4 minute read
Expert advice
ASK THE EXPERTS How can pupils make the most of a busy school life?
We ask leading headteachers their advice
“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.
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)
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.
Nearest Airports:
Heathrow (56min drive)
Member school of the Boarding Schools’ Association Covid-Safe Charter
Building peer relationships is important for students at Sedbergh School At Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, pupils throw themselves into extracurricular pursuits, such as art
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.
A busy school is a wonderful thing. Pupils should seize the our exPerts 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,
PhiliP Britton, bolton school 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
Dan harrison, sedbergh 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 –
Gus lock, and make sure that there is some habs’ boys quiet time scheduled every week to reflect and recharge.
