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INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT F R E E | S E N I O R E D I T I O N | AU T U M N 2 0 2 1 | i n d e p e n d e n t s c h o o l p a re n t .co m

Broaden your horizons Studying at a Russell Group uni is not the only option

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2021 AWARDS

FATHERS AND SONS Sancton Wood School’s new pastoral care initiative EXPERT ADVICE Making the best of a busy school life TIME TO SWITCH OFF? The school with a phones-free policy

FORCE OF NATURE

Top tips to combat climate anxiety

“We have seen a different child since starting... It is quite astonishing.”

Game-changing education . . . Nestled in 153 acres of immaculate Perthshire countryside, Strathallan School has been doing education differently for over 100 years. Excellence is in our DNA, and with a vast range of activities and the broadest curriculum in Scotland, you’ll find your place to shine at Strathallan. Our award-winning education and sector-leading pastoral care attracts families from across Scotland and around the world, and Strathallan pupils consistently achieve some of the top A-Level results in the country, year after year. Strathallians have gone on to study and pursue careers all around the world, and from Olympians to Strictly stars, you’ll find some truly impressive role models amongst our alumni. Visit strathallan.co.uk for your personalised introduction, or discover where Strathallan could take you at our Open Morning.

Open Morning: Saturday 15th January 2022 Register online at www.strathallan.co.uk/visit-us Strathallan School, Forgandenny, Perthshire, PH2 9EG | +44 (0) 1738 812 546 | admissions@strathallan.co.uk

INSIDE

WELCOME

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT • SENIOR EDITION • AUTUMN 2021

In brief

Be prepared

A round-up of the latest school news

A look at Concord College’s invaluable Medicine Support programme

Safe spaces Stamford School’s radical Learning for Life curriculum

17 18

Screen wipe St Margaret’s School’s phone-free policy

This is us The quirky traditions that make independent schools special

The show must go on

Let’s get physical

Christ’s Hospital, West Sussex

CLAUDIA DUDMAN, EDITOR

Epsom College’s broadened sports and exercise offering for girls

elcome to the autumn senior school edition of Independent School Parent! If you’re thinking about moving your child to independent school for sixth form, you’ll get a good idea of the schools’ individuality and traditions on page 18. However, if they’re on track with A-levels and researching next steps, page 56 looks at the merits of applying to a non-Russell Group university. With the UN Climate Change Summit (COP26) currently in full swing, in Glasgow, Head of Haberdashers’ Girls’ School, Rose Hardy writes on educating pupils on climate change without instilling fear. She has some great top tips on how we can all try to veer away from that feeling of impending doom! This magazine’s awards campaign, the Independent Schools of the Year 2021 Awards, which celebrates the student experience, received an unprecedented number of nominations this year, and we highlight some of the entrant schools on these pages. Read on to find out about Glenalmond College’s showstopping performance of a 17th century play during lockdown; Concord College’s incredible Medicine Support Programme; and how Ackworth School in West Yorkshire has collaborated with the LTA to provide tennis sports training to children across the county. Like us, I’m sure you’ll be impressed! There’s also a competition to enter where you can win a festive dining experience on a steam train. Good luck and happy reading!

Glenalmond’s pandemic school production

Generation global Educating today’s pupils about climate change without instilling fear

It takes a team: to raise a boy Sancton Wood’s pastoral care collaboration with Cambridge United

40 49 52

Equal opportunities Bursaries and scholarships

Anyone for tennis? Ackworth’s sports outreach programme

Expert advice How can pupils make the most of a busy school life?

Broaden your horizons Considering your university options beyond the Russell Group

63 Tweet us @ISParent

Like us on Facebook

Visit our schools directory where you can find details of hundreds of pre-prep, prep and senior schools from across the UK.

INDEPENDENTSCHOOLPARENT.COM/DIRECTORY

Ones to watch 13 independent school alumni share their career paths and workplace experiences

A capital idea How to spend a spoiling festive family weekend in London this Christmas

80 82

Calendar All the essential dates for your diary

School memories Paralympic cyclist Sam Ruddock

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

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WHO’S WHO

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT EDITORIAL Editor Claudia Dudman Sub Editor Laura Sutherland DESIGN Designer Mark Bradley ADVERTISING Group Account Director Catherine Chapman Advertisment Manager Harriet Cottrell Sales Executive Danielle Thirsk

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Meet the experts sharing their years of invaluable educational experience

DIGITAL Digital Product Manager Ben Iskander

ALISON FLEMING has been Headmistress at Newton Prep, Battersea since September 2013. Educated at grammar school, she began her teaching career learning her craft in state schools.

PUBLISHING Executive Chairman Paul Dobson Chief Financial Officer Vicki Gavin Managing Director James Dobson Publisher Caroline Scott Circulation Manager Daniel Webb EA to Chairman Sarah Porter PR Executive Eleanor English

SIR ANTHONY SELDON is a contemporary historian and political author. He has been Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham since 2015 and was the 13th Master of Wellington College in Berkshire from 2006 to 2015.

PUBLISHED BY The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ Tel 020 7349 3700 Fax 020 7349 3701 Email editor@independentschoolparent.com Distributed by Seymour Distribution Ltd. 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, Ec1a 9Pt | Tel: 020 7429 4000 Fax: 020 7429 4001 | Production All Points Media. Printed in England by William Gibbons DISTRIBUTION Independent School Parent is for parents of children in prep and senior independent schools. The Independent School Parent magazine in prep and senior issues is published termly. Parents can subscribe for a free issue at: independentschoolparent. com/register

DAVID MONCRIEFF

a publisher specialising in education and heritage, he previously worked for more than 12 years as Director of Marketing Services at the British Tourist Authority.

RACHEL KERR has worked with independent schools since 2000. She is currently Communications Manager at the Girls’ Schools Association. COLIN BELL is CEO of COBIS, which works with and supports students, teachers, leaders, support staff and governors from high quality British international schools in more than 80 countries across the world.

© The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd 2021. All rights reserved. Text and pictures are copyright restricted and must not be reproduced without permission from the publisher. The information contained in Independent School Parent has been published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. All liability for loss, negligence or damage caused by reliance on the information contained within this publication is hereby excluded.

ANDREW FLECK is Principal of Sedbergh School, Cumbria, having been Headmaster since 2002, he has now relinquished this position to take up his new role which encompasses strategic oversight and operational direction.

Independent School Parent also publishes The Guide to Independent Schools biannually to help you choose the right school. EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD David Moncrieff, Chairman Colin Bell, COBIS Andrew Fleck, Sedbergh School, Cumbria Alison Fleming, Newton Prep, Battersea Rachel Kerr, Girls’ Schools’ Association Tory Gillingham, AMCIS Aileen Kane, Boarding Schools’ Association Ian Mason, Independent Schools Council Mark Stretton, HMC Helen Wright, Educational consultant Sir Anthony Seldon, Commentator and author Ben Vessey, Canford School, Dorset Sue Woodroofe, The Grammar School at Leeds Peter Young, Marketing/Brand Consultant

HELEN WRIGHT is a former President of GSA and Vice-Chair of ISC and since 2014, she has worked in international education, and advises, recruits and coaches senior leaders in schools across the world.

IAN MASON

worked in local authority communications teams across London, before becoming the Head of Media and Communications for the Independent Schools Council in 2017.

PETER YOUNG is an independent school governor and Chairman of the Business Marketing Awards. AILEEN KANE is the Boarding Schools’ Association’s Chief Operating Officer and oversees media, marketing, sponsorship, finance and HR facilities. Aileen is a member of BSA’s senior leadership team. BEN VESSEY joined Canford in 2013 as Headmaster from Christ’s Hospital, where he was Senior Deputy Head. He’s currently Vice-Chair of the HMC Professional Development sub-committee. MARK STRETTON joined HMC as Communications Manager in 2017, bringing with him more than 15 years’ experience and expertise in education sector communications.

SUE WOODROOFE

COVER: GEORGE HERIOT’S SCHOOL, EDINBURGH

has been a headteacher for 12 years, first at The British School of Brussels and now at The Grammar School at Leeds.

TORY GILLINGHAM is the Managing Director at Admissions, Marketing and Communications in Independent Schools (AMCIS), which now has more than 500 schools in membership. She has more than 25 years’ experience of the independent schools sector. AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

Tailored

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A levels and GCSEs in over 45 subjects Retakes, Easter Revision courses and Year 12 transfers Personal tutors providing individual academic and pastoral support Oxbridge-style tutorial groups with nine students or fewer Excellent results and progression to top tier universities

Portman Woodward (MPW) is ‘amazing’ and a great place to study. MPW Cambridge Ofsted Report November 2019

Best in class inspection reports from the ISI and Ofsted

Discover MPW for yourself – visit www.mpw.ac.uk or call us to book your visit. London 020 7835 1355

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SCHOOL NEWS

IN BRIEF

STUDENT SUCCESSES • EXTRACURRICULAR EXCELLENCE • INSPIRING INITIATIVES • NEW HEADS

Open doors, open minds

Francis Holland Sloane Square, London The school’s new Sixth Form Centre was opened by the Duke of Westminster at the end of September. A stunning neo-gothic building, the Old School House has undergone a £3.5m renovation. Joined directly to the school’s existing buildings, its interior design and atmosphere are those of a creative workspace or university facility. Boasting cosy seminar rooms, a dedicated A-level science lab, a wellstocked library, a state-of-the-art fitness suite, a spacious common room, study spaces and a café, the new centre is very much in keeping with Francis Holland’s aim to provide a transformational education that promotes creativity, enterprise and innovation. The school’s sixth form prepares young women for a fast-changing, technological world, and this new centre brings teaching and facilities together to achieve this. Head Lucy Elphinstone stated “we’re indebted to the generosity of parents and friends who gave freely of their time and talent to enable this project to shine a light in the midst of the pandemic.” ▲

WORDS: LAURA SUTHERLAND

The light-filled common room has plenty of space for study and leisure

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

SCHOOL NEWS

BEST OF THE REST • Full marks St Leonards School, Fife

Sixth form leavers had plenty to celebrate this summer, following exceptional International Baccalaureate Diploma results. Head Boy, Duncan Bouchard achieved a perfect score of 45. This autumn, he began a degree in Civil Engineering at HeriotWatt University, Edinburgh.

• What a result! Bedales, Hampshire

Congratulations are in order across the board with the publication of the school’s GCSE and BAC (Bedales Assessed Courses) results. A whopping 16 students have achieved a minimum of nine grade 8/9 (equivalent to A*) scores.

Guest of honour Exeter School, Devon

• Look ahead

In September, the school welcomed alumnus and seasoned human capital advisor, Ikenna Iroche, to its annual Speech Day. Ikenna gave inspiring talks to individual year groups on turning dreams into goals, diversity and inclusion, using his own experiences of coming to the school from Nigeria in the 90s. For his evening address, he gave a compelling presentation on the importance of accepting others. He reflected, “in a day full of highlights, the most enjoyable for me was the number of smiling faces I saw. Exeter School was a happy place in my time there and it was heart-warming to find it even more so today.”

Cardiff Sixth Form College

The number-one UK school for A-level results has announced plans to open a second sixth form campus in the heart of Cambridge in September 2022. A member of the Dukes Education family, the college’s new development is expected to be a natural for students with their sights set on Oxbridge.

• Start right Sheffield High School for Girls, South Yorkshire

Nina’s gambit

Track star

Denstone College, Staffordshire

Brentwood School, Essex

Kilgraston, Perthshire

A special service was held in the school chapel to celebrate the installation of new Headteacher, Miss Tulloch, and lead chaplain, Reverend Darren Edge. The congregation was welcomed by the Bishop of Stafford, who also led proceedings, including hymns and prayers.

Nina Pert was crowned British U14 Girls’ Champion at the two-day British Chess Championships held in Milton Keynes. The 13-year-old chess sensation scored 3.5 out of five to take first place within her category, and finished in third place across the overall competition.

Para-athlete, Freya Howgate, triumphed at the recent School Games National Finals at Loughborough University. Representing Team Scotland, the sixth former won silver medals in both her mixed para shot-put category and the 4x100m mixed universal relay, as a T37/F37 athlete.

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

• Job done UCAS, nationwide

Students researching their university and careers options can now get clear guidance by using a new career quiz tool on UCAS.com. UCAS has worked with Emsi Burning Glass to turn graduate data into a helpful interactive quiz for teens.

A warm welcome

The school has become the first in Yorkshire to become a member of the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate (PSB), with the renowned programme of study being now delivered to students in years seven and eight..

Independent Boarding & Day School Ages 9-19

ISA Awards 2020 Winners Outstanding Sports Provision (Small School)

Award winning education set in a 30 acre Tudor Estate, nestled between Snowdonia National Park and the North Wales coastline

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SCHOOL NEWS

HEADS ON THE MOVE It’s all change for these schools

Dr Michael Truss has taken up the reins as Principal of Concord College in Shropshire this term.

Rhiannon Wilkinson is now Head of Ashville College in Harrogate.

Home from home Benenden, Kent

The school has welcomed its first day boarders. The small intake of day boarders – a term for a pupil who attends on a daily basis rather than boarding – from years nine to 12, marks the first time since Benenden’s opening in 1923 that it has offered anything other than full boarding. Headteacher Samantha Price said “we’ve long been asked by local families if we could introduce day boarding. And the way our new pupils have seamlessly become part of the community reassures me that we’ve definitely made the right decision!”

Elaine Purves will start at Berkshire’s Queen Anne’s School in January.

Joe Silvester is the new Head of Wetherby Senior School in London.

Lynne Kyle is the new Headteacher of Bolton School Girls’ Division in Manchester.

