Insight Magazine 2018

Insight Summer 2018

The Governors’ Newsletter for Parents and Guardians of Pupils at Loughborough Schools Foundation

SUMMER 2018

INSIGHT

1

A Message From The Chairman

We have come to the end of another busy and very successful year and it has been a pleasure and an honour to be the Chairman of the Governors for this, my fourth year.

I am delighted to say that under the leadership of the four Heads and the Chief Operating Officer, the Schools and Foundation have delivered another positive years’ performance. The Schools have continued to achieve academic successes whilst also running a truly impressive array of extra-curricular activities.

I must make mention here that the Grammar School met the requirements in a recent Regulatory Compliance Inspection for Schools with Residential Provision, which was the first inspection for the Foundation under a new enhanced inspection regime.

In GCSE and A Level results last summer, the pupils again demonstrated the value of hard work when they did themselves proud in recording excellent results. One of our tasks in providing a quality education is to help create success and forge opportunities to suit the individual and so we were delighted that the majority of our students achieved the grades required for places at their first choice of university, or for them to pursue training in their chosen career path. As always, I am delighted to recognise this high level of achievement which was led and inspired by outstanding teaching staff, not just in the academic field, but also in the arts, on the sports field and in cultural, social and community activities.

In Insight last year I set out the strategic plan to drive the Governors’ vision for the next five years and we remain committed to this vision. Our role as Governors is to work with the Leadership teams to ensure that the Schools provide an outstanding education for your child.

This requires the right environment and our focus on improving our facilities and infrastructure continues, often in unseen ways such as upgrading heating and lighting systems and enhancing our wifi network.

Whilst we are in a better financial position than many schools, the Board continues to strive to achieve best value in all of our financial decisions but we must be realistic. As you will all be aware from the press, it is a competitive marketplace and all schools have been hit by legislative changes, increasing costs for pensions and National Insurance contributions, further compounding the previous years increases caused by pension scheme eligibility and the apprenticeship levy.

These increases, coupled with economic uncertainties, have impacted our financial position with these costs being met from the Foundation’s own resources. As with any organisation therefore it is important that we look forward with a mind-set of continuous improvement to adapt and evolve in accordance with market needs.

In the coming year the new girls’ sports facility and astro pitch will become operational; the provision of Sixth Form facilities 2

INSIGHT

SUMMER 2018

is to be reviewed; we have the development of a Triathlon club in conjunction with UK Triathlon and also the start of our partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association to provide an education for teenage tennis players training at the new National Tennis Academy at Loughborough University.

As communicated in April, the Board of Governors approved two recommendations to the change in structure of Loughborough Endowed Schools. The first was for Our Lady’s Convent School to become co-educational in the senior school and in order to align itself with this new offer, their name will change to Loughborough Amherst School. The second announcement was that the Foundation will also have a name change, to Loughborough Schools Foundation. More information about these changes are on the following pages in this publication however the decision, whilst respectful of history, heritage and past traditions of Loughborough Endowed Schools, is very much about looking forward to the future success of the Foundation. As Governors, our focus is always on ensuring that we meet all regulatory obligations and that the Schools remain safe and supportive environments, but it is also our responsibility to ensure that we plan and invest for the future.

As many of you are aware, there will also be a change in leadership at Loughborough High School as Gwen Byrom will be leaving us at the end of the Autumn term to become Founding Principal of North London Collegiate School International, Bangkok. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Gwen for all the hard work and energy that she has put into her role over the last seven years and her contribution to the Board’s deliberations over this time; we wish her and her family every success in their new life. In consequence we are in the process of recruiting for a new Head and there will be an announcement on this at a later date.

It is also appropriate to pay testimony to the achievements of Governors who have left the Board during the year. Peter Cannon leaves us after many years as a Governor, during which time he made valuable contributions to a number of Governor Committees and also as Chair of the Fairfield School Board. I have enjoyed working alongside Peter and wish him and his family all the best as he continues to concentrate on his many other professional commitments and personal interests.

