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February 2020 Chair Head Bursar Registrar Staffroom School Office ...the professional journal for Management & Staff
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In this issue... 05 Paparazzi at the School Gates
how to manage unwanted media attention
06 Solving the Staff Well-Being Equation
boost in performance
07 Helping Young People Navigate the 21st Century
important new conference invitation
08 Learning about Chinese Culture
global education priorities
Ground breaking event 16 Trips to Faraway Places
St Dunstan’s College, London, has marked the can they really be justified?
start of the new development by ‘breaking the
ground’ with contractor Willmott Dixon.
The works will include a new Junior School,
20 Insisting on Manners
STEM building and Sixth Form Centre, which head’s focus on courtesy
will all open in 2021.
During the day, Willmott Dixon gave a group
of junior and senior pupils a tour of the
24 Profile
building site and explained to them what in conversation with Hilary Phillips
would be happening over the next 18 months,
before pupils got a chance to have photos in
the large digger.
40 Immediate & Emerging Risks Facing Schools
Following this, staff including the Headmaster, new research revealed
bursary team and a group of governors were
given a tour of the site. 44 Expanding Internationally
Speaking about the event, head Nicholas key issues and examples
Hewlett said: ‘This represents the most
significant redevelopment of our college sites
since our foundation in Catford, in 1888.
As one of the first schools in the world to
have invested in science and technology
Plus
laboratories, it seems fitting that 130 years on, 10 Letter from America prompts reflection on Pitt
we are creating state of the art STEM facilities 12 Learning ‘how to remember’ ~ top tips to assist students
for the next generation of Dunstonians.’ 15 Ground-breaking early-years initiative
Pictured: Headmaster Nick Hewlett and (right) 26 Value of foreign exchanges
is Adam Worrall, Director for Willmott Dixon 27 Focus Feature on Finance
30 Music, Drama & Dance
Cover background 36 School’s official fire brigade
38 Rugby round-up
Fire service 42 Changing Faces, Changing Places; Heads Hunted
Many headteachers will say they spend too 43 Poetry in the Classroom
much time firefighting but for the incoming
headteacher of one of the UK’s most well-known
47 Contact Us; Editorial Advisory Board; free e-mag offer
schools it could be quite literally true...
Feature on page 36
Is Your School Mentioned? See page 47 for an A-Z listing
LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A SCHOOL OR NURSERY
National SchoolTransfer
For a Professional – Confidential Service
29 Music,
www.nationalschooltransfer.com Drama
Email: & Dance
info@nationalschooltransfer.com Tel: +44 (0)1980 621251
ads@independentschoolsmagazine.co.uk Independent Schools Magazine 3
Selected to
play for Wales
Celyn Emanuel, Sports Coach and a
Resident House Assistant at Bishop’s
Stortford College, has been selected
to play for the Wales Senior Netball
Team.
After a rigorous selection process
which assessed Celyn’s stamina
and skill over an intense 5-day
trial in December, she was selected
as one of 26 players (narrowed
down from 95) to represent Wales
in their upcoming test matches. Celyn’s passion for netball started
Made up of players ranging from at the age of 8 during her time at
17-34 years old, the squad, which primary school before she progressed
has just improved its International to playing for a local club in Wales.
Netball Federation ranking to 9th She now plays for the Hertfordshire
Hornets and has been training
in the world, is currently training
Teacher wins national for a year of international netball,
including qualification for the 2022
with the Wales squad at the Sport
Wales Centre in Cardiff since the
eco award
beginning of the 2019 netball
Commonwealth Games.
season in October. Celyn will play
Commenting on the new squad, in the positions of Wing Attack and
At a star studded awards attitude – girls at St Mary’s feel Rachel Bayley, Welsh Netball’s Head Centre, with Wing Attack being her
ceremony, St Mary’s School, empowered to take ownership of of Performance said, “I would like preferred choice.
Essex, Head of Geography and the Eco-Schools programme by to congratulate all of the athletes
Eco-Schools Coordinator, Mrs On hearing of her success Celyn said,
thinking of their own solutions to who have been selected for the
Sarah Wilding was announced “I was delighted to be selected to
the environmental problems they 2020 Wales senior squad and thank
as Eco-Coordinator of the Year represent my country, it is an honour
face both in school and beyond. everyone who participated in the
by Steve Backshall MBE at the to be a part of such a talented
All members of the school trials process. The coming season
Eco Schools Awards held at the squad. I am extremely grateful for
community look forward to the will see preparations towards the
Etihad Stadium in Manchester. the opportunity to progress as a
next eco-event, be it an eco-week 2022 Commonwealth Games and player and to come up against some
or a recycled Halloween costume
From achieving Eco-Schools the 2023 World Cup escalate and of the best teams in the world. I look
Bronze award in February 2007 competition.
I know that after such a successful forward to furthering my netball
to their sixth and current Eco- Recently, Mrs Wilding’s message 2019, this new group of athletes will career after this and my long-term
Schools Green Flag Award in has spread beyond school. She be hungry to compete on court and goal has always been to make it to
March 2018, Mrs Wilding has writes a fortnightly eco-column continue our excellent run of form.” the Commonwealth Games.”
been the driving force behind for a regional newspaper and
embedding environmental
consciousness into the heart of St
Mary’s School.
has even had the opportunity
to deliver her message globally Marathon
Mrs Wilding has constantly driven
as she has begun to work with
young people around the world efforts pay off
the eco-agenda in St Mary’s to find solutions for a more
sustainable future, leading to an Clare Bovill, a singing teacher at
with passion and positivity.
international video conference Solihull School, has achieved the
Her leadership approach always
focuses on what can be done, in 2019. much sought-after World Marathon
rather than despairing about Majors 6 Star Award, which involves
Principal of St Mary’s, Mrs successfully completing marathons
current problems – this means Hilary Vipond who also attended
that St Mary’s pupils, from in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin,
the awards ceremony said “St Chicago and New York.
