EDUCATION SPRING 2020 • £5
Let’s PLAY Making music for life
The
A RT S ISSUE
SPRING 2020
STAR MAKERS
Elite performing arts schools
New
ORDER
How to teach Generation Greta
Bright
Z E S T. L O N D O N
FUTURES
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Every Heathfield girl has an irrepressible spirit. Uniquely hers, it drives her passion, voice and character. As well as providing an excellent academic education and top-class pastoral care, Heathfield identifies your daughter’s distinctive strengths and encourages her to live her ambitions, embrace her spirit and talent so that she develops as the best possible version of herself. Live life like a Heathfield girl.
OPEN DAYS
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To book, email registrar@heathfieldschool.net
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heathfieldschool.net | +44 (0) 1344 898343
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We l c o m e
From the
EDITOR
A
large-scale Canadian study, reported in the international press last summer, found that students who take music lessons perform better across the board in maths, science and English. Other studies have shown similar findings, but this was a much larger-scale research project, also adjusted to factor in elements such as family background. We have a good starting point to argue the case for the arts as a pillar of our school curriculums – but surely that begs the question why do we even need to do that? This is certainly something that resonates throughout this artsthemed issue of Absolutely Education. Samantha Price, Headmistress of Benenden says that justifying a focus on arts teaching has become not an if, but a when. Her repost on page 73 is to consider a typical school theatre production then think about the life skills that have been developed in bringing it successfully to stage.
at the talent emerging through our schools. We explore the regime and alumni at some of ourt elite performing arts schools (see page 54), and we also go behind the scenes at Heathfield School (page 80), to find out how it maintains its long-held reputation as a hub for the arts, from fashion to fine art. What is apparent from talking to Heathfield and other schools is that the arts help to knit schools together. Very often, the most inspiring arts happenings are student, not teacher, led. It could be that rock band generating heat around the whole school or the brilliant group animation – art being made by a new generation with lots to say. This generation has plenty to say on the subject of climate change, as the #fridayprotests have shown. Finding an adequate response is certainly a challenge for parents and educators, and one that is not going to go away. In Generation Greta (page 70), Barnaby Sandow of ACS International School Cobham suggests ideas for embedding this in our schools and also keeping young people motivated. Art is one effective route he suggests for helping
“SURELY, LIKE THE RIGHT TO PROTEST, ART IS A HUMAN RIGHT?” In Music for Life (page 24) we look at how eight schools make music happen. What they told us is that music is such a shared activity and meeting point that it inevitably stretches across the school and way beyond the gates – with outreach and public performances making it a dynamic addition to community spirit. Oakham School's Director of Music Peter Davis talks about the pleasure of creating a culture where music is so 'normal' that a keen rugby player can play an instrument with equal enthusiasm; they don't have to choose a side. While I love the idea of music being a 'normal', I reserve the right to drop my jaw
young people to put their point across without losing heart. Surely, like the ability to stage a peaceful protest, self-expression through making and sharing art is a human right, so no justification needed for making it central to education. Long may it thrive, and let's hope young artists continue to make us look at what they see and listen carefully to what they say.
Libby Norman EDITOR
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CONTE S PRING 2020
upfront
12 NEWS What's going on in the world of education
22 DANCE OFF A day of dance at London's Pineapple Studios
24 MUSIC FOR LIFE Eight schools tell us how they make music happen for their pupils and their community
PREP
34 FAMILY TREASURE
80
A pioneering project is forging links between young people and their elders
50 ARTISTIC THINKING
40 MEET MARTY
How VR is being used to help children with special educational needs
The charismatic coding-enabling robot that even does disco
senior
46 READING INTO THE FUTURE Why early reading really counts
54 PERFORMING STARS We look at what it takes to make it at some of our most elite performing arts schools
63 BACKING THE IB Nigel Haworth of Sevenoaks School on why this is the best education for the modern world
70 GENERATION GRETA Barnaby Sandow suggests we need to refocus environmental education
80 AIMING HIGH
110
98 MOOCS
Heathfields School maintains its formidable reputation for producing creative stars
