Education
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...
Get with The Times
The world is changing apace, so how do our schools equip children for the future? Somerhill tell us about their innovative engineering tuition. Recent experience during the Covid pandemic made it clear how vital scientists and engineers are to our...
Green Shoots
Radnor House Sevenoaks is raising the next generation of eco-heroes Radnor House Sevenoaks, a day school for ages 2-18, is leading the way in environmental education by empowering students to make impactful changes. Already students have planted over 100 trees,...
Sensible Seniors
Joff Powis, Headmaster, tells us how Vinehall’s Year 7s and 8s learn leadership skills In today’s rapidly changing world, leadership has become a pivotal trait. Prep schools are instrumental in shaping young minds, fostering an environment that nurtures and develops...
Planning Ahead
We hear about how Parkside School empowers the next generation of leaders If one was to ask a Parkside pupil about Leadership, they could give you an abundance of situational evidence and skills that are used on a daily basis...
Young Voices
At Hilden Oaks, giving pupils an opportunity to speak and be heard is considered key to growing leadership skills It has long been a tradition at Hilden Oaks Prep to give pupils a ‘voice’ and for them to be heard....
Something to say: Sevenoaks Prep School
We hear all about the advantages of learning languages from Sevenoaks Prep School Sevenoaks Preparatory School incorporates three foreign languages into its curriculum, broadening students’ horizons and aiming to instil a lifelong love for languages. French – the language of...
Something to say: Claremont Senior School
Catherine Mower, Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Claremont Senior School, tells us about their international outlook and opportunities At Claremont Senior School, we believe in providing students with enriching experiences that extend beyond the classroom, broadening their horizons, and...
Something to say: TASIS The American School in London
Chantal Gordon, Head of Modern Foreign Languages at TASIS The American School in London, gives us a glimpse into their approach to language education As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education, language acquisition stands as a cornerstone in preparing...
Reaching out
Kat Portman-Smith, Tonbridge School’s Director of Community Engagement, takes a look at some of the initiatives and partnerships that form part of their students’ all-round education At Tonbridge we ensure our students are connected to the wider world: an important...
How to Revise
Reed’s School is a leading independent school in Cobham, which continues to evolve its approach to teaching, particularly the essential skills needed to learn, retain, and apply information independently. We asked them how it’s done Build a realistic timetable Include...
Don’t Look Backin Anger
Mike Piercy, education consultant and former Head of The New Beacon, explains the importance of healthy self-reflection and learning from our past in order to move forward positively ‘You’ve never been to Rome? Really?’New year’s resolution: book long weekend in...
Communication is Key
Mike Piercy, educational consultant and former Head of The New Beacon, shares advice on how parents can support their children at school Trust is such a fragile thing. It can take an age to build; but a moment to break....
Meet the Head: Parkside School, Nicole Janssen
We enjoyed finding out about Nicole Janssen, Head at Parkside School What or who inspired you to go into teaching?I had the most incredible piano teacher growing up who was so outside the box that she challenged my thinking from...
Meet the Head: Cranbrook School, David Clark
We’ve been finding out what makes the new Head of Cranbrook School, David Clark, tick With his passion for travel, languages and an internationalist outlook, David Clark enjoys the dynamism of Cranbrook School’s thriving and diverse community Tell us about...
If Good isn’t ‘it’ then who is?
Mike Piercy, educational consultant and previous Head of The New Beacon, shares his thoughts on spelling, punctuation and grammar Seen on an advertising board on a Southeastern train this summer:‘Yes, ships do take longer than planes. Good isn’t it.’Is the...
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...
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...
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...
Gordon’s School – Sixth Form
‘The Sixth Form is Outstanding. Students make excellent progress and achieve high academic standards’ OFSTED
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.
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
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...
Excellent Report
Marlborough House School tell us about their recent ‘Excellent’ rating by the Independent Schools Inspectorate Following a rigorous three-day inspection, staff and governors at Marlborough House School were delighted to be awarded the highest rating of “Excellent” in all areas,...
The Great Outdoors
We learn about Forest School and ‘empty classroom days’ from Longacre School’s Headteacher, Matthew Bryan‘ When I think back to my own school days, I was delighted whenever a teacher took a class outside, though sadly the overriding memory is...
Creature Comforts
From rugby-loving donkeys to an immortalised duck, we’ve enjoyed hearing all about Saint Ronan’s school farm We opened our school farm with the aim to have a few rescue chickens – modest and easy to maintain. Our first batch of...
Meet Matthew Bryan, Headmaster at Longacre School
From chart-topping ex-pupils to psychology podcasts, we get to know Matthew Bryan, Headmaster at Longacre School What makes Longacre school special? It’s a combination of the people and the ethos. The children are so lucky to come here, but equally...