Kindergarten to Year 11, all have Mary’s is proud to be an Eco-
the belief that no one is too small Schools Ambassador and we Miss Bovill moved to Solihull when
to have a positive impact on are committed to creating a her son Jonathan, now 27, was a
climate change. for running had got her through
sustainable environment in which baby, and decided that to lose her
a traumatic period in her life, and
Over the last twelve years, Mrs to educate future generations. St baby weight she would need to
after she received some subtle
Wilding’s Eco-Schools work Mary’s students of all ages have get fit, so joined Sparkhill Harriers
encouragement, she decided to take
has had a noticeable influence been inspired and motivated by running club in Birmingham.
part in the New York Marathon.
on St Mary’s; from lowering Mrs Wilding; her eco-influence She completed a number of half
the school’s energy and water continues to have an impact Running with 50,000 others, Miss
marathons and resolved to run a
consumption to reducing food on our students long after they Bovill secured an excellent time,
full marathon before she turned 30.
waste from the school’s Dining have left the school so we are which made her eligible to compete
Over the following few years, she
Hall. Eco work within the school delighted that she has won this in Boston, which she ran in 2015. In
entered and conquered the London
has also impacted student award.” 2018, she took on Chicago, followed
Marathon no fewer than six times.
by Tokyo in March last year and she
Pictured: Sarah Wilding being presented her award by Steve Backshall
and Lee Wray-Davies from Eco-Schools England
Miss Bovill later contemplated giving finished the challenge triumphantly
up marathons but, as her passion in Berlin in September.
4 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249
How to manage unwanted media attention
Paparazzi at the school gates
It is not uncommon for the press to brazenly turn up at the school gates
uninvited. This is normally when the school is embroiled in a ‘crisis’ or a
news story relates to the child of a high-profile parent. There have been
instances of journalists hiding behind walls and topiary and snagging
unsuspecting pupils, staff and parents for ‘off the cuff’ interviews while
they walk from the main school to their boarding houses or the bus stop.
The press can also call unexpectedly and demand official comments. How
can schools deal with such intrusions? A report by lawyer Rory Lynch of
the Reputation & Privacy team at Vardags...
The consequences of not properly It is imperative to take the ‘wind’ you will be working to investigate • All pupils should be free to
managing such press interest can out of a journalist’s sails in order the allegations and gather relevant complete their time at school
be significant. A press enquiry to buy more time to respond. To evidence. Your team will liaise without unnecessary intrusion
may relate to serious and harmful this end, we would recommend with the Head to draft official • They must not be approached
allegations which could put the the following approach: statements and prepare rebuttals or photographed at school
school’s reputation at risk. The to push back on any allegations
1. Avoid providing comments without permission of the
school may not even be aware that are unclear or inaccurate,
on the spot or saying ‘no school authorities
of such allegations, especially if thereby testing the strength of the
comment’. They may print
emanating from disgruntled parents claims. • Children under 16 must not be
this as your ‘official’ response
or former pupils. In this respect, the interviewed or photographed
which can look defensive or be These measures help the school
school can be blind-sided. on issues involving their own or
inadequate to provide a considered response
This situation can be made worse another child’s welfare unless
2. Ask them to put the allegations which can serve to: (i) derail a custodial parent or similarly
by a common ploy used by the
in an email the publication entirely (if it is responsible adult consents
press: providing only a few hours
3. Ask them to include their spurious or wholly inaccurate), or
to respond before they ‘go to • Editors must not use the fame,
deadline for comment and (ii) ensure an official statement
print’. This is designed to allow notoriety or position of a parent
when they go to press by the school is included in the
the school precious little time or guardian as sole justification
article which minimises damage to
to provide a reasoned response. 4. Ask the journalists to provide for publishing details of a
reputation.
Last minute contact on a Friday any supporting documents / child’s private life
afternoon is a favourite technique. evidence they are relying on It is also worth noting that much
It implies a piece will be published of the press is regulated by the Armed with clause 6 of the IPSO
5. Explain that you need time to Code, physical security can also
in the weekend newspapers Independent Press Standards
investigate the matters they be arranged to patrol the grounds
and pressurises the school into Organisation (‘IPSO’). In turn,
have raised so that you can and environs of the school to
providing a rushed response. they are governed by the IPSO
provide an informed response minimise the press talking to
Whenever press contact is made, ‘Editor’s Code of Practice’. This
6. Ask for the journalist’s contact Code ensures that publications pupils.
the Head and the school’s press or
details, both phone and email adhere to good practice and These measures afford schools
communications manager should
be informed immediately. Some In the background, your PR/ conduct in reporting news stories. some protection against unwanted
schools use media lawyers or PR Comms/Legal ‘crisis response’ For example, clause 6 of the press intrusion. The key ‘take-
professionals and they should also team will liaise with the journalist Code relates to ‘children’. The away’ is to move quickly and
be contacted immediately – time or publication in question to buy following provisions of clause 6 assemble a crisis response team to
is of the essence. more time. While this is going on, are particularly relevant: liaise with the press immediately.
