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March 2019 Chair Head Bursar Registrar Staffroom School Office ...the professional journal for Management & Staff
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In this issue...
05 ‘Confidence...Not Swagger’
essentials of character education
06 Should Sending Children to
Independent School ‘Seem Eccentric’?
head responds to Michael Gove’s latest pronouncement
Photo: Adam Scott 07 A-levels & GCSE’s should be scrapped
reaction to MP’s Robert Halfon’s suggestion
12 Opting for Phone-Free Fridays
Razzle Dazzle why nine out of ten pupils say ‘yes’
with Chicago 20 Learning & Attainment Scores
Half term at Bancroft’s School, Essex, started ‘better than termly reports & effort grades’
with a bang thanks to an energy fuelled senior
production of Kander and Ebb’s hit musical 24 Profile
Chicago. in conversation with Anna Tomlinson
After a successful West End revival, which
finished in January 2019, Chicago has only 26 Blogging for Students
recently become available for performances
by schools and youth groups. Bancroft’s was
an essential for every school?
excited to be amongst the first to stage the show
which is known for its energetic jazz-age dance
30 Importance of Language & Music
numbers, such as “All That Jazz”. social & cultural glue for society
The production, under the tight direction of
Head of Drama Elie Middleton, was described as
40 Pioneering New Wellness Centre
“professional” and “unique” by members of the for school & community
audience.
Chicago Musical Director was Julia Whitbread, 43 Senior Staff Stress Levels
Bancroft’s Director of Music. what can be done to help
Wellness Centre serves Plus
school & community 10 Higher penalties in Employment Tribunals
14 Sixth-formers’ smart block-chain solution
A pioneering wellness centre focusing on mental
wellbeing in young people has been unveiled at a
15 Investing in new boarding facilities
school in North Yorkshire. 16 Money laundering - practical advice
18 Building resilience through exercise & nutrition
The facility, thought to be one of the first of its
kind in the country, has opened at Harrogate
22 Maths No Problem - annual conference
Ladies’ College, offering a dedicated space to focus 31 Music, Drama, & Dance Focus Feature
on students’ mental and physical wellbeing. 36 Career mentoring app goes nationwide
The school is also keen that its benefits extend to 38 Disposing of charity land - key points to watch
staff members and the local community who can 39 Changing Faces, Changing Places; Heads Hunted
take part in talks promoting wellness, parent and 42 Languages Conference; introducing ISMLA
baby activities and first aid and medical support. 45 ‘Women in Engineering’ Conference - applications open
Feature page 40-41 47 Editorial Advisory Board; Free e-mag subscriptions; Contact Us
LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A SCHOOL OR NURSERY
National SchoolTransfer For a Professional – Confidential Service
www.nationalschooltransfer.com Email: info@nationalschooltransfer.com Tel: +44 (0)1980 621251
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Prime Minister learns about
student-led community initiative
Prime Minister Theresa May took
time out of her busy schedule to
visit Reading Blue Coat (RBC) last
month (February) to learn about
the Berkshire school’s student-led
outreach programme, the Aldworth
Partnership.
Headmaster Jesse Elzinga; RBC
chaplain Rev. James Stephenson,
Translation
who helps run the partnership;
four of the Senior Prefects leading
competition
the partnership; and teachers and
pupils from three of the local
winner
primary schools with which RBC Woldingham School, Surrey, Sixth
is partnered in the programme Picture by Simon Jones of Bonjour Photography Former Natalia Glazman is the UK
– Thameside Primary, Sonning winner of Juvenes Translatores,
The Aldworth Partnership is an the transformational work that the an annual competition which
Primary and Cranbury College
umbrella term for the outreach students and staff are engaged in. rewards the best translators in the
– spent time talking about the
work that RBC undertakes. It is European Union. Natalia beat
transformational nature of the Mr Elzinga, pictured with Mrs
a student-led initiative to get students from 73 UK schools and
partnership. May, said: ‘We are not trying to
every student involved in some will travel to Brussels in early April
tick a political box or to satisfy
Mr Elzinga said: ‘It was heart- way in community service, and
the charities commission; we build to be presented with the award,
warming to hear the primary thereby leave a legacy of service
these partnerships because we are along with a winner from each of
school pupils describe to the Prime for future RBC students to follow.
a community school that wants to the other EU countries.
Minister what they liked about The philosophy underpinning
support education, not just of our Natalia won for a translation from
their link with Blue Coat. They the partnership is that the work
own pupils but also of the pupils in Spanish into English – a feat that
mentioned using our cross country is transformational, i.e. that both
the wider area.’ is even more remarkable because
course, swimming in our pool, and parties grow in character because of
being taught languages, maths and the relationship. The school raises The Prime Minister held a surprise her first language is Russian.
sport by our pupils back at their money to support the Aldworth PM Question Time with the RBC Natalia started learning English
own schools.’ Partnership but that is secondary to Government and Politics students. at the age of seven and describes
her linguistic level at the time she
Tributes to Bernice
joined Woldingham aged 11 as
“okay”. But her immersion into a
British education at Woldingham
Bernice McCabe OBE, well as in sister schools in Jeju and quickly saw her become fluent,
Headmistress of North London Dubai, and also in her work with helped by her devotion to spending
Collegiate School between 1997 The Prince’s Teaching Institute.” much of her spare time to reading
and 2017, died of cancer in the and watching films in English.
