In brief

STUDENT SUCCESSES • EXTRACURRICULAR EXCELLENCE • INSPIRING INITIATIVES • NEW HEADTEACHERS

A promising future

Highfi eld & Brookham Schools, Hampshire

Pupils at the Liphook independent schools have vowed to fi ght climate change. Ahead of last year’s COP26 conference, where world leaders gathered to fi nd ways to reverse the environmental challenges facing our planet, Highfi eld & Brookham’s youngsters had set in motion a chain of events to make a positive impact. From nursery up to year eight, classes made mobiles made from biodegradable string and large leaves, upon which ‘promises of hope’ for a greener world were written. Featuring heartfelt vows such as ditching plastic bags, eating less meat, recycling more and planting more trees, the completed constructions took pride of place on Highfi eld grounds’ Princess Anne oak tree, before being shipped to the conference in Glasgow. ▲

Pupils from across the year groups from both schools were involved in the Promises of Hope initiative

Patched up

Marlborough House School, Kent

The pre-prep gardening club has been growing vegetables for the school kitchen. The pumpkin patch was a particular success for the green-fingered pupils last autumn. Proudly delivered to the school catering team, the spoils resulted in a delicious school-day menu of pumpkin soup, pumpkin and cauliflower salad, and pumpkin cake – a very popular morning break option. This term, the club will work towards their Level 4 RHS School Gardening Award. The club, part of the school’s Great Outdoors initiative, provides an alfresco classroom and learning opportunities for ages two to 13 years.

Rhyme time

St Swithun’s School, Hampshire

Year six pupil Cameron Brookes has been recognised by the Stephen Spender prize for poetry translation. The 10 year old won a commendation for the translation of the German nursery rhyme Hoppe Hoppe Reiter, which she translated as Gallop Gallop Rider.

True colours

Beaudesert Park, Gloucestershire

The school has launched a new house system. Named Hazel, Maple, Rowan and Willow, the four new houses reflect its rural location and focus on outdoor education. To celebrate, a fashion show was held, with pupils donning their house colours to raise money for Children in Need.

Girl troop

Queen’s College Prep, London

A new partnership with the Royal Marines enables years five and six to visit their south London barracks for training days. On their first visit, the girls warmed up with a military fitness session, before learning how to build a shelter, close combat skills and how to march and salute! BEST OF THE REST

• Artistic flair

Royal Academy of Dance

The school has launched an art competition open to pupils across Wandsworth. Entrants are asked to submit a drawing or painting inspired by dance and how it makes them feel. The winning artwork will be exhibited in the new RAD HQ.

• Winning beginnings

Chatsworth Schools

Chatsworth Schools won the Best Private School Operator category at the 2021 Education Investor Awards. Founder and CEO, Anita Gleave, says: “I’m beyond proud of everything we’ve achieved since our launch in September 2018.”

• Boxing clever

Danes Hill School, Surrey

Pupils in years four and five took part in the annual Shoebox Wrap, filling festive shoeboxes.to benefit two local charities: Shooting Star Chase – a children’s hospice – and The Children’s Trust, a leading charity for children with brain injury and neurodisability.

• Stay tuned

Forres Sandle Manor School

The Hampshire school’s music department is excited to announce a new addition to its instruments collection: a Javanese Gamelan, which was made by hand in Indonesia for the Hampshire Music Service. It will be used for music lessons across the school, with a focus on year five.

• Keys to success

Solihull School, West Midlands

Lower fifth pupil Yichen Pan has been awarded a Level 4 Diploma in Music Performance for Piano. In addition to these maestra skills, the 13 year old music scholar is also a post Grade 8 cellist, and is working towards her LTCL Diploma.

HEADS ON THE MOVE

It’s all change for these schools

In September, Chris Staley will start as Principal at Bablake

and Henry

VIII School in Coventry.

Asa Firth is joining Ashville College Prep in North Yorkshire as Head in April.

After Easter,

Tanya Davie

will take over as Head of

Kilgraston School, Perthshire.

Dr Daniel Koch

will start as Headmaster of

Loughborough Grammar School

in the autumn term this year.

London’s Highgate School

will welcome

Sally Hancock

as Principal of Pre-Prep this September.

Written in history

Taunton School, Somerset

A 76-year-old letter written to a future Olympian has been found under boarding house floorboards. Uncovered during a refurbishment, the letter was addressed to 10-year-old Michael Wheeler, who went on to become a bronze medallist in the 4x400m relay at the 1956 Olympic Games. Dated 5 December 1945, it reads: ‘Darling Mick, I went to 15 shops to get the scout’s uniform. If too long, matron will no doubt alter them for you. Longing to see you Paddington 18th, All my love Mummy xx’. Michael retired from athletics in 1966 and became a teacher. He died in January 2020, aged 84.

Run along

Papplewick School, Berkshire

The Lower School boys – years two, three, and four – ran 1.4 miles around Ascot Racecourse to raise £500 for Sebastian’s Action Trust. The charity supports families of seriously ill children from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. Headmaster, Tom Bunbury explains: “The boys are very proud to be able to contribute to this very worthy cause.”

Festive thrill

Bolton School, Greater Manchester

The Bolton School Junior Girls’ Winter Warmer put on a festive show in the Girls’ Division Great Hall, and the concert was filmed for the whole community to enjoy. A celebration of Christmas through poetry and song, the revue featured yeargroup performances, opening with Winter Wonderland and closing with a rendition of That’s What Christmas Means to Me.