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In association with
EDUCATION
British
EDUCATION DUBAI
WELCOME W e are thrilled to present British Education Dubai, the latest addition to our portfolio. Building on the success of Absolutely Education in London, we are proud to publish our first international edition in the global city of Dubai. The magazine will showcase the very best of a British boarding education with top writers and educational insiders examining all the benefits as well as the issues that face parents who are considering this exciting option for their children.
British ex-pats, foreign nationals living in Dubai and Emirati nationals will benefit from British Education’s tailored editorial Sending a child to boarding school is a life changing experience for both parent and child, and making the decision to look abroad is a pivotal moment for a family. British Education seeks to make this crucial choice easier by providing the most up-to-date information on the UK’s top independent schools. British ex-pats, foreign nationals living in Dubai and Emirati nationals will benefit from British Education’s tailored editorial, which is designed to make educating your child abroad as accessible and as worry-free as possible, ensuring that your child’s future is entrusted to the very best school for them.
READER DEMOGRAPHIC British Education Dubai targets British ex-pats, foreign nationals living in Dubai and Emirati nationals looking to send their children to a British independent school, with home door drop delivery, news stand sales, corporate distribution and copies available at the British Boarding Schools Show Dubai on the 18th/19th March 2016.
• The average termly fees for a pupil boarding at an British independent school are £9,502, with average annual rates at £28,506. • The independent schools sector adds £11.7 billion to the British economy each year. • There are 36,000 non-British pupils enrolled in British independent schools.
“As a school with a truly global student body and an international dimension inspired by the IB, we are delighted to hear that Absolutely Education is launching in Dubai” Katy Ricks, Head, Sevenoaks School
In association with
EDUCATION
A
bsolutely Education are proud to introduce their first international title, British Education Dubai. British education is considered the global gold standard with a reputation for academic achievement and character development. Nowhere is this appreciated more than in Dubai, amongst Emarati nationals looking to send their children to the UK for their education, or amongst the 250,000 British expatriots community. The latter
British
EDUCATION DUBAI
represents the largest western community in the United Arab Emirates, enjoying a desirable hot climate, luxury lifestyle and no income tax. Following the success and popularity of our previous London distributed editions and our partnership with the Independent Schools Show over the last two years (which has seen a 25% increase in footfall), Absolutely Education is expanding internationally to salute the quality of education at British independent schools.
DISTRIBUTION This magazine has a multi-faceted distribution stream, including: • Distribution at the British Boarding Schools Show on the 18th and 19th March 2016. • At the leading English speaking schools in Dubai. • Door drop delivery to luxury homes in ex-pat community compounds and nationals residences. • Sold on the news stand throughout Dubai. • Corporate Distribution at the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) and at other multi-national companies within the banking, technology and oil and gas sectors.
This magazine will be distributed throughout this international city to salute the magnificence and achievement of British Education
EDITORIAL Walhampton Absolutely full page ad (no box).pdf
ABSOLUTELY EDUCATION / Feat ure
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hilst the concept for the ‘True Grit’ conference took time to emerge, being borne out of our growing desire to raise the profile of mental health in young people, once we went to print with the event brochures, interest from colleagues in other schools, higher education institutions, medical professionals and parents was quick to come and overwhelming in volume. We were inundated with calls to attend and our programme of speakers grew week by week as people offered their services. Ultimately, the child psychologist, Professor Tanya Byron headlined the day and she, as with others such as Prof Russell Foster, remains a great campaigners for more enlightened ways of working with children. The wave of public interest and support that surged the True Grit conference along has continued its way out into other schools, professional development events and the media. At one point the echoes of the conference
could be heard as far away as Port Elizabeth in South Africa, where a local headmaster, in the regional newspaper, stated that his school and those in the area needed to take note of the developments in teenage emotional resilience research and practice, discussed at King’s College School, London. Closer to home, King’s junior school is running a sister conference entitled ‘caring to achieve’
The echoes of the conference could be heard as far away as Port Elizabeth in South Africa this spring and with the fine quality of speakers, including Ruby Wax, a known publicist of mental health awareness, it will be a huge success. Other school conferences such as Royal Grammar School, Newcastle’s ‘Out of Character’ and Colfe School’s ‘Developing resilient minds’ continue to show that the concern for adolescent well-being and
A B S O L U T E LY E D U C AT I O N
HEADMASTER 0F WALHAMPTON SCHOOL
ABSOLUTELY: You have worked in very diverse schools. Was that always the plan? TITUS MILLS: I think one of the reasons I decided to go into teaching was so that I could have, what I considered, interesting and diverse 'adventures'. It has been a real privilege to teach in state, private and international schools in Rome, Bath, Tooting, Uganda, Lambeth and even the Himalayas. This is now my third headship and it is a role I love, but I do still miss the on-going daily contact with the children in the classroom.