Dafydd James-Williams, Head of
early hours of Monday 18th Woldingham’s Head of Spanish,
English, said: “In 2002, Bernice
February 2019. Mr Angel López, soon spotted
directed the first Prince of Wales
Bernice had been diagnosed with her talent for his native language
Education Summer School, which
glioblastoma, a form of brain (Natalia achieved one of her
offered state school teachers the
cancer, in February 2018 and her eight A* GCSEs in Spanish) and
opportunity to share and indulge
condition had worsened recently. encouraged her to continue with
in their love for their subjects,
She died peacefully at home. it at A Level alongside her other
and hear from world-renowned
passion, science.
Current head Sarah Clark said: experts in their respective fields.
“Bernice was an inspiring In 2006 the annual Summer Headmistress, Mrs Alex Hutchinson,
educationalist, whose interests Schools grew into The Prince’s sectors and had been a trustee of pictured with Natalia, commented:
and energies were manifold. Teaching Institute, which Bernice the British Skin Foundation”. “I’m enormously proud of
Her passion for the provision of co-directed. By 2016, 14% of all After undergoing successful Natalia’s achievement, and also
a scholarly, and academically Secondary Schools in England neurosurgery in February 2018, of our language teachers who
challenging education, led her and Wales had sent a teacher to Bernice received the life- have nurtured and developed her
to introduce the International a PTI course, empowering 5,000 extending drug ipilimumab undoubted talents. That Natalia
Baccalaureate Diploma alongside teachers to challenge and inspire privately at University College is applying to study Biochemistry
A levels and the Pre-U at North their pupils, with over 520,000 London Hospital, with, initially, with Spanish is testament to the
London Collegiate School. Her children benefitting from a richer promising results. Thereafter, and breadth of academic excellence at
desire to enable future generations educational experience as a up until her death, she was a Woldingham and I have no doubt
of teachers to be able to burnish result. She also served on national powerful and public campaigner that Natalia’s linguistic talents will
and develop the love of their education committees in both to make immunotherapy available open up many opportunities to her
subjects was felt both at NLCS as the maintained and independent for brain tumours on the NHS. in the future, both professionally
NLCS held a fundraising day in October 2018 to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, and anyone wishing and personally.”
to donate to this will find details here. (www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/tnba/immunotherapy#)
4 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249
Confidence – but not Swagger
What is character education? Recent Secretaries of State for
Education have espoused its importance and Damian Hines
has unveiled a plan to establish ‘five foundations’ for building
character across the state sector. Michael Windsor, head
of Abingdon School, Oxfordshire, discusses what character
education means, and why the recent headline in the Times –
‘Public School Swagger’ – was both unfortunate and inaccurate.
Independent schools have for a In preparing pupils for the future, context and opening their eyes to
long time placed the development we need to help them grow the the world beyond the bubble of
of character at the heart of their resilience to ride out tough times school life. This is why our students
mission. Indeed, in 1862 the Head by fostering fundamental values gain so much from our partnership
pupils have strong foundations
of Loretto listed his priorities in this such as integrity, resourcefulness activities with local maintained
of knowledge upon which to
order: ‘First - Character. Second and kindness, rather than nurturing schools, be it mentoring younger
draw. Great teaching stands at the
- Physique. Third - Intelligence. an unwarranted and artificial sense pupils in English, Maths or Science,
heart of developing intellectual
Fourth - Manners. Fifth - of entitlement. helping primary school children
confidence. Pupils are able to cope
Information.’ A quick trawl through with DT or languages or producing
Abingdon is renowned for the with new ideas or indeed are happy
school websites today confirms short films with the Abingdon Film
‘Other Half’, a term that reflects to formulate their own if they have
that personal development remains Academy. I love seeing our boarders
our commitment to the importance a really well-established foundation
very important to our schools, with helping out as Science Ambassadors
of extra-curricular activities. The of knowledge in place.
the enhancement of confidence at the family mornings we run with
Other Half plays a key part in the Knowledge is also the true
particularly key. Science Oxford; students from all
personal development of our pupils foundation for creativity. One
It was certainly this aspect of as it allows them to challenge over the world engaging in learning
and discovery with our local of my great musical heroes,
character education that The Times themselves in a huge range of the saxophonist Sonny Rollins,
picked up on in their report on activities. An advantage of the community.
famously spent two years practising
Mr Hines’ recent announcement, relatively large size of Abingdon is The building of confidence is his scales and technique on the
their headline proclaiming: ‘All the sheer range of extra-curricular certainly not just about extra- Williamsburg bridge in New York
pupils will have the chance of opportunities that we can make curricular activities. At Abingdon, (to avoid disturbing the neighbours)
gaining public school swagger’. I available - over 120 at the last our approach to teaching and and in doing so developed
felt the choice of headline was both count. This means that the Other learning demands that teachers a rich and new language for
unfortunate and inaccurate. Half can accommodate every challenge pupils to think for improvisation.
