Education
Professional Standard
Rising to the challenges of running a drama department during a global pandemic, ACS Cobham enlisted the help of industry professionals to create a film together
A Very Bright Future
Headmaster of Babington House School, Tim Lello, explains how the school strives to provide its students with the support, advice and expertise needed to secure a successful career when they finish school
Meet the Head: Mr Nick Waite, Head of Beechwood Sacred Heart School
We find out a little bit more about Mr Nick Waite, Head of Beechwood Sacred Heart School in Tunbridge Wells What was your first ever job? My first paid job was at a cling film factory when I was a...
Reading Pleasure
Hilary Wilce emphasises how settling down with a good book can considerably boost your child’s progress at school Last month we celebrated World Book Day, the annual international event that champions reading, especially among children. Students were given £1 book...
Mental Health Matters
New Beacon School will host a children’s wellbeing conference in April, Emily Pavey finds out more New Beacon School is shining a light on child mental health. In April they host Helping Young People Navigate the 21st Century, a conference...
Fresh Thinking
Hilary Wilce looks at the impact of environment on learning outcomes March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers, the old rhyme tells us. But according to many teachers March winds bring forth something altogether less welcome – classrooms...
Join the Club
We talk to schools about what goes on outside the classroom Mayfield School, East Sussex “Mayfield School has a tradition of developing academic excellence. Our curriculum encourages questioning, reflection, creativity and the freedom to learn from mistakes. While maths and...
A Dietary Alternative?
Hilary Wilce shares new research into ADHD from King’s College Anyone who has to cope with an impulsive and hyperactive child – and that’s hundreds and thousands of parents and almost all teachers – will know how challenging it is...
Starting Out
Your child’s first steps into education can be daunting. These local independent schools share advice to get things started on the right foot Pre-School – Spring Grove School Why choose an independent pre-school? The choice of pre-school is a very...
Use Your Brain Power
Make 2020 the year you learn something new, and you’ll reap the benefits (regardless of your age) says Hilary Wilce New year, new start! Most of us feel like blowing off the cobwebs and turning to something new after an...
Season’s Teachings
Hilary Wilce pays tribute to the life-changing work of our teachers It’s the season of joy and goodwill so let’s give a great big shout-out for our country’s teachers. Every day they get up, go to work and very often...
Learn to Play
Hilary Wilce emphasises the importance of self-directed play to develop growing minds Recently, I’ve been spending a lot of time with the under-fives – and they are amazing! Every moment of their lives is an adventure, and they are without...
Forward Thinking
Simon Wong, Chartered Financial Planner at JM Finn, explains how to plan for your child’s private school education . Are there any ways to cut the cost of a private school education? Any aspiring parent wishing to send their children to...
Winter Sports
What’s on offer to keep pupils active during chillier months? WT speaks to Dulwich Prep Cranbrook and The King’s School, Canterbury about the range of sports available. Mrs Jo Wilson, Head of PE and Games at Dulwich Prep Cranbrook What...
Beyond the Classroom
University, college or straight into a career? Reigate Grammar School and ACS International Schools discuss what help is on hand when it comes to making choices for life after secondary education. Matthew Buzzacott, Head of Careers at Reigate Grammar School,...
Heads Down
When it comes to successful exam revision, it’s all in the motivation, as Hilary Wilce explains. For some students, the new school year means retake exams looming ahead. For many others, there will be new tests and exams coming down...
Making Sense of the World
Hilary Wilce looks at how politics is approached in the classroom. As I write this, we have no idea where the country will be heading this autumn, and whatever your political views, you’ll probably agree that this is a time...
Join Our Club
We explore the vast range of after-school activities on offer across schools in the South East. From tug of war to mindfulness colouring, there's no shortage of options.
Word Play
Which languages are students choosing to study? And how are they being applied to life after school? We look into language matters at Buckswood School and Ashford School.
Play & Learn
Our children need to explore and have fun, it’s a key part of their development, as Hilary Wilce explains… For all of us, summer is a time of play. Children play in the long days free from school. Adults play...