the role schools have to play in this, is still uppermost in teachers’ minds. So much so that this year’s HMC deputy heads’ conference in Glasgow, has asked Dr Nihara Krause (adolescent psychologist), a key speaker at the True Grit conference, to headline the event. The deputy heads from the country’s leading independent schools will hear her talk about ‘Building resilience and well-being in young people.’ At King’s, we have continued to keep our pastoral work at the heart of everything we do. The conference galvanised our aims and has sharpened our approach to pupil welfare. The majority of the teaching staff at the school are also tutors, with special pastoral oversight of approximately 12 pupils, during their time with us. We have worked hard in recent months to maintain the same high quality of professional development we gained from the researchers and practitioners at the True Grit conference. Recent developments in staff knowledge have been on matters such as ‘perfectionism,’ ‘adversity’ and ‘competition.’ We tend to have a format at King’s that all invited speakers will talk not only to the pupils, but also to the staff and parents. In this way, we promote a sense of shared responsibility in the bringing up of every child and developing a true community that is learning about emotional resilience and well-being together. With the advent of the school’s
ABS: Where is Walhampton School? TM: Walhampton enjoys a stunning location. It sits on the South Coast, close to Lymington,
opposite the Isle of Wight, while also nestling in the beauty of the New Forest. The combination of ancient woodland together with the smell of the sea is intoxicating and rather unique. We enjoy 100 acres of grounds, which include two vast lakes, landscaped gardens, ponds, stables and woods. It is a magical spot. ABS: What drew you to Walhampton School? TM: The setting reeled me in on my first visit, together with the strong ethos of the school. Academic standards are extremely impressive here, but alongside the rigour there sits a very distinctive outdoorsy, Swallows and Amazons spirit. I love watching the children ride, climb trees, make honey, sail
Titus Mills and his family, from left to right: Raffi, Titus, Cassius, Malachi, and Jemima
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improved methods of tracking progress are impacting positively on teaching and learning. We have changed the school name, logo, uniform, website and prospectus which all provide a new confidence in terms of who we are and where we are going. Walhampton is blessed with a very strong staff team and I think we all share a real desire to see our school moving forwards into an exciting new season.
I love watching the children ride, climb trees, make honey, sail
… it all sounds absurdly idyllic, which it is. In fact there are over 60 extra curricular activities. The combination of this ethos, together with this site and setting enables our pupils to remain children for a little longer. That feels precious today. Walhampton children have time and space to be just that … children. ABS: What are you most proud of achieving in your first year as Head at Walhampton? TM: I think we have done a significant amount of spring cleaning in lots of different areas of school life. Walhampton feels more upbeat, cohesive and buzzy. There is a renewed enthusiasm in the staff room, which is both noticeable and infectious. Academic standards are strong but we don't want to stand still. A new appraisal system and
ABS: In each of your roles as a Head, you have facilitated considerable change. How do you manage change? TM: Getting the balance right between continuity and change, affirmation and chivvying, talking and listening is very much a continuous learning process. In every school the balance needs to be slightly different. What is clear is that you cannot facilitate change or lead a school community if the team is anxious about coming along with you or unclear of the vision. Time spent encouraging and affirming staff, while also clarifying the direction of travel is vital. TM: What do you most love about working in a school? TM: Working with enthusiastic and spirited children, morning chapel, the unending variety, friendship and never-ending school puddings.