We will continue in our endeavour to ensure that the Governing Body has the right balance of professional skills to support and challenge the Schools. I am therefore delighted to welcome four new governors to the Board; Peter Middleton, Anna Murphy, Paul Snelling and Louise Webb. All four bring relevant skills and expertise, which will ensure that the Board is able to deliver this balance and please do read their biographies on the following page.

Finally, on behalf of the Governors, I would like to thank teaching, non-teaching and all central services staff for their hard work and commitment to the on-going success of the Schools. I would also like to personally thank all the Governors for their continued encouragement and support of the Foundation and also a thank you for all the parental support that the Schools receive. Committed staff, parents and Governors make a huge difference to the educational experience of all of our pupils at the Loughborough Schools Foundation.

Peter Fothergill - Chairman

Governors and Executive Committee Back row L-R: Mr Jim Doherty, Mr Andrew Earnshaw, Dr Julian Murphy, Mrs Phillippa O’Neill, Mrs Louise Webb, Mr Paul Snelling, Professor John Feather, Mr Roger Harrison, Mrs Rowena Limb, Mr Tony Jones, Mrs Gwen Byrom, Mr Duncan Byrne Front row L-R: Mr John Stone, Sister Celine Leydon, Professor Alan Dodson, Mrs Gill Richards, Mr Peter Fothergill (Chairman), Admiral Sir Trevor Soar, Lady Jennifer Gretton, Mr Peter Jackson, Mrs Ruth Brutnall Governors not pictured: Mr Paul Alexander, Professor Robert Allison, Mrs Elizabeth Critchley, Mrs Mary Gershlick, Professor Julian Ketley, Mr Peter Middleton, Mrs Anna Murphy

Mr Peter Middleton

Charge of Rowing and 1st VIII coach, and an officer in the Army Section of the CCF. He moved to St Edward’s School, Oxford, where he was a House Master, re-formed the Royal Navy Section, was Master in Charge of Rowing and an international rowing coach.

Peter was appointed as Principal of Welbeck – The Defence Sixth Form College in September 2013, and was previously Deputy Head at Clifton College in Bristol.

Throughout his career Peter has taught Chemistry. His experience is grounded in the co-educational boarding sector within schools that have high academic aspirations and expectations.

He was born in Somerset and was educated at Radley College before reading Chemistry at Oriel College, Oxford. He began his teaching career at Cheltenham College, where he was fully involved in the life of a busy boarding school as a Deputy Housemaster, Master in

Peter has been a Governor in both the independent and maintained sectors and currently sits on the Loughborough University Student Disciplinary Committee. Peter is married to Clare, an educational psychologist, and they have three children.

Louise is a commercially astute and highly collaborative business leader with a real passion for nurturing and developing talent and improving the success of organisations through its people. A graduate of Bath University where she gained a BSc (Hons) in Economics, Louise enjoyed a long and successful international career at Avon Products Plc. During her time at Avon she held a number of senior leadership positions in Human Resources, most latterly as Vice President HR for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. Subsequently she was founding partner of a boutique strategic HR consultancy before relocating back to Leicestershire with her young family.

Louise Webb Louise is married to Richard and has two children, Ethan and Elise, who attend Fairfield Preparatory School. Her favourite way to enjoy some ‘me time’ is to catch up with friends near and far, do some Yoga, or walk around Bradgate Park. Having recently moved house, Louise’s next challenge is to master the art of gardening!

New Governors

Engineering Department but his final appointment was as Flight Operations Business Development Manager.

Paul Snelling Paul grew up in Brighton and was educated at the Brighton Technical School. At 16 he joined British Airways as an Engineering Apprentice and qualified as a Licensed Aircraft Engineer. He went on to obtain a degree in Air Transport Engineering at City University, London and a Masters in Business Administration from the Cass Business School. He is a Chartered Engineer. Whilst working at BA, Paul held various roles within the

In 1996, he joined RollsRoyce in Derby as Business Strategy Manager in the Civil Aerospace Marketing department, after which he held senior strategic roles in Purchasing, Business Development and Engineering. Paul retired from Rolls-Royce in 2016.