The whole person and nothing but the whole person
Dr Adrian Rainbow, Deputy Head (Co-curriculum) of Sevenoaks School, describes how the whole person education philosophy is applied there and the benefits pupils – and society – enjoy from it We live in precarious times: climate change, species extinction, tariff...
Early years – ask the experts
Ashford Prep School – The Pre-Prep Team How can parents best support their child as they start in Reception? Be positive as this is an exciting time. Don’t make school a big deal as this can make children more fearful of...
On their marks…
A lifelong love of exercise can be inspired by the right approach to teaching sport at the earliest stage. Ashford Prep School – Harrison Straw – Head of Pre-Prep PE I believe it is very important for children to take...
Planting the seed
Gardening is good for everyone’s wellbeing – and children who grow their own vegetables are far more likely to eat them. We hear from two schools where pupils grow their own. Dulwich PrepCranbrook Dulwich Prep Cranbrook has a Gardening Club...
Prep School – ask the experts
Invaluable tips from experienced teachers for each stage of education. Here we talk about prep school.
Is your child ready to become a Cyber Attack Agent or an Algorithm Bias Auditor?
Jeremy Lewis, Head of School at ACS Egham International School, looks at ways you can ensure your child is prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century workplace What will today’s children be when they enter the workplace? With...
School of Rock
Violins and flutes are all very well, but a great way to engage a wider swathe of young people with music is to allow them to play the style they most identify with.
Educating the whole child
Our education writer Hilary Wilce explains the new – and ancient – philosophy which is coming back to the fore in British schools. A radical and exciting revolution is taking place in education and it’s one guaranteed to produce happier...
Going up to big school – ask the experts
The New Beacon – Mike Piercy, Headmaster How involved should the child be in the choice of upper school? Involved yes, but not the ultimate decision-maker. Often, a child will be influenced by where his/her friends are going, which again should not...
GCSEs – ask the experts
This is the most stressful time of the whole school journey – how can parents best support their children? Planning can really help here. During holiday times, in the run-up and half term in the middle of exams, make sure...
Meet the matrons (or house parents as they are now called)
Boarding can be a wonderful experience, producing independent young people, ready to go out into the world – but the prospect can be daunting, so who better to ask for advice about it than matron? (sorry, house parent)
The life scientific
Nick Ellwood of Tonbridge School explains the thinking behind the school’s state-of-the-art new science centre.
Room to Grow
"I don’t remember my first day at senior school, but for my children it was a very big deal indeed,” says Francie Healy, Headmaster of Bethany School in Kent. He has wide experience of supporting pupils – including his own...
Going solo
Team sports don’t suit everyone – some pupils flourish competing alone. We speak to schools about their solo sports offerings. Hurst College Rebecca Jutson, Assistant Director of Girls’ Sport With a greater number of students in the school we are...
6th form – ask the experts
Invaluable advice from experienced teachers for every stage of education. Here we talk about Sixth Form, when important decisions have to be made. Frewen College – Hazel Lawrence, Head of Sixth Form At this stage our kids are young adults –...
The Great Outdoors
Hilary Wilce explores the benefits of forest schools. Not long ago, I was walking with a friend through local woods when we came across a ring of tree stumps and various hazel dens and rope swings. “Oh, it’s probably the...
Travelling hopefully
What children gain from the journey of education is far more important than results says Hilary Wilce. A primary school in Rotherham has turned itself around by putting music at the heart of its curriculum. Not long ago, Inspectors put the...
Reduce Reuse Recycle
How are the South East’s schools developing their pupils’ environmental awareness? We talk to four schools about all things eco-friendly. Reigate St Mary’s, Reigate How do you teach pupils to be more aware of the impact they have on the...
Brain Waves
Hilary Wilce discovers that, in certain situations, we should be working with our mobile phones, not necessarily against them. Mobile phones are a really big headache for schools. Now that nine out of ten teenagers own a smartphone, schools have...