Engineering success

Top of the pops

St Peter’s, Yorkshire

Manchester High School for Girls

Sixth former Martha Dunsmore, has received the prestigious Arkwright Scholar award in recognition of her outstanding work in design and technology. The prize identifies the UK’s future leaders in engineering. Her independent study will be aided by her prize, which includes a mentor, an annual award of £300, and access to a range of enrichment events.

Violinist, Anyi, is set to release her first single with her twin brother, Han. The song Girl in the Mirror – written not long after she joined the school – will also be on the pair’s forthcoming album, Life Sketches. Anyi says “We’re extremely grateful to the MHSG music department, who loaned us recording equipment.” Han plays piano on the track, while Anyi sings lead vocals.

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS EXTRAORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY OUTCOMES OUTCOMES

Sophia KCL Sophia (Management)

Louis Louis (Chemical

KCL KCL (Management) (Management)

Imperial Engineering) Imperial Imperial (Chemical (Chemical Engineering) Engineering)

Davon Davon Cambridge (Mathematics)

Hannah Hannah Birmingham (Medicine) Birmingham Birmingham (Medicine) (Medicine)

Cambridge Cambridge (Mathematics) (Mathematics)

Exceptional Results Exceptional Results • 76% of A level grades at A* and 94% at A*/A •• • •• • ••

76 % of A grades at A* 94 at 76 A level level grades at 4 A*orand and 94% % at A*/A A*/A 52%A of level students with more A*s 52 A level students with 4 A*s 52 A of level students with 4 or or more more 66% GCSE grades awarded wereA*s grade 9 or 66 % grades awarded were grade 66 % of of GCSE GCSE grades were grade 9 9 or or equivalent with 94% awarded grade 7 or higher equivalent with equivalent with 94 94% % grade grade 7 7 or or higher higher (A*/A equivalent) (A*/A (A*/A equivalent) equivalent)

Extraordinary Outcomes Extraordinary Outcomes • 96% into their 1st choice university •• • ••

96 % into their choice university 96 % into into Top their101st 1stUK choice university 83% Universities or Medical 83 % into Top 10 UK Universities or 83 % into Top 10 UK Universities or Medical Medical School (57 % into Top 5) School ( 57 % into Top 5) School (57% into Top 5) university destinations • Prestigious international

••

Prestigious university destinations Prestigious international university destinations including ininternational Thailand, Hong Kong, and the USA including in Thailand, Hong Kong, and including in Thailand, Hong Kong, and the the USA USA

England’s Premier International School England’s England’s Premier International School Ach i e v i n gPremier A c a d International e m i c E x c eSchool llence

+44 (0)1694 731631 +44 (0)1694 731631

A A cc h h ii e e vv ii n ng g A A cc aa d de em m ii cc E E xx cc e e ll ll e en n cc e e • enquiries@concordcollege.org.uk • www.concordcollegeuk.com • enquiries@concordcollege.org.uk • www.concordcollegeuk.com

COMMENT

BE PREPARED

With university courses being highly competitive, Concord College’s Medicine Support programme is an invaluable resource, says DR ROB PUGH

record 23,710 people applied to study medicine at UK universities for 2020 – with only approximately 9,500 places available, and the unfortunate news is that this trend is set to continue. A new briefing paper published by the Medical Schools Council shows that undergraduate medicine courses have attracted a record number of applications in 2021: 28,690. At Concord, we’re proud to highlight students’ academic excellence and successful career paths. 78 per cent of Concord’s 2020 leavers are now attending the UK’s top 10 universities. Medicine is a particularly competitive course: In 2020, 41 students gained places at medical, dental, or veterinary schools. With more than 50 students applying for courses in medicine, veterinary medicine or dentistry each year, current and prospective students and parents can rest assured that Concord aims to provide a world-class programme of support and preparation – The

With a growing focus on research projects to supplement A-levels, Concord is also a valued member of IRIS – the Institute of Research in Schools, and a number of students on Concord’s Medicine Support programme opt to take part in Extended Project Qualifications. Complementing the curriculum, the college also boasts a vibrant Medical Society with more than 100 members, as well as a network of support for our Medical Outreach programme – which includes an annual three-day medical residential trip to London, and has previously involved three-week ‘medicamps’ in Kenya, supporting clinics who work in slums and schools, providing essential health checks for the community. The Medical Society not only supports students academically with curricular and supercurricular activities, but also develops life skills; each year the society holds elections for highly contested positions of responsibility, providing significant opportunity to develop leadership skills, teamwork, communication and more.

Dr Rob Pugh is Assisitant Principal (Careers & University Admissions) Concord College, Shropshire

THE PROGRAMME BENEFITS FROM ﬁve medicine university coordinators who are able to provide one-to-one support DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS. AND WHAT BETTER PLACE TO UNDERGO THIS COMPETITIVE PROCESS THAN IN OUR £11M SCIENCE HUB? Medicine Support programme. The programme benefits from five medicine university coordinators who are able to provide one-to-one support in crucial times during the application process. And what better place to undergo this competitive process than in our £11m state-of-the-art Science Hub? STEM subjects, which are essential to any medicine application, are taught by a highly experienced team of 30 subject specialists (10 per academic discipline), further supported by five lab technicians. Students and parents can be further encouraged by the college’s commitment to STEM – as in 2017, Concord was in the top three schools in the whole of the UK for STEM support. In fact, while most medicine applicants need a minimum of two science-based A-levels at A grade or above, Concordians often apply with three sciences and maths, with a string of realistic predicted A*s.

The committee members work closely with the university medics coordinator to plan and deliver a rich and diverse programme of events, such as Twilight Thursdays, Medic Monthly events, Medic Mentorship, TED-Med talks, discussion forums and the management of a dedicated Medical Society VLE platform. Key activities of the Medicine Support programme include: • Admissions test training for UKCAT, BMAT and formal mock examinations • Interview training and practice • One-on-one personal statement and UCAS application support • Work experience • Day trips to top UK medical schools • Pre-U Week – UCAS prep and assessments • Two-week medicine (and biomedicine) university preparation summer course. AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

COMMENT

SAFE SPACES

Stamford School’s radical Learning for Life curriculum is starting vital conversations around respect and relationships, says KENDAL MILLS

he allegations earlier this year of historic peer-on-peer sexual harassment and abuse by students at thousands of schools, colleges and universities rocked the education world, and the harrowing accounts on the Everyone’s Invited website made for difficult reading. As schools, we had to respond without any hint of defensiveness or by appearing to underplay the problem. The media-coined term ‘rape culture’, was initially applied to ‘private’ schools and tended to be linked to words like ‘elitism’ and ‘entitlement’. That was unhelpful and somewhat misleading because it generated a caricature of the issue. The thousands of allegations made by current and former students were varied – degrading language used by male students towards female students, body-shaming, indecent postings online, nonconsensual sexual touching and, in extreme cases, rape – so our response to that complex range of transgressions needed to be sure-footed enough to

group chats. In doing so, we draw on the work done in year seven on respectful relationships and extend that into their online lives – which they often perceive as being totally separate from ‘real life’. This continues through to year 13. Teaching boys about consent and the distinction between consensual and nonconsensual sexual activity can be daunting, and delivering such critically important messages in the right way needs clear thinking and a great deal of sensitivity. After all, we’re involving ourselves in very intimate aspects of young people’s lives, and the topic is awkward for many of them. While colleagues are happy to engage with the topic in our Learning for Life lessons, we do make use of external facilitators who possess greater expertise and whom students feel they can ask questions of that they might not wish to ask a teacher or tutor. We’re fortunate to have access to a local organisation called The Conversation (theconversationstamford.co.uk) whose practitioners run workshops on healthy

Kendal Mills is Deputy Head (Pastoral) at Stamford School, Lincolnshire

TEACHING BOYS ABOUT the distinction between consensual and nonconsensual sexual activity can be daunting, AND DELIVERING SUCH CRITICALLY IMPORTANT MESSAGES IN THE RIGHT WAY NEEDS CLEAR THINKING AND A GREAT DEAL OF SENSITIVITY address them all in a variety of ways. Although it only became statutory from September 2020, Stamford School has been delivering a robust and relevant Relationships & Sex Education (RSE) curriculum for many years. We’ve always believed that part of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) – which we now call Learning for Life – to be of central importance, as it touches on so many aspects of young people’s lives and is territory that they, by their own admission, find difficult to negotiate. In year seven, our focus is firmly on respectful relationships of all kinds, and incorporates a strong anti-bullying message. In year eight, we explore online behaviour because that tends to be the age when boys and girls begin to get drawn into some of the more unsavoury aspects of the internet such as the sending of indecent images of one another and writing offensive messages in

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

relationships, consent, e-safety (aptly dubbed ‘cyber wisdom’) and the corrosive impact of online pornography on the developing male brain. Similarly the Good Lad Initiative, a Londonbased charity, provides excellent advice designed to encourage boys and young men to tackle the root causes of gender inequality, challenge toxic masculinity, and teach them to grow up to become respectful, sensitive men who understand that consent lies at the heart of all relationships. In the months following the whistleblowing of Everyone’s Invited and other online platforms, it has become clear that boys of all ages are genuinely worried about those boundaries and are asking open and probing questions. The fact that such questions are being asked is a positive sign, and should be seen as an expression of desire for change. It’s up to schools, colleges and universities to continue to lead that change.

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COMMENT

SCREEN WIPE

Mobile phone dependency proliferated during lockdown, but is it time to switch off? LARA PECHARD explains her school’s phones-free policy

oung people’s relationships with their mobile phones have changed during the pandemic and, many would argue, not for the better. As a result, many schools have started to ban their use altogether, but is banning the answer? How do we redress the balance and nurture the right behaviours in a way that’s also sensitive to the pressures young people face today? St Margaret’s has a no-mobile-phone policy. As a result, it is gloriously unusual to see a student using their mobile phone during the school day. I must declare that this initiative was put in place before I arrived as Head. It’s incredibly popular with our parents and staff, and well-respected by our students. When I met with parents at events during my first term I was asked more about my intentions to keep the no-phones policy than anything else. Almost two years later and I wouldn’t change the policy today, there would likely be a walk out if I did! I do, however, have concerns about how we model good behaviour

behaviour from the top down has to be a priority. For parents there are a multitude of concerns; from no let up from peer pressure to image bombardment, as well as an increasing risk of online sexual abuse, grooming and sharing of nude images. For some parents, the phone has been a necessary risk. It might have been essential for the continuity of their teenager’s education, and it may have been the lesser of two evils to keep them connected with their friends and avoid an even greater mental health risk. So how do we move on from this unquestionable overuse? If my school’s experience is anything to go by, parents prefer it when schools are clear and firm, we make it easier to replicate that at home. Parents benefit when schools make them aware of what they often deny, or simply don’t know is happening. In my career I’ve heard countless times “my child wouldn’t write/ share/post that” only to be presented with the screenshot and the reality sets in. Parents need encouragement to replicate clearer and timed

Lara Péchard is Headteacher at St Margaret’s School in Hertfordshire

WE’VE ALL FOUND DISTRACTION 24/7 THROUGH MOBILE PHONES. THE AVERAGE TEENAGER WILL be quick to highlight the hypocrisy of your overuse when challenging theirs, SO MODELLING THE RIGHT BEHAVIOUR FROM THE TOP DOWN HAS TO BE A PRIORITY with phone usage, and I feel we have a duty to our young people to help them find a healthy balance. Many parents with teenage children will have understandably struggled to maintain routines and rules around mobile-phone time during the lockdowns. As such, teenagers have on the whole, enjoyed or perhaps in some cases endured, more unfettered access. Given our policy and the impact of lockdown, we’ve started to tackle this issue with staff and parents through training and pastoral webinars. We must consider carefully how we encourage screen-free time and balance. After all, it isn’t just teenagers that have used their phones more in the pandemic; we’ve all found distraction, comfort and social interaction 24/7 through mobile phones. The average teenager will be quick to highlight the hypocrisy of your overuse when challenging theirs, so modelling the right

parameters at home. I do wonder if the weekly screen-time alert that pops up on your phone might be helpful in terms of setting targets, how can I spend this time differently? How can I aim to get my phone use levels down? In fact, this is my next assembly topic! Engaging the whole class or family in this together could have traction. Tackling the overuse and the need the phone fulfils must be the first aim. All of which will involve time and engagement. We also need more open conversations at school and home about the behaviour that we might not like. We need to do this in a way that attempts to understand, empathise and support our young people, outlining concerns and consequences rather than offering sanction or judgement. Real life cases, anonymised, are always more powerful, such as the health risks around deterioration of eyesight and poor physical health. AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

TRADITIONS

Christ’s Hospital’s uniform still includes the distinctive mustard-yellow socks that were originally worn to ward off rats

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

TRADITIONS

THIS is US Quirky traditions, statement-making uniforms, diverse menageries and eclectic extracurriculars: individuality is part and parcel of independentschool life, says KATIE HUGHES

upils sliding down staircases in great halls, launching Cadbury’s Creme Eggs from trebuchets or pillow fighting in blindfolds may not be something that’s associated with an independent education, but they’re indicative of the free spirit and individualism that courses through the veins of the private sector. And they’re just the tip of the individuality iceberg…

Dressing the part

Some signs of a school’s individuality are harder to miss than others. Take Eton’s uniform of black tailcoat and waistcoat, Harrow’s dapper boater hat or Hill House School’s ‘gold’ jumper and knee breeches. The latter’s founders believed that a “grey uniform produces grey minds” and set out, like many of their educational counterparts, to source “something different”. Just as unconventional are the red dungarees worn by girls at Knighton House – apparently introduced to help them be seen in the school grounds. Or the mustard-yellow socks at Christ’s Hospital, possibly worn to ward off rats in days-gone-by. Or even the crimson capes at Queen Anne’s, these days saved for special occasions. Uniforms aside, other less conventional practises can be spotted at Fettes College, where a pupil always interrupts leavers’ speeches in pyjamas and a dressing gown. At Hanford, girls give names to the branches of the giant cedar tree they climb. And at Blundell’s, the head pupil can keep a pig at school, and has actually been known to do so. Most of these customs are rooted in, often centuries’ old, tradition. And from the mildly quirky to the wildly curious, the vast majority of independent schools have them. AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

TRADITIONS

Figures of speech

Don’t expect to watch a ‘play’ at Westminster school, stroke a ‘pup’ at Radley College or wash your face with a ‘flannel’ at Harrow. These words variously translate to a day off, a prefect and sporting colours – and they’re just some examples of the unique language that pervades private schools. Others include ‘beak’ (a teacher at Charterhouse), ‘college pig’ (a prefect at Wellington College) and ‘dry bob’ (a pupil who plays cricket at Eton). Some language is so extensive that schools provide glossaries to penetrate it. Harrow is one of them, explaining that “visitors to the Hill will hear some unique terminology”. Almost as unique are the sports in private schools: not just the famous Wall Game at Eton, played with a ball on a strip of grass alongside an 18th century wall, or Harrow’s own version of football (the ball is 18 rather than nine inches wide), but also the dry-slope skiing at Craigclowan (where street and Scottish dancing are also on offer), water polo at Alleyn’s, and golf at Cheam prep. But there’s method in this individuality of sporting choice, not least because it lets pupils excel beyond traditional games options. And excelling is often synonymous with the independent sector too.