Paul’s interests include watching sport, in particular football, cricket and hockey, travel and gardening. He is married to Kathleen, who taught Biology at the Grammar School before becoming a member of the Senior Management Team at the High School. They live near Ashby de la Zouch and have four grown up children, who all attended the Grammar School or High School.

For the last 18 years Anna has worked at the House of Lords where she is currently Head of the centre which offers expert advice to Members and others on House procedure (the formal and informal rules of its everyday activities).

Anna is an old girl of Our Lady’s Convent School and after leaving there in 1996 she went to study at Durham University (University College).

Anna loves sport; she plays netball and also spends a large amount of time alongside her husband, watching their three children play sport. She

Anna Murphy is also an active parishioner at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Loughborough which is where Anna’s family have worshipped for five generations.

SUMMER 2018

INSIGHT

3

Loughborough Schools

Music

Loughborough Endowed Schools hosted their annual Spring Concert in March, with a grand performance of Verdi’s great Requiem. Taking place at De Montfort Hall in Leicester, the performance featured four postgraduate students from the Royal College of Music.

Joining them on stage were all pupils in Year 7 from Loughborough Grammar School, Loughborough High School and Our Lady’s Convent School, as well as the schools’ choirs, alumni, and leading Symphony Orchestra.

Richard West, Director of Music, said: “Our music department is constantly striving for excellence and so the Spring Concert was a great opportunity to showcase to the public the tremendous quality of performers that we have within the Foundation.”

The Music Department also hosted their first Piano Competition in May with 37 competitors from throughout the Midlands. Professor Nigel Clayton from the Royal College of Music was the adjudicator and pianists from the High School, Grammar School and Convent School won prizes in their age categories and they all enjoyed the annual trip to

Steinway Hall for the masterclass with Charles Owen that was held in June.

The Enhanced Music Programme introduced last September has been very well supported by pupils, staff and parents alike and the faculty based concerts, Lunchtime Live and Soundbites have provided a tremendous platform for the sheer diversity of our music that happens around the campus. The annual calendar of music events for 2018/19 will be available from the beginning of September and further details of events can always be found on our school websites.

Governor

Goodbyes and Thank Yous Dr Peter Cannon was educated at Loughborough Grammar School between 1973 and 1980, going onto Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, to read Medicine. Having completed his Medical Sciences Tripos [M.A. Cantab.] he progressed his clinical studies at Oxford University graduating in 1987 [B.M., B.Ch. Oxon.].

4

INSIGHT

SUMMER 2018

As a Governor of Loughborough Endowed Schools, Peter was strongly committed to the educational, social and spiritual values enshrined over 500 years which shape not only individuals but also support and enhance the surrounding community. He made a significant impact as a Board

member and also as the Chair of the Fairfield School Board. We thank him for his contribution to the Schools and wish him and his family continued success in the future.

Dr Peter Cannon

STEM Success and

Awards

Throughout the year, the number of STEM projects developed by teams of pupils across the Foundation of Schools, has continued to increase and the teams have enjoyed tremendous successes.

Team Eco Retail and Team Eco Friendly Residence, were both winners of their categories at the Teentech City of Tomorrow event and received fabulous feedback on their structures from the judges, Maggie Philbin and Dallas Campbell. At the Youth STEMM Awards 2018, seven students from the Grammar School received their Gold Award and all entrants received a glowing report from the moderators who were very impressed with the dedication that students had shown to STEM and the vast range of activities that had been mentioned in the student reports.

Mixed teams from the High School and the Grammar School have worked together during the weekly STEM club and in March, fourteen projects were entered into the Teentech competition.

We were delighted that six of those teams qualified for the finals and in June, for the sixth year running, a team

Highlights of the first year at The Nursery have included seeing a rapid growth in numbers of children joining and also hearing that Health Visitors in the community have been recommending The Nursery to parents.

There are already waiting lists and children booked in for 2019 and 2020.

from the Foundation of Schools won their category. Project ‘BioPump’, which is a water pump that runs on biogas fuel, won the energy category and the winners will travel to Buckingham Palace next term for the Award Ceremony with HRH Duke of York.