That phrase ‘public school swagger’ possible taste and interest and themselves and to take risks. We
I’m all for developing confidence
grates because it draws on outdated that pupils have a great chance help teachers develop questioning
but the last thing that we should
representations and does not of meeting like-minded friends in techniques that require pupils to
be imparting to future generations
reflect what today’s independent their various activities. There’s no challenge received thinking and
is a veneer of arrogance or ‘public
schools are all about. I hope we such thing as a typical Abingdon to express their own ideas and
school swagger’. I hope rather
would all agree that confidence has pupil as there are so many different opinions, in an atmosphere in
that our pupils emerge from
nothing to do with ‘swagger’ or pathways for them to follow, which which they will be listened to and
Abingdon with a sense of inner
arrogance but rather comes from we ensure are equally valid and taken seriously by their peers and
confidence that allows them to
allowing young people to be at respected. their teachers. feel comfortable in their own skins,
ease with themselves and simply We place a particular emphasis on Neither do we neglect the while also being happy to embrace
to be the person they want to be. taking pupils out of their familiar importance of ensuring that change and challenge.
Library refurbished
St Mary’s School, Essex, students on the challenge of updating and
are enjoying using their newly refurbishing the Senior School
refurbished Library, at the Senior Library.
School.
The Library was officially opened
Working alongside Miss Faith
by award winning writer and film
Pittock, a former St Mary’s
maker Matt Dickinson during a
student and now Project Designer
recent visit to St Mary’s – he was
for Morgan Lovell, a UK office
design and build company, and impressed with the space and
seeking input from Librarian, Mrs wished all the students many
Valerie Cassell and the English happy times indulging in a love of
Department, St Mary’s embarked reading.
Pictured: St Mary’s Library opening by Principal, Mrs Hilary Vipond,
author Matt Dickinson and Librarian Mrs Valerie Cassell
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Latest pronouncement from Michael Gove...
“I’d like to make sending children
to private school seem eccentric”
Head of Ipswich High School, Suffolk, Oona Carlin,
responds to Michael Gove’s newspaper article with
disappointment, and suggests the reality is far from the
image he presents...
To say that I was disappointed education in their local area but not school. With independent schools
to read the Evening Standard benefiting from it. Therefore if those usually offering smaller classes
article from Michael Grove is an parents choosing an independent and a more bespoke approach to
understatement. I realise that Mr education moved their children, education the way that they teach
Gove likes to court the press and there wouldn’t be more money to can be tailored to the individual
is often outspoken to provoke a support state schools there would pupils in each class. At Ipswich High
response but he appears to have lost actually be less money per pupil. School we offer a Diamond Model
touch with reality. I don’t disagree of education where the teachers of independent schools on
There are many reasons why
with the intent to improve the are able to adapt their teaching to local communities and the UK
parents might choose to send their
state school sector offer; I am sure suit co-educational and single-sex economy. Independent schools
children to an independent school;
that we all support this goal but to classes, where this best suits and are large employers in their local
sometimes it is because they feel communities; they employ not
suggest that the decision to send supports the pupils’ development
that the state school locally is not only teaching staff but also employ
children to private schools should be and understanding.
what they want for their children support and services staff. The
reserved for the ‘eccentric’ is, in my but it is usually about much more Many independent schools also recent report by Oxford Economics,
view, preposterous. than that. have invested more money in the ‘The impact of independent schools
I just don’t see how the British state learning support that they can on the UK economy’, shows that
More often, parents choose an
school system could cope if some offer to individuals which allows independent schools directly
independent education because of
parents didn’t choose to send their them to identify learning needs, to contribute £6.05bn to the UK GDP
the added activities and support
children to an independent school. work with pupils in groups or as and they support over 147,000 jobs.
beyond the curriculum. The parents
On average the government pays a individuals to overcome learning
at an independent school will expect I don’t understand why there can’t
state school £4,900 per pupil in the difficulties more easily.
an excellent academic education but be a truce. Why can’t politicians
primary phase and £6,300 per pupil will value the additional activities We have to remember that work with independent schools
in the senior phase. Doing a very on offer such as sports, performing independent schools have been to see how we can actually work
simple calculation if all the pupils in arts, clubs and other extension and established in the UK for several together to ensure that all pupils
my school were to choose to go to extra-curricular activities. It is often hundred years and they have in all regions of the country get a
a state school then the government about the rounded education an offered and continue to offer a lot great education. Many independent
would need to find a further 500 independent school can offer and to their local communities. Often schools would be very happy to
school places and about 2.8 million the broader curriculum which is not an independent school will offer work with local authorities to take
pounds to fund these places. as restricted as in many state schools facilities, services and support to pupils into their schools to assist
You must remember that most – often by government agendas. their local communities and to their in areas with a shortage of places
parents in UK independent schools local schools. for pupils.