Rory Lynch is a member of the Reputation & Privacy team at Vardags rlynch@vardags.com
Head volunteers to drive
Northcote Lodge School, London, Charity of the Year, year by the food industry in this country and the Felix
The Felix Project, had an additional delivery driver in Project collects fresh, nutritious food that cannot be
the guise of headmaster, Clive Smith-Langridge. sold, and delivers this surplus food to charities and
schools so they can provide healthy meals and help the
Each year the boys of Northcote Lodge vote for
most vulnerable in society. The boys learned that every
their Charity of the Year alongside NAEF, the charity
£1 raised will go towards providing 2.5 meals.
supported by the Northwood Schools’ group as
a whole. Along with the community of staff and Leading by example, Headmaster Clive Smith-
parents, boys raise funds and support these charities Langridge, offered his services for the day, working
as a delivery driver collecting food from supermarkets
throughout the academic year.
and taking it to various schools in North London.
In 2019/20, the Charity of the Year is The Felix Project, Afterwards, Clive went back to the depot to help with
a London based charitable organisation whose purpose sorting food. Clive described the experience as both
is to reduce food waste and hunger. Two million humbling and enriching - and also quite an insight
tonnes of good, edible food surplus is generated every into how delivery drivers are treated by some people!
ads@independentschoolsmagazine.co.uk Independent Schools Magazine 5
Top tips for running a successful programme
“How to solve the staff wellbeing
equation to boost performance”
It’s not exactly been plain sailing in education over the past few years. With external pressures of
inspections, assessments and curriculum changes and a notable increase in the need for student mental
health and pastoral support, it’s no surprise that education is ranked as one of the top sectors for work-
related stress by the Health and Safety Executive. Dr Sarah Hattam reflects...
The Teacher validated staff survey rather than management team buy-in. Because
Wellbeing Index, merely seeking in-house feedback. for interventions to have maximum Learning From Best Practice
commissioned by This approach reassures staff about impact they need to be triple- Mrs Sue Woodroofe, Principal
The Education anonymity which facilitates open layered, providing tangible outputs of The Grammar School at
Support Partnership and honest feedback in order to at individual, team and whole Leeds shares their experience
published in unravel the potentially complex web organisation level. Initiatives need of addressing and improving
November 2019, reports that work- of factors that are really driving staff colleague wellbeing.
to enable individuals to better
related stress for teachers has risen performance in your school. understand and implement healthy “As the Principal of a large and
for the third consecutive year. lifestyle changes. Paramount also is vibrant school, with a dynamic pace
Herzberg’s two factor theory of
and many competing demands
Progressive businesses up and down motivation shows us that, in any the identification and embedding
on staff time, I was as aware as
the UK acknowledge the truth that organisation, there are certain of healthier ways of working both any school leader must be of the
their people are their greatest asset factors which create satisfaction and within teams and across the school concerns around teacher workload
and it may seem that wellbeing is often a different set of factors which as a whole. This will ensure that just over two years ago. However,
the new corporate “mot du jour”. lead to dissatisfaction and negativity. such healthy working practices despite some small initiatives that
But there is a wealth of compelling Unless these latter “blockers” to endure in the medium to long-term. we introduced, we never seemed to
evidence which demonstrates that staff performance are identified and make a breakthrough.
organisations that have healthier addressed, many of the so-called Change – proceed with caution When Concilio Health came on
workforces are considerably more “feel good” positive initiatives will Pace and management of change board, we started to believe that
productive and outperform peer be ineffective. It’s a pre-requisite is a common denominator which the impossible might be within our
organisations. for every school to understand can affect staff wellbeing and reach. Working with the baseline
engagement adversely. There is survey dataset gathered by Concilio
In the current climate of increasing and action theirs. The well-known
a recently published study which Health, and their subsequent
financial constraint, not least the words of David Foster Wallace:
recommendations, we strategically
recently increased employer levy ‘The fish are the last to see the involved making rats anxious so
addressed the three areas which
for the teacher pension scheme, water’ underline the importance of that researchers could monitor were identified as having the
schools can expect a real return on understanding your school’s culture. the effects of a new anti-anxiety greatest impact on staff wellbeing.
investment of up to £9 per £1 spent An externally delivered and robust medication. The researchers found We used their evidence-based, data-
when they put staff wellbeing fairly engagement and wellbeing survey that the most effective method of driven approach, under-pinned by
and squarely on the agenda1. will provide a valuable snapshot into inducing stress for these lab rats the latest research to work on these.
the quality of your “water”. was to introduce constant small This won the respect and trust of
Within the school setting, this uplift our staff. We also established some
changes within their environment.
in the performance and engagement Be evidence-based new norms. Wellbeing was included
of staff translates to improved We’re wary of drawing unreasonable on every agenda for every team
It’s all too easy to adopt a
student outcomes. Which in turn conclusions, but we often identify at every level in the organisation
tokenist approach to wellbeing,
influences customer choice and is that a common trigger for increased as a standing item. We are still
implementing seemingly nice-
likely to give an independent school stress levels in schools is the pace of on a journey towards improved
to-have initiatives like “Free Fruit performance through wellbeing for
that places staff wellbeing high on change. Pace and communication
Friday”, lunchtime mindfulness all our staff and it remains a work
its agenda a valuable edge over its of such change is critical and in
sessions or other one-offs. Not in progress. Have we cracked it? No
competition. only do staff immediately see the words of George Bernard Shaw and I suspect we never will. But we
through these (back to Herzberg “The single biggest problem in know this approach is working. A
But what are the top tips for
again), but such approaches never communication is the illusion that it repeat survey one year later showed
running a successful school staff
yield lasting improvement in staff has taken place”. significant improvement in staff
wellbeing programme?
