8 minute read
Julia Langford – The Ryleys School / Sam Gibbons – Manchester High School for Girls
Ask the Expert
Ms Julia Langford
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Choosing a new school Identifying which school is right for your child is one of the most important decisions any parent has to make. Ms Julia Langford, headteacher at The Ryleys School in Alderley Edge, has prepared some recommendations to help you choose the best school for you and your child
How can I identify the right school for my child? What would encourage your child to learn, progress and develop? Find out whether the school offers a broad curriculum with specialised teaching. Quality teaching will ensure your child’s needs and interests are met and their potential maximised. In addition to this, details on independent inspections are publicly available for all schools. This provides an independent, objective view of the school, which may well confirm your own first impressions. What should I look out for on a school tour/open day? Nothing quite compares to visiting a school, meeting the headteacher and teachers and seeing the pupils in action. Ask questions and take notes. Do children experience diverse opportunities? Are prospectus promises fulfilled? Research the school website and follow news stories on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Are extracurricular activities important? Joining a football team, dance club, swimming team or chess club can be the important first step in children making close friends, who may well stay with them for their entire life. Look for schools that offer quality and varied extracurricular programmes. This will help your child find like-minded children to bond with and allow them to experience new activities that inspire them to broaden their horizons and step out of their comfort zone. The Ryleys School offers over 35 extracurricular clubs.
The Ryleys School would like to wish you every success in your search for the right school for you and your child. If you are interested in visiting the school, please contact reception@theryleys.com
Sam Platt
Sam Platt is the Head of the Vegetarian Society Cookery School and has a wealth of experience, having worked in the catering industry for more than 15 years. She frequently leads cookery classes at the school and at events across the country to teach people how to make fantastic vegetarian and vegan food
What’s the easiest way to start eating less meat?
Start a little at a time with something familiar. Try using meat alternatives instead of meat once a week in a main meal. For example, you could replace the beef mince in your favourite bolognaise with veggie mince. You can use exactly the same recipe with the same flavourings and accompaniments. It will taste just as delicious and be better for you and the planet. How do you know you’re getting the right nutrients in veggie/vegan foods?
The same way as with any other foods. Everyone should eat a well-balanced diet with lots of variation and plenty of fruit and veg. When following a vegetarian diet, make sure you’re replacing the protein you might get from meat with other protein sources, like pulses, tofu, eggs or soya. Lots of foods are now fortified with extra vitamins and minerals, so it’s easy to make sure you get what you need. What would I learn on your cookery classes?
How to make delicious food! We concentrate on having fun and learning to make great-tasting dishes. Our classes are for anyone, whether you are veggie or vegan or not. We want people to learn new skills they can put to use at home again and again. It’s a great introduction to new and exciting flavours and ingredients.
Meet the relationship experts
The experienced matrimonial and family team at Top 100 law firm Ward Hadaway, Manchester
When it comes to relationships, the North West-based family and matrimonial team at Top 100 law firm Ward Hadaway know a thing or two. They have over a century of combined experience supporting couples and families as relationships falter.
This rich experience, combined with empathy, honesty and understanding, makes this team of litigators the very best in the business. Here, they explain how their focus remains resolutely on supporting clients on their journey to new beginnings.
Christine Barker, Partner Christine is a highly respected lawyer with over 43 years of experience working within family and matrimonial law. She lives in Cheshire with her husband and is a mum to a grown-up son.
“Our job is all about people. The most important thing for me is to truly listen and understand my clients, their personal situations and their aspirations for the future. I’m often talking to people at a very turbulent and difficult time in their lives. The idea of starting over, without their existing partner, can seem overwhelming. I’ve been doing this for 43 years and I am as dedicated now as I’ve ever been. The idea of helping people to reach a happier life drives me. It’s my role to listen and provide clarity. It’s not uncommon for people to think they know what they want from a divorce, but when I speak with them, I’m able to present all the options honestly and realistically, being very clear about the potential outcomes. Often, the options are better than they had expected.
“Every relationship is different and I take a consultative, bespoke approach to every single case. My experience allows me to look at the whole picture and deliver quality advice that leads to the best outcome. The decisions you make at this critical point in your life can potentially affect the rest of it. So, you must work with a lawyer you can trust, one who is going to explore all avenues and has the experience to give you advice that will enable you to move forwards with confidence and transparency.”
Liz Bottrill, Partner Liz has over 30 years of experience as a specialist litigator working within family and matrimonial law. She lives in Cheshire with her family and has a daughter and two step-sons.
“With experience comes possibility. It’s important to me that I understand precisely what my client’s aspirations are for their future – and that I am constantly using my experience to spot opportunities that deliver the best resolutions. Recently, I was acting for a client in a case that would ordinarily have taken up to six months to resolve. During proceedings, I spotted an opportunity to help all parties achieve their end goal more quickly. Within two hours, the matter was settled. That time in limbo, which is so daunting for many couples who are separating for good, was greatly reduced without compromising the result.
“With the best team by your side, family court proceedings are not something to be feared. Having been through a divorce myself, I know first-hand how emotional, unsettling and difficult this period in your life can be. Our job is to take away the uncertainty. To be an assuring and understanding partner in your corner and give you the confidence to make decisions about your future with clarity and purpose.”
Rachel Ward, Partner Rachel recently joined the team at Ward Hadaway, having spent her entire career as a specialist litigator working in family and matrimonial law. She lives in Cheshire with her partner and young daughter.
“Perhaps becoming a mother myself made me appreciate even more how important it is that families and couples who are choosing a new life apart from each other have the very best legal support at this critical stage in their lives. Our team is very experienced and we work closely together. We’re able to share our expertise and this means that our clients always have access to a specialist who understands their case, whenever they need them. That said, we pride ourselves on building personal relationships with all our clients. The lawyer you engage with at the outset will be the lawyer who sees your case through to its conclusion. That means we get to know your circumstances inside out and you have consistent support that you can trust.”
David Burrows, Associate David has worked with Christine, Liz and Rachael practising family and matrimonial law for nearly a decade. He lives in Manchester city centre.
“Choosing to part ways in any relationship is never easy, but the long-term benefits of ending an unhappy relationship in a dignified manner often outweigh the short-term pain of taking that initial step in the process. Not every relationship stands the test of time, but it’s brave to admit that and to seek help in resolving it for the greater good of everyone involved. If and when you do make that decision, it’s important to have the very best legal support in your corner. Just like there is no blueprint for a relationship, there is no blueprint for divorce. I work with many young professional couples who separate as well as longestablished families whose parents have simply decided to go their separate ways. What’s important is that our team uses all its knowledge and experience to help you understand what is possible. It is the first step towards a better life and we have many years of experience helping unhappy couples create new beginnings.”
Rachael Longman, Solicitor Rachael has been practising family and matrimonial law since she qualified as a lawyer. She grew up on the North West coast and now lives with her family in south Manchester.
“Our specialist team have worked together for nearly a decade and we all have the same outlook – to get the best resolution for our clients. We are consultative in our approach. That even comes down to small, but vital, details like how and when we meet to discuss your case. This can be tricky for some people, particularly if they are in a combative relationship. We have clients come to our houses, meet in coffee shops, over Teams, via WhatsApp or through intermediaries – often other family members who are helping them exit a difficult relationship. Whatever the circumstances, we’re here to listen, understand and drive the change that is needed to get you to a new life. We’re here for you.”
