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...

Ahead of the curve

Occupying a prime position on the pebbly beach, an actual stone’s throw from Folkestone’s gently lapping waves, Shoreline’s contemporary new homes are a jewel in this creative and bustling town’s crown It started about 18 months ago. First there were...

The News

The latest information from schools across the South East Sporting Success St Andrew’s Prep St Andrew’s Prep has been celebrating a series of outstanding sporting achievements. The 1st XI football team and the girls’ 1st hockey team both advanced to...

Future Ready

Dr Robert Harrison, Director of Education and Integrated Technology at ACS International Schools, explores the skills our children need to thrive in the future Today’s students are facing complex challenges and changes, socially, in labour markets, with emerging technologies and...

Olympic Dreams

Excellence, respect and friendship – we find out how Olympic values are inspiring pupils across the South East Spring Grove School A special assembly gave pupils a little taste of Olympic success Spring Grove is a small school with big...

AI & I

How are our schools exploring the use of AI in the classroom? Hilden Oaks and Hazelwood explain how they’re incorporating it into their pupils’ learning Hilden Oaks As educators in a digital world, Hilden Oaks Prep have become accustomed to...

How to ace the 11+

We go straight to the experts to find out how to support your child through testing times The School Following recent VAT changes and the subsequent increase in costs for families in independent education, grammar schools are potentially becoming even...

Introducing…Noodle

We take a look at the joy and comfort Churcher’s College Junior School & Nursery’s school dog brings to pupils Noodle, the school dog, is a well-loved member of Churcher’s College Junior School and Nursery. He is known for his...

Growing from STEMs

The four disciplines of STEM are empowering young learners Empowering Young Women at Notre Dame School What are the benefits of an all-girls setting? Academically, socially and emotionally, girls educated at all-girls’ schools are excelling. We see that every day...

Get what you give

We hear about how schools are guiding students to give back to their communities Sacred Heart School, Wadhurst Headteacher, Jo Collyer, explains how pupils at this nurturing, independent school in East Sussex are encouraged to think beyond themselves and support...

Step up!

Sarah Maxwell explains how to squeeze in your 10,000 steps a day The idea of walking 10,000 steps a day rapidly became the global standard for good health. Doctors, health authorities, magazines and news articles recommended it, but it was...

Nourish to Flourish

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lauexplores the benefits of incorporating another healthy ingredient into our diets. This month it’s rainbow veg With many of us relying on less healthy convenience foods, invest some time to retune your palate by concentrating...

Frozen Scents

Jo Arnell brings pockets of joy to the winter garden with her recommendations for fine fragrances The bleak end of winter can bring the coldest weather, the gloomiest skies and the sinking feeling that spring is never coming back. This...

Farm Fables

Jane Howard makes a surprise discovery when re-evaluating the Coopers Farm flock Malcolm the scan man has just been to PD (Pregnancy Diagnose) the ewes before they lamb in March. 68%, not bad, has been better. That is the figure...

From City to shoreline

Interior architect Marta Nowicka’s recently remodelled cottage, nestled on the edge of Camber Sands, is the definition of a retreat. Tucked away from the bustle of urban life, this special house offers a pared-back, lived-in aesthetic that allows the atmosphere...

The Mother of Invention

With a background in fashion, Susan Wild has brought her individual aesthetic to the adventurous renovation of an old office building in Faversham, transforming it into an interest-filled family home that’s taken its cue from an ageing French chateau When...

Ski Safe

Paul Hamilton, Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon at Ashtead Hospital talks us through his guide to how you can try to prevent the most common ski injuries Common Ski Injuries Ankle twists and sprains are frequent, even with supportive ski...

4 spas we love

Enter the New Year feeling refreshed and rejuvenated with a trip to one of our fab four local spas 1 The one for fitness At Foxhills in Chertsey, Surrey you’ll find all the best spa facilities but also active leisure...

All About the Optics

Eye tests are ever-evolving and it’s not just about going for your new pair of glasses any more! So we are asking the experts at Wilson, Wilson and Hancock to explain the latest in eye scanning technology Our eyes are...

Your skin & the gym

Sarah Maxwell explains how to adapt your skincare regime to your workouts Happy New Year – fit healthy bodies and skin are in! Whether lifting weights at the gym, hitting the great outdoors or giving it your all in yoga...