Education
‘Could do Better’
A Head for 25 years, Mike Piercy is now an educational consultant and school governor. Here, he looks ahead to school reports The long Autumn Term draws to a close. Nativity costumes have been procured (not a dry eye in...
Trend Setters
The latest in education fromtwo of our schools Ashford School tells us about theGreat Work Ethic When sixth formers start to think about university, inevitably they have to consider potential career directions and life after study. Teenagers with a clear...
When to Step In
A Head for 25 years, Mike Piercy is now an educational consultant and governor at two schools. Here, he looks at assessing when parents should intervene How was your day, darling?’ the routine words on collecting from school as he...
Best in Class
The latest in education from inside and outside the classroom We hear from Tuition Extra – who provide flexible education opportunities The Tuition Extra Group, led by celebrated CEO, Ruth Minhall, is an outstanding Kent-based education service offering aspirational learning...
Home on the Grange
Sophie Owen, Head of Admissions at Hilden Grange, gives us an insight into the school Located in the middle of Tonbridge, Hilden Grange School is a co-educational school for children from Nursery to Year 8.Spread over 22 acres of grounds,...
No Substitute for the Real Thing
A Head for 25 years, Mike Piercy is now an educational consultant and governor at two schools, here he looks at ‘artificial’ intelligence Can there be anything revolutionary about teaching as we hurtle towards the second quarter of the twenty-first...
What’s New?For the latest education bulletins read on…
Marlborough House named Small Independent School of the Year in 2024 Shortlist Marlborough House are feeling like winners as they have been shortlisted for the ‘Small Independent School of the Year’ category of the Independent Schools of the Year Awards...
The New Beacon
We hear from The New Beacon about their extensive and enriching beyond-the-classroom opportunities Iceland or Paris, Ightham Mote or Wisley, Reculver or Ypres, Italy or Ramsgate?! At The New Beacon there is no need to choose, 30 trips ran for our...
Churchers’s College
Penny Daniel, who teaches English at Churcher’s College, runs the school’s First and World Challenge expedition programmes, alongside her husband who also teaches at the school. She tells us all about their wonderful travels. Standing above the clouds on top...
4 Questions to Consider when choosing a boarding school
Looking for a Boarding School that is as unique as your child? Sotiria Vlahodimou, Headteacher at Slindon College, suggests boarding schools can benefit pupils of all abilities and backgrounds 2. What about the quality of staff? Boarding Houseparents should be...
Top Tips To get you started at boarding school
Settling into a new school can be challenging, especially for first-time boarders. The Duke of York’s Royal Military School are experienced in providing a seamless transition for students, and their parents – here are their top tips Select a School...
How to be New
Invaluable advice on how to help your child settle into their new setting 5 Top Tips Sarah Nunn, the Deputy Head, Academic at Banstead Prep School, shares tips for starting at a new school or nursery Starting school for the...
First Steps
We hear how familiarity and positivity are key factors in settling in at Little Hearts Nursery, Sacred Heart School Settling a child into nursery can be a smooth process with a few thoughtful strategies. At Little Hearts Nursery, Sacred Heart School, we...
Growing Little Vines
Vinehall School explain how they help little ones settle at nursery Starting nursery is a significant milestone for both children and parents, often accompanied by excitement and anxiety. At Little Vines Nursery, we understand the importance of this transition and...
Introducing… Benenden School’s new Head
Benenden School is delighted to welcome Ms Rachel Bailey as their new Head this term. Rachel is an experienced educational leader with a clear track record of delivering a holistic education centred on strong academics while building the confidence, resilience...
Introducing… Kent College Pembury
We hear about Kent College Pembury from the Head, Miss Katrina Handford Kent College Pembury is a school which ensures every student, whether they are 3 or 18 years of age, succeeds above and beyond their potential. Whatever a student’s...
Introducing… Hilden Oaks’ new Headteacher
Hilden Oaks Preparatory School & Nursery are delighted to announce that Mrs Sharon Wade is stepping up to become Headteacher from September. Mrs Wade has been Deputy Head at Hilden Oaks for the past nine years and has been instrumental...
Introducing… Millfield Prep School
Millfield Prep School is a co-educational day and boarding school for ages 2-13 in 200 acres of Somerset countryside. The school was recently named the Independent Prep School of the Year, Best Sports School in the country for the 10th...
deus ex machina
We learn about AI and its wide-ranging impact on education Ashford School Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not ‘coming to a school near you’, it is already there. Teachers, parents and children are only just starting to see what impact AI...
Sevenoaks Prep
Sevenoaks Prep tell us about their AI initiatives for both staff and students At Sevenoaks Prep, we have always aimed to be forward-thinking when it comes to integrating new technologies into our educational framework. We have proactively initiated a comprehensive...
Golden Tickets
Bursaries at Reigate Grammar School change lives and build futures Reigate Grammar School (RGS), the leading coeducational day school in Surrey, is dedicated to providing top-tier education while ensuring financial accessibility for all students. With a rich history dating back...
Guardians of the Galaxy
We’ve been getting to know Nattakarn (Ruk) and Jude, Cobham Hall’s Guardian and Deputy Guardian Ruk and Jude took time away from a whole school activity day celebrating the empowerment of women, to talk to us about life at Cobham...
Back to School
A Head for 25 years, Mike Piercy is now an educational consultant and governor at two schools, here he looks forward to the new academic year What’s in the school toolkit? What’s in the pencil case? Parents may remember their...
