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January 2020 Chair Head Bursar Registrar Staffroom School Office ...the professional journal for Management & Staff
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In this issue...
05 New ISEB Project Qualification
pilots to run this year
06 Pioneering alternative to GCSE
‘Pathways’ & ‘Perspectives’ courses
07 Character Education
theories, practices, processes
08 End of Discipline Tariffs
encouraging a behavioural revolution
Beautiful &
powerful ‘Amadeus’ 10 ‘Say Yes to Stress’
helping pupils face up to challenge
Amadeus, the Senior Play at The Leys,
Cambridge, Great Hall, was an ambitious tour de
force combining powerful acting performances
12 ‘Hello World!’
with live period music and beautiful sets and why global education is the future
costumes.
Peter Shaffer’s Tony Award winning play about 20 Focus on Wellbeing
Mozart and his jealous rival composer, was every school needs a mental first-aider
perhaps the most ambitious production yet by
Cory Pulman-Jones. Now in her fourth year as culture of openness can create change
Director of Performance Drama at The Leys, the
former professional stage and screen actress 24 Profile
continues to encourage her young performers to in conversation with Fiona Miles
aim for ever-greater things.
Music is integral to the play, and this production 38 Pay & Conditions Survey
featured recordings of pieces by Mozart, Salieri latest results revealed
and other 18th century composers. Cory went
further by incorporating a quartet of musicians
on strings, including music teacher Scott
40 ‘Students should reflect on the world but be positive’
Morrison, whose playing was used to great GSA Conference report
dramatic effect.
43 The Benefits of Kindness
Cover background
to ourselves as well as to others
Bathing in a 44 Combined Cadet Forces
developing character
secret lagoon
A group of 21 students from St Margaret’s
School, Hertfordshire, are back from a trip Plus
to Iceland. Crossing the bridge between the 09 Hygge lessons every week
Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, the
11 e-twinning initiative with French school
students explored and embraced the true power
of water in every way from the country’s black
11 School becomes training hub for maths teaching
beaches and coastal landforms to its magnificent 14 Heart Safe award follows community defibrillator initiative
glaciers and were even lucky enough to swim in 16 Excellence in Sport - success stories
one of its secret lagoons. 18 Inspiration event for tomorrow’s entrepreneurs
Acting Headmistress, Julie Chatkiewicz, who 26 Development project round-up
also joined the students on the trip to Iceland, 28 Sustainability & Environment - what schools are doing
commented on the experience, “This was a 30 Music, Drama & Dance Focus Feature
wonderful action-packed opportunity for our 39 Creativity on display
pupils to visit a truly awesome part of the world. 41 Changing Faces, Changing Places
On our last day we even got the opportunity to
experience what a 6.3 magnitude earthquake
42 NEU Independent Conference - reflections
would feel like before exploring the complete 45 New Products & Services; The Digest
darkness and silence within a lava tube. 47 Contact Us; Editorial Advisory Board; free e-mag offer
Memories have certainly been made that will last
a lifetime.” Is Your School Mentioned? See page 47 for an A-Z listing
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Olympic
nomination
for coach
The director of swimming at
Ellesmere College, Shropshire, is
relishing the opportunity of helping
Team GB to Olympic success in He is also playing an integral role in
Tokyo next summer. the ongoing success of the Ellesmere
College Titans swimming team -
Alan Bircher has already achieved a
which boasts a record unrivalled by
great deal of success in competing
any other programme in the country
and coaching and is just one of
in providing swimmers to represent
Mini-historians’
eight coaches nominated by the
their country.
British Olympic Association to
accompany the Team GB swimming Alan will now form part of the
Victorian experience squad to Japan.
The former World and European
select team of eight who will be
responsible for ensuring Team
A group of children aged 3 chat and slideshow about life in GB swimmers will be at peak
silver medalist swam for Team GB
to 5 and their teachers from late Victorian times at Yarrells performance heading into the
from 1997 to 2008 racking up 10
Yarrells School, Dorset, visited House and inspected some real Olympic Games.
British Championships and two
historic Kingston Lacy just before Victorian clothing from the school
European Cup titles. More recently “It’s a great honour to be chosen
Christmas. Before the party set archive collection. Much of the
he has coached World, European as a coach for Team GB at the
off by coach, the mini-historians original Yarrells House dates from
and Commonwealth medalists along Olympics - particularly when you
enjoyed some history stories from the same historical period as
with multiple national champions consider how few of us will be going
a Kingston Lacy volunteer who when Henrietta Bankes and her
and medalists. to Tokyo,” he said.
is also connected with Yarrells three children, Viola, Daphne and
School. The children enjoyed a Ralph, lived there.
Pictured: With the children, and in Victorian dress, are Early Years Practitioners Sophie Kyte
and Amie Harrison
Pupils Launch 2020
Wildlife Charity Calendar
GB call-up for Duathlete Glenalmond College, Perthshire
school is celebrating the
Scotland is home to 75% of
Britain’s red squirrels and the
Deputy Head exceptional range of wildlife to be
found on its grounds in the pages
staff and pupils of Glenalmond
College are proud that the school’s
Giggleswick School, Yorkshire, with another run, this time over of a 2020 calendar, being sold in 300 acres of grounds are home
deputy headmaster Anthony 2.5km. He will take part in the 40 aid of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. to a thriving population of the
Simpson is to represent Great to 44-year-old age category in endangered species.
