Education supplement 2014

Welcome to our Independent Schools Guide Independent Day School for Girls aged 4-18 The independent school system in the UK is one of the finest in the world, and we are fortunate to have some of the best schools in the country right on our doorstep.

Making the right choice for your child’s education is of paramount importance. Sometimes every parent needs a helping hand in deciding what is best for their children. Our Independent Schools Guide is an invaluable resource for any parent considering private education for their child.

We publish our dedicated Schools Guides throughout the year.

This months issue specifically features open days for the best independent schools to the UK’s most affluent parents.

The Fish Media Group are proud to publish The Independent Schools Guide with our luxury titles for the most affluent homes across London and each of The Home Counties.

You can also pick up the Schools Guides with our luxury titles at Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and other retail outlets. It is available at all leading estate agents, targeted five-star hotels and UK, European first-class airline and private jet lounges.

Our digital magazines are now also sent to all subscribers.

If you would like your prestigious school or college to appear in our Independent Schools Guides, please call Vanessa on 020 8240 0036 or email Vanessa@fishmediagroup.co.uk

Alex Lux

Open Days 2014

Alex Lux Editor

PUBLISHED BY THE FISH MEDIA GROUP LTD, THE RIDINGS, WOODFIELD LANE, ESSENDON, HERTS , AL9 6JJ.

0844 800 8439

www.thelifemagazines.com EDITOR

Alex Lux EDITOR’S ASSISTANT

Katie Miller

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Toni Perry

SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Vanessa Lane

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Anita Hill, Nicola Drew

SALES

James Marshall DIRECTORS

Rory Smith, Patrick Smith

Senior School Thursday 18 September 5pm Monday 6 October 5pm Tuesday 14 October 9.15am Wednesday 12 November 9.15am Sixth Form Wednesday 1 October 6pm The Bank, Highgate, London N6 5HF T: 020 8340 2328 Book online

www.channing.co.uk

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THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS AWARDS 2014

T

13th NOVEMBER 2014, NOTTINGHAM BELFY HOTEL

he Independent School Awards recognise excellence in the strategic and financial management of independent schools.

Highlighting independent schools’ successes will help to spread and raise best practice across the sector, and create good publicity about the sector’s value to the UK. They are organised by the team behind Funding for Independent Schools magazine, the leading sector title.

The awards are open to all independent schools in the UK, whether charitable or proprietor-owned. All schools, irrespective of their size, can compete on an equal basis as context is taken into account by the judges.

Entry to the awards is free.

Award Categories 1. Outstanding Strategic Initiative: this recognises initiatives in strategic planning, including: your school’s website, marketing campaign, a legal initiative, innovative recruitment drive, excellence in governance etc.

2. O utstanding Financial/Commercial Initiative: this recognises initiatives in financial planning, investments, property planning, commercial enterprise, fees strategy, raising bursaries etc.

3. O utstanding Fundraising Initiative: this recognises initiatives in fundraising and development that have raised income for the school directly. Applicants are expected to show innovation in some way.

4. Outstanding Community Initiative: this recognises initiatives that involve working with external groups such as parents and the local community (also either inside or outside a charitable school’s objectives, where appropriate). It could also include a link up with an overseas school.

5. B est Independent-Maintained School Collaboration: this recognises initiatives with a leading role with a state school(s).

6. E ducation Initiative of the Year: this recognises a project that has helped children to fulfil their potential and to improve learning outcomes. It could be a commercial product, but not necessarily.

7. S pecial Needs Initiative of the Year: this recognises a project that

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has helped children with special needs to fulfil their potential and to improve learning outcomes.

8. Boarding Initiative of the Year: this recognises an initiative within a boarding setting that has had a substantial and measurable impact on the (boarding) pupils.

9. Outstanding Senior Leadership Team of the Year: an SLT that has shown inspirational leadership of a school.

10. Outstanding Governing Body of the Year: this recognises an inspirational contribution to a school.

11. Lifetime Achievement Award: a school leader who has shown a commitment to and achievement in the independent school sector over many years.

12. British International School of the Year: an inspirational school based outside the UK that espouses a British education and has made an outstanding strategic or financial achievement.

13. Independent School of the Year (chosen from one of the winners of the first nine categories). Please note that it is not possible to apply directly for this award.

The awards are decided by an independent panel of judges, all highly respected for their expertise and experience in the independent school sector. The judges have complementary skills: they consist of former heads, former bursars, current governors, an inspector, a union representative and a marketing expert and others.

Up to four schools/candidates will be shortlisted for the awards, except for the Independent School of the Year award, which will be chosen from one of the winners of the first nine awards. The shortlisted schools will be announced on 17th September 2014.

We wish all the schools who have submitted entries for this year’s awards the very best of luck.

Creativity in the Classroom

‘Knowledge’, Einstein observed, ‘is limited. Imagination encircles the world.’ In order to be ready for a professional life, where knowledge must be constantly updated and expanded, pupils, like Theoretical Physicists, need to look to the future and to dream. So, whilst inspirational teachers will always make the acquisition of knowledge an exhilarating experience, the best education will also fulfil a mind-opening, eye-opening and imagination-opening function.

At Bromley High School, excellence in GCSE and A level examination is our traditional expectation but now new technologies are also giving pupils an inspirational window onto a wider world.

Freed from the shackles of the National Curriculum, girls take an exploratory approach to learning which nurtures imagination and develops empathy. Crucially, the cultivation of creative imagination fuels aspiration beyond the curriculum. Those who enjoy the privilege of an excellent education should always be properly ambitious: both to make the most of their talents and to change their world for the better.

Angela Drew Headmistress, Bromley High School www.bromleyhigh.gdst.net Open Events: Saturday 4th October 2014, 9.30 am – 1.00 pm; Sixth Form Open Evening, Tuesday 7th October, at 6.45 pm.

Contact admissions@bro.gdst.net or Tel 020 8781 7000 to arrange a visit

BROMLEY HIGH SCHOOL Firing Girls’ Imagination since 1883

OPEN MORNING Saturday October 4th 2014 9.30 am ‐ 1.00 pm

SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING Tuesday 7th October 2014 at 6.45 pm

Find out more about life at Bromley High School

For Girls 4 ‐ 18 years Fees Assistance & Scholarships available in the Senior School admissions@bro.gdst.net Tel: 020 8781 7000 www.bromleyhigh.gdst.net/Dul1

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FAIRLEY HOUSE FAIRLEY HOUSE, DESCRIBED IN THE SUNDAY TIMES AS ‘THE GOLD STANDARD’ IS LONDON’S LEADING DAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIFIC LEARNING DIFFICULTIES. We offer an education almost unique in that Educational Psychologists, with Speech, Language and Occupational Therapists are integrated into the school curriculum. We enjoy a central London location with excellent facilities.

Fairley House addresses the difficulties of children between 5 and 14 with dyslexia and dyspraxia. There is a staff: pupil ratio of 1: 3.5 and the average stay is two to three years after which children return to mainstream schooling with a new ‘can do’ attitude.

At Fairley House our intention is to provide your son or daughter with an educational experience which rivals that of any mainstream independent school. Many of our alumni have had excellent grades at GCSE and A-Level and progressed to top universities and now have successful careers in a range of areas.

London’s leading day school for specific learning difficulties t: 020 7976 5456 www.fairleyhouse.org.uk

...and all of a sudden, nothing is impossible.

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Open Morning Saturday 4 October 2014

“ Lancing College is an inspirational place. Its guiding principles

prepare our pupils to live fulfilled, happy and successful lives and it will

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be a privilege to lead this exceptional school in the years to come.

DOMINIC OLIVER, HEAD MASTER

Contact our Admissions Officer for more details on 01273 465805 or visit our website

www.lancingcollege.co.uk Tel 01273 465805

West Sussex BN15 0RW

AN iNdepeNdeNT SChOOl fOR BOyS ANd giRlS Aged 13 TO 18 Registered Charity Number: 1076483

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Sydenham High celebrates exam and scholarship success Students at Sydenham High GDST have been celebrating exceptional exam success, prestigious scholarships and university places this Summer.

A

level results brought a 100% pass rate, with three quarters of the Sydenham High students achieving A*/B grades and a third securing A*/A grades. There were also celebrations for places on a wide range of courses at top universities including Cambridge, Edinburgh, Exeter, Manchester, St Andrews and York.

At GCSE, 65% of students gained A*-A grades and 29% achieved specifically A*s, with three girls gaining ten A* grades.

Ninety-six per cent of passes were A-C. One very happy student was Katie Mills.

Not only did the 16-year old (pictured with Headteacher Kathryn Pullen) achieve two A*s and eight As, she has also been awarded a nationally sought-after Arkwright Engineering Scholarship which identifies her as one of the country’s future leaders in engineering and technical design.

What makes us different is the difference we make...

From scientific exploration to personal discovery, our outstanding education goes way beyond the curriculum Find out more at our open events: Junior

Sat 27 September 10am-1pm Weds 8 October 9.30-11am

Senior

Sat 20 September 10am-1pm Weds 1 October 9.30-11am

See our website for further Autumn Open Events & bookable Taster Days 020 8557 7004 admissions@syd.gdst.net www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net 15 & 19 Westwood Hill, London, SE26 6BL

Katie competed against over 1,300 candidates from across the UK for the renowned Scholarship which will not only provide her with a financial award to support her A level studies but also a range of activities to enhance her understanding and experience of engineering.

Kathryn Pullen, Sydenham High’s Headteacher, said: “I am so proud of our girls in achieving these great results. They’ve all worked hard and had tremendous support from their teachers and parents. Their resilience and determination will stand them in good stead as they progress with their education and into the world of work.”

For more information about Sydenham High School 19 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL call 020 8557 7004 or email admissions@syd.gdst.net www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net

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Teaching a way of living S at St Benedict’s School

t Benedict’s is London’s leading independent Catholic coeducational school. Our Mission of ‘Teaching a way of living’ is at the core of the holistic Catholic education that is provided to boys and girls throughout the School from Nursery to Sixth Form.

St Benedict’s is committed to supporting all children to develop their full potential and has a proud academic record. Inspections by ISI (November 2012) and Westminster Diocese (September 2013) have endorsed our success in fulfilling the School’s aims and have recognised the many strengths of the School. In December 2013 St Benedict’s School was recognised as an Investor in People – Gold, an award held by a select group of fewer than 700 organisations in the United Kingdom. The school welcomes children of other Christian denominations and other faiths.

The Junior School and Nursery provide a supportive, friendly and vibrant co-educational environment. Your child’s educational journey begins and the seeds of our Benedictine ethos are planted, nurtured and given every opportunity to flourish. Senior School pupils are encouraged to think and

St Benedict’s Senior School 54 Eaton Rise, Ealing London W5 2ES 52 SEPTEMBER2014

express themselves creatively, to work independently and to take pride in all their achievements. In the Sixth Form students take on leadership roles and all contribute to a variety of projects, which raise funds for communities across the world.

There has been huge recent investment in buildings and facilities, including a full size all-weather facility at the playing fields, a new playground area for the Junior School, a major refurbishment of the Senior School Library and a new serving area adjacent to the dining hall.

St Benedict’s is renowned for its sporting tradition and has a national reputation for rugby. Whilst promoting the highest sporting aspirations, the school is committed to sport for all. A wide range of co-curricular activities is offered including music, drama and opportunities for Christian service.

St Benedict’s School is unique. We are an extended family in which pupils can thrive and we are proud of our cohesive community. Come and visit and see what we have to offer. You can be sure of a warm Benedictine welcome.

St Benedict’s Junior School 5 Montpelier Avenue, Ealing London W5 2XP

Tel: 020 8862 2254 Email: enquiries@stbenedicts.org.uk Website: www.stbenedicts.org.uk

Open Morning Saturday 11th October 2014 10am – 12 noon 020 7348 1793 www.stjamesjuniors.co.uk

ST JAMES Junior School

Earsby Street | London W14 8SH

for girls and boys

Registered Charity No. 270156

St Benedict’s, Ealing Independent Catholic Day School

Teaching a way of living

Co-education from 3 years through to 18

OPEN MORNINGS for NURSERY: 30 September, 14 October, 20 November

JUNIORS: 18 September, 7 & 11 October SENIORS: 15 September, 3, 11 & 16 October SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING: 25 September SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES IN SENIOR SCHOOL To book a place at an open event or for more information, please contact: T: 020 8862 2254 E: enquiries@stbenedicts.org.uk W: www.stbenedicts.org.uk We respect the dignity of all and welcome children of other faiths.

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Individual

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t UCS, education is founded on a dual emphasis on liberal academic scholarship and on being a community of individuals; this lends the School a distinctiveness for which it is known and respected. The UCS Foundation comprises three schools providing an excellent education to children aged 3 – 18.

The Phoenix School (ages 3 – 7) aims to provide a happy and stimulating environment for the 130 pupils who attend. Intellectual curiosity and independence of mind are developed, self-discovery and self-expression are fostered, and learning co-operatively and collaboratively is highly valued.

