The NEWS

The latest information from schools across the South East An exciting new chapter Long recognised as one of the world’s finest boarding schools, The King’s School Canterbury is increasing its versatility and accessibility this autumn with the introduction of flexi-boarding,...

Meet the…Pupils

Hilden Grange headteacher, Malcolm Gough invited Gordon Lee to speak directly to two of their pupils – Anish (Year 8) and Cassia (Year 6) and this is what he learnt A friend once told me that all he wanted for...

Meet the…Head

We enjoyed catching up with Louise Chamberlain, Headmistress of Walthamstow Hall What were your aims when you first took on the role of Headmistress? Firstly, there were certain things I really wanted to preserve, like the ethos of the school....

Flying Colours

We’re asking the experts to find all the best advice to get you through exam season 3 Steps to success Benenden School’s Exams department share their 3 steps to effective revision Step 1 Notes. Students need something to learn from....

Adapt, Adopt, Improve

We’re looking into how schools are introducing and expanding provision in certain areas of study to keep ahead in a changing world AI Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate tell us how they are harnessing AI Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. Schools...

Move on Up

At various stages of each educational journey, there is a leap to be taken from one school to another, so the question is, how can we best make those transitions? Free to be Me Jon Chesworth, Headteacher of Banstead Prep...

Baby Steps

Nursery is where the first memories and attitudes to school and friendships are created, so invest some time and effort to find the place that best fits According to Ashford Prep School, going to nursery school gives very young children...

A Season to Sing

Mike Piercy sings the praises of music as a vital part of education My French teacher was a bit of a hero. Back in the ’70s there was too much ‘chalk and talk’ in the classroom. Languages (modern and classical),...

Sunny side up

In the centre of Rochester, a charmingly wonky house with the most enviable views out over the cathedral and castle has been expertly renovated by a local couple with a keen interest in the building’s heritage Of all the Medway...

A guest wing with soul

The recently completed renovation of Scarlett Gowing and her husband Josh’s Victorian home to include a guest wing has resulted in a unique three-bedroom escape that showcases Scarlett’s enviable skills in both interior design and sourcing unusual vintage pieces Tucked...

Area Focus Kentish Coast

We’re focusing in on 3 areas of the Kentish coast to visit this summer, bringing you all the best to see and do in these inviting seaside destinations 1. Ramsgate First up we have the charming and bustling harbour town...

Nourish to Flourish

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lauexplores the benefits of incorporating another healthy ingredient into our diets. This month she’s focusing in on asparagus As the seasons shift and lighter meals start to replace hearty winter stews and Sunday roasts, asparagus...

Coriander chicken curry

Mix the yoghurt and garam masala in a large bowl. Add the chicken pieces, marinade for 2 hours or longer. In a big pan, heat the olive oil and gently cook the onions, cinnamon, bay and a pinch of salt...

Teriyaki salmon with cashew, cucumber, carrot & rice noodle salad

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Put the salmon in an oven proof dish. Mix all the teriyaki ingredients together, pour over the salmon, sprinkle over the sesame seeds, and cook for 15-20mins. For the noodle salad: Soak the rice noodles...

Spicy Slaw

Chop the red cabbage and carrots using the coarse setting of your food processor grater, or finely chop. Finely slice the peppers and spring onions if using. Make the dressing by whisking all the ingredients together in a bowl. Put...

Chilli sausage bites

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Pop all the meatballs ingredients in a bowl, season generously with salt and pepper, and mix – I use my hands. When thoroughly mixed roll into balls, about 2 bites' worth (slightly smaller than a...

Work it!

Sarah Maxwell explores the world of wearable health and fitness tech Wearable technology has revolutionised how many of us approach our health and fitness. Catering to everyone from casual walkers to dedicated athletes. With the integration of smart AI, cutting-edge...

Pebble for Your Thoughts

Jo Arnell gets to grips with low maintenance gravel gardening Imagine an eco-friendly garden that is easy to care for, that you don’t have to water, with – best of all – no grass to mow? I’m not talking about...

Farm Fables

Jane Howard explores the complex love lives of our visiting swallows What a relief it was when the swallows returned to the old Oast House at Coopers Farm. When we first came they were plentiful, there would be thirty or...

School News

Historic Schools Merge In September 2025, two prestigious prep schools, Marlborough House School and Vinehall School will merge. The new school will be known as Marlborough House Vinehall and will operate on the existing Vinehall site. Marlborough House Vinehall will...

Open your mind

A fascinating home in the heart of Lydd has been lovingly preserved as a celebration of the creative and vibrant couple who painstakingly renovated it over the course of two decades It seems rather appropriate, on entering The Captain’s House,...

Out of the ordinary

Boutique owner Tara McCarraher’s conversion of a dilapidated cartwheel workshop in the grounds of her property has resulted in a romantic and cosy holiday retreat that, due to its peaceful surroundings, many guests choose not to leave for the duration...

Tone it up!

Sarah Maxwell explains how to perfect your triceps Did you know that your triceps (triceps brachii) are the largest muscle in your arm? The triceps comprise of three powerful heads and are the key to unlocking strength, definition and injury...

Nourish to Flourish

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lauexplores the benefits of incorporating another healthy ingredient into our diets. This month she’s focusing in on getting enough fibre World Digestion Day falls at the end of the month and it is the perfect...

