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Summer 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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EDITOR’S LETTER
CLAUDIA DUDMAN Editor
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
HELPING YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES FOR YOUR CHILDREN
CNP Ltd, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ Tel (020) 7349 3700 Fax (020) 7349 3701 Email editor@independentschoolparent.com For website and subscriptions, please visit: independentschoolparent.com/register EDITORIAL Editor Claudia Dudman Senior Sub Editor Natalie Milner Editorial Assistant Eleanor Doughty Senior Art Editor Chloë Collyer Senior Designer Emily Weller Designer Maria Sagun PUBLISHING Publisher & Managing Director Paul Dobson Deputy Managing Director Steve Ross Commercial Director Vicki Gavin Media Manager James Dobson Subscriptions Manager Will Delmont 020 7349 3710 will.delmont@chelseamagazines.com Production www.allpointsmedia.co.uk Printed in England by William Gibbons ADVERTISING Client Development Manager Lesley McDiarmid Sales Executives Coco Strunck, William Bernard DISTRIBUTION Independent School Parent magazine is for parents of children educated in Prep and Senior independent schools across the UK. The prep and senior issues are published termly. Parents can subscribe for a free issue at: independentschoolparent.com/register Independent School Parent also publishes The Guide to Independent Schools biannually to help you choose the right school.
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© CNP Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. Text and pictures are copyright restricted and must not be reproduced without permission from the publisher. The information contained in Independent School Parent magazine has been published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. All liability for loss, negligence or damage caused by reliance on the information contained within this publication is hereby excluded.
r WELC ME… w e
This issue our curriculum feature (page 12) asks: What is a Classic? How do novels that we read as children fare with our offspring? Do novels transcend through the generations with ease or should they be consigned to our bookshelves as a nostalgic reminder of our past? There was heated debate in the office and the whole team pitched in with their favourites while we were compiling our list of 12 books your child should read before they’re 12 (page 19). We all have a book that we loved when we were young and I hope you’ll be a fan of at least one from our selection. In Prep School Unpicked, we look at the eccentricities of the junior school system. Does your child start school at aged four or eight? And at what age do they leave? Is it 11 or 13? It all depends on what type of senior school they’ll head off to. Turn to page 37 for our writer’s analysis. Plus, enter our competition where you can win a luxury family break (page 74) to Tunisia! Enter at: independentschoolparent.com/win. Claudia Dudman, Editor
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7 12
WHAT’S INSIDE? Issue 17 Summer 2015 • independentschoolparent.com
44
News Our round-up of hot topics
How to navigate the uniform shop,
What Makes a Classic?
Eleanor Doughty explains all
47
Charlotte Phillips looks at how some novels stand the test of time
19
12 Before 12 The best books for your child to
12
read before they turn 12
21
Heads-Up Female school leadership is on the up
child in the most sensitive way
48
28
50
want children to do over the summer?
48
Present Day others, writes Katie Hughes
Surf ’s Up
56
independent school sector
59
34
century castle in the Tuscan countryside
56
64 73
40
Prep School Unpicked
The Education Equation How to buy the near-school property of
59
60
Download our free app to read the magazine on your phone or tablet...
74
Win a Luxury Holiday! A getaway to Tunisia could be yours
77
Calendar Our top dates for your diary
82
your dreams, by Andrew Brooks
On the cover...
Book Club Brilliant reads for the summer holidays
worth all the hard work
school choices, and where best to go
Best for Family… Islands Smith & Family give their favourite spots
Dead Alive
Eleanor Doughty unravels the prep
A Taste of Italy Claudia Dudman escapes to a 12th-
Thalia Thompson explains why Latin is
37
School Hero Felsted’s director of cricket Jason Gallian
outdoor curriculum Highfield Prep’s focus on mental health
Ones to Watch Keeping up with success stories from the
60
Behind the scenes with Millfield’s
Changing the Landscape
Talking Heads Our new regular: what do headteachers
Eye Can See Clearly Now
An end of term tradition to beat all
31
Private or State? The Good Schools’ Guide lends a hand
54
the importance of our eyes
28
Heads on the Move Which headmaster is going where?
Clare Holland of Keith Holland on
27
Brave New World How to explain world events to your
– quite rightly, says Alison Fleming
24
Up, Up and Away
School Memories Television presenter Ben Fogle
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD David Moncrieff, Chairman Tor Down, Parent James Durant, UCAS Andrew Fleck, Sedbergh School Tory Gillingham, AMDIS Rachel Kerr, Girls’ Schools Association Glynis Kozma, Education journalist Zoe MacDougall, Teacher Heidi Salmons, The Headmasters’ & Headmistresses’ Conference Elaine Stallard, Elaine Stallard Consulting The Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP, Chairman of the Education Select Committee Sheila Thompson, Boarding Schools’ Association Ben Vessey, Canford School David Wellesley-Wesley, Independent Schools Show Peter Young, Marketing/Brand Consultant Sir Anthony Seldon, Wellington College
Ben Fogle shares his school memories from Bryanston (p.82)
x + y2 = 4 Let us know what you think Tweet us @ISParent
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NEWS
Our pick of the top parenting and education news
LET’S PLAY DRESS UP!
Goodies made by Bedales children and staff
[Prep schools nationwide] Schools all over the country got involved for Comic Relief last term dressing up, bringing in a pound and making cakes to raise money. At Bedales Pre-Prep, Dunannie, pupils raised £215 for Comic Relief, participating in a “jolly joke assembly” and dressing up in their favourite “funny for money” outfits! Clayesmore Prep, Dorset, had an afternoon of fun under the theme of “distance”, swimming, running and roller blading among other activities, and clocked up 391,972 metres in total – phew! Pupils at Dixie Grammar Junior School, Leicestershire, made funny faces for Red Nose Day, coming into school wearing silly hats, and scoffing goodies in the cake sale.
Shooting for Charity [Staines Preparatory School, Middlesex]
Four worthy charities were the lucky recipients of over £1,000 raised by pupils at Staines Preparatory School this term. There was a penalty shoot out, a huge loose change collection and a race to see who could pass the most rugby balls. HAIR CHOP FOR CHARITY [Stockport Grammar Junior School, Greater Manchester] Two pupils from Stockport Grammar Junior School are helping the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides real hair wigs to children who lose their hair through cancer. “It’s sad that children lose their hair when they’re so ill, so we thought we’d try to help,” Talia Zelhof and Lily Ahmet told us.
LET IT SHINE [The Royal School, Surrey] Children at The Royal School enjoyed their annual SHINE performing arts day among local primary schools this term. Children enjoyed dance, art and music workshops before creating their own responses to the musical pieces with a giant firebird, one-off theatre skits and body percussion.
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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TO ME, TO YOU! [Northbourne Park School, Kent]
The annual Primary Schools’ Cross Country relay was hosted by Northbourne Park School this term, with 16 schools taking part (and in perfect weather!). Northbourne stormed to victory winning the competition, with two other teams placing well. SING SANG SUNG [Gresham’s Prep School, Norfolk] The Chapel Choir at Gresham’s Prep School reached the finals of the Barnardo’s National Choral Competition at London’s Royal Festival Hall, achieving second place in the junior category. Performing two pieces in the main competition, the choir stood up to sing again at a concert for over 2,000 people that evening.
x + y2 = 4
Sch ol tweets
@ISParent Did you know that @MoretonHallPrep have got SIX scholarships this year? Not bad out of a class of 12! (Sarah Head, @TadpoleSarah)
EXPANSION EXCITEMENT [Wellington Prep School, Somerset] The Early Years provision at Wellington Prep is set to develop with a brand new nursery. This will allow the school to take children from two years, extending the provision to more families. The new building, subject to planning, will open in September 2016. The existing nursery unit will remain in place, and will be dedicated to three and four-year-old pupils.
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independentschoolparent.com | SUMMER 2015
WORLD TRAVELLERS [Burgess Hill School, West Sussex] Back in February, Burgess Hill School for Girls’ junior pupils took part in a creative week. With the theme: Around the World in Five Days, each year group explored a different county that Phileas Fogg from Jules Verne’s novel visited, and immersed themselves in the culture, traditions and history of that country, making all sorts of goodies.
Great pic of HMC member school @BlundellsSchool on the cover #HMCschools (HMC, @HMC_Org) @ISParent, @MalvernStJames @KingsChester @HMC_Org So Nice to see our “Girls in Science” pic being put to good use! (Bruton School, @BrutonSchool)
Share your school news and tweet us @ISParent
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WORLD BOOK DAY
Above, pupils at Abberley Hall School have risen to the garden challenge
[Prep schools nationwide]
PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK
All over the country, schools got their pupils really mucking in and dressing up for World Book Day – here are some of our favourites! Farlington Prep School, West Sussex, supported the charity Big Brother Mouse, which is set up in Laos to help get books into schools. Pupils from Knighton House, Dorset, came as a variety of characters, ranging from Willy Wonka to Pippi Longstocking, Peter Pan’s Shadow and Sherlock Holmes! Chichester came all over Dahlicious for World Book Day as pupils from Oakwood School, Sussex (below) dressed up as Roald Dahl characters, raising £210 for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. Pupils at Highfield and Brookham Schools in Liphook enjoyed a busy week, taking part in competitions, creating their own storybooks, and dressing up as their favourite characters from fiction!
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[Abberley Hall School, Worcestershire]
Pupils at Abberley Hall School have been working on an entry in the Malvern Spring Festival show, that will form part of the school’s garden challenge at Malvern Showground. “All the pupils are very enthusiastic about this project, and have used a range of skills,” said James Abbott, head of DT.
SHOOTING STARS
ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY
[Saint Martin’s School, Solihull] Year Six girls in the netball team, at Saint Martin’s Solihull, competed in the Solihull Borough High Five Netball Festival this term and were thrilled to be crowned winners!
[Foremarke Hall, Derbyshire] The competitive nature of the London schools admissions process is driving an increasing number of parents to look outside London, and an “escape to the country”. One mother moved her daughter from one London school to Foremarke Hall in Derbyshire and is very pleased with the results. “She is clearly enjoying all that is on offer, making friends and joining in with lots of activities.” Headmaster Richard Merriman commented on the subject recently: “Lessons and tuition are, of course, core business, but Foremarke and prep schools like ours recognise the importance of providing young people with things to learn and enjoy away from the classroom.”
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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CURRICULUM
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independentschoolparent.com | SUMMER 2015
W
HAT MAKES A
CLASSIC? In the 150th year of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Charlotte Phillips looks at which novels stand the test of time…
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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CURRICULUM
T
he time: deepest childhood. The mood: emotionally charged. The occasion: a defining family moment, or so I hoped, as darling little chicks at my knee, my voice quivering ever so slightly with emotion, I prepared to introduce my offspring to an iconic book, Swallows and Amazons. As a 10-year-old, I’d been captivated by Arthur Ransome’s tale of pre-war nautical derring-do featuring the four Walker children, turned loose on an island to fend for themselves. Decades on, nostalgia at Proustian levels (as long as you traded madeleines for pemmican sandwiches) I wanted to share the love with my brood. The experience, needless to say, was a complete failure, scuppered by the unholy hoots of mirth that greeted the appearance of feisty but unfortunately-named girl sailor, Titty, at the bottom of page one. I was devastated. Having a childhood favourite reduced to a cheap joke makes you feel like your earliest literary loves aren’t just out of fashion, but antediluvian. As far as your children are concerned, they qualify as a brand new archaeological era (mum-o-lithic, anyone?).
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independentschoolparent.com | SUMMER 2015
MUM’S OLD BOOKS?
Share your own childhood favourites on Twitter… @ISParent
But was my pleasure to purgatory experience a one off, the result of misplaced parental nostalgia, or should I face up to the harsh reality that classic children’s works – aka, to my family, as “Mum’s old books” – just don’t hold their readability down the generations? Should former bestsellers like CS Lewis’ Narnia series, Charlotte’s Web and The Adventures of Tintin be consigned to a digital-only existence as films and DVDs while the print versions slide into literary oblivion, with a twilight existence as Kindle comfort reading for adults of a certain age? After all, with authors like JK Rowling, David Walliams and Neil Gaiman strutting their stuff, it’s not as if there’s a dearth of gripping modern fiction for young readers to sink their teeth into.
CAN YOU LOVE IT TOO MUCH? Below, a Millfield pupil devours a novel
But all is not yet lost. Kate Agnew, former chair of the Children’s Bookselling Group, now runs the Children’s Bookshop in London’s Muswell Hill where classic books continue to sell in steady numbers. Agnew’s own favourite is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: “I named my daughter after her,” she says. It’s often not the titles themselves that are the problem, Agnew says, but parents’ understandable tendency to get a bit overexcited when it comes to sharing them. “Sometimes the danger as a parent is that one loves it so much one wants to introduce one’s own child too young… Because it’s right for you, it’s not necessarily the right one [for them].” We’re also our own worst enemies, pantingly eager, like springer spaniels with
a tennis ball, hell-bent on micromanaging their every moment and in the process doing a fine job of stifling their natural curiosity about the world around them.
PACE IT
Instead, let them get on with discovering books on their own, urges psychologist Dr Simon Moore, a member of the British Psychological Society and project design and management director of Innovation Bubble (childhood favourite was Finn Family Moomintroll: “a fantastical place of talking hippos and invisible girls”). “As a child, I hated everything that my mum and dad recommended,” he says. “What I really liked was finding out something for myself, realising I could read what I wanted to read and that no-one was going to make me.”