Creature comforts

It’s often animals that give schools their stamp of individuality. Millfield lures pupils with ponies to its 53-horse-capacity stables, Sedbergh Prep raises pygmy goats alongside its students and Whitgift lets its lawns be strewn with peacocks and flamingos. For those with a soft (or scaly?) spot for reptiles, Papplewick Prep School offers a Herpetology Club. Its 70-plus members look after snakes, bearded dragons, geckos, tarantulas and other creepy crawlies. And mid-morning break gives boys a chance not just to make dens, play football, or ride scooters, but also to feed their snake. Luckily the RSPCA seems to endorse these approaches, saying, “An animal-friendly school promotes a sense of responsibility and respect towards all living things”.

Innovative interiors

Schools are showing their individualism when it comes to design and architecture too. Queen Anne’s has ‘smart walls’ instead of whiteboards and a study area fitted with mini ‘houses’ for perfect privacy. Bryanston has a dining room designed by Conran. And Rossall claims to be the only UK school with its very own astronomy centre, complete with resident astronomer. All this is inspiring pupils to be as unique as their schools. “There’s no such thing as a ‘Queen Anne’s girl’,” says Head Julia Harrington, who refers to her charges as “real girls…who are individuals.” She’s not alone among school leaders in this pupil reflection. The same innovative attitude is expressed in extracurricular activities; not least at Chafyn Grove in Salisbury, where pupils have been known to learn the art of brick-laying, lawn mower-fixing and wallpapering. Or at Sedbergh, where careful coppicing forms an important part of the school’s conservation group agenda. The takeaway? If there’s one thing that unites all these schools, it’s that they dare to be different.

Check your privileges

Among unique privileges still given to senior school head pupils are the rights to keep a goat or a flock of sheep, grow a beard, get married or choose your own uniform. Needless to say, these rights aren’t always exercised!

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

At Blundell’s School, head pupils can keep pigs on the premises

Straw boaters top off Harrow’s highly original uniform

IT’S OFTEN ANIMALS that give schools their stamp of

individuality. Milfield lures pupils with ponies to its 53-horsecapacity stables, SEDBERGH RAISES PYGMY GOATS

ALONGSIDE ITS PUPILS AND WHITGIFT LETS ITS LAWNS BE STREWN WITH PEACOCKS AND FLAMINGOS

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

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Preparation for life

Eaton Square, a world-class family of schools with a big world view, is expanding. September 2022 will see the much-anticipated opening of Eaton Square Senior School’s sixth form

ocated in an elegant Georgian townhouse in the cultural, commercial hub of Belgravia, London, the Eaton Square Sixth Form is fundamentally futurefocused, without losing sight of traditional values. Applying a rigorous academic priority to a vibrant, entirely bespoke educational framework; a structured Preparation for Life programme lies at its core. The aim? To fully prepare each student for life beyond school. The Preparation For Life programme is impressively unique to Eaton Square. Enabling every student to take their place as a truly global citizen, modules span financial literacy, the basics of business, managing mental health, entrepreneurship, nutrition and leadership. Complementing this is the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): a sought-after qualification empowering students to pursue a project relevant to their unique interests and aspirations. Both require independent research, critical thinking, public speaking, writing and debate: all invaluable skills and vital for developing confident young adults who are ready to make their mark in the world. To further prepare students for their future, Eaton Square wisely offers both A-levels and T-levels. Fulfilling academic potential is a priority: all students enjoy specialist teachers, individualised support, regular assessments and exam preparation classes. Though most will choose the traditional three A-levels route, some are more suited to a T-level. The equivalent to three A-levels, the structured T-level programme includes a 45-day (minimum), in-depth industry placement, enabling students to gain valuable workplace experience. The resulting benefit to a student’s future employment is evident. Eaton Square’s T-level options range from digital production, design and development to accounting and finance. Moreover, as the only central London sixth form in the prestigious Dukes Education family, Eaton Square students enjoy

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TO FURTHER PREPARE students for their future, Eaton Square wisely OFFERS BOTH A-LEVELS AND T-LEVELS unparalleled access to world-leading university consultancies, including A-List Education (the UK’s leading US university admissions specialists), The Medic Portal, The Lawyer Portal and Oxbridge Applications. Recognising that sixth form students merit greater independence and ownership of their educational journey, Eaton Square’s sixth form blends the benefits of an independent sixth form college with the pastoral focus and academic framework of school life. Each student’s timetable is individually tailored to them; the form tutor assumes a mentor role and students wear business dress for school – implicitly encouraging them to approach their studies in the same way they would treat their future working environments. Environment naturally plays a key part in the success of any school. The setting of this sixth

form is outstanding. Majestically overlooking a historic London square and just a short walk away from London Victoria, access from all parts of London and the Home Counties is simple. Surrounded by cultural venues, business hubs, royal palaces, interior-design districts and more, opportunities and places to develop internships and friendships are abundant. Enhanced by its unique framework and forward-thinking focus, Eaton Square is on course to fulfil the lifelong potential of each and every student. To find out more, you’re warmly invited to Eaton Square Senior School’s next open mornings on Thursday 18 November 2021 (full school) and Wednesday 23 February 2022 (sixth form only) at Eaton Square Senior School, 106 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NL Register at www.eatonsquareschools.com AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

AWARDS

First performed during London’s Great Plague, Epicene was a fitting choice during a pandemic

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

AWARDS

The show must

GO ON

How do you create a showstopping performance of a 17th century play during a pandemic? Perth’s Glenalmond College’s whole school community rose to this theatrical – and logistical – challenge

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

AWARDS

lenalmond was one of very few schools in the UK to stage a play in the midst of 2020/21 restrictions and allow pupils to experience fully a performance while adhering to Covid-safe measures. The show – which was not be seen by a live audience – was Epicene, the 1609 Renaissance comedy by Ben Jonson, which caught the eye of Glenalmond’s Director of Theatre, Liz Moss. The play was originally performed after a long period when London theatres were closed due to the plague, so the timing of its Glenalmond revival chimes keenly with the present day.

THIS PRODUCTION OF EPICENE

had girls and boys playing both male and female roles, CHALLENGING

THE AUDIENCE TO THINK ABOUT GENDER AND SOCIETY

Getting the show on the road

Online auditions for the play started during remote learning in June 2020,when pupils from all year groups were assessed for the parts via GoogleMeet interviews with Mrs Moss, from Scotland to Italy to Thailand. The pupils’ enthusiasm to take part in a play when they returned to school after the summer spurred Mrs Moss’s determination to make it work, and so during the summer holidays she began the meticulous task of adapting the play to ensure it could be performed to meet Covid-safety requirements. She also wanted to adapt the play to make sure the production was pacey and fun and absolutely relevant.

Across the centuries

The drama department created a surreal world, blending a Renaissance aesthetic with a 1980s New Romantic look and sound. Both genres, though centuries apart, explored androgyny, so it seems to work! The electropop music and graphic neon make-up put a fun spin on the Jacobean text. Behind the scenes, a period-accurate London street set was created, with staff ensuring that no detail was spared and everything looked meticulous. The pupils have really embraced this aspect of the play and it has generated considerable discussion and input from them. The cast contributing their own ideas made the whole process of adapting the play very collaborative, exciting and enjoyable. The script, acting and backstage ways of working were adapted to meet social-distancing constraints such as limits on the number of performers on the stage at any one time and to ensure our Covid-safe year-group bubbles were kept physically distanced at all times. There were a great many factors to consider to ensure that

ALL ABOUT EPICENE

A comedy written in 1609 by Renaissance playwright Ben Jonson, the play is about a man named Dauphine who schemes to secure his inheritance from his uncle Morose. His plan involves setting up Morose to marry Epicene a boy disguised as a woman. It was originally performed by the Blackfriars Children or Children of the Queen’s Revels, a group of boy players.

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

Artist-in-Resident, Christopher Moss worked around the clock to deliver the awe-inspiring stage design

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Many pupils got involved in all aspects of the drama production, from set design to costumes and performance

the show was fully compliant. They even inverted the classic Commedia half-mask, to create face coverings for the actors to use during the performance. One key aspect of the play was the way it embraced the subject of gender performance. This production of Epicene had girls and boys playing both male and female roles, challenging the audience to think about gender and how society expects men and women to behave. Glenalmond’s Artist-in-Residence, Christopher Moss, produced a stunning set – working evenings and weekends to complete it. The attention to detail in the set design was exceptional – the drama department was determined that pupils wouldn’t miss out on any aspect of the play experience.

Music, make-up and sets

As a result, the play had the most amazing set, which has given all the pupils involved a huge lift, along with the costumes and props our staff and pupils have been working hard on, and the make-up looks created by our art department. The play, which really is a whole-school effort, features adaptations of 80s music, produced by the school’s Director of Music Tim Ridley, and recorded by school musicians, both staff and students. Glenalmond College is in a unique position to be able to do something like this, with its own theatre, staff living on site and a very tight-knit community of people willing to go the extra mile. The arts have a hugely important role to play in connecting people and helping them cope with whatever life throws at them, and school staff were thrilled to have been able to give the pupils a stage experience they’ll never forget during this incredibly challenging time for everyone. Press coverage included a piece in The Times, before an online premiere for pupils, families and others took place. Commedia half masks acted as Covid-appropriate face coverings

Glenalmond College was able to put on the performance of Epicene in its own theatre

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

AWARDS

Let’s get physical

Epsom College’s Director of Sport, MICHAEL JOHNSON discusses the sports department’s efforts to create a broader offering for girls, in the hope that it will inspire them to stay active for life

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n recent years, our sports department has worked hard to build upon its offering for girls, to encourage every pupil to feel inspired by sport and exercise from an early age, so that participating in physical activity becomes an enjoyable part of everyday life. Epsom’s efforts in recent years have included large investments in state-of-the-art training facilities for our major girls’ sports, an increase in specialist-coaching expertise with the appointment of a host of former county and national players, and launch of an inspiring female industry speaker programme. Our girls’ sports push was driven by a Sport England study that found by the time girls reach their mid-teens, only 10 per cent meet the recommended activity levels of 60 minutes every day. Now, I can detail how the college is bucking this worrying national trend to achieve exceptionally high participation rates, as well as success at the highest competitive level. Epsom has invested heavily in girls’ sports in recent years. The college is one of only a handful of schools in the UK to have a professionalgrade, water-based AstroTurf, the same as those used at the Olympic

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

AWARDS

Epsom College benefits from having several experienced former pro hockey players in its sports department

EPSOM HAS HEAVILY INVESTED IN GIRLS’ SPORTS IN RECENT YEARS. The

college is one of only a handful of schools in the UK to have professional-grade, WATER-

BASED ASTROTURF, THE SAME USED AT THE OLYMPIC PARK IN LONDON

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

AWARDS

Epsom College has an outstanding record in netball

PRESENTING YOUNG PEOPLE with a

variety of options is key to enjoyment in sport. THERE ARE CURRENTLY MORE THAN 22 SPORTING ACTIVITIES ON OFFER AT EPSOM COLLEGE, SO EVERY INDIVIDUAL CAN FIND SOMETHING THEY ENJOY

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

veterans include: • Sarah Cockayne – Hockey Coach. England

Masters – eight caps, England Mixed – two caps. Competed in the 2018 World Cup. • Jessie Knight – Athletics Coach. Silver in European Indoor Championships 2021. British Champion in 400m Hurdles. • Rose Thomas – Assistant Director of Hockey. Welsh and GB International. More than 50 caps. • Damian Shirazi – Director of Cricket. Links with Surrey County CCC, Essex CC, and the London Schools Cricket Association. Damian played professional cricket for Hampshire County CC and has representative honours with England U19, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, MCC Young Cricketers and the British Universities. Female Old Epsomians are performing at the top level, inspiring the next generation. One of Epsom’s most successful sporting Old Epsomians is Natalie Sciver, who went on to captain England to victory in the Cricket

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Park in London. The Sports department also recently purchased a state-of-the-art AI performance camera to enhance the video capture and analysis of training and match scenarios for hockey, as well as live streaming of events. Presenting young people with a variety of options is the key to enjoyment in sport. There are currently more than 22 sporting activities on offer at Epsom, and with so much scope, every individual can find something they enjoy. Prior to the Pandemic, 90 per cent of pupils in Year 11 and above participated in competitive sports fi xtures. In the junior years (years seven to 10) we often see 100 per cent of pupils competing on pitches, fields, and courts across London and the south east. In recent years, the college has made a number of significant appointments in the sports department, with several former county and national players bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to pupils. Led by myself, a double Olympian hockey player, these coaches work with pupils, passing on their first-hand knowledge. These superstar sporting

Hockey is currently the main sport for girls at Epsom College The college has its own three-bay driving range for golf, as well as ties with the Walton Heath course

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AWARDS

Epsom College has its own 25-metre pool

There are four girls’ cricket teams at the college

Netball is played throughout the school year

INSPIRING ROLE MODELS from across the competitive sporting sector WERE INVITED TO DELIVER TALKS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THEIR JOURNEY AND SUCCESS World Cup in 2018. Natalie is an empowering and inspirational example for today’s pupils. Another former pupil, netballer Eboni UsoroBrown, was part of the national team to defeat Australia 52-51 to secure an historic gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Recent girls’ sporting success includes: • Girls’ cricket representation – nine pupils

competing at county level in 2020.

