Stuart Williams – Principal of Catmose College
achievement by teachers in the classroom, and a trophy is presented three times a year to the boarding house whose members have accumulated the highest number. The School maintains a traditional Speech Day prize giving when achievements by pupils in all year groups are celebrated in a number of fields, including academic, sporting, musical and artistic. Richard, however, believes that these formal rewards are not always enough: “Systems have their place and are important but much more important is the personal touch and the giving of time and, paradoxically, because we live in the (fast paced) modern world, both aspects are often overlooked. Boarding school allows the time to find those few precious minutes to give praise. Knowing an individual is paramount. There is a gender difference and girls tend to react differently to praise but everyone needs to feel that he/she is valued, recognised and known and is not just a name on a register. It is very powerful when an older person, who is mutually respected and liked, believes in you.” Boarding Environment As Uppingham is predominantly a boarding school there are many occasions when the staff and pupils meet socially, for example at the formal lunch and also in house where Richard and his colleagues see students outside the formalities of school life and most importantly where human relationships can be developed. The daily contact with House staff provides the opportunity for the recognition of success
Sanctions “People need to know there are consequences but sanctions should be a last step and used sparingly. Children need clear boundaries, a sense of community and to be loved. Knowing them well, recognising them, this is the key. Targets and technology have their place but it comes down to the basics – love and recognition. Today time is often squeezed out. Because time is such a valuable commodity in today’s world and we are all so time-poor, it has become such a valuable tool. Paradoxically children of the modern world need to feel more secure than ever before, more known, more centred and to feel that he or she belongs.”
Catmose College is an oversubscribed and successful 11-16 Academy, situated in Oakham, in the heart of Rutland. The College is rated Outstanding by Ofsted (February 2012) and is the first choice for many parents looking for a traditional academic experience for their child. Stuart Williams, Principal, comments, “Our aim is to ensure every student achieves academic excellence whilst developing the wider skills necessary to be the best in their chosen field. We develop this in a number of ways. Our ethos is one in which students can enjoy a calm, purposeful and happy learning environment, based on mutual respect and trust. Students have access to our state of the art facilities from early morning to late afternoon and are expected to take responsibility for their own learning.” Students are encouraged to develop wider skills through the Electives programme which offers over one-hundred courses based around sport, creativity, music and drama. Students can develop their equestrian skills, learn Latin or try water-sports and ice skating. The College expects students to take positions of responsibility at many levels including Head Boy and Head Girl, Student Council, Subject Ambassadors, House leaders and by volunteering to work within the local community. The College House system aims to promote friendly competition through a diverse programme of sporting and academic competition. “We have high expectations of our students and they have high expectations of us. We believe success is its own reward and empower students to take pleasure from each of their achievements for its own sake.”
• Contact: Tel: 01572 822216, www.uppingham.co.uk
• Contact: Tel: 01572 770066, www.catmosecollege.com
– even if it is only a “well done” mentioned in passing when a boy or girl has written a particularly good essay or done well in a test. Morality and school values are set by older students in house and around the school so the sense of family and community is strong. Richard recognises that peers are also an important influence but he believes that the tone of the school is set by adults and the senior pupils who, fundamentally, lead by example. “Everyone wants to be recognised and that quiet word in house after a day’s lessons, that is important. Noticing what an individual has done is particularly empowering, especially in boys who need belief in them to be shown.”
RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING SEPTEMBER 2012
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