90 EARTH CALLING The new Earth Centre at Kingsley School, Devon
103 DAY IN THE LIFE One day in the lives of Latymer Upper School Captains Clodagh and Ali
106
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NTS
40 EDITOR
Libby Norman EDITOR IAL ASSISTANT
Zoë Delmer-Best
A DV ERTISING M A NAGER
Nicola Owens
COMMERCI A L DIR ECTOR
Leah Day
SPECI A L IST CONSULTA N T
Andy Mabbitt
GROUP SA L ES DIR ECTOR
Craig Davies
SENIOR DESIGNER
Pawel Kuba
MID-W EIGHT DESIGNER
Rebecca Noonan
M A R K ETING M A NAGER
Lucie Pearce
FINA NCE DIR ECTOR
Jerrie Koleci DIR ECTOR S
Greg Hughes, Alexandra Hunter, James Fuschillo PUBL ISHING DIR ECTOR
Sherif Shaltout
54 school's out
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106 TOP SPRING BOOKS Great reads chosen for us by BookTrust
110 THE MAKING OF ME Actor Danny Mac on a childhood in Bognor and big ambitions for the stage
114 ADVENTURE LITE A perfect family adventure holiday in Portugal
l a s t wo r d
130 60 SECONDS... Christian Heinrich of Cumnor House Sussex
70
F RO NT COV E R Millfield School Street, Somerset, BA16 0YD 0145844 2291 millfieldschool.com
SPRING 2020 | A B S O LU T E LY E D U C AT I O N | 9
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OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC RESULTS • SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE EXTENSIVE CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME EXEMPLARY PASTORAL CARE & NURTURING ENVIRONMENT STATE OF THE ART EQUESTRIAN CENTRE • SET IN THE BEAUTIFUL SUSSEX COUNTRYSIDE FLEXI, WEEKLY AND FULL BOARDING OPTIONS EASY ACCESS TO HEATHROW & GATWICK AIRPORTS 50 MINUTES FROM CENTRAL LONDON BY TRAIN WEEKEND RETURN BUS TO LONDON • MINIBUS SERVICE ACROSS SUSSEX AND KENT
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Queen Anne’s is an independent school for girls aged 11 to 18
OPEN MORNINGS Friday 6 March and Saturday 2 May
• A B S O L U T E LY E D U C AT I O N ’ S •
CON T R IBU TOR S
Frances King
Former Head of Mill Hill, Rodean and Heathfield
Frances King is a highly experienced leader and educational thinker, having previously been Head of Mill Hill, Rodean and Heathfield schools. She has recently taken a sabbatical to focus on innovation, enterprise and play in education, and believes creative play should be made a part of the national curriculum. On page 46 of this issue, she discusses the profound benefits of reading aloud to young children.
OPEN EVENING Tuesday 16 June • Set amongst 35 acres • State-of-the-art music centre
Barnaby Sandow
• Outstanding pastoral care
Head of School, ACS International School Cobham
• Valued community spirit
Barnaby Sandow discovered his gift for teaching at the age of 14 while working as a sailing instructor during his school summer holidays. He still spends time at the end of each school year standing up to his waist in the chilly Irish sea teaching young people to sail and enjoy the ocean. In Generation Greta, he talks about the actions we need to take to ensure environmental teaching is placed more solidly within the school curriculum.
• Extensive co-curricular programme • Award-winning Sixth Form building • Excellent record of academic success
Book Today:
qas.org.uk
Danny Mac Actor
Paddington to Reading in just 26 minutes Day and boarding Full and flexi option Extensive transport network with a London service
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While he came to wide attention for his superb performances on Strictly Come Dancing (with some of the highest scores among celebrity competitors, including a perfect 40 for samba), Danny Mac's career began as a child, treading the boards as Gavroche in both the Southampton and London productions of Les Mis. In The Making of Me he talks frankly about his schooldays in Bognor and his onward journey, via Chichester College and ArtsEd, to a successful career as an actor.
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High Accolade
CUTTING EDGE
Highgate School has been shortlisted for four TES Awards: State School Partnership of the Year, Student Initiative of the Year, Whole School Community Initiative of the Year and Senior School of the Year. The school, renowned for its progressive ethos and philanthropic work, co-founded the free sixth form The London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham (LAET).
Kensington Prep School in Fulham won the Innovation in Teaching and Learning Award for its Creating Spaces for Growing Minds programme. Judges at the Education Estates Awards praised the design of the new learning spaces, imaginative Explore Floor and spacious classroom breakout spaces. Kensington Prep also received a commendation for pupil experience.
RAISE THE ROOF In December, Godolphin Vocal Ensemble headed to Westminster Cathedral to perform in the Barnardo’s Children’s Charity Carol Concert. Head of Vocal Ensemble Olivia Sparkhall said, “Godolphin enjoyed being a part of this event which raised over £25,000 for Barnardo’s. Our Vocal Ensemble loved performing in the Cathedral".
