A capital education / SCHOOLS the sporting, creative and broader opportunities to allow these aspects of our personalities to shine. This also applies to the adults in the organisation and to my own approach to work and life. Too often, schools talk about a growth mindset, but recruit teaching staff who have perfect school records themselves. We should all be looking more critically at experience and growth.
How do you balance your extra-curricular activities with the academic side?
THE HEAD
Shona Colaço Knightsbridge School What attracted you to the school?
The warm, friendly atmosphere and the ethos of supporting the whole student, not just their grades. I was also attracted by the fact that the school was growing, a sure sign it was a happy ship. I took on the role as maternity cover for the deputy head for one year – 12 years ago! That’s how much I love it.
How would you sum up the school in a sentence?
It’s the happiest school, where real partnership between the staff, pupils and parents means that we can achieve wonderful things.
What makes it different?
The close relationships we build between the school and home. Working together helps us all achieve the best outcomes for our
SPOTLIGHT ON
St Paul’s Girls’ School
Wellbeing is critical to everything we do as a school, starting at a foundational level. First, we recruit staff who share our ethos and approach of a studentcentred environment. Second, we understand how vital it is to have consistent, open and constructive dialogue with parents on how best to give their children the platform and support to thrive. This allows us and our parents to have a clear and consistent approach with students, helping them to build confidence. Finally, students, staff and parents can access a range of resources, from pupil and staff wellbeing coordinators to a counselling and drop-in service provided by Place2Be. Pont Street, SW1X (020 7590 9000; knightsbridgeschool.com)
How would you describe the atmosphere?
Warm, happy and inclusive.
What about your personal educational ethos?
Education is about preparation for life. All of it. As a result, we should not allow ourselves, or our pupils, to be defined by their success (or otherwise) in exams. We’re all so much more than that. That’s why, when planning our curriculum and co-curricular provision, we make sure we include
Pupils: around 800
girls aged 11 to 18 Founded: in 1904, in a specially built building on Brook Green. Just 54 Paulinas enrolled that year, for fees of £7 per term (11+) one-hour, onscreen test covering verbal ability, non-
16 Fabric-JAN24-Schools_2p.indd 59
How do you look after the wellbeing of your pupils?
students, their families and our staff. At Knightsbridge School, we pride ourselves on supporting and nurturing the whole child. We achieve this by working in partnership with their families, including through our phenomenal Parents’ Association.
Entrance requirements:
LUXURY LONDON LIVING
A well-rounded student with a broad range of interests is likely to be happier, and happier students are best placed to achieve academically and personally. To maintain the right balance, we make sure that being busy and productive is normal for all, right from the start. We also provide an extensive co/extra-curricular programme, which is carefully organised and provides students with choice, so their individual talents and passions can bloom. To keep things fresh and challenge our horizons, we have a rich blend of external and internal providers of activities. And we’re
passionate about imbuing our students with a ‘have a go’ approach to all opportunities in school. Finally, we have a rigorous focus on learning behaviours, and we teach pupils the vocabulary to manage their own work and personal interactions.
verbal ability and Maths, followed by on-site exams in English, Maths and comprehension and an interview; (16+) an exam in each of the four subjects the student would like to take at A level, and an interview
Destination universities: each
year, more students win
places at Cambridge and Oxford than at any other university; American and Canadian universities are also popular, as are the Universities of Edinburgh, Durham, Bristol and St Andrew’s, and University College London
Known for:
providing a classical yet
progressive education, instilling a deep love of learning and giving girls the freedom to develop as individuals
Famous alumni:
author Shirley Conran, writer and broadcaster Victoria Coren Mitchell, scientist Rosalind Franklin, politician Harriet Harman, cook Thomasina Miers,
actress Emily Mortimer, newsreader Sophie Raworth, TV presenter Susanna Reid, actress Rachel Weisz Fees: £9,982 per term (£10,732 for new Year 12 entrants) including lunch and personal accident insurance Find out more: spgs.org
January 2024 | FABRIC MAGAZINE | 59
12/12/2023 12:26