engagement and wellbeing across
wellbeing and performance. On
Be data driven Elevate Energy Levels all groups of staff in the school.
the other hand however, identifying Colleagues know that they can raise
There’s no cookie-cutter approach Schools recruit staff on the basis of
that a school has a sleep-deprived concerns openly and honestly within
when it comes to staff wellbeing their professional skills, competence
workforce provides valuable data a culture where we trust that, if we
and performance. With a multitude and experience. This is a given. But
which can then be addressed in an can air the issues amongst talented
of potential factors affecting these vital attributes are only one
evidence-based way using targeted and intelligent colleagues, without
performance, it pays to identify factor in staff performance. They fear, then that same talent released
interventions.
which of these are having a positive may be multiplied or diminished by can help us find solutions together.”
or negative impact on your staff. Get senior team buy-in the level of sustainable energy which
We suggest using an external The most effective wellbeing any individual is able to deploy Dr Sarah Hattam is Founder of Concilio Health
provider of a robust, statistically programmes have senior during the working day. www.conciliohealth.com
Email: sarah@conciliohealth
1 Deloitte Monitor briefing Oct 2017 “Mental health and employees – the case for investment” Twitter: @conciliohealth
6 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249
Important conference for school leaders
Helping Young People
Navigate The 21st Century
Mike Piercy, Headmaster The New Beacon School, Kent, explains
the thinking behind his upcoming conference on child and
adolescent mental health.
‘85% of the jobs in 2030 have our own children or in the boys stimuli can help navigate the young people to build solid
not yet been invented.’ Two (a boys’ school) we encounter a course to strength and recovery emotional foundations for life
google clicks and you will find twenty-first century emotional from trauma – or, more simply, and learning.
this ‘statistic’ is questionable, test. Children worry about peer facing life’s challenges. Dick To return to school ethos, there
theoretical, having little to do pressure, friendships, isolation, Moore, representing the Charlie are those who suggest that good
with empirical research. The clearing hurdles to get to the Waller Memorial Trust, tells his teaching is a greater contributor
principle is not without merit, next stage of education, exams. audiences that resilience can to academic success than class
however, for it is thought- Failure. be taught. Richard Burnett of size. I beg to differ. Good
provoking. Every Head can regale you with Tonbridge School, founder of the teaching must be a given but
Those of us who are parents stories of online misbehaviour – ‘Mindfulness in Schools Project’, small class size brings greater
or education professionals normally by pupils. Social media will highlight self-awareness – individual attention – one of
already worry about the world has brought us closer in many the potential to rationalise when the keys to unlocking personal
into which our children are ways with the immediacy of faced with challenge. ‘Mind’ will development. Knowing the
growing and speculate about communication. It has also torn be conducting a one day Mental individual, his/her character,
their future: education, school us apart with faceless, ostensibly Health First Aid course. fragilities and strengths, building
choice, qualifications, careers, anonymous, spontaneous Thanks to Sevenoaks School confidence and resilience, must
stability, confidence, wellbeing, messaging. How many of our who have collaborated with lie at the core of education.
happiness. What should we be children have been upset when Knole Academy in creating the It is also one of the many,
teaching in schools or, perhaps ‘aired’ or ‘ghosted’? The WEF ‘Sevenoaks Partnership’, and with considerable strengths of the
more germane, ‘how’ should we suggests that in 2021 it is likely their financial support, we are independent sector of education.
be teaching – what is the ethos there will be more people in the able to reach out to all schools in
and culture of a school? world with a mobile ‘phone than the Sevenoaks area. A member More information about the
The World Economic Forum
those who have access to clean of staff from each of the thirty conference speakers and
(proper research!) tells us
water – a disturbing prospect. member schools will be funded workshops can be found here:
that education for the future In response to these challenges to take the ‘Drawing and Talking’ Pooky Knightsmith
Foundation Course – one element www.pookyknightsmith.com
workplace must focus less on we decided to make a bold
knowledge but more on the statement by bringing together of the conference programme. Dick Moore with the Charlie Waller
Over two million young people Memorial Trust CWMT
application of knowledge, internationally regarded experts,
www.cwmt.org.uk
decision-making (through therapists and trainers in have benefited from this training
Drawing and Talking Workshop
learning by experience), childhood and adolescent mental for education professionals
www.drawingandtalking.com
problem-solving, adaptability, health for a two day conference. aiming to support young people,
Mindfulness in Schools project MISP
communication skills and Pooky Knightsmith speaks of ‘who are not reaching their full
www.mindfulnessinschools.org
empathy. Such ‘soft skills’ ‘ACE Scores’, Adverse Childhood potential socially or academically.’
Mental Health First Aid
should be an intrinsic part of a Experiences, things which can Whichever sector of education, we https://mhfaengland.org
school’s ethos. Almost daily in affect us in later life. Recognising all share the same goal: helping
For bookings, costs, timings etc please visit:
www.newbeacon.org.uk/news-events/helping-young-people-navigate-the-21st-century
‘Warm in winter’ charity bags
Pupils at St Margaret’s School, and kindness by packing the bags.