Around 240 boys attend the UCS Junior Branch (ages 7 – 11) which is set in the heart of Hampstead Village. The JB provides each student with the opportunity to mature steadily so that he develops the academic and personal disciplines, self-confidence, and thoughtfulness to enable him to transfer smoothly to the Senior School. Both the Phoenix and the Junior Branch have their own excellent facilities, and enjoy full use of those at the Senior School, Sports Centre and Playing Fields.

Around 850 pupils (aged 11 – 18) attend the Senior School, and each year around 40 girls join the Sixth Form. The aim is to produce students who can progress to university with the confidence and motivation to stand alone as

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&

Distinctive

independent learners, with a love of learning for learning’s sake. Academic endeavour is supported by a wide range of co-curricular activities, including excellent provision for Sport, Music, and Drama. In 2014, A level pupils achieved impressive results (70% A*-A, 93% A*-B) and 50% of the cohort achieved three A grades or better. GCSE pupils secured the school’s best ever results with 88% A*-A and over 60% of exams graded at A* alone and a third of the cohort secured nine or more A*s.

UCS is firmly committed to promoting wider access to the unique education provided through fee assistance. The School has grown this programme over a number of years and consistently ranks at the top of independent schools in London for the number of full (100%) bursaries awarded each year. Currently, funding is available to pupils applying to the Senior School (11+, 13+, and 16+ entry points). Assistance is also granted in the form of competitive Music Awards.

To learn more about the UCS Foundation and its admission requirements, please visit www.ucs.org.uk.

University College School Frognal, Hampstead, London NW3 6XH www.ucs.org.uk

inspires We are a leading 11–18 boarding & day school for boys & girls.

Academic rigour and outstanding co-curricular provision are at the heart of Haileybury,providing the exceptional opportunities and truly all-round education that allow our pupils to discover enduring passions and talents. We offer a choice of IB Diploma or A Levels in the Sixth Form. Our next Open Mornings in 2014 are: (11+) 26 September and 7 November; (13+) 11 October; (16+) 13 September

For further information, or to attend an Open Morning, you are warmly invited to contact the Registrar, Iona Hutchinson registrar@haileybury.com 01992 706353 Haileybury Hertford Herts SG13 7NU haileybury.com

@HaileyburyUK

/HaileyburyUK Registered charity number 310013

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think.

HowWestminster School’s pupils learn to excel in all areas of life.

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estminster School is an exciting place to be.

It is a school where pupils are taught to think by teachers who inspire them. Westminster’s renowned academic pre-eminence is a result of pupils learning the skills of intellectual enquiry and debate and applying them with relish well beyond the syllabus. It is by these means that pupils achieve exceptional public examination results and gain entrance to the top universities worldwide.

In 2014 150 pupils sat A-level Mathematics and 76 of them (just over 50%) achieved an A* grade. Grades were equally strong in the humanities. In English Literature Westminster pupils take the Cambridge Pre-U, which is alternative form of A-level. This year there were 63 English Literature candidates and 55 of them (87%) achieved the Pre-U equivalent of an A*.

97 of this year’s leavers (over 50%) received offers to study at Oxford or Cambridge. Most of the remainder will go to Russell Group universities in the UK but more than 10% will go to universities in the USA. Offers have been received, among others, from Harvard, Yale, MIT, Brown, Chicago, Cornell and Dartmouth. Westminster parents also choose the School for their sons and daughters (the Sixth Form is fully co-educational) for the astonishing range of opportunities beyond the classroom, for example in music, drama, debating and sport. Pupils are keen to look outward as well and to play their part in the life of the local community through a programme of civic engagement; and Westminster has close relationships with neighbouring state schools, both primary and secondary.

120 boys are admitted every year at 13+. Just under half come from our Under School and most of the remainder come from London prep schools. Since the early 1970s girls have joined the school at 16+. There are currently 128 girls in the school. Some come from country boarding schools or from overseas but the majority come from London day schools.

Westminster School Little Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PF 020 7963 1003 registrar@westminster.org.uk www.westminster.org.uk 56 SEPTEMBER2014

WESTMINSTER SCHOOL www.westminster.org.uk

‘For the right girl or boy, simply the best.’ Good Schools Guide

16+ ENTRY FOR GIRLS & BOYS To find out about Open Days and online registration please look at our website.

13+ BOYS ENTRY To request a prospectus or to arrange a tour of the school, please call 020 7963 1003 or email registrar@westminster.org.uk For information about 7+, 8+ and 11+ entry to Westminster Under School please go to www.westminsterunder.org.uk Westminster School is a charity (No. 312728) established to provide education.

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Open Morning

Open Morning

Independent education for boys aged 7-11

Independent day and boarding school for boys

For entry into Years 3-6

For entry into Year 7

Saturday 4 October 2014 9.30am–12 noon (Entry via Hunts Slip Road)

Saturday 11 October 2014 9.30am–12 noon

The Junior School at Dulwich College provides a nurturing and challenging environment for boys aged 7-11, whilst allowing pupils to benefit from our outstanding facilities.

Dulwich College welcomes parents and boys considering entry into Year 7 to our Open Morning. No appointment is necessary. Conducted tours of the College are offered with opportunities to meet pupils and staff.

We welcome parents and boys to our Open Morning on Saturday 4 October when there will be talks by the Master of the College and the Head of the Junior School at 9.30am,10.30am and 11.30am. We also have an Open Afternoon on Tuesday 18 November at 2.00pm and smaller parent tours and visits are also available by arrangement.

Other opportunities are available to visit the College during the school day.

Dates can be found on our website, or please telephone the Registrar for further details.

.............................................................................................................

For more information please contact the Junior School Dulwich College, Dulwich Common, London, SE21 7LD Telephone: 020 8299 8432 Email: junioradmissions@dulwich.org.uk www.dulwich.org.uk/junior-school

For more information please contact the Registrar Dulwich College, Dulwich Common, London, SE21 7LD Telephone: 020 8299 9263 Email: the.registrar@dulwich.org.uk www.dulwich.org.uk

Opening

For Readers from 3 years to Young Adult (and their parents) Saturday 8 November 10am - 5pm at Streatham & Clapham High School 42 Abbotswood Road, SW16 1AW

:

STREAM

Packed with fun activities, visiting authors, book readings and signings, creative workshops, competitions, prizes and much more STREAM is open to all and admission is free For details of all authors and events visit our website Booking now open

www.STREAM2014.co.uk

Empowering girls to pursue ideals and knowledge unafraid Sixth Form Open Evening 2014 Thursday

9 October

6.30 pm - 8.30 pm

Empowering girls to pursue ideals and knowledge unafraid Senior School Open Days 2014 Saturday

27 September

Tuesday

14 October

10.00 am - 1.00 pm 9.15 am - 11.30 am

Register for Open Days at www.schs.gdst.net

Register for Open Days at www.schs.gdst.net

Senior School (11-18)

Senior School (11-18)

42 Abbotswood Road, SW16 1AW

42 Abbotswood Road, SW16 1AW

020 8677 8400 senior@schs.gdst.net

020 8677 8400 senior@schs.gdst.net

An Award-winning Sixth-Form College In the Heart of Central London

Principals James Eytle and Beverley Mellon receiving the award for Best London Independent Sixth-Form College 2013 from Les Webb of sixth-form.com

• Small group sizes – max class size of 8 • Excellent location – in the heart of Mayfair in central London close to Hyde Park and Oxford Street • Excellent results – 89.4% of A-level students gained A*, A, B grades in June 2013

Wide subject choice A-level & GCSE course covering a wide range of subjects across Sciences, Humanities, Social sciences, Arts and Languages.

Specialist Programmes for University Entry Specialist programmes for university entry onto competitive degree courses including Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Economics, Psychology, Architecture and Engineering.

For enrolment enquiries please contact the College Administrator Julia Millar on 020 7409 7273 or by email admin@albemarle.org.uk

www.albemarle.org.uk

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talent developing

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ountview Academy of Theatre Arts in north London boasts an international reputation for training actors, directors and theatre technicians. There are just under 400 students studying on foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses and Mountview also runs a thriving series of Saturday and summer schools for young people and amateur actors.

Alumni include Ken Stott, Douglas Henshall, Eddie Marsan, Amanda Holden, Lindsey Coulson, Michael French, Brendan Coyle and Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre, Ed Hall.

Courses are validated by the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the most recent OFSTED inspection declared the Academy ‘outstanding’ for its performance work. There is a student to staff ration of 12:1 with core staff supported by a large number of visiting tutors who also work in the theatre industry.

Performance training includes a new BA (Hons) for Actor Musicians as well as specialist training in acting and musical theatre. Postgraduate study includes a popular diploma in musical direction alongside Masters degrees in theatre directing, acting and musical theatre.

Artistic Director and Principal Stephen Jameson says “the focus is on training students to be rounded, creative individuals who can work in many fields.”

Third year acting student Kathryn Taylor-Gears adds “what is great about Mountview is that training covers all the elements of classical acting such as voice, text and stage combat as well as a strong leaning towards TV, film and radio work and new writing.”

The technical department offers a two-year foundation degree (FDA) as well as a three-year BA (Hons)in Theatre Production Arts. Students gain practical experience in all areas of technical theatre – stage and production management, lighting, sound and digital design and design and applied arts – before specializing later in the course. Over the length of the course students move from assistant through to lead roles in a live theatre environment.

Musical theatre undergraduate Jonathan Halliwell concludes “there is a great support system here and motivation to push you to succeed. The school is like one close-knit theatre company.”

For further details visit mountview.org.uk or call 020 8881 2201

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THEATRE TRAINING AT ITS FINEST Short Courses · Foundation · Diploma · BA (Hons) · MA

ACTING ACTOR MUSICIAN MUSICAL THEATRE THEATRE DIRECTING MUSICAL DIRECTION THEATRE PRODUCTION ARTS CREATIVE PRODUCING

MOUNTVIEW.ORG.UK · @MOUNTVIEWLDN · 020 8881 2201

ASHBOURNE COLLEGE A Level Scholarships Music and Performing Arts

DEVONSHIRE HOUSE SCHOOL 2 Arkwright Road, Hampstead, NW3 6AE

• One of London’s best private colleges • Outstanding facilities for music, drama and art including state-of-the-art composing and recording software • Emphasis on study skills, independent thinking and individual attention has produced excellent exam results and university destinations • Informal, university-style approach and wide range of cultural activities • Opportunities for full and partial scholarships for students with exceptional talent and academic ability.

Contact admissions on: 020 7937 3858 admissions@ashbournecollege.co.uk

college.co.uk

Ashbourne Independent Sixth Form Kensington, London W8 4PL

A co-educational IAPS Prep and Pre-Prep School for children from 3 to 13 with its own Oak Tree Nursery for children from 2½ to 3½ OPEN MORNINGS Wednesday, 15th October 2014 Thursday, 16th October 2014 For more information contact the Admissions’ Secretary: 020 7435 1916 enquiries@devonshirehouseprepschool.co.uk www.devonshirehouseschool.co.uk

Saint Christina s School

Independent co-ed pre-prep & nursery 3–7 years . Founded 1976 . Member ISA

Where happy children are successful learners

Independent Catholic Preparatory School IAPS member, Girls aged 3-11, Boys 3-7

You are assured a warm welcome at our family-orientated, purpose-built School, close to Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park.

We offer a rich and varied learning experience, with excellent examination results and a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

For further details, please email: secretary@saintchristinas.org.uk www.saintchristinas.org.uk 25 St. Edmund’s Terrace, London, NW8 7PY T: 020 7722 8784

Constructing, for life

SINGING FROM THE HEART Being a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral is the experience of a lifetime

Excellent and outstanding: 58 times!

Verdict from the latest Independent Schools’ Inspection report: The words excellent (highest rating for Whole School and Key Stage 1) and outstanding (highest rating for Early Years) feature an incredible 46 and 12 times, respectively.

See www.isi.net.

Main entry at 2+, 3+ and 4+.

We look forward to meeting you!

W www.hernehillschool.co.uk.

E enquiries@hernehillschool.co.uk T 020 7274 6336

St Paul’s choristers sing in one of the most famous and beautiful places of worship in the world, perform in concerts around the globe, and receive a first-class academic education at the Cathedral School. Boys are not expected to have fully-developed voices or much formal singing experience – enthusiasm, intelligence and musical potential are the keys.

— — — — —

100% tuition fees for all choristers Assistance with boarding fees available One of the top preparatory schools in the country The finest musical education An amazing start to life

If your son is aged 6–8 and shows musical promise, do get in touch.

He could become one of the next generation of choristers at St Paul’s.

The Old Vicarage 127 Herne Hill London SE24 9LY

For more information please contact: Clare Morgan, Registrar, St Paul’s Cathedral School 020 7248 5156 · admissions@spcs.london.sch.uk

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Unique & Exceptionally Tailor-Made Education AT

W H I T G I F T

W

hitgift is situated in a beautiful and historic park. A Whitgift education here is unique and exceptionally tailor-made, offering a variety of pathways to qualifications which include the International Baccalaureate, A Levels and BTEC, with a bilingual section for native French speakers. Exceptional pastoral care is at the foundation of our provision, and each pupil, and his parents, are guaranteed a friendly face to turn to for advice and guidance.

