C E L E B R AT I N G T H E V E R Y B E S T I N E D U C AT I O N
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT F R E E | S E N I O R E D I T I O N | AU T U M N 2 0 2 2 | i n d e p e n d e n t s c h o o l p a re n t .co m
A fresh
start
WHAT TO CONSIDER IF YOU’RE MOVING SCHOOLS AT SIXTH FORM
plus
THE CASE FOR CHANGE Rethinking exam assessment NOT OFF TO UNI? The alternatives on offer…
THE HAPPINESS PROJECT How to enhance student fulfilment THE POWER OF DEBATE Learning to harness your oratory skills WIN A luxury weekend break for four
CURRICULUM
LAYING STRONG
foundations
With curricula that bring together academic rigour, community outreach and an embracing of technological advances, these three schools demonstrate how to prepare students for tomorrow’s world 18
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CURRICULUM
By instilling an enthusiasm for STEM subjects, schools can ready students for a world full of jobs that don’t exist yet
S
s
tellar exam results, academic enrichment programmes designed to inspire pupils to embrace learning new and different subjects, and innovative ways to attract more girls to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) were just some of the examples schools put forward in their nominations for this magazine’s awards campaign, Independent Schools of the Year 2022. Their nominations demonstrated that the tailored curricula taught and received at independent schools are inspiring and firmly focused on opening up their charges’ futures, enabling pupils to start their post-school lives and career pathways armed with as much information, hands-on experience and vocational choice, as possible…
WELLBEING
Philanthropy with the
feel-good factor
Matt Godfrey, Deputy Head of Downe House in Berkshire highlights the ways in which service and community outreach activities can benefit students’ wellbeing and mental health 30
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WELLBEING
Working with primary school pupils encourages older students to develop patience
THERE’S MUCH EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT ONE OF
the mo t effe ti e wa to boo t the elf e teem and onfiden e of young people IS BY GIVING THEM REGULAR AND
MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE A SERVICE
I
Acts of service in the community provides the opportunity to hone relationship-building skills
me how to build relationships with other older adults – and younger children, of course!” Schools provide all sorts of other ‘service’ programmes, normally for sixth formers. I remember being very moved by how effectively sixth formers at a school in Surrey organised a fabulous, annual sports day for local children with profound learning difficulties. The entire event was organised and hosted by these students with tremendous care, attention and dedication – and they loved every moment; they definitely enjoyed it as much as the guests.
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n recent years, most schools have placed the wellbeing of their pupils at the heart of all they do. Different schools take different approaches, but school initiatives often include: training pupils as mental health first-aiders and pastoral mentors; yoga and therapy sessions to reduce stress levels; specialist training in mental health awareness for pastoral staff; remodelling traditional PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) classes as wellbeing lessons; and school buildings designed with break-out zones or innovative wellbeing spaces to help pupils relax. The Covid-19 pandemic had a hugely negative impact on pupils’ and adults’ wellbeing. The ever-increasing prevalence of social media is also exposing more and more young people to negative and harmful content online. As a result, schools are more aware than ever of the need for positive and effective ways to promote wellbeing. However, there’s much evidence to suggest that one of the most effective ways to boost the self-esteem and confidence of young people is by giving them regular and meaningful opportunities to provide a service for their local communities. I recently spoke with a group of sixth form students who visited a local primary school once a week, over a period of one academic year, while they were in year 12. “I loved it,” said one. “It felt healthy to be doing something different, away from my usual routines. The energy and enthusiasm of the primary children was infectious, and they made me laugh!” “Volunteering at a primary school gave me a new perspective,” said another. “I learned from the teachers; they were friendly and helpful to me; I became more confident, and I admired their patience with the children. I think it made me a more understanding person and it taught
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PASTORAL CARE
Five steps to
thriving
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PASTORAL CARE
W
hat does it mean to flourish? The Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University defines flourishing as ‘complete human wellbeing: a state in which all aspects of a person’s life are good’ (VanderWeele 2017, 8149), including the following five domains: • • • • •
happiness and life satisfaction mental and physical health meaning and purpose character and virtue close social relationships