The choice is frequently about the
are tax payers and therefore they time and support teachers can offer In the article Mr Gove has Would it not be better for us all to
are currently paying for the state to the pupils in an independent overlooked the positive impact put the child first?
Who is The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP? A few Michael Gove quotable quotes
Michael Gove was born in 1967 and educated at Robert Gordon’s College,
Aberdeen and Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University. He became a journalist
about teaching and teachers:
after leaving university, working as a reporter for The Press and Journal in “The single most important thing in a child’s performance
Aberdeen, a researcher and reporter at Scottish Television and a reporter for
BBC Television. He was later Assistant Editor of The Times.
is the quality of the teacher. Making sure a child spends the
He was elected Conservative MP for Surrey Heath in 2005.
maximum amount of time with inspirational teachers is the
He was Shadow Minister for Housing from 2005 to 2007 and Shadow
most important thing”.
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families from 2007 to 2010. He “I’m a decentralizer. I believe in trusting professionals”
served as Secretary of State for Education from May 2010 until July 2014.
From July 2014 to May 2015, he served as Government Chief Whip and “As long as there are people in education making excuses
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury. Michael also served as Lord Chancellor
and Secretary of State for Justice from May 2015 until 14 July 2016.
for failure, cursing future generations with a culture of low
He was appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
expectations, denying children access to the best that has
on 11 June 2017. been thought and written, because Nemo and the Mister
He is married with two children. Men are more relevant, the battle needs to be joined”
6 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249
Should we scrap GCSEs and A-levels?
MP Robert Halfon recently suggested that GCSEs and A-levels should
be scrapped in favour of a new qualification for 18-year olds, which
encompasses academic and vocational subjects. The view seems to be
that taking GCSEs at 16 is outdated, particularly since the law now
requires that young people remain in education until 18. Headmaster of
West Buckland School, Devon, Phillip Stapleton discusses...
I recognise the call for a broader project work and Extra-curricular To conclude, however exciting the opportunities for students
curriculum, and I am pleased to activities (ECA) sitting alongside prospect of a more wide-ranging to understand more about
see that Halfon is a proponent of a slightly broader set of subjects assessment process, I don’t believe themselves and become ‘future
a knowledge-engaged curriculum. (than A-levels) would be a world- that now is the time to introduce ready’.
I would always defend the class curriculum indeed and another round of changes. All
However, I reject the idea that
concept of an education which could provide parity for access to aspects of education have been
does not end at the classroom revamped in the last five years, education is just about preparing
academic and vocational routes.
door, as there would be much and I would support the need for people for corporate life; its
This baccalaureate idea, followed purpose is to enable children to
experience to be missed. While teachers to be left to get on with
by a university foundation be the author of their own lives
many teachers subscribe to the teaching instead of introducing
course, could bring about a new
theory that remembering facts yet another round of changes. and to embrace a world that
educational era. Perhaps one
in exams is not essential in a includes creativity and colour. In
where schooling is compulsory Halfon’s determination to
world where we can so easily a future that is going to become
until 17, with assessment at Year promote and prize partnership
access information, we must not increasingly dominated by AI
12? This would have the benefit work with local businesses is
forget that the current workforce perhaps education needs to focus,
of releasing some funding to very exciting and could happen
has evolved, diversified and equally, on living a life fulfilled:
schools as there would be one less independently of other reforms.
even pioneered the future job one that understands what it
year in education. It is something we have developed
market ‘despite’ having received a
at West Buckland, providing means to be fully human.
traditional education. Independent schools have been
GCSEs taken in Year 11 are a mark held up in the past as a gold
of achievement at that point in a standard because they offer a
child’s life. They don’t recognise broad education through a wide
every aspect of learning, but nor ECA programme, project work,
should they try to – it is neither business partnerships and a varied
possible, nor desirable, for us to sixth form selection of BTEC, AL,
try and measure everything that IB and PreU.
matters in education, just as it However, this may be achievable
isn’t in life generally. for the independent sector but
Any new exams (if not so would pose a number of serious
extensive in number) would be concerns for the state sector.
just as high stakes as the present Schools struggle to provide
GCSE, but my concern is that the specialist teachers at GCSE level
outcome would be a narrowed and recruitment is tough: how
(not broadened) curriculum, as will they teach to the higher
students would have to study specification and offer the
more subjects to a later age, additional activities that nurture
but many of these would be the creative thinking required?
proscribed by the State and
Whilst some schools would reduce
might be tailored to the political
their numbers to exclude Year
‘requirements’ of the economy.
13, others would be increasing
Breadth of knowledge is their numbers to accommodate
important, and so is the chance the extra year group. To that
to combine this knowledge extent, upskilling staff, increasing
with the opportunity to be ECA expectation and therefore
healthy, perform, be quiet and consequential pay reforms, with
be different. A baccalaureate the inevitable closure of some
has much potential and is a real FE institutions, are likely to
possibility now that students are require such enormous financial
in education until 18. investment that it will leave
A well-constructed baccalaureate, this bold idea as a thought
with an emphasis on cognition, experiment.
