Fresh thinking about independent education

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Mayor of Winchester presides at new study centre at St Swithun’s

13/05: The Mayor of Winchester presided at the first official event at St Swithun’s new study centre. She presented students with certificates at the Jill Isaac Festival of Scholarship.

St Mary's Calne Young Enterprise Company 'Empower' (Photo: St Mary's Calne)

St Mary's Calne Young Enterprise Company win County Final

13/05: St Mary's Calne Young Enterprise company Empower have scooped five awards at the Wiltshire County Final, including the overall trophy for the Best Company in Wiltshire. They will now take part in the South West Regional Final on the 19th May.

The Leys debating team win regional competition

13/05: A team of Sixth Form pupils from The Leys School, Cambridge were named regional winners of this year’s Youth Speaks, the Rotary Club Youth Public Speaking competition.

New dining facilities at Withington Girls' complete 10-year development plan

11/05: Withington Girls’ School officially opened its extended and completely refurbished dining facilities recently. The new building marks the final strand of a 10-year school development plan.

Tonbridge School’s Community Concert welcomes 150 local guests

05/05: Tonbridge School were delighted to stage their annual event for local senior citizens, which has run for nearly 40 years. Guests enjoyed a musical evening with tea and cake.

Tonbridge's Chapel Choir sings Choral Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral

04/05: Tonbridge School Chapel Choir were delighted to return to St Paul’s Cathedral on Monday 2nd May. The choir sang Choral Evensong, part of the daily routine of worship offered at the cathedral, with a congregation of more than 500 present.

King’s Ely pupil secures role with National Youth Music Theatre

04/05: Isobel, a pupil at King’s Ely, is celebrating after achieving a place with the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT). She hopes to pursue a career in musical theatre.

Features

The magic 10 per cent

David Griffiths · 4 min read

If 90% of what schools do appears to be the same, asks David Griffiths, Headmaster of Old Buckenham Hall, what is the other 10%? For prospective parents, it's the 'magic' they should focus on when choosing a school for their child.

Enjoying the moment

4 min read: As a result of the pandemic, many people feel unable to look ahead and plan with confidence. But we need to refocus on the present, explains Fionnuala Kennedy, Head of Wimbledon High School GDST, and find the joy in the here and now.

Demystifying finance in the classroom

4 min read: Financial illiteracy is a problem for many adults. Ensuring pupils leave school confident in managing a budget, investments and pensions is crucial for the years ahead as Fionnuala Kennedy, Head of Wimbledon High School GDST, explains.

The reform of assessment

3 min read: HMC asked 800 educators for their views on both the current curriculum and models of assessment. Dr Simon Hyde, General Secretary of HMC, looks at the findings of this survey and why the majority of respondents want to see reform happen urgently.

Where does it all go wrong?

4 min read: Are schools doing enough to promote diversity, tolerance and equality? Jason Whiskerd, Headmaster of Brentwood Preparatory School, explores what is being done to make sure the lessons learnt in school last a lifetime.

Trust and you will find

4 min read: The past year has seen the rise of The Three Marketeers: Covid, Consultancies and Conundrums. Tim Hands, Headmaster of Winchester, reflects on choosing schools in the new normal.

Rethinking governance

4 min read: Ensuring the governing body of a school is diverse, inclusive and reflective of pupils is increasingly important for schools. Ceri Jones, Headmaster of Caterham School, outlines why his school has created a Shadow Board of ten alumni, aged under 30.