Veg Out

Jo Arnell unearths all you need to know about planting veg this May May is a fantastic month for growing vegetables. The frosts should have passed (but do watch the weather forecast just in case!), the soil is warm, the...

Farm Fables

Jane Howard gets to the bottom of an all-male embryo conundrum Ne’er cast a clout till May is out. An old English proverb which I casually threw into the conversation while riding along some especially beautiful country lanes with my...

Glow Up

A strong and trusting architect-client relationship has resulted in a brilliant expansion of a house in Surrey that was crying out for a change Michelle is very laid back telling me about the renovation of her Surrey home, particularly when...

Small yet perfectly formed

This pocket-sized apartment located in the former home of Decimus Burton in St Leonards packs a serious style punch, a signature look of its interior designer owner, Christina Byrn While Christina Byrn’s stunning ground-floor apartment in St Leonards (that featured...

Daisy cupcakes

Pre-heat the oven to 160°C and place cupcake cases into a 12 hole muffin tin. Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well to prevent curdling. Add the rest of...

Cheesy chicks

Peel and roughly chop the potatoes then place in boiling water and cook until soft. Remove from the heat, drain and mash. Mix in the cheddar and mozzarella cheese, add one of the eggs and combine. Shape the mixture into...

Flowerpot carrot cakes

Pre-heat the oven to 160°C and place cake cases into a 12 hole muffin tin. Whip the eggs until almost stiff, then gradually add the sugar a little at a time, beating between additions. Carefully add the rest of the...

Lemon & poppyseed bundt cake

Pre-heat the oven to 160°C. Grease the inside of the bundt tin really well – it is easy for this cake to get stuck in the tin, so I brush with oil and then sprinkle with flour. Cream together the...

Sleep tight!

Sarah Maxwell looks into forming healthy sleep habits As someone who’s always been a night owl, I’ve had my fair share of battles with my sleep schedule. I’ve tried everything from sleep tracking to hypnosis. Some have worked for a...

Nourish to Flourish

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lauexplores the benefits of incorporating another healthy ingredient into our diets. This month it’s eggs In the UK, it is estimated that we consume over 12 billion eggs a year. However you like them –...

Finding a School

A Head for 25 years, Mike Piercy is now an educational consultant and school governor. Here, he advises on choosing the right fit for your child I confess. I admit it. I failed the 11+. Once upon a time all...

Farm Fables

Jane Howard takes note of the spring changes at Coopers Farm At last, spring has sprung and Coopers Farm feels very full of new life and possibility. In the past couple of years we have dug out lots of 'ghost...

A five star home

Interiors writer Nick Rampley-Clarke’s beautiful Surrey home – that he shares with his husband, John, and their springer spaniel, India – is a masterclass in comfort and style Nestled in the heart of Surrey, the home of Nicky Rampley-Clarke and...

Natural light

Alie Carter’s new home, surrounded by rolling East Sussex countryside, is a beautiful example of how she’s applied decades of interior design experience to create her perfect and very personal environment Wealden Times was borne from a desire to celebrate...

Blueberry & chia seed cinnamon muffins

Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a 12 hole muffin tray with paper cases Combine the flours, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Then make a well in the centre. In a jug, mix the yoghurt,...

Speedy, smoky creamy beans on toast

Heat a splash of olive oil in a pan, warm gently then add the tomato concentrate and spices. Stir through and allow to cook for a few moments. Add the beans, with any liquid. Season with some salt and pepper,...

Granola with a warm berry compote & yoghurt

Preheat the oven to 180°C Mix the nuts, oats, grated apple, cinnamon, oil and syrup. Make sure the apple separates. Spread over a large baking tray or two and cook for 20 mins. You may need to turn it a...

Bacon, mushroom & cheese frittata

Grease and line 20cm tin with non stick baking parchment. Preheat the oven to 180°C Pop some olive oil in a frying pan and gently fry the onions, taking care not to burn them. After a few mins, add the...

Foot notes

Sarah Maxwell shares her tips for buying just the right trainers for running and beyond In the ever-evolving world of sports and fitness training, good training shoes are essential to enhance performance and minimise the risk of injury. Historically, training...

Nourish to Flourish

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lauexplores the benefits of incorporating another healthy ingredient into our diets. This month it’s oats Oats – especially whole oats – are a nutritional powerhouse and a great source of vitamins, minerals and fibre, yet...

A rose by any other name

Jo Arnell explores the magic of hellebores, the flowering stars of the early spring garden In the early days of the spring when not much blooms, we are clutching at straws – and I’ll agree that anything that might resemble...

Pleased to meet you

A Head for 25 years, Mike Piercy is now an educational consultant and school governor. Here, he contemplates the interview process We’ve all had them – for better or for worse. The nerves, the palpitations, the fear of a sweaty...

Farm Fables

Jane Howard readies herself for the farm's new arrivals Time to get ready for lambing! First task is prepping the shed and that’s quite a big job. Up until recently it was full of hay but the cows have munched...

An oasis of calm

Having worked in conflict zones around the world throughout her career, humanitarian Christina Byrn has always turned to interior design as a way of decompressing. Now, she’s embarking on a brand new adventure, growing her love for decor into a...