The calendar features a dozen
Britain in duathlon in both the events in Seville in March and
wildlife images taken by local Sasha Baldwin, who coordinates
the European and World Amsterdam in September 2020.
photographer, Rosanna Forbes.
Championships later this year. the school’s Eco Group, said she
Said Anthony: “I am delighted and All of the profits from sales of the
hoped the calendars would inspire
The maths specialist competed honoured to have earned a place calendar will be donated to the
pupils to take a pride in the wildlife
in qualifying races in Derbyshire on Team GB for the forthcoming Scottish Wildlife Trust.
which makes its home in the school
to earn his place in the sprint championships, especially as my Among the photographs featured grounds, as well as raising money
duathlon discipline, which age group is one of the most in the pages of the calendar are for an important charity.
involves a 5km run followed by competitive.” birds such as a colourful Kingfisher,
a 20km bike ride and finishing a Dipper, a Tawny Owl and a The calendars are priced at £8 each,
Anthony joins several Giggleswick
Bullfinch. Also captured in the or £9.50 including postage and
colleagues who have international
stunning selection of photographs packaging, and can be ordered by
honours to their names, including
fellow maths teacher and former are an inquisitive Bank Vole, a Field emailing info@glenalmondcollege.
national kayak champion Pete Mouse, a Roe Deer and a glorious co.uk giving contact details or
Keron and biology teacher James Red Squirrel. calling 01738 842000.
Atkinson, who is fly fishing’s
reigning English National Rivers
Champion. Anthony will also be
training with colleague Mark
McGoldrick who is preparing for
the 2020 fellrunning season after
finishing in the top eight in his age
group nationally in 2019.
In addition, he follows in the
footsteps of former Giggleswick
teacher Alastair Scholey, who Pictured: Pupils who are members of Glenalmond’s Eco Group, along with the group
represented GB in triathlon’s coordinator Sasha Baldwin, are pictured at Glenalmond with the calendars which are being
sold in aid of the Scottish Wildlife Trust
European championships in 2011.
4 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249
New ISEB Project
Qualification pilots this year
Following the 13+ Conference held last year at Highfield
and Brookham Schools, Hampshire, the Chief Administrator
of the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) Kate
Allen looks at the New ISEB Project Qualification.
ISEB is well known for Common Those who have introduced the complete their research projects. pupils to connect their schoolwork
Entrance (CE), which acknowledges EPQ to their schools have been They will ask and frame a question, to their personal interests. The
and rewards achievement in impressed by the way in which their review sources, reflect upon their ISEB Project Qualification model
Years 7 and 8 and equips learners pupils’ interest and enthusiasm findings and learn to draw and offers pupils the freedom to
with the knowledge, skills and is sparked, and the intellectual express balanced conclusions. explore a wide variety of project
understanding which they will need development and confidence that forms, including written reports,
Projects may be subject related,
as they make the important move ensues. presentations, podcasts, videos and
focussed on the creative and
to their senior schools. creative sketchbook work. The
The aim of the new ISEB Project performing arts or sport, or arise
final presentation of the research
During the past year ISEB has Qualification is to give younger from PSHE topics or other interests:
project might be written, an
consulted with prep and senior pupils, most likely those in Years 7 schools will be able to use the
exhibition, an oral presentation, an
schools, looking closely at how and 8, the opportunity to develop ISEB Project Qualification in lesson
interview or even a performance.
new subject specifications can the same important skills of times, within or across subjects, as
In whatever form, it will also
ensure that the learning process is independent enquiry and research, an enrichment activity or however
involve the opportunity for pupils
a developmental one. This means within a framework which has been else they see fit. We see this as
to answer questions about their
that our new specifications will structured and tailored specifically part of the preparation for lifelong
research and to show the depth of
emphasise less the acquisition of for their age group. Initial learning which is an important
understanding that they have built.
knowledge and focus more on reactions from prep schools have part of prep school provision and
its application. They will provide been very encouraging, showing something which will give pupils ISEB has been very fortunate to
a framework for teaching and that many are keen to adopt this valuable skills to support them in have enlisted the support of Dr
learning, whilst allowing individual approach in their own schools and their future studies. John Taylor, of Cranleigh School,
teachers to approach subjects in that they value the skills their pupils whose has brought his expertise
Pupils can carry out their research
their own way and have time to will develop as a result. to the design of our initial
in a variety of contexts and at
explore wider aspects, such as specification. Our first ‘pilot’
The model of learning is based on different scales. The ISEB Project
current events or particular areas schools have already received their
research evidence that indicates Qualification syllabus will offer
of interest. In order that new training and we look forward to
that independent learning works suggestions for incorporating
specifications are introduced with monitoring their progress during
most effectively through a process project learning into existing
full consultation and with time for spring and summer 2020.
of guided discovery, in which pupils schemes of work by means of
schools to adjust their teaching, are taught the skills they need in small-scale (several lesson) projects We are pleased to be introducing
the pace of updating is necessarily order to engage in independent as well as providing a structure the ISEB Project Qualification, to
steady, which some may find learning, provided with scaffolding for an extended 15-20-hour support schools as they seek to
frustrating. to help structure their work and, independent project. The ISEB develop a wider set of skills that is
In one area, however, we have during the process of the research Project Qualification can function complementary to those typically
been able to move much more project, are given guidance from as a stand-alone addition to an developed by means of courses that
rapidly. We are excited to be a mentor whose questions and existing curriculum or be used culminate in written examinations,
piloting, during this year, the ISEB comments help to facilitate the to augment subjects within the and thus to help equip pupils for
Project Qualification with a view process. curriculum with a project learning the transition to senior schools.
to introducing it more widely from model. Schools will find that it can We look forward to reporting on
Indeed, it is important to
September 2020. The ISEB Project be flexible to suit their needs. progress of the pilots and the other
understand that the greatest value
Qualification takes its inspiration of the ISEB Project Qualification Research projects have been shown developments described here at
from the Extended Project lies not solely in the final to encourage deeper thinking our Conference on the Importance
Qualification (EPQ) which is taken presentation, but in the process and greater enjoyment of the of Years 7 and 8 to be held at
in many senior schools in Year 12. which pupils undertake as they learning process by enabling Charterhouse on 28th April 2020.