Whitgift’s sport is at the forefront of achievement, with over 100 national titles won in the past five years. More than 40 sports are available, including modern pentathlon, golf, judo and cycling. Many boys represent their country in a wide variety of sports, or go on to pursue a career at the highest level.

An exciting Performing Arts programme is offered by the School, with first-class musicals and plays performed regularly. Orchestras and choirs tour internationally, and play at major venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, Cadogan Hall, Goodwood House, and the Royal Pavilion, Brighton. The School enjoys close links with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, enabling pupils to learn side-by-side with professional musicians.

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S C H O O L

Co-curricular activities feature more than 80 clubs, an Outdoor Education programme that travels worldwide, and a wellestablished Combined Cadet Force.

The School’s new Boarding House, opened in 2013, is superblyequipped, and offers full, weekly and flexi-boarding to boys aged 13-18. Boarders have cutting-edge IT facilities, private study areas, ensuite bathrooms, and spacious, communal social areas with kitchen facilities.

Whitgift offers generous scholarships and bursaries.

There are many opportunities throughout the year to visit Whitgift.

Details of Open Days are available at www. whitgift.co.uk/opendays.

Whitgift School Haling Park, South Croydon, CR2 6YT +44 (0)20 8633 9935 admissions@whitgift.co.uk www.whitgift.co.uk

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 20 SEPTEMBER 2014 OPEN EVENING | TUESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2014 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

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Preparing your children for future challenges at Fulham Prep School

T

his family run co-educational pre-prep and prep school for 4-13 year olds specifically prepares children for the selective 11+ and 13+ entrance exams to the leading London day and boarding schools.

The school has an enviable record of placing children in their first choice secondary school whilst, at the same time, providing a broad and enriching curriculum which prepares children for future challenges.

A recent OFSTED inspection (June 2014) rated the school “outstanding” in all categories. The school is proud of its international community although fluent English is a requirement of entry as is a stay of no less than three years. The school aims to foster independence and a life-long love of learning in all its pupils.

Fulham Preps Common Entrance results this year were also outstanding with pupils going to their first choice schools. Pupils go to a wide range of schools from Kings Wimbledon, Godolfin Latymer , St Paul’s, Eton, Harrow, Malborough, St Edwards to name just a few.

The Prep school is situated behind Queens club at 200 Greyhound Road, London W14 9SD. Telephone 020 7386 2444 The Pre Prep school is just by Putney bridge at 47A Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JJ. Telephone 020 7371 9911

Open Day Fulham Pre-Prep Open Day is Thursday 20th November, 2014, between 9:30am – 11:00am. You can walk in anytime, no need to register and all prospective parents are welcome.

For more details of both schools, please visit www.fulhamprep.co.uk 66 SEPTEMBER2014

CE 4147 Fulham Life Advertisement:Layout 1 8/4/14 2:16 PM Page 1

Inspiring Brilliant Futures In the 2014 senior school entrance examinations Year 6 pupils were awarded • 29 Academic Scholarships • 7 Art Scholarships • 4 Sports Scholarships • 3 Music Scholarships

Open Day

Saturday 27th September 10.00 – 12.30 020-8670 5865

email: admissions@rosemeadprepschool.org.uk www.rosemeadprepschool.org.uk

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Fulham Prep School

Independent Co-educational 3-11 years. Founded 1942. ISA & IAPS

Is your child passionate about music, or in tune with a wide curriculum of subjects?

Find out how your child can reach their full potential by calling 020 7371 9911 (reception to year 2) or 020 7386 2444 (years 3 to 8) www.fulhamprep.co.uk

F

S

E DUCAT I O N

Achieve Academic Excellence at Sinclair House School

S

inclair House School opened in Fulham in 1989 as a small coeducational Nursery and Pre-Prep, offering a warm, caring and secure school environment. Since then, the School has been committed to personalised teaching, nurturing each child’s talents, building on strengths, and developing their confidence to achieve academic excellence.

Sinclair House believes that education should go beyond assessment and evaluation; early schooling provides critical knowledge and understanding to develop both intellectual and human skills. The School Day is structured around a range of opportunities and experiences which foster healthy growth in pupils, as well as enriching learning and supporting academic development.

Sinclair House Nursery uses the Montessori Method and delivers the curriculum individually and in small groups, with experienced and committed teachers, allowing the children to progress at their own pace. This mode of learning in the early educational stages facilitates greater enjoyment and confidence, which are key to developing strong social skills and independence.

Sinclair House places emphasis on values-led teaching with individual attention and support, and provides a consistent gradient of learning from the Early Years to preparation for 11+ and 13+ Common Entrance examinations. The core curriculum is structured to be intellectually stimulating, rounded and balanced, supporting each child’s unique

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academic progression and abilities. From Reception to Year 8, the children participate in a wide range of activities, including swimming, martial arts, drama, choir, and local and international school trips.

In September 2013, to meet increased demand for student places, Sinclair House opened new premises for its Prep School on Fulham High Street. The new building offers enhanced facilities, including individual Music Rooms, an Art Studio, a Science Lab, an ICT suite, and a large, multipurpose hall. This development also included the Nursery expansion across two premises, each with outside garden space.

The Preparatory School will continue to develop as from September 2014, it will benefit from an additional 5,000 sq ft of space, which will feature an expanded playground and covered sports facilities. Due also to increased demand, the Preparatory School will introduce a two-form entry at Reception and Year 1 from September 2014, whilst maintaining its personalised teaching style and nurturing environment with a maximum class size of 16.

For more information about Sinclair House School Montessori Nursery: Lower Nursery: 196 Munster Road, London SW6 6AU

Upper Nursery: 159 Munster Road, London SW6 6DA Preparatory School: 59 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JJ Call 020 7736 9182 or email info@sinclairhouseschool.co.uk www.sinclairhouseschool.co.uk

OPEN DAY Sinclair HouSe ScHool Preparatory School for Boys and Girls aged 4-13

10.00AM – 12.00 NOON

SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 59 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JJ TEL 020 7736 9182 EMAIL info@sinclairhouseschool.co.uk www.sinclairhouseschool.co.uk

E E DUCAT DUCAT II O ON N LIFE

AN EDUCATION TAILORED TO GIRLS An interview with Headmistress Sarah Labram

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t James Senior Girls’ School, located in Kensington Olympia, welcomes pupils aged from 10-18 years. Sarah Labram, formerly the Deputy Head (Academic) and herself a former pupil, has just taken over as Headmistress of the school.

‘I wanted to become Headmistress of St James because I know the school so well and love it.

We have dedicated teachers, hard-working, enthusiastic pupils and, being a relatively small school, a wonderful sense of community,’ she says. ‘I aim to continue to provide an inspirational and supportive environment, allowing every girl to participate widely and achieve her personal best academically.

I also plan to re-invigorate the school’s House System to strengthen relationships between the different year groups and provide more opportunities for leadership.

When our pupils ultimately leave the school, we want them to move into the world with confidence as young women of integrity, equipped with the knowledge and skills to make a generous contribution to society.’

When asked what distinguishes St James from other schools, Sarah Labram says, ‘Although our pupils achieve the highest academic standards, we believe education to be a great deal more than the acquisition of exam results. We provide an environment which enriches the emotional, moral and spiritual dimensions of our pupils’ lives as well as their intellectual development. We aim to inspire a love of wisdom in our girls by offering them a philosophically led education.’

7 SE 20 0 s eP pT tE eM mB bEeRr2 02 10 41 4

Unusually the school also values the practice of meditation and stillness which it says is becoming increasingly sought-after by parents who are keen to secure their daughter’s well-being in an increasingly complex world. A short period at the beginning and end of every day is allocated to quietude in which pupils may meditate, contemplate or simply be still – according to their own spiritual inclinations. Quality of attention and power of concentration are seen as essential to an effective and happy way of life.

Mrs Labram adds, ‘When people meet our pupils, they always remark upon their happiness, good nature, considerate conduct and generosity of spirit. The girls are inspired to work very hard at everything they do, not through fear but out of a natural desire to make full use of the opportunities available to them. As a result, the standards they achieve are excellent. They value being part of a strong community: they celebrate the achievements of others as well as their own and aim for their skills and qualities to be of real use to the community at large.’

OPENING EVENTS To find out more, please attend one of the following open events: Sixth Form Open Evening Wednesday 1st October 5.15 - 7.30pm Open Morning Saturday 4th October 9.30am – 12.15pm Open Evening Thursday 9th October 4.30 – 7.00pm School in Action Wednesday 5th November 9.00 – 10.45am St James Senior Girls’ School, Earsby Street, London W14 8SH Tel: 020 7348 1748 admissions@sjsg.org.uk www.stjamesgirls.co.uk

Open Events 2014 Sixth Form Open Evening Wednesday 1st October

5.15pm – 7.30pm

Open Morning Saturday 4th October

9.30am – 12.15pm

Open Evening Thursday 9th October

4.30pm – 7.00pm

School in Action Wednesday 5th November

9.00am – 10.45am

To book: 020 7348 1748 admissions@sjsg.org.uk www.stjamesgirls.co.uk Earsby Street | London W14 8SH

ST JAMES

Registered Charity No. 270156

Senior Girls’ School

E DUCAT I O N

Every child has the potential to exceed expectations

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at Alleyn’s School

oday’s curriculum rightly emphasises the importance of key skills such as literacy and numeracy. Competence in these, along with a whole range of other artistic, creative, imaginative, and technological skills, across the full range of subjects, is the aim of a rounded education.

However, believing a child’s potential to achieve in all these areas is determined by their genes makes life something of a lottery and is inherently de-motivating when predicting academic achievement. A more optimistic contrary view suggests that children’s attitudes to learning might well be among the most important determinants of their overall success. The implications of this for schools are powerful. Above all, it ought to mean that every child has the potential to exceed expectations.

Significantly, learning how to think has moved from being the preserve of classical philosophers into the pages of popular selfimprovement literature. Edward de Bono’s pioneering work and more lately Carol Dweck’s concept of the ‘growth mindset’ have shown exactly how attitudes affect achievement. Research confirms the proverbial wisdom of ‘well begun is half done’. Approach a difficult task or complex problem with the right attitude and success is much more likely.

of striking a balance between traditional whole-class, didactic instruction and providing opportunities for pupils to practise thinking for themselves. Active learning, for example collaborating through group work, conducting experimental investigations, collecting data in fieldwork, in other words learning by doing, leads to deeper learning. Pupils who enjoy exploring, testing and developing ideas are becoming better thinkers. The Alleyn’s Learning Council is one more manifestation of this theme of making how we learn explicit: pupils can share their views with teachers on topics such as homework and revision.

Additionally, taking part in our massive programme of cocurricular activities, clubs and societies, and hearing weekly visiting speakers, are central to the Alleyn’s educational experience and encourage our pupils to develop their interests and their thinking. Their positive attitude to learning is one reason why they succeed at university level too.”

Alleyn’s School, Townley Road, London SE22 8SU Telephone - 020 8557 1500 Email - registrar@alleyns.org.uk Please visit our website - www.alleyns.org.uk

Senior Deputy Head, Antony Faccinello says, “Alleyn’s School puts this theory into practice every day. Our teachers know the importance 72 SEPTEMBER2014

Alleyn’s is a registered charity. Charity No. 1057971

Fish Media April 2014 ad:Alleyn's

8/4/14

11:20

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Alleyn’s School Co-educational, academic excellence is closer than you think.

Alleyn’s School, Dulwich: 14 minutes from London Bridge; 12 minutes from Victoria.

Westminster 3 miles

Surrey Quays 4 miles

Notting Hill 6 miles

Marble Arch 5 miles

Knightsbridge 6 miles

Greenwich 4 miles

Fulham 6 miles

Clapham 3 miles

The City 5 miles

Chelsea 6 miles

Borough 5 Miles

Battersea 5 Miles

Balham 3 Miles

Independent day school for boys and girls aged 4–18.

Dedicated daily coaches serving inner and outer London.

OPEN DAYS 2014 11+, 13+ Wednesday 17 September 2.00pm 11+, 13+, 16+ Saturday 4 October 9.30am 16+ Tuesday 4 November 2.30pm 11+, 13+ Wednesday 5 November 2.00pm All welcome – no need to book For more information visit our website alleyns.org.uk Tel: 020 8557 1478

E DUCAT I O N

jumping for joy PICTURE COURTESY OF SOUTHWARK NEWS

St Saviour’s & St Olave’s score record results for second year running

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tudents at St Saviour’s and St Olave’s School are jumping for joy as their acheivements have produced yet another recordbreaking set of exam results.

First it was the turn of Sixth Formers, who produced an array of fantastic results, which included outstanding individual successes: Emma Rahman will take up a place at Christ’s College Cambridge to study Natural Sciences and will be joined at the country’s best university by Hanen Ziad, who will study Philosophy at Trinity Hall. Ayesha Ahmed will be going to Imperial College to study Medicine, Chelcie Ambrosio will begin undergraduate studies in Accounting and Finance at LSE, whilst Yasmin Kudsi will study at Skidmore College in New York having secured a scholarship through the Fulbright Programme. Head of 6th Form, John Breslin expressed his delight: “This confirms our status as one of the best state schools for girls in South London. Whether you are aiming for the best universities or the most prestigious industry placements, St Saviour’s girls have shown that with hard work and commitment, you can achieve these goals.”