TIME TO SHARE
But getting the generations together to discover classic stories can still be intensely enjoyable. Lucy Keat, senior librarian at Danes Hill School in Surrey, is passionate about books. Her favourite as a child was Tom’s Midnight Garden, “I loved the idea of a magical garden only I could see,” she says. Her parent and child reading groups are hugely popular, not just because of the mugs of hot chocolate on offer but also on account of a literary menu that includes some venerable titles. Modern bestsellers feature, naturally, but she’s also had an enthusiastic response to Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House series, published from the 1930s: rugged, sock-it-to ‘em tales set in the American West and stuffed with pioneering can-do attitudes. Their fascination, she says, is down to their “otherness” – a world so utterly different from our children’s own: simpler, and minus the technology and pressures of the modern day. Following the dénouement
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BLACK BEAUTY, BALLET SHOES AND 101 DALMATIANS SPRING SO FRESH FROM THE PAGE THAT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN WRITTEN YESTERDAY
of one story, where the family swap simple, homemade Christmas presents that have taken months to create, every child in the group, she says, “wanted to run to the woods and build a log cabin”.
PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK; EDGE GROVE SCHOOL
150 YEARS OF ALICE
Other books, too, have a cultural value that transcends time and place. The Alice Look, an exhibition this summer at the V&A Museum of Childhood, celebrates 150 years since Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was first published. The quality of the writing in both of the Alice books is “incredible”, says Dr Kiera Vaclavik, curator of The Alice Look and senior lecturer in French and comparative literature at Queen Mary University of London. Her favourite book was The Princess and the Pea: “[I] was very keen on peas, and had aspirations to marrying up!”.
Dr Vaclavik is convinced that reading the book in the original – hard words and all – shows children what the world was like way back when and can even turn them into budding critics as they start to notice just how different modern versions of the story can be. “It’s a way of entering a fascinating labyrinth of later adaptations and productions,” she says. Mandy Fawcett, a teacher at Newland House Prep School in Twickenham, whose favourite childhood book was The Faraway Tree because of characters like Moonface, and Silky who “just became friends”, has a clear-sighted approach when it comes to introducing her seven-year-old son Barnaby to the classics. When the books hit the spot, “you know he’s lost in that world that you got lost in,” she says.
Children will often discover their own “classics”
She accepts, though, that however fabulous a book’s literary merit, it won’t always make the cut. Beatrix Potter is one of the authors to fall by the wayside. “There are so many other books Barnaby would rather choose, such as Captain Underpants.” Similarly, a parent’s emotional attachment to a childhood tale, no matter how strong may not be enough to trigger similar feelings in generation Z. “As lovers of books and stories, we naturally want to pass them down and retell them. Sometimes it works a treat, sometimes it doesn’t,” warns Lucy Keat. She cites books like Treasure Island and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – both classics, both largely unreadable, while others, Black Beauty, Ballet Shoes and 101 Dalmatians among them, spring so fresh from the page that they could have been written yesterday. ISP
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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CURRICULUM
12 BEFORE 12 Every school has them – the books to read before your child is 12. We’ve put together our selection, is your favourite here?
1
From top left: Paddington Bear by Michael Bond; The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien; Green Eggs and Ham by Dr Seuss; The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis; Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll; Slinky Malinki by Lynley Dodd; Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne; Malory Towers by Enid Blyton; The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter; The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy; Matilda by Roald Dahl; The Borrowers by Mary Norton
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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en ng ay Op ni M or h m M 30t 0a t .3 Sa 10
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We develop enquiring minds and independent thinkers through respect, honesty, humility, integrity and courage.
Outstanding academic record in preparing pupils for all public and senior schools. l 90 acre grounds l Exceptional facilities l New science complex l Indoor swimming pool l Sports Hall l Rifle range
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Warm, friendly, family school delivering a true all round education Small class sizes allowing individual support to ensure we add value to every pupil in the school whether through classroom or non-classroom based learning Outstanding and varied extra-curricular opportunities including renowned outdoor education activities with Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme taken to Gold level Indoor climbing wall, 70-acre working farm and BHS approved Equestrian Centre Flexi, weekly and full boarding options available in small boarding homes with caring house parents A Levels and BTECS offered to Sixth Form pupils who have their own Sixth Form Centre for independent learning, and a unique Sixth Form Log Cabin Boarding complex One of only 11 Round Square Schools in the UK All inclusive school fees with no hidden extras Scholarships, bursaries and forces bursaries available
Contact the Admissions team on 01889 594 265 or email admissions@abbotsholme.co.uk, or visit www.abbotsholme.co.uk Abbotsholme School, Rocester, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 5BS
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A London co-educational prep school for children aged 3-13 Open Day: Saturday 10th October 2015 Headmistress’s Tours every Friday morning by appointment hmpa@newtonprep.co.uk 020 7720 4091
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independentschoolparent.com | SUMMER 2015
HEADS-UP
ALISON FLEMING headmistress of Newton Prep, London
PHOTOGRAPHY: NEWTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL
T
he question of the lack of female leaders in teaching is a passion of mine, and earlier this year I hosted a cross-sector conference on the subject: Empowering Women in Educational Leadership. Speakers included the thensecretary of state for education Nicky Morgan, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and veteran North London Collegiate School headmistress Bernice McCabe. Debates ranged from the hurdles women must overcome in the workplace, to the ways in which women can hold themselves back. It was a fascinating day, with more than 180 delegates sharing ideas and questions, and we were overwhelmed by the feedback we received. A typical response was along the lines of, “I had been thinking about whether I could make the leap into leadership and you gave me the confidence to try. I have now applied for deputy headship at my school.” I have always believed it is easier for men to become head teachers than it is for women – and our conference certainly
[
Above, Alison with pupils
UP THE WOMEN It’s time to empower our female teachers to give our young people strong role models of both sexes, says Alison Fleming
supported that view. With teaching in primary schools dominated 90% by female teachers, but with men accounting for at least a third of headships, there is clearly a point at which men outstrip women in the pursuit of senior positions. In the independent sector, it is an open secret that if you are a half-decent male teacher and can do a bit of IT and games, then your pathway to headship is clear! Don’t misunderstand me: there are fabulous male heads out there. But the quest for male “role models” in a prep environment is misplaced. What
we need are outstanding, fearless leaders, regardless of gender. Already benefiting from the “shortage of supply” issue, the self-assuredness of many male candidates at interview is also an intoxicating quality. I have sat in countless interviews in which male applicants lay claim to being able to do all sorts of things, whereas women seem to more readily admit to weakness or experience gaps. In some cases, this is a confidence issue: men often wing it, women under-sell themselves. Maternity leave creates particular problems in a female-dominated staff room.
There has never been a more important time in the life of this country to have inspirational, high-quality, switched-on school leaders, male and female. Our girls need strong role models!
]
What do you think? Tell us on Twitter @ISParent
It is right that employment law protects women who take a break to have a baby, but in the independent sector when parents are paying over £15,000-a-year for their child’s education, it is hard to “sell” the notion of a maternity cover teacher. Shared parental leave will bring additional pressures to ensure continuity of top quality teaching in classrooms. The simple reality is there has never been a more important time to have inspirational, high quality, brave, switched-on school leaders, male and female. Young people are under huge pressures and their mental health and wellbeing is vitally important. Our girls need strong female role models to show them how to be confident, ambitious, to take risks and to be resilient. And it wouldn’t hurt the boys, either! ISP
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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Bringing out ‘‘ the best in boys’’
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CLARE HOLLAND optometrist and founder of Keith Holland
EYE CAN SEE CLEARLY
It’s important to make sure your child’s eyes are healthy – not just for now, but for ever, says Clare Holland
W
hich of our five senses contributes the most to the whole learning experience? Vision is the obvious answer – an estimated 85% of our learning is accessed through the visual system. So what if there is a subtle problem with an element of that system? What difficulties is it possible to experience? In order for a word of print to be read, a clear image of that word needs to be formed on the retina. People over around 45 years old will become aware of increasing difficulty in seeing small print clearly, particularly in poor lighting. This is because of the entirely normal loss of flexibility of the tiny crystalline lens in the eye with age, a process known as presbyopia. The focusing power of the lens is at its greatest in youth, and so a child’s ability to focus easily on text for long periods and always see it clearly tends to be assumed and not properly checked. In fact, quite a high proportion of children have a reduced focusing, so print can appear blurred and copying from the board in class, which requires rapid
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Taking it for Granted Often the child does not know to complain, since if that is how they have always seen things, they take the quality of their vision as normal. This problem should be suspected in a child who learns to read easily when text in starter books is large and well-spaced, but begins to fall behind when stories have smaller print, less broken up with illustration. This usually happens around Year Three. When we look far away, into the distance, our eyes are parallel but when we look at a book close up, our eyes have to make a considerable effort to converge closer together in order that the images in the two eyes line up and single vision is achieved. For a child with relatively weak convergence, the effort may be too great and, as their eyes no longer line up accurately on the book and the print appears to dance around and wobble about all over the page. Headaches often occur, particularly along the sides of the head, and the child is likely to be easily distracted, finding any excuse to look up and away from a tricky, and often uncomfortable task.
Our Saccadic movements take us from word to word – it is likely that a child who frequently loses their place when reading has a difficulty with those eye movements
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independentschoolparent.com | SUMMER 2015
The child may be lacking in concentration, become more tired than their friends and be observed rubbing their eyes. Sometimes they complain of “rivers” of white, black or even colour running down the page, and are often described as having a short attention span.
changes of focus, becomes very difficult. Errors are made, and the child falls behind their peers and friends.
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Age-old Methodology
Making sure your child has good sight is vital
We read English from left to right across the page, but have you ever considered how complex a task that is? Our Saccadic eye movements take us from word to word, or in the case of long words from the start of a word to the end, and then we “see” and take in the word on a fixation. It is likely that a child who frequently loses their place when reading, repeating lines or skipping over words, has a difficulty with those Saccadic eye movements. Luckily, most areas of visual difficulty respond well to targeted vision therapy exercises, what one child described as “Gym for my eyes”! A good start would be regular eye examinations with a childfriendly optometrist every two years or so. Better to be safe than sorry. ISP Find out more at: keithholland.co.uk; visionandlearning.co.uk; babo.co.uk
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forthcoming. No need for sticks.” Eliza Ecclestone, Class of 1991, Governor
SCHOOL GATE
KATIE HUGHES education writer for national newspapers and magazines
T
he lucky ones have been plied with vintage wine, opera tickets and expensive jewellery. The less fortunate have had to endure half-eaten boxes of chocolates, second-hand mugs and dubious clothing accessories. According to the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), 90% of teachers receive presents from their pupils each year – but gifts can range from the extravagant to the extreme. London parents top the list of lavish present givers, with designer labels like Chanel, Hermès and Prada piling up on teachers’ desks in the capital’s top prep schools at the year-end. “I once had to take a cab home as I was given so many gifts,” says Becky Morgan, a former London prep school teacher, who now works at Beeston Hall School in Norfolk. “There was perfume, Champagne, gold jewellery and more.” A Chelsea mother adds: “I spend as much on the teacher at the end of the year as on my own child’s birthday present.” “Overseas parents win the crown when it comes to extravagance,” says Janette Wallis of The Good Schools Guide, although gifts from famous parents can be
THE STRANGEST
ILLUSTRATION: CLARE MACKIE
PRESENTS
• See-through nightdress • Large framed photo of a pupil • Tin of hot dog sausages • Box of chocolates: opened, half-eaten and re-wrapped • Gift voucher with nothing on it • Can of gin and tonic • Budgie • Tropical fish
PRESENT DAY Teachers are receiving an increasingly diverse range of end-of-term gifts, finds Katie Hughes
similarly dazzling. Head of maths at Prior Park Prep in Wiltshire, Mark Collins, tells of two packs of gold playing cards given to him by the actor Jude Law, whose son he once taught. He describes them as “the coolest present I’ve ever had.” Other lavish gifts bestowed on teachers at the school include a Fortnum & Mason food hamper and some Hobbs’ vouchers. At Aldro in Surrey, it’s “something personal, something a boy has made” that wins teachers over, says Sheridan Charles, the school’s marketing and development manager. Others echo the same sentiment: “I think the written word is still treasured most,” says Guy Holloway, headmaster of Hampton Court House in Surrey, when asked to identify the ideal present. “Just recently I received a card which said ‘thank you for always believing in me’. As a teacher, that meant everything.” However, some personal presents can go a little off-piste. Matching underwear, chocolate body paint, complete with brush, and even a ladies’ electric shaver are among many bizarre gifts mentioned by teachers. One tells of receiving a hand-knitted jumper that wasn’t quite the right size, another of a
Above, some gifts are just plain bizarre
homemade photo frame, decorated with clumps of the pupil’s own hair and yet another of a dress that had been designed and sewn by a nine-year-old boy. Many parents try hard to avoid gift clichés. Robin Gainher, headmaster of Beeston Hall, was once given a domeshaped hat “from a family who thought of me when they saw it in Lesotho – I’ve never been quite sure of the connection!” Other alternative presents cited by teachers include a hand-beaded duster, and a box of hamster bedding, bought, according to a pupil, “because mummy won’t let me buy you the hamster itself ”. But unusual presents do sometimes hit the spot. “I received a set of screwdrivers when I started teaching 25 years ago,” says Guy Holloway, “and I still use them.” Other welcome gifts include an engraved whistle for the head of games at Prior Park and a huge lump of parmesan for the school’s cheese-loving head of assessment and ICT. But presents aren’t obligatory. Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the ATL, says: “Although most staff like receiving presents from their pupils to show their hard work is appreciated, they don’t expect them.” ISP
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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PHIL BOND
head of outdoor education at Millfield, Somerset
O
(Behind the Scenes) Millfield School, Somerset
utdoor Learning is introduced at an early age at Millfield Prep, where from Year Six onwards every pupil has the opportunity to try activities including hiking in Dartmoor, caving at Cheddar Gorge, mountain biking in the Mendip Hills, raft-building in the Brecon Beacons and exploration of the worldfamous Dorset coastline of Lulworth Cove, Stair Hole and Durdle Door. As pupils progress to Year Nine, the Outdoor Learning programme continues, with a series of expeditions and activities designed to foster an appreciation and understanding of the environment, conservation and sustainability, and to build teamwork and leadership skills. Millfield’s Australian headmaster, Craig Considine, recently launched an
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development of self-confidence, and that this comes from the learning of competence in practical ways”. Inspired by these words, the “Nine at Millfield” outdoor education programmse was created, which includes four camping trips alongside lessons in bushcraft, map reading, orienteering, first aid and practical skills. The programme places an emphasis upon hiking, navigation, campcraft skills and camping – activities through which each pupil may be stretched and challenged to reach their full potential and develop a range of lifelong skills. As the pupils’ skill base, knowledge and confidence grow throughout the year, the programme progressively develops, culminating in the Year Nine Camp – a five-day expedition in the summer term.