Astronomy GCSE for all
Pupils at Burgess Hill Girls, Sussex, were so fascinated A Level Physics as well as Engineering and all the other
by the school’s Astronomy club that they asked the professions that come from it. It is a hugely important
organiser, Head of Physics Andy Gillaspy, if he could and well-respected academic subject.”
offer Astronomy as a GCSE course. As a passionate
Astronomy graduate, he was happy to oblige: “We Twenty two students embarked on the course last
study where the universe came from, where it is going, September and will take the Astronomy GCSE exam in
the Big Bang, black holes and supernovas, some of June 2020. The class is unique in that it is comprised
the most fascinating aspects of the universe”, he said. of pupils from the UK and overseas as well as parents
“Academically Astronomy has a big link with GCSE and and teachers at Burgess Hill Girls.
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Pioneering alternative to GCSEs
St Edward’s School, Oxford, has Courses will be validated by the Warden Stephen Jones said:
launched an innovative alternative University of Buckingham, graded “We believe that we can prepare
to GCSEs. Warden Stephen Jones using the same numerical format students better for Sixth Form
(pictured right) believes that as GCSEs with nine as the top or degrees. We believe we can
there’s a growing feeling amongst mark. do it better our own way. Exam
teaching leaders that the exams boards have made the flagship
Pupils will be continuously
are out of date. assessment too “tick boxy.”
assessed on a range of skills,
From September 2020 students such as their communication, “The idea that GCSEs are a bit
will be required to take one presentations, research projects passé has been around for a while
“Pathways” course in broad and team work instead of just but no one seems to be designing
disciplines such as Applied sitting exams. new qualifications. They were
Science, the Expressive Arts or invented to be a school leaving
Some pupils will also have the
Design and Entrepreneurship as certificate but as no one leaves at
opportunity to spend time at
well as one “Perspectives” course 16 now we don’t need them.” Chairman of the Independent
the University of Buckingham
in a humanities subject such and Southampton University’s Matthew Albrighton, Deputy Head School Council, Barnaby Lenon,
as Global Societies or Big Ideas Oceanography Departments. Academic, said: “Whilst GCSEs added: “It is important that pupils
(covering Philosophy and Ethics). At Buckingham they will learn in their current form provide are examined in a wide range of
some preliminary skills relevant foundational knowledge for Sixth subjects at the age of 16, not
In order to facilitate the least as a way of consolidating
to those planning to study Form, they can constrain pupils’
pioneering new courses pupils what they have learnt up to
Medicine. At Southampton, pupils curiosity, limit their ambition and
will take just eight GCSEs in core that point. However, we know
studying Global Societies and prevent them from grappling with
subjects rather than the 11 which that taking 10 GCSEs is neither
Environments will spend time on big ideas. They do not stretch
most pupils currently take. necessary nor in some respects
board the University’s research pupils enough in the full range
The Pathways and Perspectives vessel Callista. of skills.” desirable.”
Fourth girls’ boarding house
Cranleigh School, Surrey, has finding your passion and the girls
formally opened a new girls’ in Martlet were given a collection
boarding house to enhance its of inspirational quotes from other
dedicated boarding community. illustrious alumni.
The opening follows a period of
Martlet house is named after the
new building and refurbishment .
heraldic birds in the top left section
Flight Lieutenant Victoria Turner, of the Cranleigh School crest. All
a former pupil and one of only the boarding Houses have been
a handful of female jet fighter built individually over the School’s
pilots in the UK, unveiled the
plaque. She gave a speech on
155-year history and each has
a unique character in its layout, New self-contained Lower School
although all share the same busy Edge Grove School, Hertfordshire, has announced the relocation of its
and nurturing ethos. Lower School into a new, self-contained building to accommodate its
Cranleigh now has four girls’ younger pupils. The £3.8 million facility provides a contemporary and
houses, Martlet, West, South, and sustainably designed learning environment within the schools’ 48-acre
grounds.
Rhodes and four boys’ houses,
Cubitt, Loveday, North and East. With six spacious classrooms for the schools’ Year 3 and Year 4 pupils,
The equal structure allows houses the building also houses a large bright and airy multi-functional hall,
to be paired with boys and girls open plan library, pupil and staff toilets, storage facilities, an office for
sharing activities, social events and the Head of Lower School and an ancillary meeting room. The new
House competitions together. development is part of Edge Grove’s 10-year development strategy ‘One
Pictured: Victoria Turner and the Martlet housemistress Rebecca Scott School, One Vision’.
Lord Mayor opens school
William Russell, the Lord Mayor of the City of London has officially opened
the new home to The Lyceum School on Worship Street.