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ABSOLUTELY EDUCATION / Feat ure
ABSOLUTELY EDUCATION / Feat ure
Why send your child
Choosing the right international
DESTINATION
TO THE UK Wo r d s CHARLOT TE PH I LLI PS
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t’s the price to pay for what Jane Grubb, head of Dunhurst, Bedales Prep School calls a more colourful life – that oh-so-impressive juggling act that sees frantic parents attempt to reconcile the irreconcilable by balancing childcare, meetings, house maintenance and – oh yes, fun. Cosmopolitan, buzzy and growing, London is undoubtedly a fabulously exciting place to live. When it comes to education, however, it can all be just a little too exciting. With reports of tutoring at two, exams at four plus and hideous competition to secure a place in London day schools that, until just a few years ago, would have been well
Pupils at Felsted Prep School
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The deputy head behind Godolphin and Latymer’s new ‘resilience’ programme says the sky’s the limit for her pupils.
down aspirational parents’ wish lists until a capital-wide shortage of places ramped up their desirability, it’s perhaps not surprising that a fair few families are taking a good, hard look at whether they really want their children to go to school here. ‘In many respects … it’s quality of life that parents are looking for,’ says Jenny Burrett, headmistress of Felsted Preparatory School in Essex. ‘They don’t necessarily want their children pushed just for the academic results, they also want them to experience sport, drama, art and music.’ The result is a growing vogue for
W o r d s A M A N D A C O N S TA N C E
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es, it’s my baby”. Anna Paul says these words with the fierce pride of a new mum. But she’s not talking about a mewling infant but the inaugural Challenge Your Limits week she has just presided over at Godolphin & Latymer where she is deputy head. “It’s has been a week of action, energy, determination, inspiration – and, of course, challenges for all!” says Paul. The jam-packed week of events took place at the end of February with the aim of promoting resilience amongst Godolphin’s high-performing girls.
Outside at Beaudesert Park School
Londoners make up a growing proportion of those looking for a boarding-lite option boarding-based education outside the M25. Formerly a one-format option, sucking children in at the beginning of term and releasing them (occasional exeat excepted) for the holidays, many establishments now embrace the zeitgeist, allowing parents to opt for weekly boarding, stay overnight for one or more nights in the week on a regular basis or opt for an occasional one off. While full boarding is still king with 60,000 places, according to the Independent Schools Council’s 2014 Census, the numbers of families wanting more than occasional term time sightings of their children is rising fast. Last year, just under 6,000 children were flexi boarders, while a similar number opted for Monday to Friday boarding. Londoners make up a growing proportion
of those looking for a boarding-lite option, though their needs, and circumstances, can vary. Cost can undoubtedly be a factor (and with full boarding places not uncommonly costing around £30,000 a year, it’s not hard to see why) but is far from being parents’ only motivation, says Robin Fletcher, national director of the Boarding Schools’ Association. ‘I think it’s family circumstances. A lot of children now who will have started off as day pupils will be saying to their parents “I’d like to board.” And it may well be their families saying for whatever reason that they don’t think full boarding is right, but flexi boarding might well be fine.’ Schools haven’t been slow to respond. Proof that this is far more than a mere flash in the pan is provided by some unlikely sounding names, bastions of traditional full boarding, that are turning their provision on its head. Take Roedean, for example, the iconic Brighton-based girls’ school where, with weekly boarding drawing in an increasing number of locals as well as Londoners –
13:23
INTERVIEW WITH
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Boarding no longer means losing your children for a term at a time. There are now a wealth of options available
16/08/2013
Titus Mills
A WORLD AWAY FROM DUBAI On the anniversary of the school’s groundbreaking conference on pupil well-being, the Deputy Head of Pastoral Care at King’s College School, Wimbledon, on how it is still having a worldwide effect
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Events included talks for both girls and parents from Childnet about internet safety and the dangers of social media. Hitgirl, the aerobics company held workouts for pupils, parents and staff. Richard Moore, an associate of the Charlie Waller Trust spoke to girls and staff on the topic of mental health, there were drop-in meditation and mindfulness classes for pupils and staff. A backwards bike - which moves forwards but has counterintuitive levers and controls -provided many laughs and a mental workout. The Middle School (years 10 & 11) learnt how to Knit for Peace.