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‘ZERO plastics’ makes a big impact
Students at Sevenoaks School, drinking water taps across campus,
Kent set up a project to reduce to enable the filling of bottles, as
the school’s plastics footprint, and the existing fountains were not
have so far prevented over 15,000 equipped to do this.
plastic bottles from being used.
When the proposals were accepted,
In late 2017, ZERO plastics set the students liaised with the
up a campus-wide campaign to school’s Estates department to
reduce the number of plastic choose the water stations with
bottles being provided with packed the appropriate design and
lunches to students attending
functionality.
sports fixtures. They met with
the school’s PE and Catering After the drinking water points
departments to put forward their were installed during August, the
proposals. students began work on designing
reusable bottles that will be
They suggested that each pupil
Royal lecture on remarkable experiences should receive their own reusable
provided to all Sevenoaks students.
aluminium bottle, so that the The Catering team have agreed
The Royal School, Surrey, enjoyed wonderful opportunity to hear
Catering department did not have that once students have been
their fourth Royal Lecture this of the remarkable experiences
to provide single-use bottles for issued with their reusable bottle,
academic year when The Right of Lord Lilley, whose roles have
every match or lunchtime training they will stop the provision of
Honourable The Lord Peter included Secretary of State
session. plastic bottles.
Lilley, PC, spoke to Senior School for Trade and Industry under
students about his life and work Margaret Thatcher, Secretary of They also proposed that new Since the water stations have been
in the House of Commons and State for Social Security under drinking water fountains be in use the school has prevented the
John Major, Shadow Chancellor installed within the school’s sports use and waste of 15,000 (300ml)
more recently in the House of
of the Exchequer under William facility, The Sennocke Centre, and plastic bottles.
Lords.
Hague, Deputy Leader of the
Entitled ‘35 years in British Conservative Party and now
Politics… an interpretation of the
political landscape’, this was a
Member of the House of Lords
since May 2018.
School site sold
A historic independent school the Foundation on a single
Pictured: Lilley with Principal, Mrs Anne Lynch and pupils
site has been sold for residential campus, including a new shared
development in a multi-million sixth form centre.
pound transaction.
It will also see improvements made
The 2.4 acre site of King’s High to the Bridge Sports Centre, as well
School in Warwick has been sold as provision of a new state of the
by the Warwick Independent art 3G rugby pitch, which is already
Schools Foundation to Wake Green in use.
(Warwick) Limited.
Simon Jones, Foundation Secretary
The site has been home to the of the Warwick Independent
school since 1879 and will be Schools Foundation, said: “We are
vacated once the school’s new delighted to have completed the
site on Myton Road is ready for sale of the King’s High School site
occupation in September 2019. and would like to thank all of those
Leading Midlands law firm Wright involved for making this happen.
Hassall’s expertise across a range “Our work to create a new campus
of legal services for the education is a real milestone in our history.”
sector helped the Foundation
Rosehill have been supplying quality access a £20 million development
finance package from HSBC to
contract furniture for over three decades.
create a new campus for King’s
We have products to fit all areas of your school including: High School on the Foundation’s
· Durable poly classroom chairs in Myton Road site.
adult & junior sizes
· Classroom tables & exam desks The firm subsequently acted for
· Lab stools and swivel base chairs the Foundation on the sale of the
· Staff room and common room furniture historic King’s High School site.
· Breakout area tables and chairs
· Lockers and changing room benches The ongoing development work
· Cafeteria furniture on the Myton Road site, where
· Office furniture and filing cabinets Warwick School, Warwick Junior
School and Warwick Preparatory
To discuss your requirements or for advice School are already based, will
and quotations please contact Rosehill on bring together all schools within
0161 485 1717 or view www.rosehill.co.uk Pictured (l to r): Claire Waring (Wright Hassall lawyers) Richard Hardy (Bromwich Hardy surveyors)
Alison Pearce (Wright Hassall) David Stevens (Warwick Independent Schools Foundation)
8 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249
Sophia, Croydon High Collection.
lime lining and pocket trims. Paired with
V neck sweater with lime detailing and a
bespoke navy, grey and lime kilt.
schoolblazer.info 01832 280 011
ads@independentschoolsmagazine.co.uk Independent Schools Magazine 9
Higher penalties loom in
Employment Tribunal litigation
The removal of Employment Tribunal (ET) fees in July 2017 has had a significant impact on the
number of employees pursuing claims. Ministry of Justice statistics for April to June 2018 revealed
a massive165% increase in claims compared with the same period in the previous year. In addition,
as part of its ‘Good Work Plan’, the Government is planning a number of reforms aimed at making
it easier for claimants to bring ET claims and enforce awards. Some of these reforms, such as a
“name and shame” scheme to identify employers that fail to pay ET awards, have already taken
effect. Others, such as an increase (from £5,000 to £20,000) in the maximum penalty an ET can
impose upon employers for “aggravated” breaches of employment rights, are scheduled to be Louise Smyth is an employment lawyer with
brought in with effect from 6 April 2019. In the light of these developments, it is sensible for Field Seymour Parkes LLP in Berkshire.
