AREA FOCUS
Schools WORDS by CLAIRE ATHERTON
LET’S TALK
The Greta effect
Step aside, teen hunks: if anyone is getting today’s schoolchildren hot under the collar, it’s Greta Thunberg. The 17-year-old Swedish activist has opened her generation’s eyes to the devastating effects of climate change on the planet. And they’re taking action, protesting in their millions and pressuring adults to cut their carbon footprints. It’s a shift Rod Jackson, head of International Community School (ICS) in Knightsbridge, has seen first-hand. “There’s definitely more interest from our pupils,” he says. “Even years one and two want to hold us to account in terms of recycling, over-consumption and single-use plastics. And lots of our
primary kids walk to school. Parents are keen too, but it’s pupils that are driving the change.” This drive, along with Rod’s passion for the natural world, explain why ICS is determined to achieve an Eco-Schools Green Flag in two years. It’s also part of Globeducate, the first schools group to partner with the World Wildlife Fund; this year, pupils will attend a mock-UN sustainability summit and run a Wear it Wild fundraising event. Rod counts leadership, debating and problem-solving among the skills pupils will learn from these activities. And he believes having a real voice will create happy, fulfilled and successful children who interact positively with each other and the world. So how can you do your bit to build a better future? “If your child’s school isn’t part of the Eco-Schools movement, book a meeting with the head to find out why,” advises Rod. “Ask how much waste the school generates, how it monitors recycling and if its electricity use is going up or down. Is sustainability on the PSHE programme as well as the schedule for clubs? How does it make use of the student voice and leadership?” To make a difference at home, Rod recommends choosing products with less packaging, taking holidays in the UK and asking if a family member really needs something before you buy it. “These things are hard because we’re a very consumerled society,” he says. “But children and young people have a strong sense of natural justice, so they’ll respond well to parents having this conversation with them. After all, it’s their future.” icschool.co.uk; eco-schools.org.uk; wwf.org.uk
THE PRINCIPAL
Candida Cave
Fine Arts College How would you sum up your school in a sentence? We founded the College in the late 1970s as a place we ourselves would like to study, where the arts are as important as academic subjects. What makes it different? We put emphasis on a collaborative approach and expect students to work hard. We also want them to think independently. They relish the freedom to develop for themselves, but whether they have that drive or not, we’ll help them 100 per cent. How would you describe the atmosphere? A haven of culture, creativity and kindness amid the tumult of north London selective schools. We’re also a route to success for those who have until now been disheartened. As one of our Sixth Form students said, “I’ve had a really good time here, and I’ll be sad to leave. It’s a really nice community. I actually don’t mind getting up in the mornings and going to school. And I’ve never said that before.” And the teaching? We encourage a co-operative, selfmotivated style of learning. We also teach in small groups, which allows for a seminar-style delivery. Our teachers are open to discussion and challenge, and they’re always willing to stay behind and help students. Fine Arts College, 41-43 England’s Lane, NW3 (020 7586 0312; hampsteadfinearts.com)
THE SHORTLIST: PRIMROSE HILL & REGENT’S PARK 1. Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park Independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18 (020 7723 0176; fhs-nw1. org.uk) 2. The Cavendish School Independent day school for girls aged 3 to 11 (020 7485 1958;
cavendishschool.co.uk) 3. Primrose Hill Primary School State co-ed day school for pupils aged 2 to 11 (020 7722 8500; primrosehill.camden. sch.uk) 4. North Bridge House Prep School
Independent co-ed school for pupils aged 7 to 13 (020 7267 6266; northbridgehouse.com) 5. Fine Arts College Independent co-ed day school for pupils aged 13 to 19 (020 7586 0312; hampsteadfinearts.com)
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