LEFT GODOLPHIN PUPILS AT WORK IN THE SCIENCE LAB
Fencing at Beaudesert Park School
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The idea of the middle school pastoral team - who not only obtained needles and wool for more than 200 girls but then cast on (25 stiches a time) for every pupil - the aim was for every girl to make a square of a blanket that would then be sent to a war-torn country. Highlights included a talk from RAF pilot and Old Dolphin Kate Frayling, a screening of Girl Rising, a film about the global campaign group for women’s education. And then the ultimate can-do girl, Clare Balding gave a speech on keeping the Olympic spirit alive to a sellout crowd of pupils, staff and parents. And all this was the brainchild of a brand-new, 32-year-old deputy head who only started in her role last September. “I told the head that this was something that really matters to me in my interview for the post,” laughs Paul. As to why it matters so much, Paul simply says that after ten years teaching both boys and girls “it’s just a real instinctive wish to do it for the students, it’s about ensuring they are happy.” One spark was the True Grit conference on emotional wellbeing held at King’s College School Wimbledon last spring. (see page 38) but Paul says she’s has always felt strongly about the subject. “Coming to G&L I wanted girls to feel a sense of courage about what they do, not to be scared of failing. Girls feels such a sense of pressure to be perfect yet the truth is that successful people have often failed a number of times." There is also, she says, so much evidence now that emotional resilience
can be taught. Richard Moore, for example, was asked to come in and teach the girls practical strategies to cope with life. But how does Paul know all this at such a young age? “I just know you need these skills to do well – you need to look after yourself and be resilient in your mind. I’ve had bumps along the way but I’ve now got the most fantastic job in the whole world. I think my resilience has enabled me to do what I do in quite a short time.” And Paul isn’t stopping there. She wants Challenge Your Limits to be the springboard that sees a whole raft of new introductions to the G&L curriculum. The week of events had a distinctly holistic flavor with yoga, mindfulness and meditation available for everybody. “We are trying to look at every single angle: sleep, exercise, eating, taking good care of yourself in every way” and Paul wants to embed this in to the curriculum. Yr11 already do yoga classes and and Headspace who run the wildly successful mindfulness app have been
Coming to G& L I wanted girls to feel a sense of courage about what they do ANNA PAUL Deputy Head, Godolphin & Latymer
ABOVE YOUNG FILM-MAKERS GET CREATIVE
in touch and G&L wants to work with them on meditation classes for pupils. Paul is also mindful not to bore the pupils with the ‘R’ word too much. “We hope to have a resilience programme by the next academic year but my concern is not to become too repetitive. We must stagger what we teach. So, for example, Year 7 will look at overcoming personal challenges but for the older girls we’ll run classes on resilience to social media and consumerism.” And Paul isn’t stopping there. She has also started Lean In symposiums (in reference to Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg’s exhortation that women need to ‘lean in’ to the corporate world a little more). The girls, says Paul, have a very “idealised notion of the working world. We discuss this in school. They are
acutely aware of the challenges of the generations that have gone before them.” Paul is very keen to foster the leaders of tomorrow. “I went to Habs Girls (Haberdasher’s Aske’s School for Girls) – we were all told there – you will be the leaders of the future. I want to enable women to take up leadership roles if that’s what they want to do.” “Another great passion of mind is that need to support each other – we must get women to back each other and promote other women. If we don’t achieve that, we won’t get anywhere. So much of what women do is heroic.”
AMANDA CONSTANCE Editor, Absolutely Education
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DUBAI FACTS
D
ubai is a modern world class city with a distinctive character and truly global outlook. It has become the byword for a luxurious way of living that many can only dream about. Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is one of the seven emirates that make up the country. Dubai itself is located on the UAE’s northern coastline and heads up the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area. Set to host World Expo 2020, it is a city that encapsulates the idea of development and expansion.
Dubai has emerged as a global city and business hub of the Middle East. It is also a major transport hub for passengers and cargo. Dubai’s oil revenue helped accelerate the early development of the city, but its reserves are limited and production levels are low: today,
“As a supporter of Absolutely Education, we are excited and delighted to be involved in their new publication saluting British Education” Celia Toms, Prior’s Field School
less than 5% of the emirate’s revenue comes from oil. The emirate’s Western-style model of business drives its economy with the main revenues now coming from tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services. Dubai has recently attracted world attention through many innovative large construction projects and sports events. The city has become symbolic for its skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, in particular the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
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