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In 2021, we began a project with researchers from Research Schools International (RSI) and Harvard to discover to what degree our students are flourishing, which research-
Sevenoaks School embarked on a research project with arvard University to discover how young people can ourish in different aspects of their lives. Mark Beverley, Director of nstitute of eaching earning, shares its findings AUTUMN 2022 | independentschoolparent.com
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SIXTH FORM
This is
growing up Thalia Thompson looks at the sixth form centre, usually a bespoke building for students who have reached the last two years of their school career and where they learn to prepare for life
T
he sixth form is made up of two of the most important years in your child’s school career. Students work and play hard, consolidating the skills they’ll need as independent young adults, ready to succeed at university and in the wider world. Independent schools are increasingly offering sophisticated new facilities for these students, with Heathfield School in Berkshire, Queenswood School in Hertfordshire and Taunton School in Somerset being just three of the schools who have recently opened state-of-theart sixth form centres. Being part of a larger whole, these sixth form centres still benefit from all the opportunities for sixth formers to take on leadership responsibilities and act as role models to the lower years. But they also give them a separate identity,
acknowledging their transition from school child to student. They contain sofas and coffee shops for socialising, as well as separate spaces for individual or group study, all with an eye to preparing students for the future. “When we designed these facilities, what students are likely to come across at university and in the workplace was very much in the forefront of our mind,” says Lyndsay White, Assistant Head, Pastoral and Community, at co-educational Taunton School. “So, there are break-out rooms and discussion spaces, rather than just a classroom set-up with 20 desks facing forwards…this is a grown-up work space.” While many parents and pupils prefer single-sex schools, as Philip Britton, the Head of Foundation of the Boy’s and Girl’s Division of Bolton School in Greater Manchester notes, “There are very many great strengths to single-sex
THEY ALSO GIVE THEM A SEPARATE IDENTITY,
THEY CONTAIN SOFAS AND COFFEE SHOPS FOR SOCIALISING, AS WELL AS SEPARATE SPACES FOR STUDY
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PHOTOGRAPHY: XXX
acknowledging their transition from school child to student.
SIXTH FORM
s
Queenswood sixth formers now get to enjoy the fully refurbished Bellman Sixth Form Centre, complete with bleachers, study booths and a coffee shop
DIARY DATES
CALENDAR
Harry Christmas! 12 NOVEMBER – 15 JANUARY 2023 Hertfordshire
Escape the Muggle realm this winter with a visit to Hogwarts in the Snow. At this magical time of year, the studio sets are dressed with a blanket of film-making frost, the Great Hall is dressed for the Yule Ball, and the Gryffindor common room is decked out for Christmas Day. Prepare to be mesmerised by arresting displays of shimmering silver decorations, towering firs adorned with red and gold ornaments, sparkling snow and dripping icicles, all set to swelling orchestral arrangements. Don’t forget to pound the cobbles of Diagon Alley and take in the Forbidden Forest in all of its wintry wonder. And of course, swing by the railway store for some butterbeer and peppermint toads for the train home. wbstudiotour.co.uk
Nadolig Llawen! 10 NOVEMBER – 23 DECEMBER Cardiff
Set in the pedestrian heart of the Welsh capital, the Cardiff Christmas Market has been an annual winter highlight for almost 30 years. Peruse the parade of beautifully decorated wooden stalls that line St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and The Hayes, taking in the original artwork and craft heritage of the diverse artisans, while sampling the traditional winter food and drinks (gluhwein for the grownups) along the way. With bespoke silver jewellery, wooden-turned gifts, fused glassworks, hand-thrown ceramics, paintings, handmade quilts and traditional pewter pieces among the wares on offer, you’ll be able to tackle some Christmas present shopping at the same time. Wrap up warm and we’ll see you there! cardiffchristmasmarket.com
Silver screen 2 – 4, 6 – 11 & 13-22 DECEMBER Kent
Bluewater Christmas shoppers can indulge in a visit to The Luna Drive In Winter Cinema, which will be showing festive classics throughout the month. With high-definition screens, state-ofthe-art in-car speakers and a menu of delicious snacks, it’s the perfect setting to soak up the advent atmosphere. Choose from an array of family-favourites, such as Elf, Home Alone and The Muppet Christmas Carol for your drive-in day out. thelunacinema.com s
WORDS: LAURA SUTHERLAND. PHOTOGRAPHY: SOLID CREATIVE LTD; VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM; ANDY ROSS; MONTANA LOWERY; NATIONAL TRUST/JAMES DOBSON; VITRA DESIGN MUSEUM/JÜRGEN HANS
Our roundup of fun events, exhibitions and activities to check out this winter
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