• U14 Nationals Hockey – reached the

College’s first-ever Hockey National Finals Day, having negotiated 10 previous matches against the best in the county and the south, the toughest region by far. • Shooters – lower sixth pupils were selected for Team GB’s Under 19 Rifle Shooting team and the British Cadet Rifle team. Girls’ success is not confined to Epsom’s major sporting options. In fact, The Rugby Paper (August 2020) praised Epsom College’s rugby provision: ‘Between 50 and 60 girls play at the school and after Christmas, a

programme of four or five Sevens tournaments provides the centerpiece of their season with a semi-final at Rosslyn Park last year.’ Part of the college’s strategy to engage girls with sport was an improved and more varied guest speaker programme. Inspiring role models from across the competitive sporting sector were invited to deliver talks and answer questions on their journey and success. A recent highlight of the programme was fourtimes Winter Olympian, Chemmy Alcott, the only British female skier to win a run in a World Cup. Coaching, post-match analysis, diet and nutrition, strength and conditioning, firstclass on-site facilities, and strong links with professional clubs and local organisations: this school has everything in place for sport to be enjoyable and successful for all ages, abilities and personal preferences. The philosophy at Epsom is to fuel a passion for sport in every child, regardless of ability, and to set the foundations for a healthy, active and fulfilling lifestyle beyond school. AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

ECOLOGY

CLIMATE EDUCATION NEEDS TO BE

inspiring; it needs to challenge, and as schools, we need to look to CHANNEL

ANXIETIES INTO POSITIVE ACTIONS THAT ARE EMPOWERING

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

ECOLOGY

Generation

GLOBAL How do we educate pupils about climate change without instilling fear? ROSE HARDY, Head at Haberdashers’ Girls’ School has some sage advice

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/STEFAN TOMIC

ven a child who doesn’t watch or read the news cannot fail to be aware of the climate change that is happening all over the planet. Our children are global citizens and observers of the modern world. From the earliest days, we’ve taught children about the weather, about the impact of the natural world, storms, fire and floods. Whether it be recent forest fires in Russia and Spain, the extinction of species, recycling campaigns, sustainability or the impact of what we eat; climate change is all around, and children are all-consumed by it. Over the last few years, children have been exposed to young climate activists such as Greta Thunberg, student strikes, extinction rebellion and multiple protests, so climate change is very accessible to young people today. Over the last decade or so, the environmental agenda has become a curriculum staple in our schools; and rightly so. We’re educating the future generations of society and it is important that they’re aware of the potential challenges our aging planet faces as a result of how we live.

sense of panic and fear around individual safety that stems from predictions of a future of uncertainty and destruction, are consuming many young people’s minds today. The question is how can we retain the importance of climate change without resorting to fearmongering, scare tactics and negativity? Climate education needs to be inspiring; it needs to challenge, and as schools, we need to look to channel anxieties into positive actions that are both empowering and encouraging. At a recent school fresher’s fair, it was striking to witness just how many young students were signing up for environmental clubs and campaigns focused on climate change. There’s a big appetite out there for creating a better, safer world and as educators we need to capitalise on that positivity. Sadly, there are enough mental health issues within our younger generations today and feeding a culture of nihilism could lead to destructive behaviours that manifest in negative ways.

The darker reality of the environmental agenda

This ‘extreme’ environment approach usually leads to conclusions that if the damage is done, then there’s no point in trying. It’s concerning to learn that some young people are so affected by climate change that they’re even questioning the feasibility or the security of having their own children in the future. Why bring a new human being into a world that has a bleak future? Again, this comes back to how we communicate the impact of climate change to our children. We must continue to push the importance for change, but in a way that is supportive, invigorating and useful. Most schools are already looking at ways to strengthen climate education within the PSHE

Most schools are openly playing up climate action, with eco councils and eco prefects becoming the norm within school communities today. Yet over-consumption of the environmental agenda also brings with it a darker reality. Climate anxiety is growing among children and there is a palpable sense of apprehension, burden and fears about the future. In some cases, there are even deeper feelings of hopelessness and despair. In a similar way that politicians and the media during the 80s fuelled children’s fears with the prospect of nuclear oblivion, the same

‘What’s the point if the ice caps are already melting?’

HOW CAN WE VEER AWAY FROM IMPENDING DOOM? Shared experience: Inspirational speakers in school can be very useful in sharing positive experiences of those who have made a difference and are focused on giving back rather than impending doom. Age-appropriate: We must consider the age group we are educating and adapt accordingly. For younger children, fears are more related to things they can readily grasp such as physical safety or animal extinction. For teens, the focus might be more on how the world will be impacted by refugees or the global movement of the population, for instance. Accept and acknowledge: For parents, it’s important not to brush off the impact of climate change. Many of us grew up in a different generation, but we must acknowledge children’s worries and reassure them about the future. Support and recognise: The climate agenda is vast, so whether your child is going vegan to support the environment, buying second-hand fashion or taking part in a local community recycling project, support and recognise the importance of these principled acts. Self-educate: Our children will hopefully be the last generation to suffer, but these things matter and, in many cases, to fully understand and participate in meaningful conversations with the young, we must continually re-educate ourselves too.

curriculum to ensure that we’re inspiring rather than reeling off statistics. There is a postCovid-19 curriculum agenda here too, one that uses the last 18 months to educate children on important topics such as, what is a sustainable way to spend money? How can we live more sustainably at university? What credit options should we avoid or consider, and how can we create financial security and community wellbeing in the future? AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

PASTORAL CARE

Sancton Wood School has launched a mental health initiative collaboration with Cambridge United Football Club

IT TAKES A TEAM… TO RAISE A BOY RICHARD SETTLE, Principal at Sancton Wood in Cambridge, explains why the school has launched a pastoral care initiative for boys and their fathers, in partnership with Cambridge United Football Club

eToo and Everyone’s Invited has shone a spotlight on the challenges teenage girls face, and quite rightly so. However, we must be sure that our boys get the support they need, too. The more I listen to the increasingly heated and hurt debate around violence against women, I wonder how we got it so wrong with boys. Rather than castigating them

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

for their wrongdoing, I think it’s us, the educators and parents, who should be in for criticism. We’re the ones failing in our duty. Rather than berating boys, telling them what they’re doing wrong, we should be telling them how to do it right. We need to show them, help them navigate the choppy waters of adolescence, and give them positive role models so they don’t just know how to be, but also who they should be in the future. Let’s give

them great role models, so they can build their own identities in a healthy mirror image. Sancton Wood School in Cambridge, is a co-ed, all-through school renowned for its exceptional pastoral care. We don’t believe that our responsibility to our pupils ends at the school gates, and caring for every child and their wider family is deeply ingrained in our school ethos. We’ve run PSHE programmes aimed at supporting girls’ wellbeing for a while,

PASTORAL CARE

The Supporters’ Club includes a PSHE programme for boys delivered by CUFC at the school

aimed at helping parents support their teenage children, WITH A PARTICULAR

FOCUS ON FATHERS AND THEIR SONS IN YEARS SEVEN, EIGHT AND NINE programme. The Mind Your Head project uses the powerful platform of sport and professional football to capture young people’s attention regarding the importance of good mental health. Topics covered with students will include, Banter and Bullying, Social Media and Self-Image, The Benefits of Opening Up, and Non-Violent Communication. Parenting talks will be hosted by Sancton Wood and delivered by trained family therapists with topic titles such as, What does your boy need from you? A focus on the changing teenage mind and body; Sex and relationships; Becoming the Referee: Setting successful boundaries as a parent, and Teenage friendships. The Match Day series will include several match-day experiences for senior boys and their

parents at Cambridge United FC. As part of the Supporters’ Club programme, each event will include a pre-match lunch, followed by a talk on parenting from a positive male role model in the Sancton Wood family and tickets to the football match for all. We specifically chose to work with a football club. Many football clubs are doing work around mental health because it’s generally accepted that male mental health is in crisis (see the box-out for stats) and CUFC are keen to work with schools; it’s been a happy meeting in the middle. Together we wanted to make space for dads and boys – by using football we’re purposefully creating a comfortable place for men, young and old, to talk to each

but when we looked for similar projects for boys, we found provision sorely lacking. Which is why we’ve partnered with Cambridge United Football Club to launch the Sancton Wood Supporters’ Club, a pastoral support initiative for boys and fathers. Together we’ve developed a full programme of talks and events aimed at helping parents support their teenage children, with a particular focus on fathers and their sons in years seven, eight and nine. We’ve worked hard to take a more involved, therapeutic approach to the pastoral care of boys which includes their parents and other positive role models. The Supporters’ Club includes a PSHE programme for boys delivered by CUFC at our school, a series of parent talks open to everyone in Cambridge and some match day events for fathers and sons. A Lads and Dads residential will take place in the summer term 2022. The PSHE lessons delivered by CUFC are part of their collaborative Mind Your Head

TOGETHER, WE’VE DEVELOPED A FULL PROGRAMME of talks and events

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

PASTORAL CARE

Giving boys positive male role models is essential in teaching them how to be in the modern world

ALL THE FACTS AND FIGURES

WE’RE TRYING TO DISPEL THIS MYTH THAT men only talk about sport – by taking fathers and sons to football matches AND INTRODUCING SPEAKERS, THERAPISTS, AND POSITIVE ROLE MODELS TO ENCOURAGE MORE EMOTIONALLY HONEST CONVERSATIONS other. We’re trying to dispel this myth that men only talk about sport – by taking fathers and sons to football matches and introducing speakers, therapists, and positive role models to encourage more emotionally honest conversations. And we want to involve the whole family. One of our therapists is a systemic therapist who focuses on a child’s wider support network, whether that be a father, uncle, teacher or coach. We want to surround our young men with good role models and expose them to a community of healthy, happy adult men engaging with each other – hence the strapline, ‘It takes a team to raise a boy.’ I couldn’t be prouder of this initiative, and can’t wait to see the positive impact I’m certain our Supporters’ Club will have.

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

Sancton Wood wants to involve the whole family in a boy’s pastoral care

• 1 in 6 children had a probable mental disorder in 2021 (an increase from 1 in 10 in 2004) (NHS Digital, Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2021) • 10% of children and young people (aged 5-16 years) have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem, yet 70% of children and adolescents who experience mental health problems have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age. (Children’s Society, 2008) • 1 in 10 boys aged 5-19 with a mental health condition are excluded in some form from school (Place2Be) • 50% of mental health problems are established by age 14, and 75% by age 24. (Kessler et al… 2005) • Three times as many men as women die by suicide. (Men’s Health Forum) • Men aged 45-49 have the highest suicide rates in England and Wales. In 2018, there were 6,507 suicides registered in the UK, and in 2019, there were 5,691 suicides registered in England and Wales. Of these, three-quarters were among men, which has been the case since the mid-1990s (ONS)

SCHOOL FEES

Equal opportunities As the UK’s leading charitable school, Christ’s Hospital in West Sussex ensures that its first-class education reaches children with the potential to be transformed by its enriching environment

hrist’s Hospital is the UK’s leading charitable school and largest bursary charity. The school was established in 1552 and provides free or substantially reduced cost places to more than 630 of its 900 pupils – this is more than any other organisation in the UK. Through a first-class education and exceptional pastoral support, Christ’s Hospital provides each pupil with stability and the opportunity to thrive and

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BURSARY AND A SCHOLARSHIP? A scholarship is a financial award granted to talented individuals who excel in specific fields, for example, academic work, music, sport, art or drama. Meanwhile, a bursary is a financial award granted to a pupil on the basis of the pupil’s financial need.

fulfil their potential. 98 per cent of pupils go on to university, and leavers take with them the confidence and resilience needed to achieve success at university and beyond and to make a meaningful contribution to society in life. The total bursary (fee assisted) support given by Christ’s Hospital each year is over £18m.

