Ask the Expert

Mrs Helen F Jeys

Manchester High School for Girls (MHSG) Head Mistress, Helen Jeys, read theology with ancient languages at Durham and attained her PGCE from Cambridge University. As well as teaching at various other schools, she was previously head at Alderley Edge School for Girls and deputy head at MHSG.

How do the best schools prepare students for adult life?

The best schools focus on teaching the ‘whole’ child; not just satisfying academic demands. Holistic education should help the individual child become the best they can be and achieve their true potential. We must aim for each child to leave our schools able to tackle everything life can throw at them. Teaching and learning are the focus of what we do at MHSG, but, as Aristotle said: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”

What are the benefits of single-sex education?

MHSG is unashamedly single sex. Many argue girls learn better this way – they can be taught by teachers who know how to help them flourish and achieve their goals. Girls are more likely to take maths and chemistry at A-level at all-girls’ schools. But Charlotte Avery, St Mary’s School, Cambridge’s Head Mistress, made a crucial point: “Schools are great schools because of their ethos and teaching quality – these override the single-sex/ co-educational debate.”

How can schools encourage students to develop resilience?

A pro-active approach to mental health and embedding character education in the curriculum are crucial. We encourage extracurricular activities that emphasise resilience and perseverance. If a pupil loses a match but is determined to improve and help her team win in future, this resilience helps in maths too. Every student must be helped to develop self-esteem, have confidence and know they can deal with change and failure. Students must be enabled to succeed academically but also emotionally and personally.

Summer Festival

The programmes will utilise Stonyhurst’s impressive facilities within spectacular sur roundings, including a 25-metre swim ming pool, gym, 22 sports pitches and two indoor Grand Slam tennis courts, lo cated inside the all-year-round tennis dome. All of this helps provide young sportspeople with enhanced opportunities to maximise their potential and train to the best of their ability.

Each camp will be directed by former and current professional players and coaches; a low coach-to-pupil ratio enabling children to be all that they can be. Stonyhurst’s Netball Masterclass will once again be led by Tracey Neville MBE, former England player and coach, who boasts numerous honours. Due to the overwhelming success of the netball camp over the past three years, Stonyhurst is expecting another sell-out year.