At the Big Bang Regional Fair in June, sixteen projects were entered which meant that over thirty students went to Stafford University to experience the Science Fair. Anton and Hugo from the Grammar School were successful and won the prize for ‘The Most Enthusiastic Entry’ with ‘Project Claw’.

Last year, Loughborough Grammar School students David and Sankha took the UK Young Engineer of the Year title for E1 and since their win, the students have competed in STEM competitions in China and Estonia and are having discussions with Epilepsy UK on how to prepare their innovation for clinical trials. They have also been

During the last year Carla has introduced a monthly newsletter and also regular weekly Facebook updates and in September, The Nursery will be further integrated into the Loughborough Schools Foundation family, when it adopts the new branding.

asked to assist the judges on future Big Bang competitions, and are hoping to become STEM ambassadors on outreach programmes for the RAF and BAE Systems. They were also honoured to be invited to speak on the BBC Victoria Derbyshire programme about how Professor Stephen Hawking had inspired them as young scientists. The piece was tied into the memorial service for the Professor at Westminster Abbey in June.

We are very proud of the successes of all the teams at these competitions.

The achievements are testament to the collaborative work across the Foundation and the efforts of the pupils, who have sacrificed hours of their own time to complete their projects.

Waiting Lists at

The Nursery www.lsf.org/nursery

Finding the right staff to compliment the team has been an important focus this year for Carla Brindley, Nursery Manager. In August Zoe Furber took on the role of Receptionist to support Carla with administration and in another new step, an Apprentice has been appointed who will be joining in July after completing her A Levels.

In October, children and their parents and grandparents celebrated The Nursery’s first birthday in style. The Nursery team hosted a full children’s party with fun games, a buffet tea and special birthday cake.

SUMMER 2018

INSIGHT

5

In August 2017 Loughborough Grammar School was pleased to announce its best A Level results in five years. There were no fewer than 237 A* and A grades from 125 boys, of whom 52 achieved AAA or better. As a result, 80% have taken up places in one of the Sutton Trust Top 30 Universities. These outstanding results reflect the hard work of the boys and the outstanding relationships that they enjoyed with their dedicated teachers.

Students at the Grammar School have excelled in a huge variety of activities throughout the year in academic and extra-curricular spheres. Daniel Cropper has been selected as part of a five-man team to represent the UK at the prestigious International Physics

This year saw the launch of the High School’s new promotional video. Filmed over three days and featuring over 50 High School girls, the ‘Reassuringly Normal’ video embraces a new approach in the presentation of the School. The aim of the film was to challenge the preconceptions that we know some people hold of independent school life and to win hearts and minds with honest and engaging vignettes.

Head, Gwen Byrom was very proud when two Year 11 students, Meeram Ibrahim and Grace Johnston who worked together as Team Safecase, won the Innovation Award by Network Rail at the Big Bang Competition 2018. During the event the two students were recognised for their innovative thinking and collaboration in developing the device, which has an in-built pepper spray and can send SOS messages to call for help in an emergency. Other teams have followed in their footsteps with further Big Bang successes at this year’s competition.

In A Level and GCSE examinations, Loughborough High School students 6

INSIGHT

SUMMER 2018

Olympiad in Lisbon this summer, and we have had many further academic successes in national competitions, notably in STEM. In Art, Robert Spicer won first prize in the Portrait category of the JJ Foundation Photography Competition for Young People, highlighting the diversity of academic excellence in the School.

Supporting our belief that boys’ academic achievement requires a balanced lifestyle (mens sana in corpore sano), the Thomas Burton Award has been successfully piloted with boys in Years 7, 8 and 10 challenged to participate with head, hands and heart in the extra-curricular life of the School. There is a much greater understanding globally of sport, music, and creative activities contributing to wellbeing and from September 2018, all boys will be following the award scheme. Loughborough Grammar School has increased the breadth of its sports provision and coaching in order to better support swimming, climbing, basketball and even shooting, and triathlon is also set to join the sports on offer from September.