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The following week was even better as the school delighted in announcing its best ever GCSE results. 82% of Year 11 students achieved the key benchmark of 5 A* to C including English and Mathematics, an improvement of 4% on last year. Achievement was reflected across a broad range of subjects, with a record 45% of students achieving the EBacc group of qualifications.

Headteacher Catherine May enthused: “Congratulations to all of our year 11 students on these wonderful results.

They are the best in the school’s history and I am so proud of the girls. They have worked extremely hard along with our totally dedicated teaching and support staff, and I’m delighted their effort has been so well rewarded. We look forward to them achieving further success in our 6th Form. I would strongly urge any parents looking for a truly great school for their daughter to come along to our open sessions and see how we do things.”

Details can be found at www.ssso.southwark.sch.uk or by calling 0207 407 1843.

‘Outstanding’ in EVERY respect...

Open Sessions 2014

SIAMS Report 2014

Tuesday 16th September 6pm - 8pm Talk and questions with the Headteacher at 7.30pm

Wednesday 17th September 10am Talk and questions with the Headteacher at 10.45am

Thursday 18th September 10am

BEST RESULTS EVER!

Talk and questions with the Headteacher at 10.45am

Friday 3rd October 10am Talk and questions with the Headteacher at 10.45am 11 - 18 Church of England Girls’ School New Kent Road, London SE1 4AN T: 0207 407 1843 www.ssso.southwark.sch.uk E: office@ssso.southwark.sch.uk

details on

line

E DUCAT I O N

Why Choose An Independent Sixth Form College?

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or independent sixth form colleges, formerly known as “crammers”, times have changed dramatically over the past 20 years. There are currently over 100 such colleges in the UK, located nationwide from Exeter to Edinburgh, and significantly the majority of the A-level courses that they run nowadays are of the traditional two-year variety, rather than the shortened retake courses for which they were renowned.

Most still run resit and revision courses, but this sector is now firmly established as a provider of the standard post-GCSE two-year programme.

Most of the best colleges are members of the Council for Independent Education (CIFE). CIFE, founded in 1972, is a national association whose colleges each offer individual features but are all subject to high standards of accreditation. Details of each college can be found at www.cife.org.uk.

Chris Kraft, Principal of Duff Miller College, explains why the sixth form colleges are no longer the poor relation of the independent sector: “Students are making a pro-active choice to seek alternatives to the traditional school sixth form. The die is not cast for 16-year-olds to stay where they have been since 11 or 13, and many parents are now seeking a bespoke solution to the problem of ensuring entry into highdemand courses such as medicine and law at top universities. They are increasingly unconvinced that staying put is the best option.”

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So, what are the main attractions of private sixth-form colleges?

Firstly, they provide a more adult learning environment compared to schools, a wider variety and range of subjects on offer (over 40, in some cases) and fewer restrictions on subject combinations. Mike Kirby, who founded Ashbourne Independent Sixth Form College in the 1970s, stresses: “We offer the opportunity for change, growth and development and are rightly called half-way houses to university.

There is an excellent balance between freedom and discipline: students have much more responsibility to manage their academic and social lives, but at the same time colleges are slightly obsessed with monitoring attendance, work submission and exam preparation.”

Secondly, the best colleges have experienced teachers who are A-level subject specialists, familiar with all the exam board requirements and often examiners for the syllabuses they teach. Steve Boyes, Principal of MPW London, adds: “Sixth form college teachers have developed special expertise because they cater only for Key Stage 5 and can focus on delivering A-level specifications in innovative and creative ways, which translates into high-level academic outcomes.”

For more information go to www.cife.org.uk or telephone 020 8767 8666.

A thriving Surrey prep school where boys get a head start • 125-year heritage, totally up-to-date teaching • Set in 45 acres of gardens and playing fields • Enthusiastic, dedicated and caring teachers • Exceptional results at Common Entrance • Huge range of sport and pastoral activities • Excellent transport links to/from London • For boys aged 4-13, with co-educational nursery

The Manor, Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham KT11 3PX

OPEN MORNING SATURDAY 20th SEPTEMBER | 9.00AM

01932 862749 • office@parkside-school.co.uk

OPEN MORNING 3rd OCT 2014

www.dulwichpreplondon.org

E DUCAT I O N

Another Outstanding Year of Results Students celebrated their exam successes with champagne at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate near York

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n another outstanding year of results, pupils, from the independent school at Thorpe Underwood, toasted their excellent grades with a sip of bubbly and smiles all round.

Last year, QE College was ranked fifteenth in the Daily Telegraph’s national independent schools’ league table for its percentage at A*-A at A-Level. This year’s UCAS average points score saw the College smash the 500 points landmark – scoring 501, which will most certainly guarantee it a top place in the league tables again.

The College and the Faculty are presently the first and second placed independent day and boarding schools in the North of England in last year’s Daily Telegraph’s table.

“It has been another impressive year for us at QE,” said the Principal Steven Jandrell. “We have had another 100% pass rate for all the students in both our Sixth Form schools, an excellent set of grades for our students and proof that our ethos of working with each student individually really gets results. “ “We have always believed at QE that if you work at trying to find something that every pupil enjoys or is good at then that will make a difference in their approach to coursework and sitting exams,” he added. “And I think from our results again this year it is pretty obvious that that is working.”

Students in QE’s College, which follows a more traditional, academic curriculum, gained an average UCAS points’ score of 501 – the equivalent to 78 SEPTEMBER2014

more than 4 A grades at A-Level. The percentage of grades at A*-A was 80%, another excellent performance, bucking the national trend of A*-A grades having declined over the last three years.

Faculty pupils, who can take more vocational BTECs alongside A-Levels, celebrated an average UCAS points score of 481– the equivalent to more than 4 A grades at A-Level. The percentage of grades at A*-A at A-Level was 74%, up from last year’s 68%.

95% of BTECs taken in the Faculty were awarded a Distinction * or Distinction grade – the equivalent in UCAS points to A* and A grades at A-Level. This was an impressive improvement from an already excellent 91% of BTECs in the Faculty awarded Distinction*s or Distinctions last year.

“We are absolutely delighted with the performances of our students yet again,” said Mr Jandrell, “It is a great day for us at QE and I would like to thank all our students, teachers and staff who have worked so hard for these excellent results.”

Queen Ethelburga’s motto is about ambition and excellence – “to be the best that I can with the gifts that I have” – it is a school rich in talent and opportunities and well deserves such a maxim.

Thorpe Underwood Estate, York YO26 9SS Telephone 01423 33 33 30 www.qe.org

Queen Ethelburga’s York, North Yorkshire

•

Ranked by the daily Telegraph the top Northern day and Boarding Co-Educational School for Academic results - average UCAS point score

• • • • •

Over £65m invested in new facilities

•

New £6m Sports Centre - www.qesportsvillage.org New elite rugby and netball academies Wide choice of GCSEs, A levels and BTECs 98% of 6th form students go to University; mostly to prestigious Russell Group Universities Confident, happy and highly successful students

Come and see for yourself what makes us so special Thorpe Underwood Hall, Ouseburn, York 01423 333330 | info@qe.org | www.qe

E DUCAT I O N

School place crisis in London: it’s time to spread the net wider Three innovative weekly boarding schools in the south-east have come up with a practical solution to the growing crisis in secondary school places in and around the capital.

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he last census in 2011 shows the stark reality of the problem, with the population in London increasing by one million to 8.17 million in just 10 years. Among school-age children, the numbers mushroomed by 107,000, a rise of 8.2%. Described in the Financial Times as the biggest in the UK since the end of World War II, the baby boom responsible promises even more growth in the coming years.

The most successful state secondary schools are already massively oversubscribed. Over 1800 children chased just 150 places at Tiffin School, for example, and over 2000 competed for just 180 places at Harris City Academy in Crystal Palace.

In its report Do The Maths 2014, London Councils, which represents all London local authorities, showed that London has the highest predicated pupil growth and subsequent shortage of secondary places in the UK. The shortfall is predicted to reach 118,000 by 2016.

The situation among the capital’s elite private schools is no less explosive. Indeed, the Times Educational Supplement quoted Susan Hamlyn, Director of the Good Schools Guide Advice

80 SEPTEMBER2014

Service, as saying the demand for private school places in London is causing “tension and panic” among parents.

With demand at crisis levels across the state and private sectors comes increased competition and increasingly desperate tactics by parents. Some suddenly ‘find’ religion; others keep the names of the best tutors secret from even their closest friends. Children face pre-testing for several different schools, a military regime of after-school activities designed not to match their interests but to give them the edge over others and constant pressure from parents whose expectations may be far from realistic.

This pressure, driven by parents and schools, has been described by psychologist, writer, television personality and child therapist, Professor Tanya Byron, as leaving children “shattered by fear of failure”.

With places at a premium, schools able to cherry-pick their intake and parental expectations stratospheric, the situation is akin to a pressure cooker in dire need of letting off steam.

Today there is a viable alternative. See www.3VA.co.uk

3 V/A

V I A B L E A LT E R N AT I V E S

School place crisis in London: It’s time to spread the net wider www.3va.co.uk

A realistic choice for parents

E DUCAT I O N

100% ‘Excellent’ say ISI Inspectors

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elsted School has recently been acknowledged in a glowing Independent Schools Inspectorate Report. Judged to be ‘excellent’ in each of the tough ISI standards, including teaching, inspectors commented:

‘Felsted is a thriving and distinctive educational community. Pupils are very well educated, are reflective, ambitious, life-long learners with high levels of emotional and intellectual skills and knowledge.’

These glowing reports come at a particularly momentous time for Felsted, as it celebrates 450 years of education, one of only a handful of schools in the country to reach this historic milestone. Her Majesty The Queen visited Felsted in May, with HRH Prince Phillip, for a very special commemorative service and lunch. A magnificent Service of Celebration was also held at St.Paul’s Cathedral in February for all pupils, staff, parents and former pupils.

Based on a stunning, 90 acre site near Dunmow in North Essex, Felsted ‘Felsted’s broad and welloffers pupils aged four planned curriculum, to eighteen a broad and combined with a very vibrant curriculum with extensive range of coday, flexi, weekly and curricular activities produces full boarding options, in well rounded pupils who are addition to bus routes ready to accept life’s changes. from across the region.

Parents are overwhelmingly Weekly boarding in positive about the impact the particular has become school has on their children’s an attractive option lives. They expressed very high for London families. levels of satisfaction with Prospective families are regard to the care, safety and welcome to visit Felsted at Dr Walker welcomes Her Majesty The Queen to Felsted. happiness of their children.’ any time by appointment, or to attend their next Felsted is also celebrating its second year in the top 10% of the Value Added Open Morning on Saturday 27th September, at 9.30am.

Tables, based on Sixth Form results. In simple terms, pupils are more likely to improve their academic performance at Felsted than at 90% of For further information, please visit www.felsted.org other schools, either state or independent, in the UK. This is an impressive or contact our Admissions Office on 01371 822610 (ages 4 to 12) statistic indeed! or 01371 822605 (ages 13-18).

82 SEPTEMBER2014

Project1_Layout 1 05/06/2014 10:55 Page 1

E DUCAT I O N

The centrality of Classics

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BY PHILIP HARRISON, HEAD OF CLASSICS AT MERCHANT TAYLORS’ SCHOOL

ewilderment and amusement are common reactions when parents and pupils are informed that Latin is compulsory for the first three years at the school. There is often the same tone when a parent informs me, a few months into the academic year, that his or her son is actually enjoying Latin. How and why, seems to be the hint, is my son enjoying a dead language that is associated with gowns, mortarboards, and dusty old books?

The world of beginners’ Latin therefore confounds expectations: for a start, there are colour textbooks, which introduce the language along with accounts of everyday life in Pompeii, and which challenge pupils to think not only about the workings of the language, but also about the Roman world in which it was spoken. Pupils follow stories set in a different area of the Roman Empire each year, and meet the language en route. And yes, many do continue to enjoy it: at Merchant Taylors’, almost half the boys continue to GCSE, and sixth form numbers are strong. The study for GCSE and A level is focused on literature, so pupils encounter Cicero, Virgil, and Tacitus amongst others.

Classical study is not restricted to Latin. At Merchant Taylors’ we are fortunate to have an exceptionally large department and pupils can choose to study Classical Greek as early as year 9: this stimulates and stretches bright boys and allows them access to the canon of Greek epic and tragedy.

Greek inevitably has always been a minority subject, yet it survives, and the question is begged: why do schools continue to offer a subject such as Greek, when the numbers can be very small?