Children, parents, staff and special guests were invited to watch the unveiling
of the newly painted mural on the ground floor by the right honourable the
Lord Mayor. The celebrations continued, the Chamber Choir performed the
school song, “Four Pillars” for the very first time. Both the mural and the
song represent the four core values that form the foundations of the school
and are at the heart of everything they do; kindness, creativity, confidence William Russell (Lord Mayor), Hilary Wyatt (Headmistress), Hilary Russell
(Lady Mayoress), Aatif Hassan (Chairman of Dukes Education) with pupils
and community.
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Character Education:
theories, practices, processes
Late last term the Tony Little Centre for Innovation in
Research and Learning (CIRL) at Eton College hosted a
joint Character Education conference with BrainCanDo,
an educational neuroscience organisation based at Queen
Anne’s School, Caversham. It was a busy day with more
than 140 teachers, educational leaders, and researchers
taking part in discussions and panels covering a myriad of
topics – all in the stunning and rather inspirational setting
of Dorney Lake…
The opening address was given The opening keynote talks for by Professor Lucas, Professor co-Director of ‘Big Education’,
by Jonnie Noakes, Director of the the day were delivered by Bill Riddell, Dr Kathy Weston, Dr Iro who proposed a radically different
Tony Little Centre at Eton, and Julia Lucas, Professor of Learning at Konstantinou and Jonnie Noakes. approach to education in which the
Harrington, Headmistress of Queen the University of Winchester, Konstantinou and Noakes shared development of every pupil’s ‘head’,
Anne’s and founder and CEO of and Patricia Riddell, Professor some of the ways through which ‘heart’ and ‘hand’ is at the core.
BrainCanDo. Noakes outlined the of Applied Neuroscience at the Eton College has engaged with Hyman stressed the importance of
current context related to character University of Reading. Lucas research around character education.
qualities such as ‘self-awareness’,
education and painted a picture of outlined some of the interpretations The first pupil panel of the day
‘tolerance’, ‘creativity’ and ‘aesthetic
what our young people will face of the term ‘character’ and the included students from the London
appreciation’ for overall success and
when entering the world of work, different frameworks that exist for Academy of Excellence (LAE) and
Eton College who shared their fulfilment in life. Finally, Rebecca
where ‘21st century’ skills such as implementing character education
experiences of participating in a Tigue, Head of the University
curiosity, adaptability and creativity in schools. He challenged us all
are what employers are looking for. character education and leadership of Birmingham School, invited
to ensure that we are clear what
Harrington then spoke about how we mean by ‘character’ and those course. us to imagine a world in which
rapidly our knowledge of the brain ‘attributes’, ‘skills’ or ‘competencies’ our children developed habits of
The third keynote talk was given by
has increased over the past 20-30 we are seeking to develop through Dr Tom Harrison, Senior Lecturer courage, justice and integrity and
years resulting in new insights education. at the Jubilee Centre for Character called for schools to be a place in
about brain development across the and Virtues at the University of which each child learns how to live
Riddell’s talk focused on the role of
life-span. Adolescence is a period of Birmingham. He explored the a virtuous life. Echoing Professor
motivation and how to engender
opportunity and adaptability when changing digital landscape and Riddell, Tigue suggested that
it in pupils. She outlined the
the brain is particularly malleable the inherent challenges and character virtues can be ‘caught’
mechanisms of motivation and the
and those character qualities opportunities this affords young from interactions in our community,
important role of other people in
that are taken into adulthood are people today. He stressed the ‘taught’ through educational
influencing levels of motivation. The
forged. Harrington reminded us importance of teaching ‘cyber- experiences and reflection, and
phenomenon of ‘social contagion’
that educators are in the privileged wisdom’ to enable children and ‘sought’ by providing opportunities
was explored and implications for
position to provide the environment young people to navigate moral
classroom teaching discussed. in which to practise modelling good
and experiences through which complexities and thrive in the digital
character.
those important character qualities The first panel discussion was age.
develop. chaired by Julia Harrington, joined Finally, there was a pupil panel
The second panel discussion
with a group of students from
explored school and community-
wide approaches to character Queen Anne’s School talking (with
education. Lisa Kerr, Principal of Ben Stephenson, Director of Sixth
Gordonstoun School, shared findings Form at the school) about their
demonstrating the importance experiences of leadership in school
of out-of-classroom activities for and outlining a new leadership
character development. Dominic development programme that is
Randolph, Head of Riverdale being pioneered this year.
County School in the US, shared
With Ofsted’s new inspection
his experiences of working with a
New York City independent school framework including the monitoring
to create a robust experiential of how schools develop character,
education programme. He also delegates showed a keen interest in
discussed the work of the Character the proceedings and were certainly
Lab (www.characterlab.org). The given a great deal of information to
third talk was given by Peter Hyman, go away and digest!
Report courtesy of Dr Amy Fancourt, Director of Research BrainCanDo, pictured above and Dr Iro Konstantinou, Research Associate, Eton College & BrainCanDo, pictured top right
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How do we encourage a behavioural revolution amongst both pupils & staff?
The End of Discipline Tariffs?
I will not make the same mistakes as those that go before me.
I will not make the same mistakes as those that go before me.
I will not make the same mistakes...
It does not seem that long ago that pupils would have been sat at desks,
staring out of the classroom window at the glorious sunshine and those
lucky few playing games on the field, whilst they, the chastised, the put
upon, the victims of the unfair and unjust system were forced to write
100 lines for not tucking their shirts in. Indeed, many colleagues will still
remember the days, either as new staff or as children, of sitting in fear of
the dreaded cane, writes Mike Marie, Deputy Headmaster of Bromsgrove
Preparatory School.