“Growing Minds programme has transformed Kensington Prep"
Cumnor House event Cumnor House School Sussex, located in Ashdown Forest, is hosting an event for families considering a move to the country on March 24 from 7pm at Fortnum & Mason. There will be talks from relocation and education specialists. Register at cumnor.co.uk/events or email events@cumnor.co.uk
S E E I N G STA R S ArtsED student Isabella Papas was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in the WhatsOnStage Awards for her role as Cassidy in Appropriate, at the Donmar Warehouse. Isabella said: “ArtsEd has a 100-year tradition of promoting success in the performing arts and I’m proud to be a part of that tradition.”
“I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.” W I N STO N C H U R C H I L L
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UPFRONT / NEWS By ZOË DELMER-BEST
Q uiz Time Heads from Benenden School, Tonbridge School, Brambletye and Eaton House, The Manor will debate how modern independent schools prepare young people for the careers of tomorrow. The event, entitled Next Steps: The Boarding Option, will be held on 21 March at the Saatchi Gallery.
PLENTIFUL S PAC E At Beaudesert Park School in the Cotswolds, children joining Nursery and Reception this school year were in for a surprise. Nursery has added its own outdoor classroom and a creative room. Meanwhile, children in the two Reception classes now have free-flow classroom and outdoor learning zones.
TO P N OT E Tonbridge School music scholar Sherman Yip has gained the highest mark in the world following his IGCSE Music exams in 2019. To mark his feat, he received a Cambridge Top in the World award. This prestigious accolade is made by examining board CAIE (Cambridge Assessment International Education) to those learners who achieved the highest standard mark in the world for a single subject.
I N V E ST I N G GREEN Slindon College is using money raised from its festive fundraiser to create an outdoor classroom and sanctuary for its pupils. The Sensory Garden Project will offer pupils the therapeutic benefits of nature and is designed as a transformative educational space.
Best Ever Pangbourne College received an ‘excellent’ across all Educational Quality judgements after a full ISI inspection. Headmaster Thomas Garnier said: “These are our best ever inspection results. We have worked tirelessly to improve all areas of the College and I am delighted that the inspectors recognised this".
“What we learn with pleasure we never forget.” ALFRED MERCIER
SOMETHING THEY SAID
“All children love to learn, but many have a hard time with education” SIR KEN ROBINSON
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Geographer Actor Sailor GRACE, AGE 12
Millfield and Millfield Prep’s next Open Days are Saturday 29 February and Saturday 2 May
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UPFRONT / NEWS By ZOË DELMER-BEST
LEARN FROM T H E B E ST
Chatty ‘Appy
Violinist Nicola Benedetti has launched her own educational music programme for children in Glasgow. 350 youngsters travelled from across the country to the city to take lessons from one of Scotland's most renowned musicians. The event was part of a series of workshops across the UK.
Guy Baron, head of modern languages at Aberystwyth University, says there had been "snobbishness" towards apps, but wants technology used in teaching. Many people choose apps to learn a popular language such as Spanish or French, Dr Baron said apps should be used alongside traditional classroom methods, but not to the exclusion of traditional teaching.
KEEP IT N AT U R A L
Big Hygge Katie Page, special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCo) at Belmont Grosvenor, has introduced weekly lessons to Year 4 pupils that embrace the hygge way of living and learning. Pronounced ‘hoo-ga’, the Danish concept translates as a feeling of wellbeing and cosy contentment. Page said: “As a SENCo, I am always interested in supporting how children learn best”.
A GCSE exam in Natural History is being planned to help teenagers reconnect with wildlife by learning the names and characteristics of British plants and animals. A major UK exam board is actively working up proposals for the new qualification, which is the brainchild of broadcaster and nature writer Mary Colwell and backed by Green Party MP Caroline Lucas. Mary Colwell said she was hopeful it could be taught in schools in England as early as September 2021.
S E A FA R I N G Known for its sailing prowess, Suffolk's Royal Hospital School has recently sailed to success, winning several high-profile races this year. In November, an RHS team took part in the School Keelboat Racing Championship alongside ten other schools at Queen Mary Sailing Club in London. The school won five of its nine races to finish overall winners.
A R T S PAC E
Talk the Talk Leading private schools are giving pupils FTSE 100 company boss-style training on how to be a “radiator” rather than a “drain”. Eton College, Charterhouse and City of London School for Boys are among the institutions which have started rolling out corporate leadership-style lessons for sixth formers. In the classes pupils are taught how to build 'self-knowledge' and how to 'show their best selves'.