Several factors need to be borne in mind when answering this question. It is a fact that schools such as Merchant Taylors’ – in fact any school founded during or before the 16th century – were founded with the express intention of teaching Latin and Greek, since the cultures of Greece and Rome were seen as the foundation of Western culture. It is difficult even nowadays to argue against the unparalleled significance of Greece and Rome in the formation of Western literature, philosophy, and political structures, and so the exploration of these cultures remains entirely. Furthermore, the subjects offer very clear intellectual rigour and stimulation: aside from mastering the languages, which work very differently from English, pupils are challenged to analyse with logical rigour and become familiar with some of the greatest poetry and historical writing of all time.

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In these ways, the study of the Classical world equips pupils with not only intellectual knowledge but also intellectual skills that will prove beneficial to later life. When studying a text, they are urged to analyse every word, to seek flaws in an argument, to look at detail while remaining aware of the bigger picture. For these reasons, Classicists – and this surprises many parents – are much valued in a wide range of careers, where their intellectual skills are allowed to flourish. At this point in conversation, I am forced to admit that whereas I may be using both the knowledge and skills learned from Classics in the course of my own job, there are plenty of Classicists who deploy their skills in the Square Mile, and the worlds of Law, journalism, and so on. For some graduates, such as our Old Boy novelist Conn Iggulden, they provide a rich vein for contemporary fiction. All this gives the lie to specious, facile notions of ‘relevance’: young minds are endlessly fertile and subjects that may superficially appear ‘old hat’ may, in fact, prove to be inspirational to the keenest of intelligences. Above all, in a world dominated by the superficialities of League Tables and ‘attainment objectives’ they come to realise that the intellectual value of the Socratic tradition lies not only in the interrogation of concepts, but also in acquiring the most important knowledge of all: self-knowledge.

What then is the condition of Classics in schools today? Mary Beard and Boris Johnson promote the subject with vigour in the media, while Michael Gove has made clear his desire for Classics to be taught more widely in state schools – of which very few now have the resources to support large Classics departments – and has set about training non-Classicists to teach Latin at beginners’ level. This is obviously welcome news for any Classicist who is eager that the subject should be widely accessible and enjoyed.

However, real challenges lie beyond the soundbites. What seems to be suggested is a curriculum where Classics is a desirable extra, rather than a vital part of the curriculum for all pupils, as it has been at a school such as Merchant Taylors’ for almost five hundred years. The programme that is being launched to train non-specialists to teach Latin is admirable, but it is surely uncontroversial to claim that for a subject to flourish, a school needs teachers who are expert in the field, and who can bring the enthusiasm and learning of many years of study into lessons. This certainly is the case in schools where the central importance of Classics to a school syllabus is recognized and celebrated.

MTS

Merchant Taylors’ School Excellence, integrity and distinction since 1561 1561

Open Morning

September 27th 2014 10.00 - 12.30

Wouldn’t you prefer a London school in the country?

40 minutes from Bond Street and Marylebone is: • 2015 Registration: 11+ November 30 2014 16+ December 31 2014 • 2016 Registration: 13+ February 28 2015

• A traditional boys’ education for your son • ‘Exceptional’ 2014 School Inspection • Inspirational teaching

• Unique tutorial system

• Civilized, friendly & unpressured • Magnificent sports fields

• Bursaries • Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarships

• Superb facilities set in 250 acres

St John’s Wood coach from September 2015

Getting here

Online

Coaches : Barnet (via Stanmore), Beaconsfield, Brent (via Harrow), Ealing, Harpenden, Harrow, Highgate, Mill Hill, Radlett, St John’s Wood from 2015, Stanmore Car : MTS is 15 minutes from the M1, the M25 and the A40 Transit : MTS is adjacent to Moor Park (Metropolitan Line) and is accessible from any Jubilee/Metropolitan Line station. Chiltern line trains change at Rickmansworth From Marylebone: Chiltern Line trains change at Harrow. Travelling time from WC1/W1 is 40 minutes

Guided tours (last tour 11.30) The Head Master speaks at 11.15 and 12.15

Visit us at www.mtsn.org.uk Find us on Facebook Merchant Taylors’ School Follow us on Twitter @MerchantTaylors

Please contact Gregg McCann, Admissions Officer admissions@mtsn.org.uk +44(0)1923 845514 Merchant Taylors’ School Northwood Middlesex HA6 2HT

Excellence, integrity and distinction since 1561.

For boys 11 - 18

Windlesham

INDEPENDENT BOARDING & DAY SCHOOL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGED 4-13 YEARS

Open Morning

Saturday 4th October 10am • A record number of scholarships gained to senior schools this year • Outstanding Ofsted and ISI Reports • Excellent pastoral care • Extensive extra curricular programme RSVP - call admissions on 01903 874700 or email whsadmissions@windlesham.com Windlesham House School, Washington, West Sussex, RH20 4AY

windlesham.com

HABERDASHERS’ LIFE I N D E P E N D E N T D AY S C H O O L S F O R B O Y S A N D G I R L S A G E D B E T W E E N 4 - 1 8 Y E A R S

W W W. H A B S B O Y S . O R G . U K • W W W. H A B S G I R L S . O R G . U K

THE HABS SCHOOLS MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2014

E N G L I S H | M AT H S | H I S T O R Y | S C I E N C E | M U S I C | A R T | I T | S P O R T S | E C O N O M I C S

THE HABERDASHERS’ ASKE’S SCHOOLS EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC The Haberdashers' Aske's Schools (Elstree), placed 'side by side for excellence', enjoy the best in school education.

On adjoining sites in 100 plus acres of secure grounds, they are two, single-sex, independent day schools whose pupils benefit greatly from a vast range of social and educational opportunities. The academic reputation of the two schools is well known: they are firmly established in the ’premier league’ of annually published league tables, a remarkable achievement in itself. The vast majority of Haberdashers students go to their first choice university, exceptionally high numbers to Oxford and Cambridge, and many achieve national academic distinction during their time at school.

The Habs style is to love learning and to enjoy the academic opportunities alongside a huge wealth of extra-curricular activity. In both schools the range of the non-academic curriculum is enormous and the level of participation by pupils very high. Sport, music, theatre, art, service in the community, partnerships with local state schools, debating, public speaking, society meetings, fund-raising initiatives, outward bound and adventurous training activities, and every type of leadership and resourcefulness opportunities are all regular features of the termly routine.

Advertorial feature music tours are a feature of the school year previous destinations having included Salzburg, Lake Garda and Barcelona - and major concerts have previously been held at the Royal Festival Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields, St John’s Smith Square and St Albans Cathedral.

Over 100 different extra-curricular musical activities are offered across both the Senior and Junior Departments. Over 60 specialist visiting music teachers offer in excess of 1,100 instrumental lessons per week. Academic music flourishes, with healthy numbers choosing to study music for GCSE and A Level, and excellent grades are achieved at both.

Every year students continue to apply to study for a degree in Music at university, with recent destinations including Cambridge, Durham, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, The Royal Northern College of Music and Trinity Laban.

Both schools have a long tradition of excellence in Music, aided by excellent purposebuilt facilities that make the vibrant combination of large group rehearsals, concerts, small recitals, individual lessons and practice possible.

Both schools foster a welcoming, inclusive musical atmosphere that encourages and praises music at all levels, with a strong emphasis on personal creativity.

Opportunities for pupils at all levels to play in both large and small ensembles are plentiful and are greatly appreciated by pupils, which is illustrated by the high participation.

One of the highlights of this year’s music programme was the Gala concert at the Barbican in London. Over 400 performers from both Haberdashers’ schools joined together to perform a challenging repertoire, including Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy Overture, Romeo and Juliet, and John Rutter’s Mass of the Children. Through the evening the choirs were accompanied by Habs old girl soprano Olivia Clarke, now a professional singer. Selections from the concert are available to watch on Youtube at www.bit.ly/UFAOQE. Regular concerts at both schools provide musicians with opportunities to perform – everything from annual Autumn, Spring and Summer concerts and weekly lunchtime recitals to ‘Battle of the Bands’ and ‘Unplugged’ on the Boys’ School Quad. Additionally,

Music scholarships and bursaries are offered to children who demonstrate advanced musical skills and/or potential for further development. There are a number of financial awards available, from a Music Scholarship, to awards of free tuition on individual instruments where great promise has been shown. For further information, please contact the schools directly.

Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School Butterfly Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3AF Tel: 020 8266 1700 office@habsboys.org.uk www.habsboys.org.uk Open Day: Sat 11th Oct 1 – 4pm Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls Aldenham Road, Elstree, Herts, WD6 3BT Tel: 020 8266 2330 admissions@habsgirls.org.uk www.habsgirls.org.uk Open Day: Sat 11th Oct Junior School: 10am – 12.30pm Senior School: 2pm – 5pm

Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls

learning & independence Open Day 11 October 2014 Juniors 10am-12.30pm, Seniors 2pm-5pm Scholarships and Financial Assistance available from 11+

Independent Day School for Girls aged 4-18 Aldenham Road, Elstree, Herts, WD6 3BT e: admissions@habsgirls.org.uk t: 020 8266 2300 www.habsgirls.org.uk Registered Charity No. 313996

The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School Nurturing Excellence

An outstanding independent day school for boys aged between 5 and 18.

Open Day Saturday 11th October 2014, 1–4pm

(no appointment necessary)

Headmaster Peter B Hamilton MA Butterfly Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3AF Tel: 020 8266 1700 office@habsboys.org.uk

www.habsboys.org.uk

registered charity no: 313996

www.hurtwoodhouse.com

SEPTEMBER 2014 51

Welcome to our Independent Schools Guide The independent school system in the UK is one of the finest in the world, and we are fortunate to have some of the best schools in the country right on our doorstep.

Independent Day School for Girls aged 4-18

Making the right choice for your child’s education is of paramount importance. Sometimes every parent needs a helping hand in deciding what is best for their children. Our Independent Schools Guide is an invaluable resource for any parent considering private education for their child.

We publish our dedicated Schools Guides throughout the year.

This months issue specifically features open days for the best independent schools to the UK’s most affluent parents.

The Fish Media Group are proud to publish The Independent Schools Guide with our luxury titles for the most affluent homes across London and each of The Home Counties.

You can also pick up the Schools Guides with our luxury titles at Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and other retail outlets. It is available at all leading estate agents, targeted five-star hotels and UK, European first-class airline and private jet lounges.

Our digital magazines are now also sent to all subscribers.

If you would like your prestigious school or college to appear in our Independent Schools Guides, please email corinne@fishmediagroup.co.uk

Alex Lux

Open Days 2014

Alex Lux Editor

PUBLISHED BY THE FISH MEDIA GROUP LTD, THE RIDINGS, WOODFIELD LANE, ESSENDON, HERTS , AL9 6JJ.

0844 800 8439

www.thelifemagazines.com EDITOR

Alex Lux EDITOR’S ASSISTANT

Katie Miller

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Toni Perry

SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

James Marshall

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

DIRECTORS

Vanessa Lane Anita Hill, Nicola Drew

SALES

Rory Smith, Patrick Smith

Senior School Thursday 18 September 5pm Monday 6 October 5pm Tuesday 14 October 9.15am Wednesday 12 November 9.15am Sixth Form Wednesday 1 October 6pm The Bank, Highgate, London N6 5HF T: 020 8340 2328 Book online

www.channing.co.uk 52 SEPTEMBER 2014 Channing ad 260x95mm LIFEMAG CS6.indd 1

30/07/2014 17:58

Windlesham

INDEPENDENT BOARDING & DAY SCHOOL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGED 4-13 YEARS

Open Morning

Saturday 4th October 10am • A record number of scholarships gained to senior schools this year • Outstanding Ofsted and ISI Reports • Excellent pastoral care • Extensive extra curricular programme RSVP - call admissions on 01903 874700 or email whsadmissions@windlesham.com Windlesham House School, Washington, West Sussex, RH20 4AY

windlesham.com

SEPTEMBER 2014 53

LOCKERS PARK Bene agere ac Laetari: good results, good manners, good fun “A winning formula of security, activity and motivation designed to prepare boys to continue with confidence and success.” Good Schools Guide.

Day & Boarding Preparatory School for boys aged 5 - 13 years

OPEN MORNING Saturday 11th October www.lockerspark.herts.sch.uk Bursaries are available to boys Years 3 to 6

Hemel Hempstead

Tel: 01442 251712 Registered Charity Number 311061

OPEN DAY 2014

Saturday 20th September

JUNIOR SCHOOL 4+ AND 7+ ENTRY 10.00am – 12.30pm SENIOR SCHOOL 11+ AND SIXTH FORM ENTRY 1.30pm – 4.30pm Please arrive by 4.00pm, no appointment necessary We will also be holding additional events for prospective parents and students in the autumn term.

Please visit our website for further details.

Choice of IB Diploma or A levels Bursaries and Scholarships available

An independent school for girls aged 4-18 Canons, Canons Drive, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7RJ 020 8952 0912

www.nlcs.org.uk

@nlcs1850

nlcs1850

E DUCAT I O N L I F E

A FIRST CLASS EDUCATION

S

et in 23 acres of parkland, Lockers Park is a day and boarding school that has been educating boys aged 5 – 13 years to the highest standard for over 130 years. An emphasis on academic excellence combined with first-rate pastoral care nurtures the boys to produce their best. Boys are prepared for the best of British public and independent schools. Lockers Park does not feed to any particular school, but the Headmaster ad staff work with the boys and their parents to find the most appropriate school to further his education.