The programme places an emphasis upon hiking, campcraft skills and camping activities where pupils can reach their true potential and develop lifelong skills
innovative Year Nine learning programme “Nine at Millfield” which combines an academic and co-curricular programme, alongside a challenging outdoor education schedule. Inspired by the headmaster’s former teaching experiences at leading Australian and New Zealand independent schools, Geelong Grammar and Wanganui and research findings highlighting the requirement for further pupil support when moving up from junior to senior school, the programme is tailored to the needs of young adolescents. James Darling, former headmaster of Geelong Grammar, voiced that “education must be closely concerned with the
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This is a hugely testing but rewarding experience that will bring together all of the skills learnt over the course of the year. The school’s first intake into the “Nine at Millfield” programme recently undertook an expedition in which they spent two nights camping in St Just in Cornwall. Pupils and staff navigated the tricky terrain of the South West Coastal Path making sure they found time to stop and take in the breathtaking views at Land’s End and Sennen Cove. The hardy walkers among the group covered an impressive 18km and made it all the way back to the campsite, showing real determination and resilience in
Right, Millfield gets pupils into the great outdoors
SENIOR SCHOOL
SURF’S UP
Phil Bond explains how Millfield nurtures self-confidence through its innovative outdoor pursuits programme
PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK
Millfield pupils riding the waves at Fistral Beach in Newquay
preparation for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Ten Tors event. Pupils also experienced life as a tin miner, panning for gems and navigating their way along the small underground passages of Geevor Tin Mine. The other half of the year group braved the cold waters at Fistral Beach, Newquay, and had a lesson on riding the waves at this iconic surfing location. “The ‘Nine at Millfield’ programme encourages you to embrace outdoor challenges. So far we have enjoyed a brilliant recipe of camps, hikes and
expeditions,” explains Year Nine pupil Miles Critchley-Hope, who is enthusiastic about the outdoor curriculum. “The most recent ingredient was a two-day camp in St Just, Cornwall, where we delved into the cold Cornish Atlantic on a surf lesson. On the way there we all worried about how cold it was going to be, however we had been given winter wetsuits, gloves and shoes, which kept us warm. By the end, most of us were able to stand up on the board – although our steering still needed some work!” These activities and trips offer the pupils the
opportunity to successfully work and cooperate with peers, fostering positive and effective relationships, building a stronger sense of community across the year group and the school as a whole. Back in the comfort of the classroom, the “Positive Education” classes allow us to review and reflect on these outdoor activities, helping to highlight transferable learning opportunities for the pupils. ISP
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In F
Above, pupils at Highfield School, Hampshire
oc us
FOCUS HEALTH
CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE
Giving children the tools needed to cope and flourish in an ever-demanding world was at the heart of our conference at Highfield School, Hampshire, write Phillip Evitt and William Goldsmith
W
hat makes our schools special? This is a question asked of pupils and staff regularly and one that we all find easy to answer: our impressive academic results; high quality and innovative teaching; beautiful grounds and happy atmosphere; opportunities for sport, music, art, drama and extra-curricular
activities and of course the pastoral care. I am sure we would all agree that our schools have these qualities and much more. However, there is one thing we value above everything else; the happiness and wellbeing of our children, which is the very linchpin of every single school. This was evident in the engagement of 102 delegates from 57 leading IAPS (The Independent Association of Prep Schools) and HMC (Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference) schools that gathered at Highfield on 28th April for a day to promote what lies at the core of
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education and growing up; the wellbeing of our children. Every day we read and hear of the pressures facing young people in all areas of life; of the rise in self-harm and disordered eating among girls and boys, of the unacceptable, yet unavoidable, wait for young people to secure an appointment with CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), and ever more disturbing statistics of the scale of mental health problems in our young people. We should not underestimate the scale of this problem and every school has a duty to address this and do all they can to help put this right.
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Addressing the delegates on a range of associated issues, we were delighted to welcome a number of inspirational and engaging speakers who put the emotional and mental wellbeing of our pupils at the heart of their message. They spoke of the alarming rise in mental health issues among young people, the need to understand eating disorders and self-harm, the value of slowing down education, the nature of the adolescent brain and the benefits of teaching mindfulness. Aimed at galvanising our sector into implementing initiatives to
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reduce pressures on young people and stem the rise in mental health issues, the conference generated a commitment from every school present to put emotional wellbeing at the heart of school life, both in and out of the classroom. We genuinely feel we can do something quite extraordinary across our sector – and beyond – to bring young people’s emotional wellbeing to the top of the agenda. If every school – primary, secondary, state and independent – did just this, we would not only save lives, but raise our children to
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Every day we read and hear of the pressures facing young people in all areas of life. Every single school has a duty to address this and do all they can to help put this problem right
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Top middle, each speaker outlined positive steps to improve the wellbeing of young people
cope and flourish in a truly extraordinary global world. The day was an enormous success and not only are we immensely proud to be part of a larger movement for change, we are equally delighted that there can be no doubt the tide is turning. We will continue to collaborate with schools throughout the country to stop this crisis deepening and demonstrate that we can arrest the growing pressures our children face. By being proactive with the four to 13 age range, we can stem the reactive measures required at secondary schools. What did delegates take from the Conference? Firstly, passionate pleas from all the speakers to recognise the growing problem and to do something about it. Secondly, that the speakers approached enhancing emotional wellbeing from different viewpoints.
PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK
The happiness and mental wellbeing of its pupils should be the top priority for every single school
In F
oc us
“We will continue to drive schools to implement a whole school approach to emotional wellbeing�
While Mike Grenier, of Eton College, Berkshire, encouraged schools to slow down education and allow time for genuinely creative teaching and learning, James Shone, former teacher with a 16-year career in the sector and now a motivational speaker, talked about the need for all schools to look at their pastoral care and ensure time is set aside for tutors and teachers to really get to know the children. Dick Moore, an expert on mental health in adolescents, challenged all schools to come together, take responsibility and genuinely put emotional literacy at the very heart of the curriculum, a message greeted with enormous enthusiasm and determination. Dr. Bob Stephenson, deputy head of Eton College, Berkshire, gave a thoughtprovoking presentation on the adolescent brain, while Dr. Pooky Knightsmith spoke
Bottom middle: delegates learned how to spot signs of mental ill-health in children
about eating disorders and self-harm, increasingly problems for both boys and girls. Caroline Southerden, a schools counsellor, urged all schools to ensure their pupils have access to a counsellor and James Gibbs, from the Mindfulness in Schools Project, explained the valuable impact Mindfulness can have on staff and pupil wellbeing. Schools were also urged to train their staff in Mental Health First Aid, a valuable course offered by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). Just as all school staff have their medical first aid qualifications renewed on a regular basis, why is there no such requirement or opportunity for mental health awareness? If staff had the knowledge and awareness to spot signs of mental ill-health at an early stage, the lives of many children could be transformed.
The tide is turning. There was a real sense of excitement, commitment and determination among the schools present to implement all that was discussed and presented. This is just the beginning and we are committed to putting words into action. Across the prep school sector, we will continue to drive schools to implement a whole school approach to emotional wellbeing, as urged by George Masters. There is much to do and we are at the start of an exciting and revolutionary process to make changes, but most importantly, make a real difference to young people. We are grateful to all our speakers for their inspirational messages, to the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust for their support and to all the schools who came to Highfield and engaged with a movement we hope will change the landscape of education. ISP
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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THALIA THOMPSON education and parenting writer
DEAD ALIVE
Latin has a reputation for being tricky to learn, but it appeals to all, says Thalia Thompson
In The Beginning At many independent schools, Latin is compulsory in Year Seven and Eight; even if students don’t opt to continue with the subject, they will have received an excellent grounding in a range of skills that will stand them in good stead for studies in other areas. “Latin does have an unusually large skill set,” says Dr James Watson, head of classics at the Perse School, Cambridge, describing how just two years learning Latin can not only help develop linguistic and grammatical skills but also encourage
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An Intellectual Challenge? Latin has a reputation for being an uncompromisingly demanding subject; recent research from the University of Durham rated Latin as one or two grades harder than other subjects at GCSE.
Below, Roman gladiator’s helmet based on the Murmillo or Myrmillo type
This perception of difficulty could actually be useful, with anecdotal tales of Latin qualifications being held in high regard by universities and employers, but it shouldn’t deter students. Taylor accepts there are challenging elements to Latin. But, he explains, “it’s well within most pupils’ capabilities, it just means they’ve got to think about it, which is a good thing. One of the selling points of Latin is that it does make even the able students put their minds to it.”
Latin For All! There’s no one type of person who will excel at or enjoy Latin. Enthusiasts range from natural linguists who enjoy learning about the structure of language, pupils who are drawn to the myths and legends of an ancient civilisation, and the mathematicians, who delight in the problem solving. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson is a famous advocate, having read classics at Oxford. It is, he says, “the key to a phenomenal and unsurpassed treasury of literature and history and philosophy. We cannot possibly understand our modern world unless we understand the ancient world that made us all.” ISP
r “We can not possibly understa nd ou nd modern world un less we understa ” the ancient world that made us all MAYO R OF LONDO N, BORIS JOHNSON
MP
PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK
W
hile Mandarin is a fashionable newcomer to the language curriculum in many schools, Latin still more than holds its own. It’s a subject that can bring many benefits to students, something that’s been appreciated by some very successful people: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg studied classics at university and famously listed Latin as one of the languages he spoke on his Harvard application form. Old Etonian actor Tom Hiddleston took a double first in classics at Cambridge before reaching stardom with roles ranging from Shakespeare’s Coriolanus to Loki in the Thor blockbusters.
logical thinking. And of course, the time spent learning about another civilisation teaches concepts of citizenship and an understanding of social values worthy of any PHSE lesson. Schools often encourage Latin lessons to come alive with visits to key Roman sites such as trips to Pompeii to visit the house of Caecilius, the hero of the first book in the commonly-used Cambridge Latin course, or to Fishbourne Roman Palace in Chichester, a setting for the second book. The subject matter of Latin lessons can be inherently fascinating too. “Whereas in French you might be learning to ask for tickets in a railway station or talking about the weather, in Latin you’re translating a story about murder and conspiracy, gladiators and emperors,” Chris Taylor, head of classics at Sevenoaks School, points out.