Hertfordshire, have been busy supporting
Head teacher Lara Péchard explained:
vulnerable, elderly members of the
“We are proud to have supported Small
local community by packing hundreds
Acts of Kindness as a school. Our
of ‘warm in winter’ charity bags filled
children showed real empathy and care
with essential items such as blankets,
as they willingly gave their time for this
warm clothes and hot drinks in a bid to
worthwhile cause. It’s really important
help people to break out of the cycle of
that young people learn about the
isolation, cold and loneliness.
impact of giving something back to the
In collaboration with charity, Small Acts world around them and that as a school,
of Kindness, Years 6, 7 and 8 embraced we nurture the essence of kindness and
the true meaning of community spirit community in our every day lives.”
ads@independentschoolsmagazine.co.uk Independent Schools Magazine 7
“(Teaching) Mandarin scores pretty
low from a utilitarian perspective,
but learning about Chinese culture
is of potentially significant value”…
As he plans innovative workshops to help girls recognise the influence of culture on
perception and priorities, Head of St Margaret’s School, London, Mark Webster, clarifies
his view on teaching Mandarin, and the Girls’ Schools Association highlights various
initiatives across the country with the objective of preparing girls for a more globally-
connected, globally-aware world...
Re-reading the quote that resulted a commercial advantage will that The enemy of an extravagant does a European betting agency call
in this invitation to justify it, a be? Yes, it’s a modest 4000 pupils curriculum, is time, and this is itself Bet888? Does Confucianism
throwaway dismissal of learning that take the GCSE every year, but where Heads have to weigh up influence contemporary Chinese
a language spoken by roughly 1 unless you are reading this alone on the utilitarian value of competing thinking? China may appear
billion people, predominately from the International Space Station, the demands, and for me, better than disinterested in exporting its
the country widely predicted to odds that you are within a bicycle adding Mandarin, is fostering an ideology, but its interest in the
become the world’s pre-eminent ride of a functionally bilingual appreciation of the culture and rest of the world seems like a bird
economy, I did wonder if I’d been Mandarin/English speaker, are fairly context that underpins a society. released; will this change China
a bit rash. It’s one thing having an high. Learning Mandarin is not Education is largely about providing more than China changes us? The
opinion, but another to cast yourself going to make you Champollion. tools for the demands of an scope for exploration is infinite.
as the Piers Morgan/Katie Hopkins “But English is the past, and uncertain future. Technology will I’m emphatically not against
of MFL. Mandarin the future”, a convenient absorb implementable routines, but learning Mandarin in schools, but
straw man might retort. Again, that it will struggle with the abstract for me, greater utility is likely to
Backtracking, I’m not suggesting
may be true. But, regrettably, in that skills that elevate something from come from developing in a young
that no school should teach
future it will be Siri, Alexa or Google a transaction to a meaningful person a habit of thinking about
Mandarin, but I’ll explain why we
that does the MFL talking for most exchange. Sure, you can train a our global neighbourhood with
don’t.
people. While imprudent pupils robot to adopt the Chinese custom more contextual understanding,
Mandarin’s promotion in parents’ may still find “the bulb has gone” of receiving a business card with tolerance and appreciation, and their
consciousness is relatively recent, is outputted by Google translate as both hands, but it will feel little engagement with the 21st Century
and in part driven by the idea that “the illuminator has departed”, such more meaningful than a cashpoint world will be the richer for this. Were
“the businesswoman who can read nuggets are disappearing with the saying “hello”. Similarly, while it possible to produce a convoluted
Hanzi and confidently converse with advances in AI, much to the regret undoubtedly an individual’s effort Venn diagram of characteristics,
her Chinese counterpart will be at of the easily amused, like myself. to learn Mandarin may be gratefully architecture, societal mores and so
an advantage”. Probably true… acknowledged, what will have more on, to be found in different cultures,
Of course there are powerful
..but, the elephant in the room is resonance is their sensitivity to, the most densely populated region
arguments beyond practical
that to acquire business proficient and appreciation of, the culture, would be the part that shows what
advantage for learning a language
Mandarin is…for most of us... hard. context and their counterpart’s we all have in common, our cultural
such as cognitive development, the
Not by itself a great reason, but hard corresponding expectations. lingua franca.
potential to study or work abroad,
is, by definition, something requiring and because it just sounds very cool Personally, the reason I want to But it’s the differences that teach
uncommon effort, thus diminishing when someone seamlessly switches learn more about Chinese culture, is us, that extend us, that inspire us
the number of people likely to language lanes, but I’m just not sure that it helps me better understand to explore the world beyond our
persevere to the level required. that they can’t equally be applied and enjoy the adventure of being horizons, and it is this that should
Those that do, may well deserve to the French or Spanish that our alive in this transitional age of be our focus; it is this that makes
their advantage, but how much of girls learn. connectivity. Why Dragons? Why modern life so thrilling.
Expansion into Morocco
Reigate Grammar The first RGS Morocco school, in Mr Fenton says: ‘It takes a village He added: ‘Our international
School, Surrey, Casablanca, is already open and to educate a child, and it takes a partnerships in Asia and Africa
has achieved an will expand to accommodate 1,300 global community to educate an support our values of friendship
educational ‘first’ students. The next schools will international citizen. This brings and open-mindedness. They
with its decision to be in Tangiers and Rabat. They huge educational benefits such help RGS to form bridges of
partner three schools in Morocco. will be co-educational, teach a as pupil and teacher exchanges, understanding, not walls of
Headteacher Shaun Fenton believes British curriculum (students will enhanced cultural understanding, ignorance. We owe it to today’s
the new international relationship take iGCSEs and A Levels) and and the opportunity to embrace students to prepare them for the
will help its UK students to become accommodate children from new ideas and methods in world-wide opportunities of the
global citizens. kindergarten to sixth form. pedagogy and beyond.’ future.’