Lockers Park academic results are excellent. As a small family school of 145 boys with an average class size of 15 and an impressive staff:pupil ratio of 1:8, individuality is able to flourish. This ensures that every boy achieves his full potential and, each year, all the leavers succeed with Common Entrance and pass on to the senior school of their choice, often with a scholarship. The most recent ISI inspection described the curriculum as “excellent” and commented on the breadth of subjects covered.

However, it isn’t all about what happens in the classroom. At Lockers Park, an emphasis on outdoor play, exercise and a wide range of boys’ activities leads to increased concentration during lessons. All the boys have the opportunity to take part in sports and activities every day and, as well as our main team games of rugby, football, cricket and hockey, a variety of individual sports such as tennis, squash, athletics, shooting and skiing are offered. Both boarders and day boys take part in many other extracurricular activities including joining the school’s Cub or Scout pack.

The arts are a important part of life at Lockers. The junior and senior plays are the focus of the drama year but there are plenty of other opportunities to perform including the Poetry Speaking Competition and the hotly contested Debating Competition. Music is one of the major strengths of the school with nearly all the boys learning to play an instrument, and many learning two or three. The instrumental ensembles all perform to a very high standard and the Chapel Choir regularly sings at prestigious venues such as St John's, Smith Square, London. The annual Chapel Concert and Summer Concerts showcase all that is best about music at Lockers but, in keeping with the Lockers Park spirit, there are regular informal concerts and participation for all is the mantra.

The underlying ethos at Lockers Park is born out of its boarding heritage

and the inclusive nature of the school day. The approach is to ensure that the benefits of Lockers life are encompassed within the fees. This includes flexible pick up, extended hours and after school activities.

Boys can be dropped off as early as 7.00 am for breakfast and may stay for supper, all at no extra charge and without notice – especially useful for busy parents. Boarders’ evening activities such as fun nights are open to all and trips and outings are included in the termly fees. Alongside the full boarders, many boys choose flexi boarding (two to three nights a week) so that they can experience the camaraderie of boarding life, develop the independence and community spirit that boarding instils while also maintaining a full home life. The best of both worlds for many families.

In short, Lockers Park is a very special place where happy and wellmotivated boys flourish in an environment that is specifically suited to their needs. In the words of Christopher Wilson, the Headmaster,

At Lockers Park, we offer a first class education, hold “ traditional values dear but infuse this with modern practice.

We encourage all boys to participate by living a full life and enjoying the busy school day. Boys are motivated, energetic and ambitious when they leave us for senior school.

We are proud of the school and all it stands for, perhaps summed up best by the school motto – good results, good manners and good fun.

”

SEPTEMBER 2014 55

An Education for Life at Abbot’s Hill School Abbot’sHillisathrivinganddynamicschoolforgirlsaged3-16andboys aged 3-5 situated in over 70 acres of beautiful parkland on the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead.

The school is a happy and united community in which every pupil is truly known as an individual and given the opportunity to challenge herself, discover and develop her own unique talents and to shine.

We have a strong record of academic success.Throughout the school pupils are taught in small classes in which excellent teaching and personalised support ensure that everyone is inspired to exceed their potential and to shine.Thebroadcurriculumisenhancedbyawiderangeof tripsandactivities to stimulate learning.

Our extra-curricular clubs offer a lively balance of sport, performing and creative arts, science and technology, journalism, problem-solving and debating.The vast majority of girls take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’sAward Scheme from Year 10 and the school is involved in charitable activities in the wider community.

We pride ourselves on our pastoral care. The sense of being part of an extended family is frequently commented on by pupils, parents and staff alike. Our pupils leave Abbot’s Hill fully equipped to take on with passion the challenges and opportunities life has to offer.They are highly sought after by Sixth Forms and Colleges, many receiving prestigious scholarships.

For more information, please call us on: 01442 240333 or visit: www.abbotshill.herts.sch.uk

DEVONSHIRE HOUSE SCHOOL Independent Day School Girls 3-16 Boys 3-5

2 Arkwright Road, Hampstead, NW3 6AE

Whole School Open Days 2014 Saturday 4 October, 2pm - 4pm Saturday 15 November, 10am - 12 noon (No appointment necessary - last tours begin 30 minutes from the end) Abbot’s Hill is a happy, dynamic and thriving school with an excellent record of academic success and an outstanding reputation for pastoral care.

- We aim high - We love learning

- We value friendship - We grasp opportunities

For further details please call us on 01442 240333.

Bunkers Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP3 8RP E: registrar@abbotshill.herts.sch.uk abbotshill.herts.sch.uk 56 SEPTEMBER 2014

A co-educational IAPS Prep and Pre-Prep School for children from 3 to 13 with its own Oak Tree Nursery for children from 2½ to 3½ OPEN MORNINGS Wednesday, 15th October 2014 Thursday, 16th October 2014 For more information contact the Admissions’ Secretary: 020 7435 1916 enquiries@devonshirehouseprepschool.co.uk www.devonshirehouseschool.co.uk

E DUCAT I O N L I F E

LOCHINVER HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL The Lochinver journey typically starts at the age of 4 with boys joining one of our two Reception classes.

From the word go, boys receive specialist teaching in PE, ICT and Music and this means they also benefit from the school’s extensive facilities and expertise.

As boys continue their educational journey through Lochinver they have the use of our Astroturf, sports fields, an ecology garden, science and language laboratories, and our newly completed DT and ICT suite. A range of languages are taught and there is a comprehensive choice of activities after school where boys can get involved in any number of new experiences, or play for one of the numerous school teams. Music and drama play a large part in Lochinver life, from singing in one of the choirs, learning to play an instrument, or taking part in concerts, or productions.

Throughout their time at Lochinver boys make forays into the big wide world, from day visits to and longer periods of time as they rise further up the school. Such experiences include visits to France, kayaking in the Ardeche, studying Classics in Italy, Skiing, joining a bushcraft adventure, or playing rugby in South Africa.

Lochinver offers boys a full and rounded education,

encompassing challenges and opportunities in every area – academic, sporting, creative, technological and outward bound.

We want boys to grow up to be kind and thoughtful individuals who are willing to take a lead and be supportive of others. Close communication is maintained with parents to ensure the very best advantage for every boy on his individual learning journey.

Why not come and see all the opportunities we have to offer. Contact our registrar Anne Meir on 01707 620036 or email registrar@ lochinverhouse.herts.sch.uk

SEPTEMBER 2014 57

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Open Morning Saturday 11 October 2014 10.00am - 12.30pm

Aldenham Prep School (3-11) Entry for boys & girls rising 3, 4+, 7+

Aldenham School (11-18) Entry for boys & girls 11+, 13+, 16+

An excellent all round education Aldenham School, Elstree, Herts WD6 3AJ T 01923 858122 www.aldenham.com Part of The Aldenham Foundation

E DUCAT I O N L I F E

MORE THAN JUST A TRIP School trips are now part and parcel of a child's educational package from year 2 upwards.

So what should they provide?

By Mr Andy Williams, Deputy Head at Aldenham.

Primarily a valuable first hand, safe and secure educational experience.

The essential and humbling year 9 battle fields trip to Belgium, the strenuous D of E expedition to the Peak District, the enlightening year 10 language exchange to Germany, the exhilarating business studies visit to New York or the opportunity to compete in International sporting fixtures on an overseas tour provide individual educational experiences but beneath the surface of the curriculum lie perhaps more significant hidden social and developmental benefits.

All such trips help develop three essential characteristics in young people - those of independence, resilience and socialisation.

For younger children, even 48 hours of being independent can make a difference. Technology savvy 11 year olds may find themselves planning a week in York without packing electronic media and having to limit their possessions to one small rucksack for all eventualities.

School trips present new situations, different environments and unfamiliar conditions. Children may have to be robust in learning to interact with other groups of peers, complete tasks together and look out for each other’s well being.

The ability to get on with those around you for 24 hours a day and to take the needs of others into consideration are life skills that will serve young people well as they embark on courses and careers in which they cannot necessarily choose their colleagues.

Well organised school trips will inevitably lead children to spend time out of their comfort zone - this may be as simple as having to share a room, to be prepared to eat different food (or go hungry), to live according to the group

routine. While this may sound unappealing to some it is exactly this group experience which makes school trips so valuable and often so memorable to children as they learn to adapt their behaviour away from the influence and input of parents.

School trips above all offer new and different experiences - this could range from spending a few days on the Isle of Wight at the end of year 3 or spending three weeks in Malawi providing a hand up to a local community contributing to ongoing aid work in year 12. During my time at Aldenham School I have been privileged enough to accompany two groups of Sixth Form students to Malawi as part of an established project which is now in its sixth year, providing support to a community living on the banks of Lake Malawi. At this age students are not only responsible for brushing their own teeth and tying their own shoe laces but also for personally raising ÂŁ1,000 for the charity in order to qualify for a place on the team. I have certainly seen pupils benefit greatly from this opportunity and grow in terms of their personal awareness, maturity and understanding of their place in the world after they return from this life changing opportunity. The young travellers will hopefully take away with them more than just a collection of memories and some photographs, but they will also become more active and reflective participants in later life, when it comes to considering the needs of others in a global society.

All such trips help develop three essential characteristics in young people - those of independence, resilience and socialisation.

So if you are planning your next family holiday think also about the multiple benefits of letting someone else look after your children for a few days as part of a school trip, with the added bonus of allowing exhausted parents to enjoy a few nights alone without the children!

SEPTEMBER 2014 59

Saint Christina s School Where happy children are successful learners

Independent Catholic Preparatory School IAPS member, Girls aged 3-11, Boys 3-7

You are assured a warm welcome at our family-orientated, purpose-built School, close to Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park.

We offer a rich and varied learning experience, with excellent examination results and a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

For further details, please email: secretary@saintchristinas.org.uk www.saintchristinas.org.uk 25 St. Edmund’s Terrace, London, NW8 7PY T: 020 7722 8784

ST COLUMBA’S COLLEGE

A CATHOLIC INDEPENDENT (HMC) DAY SCHOOL FOR BOYS, AGES 4-18

Courage, Courtesy, Compassion

Inspiring and challenging boys

OPEN DAY - Saturday 4th October King Harry Lane T: (Senior) 01727 855185

(Prep) 01727 862616

St Albans

Hertfordshire AL3 4AW

E: admissions@stcolumbascollege.org

www.stcolumbascollege.org

E DUCAT I O N L I F E

AN UNRIVALLED EDUCATION St Columba’s College provides a seamless education in an inspiring and challenging environment where boys from the age of four to 18 years old aspire to achieve their own best standard.

A Catholic school, St Columba’s is open to boys of wide variety of religious traditions, with learning underpinned by the Columban code of Courage, Courtesy and Compassion. While striving for academic excellence the College realises that it is whole-person education that best prepares boys for the world, recognising that moral and spiritual qualities are essential in achieving roundness of character.

In addition to the curriculum, there is an extensive Extra and Extended Curriculum ranging from the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Combined Cadet Force to Young Enterprise. These activities develop qualities of self-knowledge, teamwork, leadership and resilience.

The College regularly wins trophies for rugby, athletics, basketball and other sports. There is a strong tradition of music, drama and public speaking with regular concerts and drama productions. Debating is very strong and the College recently won the county final of the ESU Mace.

creating a stimulating happy environment in which boys thrive and learn, building firm foundations for confident sociallyskilled pupils. The community is vibrant and the students are the best evidence of what a Columban education can produce.

Academic performance is good, with boys winning scholarships every year; all are challenged from the earliest stages to ‘achieve their own best standard’. There is a high teacher to pupil ratio, and teaching assistants help throughout the school.

The College is proud of its strong reputation for pastoral care and both the Prep and Senior Schools have a well-developed house system, forging positive relationships and encouraging healthy competition.

There are regular Open Days throughout the year – please browse the website and book an individual tour of the College with one of the boys: www.stcolumbascollege.org

The school’s strength lies in the combination of high expectations, a culture of mutual respect and care, SEPTEMBER 2014 61

E DUCAT I O N L I F E

The role of exams in

EDUCATION

by Dr Short, Headmistress of St Helen’s School

A

t this time of year, the press is full of news stories about exam results and for those families with children who are at the age when external exams are on the horizon it can seem as if exam success is the sole purpose of education. Exam qualifications matter enormously and they provide the key which can open the door to the best university courses and access to the most highly sought - after professions.

Fortunately, however, exams do not dominate the school year. Most academically selective schools choose to limit the use of exams and avoid publishing class lists because students are sufficiently ambitious and self-motivated to do well without this additional pressure. We also seek to keep exams in proportion because we believe strongly that exams are not the point of education or the point of schools.

In a recent assembly I illustrated this by encouraging the girls to think of education as being like a very broad highway. We might move fast along the highway or we might move at a slightly more sedate pace but we are all moving in one direction and we are moving with purpose and speed.