Thankfully, those days are very will no doubt recall the moment it serves the purpose of helping from a ‘sanction-based’ approach
much behind us in education; when you had to produce your children to make good choices. Let’s to bullying of punishment and
the recognition that physical serious sanctions register and discuss be brutally honest, it is impossible to instead preferred a more ‘restorative’
admonishment is simply barbaric how it falls short of/matches/ always make the right decisions so approach where they looked at the
and given that we adults are by exceeds the expected number for how do we support children when root causes of bullying.”
no means a picture of perfection, a school of your size. How did things go wrong – is that part of
Even our pupils understand that
there is a growing school of thought that make you feel? It is both your behaviour policy?
sanctions do not implement the
that questions whether it is fair accepted and understood that
The Anti-Bullying Alliance published change we want to see in schools,
to constantly hold every child up school performance is measured
the ‘Change Starts With Us’ report* but education can.
against some model of unreasonable using empirical data – we now
at the beginning of November 2019
expectation. use standardised pastoral trackers So how do we begin the
to coincide with Anti-Bullying week;
to help identify pupils who are ‘at transformation in our schools? How
In the highly acclaimed book: the report was based on a survey
risk’ and might otherwise go under do we encourage a behavioural
‘When the Adult Changes, of over 1000 11-16 year olds and
the radar, we have spreadsheets for revolution amongst both pupils and
Everything Changes’, written demonstrated statistics that many of
serious sanctions and incidences of staff, if indeed one is required? Start
by Paul Dix (a former teacher, us will be familiar with including:
bullying, homophobic and racist simply and start with the adults:
founder of Pivotal Education and behaviour. But what does all of this • Nearly a quarter (24%) of
educational campaigner), teachers • Commit to a culture of not
data do to help form or transform respondents had been bullied
are encouraged to recognise that shouting – the cathartic release
our approach to pupil behaviour? Is once a week or more during the
behaviour policies, rewards systems of yelling at someone is no
it preventative? Reactive? Thinking last 6 months
and discipline tariffs / sanction justification for the fear and
about the children whose names • Just over one in ten children
lists are themselves not the answer humiliation suffered by that
appeared on your serious sanctions (11%) have missed school due to
to effecting positive behaviour in person;
register, what follow up was there bullying
schools. The key has always been after the sanction was served? How • Smile – warmly, engagingly, with
and will always be the consistency of were they reintegrated into school • Nearly a fifth (19%) of those purpose; we know that the act
adult behaviour and the modelling life? What learning took place to surveyed have steered clear of of smiling can lift our own mood
of positive behaviour. Think about help (not necessarily ensure as this friends to avoid being bullied and that of others;
those colleagues who can ‘control’ is the impossible dream) the child to Arguably the most frightening • Engage with every pupil – a
their classes with just a raised make better choices in the future? statistic was that nearly a half (48%) handshake at the entrance to
eyebrow, a cough, a very softly
If you looked at your current of the children stated that schools the classroom, a happy “Good
spoken, carefully chosen word.
school’s behaviour policy, do you need to do more to address bullying. morning” in the corridor
Think about the colleagues whose
see a framework for how staff and For those of us who conduct our particularly to those children who
enthusiasm lights up the staff room
pupils engage cooperatively in own Anti-Bullying surveys, how try to avoid your gaze might just
in exactly the same way as it lights
bringing about an atmosphere of does that figure stand up against enthuse their day;
up the classroom. Now think about
positive behaviour, kind interactions, your own pupils’ perceptions?
our own practice; do we commend • No public humiliation – names
consideration and thoughtfulness Whether it is through Student
positive behaviour or do we instead on the board for negatives, a class
of others? Or do you see a list of Council or Pupil Voice or whichever
focus on picking up the negatives? reward/demerit system shared
examples of negative behaviour other named society your school
Do we recognise those children openly that shows other children
and suggested sanction? What has, do your pupils have a say in
who time after time go above and just how badly little Alan is doing;
terminology is used to describe a how bullying and other forms of
beyond the expected standard? Do • Reserve judgement and listen
pupil’s behaviour – is it linked in to negative behaviour is dealt with?
we reflect on how we engage pupils, to context – all behaviour is
historic traditions? Is it numerical, A very interesting element of the
how we speak to them, how we language and everyone lies; it is a
pointing towards a hierarchy of report was that, “The young people
model behavioural expectations? protective instinct. Don’t castigate
behaviour? Whatever the system, we spoke to were keen on schools
Those of you who have been it is important to ensure that providing a supportive framework to a child for not being truthful but
inspected recently and have had the language that surrounds the help them understand each other. praise to the hilt for their honesty
responsibility for pastoral matters application of it centres on how They tended to want to move away when it comes.