0118 951 6200 louise.smyth@fsp-law.com
Schools to assess the risks of ET litigation and wherever possible take steps to mitigate this.
Solicitor Louise Smyth provides her top tips...
Preparation key procedures and their role prospects of success with a claim • Right to be accompanied
The importance of well drafted and • Understand the importance of is low. Conversely, basic errors may • Right to present evidence
up to date policies and contracts compliance well encourage an employee to take • Written communications
cannot be under-estimated. There matters further or investigate the
• Balance needs of individual
are many factors that can lead to Identifying Risks substance of the decision in greater
against those of the organisation
tribunal litigation, some within and As part of understanding when to detail.
(consider personal circumstances)
some outside an employer’s control. seek advice, management should be
aware of the most common trigger Reasonableness • Confidentiality
The key to reducing the risk of
points for tribunal action, such as: Whilst process is important, the
litigation is to deal with the matters
cornerstone of UK employment law
Record keeping
which are within one’s control • Disciplinaries/dismissal It is important that a complete
and the obvious starting point for is the principle of reasonableness,
• Change of terms/benefits – both paper-trail of helpful documents
Schools is to ensure that their own i.e. whether or not an employer
by employer and employee (e.g. is kept and any process is fully
employment documentation is up has ultimately acted reasonably.
flexible working) documented in writing. Notes
to date. This includes policies and For example, a dismissal will be
• Performance management of meetings and conversations
contracts, but equally applies to unfair, even if for a potentially fair
• Sale of business and insourcing/ should be kept and properly
offer letters, standard advertisement reason, if the employer has acted
outsourcing filed. Notes should be taken at
wording, sickness and holiday unreasonably in treating it as a
the time, if possible, or be as
• Sickness absence (including sufficient reason for dismissing the
forms and any other documents contemporaneous as possible and
disability discrimination claims) employee.
relied upon by Schools on a day to any substantive decisions that are
day basis. Well drafted documents • Discrimination In dealing with any employment made should always be confirmed
can help guide managers through • Redundancy issue, Schools would be well formally in writing at the end of
the required processes, manage • Family friendly rights advised to consider the following any procedure. However, Schools
employee expectations and help • Bullying/harassment/breakdown principles of natural justice: should also be aware of their
demonstrate a commitment to in relations between employees disclosure obligations and mindful
• People have a right to be heard:
compliance. of the fact that most, if not all,
Understanding the personalities they must have a fair opportunity
However, comprehensive policies involved is also key to assessing to present their case whenever internal communications will find
will be of little use if the Senior risk; managers are likely to have a their interests might be adversely their way before the ET.
Leadership Team do not follow good sense of which employees are affected by a decision
them or do not have the skills or likely to pursue a claim.
Settlement Agreements –
• The decision should be made by
training to deal with issues when The Last Line of Defence
someone free of bias and the
matters arise. Schools should Process appearance of bias
Finally, it is of course open for
ensure that anyone with line A large part of employment law is Schools to agree commercial
• The judgment must be based on terms and enter into a settlement
management responsibilities has about applying the correct process
evidence, not on speculation or agreement that will serve to waive
sufficient training to: and being seen to have applied
suspicion employees’ employment claims
the right process. Employment
• Understand the School’s policies • The decision should reference and avoid litigation. Care needs
tribunals will of course look beyond
and procedures the evidence used in making the to be taken to ensure that any
the paperwork to determine the
• Have an ability to assess the risk reality of the situation but if a decision discussions are truly off the record
in any given situation process looks compliant, as and • Give sufficient and reasonable and Schools should seek legal
• Understand when they need to when it is initially reviewed by an notice advice to ensure that any resulting
seek advice (internal or external) employee’s adviser, their initial • Consider sharing information, settlement agreement is binding
• Have a basic understanding of advice may be that the employee’s both positive and negative and enforceable.
Free Employment Law Bulletin Register here
Keep up to date with employment law – free monthly newsletter
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10 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249Forty for the Future:
New scholarship initiative widens access
Marking its 40th anniversary, scholarships will be awarded to
Lomond School, Argyll & Bute, has candidates who perform strongly
launched 40 new day and boarding either in a specific subject or across
scholarships to widen access to all areas. The Creative Arts awards
talented youngsters. will celebrate young people with
a gift for creative writing, art,
The means-tested scholarships will
photography or drama whilst the
be offered to young people from
Music scholarship will be awarded
across Scotland and beyond, who
to those with talent in one or more
excel academically, musically, in
instruments.
the creative arts or in sport. Also
available is a special ‘all-rounder’ Sporting candidates recognised
award in memory of the school’s for skills within one key field or
founder and first Principal David across multiple disciplines will be
encouraged to become involved
Arthur who passed away in
in Lomond’s thriving team sports.
December.