School Reports special place in the heart of everyone associated with the Grammar School. The service, attended by Governors, pupils, staff and alumni was made especially moving with the rededication of the war memorial cherry trees, which were so tragically damaged in an act of senseless vandalism last August.

Finally, mention should be made of this year’s Remembrance Service. As a beautiful memorial space, dedicated to former pupils and staff who lost their lives in conflict, the Quad holds a

Headmaster, Duncan Byrne said “This has been an extremely busy year and our focus for the next year is to build on our academic successes, so that every Grammar School boy can discover the intellectual passions that will sustain him through higher study. It is vital that we prepare our young men for the full range of challenges that they will face in their adult lives, and we will be developing our curriculum to give boys greater opportunities for individual academic research. However, it is important that they simultaneously engage thoroughly in the extra-curricular, so that they learn how to work effectively in teams and to develop their inter-personal intelligence in how they deal with others.”

once again achieved excellent results, rising to the challenge of extensive reforms to the A Level system last year. 46.5% of grades were awarded at A* and A and 81.4% of all grades achieved were A* to B. Gwen commented that these outstanding results allow the students to move onto the next stage of their education - usually the university and course of their first choice - with confidence.

support and cake sales, sponsored silences, car washes, raffles and pizza sales are just some of the activities that have been managed by the girls over the past year.

This year, the senior cadet of the Combined Cadet Force Contingent was Cadet Warrant Officer Grace Kent.

This is the first time in the history of the Foundation’s contingent that this position was held by a student from Loughborough High School. Grace had a busy year during which she demonstrated great leadership skills and professionalism and in recognition of this she was the first High School student to receive Colours from Loughborough Grammar School. Grace was also presented with The Priestley Sword at the CCF Review Day in May. As always, the students at Loughborough High School have continued with their success and positive attitude with regards to charity fundraising. The year groups discuss and decide which charities to

Finally, in a wonderfully received co-production, students in Years 10-13 from the senior schools came together to give a winning performance of Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’.

The production was directed by Drama teacher Rebecca Hooper and Chemistry teacher, David Cladingboel, who had played the role of Ernest in his own school days.

Gwen Byrom said “I am delighted that once again, Loughborough High School students have demonstrated commitment and dedication to all aspects of school life, from their academic work to supporting others less fortunate than themselves. It is a real privilege to lead a school where everything the girls (and staff) do is approached with such enthusiasm.”

Headmaster, Dr Julian Murphy has had a very busy year at Our Lady’s Convent School. In addition to welcoming many new staff to the School, including a new Senior Deputy Head and new Prep School Head, Julian has continued with his plan for implementing curriculum changes such as the new additional curriculum for Sixth Form and the move of RE GCSE examinations to Year 11.

This year also saw the launch of the Minerva programme. This initiative encompasses almost every area of School operations and embodies the School spirit of ‘Challenge, Care and Confidence.’ At the emotional core of Minerva is training, for staff and pupils, in the principle of Growth Mindset, which means that an individual’s habitual emotional responses to work are just as important as any inherent talent or ability. In order to develop certain mindsets and habits, they need to become part of the DNA of the School.

Headmaster Andrew Earnshaw is delighted that all pupils at Fairfield Prep have settled into and now enjoy, the outstanding facilities that the new building has generated. The Kindergarten pupil numbers go from strength to strength with the vast majority moving on seamlessly to join the Reception classes.

The new spacious playground area has also been completed and it is a triumph for the efforts of the Parents’ Association fundraising that the children now benefit from some tremendous outdoor wooden play equipment and an interesting and developing wildlife garden.

With this in mind, staff have analysed and adapted every aspect of School business (such as reports, revision, homework, and the timing of internal examinations) with just one purpose: to nurture the most confident and skilful approach to learning in all pupils, regardless of their age or ability. The hope is that this will not only help pupils to get even better grades in their exams, but that it will also provide them with enhanced resilience, mental health and work skills for the rest of their lives.

Last summer, Our Lady’s Convent enjoyed unprecedented A Level successes with the proportion of A* grades more than triple those achieved in 2016. In addition, 29% of grades were A*-A, which is 4% up on the previous year. Dr Murphy was pleased to see that aspirations are being raised and that all the students got into

The Forest School is also a developing area, both in facilities and in popularity, with the children across all ages.