Past and present

Christ’s Hospital (CH) is one of the famous Royal Hospitals of London, whose foundation marked the beginning of the social services in Tudor England. Inspired by a sermon by Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London, the young King Edward VI instructed the Lord Mayor, Sir Richard Dobbs, to appoint a committee of leading citizens to consider remedies and relief for the City’s homeless poor. Their work, and subsequently their philanthropy, led to the founding of the five great hospitals all supporting different needs. CH, established in the monastery of the Grey Friars in Newgate Street, embraced the task of educating and

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SCHOOL FEES

Established in 1552, Christ’s Hospital is one of the famous Royal Hospitals of London

THROUGH A FIRST-CLASS EDUCATION and exceptional pastoral support, Christ’s Hospital PROVIDES EACH PUPIL WITH STABILITY AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE

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SCHOOL FEES

Christ’s Hospital is the UK’s leading charitable school

nourishing the destitute children of the city and took children of all social backgrounds and ages. In November 1552, CH opened its doors to 380 pupils and, within a year, the number had increased to over 500. Many children, including 100 of the first 380, were infants who were sent away to CH Hertford to be looked after. When they reached 10, they returned to

WHAT MAKE CHRIST’S HOSPITAL SO SPECIAL

“While other school fee assistance schemes have come and gone, Christ’s Hospital has stuck to its charitable aims since it was founded in 1552: educating the financially, socially, and otherwise needy for free, or at a reduced rate, in a caring boarding environment. Today these pupils sit happily alongside the full fee payers and the school’s pupil profile is one of which its royal founder, Edward VI, would have been proud.” Kate, former parent.

PUPILS’ FEES ARE ASSESSED ACCORDING TO FAMILY INCOME, so that it’s a child’s ability and potential to benefit FROM A CHRIST’S HOSPITAL EDUCATION THAT DETERMINES THEIR SELECTION More than 630 of the school’s 900 pupils benefit from substantially reduced fees

CH London.

The school today

Christ’s Hospital is an independent coeducational boarding and day school of 900 pupils with an equal mix of boys and girls aged 11 to 18. The school is situated in stunning countryside between London and Brighton, 20 miles south of London Gatwick and 38 miles from London Heathrow. The school is fortunate in having its own mainline railway station with regular trains to London, Gatwick Airport and the south coast. Pupils’ fees are assessed according to family income, so that it’s a child’s ability and potential to benefit from a Christ’s Hospital education that determines their selection. This results in a social and cultural diversity that enriches the school community and offers pupils unique opportunities as they prepare themselves to take their place in the world. AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

SCHOOL FEES

CASE STUDY

HOW I DID IT

Sam Odu, 19, was a bursary recipient at Christ’s Hospital. He has just started his second year at the University of Cambridge studying human, social and political sciences. He joined the school when he was 11 years old. Here, he tells us his story… on me is not wholly academic – I’ve especially benefitted from the numerous sports teams I’ve been involved in. Last year the 1st XV had a remarkable season, reaching the semi-final of a national competition. However, for me, the value gained from this experience was not the final match, but rather the journey to the final match. I took away crucial lessons about teamwork and cooperation as well as perseverance both physically and mentally. These are important principles I’ve been able to apply to other areas of my life at the school.

WHAT STRIKES ME ABOUT CHRIST’S,

is how true the school has stayed to its original purpose; NO MATTER WHAT

RACE, CLASS OR ETHNICITY WE ARE, WE’RE ALL EQUAL

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has opened doors of opportunity to me that beforehand I did not even know existed. A world of opportunities What strikes me about Christ’s is how true the school has stayed to its original purpose; no matter what race, class or ethnicity we are, we’re all equal and given the same lifechanging opportunities regardless of our family’s household income. This is something that’s truly unique and makes CH such a distinct institution. However, the impact CH has had

For a lot of people where I grew up, the opportunities I’ve received at Christ’s Hospital (CH) would be simply unattainable in ordinary circumstances. Growing up in London, I’m well aware of the lack of opportunity for a lot of children just like myself, through no fault of their own. Had it not been for Christ’s, I would never have had the chance to discover my passion for rugby or my deep interest in politics, as the resources needed to cultivate these interests are unfortunately unavailable to a large number of children. Christ’s

Teamwork and leadership Growing up in a boarding house, you naturally, over time, grow a strong personal connection with the house and more importantly, the people within it. I found there was always a strong sentiment of camaraderie and unity which I valued greatly and benefitted from personally. And so, in my last year in Maine A, being appointed house captain was a truly humbling but also a very proud moment for myself. Being a monitor (school prefect) has afforded me a privileged position to be a mouthpiece for the extended pupil body. In doing this, I have been able to learn key lessons about teamwork and leadership through enacting different initiatives the monitor group has thought of. Receiving the Academic Scholarship in Philosophy was a great achievement for me as it has helped me to further push my academic inquiry, while also granting me special privileges such as having a private audience with very established philosophers, such as Dr Stacie Friend, who came to give a lecture in

YES, IT’S A CRYING SHAME…

…that she left it too late to apply for Hurtwood House, because it’s simply the best for acting, dancing, singing, film-making – “A Utopia for creative minds” – as the Good Schools Guide says. And crucially, this exciting school is equally successful academically. In fact, it’s statistically one of the top co-ed boarding schools in the UK. So, if you’re looking for a really exciting and rewarding change of school at 16 – don’t leave it too late. Call or visit our website for more information.

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SCHOOL FEES

CH AS AN INSTITUTION HAS OPENED

an expansive network of support which has helped me GAIN DEEPER INSIGHTS

INTO THE VARIOUS INDUSTRIES THAT I’M INTERESTED IN ENTERING

the Michaelmas Term. I’ve found these exceptional opportunities extremely enriching and educative. A diverse pupil body One of the greatest opportunities I’ve received at CH is the exposure to a vastly diverse school community. It’s this diversity that has helped me to greatly expand my world view and appreciation for different cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. In this way CH is a truly special place as the education it gives you stretches far beyond your academic subjects. The vast choice of extracurricular activities has been a great benefit for me. Through my participation in various extracurricular activities such as The Model United Nations, CCF and the Band, I’ve been provided with a unique learning experience that has helped me to become a more multifaceted person. Due to the highly competent and passionate teachers at CH, I’ve always

felt supported in an academic sense, as their consistent commitment has meant that throughout my time at CH, any academic support I needed was readily and gladly given. Beyond academics, the strong community ethos of the school has also meant that I have been able to develop into a more conscientious and caring person. Instilling lifelong skills Countless times at CH, I’ve found myself very much in at the deep end, totally out of comfort zone, whether it’s starting my first match for the 1st XV Rugby team, or delivering my first speech at MUN or my first time marching out with the band; these challenging experiences have all moulded me into a more ambitious and resilient character, by giving

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me the opportunity to learn how to embrace new and initially daunting experiences wholeheartedly. CH as an institution has opened an expansive network of support which has helped me gain deeper insights into the various industries that I’m interested in entering. Old Blues are always very keen to assist in any way they can, even if that’s just giving advice from their own experiences. I believe that the academic rigor encouraged from a young age at CH has pushed me to be more inquisitive and taught me to really challenge myself to broaden my current understanding of not only academic subjects but of the world around us. I think these traits will be indispensable in any career area and I feel CH has really equipped me well with these skills.

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AWARDS

Anyone for tennis? Ackworth School in West Yorkshire has teamed up with the Tim Henman Foundation and LTA to provide children across the county with exceptional tennis and racket sports training and facilities

Awards, the programme has delivered teacher training to help teachers run tennis activities in their own schools, broadening the programme’s reach across thousands more children. About the programme, Tim Henman said: “Talent is spread evenly across the country, but sadly opportunity is not, which is why this Foundation initiative in association with the LTA, Ackworth School and Ackworth Tennis Club is so important.” Alice Robson, Ackworth Tennis Club Head Coach and LTA Development Coach of the Year, said: “It has been a privilege to give so many children around Yorkshire the opportunity to play tennis for the first time. Seeing them pick up a racket and learn

▲

or more than three years, Ackworth School has been running a community outreach programme aimed at getting more young people into tennis and other racket sports. The participation project, jointly funded by the Tim Henman Foundation and Ackworth School, in partnership with the LTA, the UK’s national governing body for tennis, has helped local coach Alice Robson bring tennis to nearly 2,000 pupils at 28 local primary schools, as well as to generate 200 new Ackworth Tennis Club members, a club which calls the school home. Led by Alice, who was named Development Coach of the Year at last year’s LTA Tennis

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

AWARDS

SERVING GREATNESS Following Emma Raducanu’s historic win at the US Open, Ackworth coach Alice Robson said, “I hope Emma’s success will inspire both girls and boys. It’s so exciting to have a young British tennis player making her mark on the world stage – someone who other young players can relate to, especially girls.

new skills is wonderful. Ensuring they have a positive first experience on the court is important when trying to engage them with racket sports, and inspiring Britain’s tennis players.” Anton Maree, Head of Ackworth School said: “Introducing children to activities which they don’t normally have access to has to take place at their convenience. We work with our partner schools at their schools with the facilities they have at their disposal. This approach allows us to reach a significant number of children and we help them to find their spark!” Richard Garrett, CEO of the Tim Henman Foundation said: “The Tim Henman Foundation Community Tennis programme in Ackworth is a leading model for developing tennis participation. The programme involves schools and a club with outstanding levels of participation creating thousands of ‘one life, one opportunity’ moments for young people to pick up a tennis racquet and potentially find their spark. The scheme’s success reflects

Ackworth School programme has brought tennis to almost 2,000 children at 28 local Yorkshire primary schools

a one education sector approach with children and teachers from both state and independent schools being inspired through tennis.” Paul Bennett, LTA Head of Region for North of England said: “The results of this partnership speak for themselves and it’s great to see so many of the schoolchildren that Alice has inspired to pick up a racket enjoying a session with Tim. We’re continuing to work closely with the foundation as we both work towards encouraging more and more young people from all backgrounds to get involved in our sport. There are plans in place to follow a similar model to this project in other areas of the country, and hopefully, we will see similar levels of success.”

THE OUTREACH PROGRAMME HAS DELIVERED TEACHER TRAINING

to help teachers run tennis activities in their schools, BROADENING THE PROGRAMME’S REACH ACROSS THOUSANDS MORE CHILDREN

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

Emma Raducanu’s US Open success will be an inspiration to young players

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUSAN MULLLANE / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Children got the opportunity to rally with the former UK number one

“It was great that watching the final was so accessible for everyone and amazing that it had more views than the men’s final. The players on our programme have been talking about Emma constantly and seem excited to follow her tennis career. I’ve started to see more girls come and try the sport; hopefully Emma’s journey will inspire even more girls to take up the sport and pursue careers within it.” The high-profile coverage of the US Open has served to energise interest in the sport, and programmes like Ackworth’s outreach project will more than likely see increased participation. Importantly, these community programmes are critical in helping give children opportunities to access participation in the sport and learn new skills in the first place. Tim Henman can be proud that he has helped support Emma to the highest podium in New York in 2021. However, the impact his support for Ackworth tennis outreach programme has – and will have – on thousands of children across Yorkshire can be a source of untold pride for years to come.”

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EXPERT ADVICE

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

EXPERT ADVICE

ASK THE EXPERTS

How can pupils make the most of a busy school life? We ask leading headteachers their advice

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

“Thanks, you taught me how to think” David Palfreyman, The Oxford Tutorial 2008

Cherwell College Oxford is a pre-university tutorial college, which has managed to maintain the very best the British education system has to offer – the tutorial. Since its establishment, the College has been committed to delivering bespoke educational provision for students aged 12-19 via the quintessentially Oxbridge tutorial method of teaching. Academic programmes are delivered by a combination of one-to-one tutorials, tutorial pairs, small group seminars and regular progress tests to monitor academic performance throughout the year. This bespoke approach to education assists the College in nurturing and developing individual student’s potential to the full by instilling confidence, independence and self-discipline – all of which are essential for a fulfilling life at a university and beyond. Cherwell student numbers are therefore intentionally small not exceeding 150 students in each academic year, out of whom 50 are boarders residing at the College’s fully catered, purposebuilt students’ residence in the comfort of single, en-suite rooms.

Being conveniently located at the historical city centre, Cherwell students have access to all the extra-curricular activities which Oxford has to offer: talks and debates by prominent speakers at the Oxford Union, public lectures at the colleges of the University of Oxford and a wider range of student-led clubs. As a response to increasing competition for the limited number of top university places, in addition to the full-time secondary and further education provision (GCSE & A-Level), the College offers a range of short-term courses including an intensive Easter revision programme which is academically focused to help students prepare for their public examinations. Cherwell as a pre-university tutorial college is truly an Oxford college in miniature, which seeks to preserve its independence and academic integrity to provide education that helps students thrive.

SCHOOL FACTS & LOCATION: School type: co-educational, boarding & day Teaching Method: Oxbridge-style i.e. one-to-one tuition, tutorial pairs, small group seminars Religion: non-denominational Location: Oxford (Southern England) Nearest Airports: Heathrow (56min drive) Member school of the Boarding Schools’ Association Covid-Safe Charter

For further information or to arrange an appointment, please contact: The College Secretary on +44 (0) 1865 242670

Email: secretary@cherwell-college.co.uk www.cherwell-college.co.uk

EXPERT ADVICE

Building peer relationships is important for students at Sedbergh School

At Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, pupils throw themselves into extracurricular pursuits, such as art

Gus Lock, Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, Hertfordshire Philip Britton, Head of Foundation, Bolton School, Greater Manchester Above all, organisation and concentrating on getting the basics right are key to a balanced life. Those basics start with getting enough sleep and eating well, ideally having time with your family, creating ‘spaces’ for conversation and connecting. Since the school run has a fixed time in the mornings, the only thing that can change is bedtime – and it’ll need to be earlier than it is! Once in bed, phones and iPads should be charging – not in your room. Then there’s establishing good habits. Think about what you do first when you get home. Does that first action tend to lead to a productive use of time or is it the beginning of a wasted evening? And finally, enjoy life in the moment. There’s no purpose at all in being so busy and so concerned with the next thing that you don’t enjoy what’s happening now.