8 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249
Examples of global education in action in GSA schools
Individual GSA schools already the International Schools’ language lessons by linking up School for Girls, as at many other
undertake a wide range of activities Award by the British Council in with schools in France and Spain schools, the geography and PSHE
with the objective of preparing girls recognition of their partnership where they share experiences and (PD) curricula include many
for a more globally-connected, work with a school in Germany delve deeper into cultural and opportunities to discuss world
globally-aware world. They include: and a school in Nepal. social issues. By getting students views and current events.
• Making the most of technology to work with their foreign • Developing their own approach
• Making some subjects
to develop digital projects. For counterparts on projects we are to language learning, such as the
compulsory. For example, a
example, at The Queen’s School, also teaching them to accept and ‘ADELANTE’ Spanish learning
modern foreign language is
Head Sue Wallace-Woodroffe understand other’s perspectives.” programme at Channing School.
compulsory to GCSE level at both
St Catherine’s School in Bramley says: “Harnessing the best that • St George’s School (Edinburgh) Head Barbara Elliott says: “We
and South Hampstead High technology has to offer has holds a programme of digital introduce Spanish at Reception
School GDST, where philosophy is meant that we have been able exchanges across all curriculum (aged 4) and aim to achieve
also compulsory at key stage 3. to free ourselves of physical stages which allow girls to proficiency by Y9 with specialist
and geographical constraints, collaborate and share their teachers throughout. Staff learn
• Many boarding schools celebrate and connect with inspirational learning with students across Spanish. We have lots of links
the opportunity for dialogue and notable individuals and the world. For example, girls with Spain and South America –
across cultures through the organisations from across the studying the Civil Rights for example, sixth form students
diverse backgrounds of their world. We have achieved this movement have the chance to volunteer at a Latin American
students. through the introduction of our discuss contemporary American nursery, and various trips link
• Having a conscious ‘eco agenda’ ‘Virtual Boardroom’. This has experience with students at a to curriculum subjects such as
in school, such as at Sheffield allowed girls to connect to alumni school in Texas. Head Alex Hems history/politics, music and so
High School GDST, which includes and ‘industry mentors’ as part says that another digital exchange on.” Channing has a History/
a ‘collapsed timetable’ day in the of a bespoke careers/business Politics trip to Cuba, a music
with SOLA in Afghanistan (School
Peak District. skills programme involving girls
of Leadership Afghanistan) has tour in Madrid. Their director of
in a wide range of year groups
• Extra-curricular expeditions, been “eye opening in a very the Adelante Strategy sits on the
interviewing leading women
exchange trips and ongoing valuable and humbling way for school’s senior leadership team.
around the globe. Cybersecurity
partnership with schools around our girls”. • Adopting a curriculum-led
specialists in New York, lawyers
the globe, from Europe to Africa, in Chicago, teachers in China etc. • Bringing a global perspective to approach. For example, at The
the US and Australia, with schools Girls have been able to join virtual existing lessons. For example, at Mount School (York), students
increasingly considering how seminars such as those provided Talbot Heath School, all pupils across the whole school follow
pupils can benefit from physical by The Female Lead Society and are taught about sustainability the PeaceJam global curriculum
trips whilst offsetting their carbon engage in our ‘Women Inspire in material science and artificial programme, an international
footprint. Saint Martin’s School in Women’ project. They have intelligence is taught from a programme based on the work of
Solihull has twice been awarded also benefitted from immersive global perspective. At Bruton Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
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Magazine 15:279
‘We need to be teaching in schools that the law is made by parliaments
and courts, not in the phantasmagoria of unhinged minds’
Letter from America
Shoreham College, Sussex, headmaster Richard Taylor-West wrote to the Governor of
Pennsylvania Tom Wolf highlighting the historic connection between the Tudor house on
the College’s grounds and William Penn, the pioneering founder of the state and the city of
Philadelphia.
Inspired by Penn, the headmaster outlined the importance of teaching fundamental British William Penn (1644 – 1718)
values in our schools: individual liberty, the rule of law, mutual tolerance and democracy. Mr was a writer, early member of
Taylor-West wished the governor well in his work expressing solidarity with him on behalf the Religious Society of Friends
of the College as the steward of Penn’s great legacy. He noted that these values are so often (Quakers), and founder of the
English North American colony the
under pressure here and in the USA. Province of Pennsylvania. He was
Mr Taylor-West was delighted to receive a full-page letter in reply from Mr Wolf. (Reproduced an early advocate of democracy
on this page). Here he reflects on the exchange of letters, on William Penn’s legacy, and on and religious freedom, notable for
his good relations and successful
the need to instil lasting values in young people... treaties with the Lenape Native
For many months, an idea kept rest, as we know, is history: the I considered Fundamental British Americans. Under his direction, the
floating around my head: ‘perhaps state was brought into being and Values (FBVs) as they are called in city of Philadelphia was planned
I should write to the Governor of Philadelphia to boot. This was an schools and how healthy things are and developed.
Pennsylvania?’ Well, the Americans incredible achievement actually here, and over there.
