FEATURED POSTS
Sporting Success
Congratulations to Mayfield School, which has been named one of the top 20 all-girls schools for cricket Mayfield School has been named as one of the UK’s best cricket schools....
New Tricks
We explore the Canham family’s kitchen, a barn conversion transformation that mixes traditional touches with modern a twist to make a truly timeless space The Canham’s kitchen was once a...
Something Blue
Amanda Lafontant, senior designer at Aston Matthews, explains how she transformed this family bathroom into an elegant retreat Creating a family bathroom in a period property is always a challenge....
Minds Matter
New Beacon give us the lowdown on their forthcoming Mental Health Masterclass Ask any teacher about the impact of Covid and lockdowns on children’s development and it will not be...
Pattern & Purpose
Interior designer Justine Hodgson-Barker was tasked with creating a rural retreat for a couple who divide their time between town and country, taking into account their love of fabrics, texture and colour Down a leafy lane, in the picturesque middle...
Natural Blend
Recipe developer and cookery teacher Charlotte Butterworth’s house is centred around her spacious Neptune kitchen, where she has created a new heart for this impressively proportioned family home Sometimes, when buying a house, it’s all about a feeling. You’ve only...
Buried Treasure
Jo Arnell applies cooking principles to the garden this month, as she starts planning her bulb lasanges I’m doing my best squirrel impression this month, scuttling around, digging holes and burying bulbs in the hope that, come the spring, welcome...
A Destination of a Different Nature
Sue Whigham reflects on her natural findings on a recent trip to Sweden Whilst I’d been warned that this year Sweden had been having a very wet summer, I hadn’t taken into account what might be the result of this...
Meet the Head: Walthamstow Hall
We really enjoyed catching up with Louise Chamberlain, headteacher at Walthamstow Hall, Sevenoaks With a lifelong interest in medical microbiology and its impact on societies, coupled with a great passion for education, Louise Chamberlain is well-placed to navigate her school...
Creative Influence
Nicki Cox’s sublimely curated home is a real showcase of her talent for combining artwork and texture in her interesting interiors “I instinctively knew how I was going to decorate this house,” says interior designer Nicki Cox, the owner of...
Fair stands the wind
A history lover’s dream, Abbots Cliff House in Capel Le Ferne, near Folkestone, is full of stories waiting to be discovered by guests who book a stay at this very special clifftop house Iconic landmarks don’t come up for sale...
Meet the Head
We’ve been getting to know Ashford School’s Mr Tiley Nunn What did you study at university? Having known since as long as I can remember that I wanted to be a primary school teacher, I studied Primary Education at Canterbury Christ...
Trailblazing
We ask two high-achieving schools how they are staying ahead of the curve and designing a new path for the future of learning Parkside School, Cobham Parkside School is committed to innovative learning and so we’ve asked them to share...
Where to Start?
How do you choose the right prep school? How far ahead should you plan? What will give your child the best start in life? There are so many big questions when it comes to prep schools, so we’ve asked three...
How do you choose a Prep School?
The Granville School give us three key tips to help navigate the process of finding the right school Know your childNobody knows your son or daughter better than you do. Of course, they may only be 3 or 4 years...
What are the Long-Term Effects of Prep?
Getting the right kind of education in place for a child just starting school holds the key to success later on. “We know from research that what happens before a child is seven-years-old is crucial to the development of that...
A New Adventure
Starting school is the beginning of an amazing journey, but it is also a big transition. We find out how to make it as smooth as possible Stepping Stones The first day at school is an emotional milestone for both...
EXTRA EXTRA Curriculars
Dulwich Cranbrook tells us what adventures extra curriculars hold beyond the classroom At Dulwich Cranbrook, every child is furnished with the skills and confidence to develop and grow, empowering them to steer the course of their future. Our broad and...