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www.sunningdaleschool.co.uk www.sunningdaleschool.co.uk unningdaleschool.co.uk ol.co.uk www.sunningdaleschool.co.uk www.sunningdaleschool.co.uk www.sunningdaleschool.co.uk www.sunningdaleschool.co.uk www.sunningdaleschool.co.uk www.sunningdaleschool.co.uk www.sunningdaleschool.co.uk unningdaleschool.co.uk unningdaleschool.co.uk unningdaleschool.co.uk ol.co.uk ol.co.uk ol.co.uk www.sunningdaleschool.co.uk unningdaleschool.co.uk ol.co.uk Tel: +44(0)1344 620159 Tel: Tel: +44(0)1344 Tel: +44(0)1344 +44(0)1344 620159 620159 620159 Tel: 01344 620159 Tel: +44(0)1344 620159 Tel: Tel: 01344 01344 620159 620159 Tel: 01344 Tel: 01344 620159 620159 E-mail: headmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk E-mail: E-mail: headmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk headmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk E-mail: E-mail: headmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk headmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk E-mail: headmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk dmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk school.co.uk E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: headmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk headmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk dmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk headmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk dmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk dmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk school.co.uk school.co.uk school.co.uk E-mail: headmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk dmaster@sunningdaleschool.co.uk school.co.uk Sunningdale Sunningdale AUT13.indd AUT13.indd Sunningdale AUT13.indd Sunningdale Sunningdale AUT13.indd AUT13.indd 11 11 1
08/05/2013 08/05/2013 14:0514:0514:05 08/05/2013 14:05 08/05/2013 08/05/2013 14:05
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Our pupils experience a taste of two, very different, worlds: Forest is a city school located within the city’s largest green space. See the Preparatory School and hear about our unique diamond structure at Summer Open Evening, on Monday 22 June 2015. www.forest.org.uk/soe
A London day school surrounded by ancient forest
In F
ocus
PHOTOGRAPHY: LANCING COLLEGE, WEST SUSSEX, BILTON GRANGE, WARKS, ARDVRECK SCHOOL, PERTH, HILL HOUSE, LONDON, GORDONSTOUN, MORAY, BEESTON HALL, NORFOLK
PREP SCHOOL UNPICKED
Eleanor Doughty unravels the decisions, dilemmas and deliberations of sending your child to prep school SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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ELEANOR DOUGHTY
editorial assistant and newspaper journalist
The first decision that parents must make is the type of education they want for their children
W
hen your child reaches the age of 10, a funny thing begins to happen. They begin to move away from their childlike state of fully “prep school”, just a little, to the murky waters of “nearly-not-in prep school”. At that age, different things are going on for different children. Some will stay on at school for just one more year before moving, while others go straight through until 13, before hopping up to “big” school. The preparatory school system, and its various boundaries, can, therefore, present a mystery to parents. Some schools go to 11, some to 13. But why?
Above and right, Port Regis School, Dorset
FIRST, A LITTLE HISTORY
The preparatory school was originally developed in 19th century England and Wales as a way of schooling boys – then, the only gender to be fully educated – for public school. These, like Eton and Winchester Colleges, took boys at 13, and so the prep school was born from a direct need for a feeder before this age. Single-sex girls’ schools, both day and boarding, tend to follow the standard age range of state schools, beginning “big” school at age 11. On the other hand, boys-only boarding schools – not so much day – start at 13, two years into the girls’ school journey. As a result, if you want your son and daughter to attend two single-sex boarding schools, they will finish prep school at different times. The big, well-known, co-ed “public” schools also begin at 13 – logically, for once, most of them were boys’ schools, that traditionally started at 13. Schools such as Ampleforth College in North
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Yorkshire, Rugby in Warwickshire, and Wellington College in Berkshire, fall into this category, taking girls first in the sixth form, and later throughout, as late as 2005. Schools including Wycombe Abbey in Buckinghamshire and St Swithun’s School in Winchester were founded as girls’ schools and begin at 11, facilitating the need for seven to 11 preparatory education in the independent sector, as in the state sector. While some of these are single-sex, many are co-ed, meaning that boys must leave at 11 and go to another school in the interim, or leave at eight. All very muddling. Only a few schools were founded as co-educational schools – the most famous, Bedales (1893), was quite exceptional for its time.
THINK OF THE CHILDREN
History aside, what difference does it make to the children? Of course, the first decision that parents must make is the type of education they want for their children. Is it co-education, you’re after, or single-sex? Is your child going to stay at home, or go to boarding school? When choosing a prep school, the subsequent decision about “big” school can be made for you, depending on which combination you opt for. There are, of course, day and boarding schools for co-ed, girls-only and boys-only options. But where you might feel a slight conundrum is in choosing the right pairing of prep and senior school. For children that will board for senior school,
made “While there are lots of decisions to be uldn’t forget this is an exciting time, and you sho for you too” that. And not just for your child –
In F
ocus
BEST IN SHOW: 2-11 LONDON Hornsby House, SW12 (co-ed) Pembridge Hall, W2 (girls) NORTH AND SCOTLAND Belmont Grosvenor, North Yorkshire (co-ed) Hunter Hall School, Cumbria (co-ed) SOUTH EAST Burgess Hill School, West Sussex (girls) Spring Grove School, Kent (co-ed) SOUTH WEST Heywood School, Wiltshire (co-ed) Leaden Hall School, Wiltshire (girls) MIDLANDS The Croft School, Warwickshire (co-ed) Foremarke Hall, Derbyshire (co-ed)
BEST IN SHOW: 2-13 LONDON Arnold House School, NW8 (boys) Notting Hill Preparatory School, W11 (co-ed) NORTH AND SCOTLAND Aysgarth, North Yorkshire (boys) Ardvreck, School, Creiff, Perthshire (co-ed) SOUTH EAST Godstowe School, Buckinghamshire (girls) Sunningdale School, Berkshire (boys)
the right prep school must be chosen to prevent too much disruption and unnecessary movement for everyone.
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PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK
FORWARD PLANNING
Making a decision about prep schooling has far more of an impact on the senior school decision-making than might seem clear when your child is three, and you’re signing them up for their first school. While some parents will have a clear senior school in mind from the beginning, others will not. If you want your child to go to boarding school, then consider at what age they begin – for senior school, boys go at 13 regardless, and girls at 11 for single-sex, and 13 for co-ed. If they’re going to day schools, then 11+ is your aiming mark, and you can technically enrol them at any prep school – one that finishes at 11 or 13 – but consider whether they will be happy to leave at 11, while their friends stay on until 13.
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It is also worth considering whether your chosen prep school primarily feeds into boarding or day schools, as this might help your decisionmaking and the task of narrowing down the choice. If the “big” school you’ve chosen has a preparatory school attached then that’s also worth bearing in mind. Schools with their own prep schools make the move from prep to senior seamless, and there are far fewer logistics involved. Many parents rightly consider the “all-through” school the least stressful option. While there are lots of decision to be made, systematic diagrams to be drawn up, and open day bookings to be secured, this is an exciting time, and you shouldn’t forget that. Not just for your child, but for you too – even if that’s hard to believe. To help you with these important decisions, we’ve put together our handy guide to some of the top (and most fun) prep schools to help you on your quest. ISP
+
+
SOUTH WEST Port Regis, Dorset (co-ed) Hatherop Castle, Gloucestershire (co-ed) MIDLANDS Bilton Grange, Warwickshire (co-ed) Beeston Hall, Norfolk (co-ed)
BEST IN SHOW: CO-EDS WITH PREP SCHOOLS NORTH AND SCOTLAND St Olave’s and St Peter’s, York, Gordonstoun, Moray LONDON Alleyn’s Junior School and Alleyn’s, SE22 Latymer Prep and Upper School, W6 SOUTH EAST Junior King’s and King’s Canterbury, Kent Lancing College, West Sussex SOUTH WEST Clifton College, Bristol Millfield, Somerset MIDLANDS The Downs and Malvern College, Worcestershire The Elms and Trent College, Derbyshire
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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ANDREW BROOKS managing director, Bewley Homes
Above and top right, Byways property in Ascot, Berkshire
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| SUMMER 2015
PROPERTY
“Families are reluctant to abandon the cosmopolitan lifestyle they have become accustomed to, but by moving to places like Berkshire they have seen they don’t have to compromise”
Berkshire has a total of 52 independent schools
BERKSHIRE
THE EDUCATION EQUATION Looking for a dream home near a good school? Andrew Brooks has some sage advice…
LONDON
T
he value of providing a good quality education for our children has, and always will be, a key factor in property purchase decision-making. As a parent myself, I understand too well the importance of finding the perfect home near a range of great schools. As a developer in the south east of England, Bewley Homes are lucky to provide fantastic properties in some of the best schooling areas in the UK. Even with the May election looming, we are still confident that the UK property market will continue to bounce back in 2015, especially in locations offering the
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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PROPERTY
lifestyle we have all come to expect. This in turn puts a great emphasis on the quality of local schools and the availability of properties surrounding them.
KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY
Savills’ most recent property report reinforces the importance of the “family focused” consumer and with London’s highly competitive property market and schooling system, young families have no choice but to move further and further out of the capital. This is no surprise when the average property in London, in close proximity to an independent school, reaches a reported £760K. At Bewley Homes, we pride ourselves on providing great quality family homes in unrivalled locations, from townhouses and apartments, to six-bedroom mansions, we have something for every family looking to live in the South East. Counties like Berkshire offer young families the lifestyle and schooling they desire. In fact there are 52 independent schools in total and some of them are the most renowned in the country. These include Ludgrove School, Eton and Wellington College.
The Byways mansion is situated in Ascot, Berkshire
The Bewley Park Townhouse’s master bedroom, Reading
The extensive garden at Byways, Ascot
The kitchen and dining space at Byways, Ascot
A HIGH SPECIFICATION
Situated in the prestigious Berkshire village of Ascot, we created two excellent mansions: Glenmead and Byways. Each property provides buyers not only with a luxurious home, including well-sized interiors to a high specification, but also an open-plan design, ideal for families, with over 7,700 square foot of living space. Ascot, an area renowned for its affluent lifestyle, has seen the average property price rise nine per cent in the last year alone, and the demand from buyers for a unique location with excellent connections into London has never been stronger. Families are understandably reluctant to abandon the cosmopolitan lifestyle they have become accustomed to, but by moving to places such as Berkshire, they have seen they don’t have to compromise. An ideal location for families wanting a country lifestyle, while still wishing to remain close to shops and restaurants, Berkshire has great transport links into London supporting commuters,
international connections or even just days out in the capital.
A GREAT INVESTMENT
In nearby Reading, our Bewley Park development provides buyers with a fantastic range of properties. Our four-bedroom townhouses bring a taste of European living to Reading, with family homes spanning three floors. A short walk takes you straight into the centre of the town with its fantastic connections to London and beyond, the development also boarder’s idyllic Prospect Park and is walking distance to a number of schools. Just recently, we helped a local family find their perfect home at Bewley Park. After renting in the area for eight years, not wanting to relocate from Reading for both schooling and work reasons, they chose a three-bedroom townhouse and are moving in this spring. Mrs Brinch comments on the development, “The location was just perfect, close to our son’s school, and within walking distance of the station and town centre. We had a look around the development and were able to choose a three-bedroom townhouse with a spacious kitchen and its own private garden, something we haven’t had in our rented home. We were really impressed with the specification of the home and the flexibility of the space in the townhouse”.
THINKING AHEAD
The Bewley Park Townhouses, Reading
Byways offers space for a family with a luxury finish
Another fantastic location for families in Berkshire is the market town of Wokingham. Just launched this Easter, we created a number of three-, four- and five-bedroom homes at our Cavendish Park site. Wokingham itself has just benefitted from extensive redevelopment, including the remodelling of its railway station and £100 million regeneration of the town centre. With this in mind, and the availability of fantastic schools in the area, buyers have a great opportunity to invest in their family and their future. Furthermore, we’re reaching an estimated six per cent rental yields in some of our Berkshire developments. This allows our buyers to think further ahead too, when they may want to move to an even more rural setting in years to come. ISP
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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Y
our child is off to big school – how exciting! But if this is your first time packing for boarding school, it might seem scary. What on earth should they be taking with them? Of course, your child isn’t going forever, but they will need enough bits and pieces to tide them over in the mean time. But where to begin?
THE UNIFORM SHOP
First off: consult the school’s own list. Most of the official gear will come from the uniform shop, because that’s the best way to ensure that everyone has the same regulation kit. Jumpers, ties, hockey shirts, rugby shorts, and everything else will be contained inside this marvellous room. But a trip to the uniform shop might just require an action plan. Some uniform doesn’t need to be bought brand new, and some you can buy in a huge size to make last. Don’t spend a year’s salary solely on uniform – it’s expensive, and while your little darlings need to have regulation kit, you can often rely on other parents to have bought brand new stuff, used it for a year, and passed it back to the uniform shop.
[
UP, UP AND AWAY
Your child is off to big school next term – but packing needn’t be scary, says Eleanor Doughty While third formers will invariably look cute and matching in box fresh kit, if your eyes are watering at the cost, have a look for a barely-worn blazer that will look just as smart for half the price. Consider this especially if your child is yet to have a growth spurt: there’s no point in forking out hundreds of pounds on something that your child is going to wear for a year. It’s pointlessly expensive, and if you can avoid it, do. Of the pieces you do want to buy brand new, gauge how long they will last. One
]
Expect your son or daughter to ring you up with a list of things that they’ve forgotten, when they see what other pupils have brought with them to senior school next term
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mother told us of a hockey shirt bought for her daughter that still fitted seven years later. Invest in good, solid kit that will last and wash well: even if your third former isn’t keen to have a huge jersey, remind them that the longer sleeves will keep them warm on the way to matches (and that not buying them a new one every year keeps them at boarding school in the first place!)
HOME COMFORTS
Above, from left, Beaudesert Glos, Taverham Hall, Norfolk, Holmwood House, Essex, Bradfield College, Berks
Of course, your child won’t be spending all of their time in uniform. At night they’ll want snuggly pyjamas, dressing gowns and slippers, while over the weekend, home clothes – or mufti – will be de rigueur. But be warned of the laundry: you might want to send your children away with their favourite clothes, and their
SENIOR SCHOOL
Your child will need to take home clothes with them to school
nicest jumpers, but don’t make them too nice. You don’t want them packing anything that says “dry-clean only” in their suitcase – it will cause a nuisance when it comes to washing day, and the boarding staff won’t thank you. Neither will your children when school has shrunk their favourite jumper, and it’s no longer wearable. Let them keep their “Sunday Best” for home and showing off to grandparents.