62 SEPTEMBER 2014

No one is going backwards! The direction we are all travelling in is that of intellectual growth, independent thinking, and development of the whole person whilst pursuing our passions and allowing our curiosity a free rein.

Exams are not part of this great highway. Exams are a process, and a very necessary one, but they are not the purpose of education or of schools. Exams are like a narrow track running alongside the highway which, once a year, students have to join for a few weeks and along which there are obstacles and potholes and hurdles. We teach them how to negotiate these and we do practice runs before they get to the ones which will have an importance throughout their life. We teach the skills needed to overcome the obstacles, we advise students how to negotiate potholes successfully.

We want our students to do well as they travel along these tracks because the results will determine their future choices in life. Exams also equip them with skills which will be enormously helpful to them in later life: how to work efficiently under timed conditions

and on their own; how to plan a concise and focussed response; how to use evidence to support an argument; how to control rising panic when faced by something really difficult; and how to shut out the world in order to concentrate on one thing.

It is important that we all keep a balanced view of the purpose of exams. Outstanding schools are not

rich and challenging co-curricular programme which independent schools provide plays a key role in developing the resilience, curiosity, and ambition which will mark our pupils out as the leaders in their professions and communities. At St Helen’s we are very excited to be launching this year the ‘Futures Programme’ which will greatly enhance the girls’ preparation for life beyond the classroom.

To provide students with the opportunities to grow and to develop into the most extraordinary young people... exam factories: it would be much easier to run an exam factory than an exceptional school but it would be quite horrid to do it and it would not prepare students for the next stages of their education where they will increasingly need to apply their knowledge, to function in the world and to use their knowledge and skills in new situations.

It is not only through a much broader academic education that we are able to prepare our students for the next stages: the

What are schools really here for? To provide students with the opportunities to grow and to develop into the most extraordinary young people who can use their talents to the benefit of others, who can contribute to the greater good, who can lead and be team members, who can use their exceptional understanding of other people to enable everyone to make progress and to grow.

OPEN DAY Saturday 20th September 2014

9.30am – 1pm (No appointment necessary)

SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING Tuesday 23rd September 2014 6.30pm (By appointment only)

OPEN MORNING Wednesday 12th November 2014 9.30-12pm (By appointment only)

AN INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AGED 3 TO 18

Outstanding Academic Results Exceptional Girls Focus on the Individual Excellent Pastoral Care Scholarships and Bursaries Available Established 21 acre Parkland Campus Superb London Transport Links

St Helen’s School

Eastbury Rd, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 3AS Located adjacent to Northwood station (Metropolitan Line) and School Coach Service available from many locations.

Tel 01923 843230 Email admissions@sthn.co.uk www.sthn.co.uk

inspires We are a leading 11–18 boarding & day school for boys & girls.

Academic rigour and outstanding co-curricular provision are at the heart of Haileybury,providing the exceptional opportunities and truly all-round education that allow our pupils to discover enduring passions and talents. We offer a choice of IB Diploma or A Levels in the Sixth Form. Our next Open Mornings in 2014 are: (11+) 26 September and 7 November; (13+) 11 October; (16+) 13 September

For further information, or to attend an Open Morning, you are warmly invited to contact the Registrar, Iona Hutchinson registrar@haileybury.com 01992 706353 Haileybury Hertford Herts SG13 7NU haileybury.com

@HaileyburyUK

/HaileyburyUK Registered charity number 310013

London’s leading day school for specific learning difficulties t: 020 7976 5456 www.fairleyhouse.org.uk

...and all of a sudden, nothing is impossible.

FH_ISGUIDE_HP185mmx 125mm Aug 2014 06.43.11.indd 1

14/08/2014 06:44

Edge Grove is a leading independent day/boarding preparatory school for boys and girls aged 3 -13, set in 28 acres of beautiful Hertfordshire countryside.

• A broad curriculum offered with excellent academic performance • Superb facilities including a new purpose-built Home Economics building, fully-equipped Textiles room and adventure playground • Full, weekly or flexi boarding available from age 7

Open Morning on:

Saturday 11th October 2014 10am - 12pm No pre-booking necessary

Edge Grove, Aldenham Village, Hertfordshire WD25 8NL 01923 855724 admissions@edgegrove.com www.edgegrove.com

E DUCAT I O N L I F E

The future remains bright at

EDGE GROVE The future continues to shine brightly at Edge Grove as it embarks on the new academic year in September.

With its dynamic and inspirational Headmaster, Ben Evans, now looking forward to his third year in post, the school has grown dramatically and the pupil roll will be larger than ever before in the school’s history.

Edge Grove continues to be a unique ‘hidden gem’ of a school amongst a plethora of prep schools in Hertfordshire. It is a place where the best traditions are preserved whilst being forward thinking, progressive and always embracing new technologies and habits.

Edge Grove offers its pupils an imaginative curriculum designed to encourage and inspire collaborative working and critical thinking. Last year the school introduced the Independent Curriculum, providing essential academic rigour to the teaching and learning whilst ensuring that lessons are creative, innovative and exciting. This year the International Primary Curriculum will be introduced in the Pre Prep from Nursery to Year 2. This will provide

depth, creativity and a rich crosscurricular programme designed to excite and inspire pupils as well as prepare them for Year 3. Pupils are encouraged to be articulate, endlessly curious about their learning and always ready to ask ‘why?’ They approach their learning with tenacity, resilience and a ‘can do’ attitude.

They make good progress because they are not afraid to ask and try new things because they are not afraid to fail.

be extended next year with the addition of Graphic Design and design and technology taught from Year 3. iPads are already used throughout the school and now it is introducing a dedicated virtual language lab facility in the new language classroom.

All the Year 8 pupils last year celebrated successfully passing their CE exams and secured places at their first choice schools, with one pupil being awarded a prestigious Scholarship to Winchester College, offered to only 14 pupils in the country. Equally the Year 6 leavers were vigorously prepared for their 11+ exams and are moving on to a wide range of top local and national senior schools.

Sport continues to thrive at Edge Grove.

The recent cricket tour to Sri Lanka was a wonderful opportunity for a group of boys to enjoy some first class sporting action as well as experience the sights and sounds of a developing country and a very different culture to their own.

The school looks forward to the girls enjoying a similar opportunity on their forthcoming netball tour to St Vincent.

Edge Grove looks forward to welcoming prospective parents to visit the school, meet Ben Evans, and find out more about it. The next Open Day is on Saturday 11th October 2014 at 10am – 12pm.

Edge Grove offers its pupils an imaginative curriculum designed to encourage and inspire collaborative working and critical thinking

Confidence is certainly high as the school embarks on further academic and infrastructure development. The curriculum has been enriched with the addition of Home Economics and Textiles. The creative arts will

Visit www.edgegrove.com for more information.

SEPTEMBER 2014 65

E DUCAT I O N L I F E

The centrality of Classic

BY PHILIP HARRISON, HEAD OF CLASSICS AT MERCHANT TAYLOR’S SCHOOL

B

ewilderment and amusement are common reactions when parents and pupils are informed that Latin is compulsory for the first three years at the school. There is often the same tone when a parent informs me, a few months into the academic year, that his or her son is actually enjoying Latin. How and why, seems to be the hint, is my son enjoying a dead language that is associated with gowns, mortarboards, and dusty old books?

The world of beginners’ Latin therefore confounds expectations: for a start, there are colour textbooks, which introduce the language along with accounts of everyday life in Pompeii, and which challenge pupils to think not only about the workings of the language, but also about the Roman world in which it was spoken. Pupils follow stories set in a different area of the Roman Empire each year, and meet the language en route. And yes, many do continue to enjoy it: at Merchant Taylors’, almost half the boys continue to GCSE, and sixth form numbers are strong. The study for GCSE and A level is focused on literature, so pupils encounter Cicero, Virgil, and Tacitus amongst others.

Classical study is not restricted to Latin. At Merchant Taylors’ we are fortunate to have an exceptionally large department and pupils can choose to study Classical Greek as early as year 9: this stimulates and stretches bright boys and allows them access to the canon of Greek epic and tragedy. Greek inevitably has always been a minority subject, yet it survives, and the question is begged: why do schools continue to offer a subject such as Greek, when the numbers can be very small?

Several factors need to be borne in mind when answering this question. It is a fact that schools such as Merchant Taylors’ – in fact any school founded during or before the 16th century – were founded with the express intention of teaching Latin and Greek, since the cultures of Greece and Rome were seen as the foundation of Western culture. It is difficult even nowadays to argue against the unparalleled significance of Greece and Rome in the formation of Western literature, philosophy, and political structures, and so the exploration of these cultures remains entirely. Furthermore, the subjects offer very clear intellectual rigour and stimulation: aside from mastering the languages, which work very differently from English, pupils are challenged to analyse with logical rigour and become familiar with some of the greatest poetry and historical writing of all time.

66 SEPTEMBER 2014

In these ways, the study of the Classical world equips pupils with not only intellectual knowledge but also intellectual skills that will prove beneficial to later life. When studying a text, they are urged to analyse every word, to seek flaws in an argument, to look at detail while remaining aware of the bigger picture. For these reasons, Classicists – and this surprises many parents – are much valued in a wide range of careers, where their intellectual skills are allowed to flourish. At this point in conversation, I am forced to admit that whereas I may be using both the knowledge and skills learned from Classics in the course of my own job, there are plenty of Classicists who deploy their skills in the Square Mile, and the worlds of Law, journalism, and so on. For some graduates, such as our Old Boy novelist Conn Iggulden, they provide a rich vein for contemporary fiction. All this gives the lie to specious, facile notions of ‘relevance’: young minds are endlessly fertile and subjects that may superficially appear ‘old hat’ may, in fact, prove to be inspirational to the keenest of intelligences.

Above all, in a world dominated by the superficialities of League Tables and ‘attainment objectives’ they come to realise that the intellectual value of the Socratic tradition lies not only in the interrogation of concepts, but also in acquiring the most important knowledge of all: self-knowledge.

What then is the condition of Classics in schools today? Mary Beard and Boris Johnson promote the subject with vigour in the media, while Michael Gove has made clear his desire for Classics to be taught more widely in state schools – of which very few now have the resources to support large Classics departments – and has set about training non-Classicists to teach Latin at beginners’ level. This is obviously welcome news for any Classicist who is eager that the subject should be widely accessible and enjoyed.

However, real challenges lie beyond the soundbites. What seems to be suggested is a curriculum where Classics is a desirable extra, rather than a vital part of the curriculum for all pupils, as it has been at a school such as Merchant Taylors’ for almost five hundred years. The programme that is being launched to train non-specialists to teach Latin is admirable, but it is surely uncontroversial to claim that for a subject to flourish, a school needs teachers who are expert in the field, and who can bring the enthusiasm and learning of many years of study into lessons. This certainly is the case in schools where the central importance of Classics to a school syllabus is recognized and celebrated.

8

MTS MTS

Merchant Merchant Taylors’ Taylors’ School School Excellence, Excellence, integrity integrity and and distinction distinction since since 1561 1561

Open Open Morning Morning

15 61 1 5 6 1

September September 27th 27th2014 201410.00 10.00 - 12.30 - 12.30

Why Whynot notchoose choose the the best bestfor foryour your son? son?

• 2015 2015Registration: Registration: 11+ 11+November November3030 2014 2014 16+ 16+December December3131 2014 2014 • 2016 2016Registration: Registration: 13+ 13+February February2828 2015 2015

• A ‘Top • A Ten’ ‘Top Ten’ boys’ boys’ school school

• ‘Exceptional’ • ‘Exceptional’ 20142014 School School Inspection Inspection • Inspirational • Inspirational teaching teaching

• Unique • Unique tutorial tutorial system system

• Civilized, • Civilized, friendly friendly & unpressured & unpressured • Magnificent sports fields • Magnificent sports fields

• Bursaries Bursaries • Academic, Academic,Art, Art,Drama, Drama, Music Musicand andSport Sport Scholarships Scholarships

• Superb • Superb facilities facilities set in set250 in 250 acres acres

SixthSixth Form Form Open Open Evening Evening

November November 10th 10th2014 2014 17.00 17.00 – 19.00 – 19.00

Getting Getting herehere

Online Online

Coaches Coaches : Barnet : Barnet (via Stanmore), (via Stanmore), Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield, Brent Brent (via (via Harrow), Harrow),Ealing, Ealing, Harpenden, Harpenden, Harrow, Harrow, Highgate, Highgate, Mill Hill, Mill Hill, Radlett, Radlett, St John’s St John’s Wood Woodfrom from2015, 2015, Stanmore Stanmore Car : MTS Caris : MTS 15 minutes is 15 minutes from from the M1, the M1, the the M25 M25 andand thethe A40 A40 Transit :Transit MTS is : MTS adjacent is adjacent to Moor to Moor ParkPark (Metropolitan (Metropolitan Line) Line) and andisisaccessible accessible from fromany any Jubilee/Metropolitan Jubilee/Metropolitan Line station.

Line station.

Chiltern Chiltern lineline trains trains change changeatatRickmansworth Rickmansworth From From Marylebone: Marylebone: Chiltern Chiltern Line trains Line trains change change at Harrow. at Harrow.

