7 minute read
This is us
Christ’s Hospital’s uniform still includes the distinctive mustard-yellow socks that were originally worn to ward off rats
THIS is
US
Quirky traditions, statement-making uniforms, diverse menageries and eclectic extracurriculars: individuality is part and parcel of independentschool life, says KATIE HUGHES
Pupils 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. s
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!
At Blundell’s School, head pupils can keep pigs on the premises
Straw boaters top off Harrow’s highly original uniform
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
Located 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 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
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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.