Meet Lizzie…
Mayfield student, Lizzie, explains how extra-curricular interests and sport have enriched her life at Mayfield At Mayfield, we believe happiness is the key to thriving at school and so we place a strong emphasis on creating a nurturing environment for...
Green Flags
In 2022, Lingfield College received the prestigious Green Flag Award ‘with Distinction’ from Eco Schools, with the Senior School following suit in June 2023 – the only school in Surrey to receive the award at this level. So how do...
Raising Voices
Read all about it! Gavin Bunker, Headteacher at Claremont Prep School tells us about what makes the news at his school At Claremont, ‘student voice’ is at the heart of the learning experience. It enables children to shape their own...
It’s all in the preparation
Emily Pavey heads to The Small Holding to improve her gardening skills at a Grow the Seasons session Perhaps I’m not cut out for gardening – don’t tell anyone, but I find weeding a bit upsetting. Who am I to...
Paving the way
Jo Arnell discusses what you need to consider when embarking on a quest to create the ultimate hard landscaping in your garden Lawns are lovely to walk and sit on in the summer, but not so tempting when the weather...
Where the Wild Things are
Sue Whigham caught up with Lou Carpenter of Marden Wildlife and the Marden Farmer Cluster to learn about their inspiring work We had our first green-winged orchid flowering here this year and the excitement when we spotted it knew no...
Gordon’s School – Sixth Form
‘The Sixth Form is Outstanding. Students make excellent progress and achieve high academic standards’ OFSTED Scholarships offered in Sport and Creative Arts. To book an Open Event – www.gordons.school Address: GORDON'S SCHOOL WEST END WOKING SURREY GU24 9PT Telephone number:...
Gordon’s School – Co-Curricular
Over 128 extra-curricular activities available. Partnerships with Harlequins, Surrey Storm and Aldershot Town FC. Scholarships available in Sport and Creative Arts. Open event booking – www.gordons.school Address: GORDON'S SCHOOL WEST END WOKING SURREY GU24 9PT Telephone number: 01276 858084 Admissions...
Gordon’s School – Boarding in Surrey
‘Students who attend the boarding school provision exceed their predicted outcomes and consistently reach, and further, their potential.’ OFSTED 2019 Open Events this Autumn To book – www.gordons.school Address: GORDON'S SCHOOL WEST END WOKING SURREY GU24 9PT Telephone number: 01276...
Through the looking glass
A magical lodge nestles amid ancient woodland, creating a perfect haven – with minimal impact on the precious environment In the many years I’ve been writing about lovely houses for this magazine, there has been one constant: the outside is...
In the Frame
An art-filled house overlooking Alexandra Park in Hastings has provided the perfect living space for a couple who split their time between two properties in this creative town Camilla Ruiz Ramirez is a textile designer who was previously based in...
Tap into itTap
Sarah Maxwell explores the benefits of EFT A while ago I developed hives on my face and neck during a particularly stressful period.After several months of tests and multiple prescriptions for lotions, potions and pills, the hives were still spreading...
Super speedy avocado toast
It has become a bit of a cliché, but you really can’t beat avocado on toast! The combination of smooth avocado and crunchy toast is the perfect pairing… top with a poached egg and you have a balanced meal based...
Back to Basics
Sue Whigham explores the wonderful biodiversity on the Isle of Oxney We got pretty excited early this morning when we spotted a large stand of ragwort behind a hedge (and luckily nowhere near livestock). Why? Because that would explain the...
Message in a Bottle
Jo Arnell finds out that there’s so much more to terrariums than first meets the eye when she meets Sebastian Tribe, founder of Terrapy Making a self-sustaining botanical world filled with beautiful, miniature plants is – if Sebastian Tribe has...
Interior with real identity
Justine Hodgson-Barker’s personality-led approach to interior design has ensured the success of her interiors business. Here she shows us inside her own home which epitomises her love of combining different eras and styles to great effect On the day I...
