SCHOOLS
TOP MARKS FOR SPORTS
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he Firs School was recently celebrating The Gold Sportsmark status under a national scheme for the second year running. The criteria for this level of the award is very high and involves excellence in provision of pupil participation in a range of sports, pupil leadership in sport and coaching of sport. Lucy Davies, Headteacher at
The Firs School says: ‘We are delighted to have been chosen for this award which proves that opportunities available to our pupils are amongst the best in the area. I would like to thank our brilliant staff for their inspired leadership of sport at The Firs, and also our wonderful pupils for having a go at so many different sports and showing true team spirit.’
Top of the class
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Have-a-go attitude and sportmanship has seen The Firs School triumph
Dr Julie Adams-Guppy, criminology lecturers Dr Caroline Hughes and Dr Iolo Madoc-Jones, and Mark Owen, chief officer for the North Wales Police Special Constabulary
ARRESTING DEVELOPMENTS
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new police course aimed at educating current and prospective Special Constables to degree level has been launched at Wrexham Glyndwr University. Dr Julie AdamsGuppy has been unveiled as senior lecturer for the first BA (Hons) Policing undergraduate degree and they are recruiting now for September. Dr Adams-Guppy is a Special Constable herself and sees the further professionalisation of the police service as a positive move enhancing officers’ practice and future career prospects. She said: ‘It’s an exciting time to be launching this new course, and
I’m thrilled to be here at the very start of it. It’s going to be a balance of practical, vocational and taught learning, as well as work experience out on the streets, not just in the lecture theatre.’ Mark Owen, Chief Officer for the North Wales Police Special Constabulary, congratulated the University on launching the degree: ‘Policing has changed so much over the years, there are different challenges and a more modern outlook on crime and other incident types and how to tackle it is required.’ Visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk or call the enquiries line on 01978 293439.
he summer holidays are probably a distant memory. ‘Back to school’ has, thankfully, come and gone. Children are back with their teachers and, hopefully, settled to their studies. However, for pupils in Year 6 there is a transition ahead; it’s time to consider ‘big school’. In my first contribution to Shire Magazine, I will look at the options, with an intentional focus on what might be available at your local independent school and how you might go about taking advantage. Independent – or ‘private’ – schooling might not be something that you have considered before or there might not be a tradition in your family. This is often the case; a great many of our families at Oswestry will be new to the world of independent education. But they have taken the plunge to enjoy the benefits of smaller class sizes; genuine pastoral care; a more rounded curriculum; support to university; boarding opportunity; exciting challenges, and much more. To find out more, do take advantage of the many open days at this time of year. However, it is also important to try to visit on a ‘working’ day, to see behind the veneer of whizz-bangs ‘A great many of the and also to chat to the headmaster and other families at Oswestry senior staff about their philosophies and how School will be your child would benefit. Do not be afraid to new to the world make an individual appointment, I’d argue of independent that’s often the best way. education’ Of course, there is always the issue of fees. One look at those (usually) termly figures might cause alarm. However, support is often at hand. Most independent schools are charities. Even those that are not will have an interest in supporting those pupils who might not otherwise be able to afford the fees. Support usually comes in three forms: scholarship (based upon assessed excellence in any particular field); bursary (supported by means declaration); and some form of headmaster’s discretion (this might be effected through bursary or scholarship). It is also worth noting that arrangements are usually offered for siblings so that all members of a family might all be able to enjoy the same experience. The first port of call should be scholarship: this can usually prove to provide the greatest level of support. Independent schools are always keen to ensure that they have strong performers on their roll, so that they might be the hares for others to chase. Scholarships are usually available for academic, sport, drama, art, music etc. They will usually apply to differing age categories, typically: 7+, 11+, 13+ and 16+. Assessment will usually be at a fixed time each year, often January preceding the September transfer. Assessments will normally require a Saturday morning visit to the school and a short test plus other practical assessments. It is worth noting that scholarships can be removed if a pupil is not taking their opportunity, but otherwise scholarships have a suitably long life, until the end of schooling, or a natural transition, eg Sixth form. Every parent wants the best for their child. Please, give independent schools your consideration. As a first step, pop into an open day to find out more. I’d be delighted to see you at ours at Oswestry School on Saturday 7th October. Julian Noad is headmaster of Oswestry School, an independent school in Oswestry with pupils, day and boarding, from 4 to 18 years of age. Oswestry School was founded in 1407 and has a proud history of serving its local community. September/October 2017 | SHIRE MAGAZINE 127
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