Dan Harrison, Sedbergh School, Cumbria Balancing time and opportunities is the most important thing you can learn. Making sure

you build great relationships with your peers and teachers is your number-one priority every time. More possibilities will come your way and you’ll share experiences with good people who’ll help you when the pressure mounts. Sleep well. Fatigue erodes our determination and resilience. To work, play and socialise well, you need to be well rested. Set a regular routine in the morning and at night and avoid things which keep you awake – like mobile phones! Say ‘yes’. Too many people dismiss the broad range of opportunities around them without thought. Don’t be one of them. Keep things simple. There’s a reason why Mark Zuckerberg always wears grey T-shirts – it’s one less decision in a busy day. Keep your life uncluttered – put things in the same place, use lists and keep a planner or diary.

our exPerts

PhiliP Britton, bolton school

Dan harrison, sedbergh

Gus lock, habs’ boys

A busy school is a wonderful thing. Pupils should seize the opportunity to throw themselves into as many clubs, societies, trips and other activities as possible. Here they discover interests which may last a lifetime or unearth new talents; they develop those essential character attributes such as teamwork, leadership or resilience; they make new friends with likeminded students; and, most importantly, they have fun. Sign up for lots of things, accepting that some will prove to be a better fit than others, but if you don’t take the risk, you’ll never know. Think about a balanced range of activities: something active, something creative, and something cerebral. Plan your time: taking time each Sunday to map out the week ahead will make it far more manageable – and make sure that there is some quiet time scheduled every week to reflect and recharge.

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

UNIVERSITY

St Andrews is renowned for offering an excellent quality of education across both the arts and sciences

THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 106 other universities in the UK outside the group THAT PERFORM EQUALLY AS WELL, AND SOMETIMES EVEN BETTER

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

UNIVERSITY

BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS If you think studying at a Russell Group university is the only option, think again. There are many other high-ranking universities offering outstanding courses, excellent student satisfaction and employability rates, says SARAH OSHUN-WILLIAMS of Gabbitas Educational Consultancy

lthough the Russell Group is often attractive due to the well-known names within it, it’s always worth considering other university options, where students can pursue specific highly-ranked courses as opposed to just the traditional sciences and humanity subjects.

Russell Group universities

The Russell Group (RG) consists of 24 prestigious universities who all play a significant role in the cultural and economic life of the UK, and all share a common characteristic: their focus on producing leading research and maintaining a consistent reputation for strong academic achievement. Given their reputability, RG universities tend to have very rigorous admissions criteria. Their entry requirements are often higher than those University of Bath ranks consistently high in higher education league tables

of other universities, leading to a competitive admissions process, especially for the more highly sought-after courses, like medicine, sciences, economics, and law.

Non-Russell Group universities

Despite the RG’s popularity for both British and international students alike, there are approximately 106 other universities in the UK outside of the group that perform equally as well and sometimes even better; are known for their academic excellence; teaching and employability rates; and offer unique courses. For example, notable names such as St Andrews, and Bath rank consistently high in league tables each year, yet they’re not part of the RG, even though they are often mistaken to be because of their outstanding performance and provision of excellent quality education. More non-RG universities include Loughborough, which is known for its excellence in criminology, media, and sports; Royal Holloway for its sciences and management; SOAS for its development studies, anthropology, and politics; and City for its strong business and industry links. Non-RG universities are often more flexible than their highly selective RG rivals, usually having lower entry requirements. Of course, this depends on the degree – some courses still have high entry requirements, but they tend to be more realistic or achievable. While St. Andrews requires AAA-AAB for medicine, Imperial - an RG university - requires A*AAAAA for the same degree. Where Durham

SPECIALIST COURSES Goldsmiths, University of London BA Promotional Media Royal Holloway, University of London BSc Earth, Climate and Environmental Change University of Greenwich BA Film and Television Production University of Bath BEng Electronic Engineering with Space Science and Technology – Bath BSc Sport Management and Coaching Loughborough University BSc Chemistry with Computing MSc Construction Project Management with Building Information Modelling City, University of London BSc Investment and Financial Risk Management BSc Music, Sound and Technology Heriot-Watt University Stoweand students are now more aware MSc Brewing Distilling of the vocational routes on offer

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

UNIVERSITY

Leicester University has achieved a silver TEF award

(RG) offers AAB for business management, both the University of Westminster, and Royal Holloway require lower at ABB-BBC and AABABB for the same degree, respectively. Notably, there’s often less rigidity and, in some cases, more willingness to consider applicants who fall short by a few marks or have complicated cases with their grades and educational background. Additionally, they are often happy to consider late applicants (aside from UCAS clearing). This is due to non-RG universities usually still having spaces available, which in comparison is unlikely at RG universities, due to being oversubscribed, making chances of available spaces after initial admission deadlines small.

Quality of education

In the past, the quality of education provided by non-RG universities has been questioned, especially internationally. One thing that has helped change this view is the option to participate in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), which measures the quality of the student experience provided by each university, especially within the areas of teaching, learning, and graduate employability or further study outcomes. Participating universities are awarded bronze, silver or gold. Not all RG universities participate but for those that do, most achieve silver and gold awards. However, there are many non-RG universities that achieve the same awards. For instance, Bath and Loughborough have attained the gold award, just like Cambridge and Imperial College, as seen on the Office for Students.

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

University of Sussex participates in the TEF

Royal Holloway is celebrated for its support network

UNIVERSITY

ANOTHER GREAT ADVANTAGE OF NON-RG UNIVERSITIES is their reputation for providing specialist courses, ALLOWING STUDENTS TO CHOOSE A DEGREE THAT’S TAILORED TO THEIR INTERESTS, OR A SPECIFIC FIELD Additionally, Brunel, City University, and Sussex have all achieved the silver award, just like King’s College, UCL, and Bristol. Evidently some of the participating RG universities have the silver award while some non-RG universities have earned gold. Indicating that, despite not being a part of the RG, an excellent quality of education is still offered within these institutions.

Specialist courses

Another great advantage of non-RG universities is their reputation for providing specialist courses, allowing students to choose a degree that’s tailored more to their interests, or focused on a specific field. Some examples include Greenwich University, the University of Westminster, and Goldsmiths, who, despite usually ranking lower down league tables, offer some of the most unique courses in art and design,

University of Hull is a public-research university University of Bradford offers cutting-edge, technologybased degree courses

business, media, music, technology and more. Many students opt for these universities because of the unique courses they offer, which RG universities don’t always provide.

Student life

Universities actively ensure that its undergraduate students settle in well for the duration of their studies. This is evident in the wide range of support and wellbeing services on offer, including help with finding accommodation, academic support, careers advice, and counselling. Some universities even go as far as assisting new students by providing student-buddy systems, allowing current undergraduates to offer support to the new, as well as make friends. Many students praise non-RG universities on their welcoming atmosphere, and for regularly organising social events to encourage networking. Royal Holloway is often

commended for its support network, sense of belonging and community feel. In summary, there are many non-Russell Group universities that perform just as well as those within the Russell Group, and provide equally satisfying environments, support and student experience, meaning that it is definitely worth considering them when beginning your higher education journey. AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

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ADVERTORIAL

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he country’s only state fullboarding school, the Duke of York’s Royal Military School (DOYRMS), offers an affordable option for families seeking a boarding school environment with high standards of education. Set on top of the renowned White Cliffs of Dover, the school’s 150-acre parkland estate offers unrivalled facilities and a wide breadth of opportunities for its students. Open to 11 to 18 year olds, DOYRMS is based on an independent-style model, with Saturday morning lessons and co-curricular activities throughout the week.

However, parents are only required to pay for boarding, as the government pays for the education. This means the inclusive boarding fee is only £5,166 per term which is £15,498 per year (correct at time of writing), with limited scholarships available. This fee covers full-

boarding, catering, laundry and more than 80 clubs and activities per week, including Combined Cadet Force and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, for which the school is an accredited centre. Official progress figures for GCSE place DOYRMS in the top top two per cent of schools nationally. At A-level, students average a B+, with 66 per cent of grades awarded at A*-B. In recognition of the exceptional academic standards, the school has received the SSAT Educational Outcomes Award 2020. The award-winning school, with outstanding managers and leaders (Ofsted 2018), treats every day as an open day – enquire now to book a tour. www.doyrms.com

and looking back

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

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ALUMNI

Ones to WATCH From public relations trailblazers to paralympic medallists, here are some of the independent school alumni making a name for themselves in their chosen fields

AMBAH SIMPSON, 26 Manchester High School for Girls

AMBAH SIMPSON

Brand Marketing Manager for YouTube at Google Something that was ingrained in me from an early age through my amazing experience at MHSG was how important it is to appreciate diverse cultures. Since then, throughout university and the early stages of my career, I’ve constantly sought out opportunities to advocate for minority groups and drive equality in the technology industry space. I think that it’s fantastic that studying at an all-girls’ school allowed me to truly believe that I can reach for any dream that I may have, despite my gender. These experiences led me to my role at Google, where I amplify the voices of underrepresented creators, celebrate them within the YouTube space and support them as they move towards a more optimistic future filled with endless possibilities. My vision for YouTube goes beyond this. I’m aware that there are gaps that are causing challenges within these communities. I hope to close these gaps through my work within the marketing and tech space. AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

JENNIFER OGUNLEYE, 29 ACS International School Hillingdon

JENNIFER OGUNLEYE

Communications professional at Google I’ve always been a critical thinker and a good communicator, so a career in public relations seemed the obvious choice. I’ve worked across healthcare, transport, tech, finance and property industries, and apply these insights to my current role at Google. Championing diversity is so important to me. This has manifested itself in different ways, from setting up the UK Black Comms Network and guest-editing an anti-racist edition of PRWeek, to hosting the first collaborative Black History Month event with the Black partners from all the Big Four (KPMG, EY, Deloitte & PwC) for the first time ever. Being included in this year’s PRWeek PowerBook – which lists the most influential players in the comms industry – has been my proudest moment. I’m privileged to have completed the IB diploma at ACS, so it’s important to support the professionals coming up next, and have the confidence to say yes to the opportunities I’ve worked hard for.

BEN STEWARD, 23

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, North Yorkshire

Civil Service Fast Streamer I left QE in 2015, since which I’ve read for a BA and an MSt in History at Oxford, worked as a consultant for an international tech company, and joined the Civil Service via the UK’s top-ranked graduate scheme. The past year has seen me working to support the government’s Covid-19 response, and I’m looking forward to engaging with other major public projects soon. My time at QE not only gave me a platform to push myself academically, but also opportunities to widen my horizons, take on meaningful responsibilities, and grow significantly in confidence as a result. I remain grateful for what was a truly unique experience, and am glad that it lives on through the support of the school’s alumni network and the friends I made while there.

BEN STEWARD

ASWAD KHAN, 26 Abbey College Manchester

ASWAD KHAN

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

Medical Student & international cricket player Attending Abbey College, where I studied A-levels in biology, chemistry, and philosophy and ethics, really prepared me for my journey into medicine. I’m currently in my final year at Medical University Pleven in Bulgaria, where I also hold the role of President of the Association of International Medical Students. Alongside my studies, sport is a very big part of my life, and from the moment I started playing cricket at the age of seven, I fell in love with the beautiful game. After living in Bulgaria for three years and qualifying to represent the country, I was honoured to receive my first international cap for Team Bulgaria in the Sofia T20 International Tournament, even taking my first two T20 wickets!

ALUMNI

VALENTIN PECHNIKOV, 22 Taunton School, Somerset

Quantative Researcher Since leaving school, I’ve graduated top of the class from London School of Economics (LSE) with a BSc in mathematics and economics and have gone on to do a master’s in mathematics and finance at Imperial College London. I’ve just begun my career as a Quantitative Researcher at a hedge fund. I truly believe that my experience at Taunton School International has played a massive role in helping me become the person that I am today. Coming from Russia, I was looking for a school that would offer an unparalleled learning experience, while ensuring well-rounded development outside of the classroom. The Taunton School International one-year IGCSE programme offered just that.

RHIANNON NEADS, 29

Royal High School Bath GDST, Somerset

Actor, writer & stand-up comedian My time at RHSB prepared me for the many challenges a career in the performing arts can throw at you. I trained as an actor at LAMDA, and have since worked on stage, screen and BBC radio, alongside writing and performing my own work with my award winning comedy duo, Stiff & Kitsch. No two days are the same, and you need flexibility and resilience – skills I learnt in my time at RHSB. Alongside nurturing a growing passion for theatre, the school instilled the idea that any problem can be tackled, giving me the confidence to believe no task is insurmountable, be it recording an animation voiceover from a makeshift wardrobe studio, or figuring out how to write a risk assessment for my first Edinburgh Fringe show!

VALENTIN PECHNIKOV

RHIANNON NEADS

SABRINA CHIEN, 27 Junior Specialist, Christie’s Hong Kong Currently working in the Modern & Contemporary Art department, a day in my life ranges from researching and art valuation, to authenticating and examining artworks spanning from the early 1900s to current day. A strong passion for art and history has been ingrained within me since I was young. St Mary’s Cambridge will always have a special place in my heart. It was a place for me to learn, make mistakes, and grow. The principal and teachers’ unconditional support is something I’ll always treasure. I was astounded to find out that St Mary’s launched a brand new A-level subject tailored just for students who wanted to pursue art history at university, like myself. As a sixth former, they encouraged me to lead museum outreach work with Fitzwilliam, and supported my internship at Cheffins. I’m so grateful for the support St Mary’s gave me. The privilege of studying there has given me unique opportunities to work towards my dream job.