Travelling Travellingtime timefrom from WC1/W1 WC1/W1 isis 40 minutes 40 minutes

Guided Guided tours tours (last (last tour tour 11.30) 11.30) The Head The Head Master Master speaks speaks at at 11.15 11.15 and 12.15 and 12.15

Visit Visit us at us at www.mtsn.org.uk www.mtsn.org.uk Find Find us on us Facebook on Facebook Merchant Merchant Taylors’ Taylors’ School School Follow Follow us on usTwitter on Twitter @MerchantTaylors @MerchantTaylors

Please Please contact contactGregg Gregg McCann, McCann, Admissions Admissions Officer Officer admissions@mtsn.org.uk admissions@mtsn.org.uk +44(0)1923 +44(0)1923 845514 845514 Merchant Merchant Taylors’ Taylors’School School Northwood Northwood Middlesex Middlesex HA6 2HT HA6 2HT

Excellence, Excellence, integrity integrity andand distinction distinctionsince since1561.

1561.

S EFor P TEM B11 E R- 211 0 1 4- 618 7 boys For boys 18

WESTMINSTER SCHOOL www.westminster.org.uk

‘For the right girl or boy, simply the best.’ Good Schools Guide

16+ ENTRY FOR GIRLS & BOYS To find out about Open Days and online registration please look at our website.

13+ BOYS ENTRY To request a prospectus or to arrange a tour of the school, please call 020 7963 1003 or email registrar@westminster.org.uk For information about 7+, 8+ and 11+ entry to Westminster Under School please go to www.westminsterunder.org.uk Westminster School is a charity (No. 312728) established to provide education.

TAP1953_LifeMagazineAd_137x210mm_V1.indd 1

28/06/2013 12:12

An Independent, Catholic co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 - 18 years

College, Nursery & Prep Open Day Nursery, Prep, College and Sixth Form will all be open - to attend please register by visiting www.stedmundscollege.org or call 01920 824247

Excellent academic support, facilities and extra-curricular opportunities ensure that life at St Edmund’s helps to develop maturity, independence and self-confidence from our Nursery to Sixth Form. Full, weekly and flexi boarding options are available from Year 7.

Old Hall Green, Ware, Hertfordshire SG11 1DS

www.stedmundscollege.org

E DUCAT I O N L I F E

New Head for St Albans High School for Girls

New Head for St Albans High School for Girls

A

s the High School celebrates another year of excellent A Level and GCSE examination results, the Governors and staff are pleased to welcome Mrs Jenny Brown as the new Headmistress from 1 September. Mrs Brown was educated at North London Collegiate School and St Anne’s College, Oxford, where she read English. Following two years of publishing at Pergamon Press, she became an English teacher at Cranleigh School, moving to Highgate School in 1995 and South Hampstead High School in 2000. She was appointed Head of English at Channing School before being appointed as Director of Senior School at St Paul’s Girls’ School.

Chair of Governors, Dorothy Henderson describes Jenny Brown as the ideal

combination of intellect, vision and experience, noting the school has found the ideal successor to build on Rosemary Martin’s success, and to take the High School on to a new and exciting phase of development.

“Succeeding Rosemary Martin is a great honour”, says Jenny Brown. “Her excellent leadership has left its mark in all areas of the school. I look forward to building on her admirable work and ensuring that the school continues to flourish; offering first-rate scholarship, exciting curricular and co-curricular opportunities and outstanding pastoral care”.

For more information about St Albans High School for Girls call 01727 853800 or visit www.stahs.org.uk

Open Events A leading independent day school in Hertfordshire for girls aged 4 to 18, which is affiliated to the Church of England.

Please visit our website to pre-book your attendance at one of these events.

Preparatory School Open Mornings

Senior School Open Mornings

Sixth Form Information Evening

Friday 10 October Saturday 15 November

Saturday 4 October Saturday 8 November

Monday 13 October

01727 853800

www.stahs.org.uk

fees assistance & scholarships available • exceptional pastoral care • extensive coach service SEPTEMBER 2014 69

An Award-winning Sixth-Form College In the Heart of Central London

Principals James Eytle and Beverley Mellon receiving the award for Best London Independent Sixth-Form College 2013 from Les Webb of sixth-form.com

• Small group sizes – max class size of 8 • Excellent location – in the heart of Mayfair in central London close to Hyde Park and Oxford Street • Excellent results – 89.4% of A-level students gained A*, A, B grades in June 2013

Wide subject choice A-level & GCSE course covering a wide range of subjects across Sciences, Humanities, Social sciences, Arts and Languages.

Specialist Programmes for University Entry Specialist programmes for university entry onto competitive degree courses including Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Economics, Psychology, Architecture and Engineering.

For enrolment enquiries please contact the College Administrator Julia Millar on 020 7409 7273 or by email admin@albemarle.org.uk

www.albemarle.org.uk 70 SEPTEMBER 2014

7528 HBHG LifeGrp4pp 070814_7528 HBHG LifeGrp4pp 07/08/2014 11:28 Page 1

HABERDASHERS’ LIFE HABERDASHERS’ LIFE

I N D E P E N D E N T D AY S C H O O L S F O R B O Y S A N D G I R L S A G E D B E T W E E N 4 - 1 8 Y E A R S I N D E P E N D E N TW D C BHSOBOOLYSS F OR R GB. O ND G .I H RL ET WAWY. HS A .O UY K S •A W WW AS B SAGGI ER D L SB .O RW G .EUEKN 4 - 1 8 Y E A R S

W . HAABBSS BS O .O • AW T HWEW H C YHSO ORL G S.U MKA G ZW I NWE. H•A BS SE G P TI RE LMS B. O E R G2. 0U 1K 4

THE HABS SCHOOLS MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2014

SEPTEMBER 2014 71 N LGI LSIH S H| |MM ORRYY || S C I E N RR T T| |I TI T| |S PSOP ROTRST |S E|CEOCNOONMOI C E NE G AA T THHSS || HHI ISSTTO NC CEE || M MUUSSI C I C | |AA MSI C S

THE HABERDASHERS’ ASKE’S SCHOOLS EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC The Haberdashers' Aske's Schools (Elstree), placed 'side by side for excellence', enjoy the best in school education.

On adjoining sites in 100 plus acres of secure grounds, they are two, single-sex, independent day schools whose pupils benefit greatly from a vast range of social and educational opportunities. The academic reputation of the two schools is well known: they are firmly established in the ’premier league’ of annually published league tables, a remarkable achievement in itself. The vast majority of Haberdashers students go to their first choice university, exceptionally high numbers to Oxford and Cambridge, and many achieve national academic distinction during their time at school.

The Habs style is to love learning and to enjoy the academic opportunities alongside a huge wealth of extra-curricular activity. In both schools the range of the non-academic curriculum is enormous and the level of participation by pupils very high. Sport, music, theatre, art, service in the community, partnerships with local state schools, debating, public speaking, society meetings, fund-raising initiatives, outward bound and adventurous training activities, and every type of leadership and resourcefulness opportunities are all regular features of the termly routine.

72 SEPTEMBER 2014

Advertorial feature music tours are a feature of the school year previous destinations having included Salzburg, Lake Garda and Barcelona - and major concerts have previously been held at the Royal Festival Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields, St John’s Smith Square and St Albans Cathedral.

Over 100 different extra-curricular musical activities are offered across both the Senior and Junior Departments. Over 60 specialist visiting music teachers offer in excess of 1,100 instrumental lessons per week. Academic music flourishes, with healthy numbers choosing to study music for GCSE and A Level, and excellent grades are achieved at both.

Every year students continue to apply to study for a degree in Music at university, with recent destinations including Cambridge, Durham, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, The Royal Northern College of Music and Trinity Laban.

Both schools have a long tradition of excellence in Music, aided by excellent purposebuilt facilities that make the vibrant combination of large group rehearsals, concerts, small recitals, individual lessons and practice possible.

Both schools foster a welcoming, inclusive musical atmosphere that encourages and praises music at all levels, with a strong emphasis on personal creativity.

Opportunities for pupils at all levels to play in both large and small ensembles are plentiful and are greatly appreciated by pupils, which is illustrated by the high participation.

Music scholarships and bursaries are offered to children who demonstrate advanced musical skills and/or potential for further development. There are a number of financial awards available, from a Music Scholarship, to awards of free tuition on individual instruments where great promise has been shown. For further information, please contact the schools directly.

Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School Butterfly Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3AF Tel: 020 8266 1700 office@habsboys.org.uk www.habsboys.org.uk Open Day: Sat 11th Oct 1 – 4pm Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls Aldenham Road, Elstree, Herts, WD6 3BT Tel: 020 8266 2330 admissions@habsgirls.org.uk www.habsgirls.org.uk Open Day: Sat 11th Oct Junior School: 10am – 12.30pm Senior School: 2pm – 5pm

One of the highlights of this year’s music programme was the Gala concert at the Barbican in London. Over 400 performers from both Haberdashers’ schools joined together to perform a challenging repertoire, including Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy Overture, Romeo and Juliet, and John Rutter’s Mass of the Children. Through the evening the choirs were accompanied by Habs old girl soprano Olivia Clarke, now a professional singer. Selections from the concert are available to watch on Youtube at www.bit.ly/UFAOQE. Regular concerts at both schools provide musicians with opportunities to perform – everything from annual Autumn, Spring and Summer concerts and weekly lunchtime recitals to ‘Battle of the Bands’ and ‘Unplugged’ on the Boys’ School Quad. Additionally, SEPTEMBER 2014 73

Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls

learning & independence Open Day 11 October 2014 Juniors 10am-12.30pm, Seniors 2pm-5pm Scholarships and Financial Assistance available from 11+

Independent Day School for Girls aged 4-18 Aldenham Road, Elstree, Herts, WD6 3BT e: admissions@habsgirls.org.uk t: 020 8266 2300 www.habsgirls.org.uk Registered Charity No. 313996

The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School Nurturing Excellence

An outstanding independent day school for boys aged between 5 and 18.

Open Day Saturday 11th October 2014, 1–4pm

(no appointment necessary)

Headmaster Peter B Hamilton MA Butterfly Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3AF Tel: 020 8266 1700 office@habsboys.org.uk

www.habsboys.org.uk

registered charity no: 313996

E DUCAT I O N L I F E

THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS AWARDS 2014

T

13th NOVEMBER 2014, NOTTINGHAM BELFY HOTEL

he Independent School Awards recognise excellence in the strategic and financial management of independent schools.

Highlighting independent schools’ successes will help to spread and raise best practice across the sector, and create good publicity about the sector’s value to the UK. They are organised by the team behind Funding for Independent Schools magazine, the leading sector title.

The awards are open to all independent schools in the UK, whether charitable or proprietor-owned. All schools, irrespective of their size, can compete on an equal basis as context is taken into account by the judges.

Entry to the awards is free.

Award Categories 1. Outstanding Strategic Initiative: this recognises initiatives in strategic planning, including: your school’s website, marketing campaign, a legal initiative, innovative recruitment drive, excellence in governance etc.

2. Outstanding Financial/Commercial Initiative: this recognises initiatives in financial planning, investments, property planning, commercial enterprise, fees strategy, raising bursaries etc.

3. Outstanding Fundraising Initiative: this recognises initiatives in fundraising and development that have raised income for the school directly. Applicants are expected to show innovation in some way.

4. Outstanding Community Initiative: this recognises initiatives that involve working with external groups such as parents and the local community (also either inside or outside a charitable school’s objectives, where appropriate). It could also include a link up with an overseas school.

5. Best Independent-Maintained School Collaboration: this recognises initiatives with a leading role with a state school(s).

6. Education Initiative of the Year: this recognises a project that has helped children to fulfil their potential and to improve learning outcomes. It could be a commercial product, but not necessarily.

7. Special Needs Initiative of the Year: this recognises a project that has

helped children with special needs to fulfil their potential and to improve learning outcomes.

8. B oarding Initiative of the Year: this recognises an initiative within a boarding setting that has had a substantial and measurable impact on the (boarding) pupils.

9. O utstanding Senior Leadership Team of the Year: an SLT that has shown inspirational leadership of a school.

10. O utstanding Governing Body of the Year: this recognises an inspirational contribution to a school.

11. L ifetime Achievement Award: a school leader who has shown a commitment to and achievement in the independent school sector over many years.

12. B ritish International School of the Year: an inspirational school based outside the UK that espouses a British education and has made an outstanding strategic or financial achievement.

13. I ndependent School of the Year (chosen from one of the winners of the first nine categories). Please note that it is not possible to apply directly for this award.

The awards are decided by an independent panel of judges, all highly respected for their expertise and experience in the independent school sector. The judges have complementary skills: they consist of former heads, former bursars, current governors, an inspector, a union representative and a marketing expert and others.

Up to four schools/candidates will be shortlisted for the awards, except for the Independent School of the Year award, which will be chosen from one of the winners of the first nine awards. The shortlisted schools will be announced on 17th September 2014.

We wish all the schools who have submitted entries for this year’s awards the very best of luck.

SEPTEMBER 2014 75