*https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/sites/default/files/field/attachment/Change%20Starts%20With%20Us%20-%20report%20-%20FINAL_0.pdf
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Hygge lessons weekly Chatsworth
Taking tips from the Danes and
Norwegians, once a week pupils
school. And the Year 4 children
who enjoy weekly hygge sessions
Scandinavian classrooms, and also
in Canada where I used to teach,
announces new
at Belmont Grosvenor School, are the envy of their fellow pupils! rarely wear shoes and also have
flexible seating,” said Mrs Page,
acquisition
Yorkshire, are swapping their The idea to incorporate hygge
shoes for cosy socks and slippers, who started the hygge sessions Chatsworth Schools has
in the Harrogate co-educational
switching their desks for rugs and to coincide with Year 4 pupils announced the acquisition of
school’s timetable came from
cushions on the floor, warming learning about Scandinavia. Highfield Preparatory School,
teacher Mrs Katie Page, who is
themselves in front of a roaring also Belmont Grosvenor’s special “Our pupils have learned a lot Berkshire. The news follows the
fire, and embracing the hygge way educational needs co-ordinator. about geographical location, acquisition of the London based
of living and learning. the climate and the Vikings – Beau Peeps nursery in July
“As a SENCo I am always interested
and creating a hygge – warm, 2019, Pattison College, a co-
Hygge – which roughly translates in supporting how children learn
welcoming and cosy – environment educational school for three –
in Danish as a feeling of well- best and lots of studies show
in which to learn has become part sixteen year olds in Coventry in
being, cosiness and contentment that children do this when they
of our topic. May 2019 and The Village Prep
with life – has become a hit at the feel comfortable. Youngsters in
“We use cosy blankets and School, a preparatory school
quilts, often play music in the for girls aged three – eleven in
background, and have a roaring Hampstead in April 2019.
fire on the whiteboard too! Pupils
Commenting on the news,
bring in cosy socks as it makes
Anita Gleave, Founder and CEO
them feel happy and I’m relaxed
about them lying on the floor of Chatsworth Schools, said:
while they learn. Teaching like “I’m delighted to make this
this has encouraged the children announcement and to welcome
to try hard and feel safe in their Highfield Preparatory School to
learning and they are all extremely Chatsworth Schools. There are
focussed,” she said. now nine schools and nurseries
Headmistress Mrs Sophia Ashworth in the Chatsworth family and
Jones said the hygge lessons with we will continue to enable
Year 4 had proved a wonderful outstanding futures for all our
learning opportunity for the pupils pupils and staff.”
at Belmont Grosvenor.
Password Independent Schools’
Gold Standard
Events Testing
2020 Invitation
for Independent Schools
We cordially invite Maths and EAL specialists from the Password provides more than 250 schools, colleges and
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Events 2020 Invitation half page Ad Jan 2020.indd 1 Independent Schools06/01/2020
Magazine 9
15:04
“Teachers should be there to support their students, but
must take a moment to think what that support looks like...”
Say Yes to the Stress
Times have changed for our young people but that’s not to say things have got easier
or harder since staff were on the other side of the desk, suggests Dr. Gary M. Glasspool,
Head of Teaching and Learning at Churcher’s College, Hampshire.
Sure, their lives opinion in a more sophisticated, tells them or YouTube shows say’, but that is all the more
are different and critical and nuanced way than them. This, in itself, is not reason to reinvigorate the
strange to us ever before. Guiding students necessarily a bad thing – I message. We should allow
adults – digital through these murky waters is have called upon these tools students to struggle, to need
living and global an article for another time, but, to help – but the incredible determination, to see the
peer groups – but by way of a starter, we should immediacy of response means reward of effort: we should
to say that times are tougher perhaps focus on the benefits of that our young people have not be too quick to provide
now would be to patronise the making an effort, of struggling, become accustomed to getting the answer. It might be
difficulties of the past. There the answer too quickly and gratifying in the short-term to
and even struggling hard.
is little doubt, however, that too easily. Rarely have they sense their relief, but until you
the educational landscape has Commercial organisations are been stuck for too long. allow them to ‘struggle hard’
changed, not unrecognisably, driven to make young people’s
The word ‘struggle’ now through problems and come
a classroom hasn’t changed in lives more engaging, or is it
carries with it all sorts of out the other side, they will
structure and purpose much over entertaining, through some new
negative connotations. What not be equipping themselves
the years but the proliferation of piece of hard or software. The a shame! Struggling and with the skills they’ll need in
available and new ‘knowledge’ side effect is that students lose struggling hard through the big wide world.
has. With the few simple clicks an opportunity to experience difficult conceptual issues
it takes to access ‘knowledge’ it sufficient levels of challenge. Teachers should, and always
is the mark of a committed
means that students nowadays If they don’t know something, will, be there to support their
student and one who, in the
have to navigate truth, fact and within two or three taps, Google end, will most likely have a students, but we must take a
better understanding because moment to think what that
of the struggle. There is little support looks like. If a child
scientific research needed falls off their bike, we should
Exciting Activity and Field to validate the concept
that determination is the
pick them up, dust them off
and give them the confidence
Study Trips in Cornwall bedrock of success. I do and advice to have another go.
worry however, that students We shouldn’t end up riding
think our constant mantra the bike for them, or, worse
of ‘effort = reward’ is hollow still, show them a YouTube
and ‘just something teachers clip of Geraint Thomas!
