘What better way to celebrate the anniversary of Eric Carle’s beloved book than by getting kids active and having fun? ‘By hosting a sponsored Giant Wiggle at your centre you’ll be helping us continue to support vulnerable children, young people and families in the heart of communities in London, and across the UK. If you would like to join in the celebrations on 20 March and organise a Giant Wiggle at your local children’s centre or nursery, then please get in touch and they’ll send you everything you need.’
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