SABRINA CHIEN

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES / TASOS KATOPODIS / STRINGER

St Mary’s Cambridge

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

ALUMNI

GUY LITTLEJOHN, 32

Pocklington School, North Yorkshire

Founder, Facets Commercial Consulting Ltd Studying at Pocklington gave me the springboard to build my business, as the multi-channelled education and facilities taught me to consistently push myself. I studied marketing (specialising in social media commercialisation) at Newcastle University before moving to London to embark on a career commercialising a variety of digital services and technology products. Then my fiancé and I moved to Cheshire, and the diverse nature of my upbringing and career has allowed me to have a unique outlook on how to scale my business and the businesses of our clients. Multi-disciplinary, but connected channels driven by specialists working across a parttime business model, allow us to adapt to the regular ebbs and flows of the commercial world in a fast paced digital industry.

GUY LITTLEJOHN

EMILY ACKLAND, 24 Exeter School, Devon

Entrepreneur After studying food marketing at Reading University and working in London for a year, I realised how disconnected people are from where food comes from. To bridge this gap, I launched a milk brand, The Udder Stuff, based from my family dairy farm in Devon. Consumers can purchase farm-fresh milk and milkshakes via a self-service vending machine, knowing they’ve been produced just up the road. Having taken part in Young Enterprise at school, it fired up my passion for running my own business. The variety of tasks, from accounts to marketing and people management to communication means no two days are the same! The skills learned at school and university have given me the confidence and knowledge to grow my brand.

EMILY ACKLAND

GASHIRAI MBIZVO, 33 Sherborne School, Dorset

Neurology registrar doctor I recently submitted my PhD thesis specialising in epilepsy, at Edinburgh University. My time at Sherborne gave me an unspoken confidence that I could do whatever I want in this life, as long as I work at it. I had a fantastic biology teacher (Dr Wadham), who made the human body so fascinating that I decided to pursue a career surrounding human biology. I read medicine at Liverpool, having undertaken an intercalated Master of Research degree, which I graduated from with Distinction. Working as a doctor has been hugely rewarding. I was recently having some confidence issues about my PhD. The confidence boost I needed came from my mentor, who simply asked – “what school did you go to?” I responded: “Sherborne”. He then said “exactly”. Soon after, I was invited up to the Scottish Parliament to present my PhD work.

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

GASHIRAI MBIZVO

ALUMNI

REBEKAH WALTON, 22

Repton School, Derbyshire

Javelin thrower & mechanical engineering student Studying at Loughborough University, I’m in an incredibly fortunate position to pursue both my athletic and academic ambitions. I currently train for 25 hours a week, which I balance alongside my degree. Although training is demanding and requires a strict routine, I‘ve recently become the British Senior javelin champion, and finished fifth at the European Under 23’s Athletic Competition, Tallinn. I was once disinterested in engineering as the traditional association with machinery had no appeal. However, Loughborough has allowed me to combine my passions for STEM and sport, enabling me to undertake further study in Sports Engineering, which I find particularly engaging.

REBEKAH WALTON

GUS BURTON, 18 Felsted School, Essex

GUS BURTON

Racing driver Winning the 2021 British GT4 Championship with my co-driver, Will Burns, in my first season has been a dream come true. I’ve been named as a ‘Rising Star’ by the British Racing Drivers’ Club, which adds some pressure, but I’m used to it – I’ve been motor racing competitively for the past four years. I started karting when I was nine and couldn’t wait to move on to compete in the Ginetta Junior Championship. I now race in the GT4s and am developing my driving skills ready to move up to GT3. I’m a Porsche Carrera Junior GB Finalist too, which gives me the chance to be selected to race for this brand for the next two years. Racing is an important part of my life, but so is being an ambassador for Sparkle Foundation, which was founded by another Felsted student to feed, educate and provide medical care for children in Malawi. I’m pleased to be able to use my passion for motorsport to support this brilliant charity.

GEORGIA WILSON, 28 Rydal Penrhos, Wales

GEORGIA WILSON

Paralympian I scooped two bronze medals at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo this year. I was a late replacement on the squad for eight-time Paralympic champion Sophie Christiansen. It was an opportunity to further enhance my credentials after winning the European freestyle gold in 2019. I started riding aged two, after a physio advised my mum that it’d help me with my balance. My first pony was a Shetland called Diana, who was then followed by a pony called Poppy – he was handed down to my sisters when I had outgrown him. I also joined the Pony Club and the RDA at Clwyd SRC, attending my first RDA nationals on Aaron, a palomino pony – which gave me the bug for dressage. I have also competed with BYRDs Wales team. AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

ADVERTORIAL

World class

With its global mindset, Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill is the natural first choice for international families in London

ith 100 per cent success in all exams and graduates admitted to the most prestigious universities in the world, Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill offers a perfect balance between academic rigour and innovation. Its guiding philosophy places the needs of each child at the heart of the educational experience, welcoming every student into a dynamic and caring international community. A remarkable 100 per cent of 2021’s graduating class passed with excellent marks. The school’s average IB Diploma grade is 35.8/45, well above the world average of 33.02/45, and 88 per cent of its French Baccalauréat students passed with honours,

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

including 43 per cent with highest honours. Below are a few messages the school received: “Thank you so much for your help throughout those two years for both my education and wellbeing!” (LIL student) “We were thrilled by our daughter’s excellent results at the IB!! She has met her conditions for her first choice and we are so happy for her. Thank you again for all your support!” (LIL parent) Unlike local schools teaching in a single language that can tie students to a national curriculum and restrict their future options elsewhere, Lycée Churchill offers programmes that open educational avenues.

Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill is a co-ed, independent non-selective bilingual school located on a leafy two-hectare campus in North London. Accommodating 850 students aged three to 18, as well as two bilingual programmes, the school aims to develop every child into a forward-thinking, principled, and joyful world citizen. Language immersion begins at three years old. Classes are taught jointly by native speakers of French and English, both present at all times. In the primary section, instruction is half in English, half in French from year one/GSM to year six/CM2. Each class meets every day with French-speaking and English-speaking teachers, who coordinate as well with specialty teachers in subjects such as PE, language, and music. In secondary, families choose between the French bilingual programme accredited by the French department for education, leading to the Baccalauréat, or an international track taught in English leading to the IB Diploma. The Lycée offers an international environment where cultures from around the world can encourage dialogue. Its modern teaching ethos combines traditional disciplines with initiative, exploration, critical thinking, teamwork, and personal development. Lycée Churchill takes full advantage of the latest educational technologies. This solid digital foundation proved to be a major asset during the pandemic when the Lycée pivoted seamlessly to online learning. The school now offers distance education programmes and virtual classes, a boon for families who are moving between assignments or looking for quality education from a remote setting. admissions@lyceeinternational.london, lyceeinternational.london

Excellence Through Care 95%

teachers with MA & PhD

100%

university enrolment

EYFS

Dual Language immersion

IB &

Bac Français

minutes from Baker St

We are a fully bilingual international school for students aged 3-18, based in Wembley, London.

To register for the next virtual open day, visit our website:

www.lyceeinternational.london

For any other queries, please contact our Admissions Team

+44 (0)203 824 4906 OR admissions@lyceeinternational.london

Award-Winning, Co-Educational Day School for ages 2-16, serving Hampshire & Dorset

“Quite simply, a remarkable school”

(Parent)

01425 626900

ballardschool.co.uk

Fernhill Lane, New Milton BH25 5SU

Ballard School Ltd exists for the education of children. Registered Charity No. 307328

OPEN MORNING Saturday 26 February

Where everyone finds their place to excel

HMC CO-EDUCATIONAL 11-18 CATHOLIC BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL Near Reading • 01491 683522 • registrar@oratory.co.uk • oratory.co.uk

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

TIME TOGETHER

ENJOY THE SEASON

FAMILY LIFE Holiday inspiration, things to see and do, plus a competition to enter

A clothing brand specifically for girls aged up to 14 years, The Middle Daughter’s aesthetic is pared-back but eye-catching: think charmingly detailed prints, taffeta dresses and lots of cosy quilted styles. Sustainably made and super-modern, this label offers stylish easy-to-wear pieces for young girls to work, play and live in. We’re obsessed with the Spruced Up quilted taffeta dress (top left, £179), which is ideal for Christmas parties. Prices from £26, themiddledaughter.co.uk

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

A capital idea

Still searching for the ideal Christmas treat? A spoiling, festive weekend in London could be just the ticket, DANIELLE WILKINS finds

hether London is on your doorstep or a scenic train journey away, there’s something quite magical about staying in the capital for a couple of nights, with its river walks, vibrant bus tours, plethora of museums and – of course – the twinkling lights of the West End after dark. Sure, country and seaside escapes are tempting, but London is one of the most exciting cities in the world and it deserves to be enjoyed as such, Prepare for a grand entry at the five-star Lanesborough

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

particularly in the wintertime. And where better to stay than in one of the capital’s most enviable postcodes? And more specifically, the five-star Lanesborough hotel in Knightsbridge, where adults are indeed spoiled, but the children even more so. Our experience started some days before we’d even checked in, when I received an email from Reservations asking my son’s favourite colour, favourite fi lm, and whether he’d prefer sweet or savoury amenities on arrival (as if they even needed to ask…). When we get there, he’s handed his own key and VIP card which, when presented at any of The Lanesborough’s restaurants or bars, entitles him to complimentary soft drinks or ice cream. As we’re shown through the hotel to our room, the ambient Céleste restaurant is busy with tables of chattering folk in their tea-time best, and people are coming and going from the lifts. Despite the formal setting, the atmosphere feels friendly, relaxed, and down to earth. Our room is a Junior Suite and perfectly sized for three. The décor is a resplendent mix of traditional 19th-century style – whimsical patterned cushions, original books, and ornate

Enjoy Michelin-star dining at Céleste

crystal chandeliers – combined with modern touches that will amaze and delight the children, including iPads for room service and a television concealed behind a glass mirror in the bathroom. Each suite has a butler on demand, who had devised a rather fun in-room treasure hunt for us, which just made the whole check-in experience feel extra special. Once unpacked and having hungrily devoured the chocolate swag from our safe and the raspberry Battenburg kindly left for us, we decide to wander across the road for a stroll around Hyde Park. The weather’s not quite warm enough to enjoy a dip in the Serpentine Lido or its accompanying pool, but

HOLIDAYS Be sure to check out the hidden TV screen while you run a bubble bath

HE’S HANDED A LITTLE VIP CARD which,

when presented at any of the hotel’s restaurants or bars, ENTITLES HIM TO COMPLIMENTARY SOFT DRINKS OR ICE CREAM

The hotel’s Junior Suites are ideally sized for families of three

we do top up the sugar rush with ice cream as we watch the pedalo boats float by. This Royal Park is bursting with things to see and do, whatever the weather, with scenic cycle routes and family-friendly cafés, two art galleries, a specialist horse-riding arena, and, of course, the nearby Kensington Palace and Gardens to explore. The hotel is also conveniently located just a short walk from luxury shopping favourites Harrods and Harvey Nichols, as well as the bucket-list museums, including the V&A, Natural History Museum and Science Museum. Thankfully, the concierge is on hand with trail maps to help us navigate the neighbourhood, and they can create bespoke itineraries if you don’t know the city particularly well and want to get the most out of your stay. After a day of soaking up the sights, when we troop back upstairs, it’s time to hunker down for movies and popcorn – we have an in-room popcorn maker which proves to be a lot of fun and fi lls our suite with that familiar cinema smell. But as it’s been such a busy, fun-fi lled 12 hours exploring the city, we barely even make

LITTLE VIPS AT THE LANESBOROUGH

Not only does this landmark London hotel welcome families with open arms, but its Little VIP Club is designed to inject even more adventure into your stay with special perks for residents aged up to 16. Check in and they’ll have the chance to enjoy everything from a children’s afternoon tea to mocktail classes and horse-riding in Hyde Park. Stop by the Lanesborough Club & Spa for a sparkly mini manicure and specially designated Splash Hours where kids have run of the pool. And if you want them to up their breakfast-in-bed game, the Little Butler Bootcamp, where kids aged three and over can learn how to perform traditional serving duties under the watchful tutelage of the hotel’s expert butlers, is a memory they’ll never forget. And don’t forget to meet the hotel’s most fur-midable resident, Lilibet the Siberian Forest cat who’ll happily pose for photo ops – providing she’s not in the office snoozing, of course.

it to end of the fi lm before we’re snoozing, legs akimbo, on top of our gloriously spacious beds. We order room service for breakfast the following morning, and as a table laden with boiled eggs and soldiers, smoked salmon, avocado, fresh fruit, juices, and pastries is wheeled into the room, our faces light up as if it’s Christmas day. As we tuck in and prepare for another day of urban exploration, I realise, The Lanesborough is so much more than a backdrop to one’s festive family staycation; it could easily be the main event. For more information on the Junior Suites, nightly rates and reservations, visit oetkercollection.com/hotels/the-lanesborough Lilibet is on hand for checking-in selfies and chin scratches

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

EXPERIENCE MORE Get in touch to find out more about our open events and joining our vibrant school.

023 9236 0036 www.pgs.org.uk

Pre-School - Infant - Junior - Senior - Sixth Form

Transforming boys’ lives through education… Whitgift is one of Britain’s finest independent day and boarding schools for boys aged 10 to 18. Set in 45 acres of parkland, we offer pathways for IB and A Levels. To find out more about our School, please visit our website.

