In brief

STUDENT SUCCESSES • EXTRACURRICULAR EXCELLENCE • INSPIRING INITIATIVES • NEW HEADS

Open doors,open minds

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

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 fi tness 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.” ▲

Guest of honour

Exeter School, Devon

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.”

A warm welcome

Denstone College, Staffordshire

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’s gambit

Brentwood School, Essex

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.

Track star

Kilgraston, Perthshire

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. 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.

• Look ahead

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

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..

• 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.

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.

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.

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!”

Engineering success

St Peter’s, Yorkshire

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.

Top of the pops

Manchester High School for Girls

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.

EXCEPTIONAL EXCEPTIONAL EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS RESULTS RESULTS EXTRAORDINARY OUTCOMES EXTRAORDINARY OUTCOMES EXTRAORDINARY OUTCOMES

Sophia KCL (Management) Sophia KCL (Management) Sophia KCL (Management) Louis Imperial (Chemical Engineering) Louis Imperial (Chemical Engineering) Louis Imperial (Chemical Engineering)

Davon Cambridge (Mathematics) Davon Cambridge (Mathematics) Davon Cambridge (Mathematics) Hannah Birmingham (Medicine) Hannah Birmingham (Medicine) Hannah Birmingham (Medicine)

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

Exceptional Results Extraordinary Outcomes • 96% into their 1st choice university • 76% of A level grades at A* and 94% at A*/A • 83% into Top 10 UK Universities or Medical • 52 A level students with 4 or more A*s School (57% into Top 5) • • Prestigious international university destinations 66% of GCSE grades awarded were grade 9 or equivalent with 94% grade 7 or higher including in Thailand, Hong Kong, and the USA (A*/A equivalent)

Exceptional Results Extraordinary Outcomes • 76% of A level grades at A* and 94% at A*/A • 96% into their 1st choice university • 52 A level students with 4 or more A*s • 83% into Top 10 UK Universities or Medical • School (57% into Top 5)66% of GCSE grades awarded were grade 9 or equivalent with 94% grade 7 or higher • Prestigious international university destinations (A*/A equivalent) including in Thailand, Hong Kong, and the USA

Extraordinary Outcomes • 96% into their 1st choice university • 83% into Top 10 UK Universities or Medical School (57% into Top 5) • Prestigious international university destinations including in Thailand, Hong Kong, and the USA

England’s Premier International School Achieving Academic Excellence England’s Premier International School England’s Premier International School +44 (0)1694 731631 • enquiries@concordcollege.org.uk • www.concordcollegeuk.comAchieving Academic Excellence Achieving Academic Excellence +44 (0)1694 731631 • enquiries@concordcollege.org.uk •+44 (0)1694 731631 • enquiries@concordcollege.org.uk • www.concordcollegeuk.com www.concordcollegeuk.com