Anti-Bullying Bronze Award
RGS The Grange, one of the two ‘staff, students, parents and
Prep schools of RGS Worcester Governors demonstrated that anti-
is celebrating attaining an Anti- bullying is a whole school priority
Bullying Award in recognition in which they all play an active role.
of their work to provide robust Students are actively involved in the
and comprehensive Anti-Bullying development of anti-bullying in the
provision at their school. school. As a result of their work,
The award given by The Anti- the school has established a range
Bullying Quality Mark is a national of approaches to make sure that
• The Manor House offers quality courses with personal
scheme which measures how good students feel safe and included’.
attention
schools are at preventing bullying. It Mr Gareth Hughes, Headmaster of
• Stay in an 18th Century Manor House
challenges schools to set up effective RGS The Grange said: “The training
• Sole Occupancy Book Now for and sustainable anti-bullying of the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors by
• Privately owned centre near Padstow Spring 2021 policies and strategies and make The Diana Award, an organisation
• Excellent facilities & equipment Discounts Available! them part of their everyday life. inspired by the work of Diana,
• Recommended by many Prep. Schools Their hard work has been rewarded Princess of Wales in this area, has
• Please ask for details and after a comprehensive proved to be so supportive and
assessment process the school was successful that RGS Worcester, RGS
For more information please contact us on: 01841 540346 presented with the award. RGS The Springfield and RGS Dodderhill are
www.manoractivitycentre.co.uk | lesley@manoractivitycentre.co.uk Grange is the first independent similarly training their pupils to
Manor House Activity & Development Centre, St Issey, Wadebridge, PL27 7QB school in the country to achieve the provide this all-important support
ABQM-UK Bronze Award because: for their school communities.”
10 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249Maths training hub Linking up with France
Kitebrook Preparatory School, correspondents along with many
Cheadle Hulme School (CHS), Trainees will spend most of
Gloucestershire, has launched other French activities, including
Manchester, has become a their time at CHS, building their
a partnership with l’Ecole building an Eiffel Tower out of
regional teacher training hub for confidence and experience, with
Elementaire Jean Moulin, a school spaghetti and marshmallows,
mathematics. weekly academic theory sessions
located near the city of Pau, in playing boules and taking part in
As the newest member of the to support their development.
South-West France, as part of the European-themed bake sale,
National Mathematics and Physics They will also work for six weeks
eTwinning, the digital community which raised over £780 for the
SCITT (School Centred Initial in a contrasting second school to
for schools in Europe. Macmillan Coffee Morning.
Teacher Training), the school has broaden their experience.
As part of the partnership, the Miss Ruth Hogg, Head of French
been recognised as a centre of At the end of the one year SCITT
two schools will use online tools at Kitebrook Preparatory School,
excellence for the subject. programme, trainees will receive
to develop joint projects so that said: “Our pupils are really excited
CHS is now one of eight hubs Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
pupils can share insights into the about this new project and getting
working with partner schools in and a Post Graduate Certificate to know their correspondents. It
lifestyle and culture of their own
their areas to deliver high quality in Education (PGCE), including will be a great opportunity for
country. The children will also
classroom-based maths teacher credits towards a Masters them to put their knowledge
develop their foreign language
training. Other independent qualification. and understanding of the French
skills and exchange letters on a
schools signed up to the scheme Neil Smith, head, CHS, said: “We language into practice and gain
regular basis throughout the course
include Charterhouse, Bolton are extremely proud to become a a new insight into the culture
of the academic year.
School and Dulwich College. hub for maths teacher training. of France. We have already
Recruitment onto the pioneering As a school, we are committed to eTwinning is the digital community exchanged treasure boxes with
programme will begin this term, developing the next generation of for schools involving over 500,000 Jean Moulin, containing gifts from
for maths trainees to begin in the teaching professionals; a cohort teachers in 43 countries across our respective regions and opened
classroom from September 2020. who will have expert subject Europe and beyond, funded by these as part of our European Day
knowledge, be confident in the the European Commission as part of Languages Celebrations”.
SCITT programmes are aimed at
classroom and able to collaborate of the Erasmus+ programme and
both new graduates and career eTwinning aims to develop
with colleagues throughout the managed in the UK by the British
changers and enable a new knowledge and understanding of
school.” Council. In the UK over 12,000
generation of teachers to benefit different European cultures and
schools have been involved in
from highly practical, school- Steven Norton, head of maths, languages and help young people
eTwinning.
based training. said: “This is a great opportunity gain skills for their future lives and
for colleagues in the maths Kitebrook’s European Languages careers. Through the eTwinning
The National Mathematics and
Physics (NMAP) SCITT is the only department to teach and mentor Day saw the launch of the portal, schools and colleges can
school-centred provider delivering trainees. And it will further eTwinning project for their Year search for partners in Europe and
dedicated mathematics and strengthen what is already a 6 -8 children, who began writing access online tools to take part in
physics teacher training. It has highly successful department. their first letters to their new joint projects free of charge.
been developed in partnership Maths trainees at CHS will benefit
with experts from the Institute from learning in school from day
of Physics and the Mathematical one alongside subject specialist
Association. mentors and practising teachers.”
Tibetan monks visit
Tibetan monks living in exile in The Tashi Lhunpo Monastery has
South India visited Giggleswick a long and interesting history,
School, Yorskhire, to share their founded by the first Dalai Lama in
masked dances, traditional music 1447 and renowned for its Tantric
and sacred mantras. tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Following the Chinese occupation of
The monks from the Tashi Lhunpo
Tibet and the Cultural Revolution,
monastery ran a workshop with
the monastery was re-established in
pupils from Giggleswick Junior
exile in a Tibetan refugee settlement
School and guests from year five at
in South India.
Lady Lane Park School in Bingley.