Great excitement is to be had when the children have the opportunity to explore the outdoor spaces, drink hot chocolate in circle time, grow flowers and vegetables, search for bugs and build dens.

Rewarding the focus on pupil wellbeing, earlier this year, Fairfield was awarded ‘Healthy Tots’ accreditation from the Leicestershire Healthy Tots Programme for physical activity, healthy eating, emotional health and wellbeing. Year 4 pupils were also delighted to take part in a competition to design the livery for the fruit and vegetable van that makes deliveries to the School. Four of their eyecatching designs now adorn the vehicle.

The new gym area has provided a spacious and light facility which all pupils have benefitted from throughout the year. Fairfield pupils have enjoyed much sporting success and mention must be made of both our Year 6 boys and girls hockey teams being crowned as County Champions for Leicestershire and Rutland respectively. A new Triathlon club is also proving to be a hit with Fairfield pupils and many children enjoyed participating in our first in-house competition in July.

their first choice of university, but added that, “This is just the beginning. What we will see from now on is a year-on-year rise in the academic value-added that we provide for our students.”

Reflecting upon the past year Dr Murphy said: “This year has been one of considerable and exciting change, particularly in the Prep School. I am pleased to say that, after two years of hard work, we now have the right team, philosophies and systems in place to turn this already wonderful school into a true model of academic and pastoral excellence.”

Fairfield pupils have continued to be inquisitive and enjoy competition.

Andrew was pleased that two Fairfield pupils made it through to the finals of the 3M Young Innovators Challenge SloMo Marble Run - a fun and fascinating study into motion, friction, design and gradients to make the marbles descend as slowly as possible and as always, Fairfield pupils certainly rose to the challenge!

Radio Fairfield is now on air! Children from all year groups contribute to an early morning broadcast, filling the airwaves with interviews, School news items, match reports and birthday messages.

Finally, a huge thank you to the many children who enjoyed the opportunity to be film stars for a day when they participated in the filming of the new School video in June. The film really brings to life the energy, joy and enthusiasm which is always evident at Fairfield and please do take a look at this when it launches in the Autumn.

Andrew said “I am very proud of the many achievements Fairfield pupils have enjoyed this year. As always, the children have embraced and contributed to the busy life of the School and there has been much to celebrate. My goal for next year is to work in even closer partnership with parents, staff and pupils to look at every aspect of our provision with a view to moving the school from ‘excellent’ to ‘outstanding’ by 2020”.

SUMMER 2018

INSIGHT

7

Our Brand In All Our Hands Over a number of months, a comprehensive branding exercise has been conducted to enable us to better understand our brand, differentiate ourselves in a very competitive marketplace and to bring the Foundation of Schools closer together. We hope that the result will be that everyone connected to the Schools can understand, articulate and share just what a wonderful product we have to offer, not just to our pupils, but to parents, staff and the community too.

Many people were involved in the workshops, which engaged Governors, heads, teachers, support staff, pupils and parents and this illuminating process certainly showed us what people think and feel as they shared their often passionate views of our wonderful Schools.

There were some marvellous insights and in a myriad of ways all the stories, thoughts and views will guide our development for years to come. We have a clear picture of our values, our personality, our strengths and the things we should cherish, protect, improve and promote.

The change from being Loughborough Endowed Schools to Loughborough Schools Foundation is one such outcome. For those of you who are unaware, the background to the name is that by the mid-nineteenth century a number of schools in Loughborough and the surrounding villages were established, funded by endowments and other charitable giving, and the Grammar School was one such school. In 1869 the government passed the Endowed Schools Act, in an attempt to regulate the provision of schools and education. In response, steps were taken to bring together the local charitable trusts, including those left by Thomas Burton, Bartholomew Hickling and John Hickling into a single charity, The Loughborough Endowed Schools. This was when the term ‘Endowed’ was first associated with the Schools. It was also at this time that the charity which supports the Schools was established, to manage the endowment, which was in the form of buildings and land, rather than financial resources.