Culford School, Suffolk has officially opened its new Art Centre. With work completed in one acadmic year, the school says that its facilities have been "revolutionised" with the completion of the new studio. The new glassfronted building has been designed so that it can be used for lessons, exhibitions and also events at the school.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest ” B E N JA M I N FRANKLIN
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UPFRONT / NEWS By ZOË DELMER-BEST
Brexit Boost? Stephen Spriggs, managing director of William Clarence Education, suggests that Brexit may produce a monetary boost for the private school sector. While Brexit uncertainty means all eyes are on Europe, families from outside the EU are taking advantage of our weaker pound and grabbing the opportunity to purchase a world-class British education at a cut price.
B A L LOT BRAINS At Kingham Hill School, a day and boarding school in Oxfordshire for children aged 11-18, five sixth form Politics students put themselves forward to represent the Liberal Democrats, Brexit Party, Plaid Cymru, Labour and Conservatives. All pupils and staff were invited to vote in the sports hall, set up like a traditional polling station. By the time the polls closed at 1pm, 65% of the pupils had voted and Plaid Cymru came out on top. The pupils were highly engaged in the democratic process and the election became a hotly discussed issue in boarding houses and common rooms across the school.
TO U G H SUBJECTS It turns out that not all exams are equal and students across the country have had their say. History, English Literature and Language and foreign languages have reportedly been voted as the hardest GCSEs by students across the country.
Eco Changes Private schools' exotic trips could become a thing of the past amid rising concern among pupils about their carbon footprint, according to Jane Prescott, head of the £14,000-a-year Portsmouth High School. She said that pupils campaigned to introduce “Meat Free Mondays” and use biodegradable water bottles.
B O DY AWA R E Campaigners have called for nude art classes in schools to improve body image issues caused by social media, with teachers deciding if children should take part. Life drawing advocates believe sketching naked men and women should be part of a balanced curriculum to counteract social media images and young people's ideas of what a body should be.
“ Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” NELSON MANDELA
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IBROADEN MY MIND Openness to the outside world. The readiness to see other points of view. These are qualities we help students develop to broaden their minds while excelling at their academic studies. Places for 2020 entry are understandably strictly limited. Apply today at southbank.org/applynow
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UPFRONT / NEWS By ZOË DELMER-BEST
PHONE REALITY CHECK
SPLASH T H E CA S H Parents spend £1.7 BILLION a year on home tutors for their children. According to new research, parents are investing heavily in top up teaching for their children. A quarter of pupils are said to have extra lessons out of school, at an average cost of £34.22 an hour, but some so-called ‘super-tutors’ command far higher fees.
“A quarter of pupils are said to have extra lessons out of school”
Banning mobile phones from our schools is 'Luddite' and doesn't work, says Jane Prescott. The head of Portsmouth High School and new president of the Girls' Schools Association, said schools should instead teach children about “acceptable use”. “I’m not sure that banning phones actually truly bans them,” she said. “I think that what [pupils] do is they go and use them in spaces where it can’t be monitored, like toilets.”
HELPING HAND
IN A THRICE Millfield has become one of the first schools in the UK to appoint a full-time Triathlon Coach as the multi-discipline sport grows in popularity. Level 2 Triathlon Coach Christian Brown started working with athletes at the top sports school in late 2019, having joined Millfield from the prestigious Leeds Triathlon Centre programme. The appointment is part of a school investment in individual sports such as running, cycling and swimming.
To p St o r y
J OY F U L A N D TRIUMPHANT Cathedral choirgirls have finally overtaken the boys. After more than a millennium of male dominance, choirgirls narrowly outnumber choirboys in England’s cathedrals. There are currently 739 girls and 737 boys in cathedral choirs.
The private tutor market will be getting a boost with the launch of Sophia, a mobile application that provides students of all ages with tutors that have not only been carefully security and experienced checked, but are required to fulfil a paid-for Safeguarding Awareness course to ensure both students and tutors are protected.
N E W H E A D, NEW SCHOOL Susan Brooks, currently Deputy Head at Broomwood Hall, has been appointed Head of NorthWood Senior, Northwood Schools’ first senior school. Susan Brooks said: “By equipping our pupils with the necessary skillset and nurturing each child’s individual strengths, we will prepare them to tackle the future with confidence.” The school, for pupils aged 11 to 16, will operate at a site at Tooting Common.