And with sailing, skiing, canoeing
Principal Johanna Urquhart with a present day pupil and inset David Arthur
Mr Arthur, who was Principal and climbing within easy reach
for almost ten years, successfully and embedded into the school scholarship will be bestowed upon a to offer places to many more young
merged St. Bride’s School for Girls curriculum there are many candidate who will contribute to the people who may not ordinarily have
and the boys’ Larchfield Academy opportunities to excel in new life of the school in a range of ways. the opportunity to attend Lomond
in 1977 and played an important sports too. School. These forty new scholarships
Johanna Urquhart, Principal of
role in the school’s 40th anniversary will do just that, and we are very
As a tribute to Mr Arthur, who Lomond School, said: ‘As we
celebrations of last year. excited to welcome talented young
made such a significant impact on celebrate the past 40 years of our
With a possible reduction of up the school, local community and school and look forward to the people from all backgrounds to our
to 50% of school fees, academic national charities, the ‘all-rounder’ future, we are conscious of a desire Lomond School family.
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ads@independentschoolsmagazine.co.uk Independent Schools Magazine 11Opting for Phone-Free Fridays
Nine out of ten pupils at Christ As pupils became invested in the
College Brecon, have decided to topic following the assembly,
leave their phones behind as part conversations continued after
of a new voluntary programme school, in house meetings and
called Phone-Free Fridays. in tutor groups, which is why
Research on society’s increasing Christ College Brecon decided to
dependency on phones and introduce an opt-in programme.
their addictive nature, struck a With Phone-Free Fridays pupils
chord with deputy head Simon can voluntarily choose to hand in
Hill. Although mobile phones their phones to their houseparents
are prohibited during classes, each week.
he noted how much time pupils He said: “At Christ College we
spent on their phones during encourage our pupils to make
lunchtime hours and in their informed decisions and raise
spare time, seeing the impact this awareness of the issues we face as
had on their social behaviour. a society. The assembly was held
During assembly, the deputy to open pupils’ eyes and make Simon Hill and pupils
head shone a light onto them actively think for themselves
whether they rely too much on wanted to place our trust in our to focus better and generally note
society’s dependency on their
their phones. pupils and offer this initiative, they enjoy simply chatting to
mobile phones. He highlighted
which they could buy into. To their peers.
societal pressure for people “It was great to hear so many
engage more pupils at the start, “However, pupils have also
to be available at all times conversations between pupils
we did turn it into a House described the general anxiety
and young people’s desire to about the topic, so we decided
competition, which has really they’ve felt by being away
scroll through social media to to hold this initiative. We didn’t
caught on with pupils from all from their phones. Some even
see what their peers are up to want to simply tighten our phone
years. commented that they think their
rather than actively engaging in policies, that would have been a
conversations. short-term solution. Instead, we “As the deputy head of a phones are vibrating, despite not
boarding school, I cannot deny having their phones on them.
MOTIVATIONAL, ASPIRATIONAL, ENCOURAGING the positive aspects phones have This shows how strong phone
nowadays. Pupils can speak to dependency can be, and I doubt
YOUR CHOICE, their parents abroad; day pupils pupils would have noticed the
ANY SIZE,
can let parents know about any addiction themselves had they
SHAPE, STYLE,
FRAMING changes in their diaries and not chosen to leave their phones
OR COLOUR! so much more. However, with behind one day a week.
the increasing use of phones, “I’m glad to see that this initiative
we started to notice changes has made our pupils more aware
in our pupils’ behaviour. When of their own phone usage. Our
youngsters do not have access pupils don’t want to waste time
to their devices, you notice on phones and I think Phone-
an increase in irritability and Free Fridays have increased the
restlessness, which show just how awareness of how much we, as a
addictive adolescents’ connection society, rely on our phones.
to their phone is.
“Phone-free Friday has provided
“Our pupils are all very busy them with the structure and
and dedicated to excelling in support to tackle this dependency
their academics as well as their in the company of their friends.
sporting and creative activities. The Sixth Form Centre has
We understood their need become much more sociable and
for down-time, but what was you see groups of pupils grow
down-time to some, caused extra closer as a community.”
pressure to others.
Each Friday up to 90% of
“The Phone-free Fridays initiative students have chosen to
Goldtree Bespoke, enables pupils to look critically hand their phones in to their
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an increase in productivity, ability sustainable in the long-run.
12 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249Cyber Insurance – An effective way for
independent schools to transfer risk?
According to the “Most organizations we talk to your school from the moment a
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ads@independentschoolsmagazine.co.uk Independent Schools Magazine 13Brilliant Blockchain Solution
A team of Bedford School Sixth Formers were the talk of the recent
Barclays Blockchain Hackathon in London when they scooped third prize
amid the field of banks and high-profile tech companies.