Tweet us your tips on what to pack @ISParent
y’s Hasrtruff
PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK
KEEPING A HANDLE
It’s all very well packing up an immaculate term’s worth of clothes, but only if it doesn’t go missing. Sew nametags into everything. Yes, everything – knickers, boxers, socks, the lot. You don’t want your children to come home at Christmas missing all their smalls, and nor do they want to have to ask Matron when they can’t find something. Embarrassing for everyone, and unnecessarily costly. There is a temptation to overpack, but naturally not
everything will go to school. Expect your son or daughter to ring you up with a list of things they’ve forgotten, when they see what other pupils have brought with them. While boys might be too lazy to want to pack loads of stuff into their suitcases in the first instance, girls might want to bring everything from home, so remind both that they can make a list of things they’ve forgotten for when you visit. It helps to find out from the school what sort of luggage they ought to take. Some schools will happily store solid trunks, while others prefer soft suitcases. Investigate the “tuck” situation too – will your child be allowed to bring snacks and treats to school with them? Some schools will have specific policies on this, so it’s worth ringing up to find out first. If you do find yourself in need of a tuck box, then John Lewis reliably have the best and most sturdy numbers. With all that digested, now it’s time to get your packing list sorted, and your child ready for action. Good luck! ISP
Top tips for KIDS’ PACKING Take things that remind you of home, whether that is your Dad’s favourite mug (you can totally persuade him) or your teddy. School is going to be home during term time, so make it nice and comfy. If you’re a bookworm, bring your favourites. Make sure you write your name in the front to avoid naughty ‘“borrowing”! Be excited, and happy about packing for school: it’s a whole new big adventure for you, and a fantastic one at that!
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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www.mynamelabel.co.uk 0870 850 7897
HOME TIME
BRAVE NEW WORLD In our modern world of mass media, Giulia Rhodes says communication is key when your child is exposed to upsetting news
C PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK
hildren might once have gleaned their snippets of current affairs from a newspaper headline read across a breakfast table. But today’s 24-hour stream of information via television, radio, computer, tablet and phone means that, when awful things happen, children now often hear and see more than we would choose. The question of how to discuss distressing events is perhaps more pressing than ever. How much should we tell our children about what is happening in the world and how can we check they are not misinformed or fearful as a result? Know your Child Emma Citron, consultant clinical psychologist specialising in children and adolescents, says the most important guideline is to consider the personality of your child. “You know your child best and every child is different. Some are more sensitive or nervous by disposition.” These traits need not be linked, so a child may be prone to worry but not particularly sensitive to awful scenes. “Another child may see an image – of a sniper for example – and become very worried about their presence in the garden,” she explains. Despite this, it is broadly speaking a good idea to talk to children about news stories.
Above, the Prayer Flags on Everest, which has been at the centre of recent earthquakes
“It is never a good idea to wrap your child in cotton wool and keep them completely in the dark,” Citron says. “We are not the only sources of information for our children, so we need to be protective. But we also need to communicate, listen and respond to any thoughts that our youngsters may have.” Talk it Through The risk of silence is that children will fill in their own gaps. Eleanor, mother of seven-year-old twin girls and a four-yearold boy, found this when she discovered her daughters had heard snippets of information about the Charlie Hebdo shootings in January.
[
or distressing extrapolations. “A four or five year old does not need to hear about shootings in the street but from around the age of seven or eight children are more able to process facts. Yet you may need to explain, for instance, that they should not be frightened of their Muslim classmates. Check they are not inadvertently forming prejudices or fears.” Emotional Education It is important that children be introduced to news stories in an appropriate way, through a sensitively written children’s programme such as CBBC’s Newsround or a good quality children’s book. “Sit down and watch together and use it as a
]
It is important to check and see how much children have understood, and talk through the wider implications. They may make inaccurate or distressing extrapolations
“They are both worriers and they must have seen I was upset by the news. It was only when they had trouble sleeping that I realised they had heard a few facts and become very anxious. We talked about what was happening and I tried to explain to them that these things are sad and frightening but also very unusual and that is why we hear about them on the news.” It is important, Citron explains, to check and see how much children have understood and talk through the wider implications. They may make inaccurate
springboard for discussion. Make sure they know they can ask you about it. They can sometimes spend time thinking about something and then need more information,” Citron says. Discussing current affairs with children can be a good way of developing their emotional intelligence, independence of thought and moral compass. “Your role is to be warm, reassuring and open, while they start to think about how things happening in the world impact on their life and feelings.” ISP
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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ON THE
THE BIOLOGIST HUW WILLIAMS (housemaster) WESTMINSTER > (head) TONBRIDGE
Our indispensable guide to who’s going where next term…
THE CLASSICS BUFF CHRIS TOWNSEND (deputy head) FELSTED > (head) FELSTED
FOOTBALL CRAZY CERI JONES (head) TONBRIDGE > (head) CATERHAM
KEEN HIKER DR MIKE WALKER (head) FELSTED > (RETIRING)
THE EXPLORER JULIAN THOMAS (head) CATERHAM > (head) WELLINGTON
CV: SIR ANTHONY SELDON WELLINGTON COLLEGE > UNIVERSITY OF BUCKINGHAM The ever-present Sir Anthony, author of over 25 books, and friend of the newspapers, is retiring to spend more time with his family. Oh, and to become Vice-Chancellor of The University of Buckingham, the UK’s first private university. Educated at Tonbridge School before Worcester College, Oxford, Sir Anthony has given a few schools the “Seldon effect”... 1983: Whitgift School 1989: Tonbridge School 1993: St Dunstan’s School 1997: Brighton College 2006: Wellington College
XXXXXXX XXXXXX
ITALIAN-SPEAKING DR CHRIS STEVENS (second master) MARLBOROUGH > (head) BRADFIELD HISTORY NUT SIMON HENDERSON (head) BRADFIELD > (head) ETON TRY-SCORING BILL NICHOLAS (house master) MARLBOROUGH > (second master) MARLBOROUGH
CV: TONY LITTLE ETON > GEMS
HAPPY TWEETER MARK STEED (head) BERKHAMSTED > (DUBAI EDUCATION)
After years of inspiring boys at the world’s most famous school, OE headmaster Tony Little is off to Dubai . The new gig? Chief education officer of school trust Gems. Educated at Eton College, before Corpus Christi, and Homerton College, Cambridge, he’s certainly seen schools inside and out... 1977: Tonbridge 1983: Brentwood School 1990: Chigwell School 1997: Oakham School 2001: Eton College
(OTHER) HEADS
PHOTOGRAPHY: FREEPIC, SHUTTERSTOCK
THE LITERATURE LOVER STUART MCPHERSON (house master) ETON > (head) WORTH
ON THE MOVE • SARAH KERR-DINEEN is to become OUNDLE’S first female head in September • ALASTAIR LAND moves from HARROW to headmaster of REPTON • MARK SEMMENCE moves from RUGBY to MOUNT KELLY ASPIRING ARTIST GINO CARMINATI (head) WORTH SCHOOL > (RETIRING)
• At ARDVRECK SCHOOL DAN DAVEY will become headmaster in September
SPRING 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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E
P
A V I T R OR
The Henrietta Barnett School, London
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S
TAT E
Belmont Grosvenor, North Yorkshire
H
Cranbrook School, Kent
If you can’t afford to educate your child privately for their entire school career, at which stage should you spend your cash? The Good Schools Guide has the answers
aving a child can be a terrifying business and never more so than when it comes to thinking about their education. Doom-laden newspaper statistics about the rising cost of nappies and birthday presents are nothing compared with the £150,000 plus you’ll need to educate a child privately from nursery to university. There’s also a tendency to assume that paying for any service gives you control over the finished product. Cars, yes;
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holidays – baggage handler and air controllers’ strikes aside – ditto. But the difficulty with education is that, as with any long-term investment, no matter how thorough your research, you’re still making a leap of faith. How will your child’s aptitude, work ethic and ambitions shape up over the next decade and a bit? Nobody – bar a foolhardy clairvoyant – can say. It’s perhaps one reason why more parents are starting to see private education less as an all-in finger
Tweet us your thoughts… @ISParent
painting to fresher’s week experience and more as an on/off process. Sometimes you pay; sometimes you don’t. The hard bit is deciding at what stage you’ll get most bang (educationally speaking) for your buck. Some parents opt for early intervention, choosing a top-rated independent nursery and pre-prep that goes from babyhood to Years One or Two. The process is exceptionally easy in schools that house the youngest children in separate premises. For those who aren’t
Quainton Hall School Co-Ed Preparatory School and Nursery Boys 2½ - 13 & Girls 2½ - 11 “Excellent personal development contributes
QUAINTON HALL SCHOOL & NURSERY to the good standard of achievement” ISI Inspection Hindes Road, Harrow HA1 1RX IAPS/Church ofRegistration England for 7+ and 11+ Entry is now open.
Some limited places available in other years for September 2015
Boys 2½ - 13 Girls 2½ - 11
WE EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO PROSPECTIVE PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN • Excellent Academic Results • Exceptionally broad curriculum • Extensive extra-curricular activities • Wide variety of team sports • Outstanding facilities including an indoor pool • An open and friendly school community • Breakfast club and after school care
Perrott Hill’s recent Independent Schools Report is outstanding, Further details from the Admissions' Secretary: 020 8427 1304 with the top mark of ‘Excellent’ awarded in every admin@quaintonhall.org.uk category. For Further information: www.quaintonhall.org.uk Quainton Hall School, Hindes Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 1RX Perrott Hill, North Perrott, Crewkerne, Somerset, TA18 7SL Walsingham College (Affiliated Schools) Charity No. 312638 Email: admin@quaintonhall.org.uk Visit us at perrotthill.com or call us on 01460 72051 www.quaintonhall.org.uk Telephone: 020 8861 8861
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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SCHOOL CHOICES
Kent prep schools excel in preparing pupils for their entrance exams behaved, they are, too often, little more than a teacher’s instant detox treatment, getting on with their work, sitting nicely, trying hard. What educator could want more? Of course, state schools don’t have a monopoly on these pupils. Many a prep school head will admit, unofficially, that they, too, find it hard to get right. But in maintained schools with mixed-ability classes of 30 children, it is understandable if some teachers simply don’t have the energy to focus on this middle group. A parent with an under-confident, just-getting-by child may therefore decide
staying on, the transition provides a logical break point, even if prep schools are not wild about the idea, preferring homegrown talent to stay put. For parents, paying for this early stage can act as an education accelerator. Gentle and nurturing though teaching at this younger end can be, the small classes and access to specialist teaching (often music, art, sport and languages) gives pupils a flying start when it comes to acquiring the basics, particularly “Going independent buys handwriting, literacy and you smaller class sizes and numeracy. Access to super amazing facilities” libraries (many have their own friendly, cushion-stuffed areas as well as regular sessions with the it’s worth pinching pennies for the extra prep librarian) won’t do any harm either. attention that a private school can provide. Moving them into a state school at age Other families do it the other way round, seven or eight is unlikely to disadvantage using the state system for the early years and them socially and can be extremely changing to a prep at seven or eight. This is successful, particularly for an able child perfectly doable – as long as parents are who finds little difficulty with the three Rs. realistic about the prep they have in mind. At the other extreme, those with serious If over-subscribed and competitive some learning difficulties, particularly if they form of coaching may be essential if they’re have an EHC (Education, Health and Social to make it through the assessment. Country Care) plan, will be given one-to-one help in preps and less-pressured schools, on the a state school at no charge to you (though other hand, may delight in taking the quality and extent of support can be youngsters who need that small-class wildly variable and often accessible only nurturing to bring them on. after a fight). The next big decision comes at 11 or 13. Perhaps the biggest difficulty comes with Independent schools put a premium on mid-range children. Quiet and well
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Left, Cranbrook School, Kent; below, Radley College, Abingdon
raw talent, with some of the most highly academic taking as many as two thirds of their intake from the maintained sector, while even Eton offers 13+ scholarships to boys attending a state school in Years Six, Seven and Eight. It’s reflected in the way entrance exams are structured. As with grammar schools, performance in verbal and non-verbal reasoning counts for a lot, although English and maths exams are often also on the menu. Because children from state schools won’t have experienced the intensity of competitive exams, preparation either at home or by tutoring can help them become familiar with the process. In other areas, the big spending is concentrated in the junior school years. Kent, notable for its excellent grammar schools, specialises in prep schools that excel in preparing pupils for their entrance exams. With places many times oversubscribed, it won’t work for everyone. Developing a plan B (carry on paying) or C (mug up on the catchment of your area’s best comprehensive schools) is essential. The final stick or twist decision comes post 16 with sixth form choices. State and independent schools alike will set minimum entry requirements. The more academic, the higher the GCSE grades pupils will need. Going independent buys you smaller class sizes, amazing facilities and expertise in getting pupils into top universities. The mythology that children from state schools are preferred over their independentlyeducated peers is, it turns out, a myth. Moving to state sixth forms, in contrast, offers a wider range of courses, including vocational options, a broader social mix and a taste of life in the real world. Above all, however you choose to play the education game, no decision needs to be final. Moving from state to private school or vice versa usually works out. If it doesn’t – and many heads have tales of former pupils who asked to come back – something can usually be sorted out even at a non-standard time of year. The main thing is to be clear about what your child needs. More often than not, you’ll find a school that fits the bill. ISP
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SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
1 Scott Carnochan
5 Richard Merriman
Casterton, Sedbergh Preparatory School, Cumbria I feel children’s time is so structured. Even during the school holidays, parents tend to plan every minute of their child’s holiday and I fear this structure is damaging children’s ability to self-entertain, design their own games and simply “play”. How often do children climb trees, build dens, play in a stream and just lose themselves in the wonder of childhood imagination, without the interference of adults? I fear much less often than I would hope. I hope I am wrong!