SOMETHING THEY SAID
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it A R I STOT L E
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UPFRONT / NEWS By ZOË DELMER-BEST
C R E AT I V E C O M PA S S I O N
CA L L I N G A L L A R T I ST S The search is on to find a talented school artist aged 11 or under whose artwork will be translated into a stained-glass roundel for the Lord Mayor of London. The 2020 School Roundel Competition, open to London schools, is part of 'Reflections of the Lord Mayor', which celebrates the role of the Lord Mayor of London.
A new competition has been launched for schools which combines global animal welfare with creative skills. The free competition will contribute towards Eco-Schools accreditation under the global citizenship topic and Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Awards. KS2 and KS3 pupils have been asked to illustrate the story of Ekari, an orphaned elephant in Myanmar, who was rescued by the Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) after being snared by poachers.
“The search is on to find a talented school artist”
B AC K TO SCHOOL Konnie Huq returned to her old school, Notting Hill & Ealing High School GDST, for a book launch. The former Blue Peter presenter turned author was welcomed at NHEHS for a science-fuelled workshop `Science, Explosions and Scribbling’, to tie in with the launch of her first book Cookie!... and the Most Annoying Boy in the World. Silvana Silva, Head of Junior School at Notting Hill & Ealing High School said: “It was wonderful having Konnie with us. Her enthusiasm for science is infectious".
To p St o r y
SKIING SUCCESS Emerson Proctor in Year 8 at Moulsford Prep School has been selected for the GB Junior Ski Team for the 2020 winter season. He is the youngest member of a team of ten GB athletes who will travel to Andorra in late January to compete against top skiers from over twenty countries.
N E I G H B O U R LY LOV E Bryanston School has introduced a loyalty card scheme to help support local businesses. Headmaster Mark Mortimer said of the scheme: “As one of the area’s largest employers, with frequent visitors to our campus, we are keen to do everything we can to support the local economy and to highlight the services available from shops and businesses on our doorstep”.
SINGING PRETTY Millfield’s chamber choir Camerata has been named as one of the top Senior choirs in the country after reaching the finals of the Barnardo’s Senior Choir of the Year 2020 competition, with the finals taking place at Royal Festival Hall in March. Millfield Director of Music, Matthew Cook, says, “To progress to the finals of this highly-renowned competition is a testament to the talent and hard work of our musicians, and we simply cannot wait to showcase the quality of this choir.”
SOMETHING THEY SAID
“We want young people to be confident, healthy and equipped to deal with the challenges that come with growing up” D E PA R T M E N T F O R E D U C AT I O N
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DISCOVERMORE
Embracing an innovative, modern approach whilst keeping traditional values at its core, Kew House School takes an exciting stance on 21st century education. With state-of-the-art facilities, a broad curriculum and excellent pastoral care, Kew House is a place where you would want to be – a place of learning and discovery, laughter and friendship.
Open Open Events Days
February 12th (9:45am) November 1st/7th (9.30am/ 9.30am) February 25th (9:45am) November 15th/21st (7.00pm/ 9.30am) March 4th (9:45am) March 19th (9:45am) November 29th (9.30am) April 27th (9:45am) Book your place online:
www.kewhouseschool.com/openevents
T: 0208 742 2038 E: info@kewhouseschool.com W: www.kewhouseschool.com An independent co-educational senior school for students aged 11-18 in West London
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@kewhouseschool
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SCHOOL NEWS / A RTS E V EN T
Dance OFF
P H O T O G R A P H Y: A I D A N O R A N G E
Girls’ Day School Trust family of schools gathered recently for a day of dance at London’s Pineapple Studios
D
ancers from across the GDST’s family of 25 schools experienced a day at the worldfamous Pineapple Studios to find out what life is like as a dance professional. Almost 180 girls met in Covent Garden to take part in workshops hosted by industry professionals who have choreographed for stars such as Beyoncé and Dua Lipa and worked on TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor. The girls were put through their paces in musical theatre, ballet, hip hop, commercial street, lyrical
ABOVE Aiming high at Pineapple Studios BELOW Students enjoyed dance workshops led by professionals
jazz and contemporary dance and had the opportunity to quiz choreographers in a Q&A session about life as a dancer. Esme from Newcastle High School for Girls was crowned Elite Dancer of the Day after performing a solo contemporary showcase. “Having taught at Pineapple Studios for more than a decade and at Putney High School for 14 years, I started Day of Dance to bring these two threads together,” said Kira Bishop, who organises the GDST’s Day of Dance. “I wanted to provide elite dancers within the GDST with a chance to immerse themselves in a professional dance space. The experience is a total game changer from a dance class in a school hall and I hope it encourages these pupils to go on and pursue a career in dance.” Alexis Williamson-Jones, GDST Consultant Teacher for Sport added: “The experience the girls gained from the Day of Dance was invaluable and we accomplished our aim of inspiring the next generation of dancers to believe that there are no limits to what they can achieve”.