An Artists’ Retreat
Creative couple Alexa and Robin Easterby have escaped the city to turn their lockdown relocation into a thriving artists’ community that continues to flourish The serious desire to change their lives and focus on new creative endeavours was one of...
Individual Salmon en Croutes
This familiar dish looks as if it’s tricky and long-winded to prepare, but it is much simpler than the beefy version, especially if you use ready rolled pastry. I’ve made these as individual servings, but you could also use a...
Coconut Prawn Curry
This is a really quick and simple curry – large succulent prawns go well with the spicy coconut sauce. Use either king, tiger or Atlantic prawns – fresh or frozen. Gently sauté onions, garlic and spices for 5 minutes in...
Ready for Round Two?
Jo Arnell heads to the veg patch to prep for an autumn harvest If you have some space in the vegetable garden – or if you’ve been thinking about growing vegetables but haven’t got round to it yet – there...
Falling for you
Sue Whigham explores the magnetic attraction of majestic irises Whilst we all have regrets, my current one is not having made the effort to go to RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year. And whilst there’s good coverage on the TV,...
Up A Level
Fancy a trip to the seaside? The redesign of a much-loved family holiday home near Dungeness has resulted in a coastal escape with all the mod cons you could hope for Simon Tyler is a person who, ‘enjoys a project’....
Two Pocketfuls of Rye
Sisters Cherry and Heather formed the perfect partnership to revamp a pair of historic cottages in Rye’s picturesque Citadel Rye Citadel, sitting up on the hill above Romney Marsh, is a medieval high point in a sheep-speckled landscape that was...
We built a zoo
Never work with animals or children, they said. Forget that! We’ve been so excited to hear all about Bede’s zoo. If you go down to Bede’s Senior school, you’re in for a big surprise. In the heart of its 120-acre...
In Harmony
At Chinthurst, we want our children to be happy and confident young people, with a lifelong love of learning and the foundations for a happy and successful adulthood. Music enriches life and is an important part of the curriculum. We...
don’t stop the music
At Reed’s School music education is an integral part of life, with a focus on creating an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages pupils to explore their musical talents and passions. Music is a key aspect of the curriculum, starting...
Tuning in
Music and singing are integral to the cultural and spiritual life of Sacred Heart School in Wadhurst. As a Catholic school, masses and school liturgies include beautiful hymns. This community singing is a wonderful bonding experience for the children and teachers alike.Sacred Heart...
Meet the Head
We’ve been getting to know The New BeaconPrep School’s new Head, Sarah Brownsdon Sarah Brownsdon is the newly appointed Head of The New Beacon Prep School, whose alumni stretch from Siegfried Sassoon to England sportsmen Zac Crawley, Sam Billings, and...
Big Thoughts
Mrs Sophie Bradshaw, Head of The Dulwich School Cranbrook, ponders how school and class size may affect the mental health of students A great deal has changed in our schools over the last 50-70 years. Blackboards and chalk have been...
a little bit extra
Adding fun, broadening horizons and creating well-rounded pupils – extra curriculars are thriving at Marlborough House School School life extends well beyond the classroom at Marlborough House, where co-curricular activity afternoons have been introduced in the Prep-School aimed at increasing the enrichment...
Duck with honey & fennel
Our favourite duck supplier is Creedy Carver in Devon who grow incredible quality free-range ducks at their farm in Devon. The poultry industry has been badly affected by avian influenza so we – chefs and consumers alike – need to...
Strawberry & elderflower buttermilk puddings
Serves 6-8June is when the new season strawberries are sweet and juicy, and the trees are full of frothy elderflower. Together, they make a delightful early summer dessert. In a pan, combine the cream, buttermilk and sugar and heat until...
Heaven Scent
Jo Arnell explains what you need to create the ultimate insect-attractor – a nectar border Insects may look insignificant, but they are pollinating our plants, playing vital roles in ecosystems and generally going about their minute business, quietly underpinning much...