Foremarke Hall, Derbyshire I would like to see young people have a go at communicating with their friends and family without using email, video calls or any form of social media for a week or so. I hope they discover the joy of sending and receiving letters, notelets and cards.
6 Fiona Thomas
Broomwood Hall, South London If it rains games like Frustration are a wonderful way to pass the time (an up-to-date version of Ludo) and my 20 and 22-year-old children still love playing it with me! If you are going outdoors then taking bikes to the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park can be great fun and good exercise. The Hollycombe Steam Collection near Liphook is an oldfashioned fairground that parents love as much as children. If you want to do a gallery then download the 30 best pictures from the National Gallery and try to find them.
St Mary’s Preparatory School, Lincolnshire The school holidays should be a time for fun, exploration and investigation beyond the classroom. Through playing, day trips, travel, local cultural events and family time children can experience that learning does not stop at the classroom door. However, over the long summer break some skills do need to be kept sharp for the academic year ahead and the next stage of learning. Recording summer memories in the form of a diary, both written and pictorial is another way of ensuring writing skills are consolidated and maths can be explored in a practical way at home. Most importantly it must be remembered that the purpose of the holidays must not be defeated.
3 Mark Semmence
7 Philip Meadows
Mount Kelly, Devon After the busy activity-packed lives that our children lead during term time, parents should resist the temptation to fill every waking moment of the school holiday with worthy activities. We need to give our children the time and space to allow them to grow up to become creative, innovative, resourceful and independent. It is during these times that they learn about themselves and begin to form the habits that will shape the adults that they will become.
Loretto Junior School, East Lothian Children should use the summer holiday to do anything that might improve their resilience, independence and ability to cope with boredom! As parents we should not hand them everything on a plate! Use open spaces to play games, build dens, run around, climb trees, but always with energy and imagination. On holiday make new friends but stay in touch with old mates too. Try something new! When you fall over dust yourself off and try again, and be prepared to lend a helping hand to someone else too.
4 Jonathan Whybrow
8 Jane Grubb
Cheltenham College Preparatory School, Gloucestershire Summer is a time for children to relax – but they can still learn valuable lessons. The trick is to camouflage learning in the guise of entertainment and adjust activities to suit the age of the child. Activities could include adding up car number plates, insisting that children pay for their own ice-creams and ensure they have received the correct change and studying maps to see where they are going. At the other end of the age range, my eldest daughter learned valuable lessons such as confidence, working under pressure and customer relations by undertaking a month’s stint in our local pub, something I would have encouraged even if I had given the landlord her wages! Revision is appropriate but only if there is a balance between work and play; all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and Jill a dull girl!
Dunhurst, Bedales Preparatory School, Hampshire Children have an innate ability to create, problem solve, invent and play. I would advise parents to invest in tools, wood, screws, wire and nails. Visit the dump and acquire old bikes, motor mowers and prams. Encourage your children to reuse the materials provided to build new modes of transport, dens, gadgets and leave them to it. Live outside as much as possible. Wild camp, cook outdoors, forage for food, light fires, identify plants, flowers and study nature. Often parents feel they need to take control and spend vast sums of money on activities, but holidays should be for children to think for themselves and remove the structures of term time. Remove mobile phones and tablets during the day (or even completely) and let them enjoy being the inventors of their own holiday activity and creations.
2 Sarah Graham
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TALKING HEADS: SUMMER HOLIDAYS
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Eight headteachers give their views on how pupils can make the most of their summer break
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STAR PUPILS
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1 Phoebe Haines, 25 Mezzo soprano, Brighton College, East Sussex “It feels like yesterday that I was hanging out at Brighton College – it’s hard to believe it has all happened so fast!” says Phoebe, who just eight years since leaving school has forged a formidable singing career. At just 25, she opened the 2014 International Opera Awards – the Oscars of the opera world – and has sung at the Salzburger Festspiele in numerous performances. Following the completion of her degree from Cambridge, Phoebe now attends the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is also a Opera Works trainee at the English National Opera
2 Charlie Hayter, 26 Rugby player, Warwick School, Warks Bath-born Charlie went up to Warwick in 2000, age 11, and was set for good things. One of his proudest achievements, he says, was captaining the winning first XV in the Daily Mail Trophy cup in 2007. After Warwick, Charlie read Geography at Nottingham and then joined Worcester Warriors, making his Premiership debut in 2012. Charlie signed for Wasps before taking up an England Sevens contract. “I was able to experience some great life and rugby moments while at school and look back on my time with fond memories,” he says.
3 Abi Elphinstone, 29 Children’s novelist, St Leonards School, St Andrews, Fife Scottish-born Abi spent an idyllic childhood building dens and hiding in tree houses. After St Leonards she read English at Bristol, before spending two years working in PR, teaching – in locations as far removed as Berkshire and Africa – before publishing her first children’s book in February. The Dreamsnatcher, has been billed by the Daily Mail as “Harry Potter dark magic territory – atmospheric, packed with drama, with a genuinely menacing undertone”. We’ve got our money on Abi becoming the next JK Rowling. Watch out Waterstones...
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Independent school has instilled drive, determination and excellence, making these alumni the...
ONES TO WATCH
STAR PUPILS
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4 Bex Crofton-Atkins, 28
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Costume designer and stylist, St Mary’s Calne, Wiltshire Bex went up to London after St Mary’s to study for a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Design at Central Saint Martins, and soon found success, working freelance designing costumes for music videos and short films. In just a few short years, her clients have included Vodafone, Carlsberg, Nike and artists including One Direction and Dizzee Rascal. Bex is looking towards a career in feature films, and has recently started work on critically acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar’s upcoming movie.
5 Ed Hancock, 30 Actor, Cranleigh School, Surrey Ed is currently top billing as Alan Dangle in The National’s touring production of One Man Two Guvnors. And he’s certainly flying: his previous performances are too many to name, but include Jeeves and Wooster at the Duke of York’s, Posh at the Royal Court and Great Expectations at The Watermill. On camera, he’s turned up in The Boat That Rocked (2009) and Super Goths (2009). Ed attributes his passion to Cranleigh teacher Mandy McIlwaine. “She taught me so many vital lessons that, having still not had any other formal training, I still rely on today.”
6 Anastasia Chitty, 21 Boat Race rower, Canford School, Dorset Anastasia rowed to victory in this year’s Oxford and Cambridge boat race, having started her rowing career at The Dragon School in Oxford before moving to Canford, and then Pembroke College, Oxford to study medicine. As a first year undergraduate, she rowed in the 2013 Boat Race and was victorious in this year’s race as President of the Oxford University Boat Club. “Canford gave me the opportunity to develop my passion for rowing,” she says. “Representing my country meant I achieved more than I had ever dreamed possible, but I was always encouraged by my teachers, coaches and fellow pupils.” ISP
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Independent Day School for Girls from 4-18 years
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U4's
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U6's/U7's
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STAR STAFF
O
ne of my earliest memories is playing cricket in the back yard with my dad, who was a huge fan of the sport. The former England cricketer Mike Gatting is an old family friend and he inspired me to play. I joined my first team aged nine, but it wasn’t until I was selected to play for Australia’s Under 19s team that I realised I had a talent for the sport. From then, my life revolved around cricket.
A History of Excellence
PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK
I’ve been working at Felsted School for five years as director of cricket and school coach, following my retirement from international cricket. I feel privileged to teach and advise young people and to put them on the path to success. Felsted has a formidable reputation for cricket both locally, regionally and nationally and pupils have been playing on the picturesque Felsted Front since the 1800s. I’m passionate about sport in schools and believe
SCHOO
HEROL
JASON GALLIAN
This director of cricket at Felsted School, Essex, and former England player, shares how he’s passing on the baton
Are your girls enjoying cricket? Tweet us and tell us! @ISParent!
At Felsted, girls’ cricket is very much the name of the game
that children who play sports reap both physical and mental benefits, which carry into adulthood and cross to other areas of life. Sport really encourages children to come out of their comfort zones and teaches them the importance of good teamwork.
Famous Alumni Pupils begin to play cricket from Year Three at Felsted and several Old Felstedians have gone on to become professionals for the county
and England teams, including John Stephenson, Derek Pringle, and Nick Knight. Cricket is a team sport, but there’s also an emphasis on self-reliance and practice. Although 11 cricketers make a team, when the time comes to bowl your first delivery, walk out to bat or take a catch, your team mates can’t do it for you and it’s up to you as an individual to perform. This situation is very similar to writing an exam or going for a job interview and is a real test of character. It also teaches children to have a respect for authority.
Long-term Goal I try to make my coaching sessions fun, active and high-paced with the overall aim
of the children having fun and developing a lifelong love of sport. Any spare time I have is spent planning sessions designed to motivate and help pupils improve their game. For me, the best aspect of my job is the “light bulb” moment when a student has been working hard and finally achieves their goal.
Cricket vs Rounders My biggest achievement so far has been helping Felsted to become recognised as an Inspirational School for Girls’ Cricket by Essex County Cricket Club. We decided that rounders was a sport that you couldn’t do at university, so we reduced it. Now girls can choose between cricket or tennis in the summer. This recognition by Essex CCC follows an exciting year for our girls, including an international call-up for Felsted’s U13 rising star, Nancy Hebron. We have forged strong links in women’s cricket, with county teams training at Felsted throughout the year and two senior matches taking place on the Felsted Front this summer. I’m delighted that we now have a cricket pathway for all girls to take advantage of. There’s still work to do to remove the stigma of cricket being just a sport for boys, and it will be interesting to see how this develops. ISP
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A taste of
ITALY
I
t’s not every day that you get to stay in a former medieval castle with 12th-century frescoes and vaulted ceilings, sweeping vistas of ancient vineyards and of olive groves stitched into the countryside. Situated in the heart of the Chianti region, the five-star, 50-room hotel, set within a 740-acre estate, is a perfect blend of contemporary elegance and historical charm. The impressive cypress tree-lined drive heralds back to the days when the castle was home to a noble Florentine, Del Nero,
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A 12th-century castle lovingly restored into a family hotel captures the essence of the Tuscan experience, writes Claudia Dudman
and his family. Generously-sized suites tastefully decorated in complimentary tones with terracotta floors, also play host to kingsize four poster beds. The understated opulence continues in the bathrooms with unique features such as marble floors, mosaic walls and huge claw-footed baths.
A LOVE LETTER TO TUSCANY
There is sometimes no better way to learn about a country’s history and its people
Take a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool overlooking the castle’s olive groves
TRAVEL
Ttalian food lives up to its reputation in Tuscany
than through its food. Castello Del Nero’s aimiable executive chef, Giovanni Luca di Pirro, treated us to what can only be described as a culinary love letter to his native Tuscany. If you’re looking for traditional, lighter Italian cuisine, then head to the hotel’s other eaterie, La Taverna. But for fine dining, di Pirro’s Michelin star restaurant, La Torre, will blow you away. Set in the castle’s former stables, in an elegant room with french windows that look on to the garden terrace, it was a
and black truffle, followed by spaghetti with smoked tuna fish and baby squid. Our main course was a toasted fillet of turbot, exquisitely cooked with a pesto of fresh basil, stewed artichokes, potatoes and pine nuts. Dessert was a parfaitflavoured Moscadello of Montalcino and passion fruit marmalade. The freshly baked bread that was served deserves a mention of its own: specialities such as sorrel, olive and black squid ink were just a few that were displayed before us. The hotel’s location, equidistant between Florence and Siena, means guests can take full advantage of all that Italy’s Renaissance has to offer. Architecture and a myriad of art by Italian greats such as Leonardo, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi and Donatello are an unmissable experience.
Above, Castello Del Nero, left, the hotel pool, right, ice-cream flavours at Gelateria Dondoli
gastronomic dining experience, Tuscan-style, with produce that is homegrown thanks to the region’s excellent climate. We began with slow poached organic hen’s egg served with parmesan cheese mousse, herb sauce
St Nicholas’ School FLEET•HAMPSHIRE
CONFIDENT LEARNING
YEAR 5 TASTER DAY Friday 26th June 2015 8.45am - 3.45pm
OPEN MORNING
Saturday 10th Oct 2015 10am - 1pm • Boys and Girls 3-7 years • Girls 3-16 years • EarlyYears Funding Scheme • Small classes with individual attention • Beautiful rural setting • School open 8am until 6pm
01252 850121 st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk For more information please contact the Registrar: registrar@st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk St Nicholas’ School, Redfields House, Redfields Lane, Church Crookham, Fleet, Hampshire GU52 ORF Registered in England Reg. No. 872200 Reg. Charity No. 307341
Westonbirt School
Westonbirt Prep School
Good Schools Guide 2014
Good Schools Guide 2014
‘Top 5% of UK Schools for Value Added’
‘First rate teaching in a beautiful setting’
Co-Ed Prep School & Nursery - Day Girls Senior School - Day, Boarding & Flexi-Boarding T 01666 881301 E admissions@westonbirt.org @WestonbirtSch • www.westonbirt.org • Tetbury • Gloucestershire • GL8 8QG 62
independentschoolparent.com | SUMMER 2015
Ballooning and horseriding are just two of the activities that families can enjoy on the estate of Castello Del Nero
With its 14 majestic towers, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Gimignano is a hilltop medieval town, which is a handy 20-minute drive from the hotel. As you explore the winding streets, your children will never forgive you if you don’t stop at Gelateria Dondoli, in Piazza della Cisterna, winner of the Best Ice Cream in the World Championship in 2006. We delved into flavours such as raspberry and rosemary, crèma di Santa Fina, (cream with saffron and pine nuts), blackberries and lavender; and banana and chocolate.
PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK, SHIUTTERSTOCK
CHIANTI, PASTA AND TIRAMISU
You can’t stay in the heart of Tuscany’s wine region without learning about some of its produce. The best way to do this is to attend one of the hotel’s informal yet informative wine-tastings. Set down in the welcoming cool of the hotel’s cellars, sommelier, Mirò, took us on a veritable tour of the estate’s vineyards and the wines that it makes (albeit at a
winery off-site). Ones that we sampled included: Brunello di Montalcino 2009, La Gerla; Tignanello 2011, Antinori; Chianti Classico Badia di Passignano 2009, Antinori; the latter bursting with the flavours of dark cherries, plums, flowers and cloves. It was a perfect introduction for a novice like me but had enough to impress two die-hard wine buffs in our party. I would put good money on the fact that your child eats more than their fair share of pasta. A diet staple among us Brits, the Italians, however, would never contemplate eating it as a main course, as we do. It’s only ever served as a primo, or first course, and I always feel that this makes it seem like an entirely different food altogether. I cannot recommend highly enough the cookery classes at the hotel. You (and your child) will be thrown into a masterclass on learning how to make authentic Italian pastas, such as tortellini with ricotta cheese, spaghetti and the delicious coffee dessert, tiramisu. Florentine tradition and contemporary design are a continuous theme running throughout the castle and its grounds and they merge seamlessly too at the hotel’s spa. You can refresh yourself in the outdoor vitality pool while gazing out over the views of the countryside. The treatments by ESPA are tailored towards your individual needs and you can also enjoy the luxurious range of heat and cooling experiences which stimulate, relax and soothe aching muscles, preparing your senses for the experience to follow. It’s Tuscany’s first exclusive
destination spa and you’d be mad to miss it. Plus, there are four hiking routes of varying ability and different lengths, the shortest at just under two kilometres with the longest being seven. They all take in the surrounding views as you trek through the lush vineyards and verdant olive groves. You might even spot pheasant, deer and wild boar as you walk your way through the grounds. If hiking is not your thing and you simply feel like absorbing the scenery at a more refined pace, you can always take one of the hotel’s topolinos (see above) for a drive – keeping your experience quintessentially Italian, of course. ISP
Above, on the terrace where you can enjoy the view, below one of the hotel suites
Price per night, per person
BOOK (based on two adults sharing) is IT
€213. No minimum stay required. Flights are to either Florence or Pisa and airport transfers can be arranged. Tel: +39 055 0864, castellodelnero.com, email: info@castellodelnero.com
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SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Best for family...
ISLANDS
Make the most of both worlds and combine luxury and family fun on an island escape. We asked the experts at Smith & Family for their favourite destinations Left, Karma Kandara, Bali, Bottom right, Domes of Elouda, Crete
BALI: KARMA KANDARA
Far from the clamour of Kuta lies Bali’s blissful Bukit Peninsula, a secluded patch that’s home to surf breaks, verdant palms and family-friendly boutique hotel Karma Kandara. While you soak up the buzzy beach club and serene spa, kids are kept occupied with aquatic adventures and cool cultural sessions. Keep an eye on Junior Smiths when the resident band of monkeys is about – they’re fantastic fun to watch, but don’t feed them!
You’ll love:
Sipping icy-cool sundowners on the roof terrace overlooking the ocean is a fabulous way to end your day (the hotel’s babysitters will make sure you’re unencumbered).
They’ll love:
You can’t find a better hide-and-seek setting than the secret beach lagoon.
How to get there:
Fly to Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, south of capital Denpasar. Then hire a car if you’re adventurous and enjoy traffic and questionable roads… or take on a driver (they’re decidedly affordable in Bali).
CRETE: DOMES OF ELOUNDA
Luxury meets family-friendly at Crete’s Domes of Elounda, a high-flying hideaway of intimate suites, smooth-edged architecture with Moorish touches, first-class dining from the country’s only Michelin-starred chef, and the sun-soaked sand of the hotel’s private beach. It’s beautifully decadent for the grown-ups – couples massages at the serious spa, caviar in your suite – but it’s a rich playground for kids too, with tennis, a cool pool and monuments loaded with mythical Minotaurs. Take them swimming off the private beach in Mediterranean waves then savour tasting menus by moonlight. The rooms are large, with plenty of scope for extra beds and cots; our favourites are the Family
OPEN MORNINGS Welcoming you to our beautiful 74-acre Bushey campus on the following dates: Saturday 26th September 2015 9.30am to 12.30pm Wednesday 7th November 2015 9.30am to 12pm
YACHT CHARTER
S
GREECE & THE CARIBBEAN
www.sailionian.com A Perfect Family Sailing Holiday
• Bareboat Charter • Skippered Charter • Assisted Sailing • RYA training courses • Yacht ownership schemes
• We are family run • All yachts are in excellent condition • Yachts from 30 to 56 ft • Dinghy & Outboard included • Go sailing on the day of arrival • Wifi available on board • Why not Indulge yourselves on a luxury Skippered charter
S ail
St. Vincent & The
Grenadines
www.sailgrenadines.com
WWW.SAILIONIAN.COM I INFO@SAILIONIAN.COM I 0800 321 3800 SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Suites, where you’ll find a Kids Surprise Box packed with colouring books, activity kits, mini bath products and a child-size bathrobe and slippers.
You’ll love:
There’s no skimping on grown-up luxuries here: get stuck into the top-tier dining and an adults-only spa and bar.
They’ll love:
Energetic kiddos can dive straight into the cool pool, watersports and free kids club. Family Suites have children’s rooms decorated with Disney characters, too.
How to get there:
The main airport, Heraklion, is an hour away by car; if you fancy a more dramatic arrival, book a boat or chopper.
Bottom left, Domes of Elouda, Crete, right One&Only Reethi Rah
MALDIVES: ONE&ONLY REETHI RAH
If you hear: “Maldives” and think “honeymoons” then it’s time to think again. The silk-sanded coral atolls in the heart of the Indian Ocean might look like a textbook lovers-only paradise, but globetrotting parents know how to find the top familyfriendly spots. Ultimate beach resort One&Only Reethi Rah – with its 12 beaches, three pools, watersports, kids’ club and tennis courts – knows how to keep everyone entertained: at the beach club, canoes, banana boats, paddle boarding and windsurfing are on the all-ages menu, or for something a bit calmer there are kids’ classes at the Artist’s Studio. Our pick for parents with under-12s in tow is always a Beach Villa: each has its own little patch of sand with loungers and a dreamy hammock.
You’ll love:
Hand your offspring over to the kids’ club, then lie back and relax: the capable hands of the spa’s expert therapists awaits, as do firstclass cocktails at the hotel’s three bars.
They’ll love:
The hotel is home to the Maldives’ only PADI National Geographic dive centre, where mini guests can plant their own coral: it’s labelled with your name and you’ll be emailed pictures of progress.
How to get there:
Touch down at Male International Airport; from there, it’s a 75-minute transfer in one of the hotel’s five super-sized yachts. ISP Smith & Family gives you the best
BOOK price, guaranteed, as well as a IT
little something extra on arrival. Book online at: smithandfamily.co.uk or by calling the expert Travel Team on 033 0100 3180.
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E
S A R ED YE L I S H 29 STAB
quality villas FRANCE • ITALY • MOROCCO
Luxury HAND PICKED HOLIDAY VILLAS
• All villas have private pools, perfect for families • Unique collection of luxury villas, farmhouses and chateaux • Experienced and knowledgeable staff • Each villa visited personally by a member of our team to ensure we take on only the best • Private chef, babysitter and housekeeping available on request
PLEASE CALL OR VISIT US ONLINE
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FOR CHILDREN Designed for all indoor and outdoor sports, Bollé’s ground breaking range of children’s Sport Protective eyewear is the only range of sports prescription eyewear that meets the most demanding international protection and safety standards EN 166:2001 and US ASTM F803. Also available without prescription. Stockists include: Eyesite Opticians - Brighton, Reading, Weybridge, Winchester, Oxford - Enquiries T. 01273 724111 Leightons Opticians - Putney, SW15 T. 0208 789 7300 Venturi Vision - Haslemere, Surrey T. 01428 652777 DH Thomas Optometrists - Cambridge T. 01223 245222 BBR Optometry - Hereford T. 01432 265030 Wyre View Opticians - Fleetwood T. 01253 872494 Emma Drewery Optometrist - Stirling T. 01786 831116
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PROMOTION
All children have their moments – tiredness and hunger can lead to emotional outbursts and hyper sensitivity. But for some children the triggers are not transitory but deep-rooted; there may be an underlying physical reason for their extreme responses. Far from being just down to ‘personality’, some traits often point to the little-known Retained Reflex Syndrome (RRS). Children may be bright, yet underachieving and lacking in concentration. They may find reading and writing tricky and have trouble putting ideas down on paper. They may suffer from low self-esteem, frustration and be emotionally and socially immature. Establishing friendships may be difficult. Other behaviour patterns to watch for include: excessive talking, a short temper, hearing problems (selective hearing), hypersensitivity (problems with labels/haircuts) and clumsiness. Does any of this sound familiar? RRS may be the root cause. Before birth, babies develop primitive reflexes to help them survive the birthing process and the first months of life. Usually these will fade away as a baby develops and grows up. However, these reflexes can sometimes become stuck, hindering the next stage of development and locking the child into immature patterns of behaviour and response. The great news is that with treatment, these primitive reflexes can be closed down and huge improvements – in behaviour, development, self-esteem and therefore happiness – can be seen. A leading pioneer working in the field of early developmental responses, David Mulhall, a Neuro Developmental Consultant, built up a reputation specifically identifying and healing children with RRS. His approach involves using very simple but highly specific stimulation of nerve endings which can all be done at home. After over 20 years’ of practice, David has successfully passed on his expertise to his son, Alex Mulhall, who has now taken over as the principal consultant at the clinic. Having also experienced the treatment first hand – as both a child and as an adult – Alex has developed a clear understanding of its techniques and gained valuable insights into its effectiveness which would normally have taken years to acquire. Together they are continuing to transform the lives, not only of the children treated, but also of the parents who have seen their children grow into well-balanced, happy young adults.
iStockPhoto/Kemter
When Something Just Isn’t Quite Right
31 Webbs Road, SW11 Tel 020 7223 4321 www.davidmulhall.co.uk
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What makes us different is the difference we make... Our strong academic record is just the starting point: from scientific exploration to personal discovery, our outstanding education goes way beyond exams Find out more at our open events Senior: Wed 24 June
6.30 - 8pm
(including our D’Art Exhibition)
Sat 19 September 10am - 1pm Junior: Sat 26 September 10am - 1pm 020 8557 7004 admissions@syd.gdst.net www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net 15 & 19 Westwood Hill, London, SE26 6BL
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Image: Richard Foster RP, The Barlow Family (detail)
Capture this moment forever Commission a portrait from the Royal Society of Portrait Painters.
Dedicated to the art of portraiture, you can be conďŹ dent in your choice of artist and supported throughout the commissions process with our expert help.
Contact us: www.therp.co.uk enquiries@therp.co.uk 020 7930 6844
BOOKS & APPS
BOOK CLUB
1
Our round-up of top reads and fun apps
Shaun the Sheep Sheep Stack £1.49 Have some fun with Shaun the Sheep – perfect for any long car journeys!
2
50 Things – National Trust Free The whole bucket list of outdoor adventures, now available on your phone! How many have you ticked off?
3
Fiete – Spot the difference £2.29 This beautifully drawn app is a marvellous game of spot the difference! Apply your logic skills and see how you get on.
EDITOR’S PICK
xxxxx
Shouldn’t You Be In School? Lemony Snicket From the author of A Series of Unfortunate Events. In this tale, the young Snicket is investigating a mysterious case of arson in Stain’d-bythe-Sea. But who is setting the fires? Answer this and many questions more with Snicket and his willing colleague, illustrator Seth. Simply joy on a bookshelf.
TOP SHELF:
BOTTOM SHELF:
Atlas of Adventures Lucy Leatherland (Wide Eyed Editions, £20) The loveliest world map, apt for exploring the globe from your sitting room. Utterly beautiful and educational.
Shouldn’t you be in school? Lemony Snicket (Egmont, £12.99) The next instalment of Lemony Snicket’s tantilising tales is totally irresistable – both in pictures and words.
Tales from Shakespeare: Twelfth Night Timothy Knapman (QED, £8.99) The easiest introduction to Shakespeare, Timothy Knapman’s easy reads are perfectly pitched. Twelfth Night is a laugh a minute, too, which doesn’t hurt.