Bedford School Sixth Formers from The Financial Times and ideas immediately generated Bedford School were one of the
Matthew Lewis, James Wallace, Ernst and Young. great excitement with the judges, teams, and they raised issues in
Alex Ward and Henry Shaw mostly comprising of technical our GitHub repository and even
During the competition, the
caused a stir in the Barclays directors from banks, including wrote a pull request.”
boys, alongside all the other
Blockchain Hackathon last month Santander, HSBC and Barclays,
competitors, were challenged Speaking on the boys’ inventive
(February) in London when they who were overheard saying
to come up with an idea for solution, Dr Braine, Investment
scooped third prize. things like, “Do you realise that
exchanging data and verifying Bank CTO Office at Barclays,
this could be applied to…” and
Awash with technical teams transactions between two explained, “Their solution was
“my god, this is brilliant!”.
from banks and high-profile different blockchains using Ion the only one that was truly
tech companies, the Bedford interoperability protocol. The After their successful pitch, generalised and re-usable, and
School boys were the only school Bedford School team identified a the boys set about the task of it opened our eyes to new use-
team invited and had no prior novel use-case for the technology; coding, from scratch, a working cases that nobody has thought of
blockchain technology experience that of data exchange that prototype of the solution. They
before”. He continued “Bedford’s
up until two days before enabled UCAS, exam-boards, created contracts that were
pitch was professional, clear and
the event. Despite this, they awarding bodies, schools and digitally signed and passed
concise, and we actually saw the
students to all transfer and through the block-chain Ion
managed to pitch their idea, set working prototype of contracts
digitally sign contracts seamlessly framework, being filled out by
up blockchain networks, install being automatically swapped
in a currency that is very valuable awarding bodies and schools;
software, develop a project and between exam-boards and
to them – their exam results. passing around examination
present it to not only the UK’s schools”.
result-tokens like bitcoins in a
big banks and tech companies During the pitch process, carried
financial market. Computer Science Teacher, Dr
but also journalists and writers out Dragons’ Den style, the boys’
During the event, the boys also Wild said: “I have never been
identified two significant bugs more proud of boys in all my
in the technology that they were time at the school – they were
using. The technical team at the talk of the event. They were
Clearmatics, the company who personally congratulated by the
invented the Ion framework, worldwide Chief Technology
Leading Manufacturers of could not believe that boys Officer of Barclays Bank, and
Cricket Ground Equipment from a school could find such Santander has already opened
important defects. Clearmatics a dialogue about possible
posted: “Some bright and future careers. Quite some
motivated A-Level students from achievement!”
www.stuartcanvas.co.uk 01925 814525
14 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249Investing in
boarding facilities
Ellesmere College, Shropshire, has students progress through Ellesmere
announced it is opening a second and the Sixth Form is a perfect time
Sixth Form Girls boarding house in for many to take this step.
September. “Parents and pupils allude to Rendcomb College, Gloucestershire, The new accommodation will
As the demand for Sixth Form the fact that this move towards has begun work on the extension also provide families with plenty
and refurbishment of a new of flexibility. Children can be full,
places continues to grow at a greater independence within
boarding house which will welcome weekly or flexi boarders or they
Ellesmere, the Governors and the a very safe, planned and secure
boys and girls from September can stay over on ad-hoc occasions
Headmaster decided to repurpose environment allows for the personal
2019. depending on availability. Day
one of the current buildings to and social development of the
pupils will also be able to stay until
allow for the expansion. student, as well as the greater focus The building, known as Godman
8pm.
on academic success as everyone is House, is currently home to girls
The new additional housing Head of College, Rob Jones said:
working to the same outcomes.” aged 11-14 (Year 7 to 9), but from
(pictured) will be called St Hilda’s “Opening a co-educational house
September the school will open the
and its first occupants will take up This expansion will increase the has many benefits for our pupils,
extended 40-bed house to both
residence from September. capacity for girls into the Sixth not least the further development
boys and girls. This will continue
Form by 26. of the family atmosphere for which
Headmaster Brendan Wignall said: the co-education enjoyed by pupils
Rendcomb is rightly proud. By
“There has always been an increase Historically there has always been in the Junior School.
bringing the Year 7 to 9 pupils into
in demand for boarding places as just one senior girls’ boarding house
The house will have separate boys’ one purpose-built building, the
and two senior boys’ boarding
and girls’ wings with a modern pupils can enjoy excellent facilities
houses, but an increase in demand
atrium-style common room in the in an environment that is similar to
for girls’ places has driven the need
centre. Study rooms, changing family life. This building is another
for additional space. example of our commitment
rooms, a kitchen and a games room
As well as further beds, the new will also add the necessary break- to outstanding pastoral care
boarding house will also provide out spaces for busy and active for boarding and day pupils at
further individual study areas for teenagers. A full team of pastoral Rendcomb College.”
the day students, so that all Sixth staff will live on-site in the house’s Once the boys move into the
Form pupils, day or boarding, can staff quarters and they will ensure new house, their building will be
continue to have a personal study that all of the children in the house converted into a new Sixth Form
space, a feature not usually offered are supported and feel at home. Centre to be opened in 2020.
in most Sixth Forms. Pictured (l-r): Head of College, Mr Rob Jones, with pupils
ads@independentschoolsmagazine.co.uk Independent Schools Magazine 15You can also read