INDEPENDENT BOYS’ SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2020

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

admissions@whitgift.co.uk | Telephone: +44 (0)20 8633 9935 |

www.whitgift.co.uk

Whitgift School | Haling Park | South Croydon | CR2 6YT

DIARY DATES

CALENDAR

Our roundup of exciting and enriching activities for families to enjoy this winter

It’s party time NOW – 9 JANUARY 2022

Glow sticks at the ready! After being locked down for a whole year without even a single school disco to break up the monotony, it’s well worth taking your teens to see V&A Dundee’s euphoric Night Fever: Designing Club Culture exhibition. A nostalgic journey through the disco era and beyond through recreations of the world’s most iconic dance floors, this is a pure-hearted celebration of the adventure, escapism and euphoria of these togetherness spaces. vam.ac.uk/dundee

By royal appointment

NOW – 9 JANUARY 2022

NOW – JANUARY 2022

Let your imagination run wild with a sparkling adventure at the Shipwreck Treasure Museum in Cornwall’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Charlestown. Transforming more than 100 metres of underground tunnel into a polarthemed wonderland, complete with frozen waterfalls, giant icebergs, caves and shipwrecks, Tunnel of Light: Arctic Adventure returns after 2020’s huge hit. shipwreckcharlestown.com

There are few art collections more enviable than Her Majesty’s, and luckily, visitors to royal residence Buckingham Palace can check out a plethora of alltime Royal Collection Trust classics at The Queen’s Gallery this winter. From the exemplary brushwork of Lotto and Lorrain to the exquisite figurework of Rubens and Rembrandt, it truly is the grandest tour through the masterpieces of the renaissance era. rct.uk s

All of the lights

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

Learn  Create  Explore • Strong and caring school community • Outstanding academic results • Vibrant Music, Drama and Creative Arts • Sports for all: range of activities at all levels and links to Professional clubs • Day school with boarding at its heart. Flexi boarding and extended days available for busy families • Home away from Home Boarding community • City location with +100 acre rural site • Scholarships and Bursaries available

Find out more at www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk An Independent Co-educational Boarding & Day School for pupils aged 9 months - 18 years

Tuesday 23rd November 2021 Wednesday 26th January 2022

You want your daughter to achieve academically but you want her to be intelligent in other ways too – to be confident socially, to have a strong moral compass, to shape the world around her, to believe in herself. At St Catherine’s we support your daughter in building the intellect and character that will help her develop as a bright, confident, compassionate and vibrant individual. At the heart of this is developing her sense of self-belief, that she can achieve whatever she is driven to do in life.

St Catherine’s, Bramley GSA Day & Boarding School since 1885 | 4 - 18 years Guildford GU5 0DF | admissions @ stcatherines.info

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

DIARY DATES

Vitamin sea ONGOING

Looking for 2022 family holiday inspo? New family-friendly five-star resort MarBella Elix – set upon an unspoilt beach on the Greek mainland – offers Worldwide Kids multilingual childcare for those up to 12 years, as well as an Explore the Outside-led Adventure Club for older kids. Getting the teens to swap screens for cycling, and kayaking while you chill out poolside sounds like a win-win to us! marbella.gr/marbella-elix

Santa’s not-so little helper 16 – 20 NOVEMBER

If the Will Ferrell classic is an essential part of your family’s advent countdown, it’s worth checking out Starlight Theatre Productions’ Elf the Musical at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre and Opera House. Soak up the live audience experience and sing along as you become invested in Buddy’s quest to save Christmas. tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

Be heard

A kind of magic

4 – 7 NOVEMBER

13 NOVEMBER – 16 JANUARY 2022

If your sixth former is craving connection, culture and live music – remember live music?! – Cardiff’s Festival of Voice at the Wales Millennium Centre is a family must. Offering four days of thought-provoking performances, inspirational talks and epic sets from bands as diverse as Arab Strap, Ghostpoet and Hot Chip, the venue will also boast satellite pop-up shows and delicious street-food markets. The arts have never been more fun. wmc.org.uk

Where better to beat the post-Halloween blues than with a pilgrimage to Warner Brother Studios in Watford for Hogwarts in the Snow? Your wannabe witches and wizards will be especially transfixed by the Forbidden Forest and Great Hall’s enchanting festive makeovers – just don’t forget to stop by Diagon Alley for some Chocolate Frogs for the journey home! wbstudiotour.co.uk

Drawn together

A winter’s trail 17 NOVEMBER – 9 JANUARY 2022

Few festive rituals hold as much seasonal wonder as Christmas at Kew, and this year’s event promises to live up to the annual hype, with awe-inspiring tunnels of light, dancing waterside reflections and trees lined with jewel-toned shimmer. Unmissable highlights include an audience with Santa, the Fire Garden’s mesmerising flames and of course, piping hot cocoa. kew.org

9 NOVEMBER

Budding artists should log on for the V&A Academy’s In Practice: Fashion Illustration workshop, a 90-minute online tutorial led by artist Erin Petson. She’ll introduce sketchers to experimental mark-making techniques and a variety of materials as she guides them through the process of drawing stylised human forms. Prepare to grow in creative confidence and look at the museum’s collection in a whole new way. vam.ac.uk

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

DIARY DATES

Festive fiesta 19 NOVEMBER – 3 JANUARY 2022

PHOTOGRAPHY: KEW.ORG. WORDS: LAURA SUTHERLAND

It’s back! Returning to the capital after a pandemic pause, the now legendary Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is set to bring Londoners of all ages plenty of yuletide cheer. Book advance tickets to ensure your family can safely take advantage of the ice slides, Santa Land, giant wheel, fire pit music line-up, carousel, markets, skating rink and much, much more. hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Blades of glory

I’m dreaming of a…

18 NOVEMBER – 2 JANUARY 2022

22 NOVEMBER – 4 DECEMBER

Live your Torvill and Dean fantasy by heading to Cheltenham and strapping on some skates. Set in Imperial Gardens in the heart of the regency quarter, the festive installation is a recreation of the historic Winter Gardens ice rink. And as Gloucestershire’s only all-weather rink, you can perfect your triple salchow come rain or shine. visitcheltenham.com

If pantos aren’t your scene, then why not book tickets for Irving Berlin’s classic, White Christmas at the Palace Theatre in Manchester? This all-singing, all-dancing production, starring Three Degrees diva Sheila Ferguson, arrives fresh from its West End run to deliver a heart-warming tale of love and friendship in time for the big day itself. Simply magical. atgtickets.com

En pointe 20 NOVEMBER – 11 DECEMBER

After a year’s postponement, the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker will return to the city’s Hippodrome Theatre with a revitalised production. Allow yourself to be transported by the soaring Tchaikovsky score, dazzling staging and company of world-class ballerinas, as they tell the story of Clara’s battle with the Mouse King. birminghamhippodrome.com

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

Joy to the world 9 – 19 DECEMBER

Embrace the yuletide magic this advent with a family day out at Oxford’s Christmas Market. With live choirs singing a host of classic carols, traders offering charming handmade gifts, wooden stalls festooned with beautiful decorations and the heady mingled scent of mulled wine, cinnamon and hot chocolate, it’s a highly inviting addition to the festive calendar. oxfordchristmasmarket.co.uk

5QL

For more than 20 years, Oxbridge Applications has been the unequivocal leader in preparing students to apply to Oxford and Cambridge.

Tailored Support Programmes from age 14.

OPEN DAYS: 12th February & 7th May 2022

A Leading Independent Boarding & Day School For Girls Aged 11-18

Contact

admissions@stmaryscalne.org

Scholarships and bursaries available

BE YOU. BE RESILIENT.

01249 857200

stmaryscalne.org

Call and quote 'CHELSEA25' for 25% off a Private Consultation.

+44 (0) 20 7499 2394 info@oxbridgeapplications.com info@oxbridgeapplications.com +44 (0)20 7499 2394 Online and In-Person Services Available oxbridgeapplications.com

oxbridgeapplications.com 14-16 Waterloo Place, London, SW1Y 4AR

sibfordschool.co.uk +44 (0)1295 781200

#BeYouBeSibford

admissions@sibfordschool.co.uk Sibford Ferris, Banbury, OX15 5QL

Sibford School in Oxfordshire offers inspiring education to pupils aged 3-18.

“An outstanding school - bright children and dedicated staff” Good Schools Guide

ATTEND AN OPEN EVENT We invite you to come and see Sibford School in action and meet key members of staff. Visit sibfordschool.co.uk/events to book your place at an upcoming open event.

High Road Woodford Green Essex IG8 0RF 0208 505 4821

www.bancrofts.org

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

COMPETITION

The Christmas Steam Express will leave from, and return to, London Victoria station

WIN a family dining experience by steam train Take your family of four for a dinner to remember aboard the vintage Christmas Steam Express, travelling through West London, this festive season

elebrate this coming holiday season in style with your family aboard a unique evening steam train journey from London Victoria station with The Steam Dreams Rail Co. We’ve teamed up with Steam Dreams to offer one lucky reader a set of four Pullman Style Dining tickets for The Christmas Steam Express, worth over £600! The lucky winners will settle in aboard beautifully-decorated vintage carriages and embark on a journey through West London, hauled by steam locomotive 61306 Mayflower. The train will cross the Thames six times, while passengers are served a deliciously festive three-course evening meal. Champagne, cocktails and soft drinks can be purchased on board from the wine list. There are four departure dates for the 2021 Christmas Steam Express; Monday 13 December, Tuesday 14 December, Monday 20 December and Wednesday 22 December. The three-hour service will depart London Victoria at 18.50, and arrive back into London Victoria at 21.50. Tickets for this wonderful experience are available in three classes, ranging from £49pp in the Standard Class through to £139pp in Premier Dining and £159pp in Pullman Style Dining. For more information, call the Booking Office on 01483 209888, or visit www.SteamDreams.co.uk. Even if you’re not the lucky winner, you can still book a nostalgic Steam Dreams evening out for your family this Christmas. The train company is offering all ISP readers a glittering 10 per cent off your first trip with The Steam Dreams Rail Co. when you quote the code ISP10 when calling the booking office.

TERMS & CONDITIONS: • The prize is 4 x Pullman Style Dining tickets worth £159 each for The Christmas Steam Express on 14 December 2021. The prize is non-transferable and non-refundable. • The times stated are subject to change. Final times will be released by Network Rail 2-3 days prior to the trip and will be listed on the Steam Dreams website, www.steamdreams.co.uk. • Tickets will usually be sent out to the winner by email 3-4 days prior to the trip. • Should the trip be cancelled for any reason, the winner will be offered tickets to the same value for an alternative trip. • Steam Dreams reserves the right to change locomotives, destinations or routes to facilitate the completion of the tour. • Our chef is happy to cater for specific diets. Should you have special dietary requirements, please advise us up to a week before travel.

HOW TO ENTER

To be in with a chance of winning four Pullman Style Dining tickets worth £159 each, simply answer the following question and enter it on the link below by 3 December 2021:

Which steam locomotive is scheduled to haul The Christmas Steam Express train on Tuesday 14 December?

independentschoolparent.com/win COMPETITION CLOSES: 3 DECEMBER 2021

independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021

OPEN MORNINGS Thursday 27 January 10am Thursday 17 March 10am A vibrant, forward thinking education is closer than you might think. Call us on 01428 686735 or book online at www.kesw.org

Expert advice on American universities

www.mayflowereducation.co.uk Z +44 (0)7521 428 478

Where a small school

meets big business Sixth Form Information Evening 16th November Book via our website morehouse.org.uk

AUTUMN 2021 | independentschoolparent.com

INTERVIEW

SCHOOL MEMORIES

SAM RUDDOCK

The British Paralympic track cycling team athlete reflects on his formative years and academic achievements at Rugby School in Warwickshire Sam joined the British Cycling Foundation programme in 2019

Your school in three words? Daunting, challenging, influential. Who was your best friend? Georgie Plowright, one of the most down-to-earth, straighttalking, thoughtful and caring individuals I’ve ever met.

One memory that will stay with you forever…? Discovering that I’d achieved the grades I needed to study at Loughborough. The culmination of the two years I’d spent at Rugby was there on my UCAS form. I celebrated in the only way that’s appropriate: sliding down the hallway tiles on my knees with a double fist pump, and yelling as if I’d scored a late winner for England in a World Cup Final!

What did you want to be when you left school? I was very influenced by the sight of Kofi Annan on the news when I was a teenager with a keen interest in history and current affairs. It was because of his degree in International Relations that I went to Loughborough to study that subject.

What were your favourite subjects and did they hint at your future passions? English language, history,

Any embarrassing moments at school? Being dumped from the 1st XI by the hockey keeper in front of all the boys in the House. Play any pranks? Dousing Rupert Crooke’s head with ground pepper at lunch time, without him knowing! Favourite place to hang out? During free periods, we’d always be in the common room on the Playstation 2. Teacher’s pet or always in the detention room? The closest I came to being in trouble was turning in a substandard history essay. This provoked a response from the Headteacher which left the room in rapture. “Sam, if you

considerable effort to bring my grades up to standard.

THE CLOSEST I CAME TO BEING in trouble

was turning in a sub-standard history essay. THIS PROVOKED A RESPONSE FROM THE HEADTEACHER WHICH LEFT THE ROOM IN RAPTURE

continue to turn in work of this standard, you’ll unfortunately find yourself wallowing in a pit of inadequacy.” Ouch. Did you win any prizes? Winning the Best in School prize for English language was a particular highlight, as was being given the captaincy of the 5th XV in my last year. Favourite teacher? I have a few. Mr. HemmingAllen who was no-nonsense, but reminded us regularly that

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he was semi-professional at nearly every pub sport you could imagine. Mrs. Moyle, who helped me understand that mastering language is a labour of love. What advice would you offer your school-age self? Just keep swimming. How would your teachers describe you? I’d like to think they’d describe me as the hardest worker in the room. It took time and

economics and French. If you mix them, you’d soon find yourself with a delicious cake that says ‘International Relations’. It was my intention to use this degree to travel the world and work in international diplomacy. Everything I learned at Rugby and Loughborough has allowed me to fulfil this intention. Pedalling around a velodrome for four laps is likely to be just as rewarding and excruciating as finalising trade agreements.

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Senior school of the year