Just So Stories Rudyard Kipling (Wordsworth Editions, £1.99) Essential reading for parents and children alike, O Best Beloved. Need we say any more?
Tom Gates: Yes! No (Maybe…) Liz Pichon (Scholastic, £10.99) Travel along with Tom to help save his comics – Pichon’s eighth Tom Gates book is a must-have.
The Secret of the Old Clock Carolyn Keene (GP Putnam’s, £5.18) Essential for any would-be sleuther, Nancy Drew has been well-loved for decades, and will continue to be (we predict) for ever.
4
Toca Nature £2.49 Plant trees and grow your own forest – learn who eats what and enjoy the magic of nature!
5
Quick Fractions £1.49 Ok, it’s the summer, but a little bit of maths will help to keep your little ones’ brains alert. Try Quick Fractions.
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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COMPETITION
WIN Here is your chance to win a four-night holiday for all the family where you can lap up the sun, sea and sand at luxury hotel The Residence Tunis in Tunisia. Just a two-and-a-half hour flight from London, The Residence Tunis is the perfect setting for a long weekend in the sun. Set on a private beach along the Mediterranean coastline, it’s ideal for young and old. Families can explore the local ruins of ancient Carthage, one of the most historic sites of the Roman Empire and the village of Sidi Bou Said, or have a go at quad-biking, jet-skiing, horse-riding or sailing. Back at the hotel there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained with a large outdoor pool, paddling pool for tiny tots, two floodlit tennis courts and a fantastic Dolphin Kids Club with English-speaking staff. Mums and dads can also enjoy an afternoon of relaxation at the hotel’s seawater spa with two complimentary treatments by ESPA. Winners can also enjoy breakfast each morning and a dinner at any of the hotel’s six
WIN!
A FOUR-NIGHT FAMILY HOLIDAY AT LUXURY HOTEL, THE RESIDENCE TUNIS, TUNISIA restaurants with cuisine from across the globe. The hotel is home to one of the most spectacular 18-hole golf courses in north Africa and a new Golf Performance Academy for both adults and children. The Academy offers mental, technical and physical training for all player levels. As a member of Leading Hotels of the World, the staff at The Residence Tunis are friendly yet professional and are available to help with any wish. All of the rooms incorporate Arab-Andalucían architecture and a modern take on Moorish design with bespoke furniture, paintings and sculptures made by local artisans. ISP
HOW TO ENTER.
For your chance to win, simply answer the following question on our website at: independentschoolparent.com/win Q. Which luxury spa brand provides the treatments at the Residence Tunis? A – Elemis B – ESPA C – ila
Terms and conditions: All entries must be received by 19th June 2015. Valid for one year (from 15th May 2015), subject to availability, no cash equivalent.
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Below, the stunning pool at The Residence Tunis
“EXCELLENT” ACROSS THE BOARD ISI 2013
New for 2015
Sunday evening transport service London (Richmond Old Deer Park) to Farleigh
Come and visit us
Open Morning Saturday 19th September For further information contact opendays@farleighschool.com
www.farleighschool.com
@FarleighSchool
LEADING CATHOLIC COEDUCATIONAL PREP SCHOOL IN HAMPSHIRE FOR BOARDERS AND DAY PUPILS AGED 313 REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1157842
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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Whitgift. One of Britain’s finest independent day and boarding schools for boys aged 10-18
‘Some might say it’s just bricks and mortar. Others may say it’s just a school. But Whitgift is so much more than that’ Old Whitgiftian (2006–2014)
OPEN MORNING | SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2015 OPEN EVENING | TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2015 SIXTH FORM AND BOARDING | BY APPOINTMENT admissions@whitgift.co.uk +44 (0)20 8633 9935 www.whitgift.co.uk/opendays
Haling Park, South Croydon, CR2 6YT, United Kingdom
“BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL” Tatler Schools Guide 2014
OUTSTANDING ISI REPORT 2014 admissions@wellingtoncollege.org.uk | +44 (0)1344 444 013 wellingtoncollege.org.uk
“THE MOST FORWARD-THINKING SCHOOL IN BRITAIN” 2014
“ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND SUCCESSFUL INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY” THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE
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CALENDAR Our round-up of events nationwide this summer
7-10 Aug
18-12 Jun - Sep
BEST COUNTY SHOWS
PHOTOGRAPHY: ADAM GASSON, MIKE KIPLING PHOTOGRAPHY, TREVOR MEEKS, STEVE GODFREY RAINBOW STUDIOS
BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA [Bristol] Experience the biggest and best display of balloons in Bristol – take in all the colourful sights, and dare yourself to take a spin in one! It’s all the best kind of fun, and there are, inevitably, snacks on hand to keep you sustained all day long. bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
[NORTH: Bakewell SOUTH WEST: Frome MIDLANDS: Lincolnshire SOUTH EAST: Kent County SCOTLAND: Royal Highland]
The agricultural show is a good day out for all the family, regardless of whether you’re farmy or not! We’ve picked out the best shows, so whichever your county, there’s one for you to track down. Enjoy a spot of show jumping, cuddle some piglets, and enjoy breathing in all the smells of the country. What more could you ask for? ROYALLY DRESSED UP! [Bodelwyddan Castle, Wales] Try being a knight or a princess for the day and enjoy all the goodies that this castle has to offer! It’s a brilliant day out for all history nuts. bodelwyddan-castle.co.uk
FLY THAT BOW, ROBIN!
18-6 Jul - Sep
[Castle Howard, York] Trot up to York and the spectacular Castle Howard for some Robin Hood-themed activities. They’re going on all summer and you can have a go at shooting some bows and arrows, running away from nasty King John and getting all dressed up in traditional garb! castlehoward.co.uk
3-6 Sep
23 Jul
BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS [Burghley House, Lincolnshire] We love a good round of horse trials, but this one is a biggie. In the grounds of the stunning Burghley House, horses dance like ballerinas in the dressage ring, race around the formidable cross-country course, and then hop over the spectacular jumps in the showjumping ring. burghley-horse.co.uk
SUMMER 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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Did you know? You can visit four rainforest environments at The Eden Project: Tropical Islands, Southeast Asia, West Africa and Tropical South America
24-2 Jul - Sep
DINOSAURS UNLEASHED
30-2 Jul - Aug
[The Eden Project, Cornwall]
CAMP BESTIVAL
GO WHERE NO MAN HAS EVER GONE BEFORE AT THE EDEN PROJECT, WHERE DINOSAURS LURK IN THE MORNING MIST. THE DELIGHTFULLY IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE TAKES YOU INSIDE AN EXOTIC LANDSCAPE WHERE YOU MIGHT JUST MEET A PREHISTORIC FRIEND OR TWO. WILL YOU DARE TO HEAD INSIDE THE RAINFOREST?
[Lulworth Castle, Dorset] The junior version of the Isle of Wight’s favourite music festival is back, relocated to the south coast, and it’s better than ever! Get your faces painted, enjoy a spot of camping together and bop along to the music on offer. The ultimate day out for everyone. campbestival.net
edenproject.com
14 Jun
5-1
Jul - Sep
11 Jul INSIDE THE BFG [Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire] Everyone just loves Roald Dahl, so dig down into the great man’s archives at the Roald Dahl Museum, and see what you can find out about the genius creator of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr Fox and the rest of your favourite books! roalddahl.com
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HIGH IN THE SKY 20% OFF SUNUVA SWIMWEAR [Global] Your children can splash around this summer in Sunuva’s brilliant UPF 50+ swimwear. We can’t pick a favourite – there are too many to choose from. Sunuva is offering all Independent School Parent readers 20% off on their next purchase. Please see enclosed flyer for the discount code.
[RAF Cosford, Shropshire] Watch the Red Arrows fly over and do tricks in the sky at RAF Cosford’s airshow. Chow down on a burger or two, and be sure to cover your ears when the Battle of Britain memorial flight goes past. cosfordairshow.com
Find, shortlist and compare more than 6,000 independent schools FREE, impartial and detailed information Tailor your search to meet your child’s specific requirements Search by location, school type, facilities, subject, special needs, sport, extracurricular activities, scholarships and bursaries or whatever is important to you and your child
Find us at
www.isbi.co.uk Or call 01980 620575
@isbischools Facebook.com/ isbischool
Lose yourself
With more than 16,000 English Yews covering nearly 1.5 acres, Longleat Maze is a testing labyrinth for all the family. Six bridges give you tantalising glimpses of your target, the observation tower
PLACES TO PLUG INTO YOUR SAT NAV Pollock’s Toy Museum
All year round
[London]
Visit Pollock’s Toy Museum and go inside the world of the traditional toy and pick up a souvenir on the way home! pollocksmuseum.co.uk
Getting Hilly With It! [Greenwich Park, London]
All year round
Journey down to London’s Greenwich Park and run up the hill to the observatory! Take a selfie from the top and look out over Canary Wharf next to the Cutty Sark in Greenwich town. royalparks.org.uk
The Wild, Wild West Country [Longleat, Wiltshire]
All year round
Head to the safari park and coo over lions and tigers from the safety of your car! longleat.co.uk
STAY, LIVE AND PLAY
PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK
21 Jun JOUST IT UP!
1-31 Aug
[Warwick Castle] Travel back to a time when knights on horseback thundered towards one another with lances drawn, in a bid to unseat their rivals and possibly attract a maiden. Cheer on your favourite daredevil, and then take a look around Warwick Castle. warwick-castle.com
BEAMISH RELIABILITY RUN
[Peloponnese region of Greece] Nikki Beach Hotels & Resorts EMEA, a division of Nikki Beach Worldwide, has launched its latest hotel property Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Porto Heli, in a picturesque, cosmopolitan village in the eastern Peloponnese region of Greece. It will epitomise the philosophy of: Stay, Live and Play. Just 25 minutes from Athens by helicopter or a scenic 2.5 hour trip by catamaran or car, the new hotel is easily accessible. nikkibeachhotels.com
[Durham] Look upon a slew of vintage vehicles at close range as they take on a 150-mile route through the northern dales! Place your bets as to who will be first to cross the finish line, and wonder which one YOU would have like to have owned, back in the day. beamish.org.uk
SUMMER 2014 2015 | independentschoolparent.com
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MEMORY LANE
verything changed when I went away to boarding school. I have never been academically gifted and I’d struggled through my Common Entrance exams only to find that I’d failed to get into any London day schools. Eventually, we decided to go for Bryanston in Dorset. I say we, because it was a family decision. No one in my family had ever gone away to boarding school, before, but my parents liked the laid back and liberal atmosphere that they saw when they visited on the school’s open day. In marked contrast to my outgoing “explorer” television career today, I was a very shy child. I used to hide behind my parents’ legs at social functions, and at my prep school, The Hall in Hampstead, north London, I lacked confidence and was a bit of a goody two-shoes.
L SCHOORO IES
BEN FOGLE MEM
The broadcaster and explorer overcame his homesickness to enjoy blissful summer terms at Bryanston School, Dorset
morning. I still feel guilty for putting my parents through my homesickness – as they were paying so much money When I left home for the first for my education. time and went to boarding But as the year went by, I school, I became homesick. slowly began to settle into my My shyness and insecurity new life away from home. I were overwhelming. I can still started to make friends and, It was a yawing, aching pain remember the car journey as more importantly, began to that gnawed away at me. I’d my mother drove me to school discover the real me. My sob into my pillow each night and the feeling of impending shyness and insecurity began and down the payphone in the doom. We weren’t allowed to to fade, as did my homesickness. Until then, I had lacked any real d an s nd confidence in myself, but “ I started to make frie Bryanston began to . me began to discover the real heal all that. I still My shyness and insecurity began struggled .” ess ckn esi hom academically, but I to fade as did my was able to find
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call home for the first few weeks and when I finally did, I remember standing in a little phone booth, having queued up for what felt like hours, and when I eventually spoke to Mum, I burst into tears.
Tweet us your school memories at @ISParent
other outlets for my creativity. Bryanston was a liberal school and they worked quite hard to find out what I was good at, which was art and drama. We were allowed to create our own timetables – amazingly, we actually did quite a lot of work and I set up a “riding for the disabled” group. I loved drama and spent a great deal of time rehearsing and then performing in the school theatre – so much so that I left the school wanting to be an actor. I also spent many hours in the craft, design and technology building, making stuff. I made friends from all over the world who remain friends of mine to this day. The school was also fully coeducational and I also loved being in the company of girls – I would have hated all that macho nonsense if I’d been sent to an all-boys’ boarding school. I loved the remoteness of the school. We were in the middle of Dorset surrounded by fields and rivers. If I close my eyes and think of a perfect summer’s day, I think of my summer terms at Bryanston, of walking along the banks of the river Stour and jumping in the clear waters to cool off, and of the long drive up to the school. There were plenty of fun moments at Bryanston, too. I remember when new signs were put up along the drive with peel-off letters and some pranksters changed them to make very rude words before a new parents’ day. ISP
PHOTOGRAPHY: BENFOGLE.COM
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Summer Sale Now oN! Super Camps runs school holiday activity camps at 80 uK schools. For children aged 4 – 14yrs. Call us on 01235 467300 or visit www.supercamps.co.uk
01235 467300 • WWW.SUPERCAMPS.CO.UK 01235 467300 • WWW.SUPERCAMPS.CO.UK 01235 467300 • WWW.SUPERCAMPS.CO.UK