“The experience is a total game changer from a dance class in a school hall” 22 | A B S O LU T E LY E D U C AT I O N | XXXXXX 2018
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Considering Moving to the Country? Meet the relocation and education specialists
Fortnum & Mason Tuesday 24th March from 7pm Register at cumnor.co.uk/events or email events@cumnor.co.uk N U R S E RY, P R E - P R E P & PREP SCHOOL
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Danehill | Haywards Heath | RH17 7HT www.cumnor.co.uk | 01825 792006
17/01/2020 09:40
life
MUSIC FOR
Music brings academic benefits across the curriculum, but it’s not just about the grades. There's overwhelming evidence that music improves everything from state of mind to physical well-being
Oakham School
A
t Oakham music is woven into the fabric of everyday life. The school is a core part of Rutland Music Hub – a unique delivery vehicle in the centre of this small rural county which previously had no county-wide music service. Sharing music has been a mission for the school and its Director of Music Peter Davis. “We are a centre of excellence,” says Peter. “We should be sharing and are uniquely able to share.” An example of this spirit of sharing was the 'Pied Piper' performance held at De Montfort Hall, Leicester last autumn. The music had been composed by Peter Davis during a sabbatical and was designed to give the children of Rutland the opportunity to sing. And sing they did – 420 pupils from across the county aged from 8 to 18 took to the stage for the county’s first
collaborative concert. It raised the roof and earned a standing ovation for its composer and conductor. He says this was a golden opportunity to engage young people and the endeavour found some very promising singers. While this is a large-scale project, music happens in every way and every day around the school and the town – lunchtime concerts, community choirs. There’s also Oakham Choral Society, fully supported by the school and able to use its facilities. With over 80 concerts performed by pupils each year locally, there are also national accolades to celebrate – the school’s chamber choir has won numerous awards. There are impressive numbers of pupils at the school who make music – currently around half the school’s pupils are involved with ensembles – and with eight core teaching staff working alongside over 30 visiting teachers, students have access to elite music tuition.
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UPFRON T / FOCUS
ABOVE A pupil at Oakham School LEFT Making music in the Chapel at Oakham
“OAKHAM’S MUSIC-DRAMA COLLABORATIVE SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS – MOST RECENTLY CHICAGO – ARE A DRAW FOR THE TOWN SPRING 2020 | A B S O LU T E LY E D U C AT I O N | 25
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RIGHT Showtime at Forest School BELOW A pupil at Bromley High School
Forest School
Bromley High School
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he joy of making music is at the heart of Bromley High School GDST, and with musical excellence also front of mind. There are three orchestras, more than ten small-scale and larger chamber ensembles and eight choirs, not to mention the two specialist iMac suites where girls are taught music technology on industry-standard equipment. Music scholarships are offered at 11,13 and 16+ and music scholars have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of musical experiences. Bromley High was also the first allgirls school in the world to be accredited as an All Steinway School in 2017. This accreditation is given when a school provides Steinway pianos for play and rehearsals in all practice and performance spaces. The school now has 10, including the Concert Model D and Model B. Being an All Steinway School gives students the opportunity to attend
masterclasses given by Steinway artists and perform themselves at Steinway Hall. When the accreditation was confirmed, the school’s music scholars had a masterclass from renowned concert pianist Joanna MacGregor CBE as part of the celebrations. Caroline Daniel, Director of Music at Bromley, says: “It has been incredibly exciting to become the first all girls’ school to gain the Steinway accreditation. We are pleased to see our girls embarking on a first-class musical journey as well as ensuring that other local young musicians can benefit from this.” Other musical initiatives at Bromley High include a new Musician in Residence to support the school’s exceptional musicians and develop partnerships with local schools. There are opportunities for keen musicians to give solo/chamber performances over the year and lead ensembles or workshops with local schools and the junior school. Music making is always about sharing, so the school also puts on an annual London concert – most recently at Cadogan Hall – inviting the public along.