8

INSIGHT

SUMMER 2018

Since the 1900s the charity has been referred to as ‘The Foundation’ or the ‘Loughborough Endowed Schools Foundation’, and since this time the term ‘Foundation’ has frequently been used to describe both the charity and the Schools collectively.

Following comprehensive research during the branding exercise, it was clear that despite being in use for over 100 years, our current parents, staff and pupils questioned what ‘Endowed’ meant. It was evident that ‘Loughborough Endowed Schools’ has little affinity with our current cohort and instead pupils and parents referred by name to the school with which they belong. The word ‘Endowed’ also suggests that there is an endowment of wealth which is inaccurate and could in some cases lead to a misunderstanding of the nature of the Foundation and its Schools.

Loughborough Schools Foundation was therefore recommended and approved by the Governing Body as a name that is more current and appealing to our parents and pupils both now and in the future.

In addition to the Foundation name change, the exciting launch of the co-educational Loughborough Amherst School will be guided by the branding process too, as Our Lady’s Convent School changes and becomes an even more engaged part of the Foundation Family.

From the start of the next school year our identity will evolve but not change dramatically, to better reflect the story of our unique Family of Schools and the Foundation that underpins it.

We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to every single person who gave their time to contribute to what has proven to be a very positive, enterprising and ultimately enriching process.

The Loughborough Schools Foundation

LOUGHBOROUGH Nursery

Girls & Boys

6 weeks - 4 years

Girls & Boys

3 years - 11 years

Girls & Boys

4 years - 18 years

Boys

10 years - 18 years

Girls

11 years - 18 years

Loughborough’s New Co-Ed School. Founded 1850 As announced earlier this year, Our Lady’s Convent School, will become a co-educational School in September 2019, rebranding to Loughborough Amherst School in September 2018.

This is an exciting development in the history of the Foundation.

Loughborough Amherst School will be the first fully co-educational (4 – 18 years) independent school in Loughborough and this development presents parents and students across the region with the richest possible educational choice on one campus, from nursery age right through to exam success at eighteen.

Headmaster Dr Julian Murphy explains the thinking behind the decision; “We have over 150 years of history providing excellent

education to girls, and, given recent improvements to our academic reputation and local profile, we believe that the time is right to extend this opportunity to boys.

We are proud of the encouraging, family-feel that we provide in our close-knit community and that will remain central to our ethos.

Our class sizes will remain the same and opportunities, such as extra-curricular activity options will increase.”

The decision was reached following lengthy consultation between the Head, Sisters of Providence, Governors and Senior Leadership Team. All of whom were supportive of the move.

Regular updates will be provided to parents and pupils as we move forwards on the transition to coeducation.

SUMMER 2018

INSIGHT

9

New Sport Facilities

The ground was broken in June and building work has commenced on the new sports facility for Loughborough High School and Loughborough Amherst School. The plan is to build the significant multi-sports space first and this is scheduled to finish by December 2018. The students will then start to use this modern and flexible space for their sports lessons whilst works will commence on refurbishing the existing sports gym.

Once complete (Summer 2019), this large and light area will provide students with a fitness suite and dance studio. Students will be encouraged to make use of these facilities before and after school and also at lunchtimes. The new facility will provide many more fitness options and the aim is to ensure that all students will discover a physical activity that they enjoy.

Additionally at Loughborough Grammar School, planning permission is imminently awaited for a new astroturf. This will be built on the area adjacent to the car park and will be a tremendous asset to meet the needs of our growing numbers of hockey players. Works are due to start in the summer and the pitch will be ready for January 2019.

10

INSIGHT

SUMMER 2018

Central Services; New

Staff Rob Grant Rob started his career in the construction industry before moving to Facilities Management in 1998 with Amec Facilities looking after the data centres, head office and branch network for a major UK bank. In 2006 Rob joined Berkhamsted Schools Group as Estates Director.

Whilst at Berkhamsted he oversaw the merger with two other schools and the capital development programme, which together,

Ruth Brutnall

grew the school by 33%.