Penn considered the problems
love a bit of history don’t they, and and, as I explained in an assembly The words began to flow and I of war and peace deeply. He
we have some, at this school? It was to our pupils, Penn’s ideas were found myself thinking about the developed thoughts for a “United
quite a simple thought. remarkable for the time. He was the
divisions caused by Brexit, for States of Europe” through the
only founder of a state, for example,
In 1672, the Tudor part of our main example: I began to worry about creation of a European Assembly
who gave first-nation Americans
building was owned by William xenophobia and the rise in ‘hate made of deputies who could discuss
legal protection in the same way as
Penn and I had a notion that the crimes’ in this country. I wrote to and adjudicate controversies
European settlers. He was a man of
Governor of Pennsylvania might the Governor, Mr Wolf, expressing peacefully. He is therefore
principle.
find this interesting and, after my concerns about the pressures considered the first thinker to
With this in mind, I sat at my that democracy, liberty, the rule suggest the creation of a European
all, it might be fun. I often had
keyboard and began the letter, of law and the value of mutual Parliament and what would become
visions of the be-wigged young
just before Christmas. As I tapped tolerance, are coming under – here the modern European Union in the
Penn wandering along our corridors
away, I found myself becoming and over the water. late 20th century.
musing on the state of Mankind.
reflective about the state of things
The process of writing the letter
Just around ten years later, he in this country and America. I will
crystallised for me some essential are clearly not always succeeding, if
set off for the colonies and the avoid being overtly political, but we take an acid test of how things
truths. We need to be working on
the FBVs more than ever. As I write currently stand.
this letter, an American president I did not expect a reply, in all
and his entourage are turning the honesty. I was over the moon when,
rule of law into a post-truth circus. just after Christmas, Mr Wolf’s
Nothing is either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ letter arrived. I was thrilled that we
unless Trump tweets it so. We need had established a connection, that
to be teaching in schools that the people committed to democracy had
law is made by parliaments and shared a moment, as it were. His
courts, not in the phantasmagoria response was a considered piece of
of unhinged minds. We must teach serious reflection. He lamented the
them that there is truth, or we will state of affairs in America: ‘distrust’
rot their brains. and ‘intolerance’ that undermines
Equally, I am concerned that the the very well-being of a state.
stance taken by some who voted It is his final paragraph that will
for Brexit seems to be polluted with always stay with me. He wrote that
xenophobia and we seem to be ‘to the extent’ that we succeed
being dragged backwards to a point in developing these values in our
at which we disliked Europeans young people at Shoreham College
because they are ‘not like us’ – they we will be doing ‘a real service’ to
are them, over there, and so forth. our pupils and those ‘whose lives
We need to be teaching our children they will touch in the years ahead’.
to rise above petty prejudices and For me this was an endorsement
base their judgements of others on and a call to metaphorical arms.
reason and evidence. What is teaching about, if it does
As I write this piece for the not address our core values? More
magazine, I am struck by the assemblies, more workshops were
shooting of another young man needed. This work in our schools
in Streatham: a tragedy for all must be done, here and on the
concerned. What are we going to other side of the Atlantic, if we are
do about socially integrating our to maintain any claim to moral
differences more successfully? We legitimacy as educators.
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ads@independentschoolsmagazine.co.uk Independent Schools Magazine 11Learning how to remember
Biology teacher Jonny Hedwat discusses how to help
students successfully retrieve what they have been taught.
Since linear exams were repetitive reading is the revision exams coming up in a week
introduced in Biology A-level method favoured by students, on history, chemistry and
in 2015, students have been while retrieval was not considered psychology, study all of these
expected to remember two years’ important. I found students’ topics on each day rather than
worth of subject knowledge for perception very surprising: we studying one subject per day.
their final exams. know a passive approach produces
5. Test yourself. This permits
Previously, they undertook a little or no benefit to learning.
you to practice retrieving
synoptic task in their final paper Instead, Roediger and McDaniel information from memory,
but, on the whole, were being (authors of the book ‘Make it strengthening the pathways
tested only on three modules from Stick’) offer these six tips for to learning and making topics
A2. This need to recall and apply students: easier to recall. It also permits
a much larger amount of content you to assess what you know
1. Opt for practice over review. Jonny Hedwat is a teacher of biology
has had significant implications and what you do not know.
When learning a skill, foreign at Cheadle Hulme School in Greater
not only for the design and Manchester. He gained a first class honours
language or any other topic, 6. Take notes by hand, not
delivery of the course, but also degree in biology from the University of
practice retrieving it from computer. When typing, Manchester, before studying for a PGCE. His
on the approach for successful
memory rather than rereading students tend to record additional roles include a year 7 form tutor
preparation at home. and leading the school’s medical sciences
text or reviewing instructional information as though they
sixth form pathway. Jonny previously taught
In 2014, a study from Finn and material. were taking dictation. When at two state schools - Haslingdon High
Metcalfe found that students they handwrite the notes they School and Audenshaw School.