F
orest School, Snaresbrook encourages musical learning as a vital part of pupils’ development. Children can join group or solo singing sessions, there are multiple choirs and ensembles and the annual House Music Competition raises the roof of the Sports Hall and Deaton Theatre. Less rowdy music-making happens with Chapel Choir, which sings at services and events. A lively band scene led by pupils includes ‘Live Lounge’ events. The music department’s large stock of instruments can be hired out to pupils and there is also a visiting composer, plus activities by cutting-edge professionals, who offer pupils the chance to develop skills in areas such as composition. At 11+ and 16+ entry pupils can apply for music scholarships to support their music education at the school. Community partnership includes outreach activities with both local schools and organisations such as Hackney Empire. Notable recent events include a performance of Faure’s Requiem by a choir of 80 pupils from Forest and five local primary schools, plus an adult chorus and orchestra – the culmination of eight months’ work to showcase the transformative power of group music making.
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UPFRON T / FOCUS
RIGHT Orchestra at St Edmund's School
Parkside School
A
t Parkside School, Cobham, the Music Department, headed by Jeremy Attwood, believe that the cornerstone of any child’s learning adventure is, in a nutshell: “creativity!” This provides the foundation to shape children’s mindset. The sounds of YMCA being played on the ukulele with immense passion is frequent proof of a dynamic environment where music is to be celebrated. Parkside believes it is essential to create opportunities, offering new genres and different ensembles to suit every ability. Informal charity performances at local venues are performed alongside formal recitals on the grand piano in the school’s performance hall. By the time children leave Parkside, they will have learned to play djembe, violin, keyboard and ukulele as part of their music curriculum. More than that, children at Parkside are encouraged to enjoy the experience of music making – sharing it with other people and watching the ideas that emerge.
BELOW A pupil at Parkside
St Edmund’s School
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t Edmund’s School, Canterbury believes that schools which fully embrace music and the arts provide the best possible grounding. “Music is part of everyone’s life from birth as we are immersed in the sounds, melodies, harmonies and rhythms from the world around us,” says Director of Music Spencer Payne. St Edmund’s pupils have dedicated practical and academic class music lessons on a weekly basis. Pupils make music together through a range of topics based around listening, composing and performing. Junior and Senior School House music and singing competitions give the opportunity for all pupils within the school to get involved. In the lower years, pupils explore sound, movement, pulse, rhythmic patterns, scales and melodies – all based on topics that introduce or consolidate these key skills needed for interpretation and performance at a higher level. They also have the opportunity to try
out orchestral instruments on a rota basis to encourage fine motor skills and experience real, acoustic sound. The school believes the health benefits of music making cannot be overstressed and, whether pupils enjoy singing in a choir, playing as part of a band, orchestra or in an ensemble, they can also draw upon these experiences to enhance emotional intelligence. “From the early musical experiences for pupils, the mastery of a great choral tradition by our Canterbury Cathedral Choristers to the highly skilled A level musicians in the sixth form, music is something we celebrate and fully support at St Edmund’s. We believe that music should be part of everyone’s daily lives,” says Spencer Payne. School music groups cater for everyone’s tastes – whether it be orchestral, choral, big band, small ensembles or soloists. Many of these groups are also available to the local community, and school musical life is enriched by a wide variety of music trips, masterclasses, workshops, lunchtime concerts, and larger scale termly concerts in awe-inspiring locations such as Canterbury Cathedral.
“FOREST SCHOOL HAS A LIVELY BAND SCENE LED BY PUPILS, AS WELL AS REGULAR ‘LIVE LOUNGE’ EVENTS COORDINATED BY SIXTH FORMERS” SPRING 2020 | A B S O LU T E LY E D U C AT I O N | 27
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UPFRON T / FOCUS LEFT Pupil at St James Senior Girls' School BELOW Tonbridge School
St James Senior Girls’ School
M
usic is a cornerstone of life at St James Senior Girls’ School in London’s Kensington Olympia, which has a strong tradition of choral and solo singing. It is a core subject up to Year 9 and remains perennially popular as a GCSE and A level subject. The school has a variety of choirs, orchestras and ensembles and encourages its pupils to take up individual lessons. Girls sing at services in St Mary Abbots Church, Kensington and the year end is marked by an annual joint concert with the Senior Boys’ School. Managing groups with mixed abilities is, says Head of Music, Myra Brunton, a matter of balance. The school’s Youth Dance Company and annual choreography competition, introduce another, often very contemporary element, while Arts Week is an opportunity to participate in myriad kinds of music and drama. An undoubted highlight of the calendar is the joint musical with St James Senior Boys’ that takes place biennially – widening both the dynamics of performance and the audience.