He is a member of the British Institute of Facilities Managers and has gained a reputation as speaker on best practice. He is a frequent speaker at ISBA training events and the Facilities Show.

In his spare time Rob is a director of the Shared Learning Trust, a multiacademy trust based in Bedfordshire and serves on the audit and risk committee for the BIFM. He is also an endurance sportsman and has completed the Ride Across Britain and the Race to the Stones as well as other cycling, marathon and triathlon events.

Rob joins the Central Services team as Director of Operations.

Ruth Brutnall is a qualified Company Secretary. Starting her career in professional practice with Ernst & Young, she has more recently worked with a range of public bodies including the National Audit Office and the NHS, advising on governance arrangements and ensuring that decision making processes are legal and robust. She also sits

as a lay member of the RICS Conduct and Appeals Committee. Weekends are spent trying to keep on top of the weeds in her garden and enjoying the Leicestershire countryside – she can often be seen in Bradgate Park trying to keep up with her daughter!

Ruth joins Central Services as Secretary to the Board.

David Fenn joined the Central Services team as Facilities Manager in February 2018.

David has relocated from London with his fiancé and is pleased to be making his home in Leicestershire.

David joins with a strong background in contracting.

He has worked in the private sector with some of the biggest names in the business most notably Wembley Stadium and the University of Westminster.

David says; “I am more than happy to be focusing my energy into something I deem a whole lot more worthwhile – the future of the schools and their pupils!

I feel very grateful to be able to work with a team of selfless individuals who have all ‘bought in’ to the Loughborough Endowed

David Fenn Schools way and am very much committed to the schools.”

David will be managing all the construction projects across the campus as well as leading the maintenance of all the Foundation’s capital assets.

In his spare time David enjoys trips to the south coast where he likes to go surfing. He also enjoys all things motorsport!

#GetSetGo In the late 1950s, the Governors of Loughborough Endowed Schools decided to mount an appeal for funds to create a brand new gymnasium to enhance the provision of physical education at Loughborough High School.

Following a successful appeal, supported by parents and alumni, the new gym was built and came into use in 1960. This building has been in use now for 58 years and we were pleased to announce last year that our plans for a new Senior Girls’ facility were underway.

On this occasion, funding is in place for the building and internal fitments, however, again we are relying on the generosity of our community in raising the additional funds required to equip this state-of-the-art facility.

With support from alumni, Parents’ Associations and the Garfield Weston Foundation, we have already raised over £60,000 of our £168,500 target. There is some way still to go and we are working hard to meet our target by the time the building comes into use.

There are many ways to help us fulfil our goal, either as an individual, family or business.

For full details of the #getsetgo campaign, please visit http://getsetgo.endowedschools.org/ or contact Jane Harker in the Development Office via j.harker@endowedschools.org SUMMER 2018

INSIGHT

11

Combined Cadet Force 61st Annual Review

Loughborough Grammar School and Loughborough High School, Lower School Drama Production of Bugsy Malone

Fairfield Upper Prep Sports Day

How Fees are Spent

Loughborough Grammar School and Loughborough Amherst School, Year 6 PGL Trip

Contact Loughborough Schools Foundation 3 Burton Walks Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 2DU T: 01509 283700 www.lsf.org @LboroSchFdt Loughborough Schools Foundation is a Company Limited by Guarantee, number 4038033, and is registered in England and Wales.

It is also a Registered Charity, number 1081765.

The Registered Office is 3 Burton Walks, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 2DU

12

INSIGHT

SUMMER 2018

Teaching & Staff Costs 48% Scholastic Supplies & Expenses 12% Maintenance of Premises 10% Catering 5% Welfare 1% Administration 12% Replacement of Assets 7% Capital Development & Reserves 5%

Capital Expenditure Since 2012, in excess of £21m has been spent on investment in facilities across all the Schools and the estate. This includes the state-of-the-art Fairfield building, Loughborough High School Science building, and The Nursery. Capital expenditure in 2018-19 will include the new girls’ sports facility, the astro pitch and investment in the Amherst campus.