2. Space your practice: let time
believed low achievement could write more slowly, so they
elapse between sessions to help having a longer interval from
be easily rectified within a short have to think harder about the
embed learning in long-term the last. With each expanded
period of time. In other words, material to distil it.
memory. interval of retrieval, it becomes
they thought that cramming
Additionally, in ‘Making every more difficult to retrieve the
during study leave was enough 3. Sleep. Students think all-
science lesson count’, Shaun information. This creates a deeper
to make up for lost time. While nighters are a good way to
Allison suggests ‘straddling’
this technique can lead to fast study, but sleep helps memories level of processing of the learned
topics – covering content across
learning, it also leads to rapid consolidate and may make information in long-term memory
lessons rather than moving
forgetting. retrieval of learned information at each point.
from one topic to another.
better than when sleep
Another study, by cognitive This may prevent students How could we incorporate
deprived.
psychologist and learning compartmentalising their this theory into our teaching?
specialist Jeffrey D. Karpicke, 4. Switch between different learning and encourages them to Allowing time for ‘spaced
found that topics. If you have final make links. retrieval’ of previously covered
At the start of my career, the work can take the form of a
New Sixth Form Centre obsession with the three-part
lesson meant teachers felt they
whole dedicated lesson, 15
minutes of a lesson or even just
Rendcomb College, Gloucestershire, Rectory features plenty of mod-cons had to cover a topic in a lesson, homework. Other teachers may
has opened a new Sixth Form Centre and is positioned within the heart of assess understanding and carry see this as an interruption to
marking the start of the school’s the campus providing a dedicated out a meaningful plenary before their current topic and somewhat
100th anniversary year. space for Rendcomb College’s oldest moving on. As our thinking has repetitive; I personally believe the
students. changed, I believe that teachers impact could be significant.
The school was founded on 2 now focus more on embedding
June 1920 for 12 boys and, 100 Head of Rendcomb College, Rob An outstanding lesson might
knowledge and know when and
years on, it now educates around Jones (pictured with students in be one that ticks every box on
how to move students on: topics
400 boys and girls. The new Sixth the new facility) said: “The new an observation sheet. I believe
straddle lessons as part of a
Form Centre lies within a Grade Sixth Form Centre is a key part reasoned sequence rather than we should move away from
II listed building named the Old of the development of our Sixth being a distinct subject. perfecting individual lessons and
Rectory where original features such Form strategy to prepare pupils for focus more on the methods that
the changing needs of university Time pressures may account for make us effective teachers over
as fireplaces have been restored.
and future employment. The why teachers feel they must move
Despite its listed status, the Old the course of a year.
Centre provides a unique mix of quickly through content. However,
this could be at the expense of We need strategies that ensure
environments. There are modern
study spaces that encourage missing valuable opportunities to students retain what they have
individual and collaborative working explore links to other topics. Are learnt and can use it effectively
and there are sitting rooms, a we ensuring that deep learning of in further synthesis and analysis.
kitchen and a games room providing these links has taken place? Some teachers may not place as
students with the opportunity to Spaced retrieval is an evidence- much importance on retrieval of
relax during the working day. There’s based memory technique that was information. My experience in
also a boardroom which provides a first studied in 1978. It requires biology and the sciences however,
space for meetings and is a base for students to rehearse information leads me to believe that such
the growing Enterprise and Careers to be learned at different and a philosophy can breed more
programme with the former a green increasing spaced intervals of effective teaching and more
solution to plastic waste.” time, with each new rehearsal success amongst our students.
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14 Independent Schools Magazine Advertisement Sales: 01242 259249Ground-
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early years
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Early learners at schools across commit to memory, and is used in Chris Williams said: “Chatta works Chatta has been named as one of
Hull are to benefit from a ground- the classroom and at home. Chatta’s as part of a whole class teaching the world’s 100 brightest education
breaking new initiative led by software links learning experiences approach and is accessible and innovations for two consecutive
Pocklington School, Yorkshire, to and subject content (in the form of beneficial to children of all years by global education non-
improve their communication and photos and pictures downloaded developmental stages. We anticipate profit organisation HundrED, which
language skills. by users) with modelled spoken it being used twice a week in highlights best practice ideas and
Concern that only 68% of children language and opportunities for 15-minute sessions, similar to story- innovations to help the future of
in Hull achieved the expected level children to rehearse and tell stories. time. The class works together to tell education globally.
of development at the end of the Chatta’s founder, former teacher a story using pictures; the modelling
Chatta has already achieved a
Early Years Foundation Stage in Chris Williams, said “Pupils in Hull, and practise of spoken language is
successful impact in a trial at
2019 has led to a new partnership like many across the country, are essential for all children no matter
Children’s Centres in the HU6
between Pocklington School, too often starting school with what their starting point.”
area of Hull. When Chatta was
education charity SHINE, Hull City insufficient communication skills. Pocklington School’s External introduced 49.5% of five-year-olds
Council, Chatta Learning and a They can arrive at pre-school classes Relations Director, Sheena across HU6 were working at or
group of 12 local state schools. unable to communicate or even McNamee, said: “We are keen to above age-related expectations. A
The schools are to start using the speak. If they can’t express their extend and deepen our links with year later, the figure had gone up to
award-winning Chatta teaching needs or interact socially it has
the local community by sharing the 69.9% of five-year-olds. This impact
approach. Chatta is based at impact on their learning.”
resources and expertise we have to has led to it being rolled out in
Pocklington School and has been He added: “I’m thrilled that SHINE offer.” Children’s Centres across Hull.
developed in partnership with it. has agreed to fund this project.
Chatta has led to transformative A key priority in the early years is
results in young children’s communication and language but
communication, language and we find that many of our schools
literacy skills and is now used in see the benefits the Chatta approach
schools across the world. can bring to children in all year
Teachers and teaching assistants groups.”
from the 12 participating schools Hull City Council will be overseeing
in Hull met at Pocklington School the data and analysis of the project.
to launch the new initiative, which The data will assess the professional
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ads@independentschoolsmagazine.co.uk Independent Schools Magazine 15You can also read