7 Steps to Master Homework
The Learning and Development Team at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate share all their best homework tips
Happy Holidays
Mike Piercy, education consultant and former Head of The New Beacon,reflects on the end of the school year The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.’ LP Hartley, The Go-Between. What a captivating, beguiling opening to a...
Great Expectations
Mike Piercy, education consultant and former Head of The New Beacon, gives his opinion on tutoring There’s nothing wrong with ambition; indeed it is to be praised. Encouragement of ambition is inherent in parenthood and teaching.I have something of a...
Creative Thinking
Online educators, Technology Triumphs, talk us through their approach “There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all,” – Edward De Bono, the originator of the term lateral thinking.Despite this, creative pursuits have been seemingly...
5 Top Tips to get exam ready
Help your child navigate exam season with help from the experts It is no secret that, for some students, the exam season represents a stressful time. Antony Nesling and Beverley Bloem, Diploma Coordinator and High School Counsellor at ACS International...
Back of the Net
As we all cheer on the rise of girls football, we’re going behind the scenes at Queen Ethelburga’s to find out how our schools can meet the new demand and achieve some fantastic goals Supported by both excellent results by the...
Girls & Boys
Two schools tell us about the benefits of a single sex education The Granville School Gloria Steinem said, ‘Don’t think about making women fit the world – think about making the world fit women,’ and that is what we aim...
The Great Outdoors
Joff Powis, Head of Vinehall Schoo,l explains the benefits of Outdoor Learning In the realm of education, the allure of the great outdoors is often overshadowed by the structured confines of traditional classroom settings. However, the paradigm is shifting, and...
Future Leaders
The Duke of York’s Royal Military School explain how they foster resilience and growth In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, where adaptability and fortitude reign supreme, the quest for exceptional leadership and resilience has never been more crucial. Parents, recognising...
Live at the Coliseum
Benenden School perform historic first at the London Coliseum Benenden School recently made history twice – not only being the first school to ever perform at the London Coliseum, but also putting on the first ever production of Joseph and...
Absolutely Wizard
Manor House School report on their recent heart-warming drama production Last term, pupils in the Senior School came together to perform over three nights for their Senior Production, The Wizard of Oz, and what a show it was.The school hall...
Home from Home
Creating the right environment for young children to thrive is a fine art – Head of Pre Prep and Early Years at Hilden Grange, Sheena Sowerby – shares how it’s done Young children need a safe, nurturing environment where they...
Meet the Head
We’ve been getting to know Lindie Louw, Head of Hazelwood School Hazelwood School is a coeducational Nursery and Prep School set amongst 25 acres of woodlands on the Surrey Kent border. We enjoyed hearing about their forward-thinking approach. What led...
Past & Future
Three schools celebrate their rich heritage and look forward to bright tomorrows 150 Years in the Making at Marlborough House School In 1874, the year Disraeli succeeded Gladstone as Prime Minister, Thomas Hardy published ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ and...
We are the Champions
Sir William Perkins’s School explain the importance of championing the individual as they lead the way in personalised education At Sir William Perkins’s School, the ethos of championing the individual is not just a motto but a way of life....
Sew, what next?
An online education provider tells all about their exciting creative options Technology Triumphs is a Kent based, award-winning distance learning provider set up specifically for young people.Established by qualified teacher Pip Rothwell in 2019, with the aim to provide additional...
Doing things Differently
We hear from Frensham Heights where, from their foundation, they have taken a progressive approach to education Nestled on 125 acres in the beautiful Surrey Hills just 40 miles from London, Frensham Heights offers a coeducational day and boarding experience...
Speaking Sense
Mike Piercy, education consultant and former Head of The New Beacon, turns language pupil A favourite word: smellfungus. A favourite book: The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (two weighty tomes). A favourite pursuit: looking up a word, getting distracted by other,...
Perfect Pitch
Mike Piercy, education consultant and former Head of The New Beacon, sings the praises of music in education What exactly is it that drives parents to make huge sacrifices by sending their children to independent schools? Different families have different...
‘It’s not fair!’
Mike Piercy, education consultant and former Head of The New Beacon, explains the importance of winning and losing with good grace The beefy second row lay prone, groaning, as the pack lumbered away. “Get up, Darling!” I cried. Opposition spectators...
Performance Power
Eastbourne College and Bede’s School discuss opportunities which give their students time to shine Director of Music at Eastbourne College, Dan Jordan, sings the praises of music at the school. It is 6.30pm, the night before a well-needed half-term holiday....
True Grit
The Granville School talk us through their positive approach to developing resilience As a predominantly girls’ school (we only have boys in our Pre-school), resilience is high on our list of skills to develop in our pupils. Although we’d like...
Meet the Head: Sophie Bradshaw, Head of Dulwich Cranbrook
We get to know Sophie Bradshaw, Head of Dulwich Cranbrook Tell us about the changes at DulwichThis is an extremely exciting time at Dulwich with the opening of our senior school. Our Year 9s are already thriving in their new...
Artistic Achievement
Art is in itself such an abstract topic, so open to interpretation, that teaching it to a high standard can be an art form in itself. So we asked one high-performing local school how it’s done. Taught in their newly...
A Day in the Life
… of a boarder at Millfield Prep – named Independent Schools of the Year Awards’ Prep School of the Year, for proactively teaching about pupils’ mental health Pastoral care and wellbeing is at the heart of Millfield Prep School. Boarding...