Head of Giggleswick Junior School,
The children were treated to a
James Mundell, said: “It was a
hands-on workshop with the
fabulous opportunity and privilege
monks, giving them the chance to
for the children to meet the monks
learn more about Tibetan culture
in person and learn about their life
and try their hand at making sand
and monastic traditions.
mandalas, prayer flags, butter
sculptures and Dukar wheels. “One of the many highlights for the
children was writing their names in
Tibetan and learning a few words
too. The morning ended watching
the monks perform their tantric
prayers and Mudras – symbolic or
ritual gestures – which are used to
generate wisdom, compassion and
healing powers.”
ads@independentschoolsmagazine.co.uk Independent Schools Magazine 11Hello World:
Global Education is the Future
Ensuring that young people leave school globally literate as citizens of the world is
fast becoming an integral part of the evolving educational journey. But if we are
truly to embrace diversity in its widest form, as schools we have a duty to connect
our students with the world around them as well as to help them to understand
how it relates to them. Whether that means experiencing or immersing oneself
in different cultures or understanding different beliefs and sets of values, we
need to start looking at how we can educate young people to navigate the global
landscape on a much deeper level, says Rose Hardy, headmistress of Haberdashers’
Aske’s School for Girls – Habs’ Girls – in Hertfordshire...
Today, in our digitally led and ground for young people who same; to connect, learn, grow and knowledge meant arranging a
process driven world, it’s easier sometimes realise they are more discover. nice glamorous overseas trip
for people to become siloed. closely linked with their global to an exciting city, visiting a
Twinned schools?
Loneliness and isolation affects neighbours than they might have few landmarks and sampling
Schools have to use every
many people today, young otherwise realised. the cuisine before heading
opportunity to take learning
and older. Reaching out and home. All perfectly interesting
Young people need to be aware forward into the 21st Century.
connecting with other students experiences and a useful exercise
that many people across the That also means more
from around the world opens up in independence and building
world have enormous challenges collaboration, both locally and
new channels for learning and confidence, but we need to go
to overcome and need resilience internationally. The problem is,
development and can be very beyond that.
and a relentless determination right now there isn’t any formal
powerful in terms of building
to create change. As a sector, process or structure to link Global education is
new relationships, broadening our
education needs to become much up schools with their overseas not about adventure
outlook of the world while helping
more open about global awareness counterparts. This is something Learning more about other
us to represent our own countries
too. Whether that means being that needs to change in the future schools across the globe helps
in a more positive way too.
more selective about the different as we look to cultivate a future of to equip children with the skills
There are, of course, several ways music you play before an assembly, acceptance in terms of diversity and the confidence they need
that schools can embrace more or creating more opportunities for and culture and also as part of to take purposeful action to
opportunities for interaction international themes and events our objective to teach kindness improve their future lives and to
on a global level. Exchanges that students can participate in. and mutual respect for all. Just as positively influence the world they
between schools are common We recently held an international the concept of ‘town twinning’ in live in. Having a more rounded,
but are becoming more frequent poetry day at school and students this country, conceived after the global education is also extremely
and important today and we were asked to read their selected Second World War in 1947, was effective in supporting students’
are also seeing some fascinating poems in the native language. intended to foster friendship and academic endeavours and their
examples of how technology is This was a really powerful exercise understanding amongst different social and emotional development,
helping to facilitate greater global in changing perceptions around cultures as an act of peace and not to mention their health and
connections in schools, such as language and removing some of reconciliation, the same too could wellbeing as citizens of our diverse
Skype lessons being integrated the stigmas. apply to schools. world.
into global classrooms.
Making small changes towards Why not have ‘Twinned Schools’?
Highlighting common ground supporting a more global outlook Yet, it is important to remember
It seems credible that a system that global education is not
Visits from worldwide speakers is a good step forward. Holding
like this that helps to link schools about shiny adventures, nor is it
in school who can share real life traditional celebrations linked
together with other schools from about a nice holiday or overseas
experiences can also help students to the historic event of a certain
across the globe could have great trip. As schools we need to be
to visualise and empathise what country or hosting a languages
potential in building mutually venturing much further and
it is like to face barriers and week in school can really help
beneficial and stronger cross- looking to develop more sustained
discrimination across different students to feel more involved and
cultures in a similar way and it and meaningful opportunities
countries. We had a refugee enthused about the opportunities
would give schools a starting point to enrich our students’ thirst for
speaking in school recently during a globally-led community can
upon which to develop their global learning. For global education to
a special assembly and her story provide. Students usually feel
connections. become successful as part of the
was very moving indeed. The enriched by having a link to
impact it had on the students another country. In generations Global education is becoming curriculum, it needs to be driven,
was very emotive and powerful past, we would have pen pals and an expectation of the future and progressed and followed up. Just
as a message. It’s interesting would write to other children from will resonate with future parent as the world continues to evolve,
to see how scenarios like this overseas schools; the vehicle has generations to come. Previously so too does our approach to
resonate and highlight common changed but the intention is the the act of boosting global understanding it.
About Habs Girls’ School www.habsgirls.org.uk
Founded in 1875, Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls is a leading independent school for students aged 4 to 18 years. Based in Elstree, Hertfordshire, its current and historic academic results
place it amongst the highest ranked independent schools operating in the UK today. Set over 40 acres of stunning countryside and within easy reach of London, the school is committed to the
development of each individual child, providing a challenging, friendly learning environment and a positive, stimulating and secure community that welcomes students from a diverse range of
backgrounds and cultures. Based on the same campus as Habs Boys, Habs Girls’ School is able to provide single-sex education, in a co-educational environment, nurturing happy, hardworking
pupils and preparing them to become citizens of a global 21st Century.
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ads@independentschoolsmagazine.co.uk Independent Schools Magazine 13You can also read