ABOVE Showtime at Tring Park
Tonbridge School
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onbridge School, Kent has a long tradition of music to draw on and it is woven into school life. Chapel is a big part of pastoral life – the stunning building, which can accommodate the whole school, also houses a renowned Marcussen & Søn organ. Other superb music facilities include two recital halls (this is an All Steinway School), teaching and practice rooms, double recording studio and a sound-isolated rock and percussion suite to support bands and soloists who want to make some noise. Director of Music Mark Forgen says that all Year 9 pupils have the opportunity to study academic music in class. “Some pupils come to us with very little musical background, while others have a lot”. The Music Department’s ‘buddy’ system means more experienced pupils can help those with less knowledge. Boys who choose to pursue music at a higher level (and this year over a quarter have) go on to study the iGCSE. In Sixth Form, a number of boys choose to take the Music Pre-U. The school's Composer in Residence Hywel Davies adds to the rich musicality of the setting – his more recent ambitious projects include a sound installation with the Lower Sixth.
Tring Park School
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t Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, music making is a whole-hearted activity, whether or not students are specialising in musical theatre, dance or commercial music pathways offered here for 16+ (alongside acting). A lot of music that takes place is not part of formal or timetabled study. The school’s The Sixteen chamber choir (regulars in BBC Songs of Praise Senior School Choir of the Year) is made up largely of pupils who are not focusing the main part of their studies around music. All performances are opened to the public and students participate in many local events – younger students are stalwarts of Tring Christmas Festival. In-school shows at performance spaces such as the Markova Theatre present high-quality shows from tomorrow’s stars. Outreach activities happen throughout the years. While some attract young people who might be looking to take things further (for instance the Kick Start boys’ dance programme), others such as evening dance classes for people with Parkinson’s and adult dance classes in the school’s superb Park Studios work to bring music to life for a much wider audience – and show that music really is for life. SPRING 2020 | A B S O LU T E LY E D U C AT I O N | 29
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Talking
UP FRON T / OPINION
HEAD
A Creative EDUCATION Headmaster of Kew House School, Mark Hudson defends the importance of a creative education
I
am told that I am rare. A design and technology teacher who has become a headmaster. I am also frequently congratulated on the facilities and provision for the creative subjects at Kew House School. So why do I believe that D&T, art, food technology and drama are so vital as subjects taught in schools? Firstly, they are exciting, fun and require inventiveness. These subjects teach problem solving, apply the concepts taught in maths and the sciences and provide solutions. They develop interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. They are in essence about making things that work, look good and make a difference to people’s lives. All require research, analysis, team work, planning and evaluative skills. They invite students to ask, “what if…?” and “why not?” and they inspire our future entrepreneurs,
“Creativity is a subject area that is undervalued in the UK, especially by government” engineers, designers and creative adults. There has never been more need for a generation able to optimise resources, to develop sustainable and circular economies. No other subject area will equip our students with these skills. This county holds a significant amount of the world's intellectual property in the design and creative fields. We are the envy of many countries. China is working with the UK subject association to introduce creativity into its school system. It is easy to see why and yet it is a subject area
that is undervalued, especially by design and manufacture exciting, ABOVE government here in the UK. This innovative sustainable products. Pupils at Kew house is evident in the failure to include I am always pleased at the any creative subjects in the Ebac reaction when I show parents and portfolio upon which all state schools prospective students the facilities are judged. This has triggered a significant here at Kew House. A food technology room decline in the number of schools offering full of busy students, an art room full of these subjects and in GCSE and A-level inspirational work, drama students gaining entries. The independent sector remains confidence and developing valuable skills a stronghold for these areas of study, for life. This area of the curriculum grabs developing them and enriching the attention of children and the students in our care. This parents alike; they see the is quite a responsibility. We are potential for imagination, for able to prepare our students fun, for innovation and the to play an active role in the facilities to enable it to happen. technological and creative The future of the creative society they have been born subjects at Kew House is safe. into, to become discerning It is my sincere hope, as a customers, critical consumers, devotee of the subject, that creative practitioners. Our students and future citizens MARK HUDSON economic future needs to be educated in modern schools Headmaster driven by young talented, do not become as rare as D&T Kew House School imaginative people able to headmasters. SPRING 2020 | A B S O LU T E LY E D U C AT I O N | 31
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