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9th - 10th NOVEMBER 2013
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Snow in London is elegant and moving: red brick Victorian houses blanketed in white layers, robins warming up near bay windows or being fed by animal lovers. The usual commotion turned still.
But sledging to school on a snowy day is fantasy in the middle of a busy capital like London. Most of us have only ever used the sledge for playing, not commuting.
Since London Mayor Boris Johnson developed the cycle network after his predecessor Ken Livingstone introduced the congestion charge to lower vehicle usage, many interesting modes of transports have replaced the daily... ’convoy’ of 4X4s around London schools.
Some schools in London are now equipped with a scooter parking, used in summer when hundreds of children ride their Mini Micro Scooters to school. Some mums lead the way on their own Micro Sprite Scooters. Nursery children look around with content from the back of their mum’s bike, or relaxing in a small trailer that looks like a child’s rickshaw.
Walking to school is big too nowadays, and schools are encouraging this healthy habit during ‘walk to school’ weeks. Hopefully most of the school crossing patrols, whose jobs are threatened by councils’ cuts, will stay to help those on foot.
In private schools, bus journeys seem well organised, picking up and dropping off pupils in their own vehicles, mini-vans or small transit buses with the name of the school painted over.
Amongst all these modes of transport, sledging to school is the most incredible one. Snowy days are rare, and getting the sledge out must feel like indulging in a child’s excitement. Mixing play, senses, and nostalgia to an otherwise stressful time of the day in a big hectic town. It brings poesy where it is unexpected... this must be the hyperbole of the school commute! It looks like a sportive job, in all meanings of the word, for the mum pulling the sledge. We have yet to see Huskies.
When marketing campaigns and peer pressure at school lead our kids to spend time alone in front of a DVD or with the latest electronic gadget, just how much is enough?
Excess screen time has been linked to hyperactivity in children, obesity, lack of social skills, poor concentration at school and at home, delayed development such as in drawing skills and motricity. The succession of images is too fast for pre-school children; they are receiving information without getting a chance to react. Children left in front of the television for too long can become dependent just as with tablets, computer games and other high tech gadgets.
Faced with fussy eaters, parents are tempted to play a favourite programme to help their toddlers eat. It works at first and the child might even eat more, but while a child watches telly he is not focusing on the food, just gulping it down, skipping an important stage in dietary diversity that consists in learning to try and recognise different tastes and textures. Dieticians fiercely believe that eating in front of the telly is a pleasure to be consumed with extreme caution.
Children love using tablets, consoles and games. They are good at it. There again, researches point out that there’s a line to be drawn before they get glued to an ipad. Recent studies have suggested that screen time should be no more than an hour per day for toddlers aged up to four years old. Observed short-term effects include the inability to concentrate on a conversation.
Not all children have instant access to play outdoors. This together with the fact that we all want our children to become computer literate and fast thinkers mean we are using high tech to keep them entertained and experienced. Can a limited amount of time in front of the television or the PlayStation complement the benefits of calm playtime with simple toys? Indeed a balanced schedule of video games might help a child with memory, logic and concentration.
Depending on their sensitivity, some teenagers find relief in this kind of games as a chance to let off steam. But for others it may equally exacerbate a negative emotion. As researches progress, there is no black and white answer and as long as it is balanced and used appropriately, screen time can be a useful tool.
‘My daughter was extremely shy at nursery. One day someone offered us a ‘Dora’ DVD. She then completely came out of her shell in the playground. ‘Let’s go! We’re going to find the hidden mountains!’ she would enthuse, getting lots of other girls to play with her’ says English mum Kathy. She then explains: ‘of course, we have set times for television: only at the week-end or for limited times during holidays, illness. ‘
It seems that setting limits rather than banning screen times helps achieve a balance. Another important factor is what we do us, as parents, carers etc: are we taking enough interest in the games they play online? And just how much time do we spend on a laptop when we ask the children to ‘please switch off the telly’?
Children work faster and better with an adult’s help to support them with school homework, and even more so with a bit of fun.
Not every parent is available right after school, reading a book ‘on stand-by’ in case their child hits a difficulty. A set time for school homework depends on whether the child needs to wind down first when back from school, whether he can start studying right after tea, and when there’s an adult with time to help.
Parents want their children to be successful at school. It is a blessing to receive bright reports, and comforting to be gifted with a brainy and diligent child. And this is why many parents and carers help them develop their skills outside school.
In almost everything we do there is an educational part that can be taught to a child. It is amazing and exciting as a family to try mastering chopsticks while sharing a dish of noodles to coincide with a child starting Mandarin at school. Or it could be discussing about African culture over couscous (dare eating with the hands?) and India over curry when they study continental geography.
Outside school, museums, movies, workshops, trips...walks in the park, all contribute to trigger a specific interest in the child’s mind. Children love picking up leaves in gardens, in the school playground, but can they recognise them? Taking a walk learning to name trees is simple and fun.
How about doing some gardening and comparing roots that are hard or easier to pull up? Feeling like a mechanic while helping daddy fix his bike?
I couldn’t find yet a very creative way to teach maths (other than making my child use cooking scales in the kitchen or pay for her sweets at the local corner shop) so I bought a ‘Carol Vorderman’ maths exercise book complete with star stickers and friendly designs. My daughter loved it even though she isn’t particularly keen on maths. Amazingly her school report came back saying that she had felt comfortable and confident doing such or such maths activities – precisely those that we’d done together with Carol Vorderman.
Attractive exercise books help concentration at school as the lessons will jog a child’s memory. If a child understood some of it at home first, he will be on familiar grounds in the classroom and will not be worried to fall behind or to get lost in calculations. And he might even raise his finger and answer questions, receiving more praise from the school teacher.
Just how much can a parent influence their child’s school performance? Could every part of the curriculum be enhanced through simple home activities?
Young children are known to ‘copy’ their parents behaviour and seeing adults read a story every night might eventually make them feel like grabbing the book off their hands...youngsters copy older siblings. And reading helps with spelling, writing, imagination...I guess this is why parents play ‘I spy’ in the car, hangman on the beach, get their children read travel directions and names on pegs, draw maps of their walk to school, spend time in libraries...
What about toys? With such a range on offer most of the toys have something educational about them, and schools use them too. From Dora’s house that teaches Spanish - ‘Es la hora de comer’- it says when a child opens the fridge door, to wooden clocks, all times puzzles, building blocks, shopping tills, weather forecast kits, Boggle, magnetic world maps.
Shopping for Christmas is itself a difficult equation in front of the enormous range of merchandising available but it becomes easier and more interesting when trying to match a toy with a child’s attitudes and educational needs. Christmas presents then take on a more valuable dimension, bringing something new to help a child learn and grow, and to support school lessons.
More than ever families are coming to live in England and to prepare that move they dispose of great resources; virtual networks, guide books, and relocation consultants.
Social networks group expats together, helping them seek information, exchange tips and get acquainted with local residents. Twitter, Facebook and expat forums host debates over where to live in London, whether to go for a private or a state school, or what salaries are required for a family to survive.
Despite the Internet, there is one book that many French people swear by, their ‘expat bible’: Guislaine Aymot’s ‘The EXPAT Guide’. It provides an insight into various residential areas of Greater London and the schools one can find, saving precious time. A first read for a taster of what may be coming next.
The luckiest expats get to use the services offered by an expat coach or a relocation consultant as part of their expatriation deal with their employer.
These consultants can also be hired independently of course, and the fees are usually quite high.
Gaëtan, a French father of three who spent four years in the UK tells of a memorable episode when his expat coach literally ‘saved the day’: ‘What matters is that the consultant is a local person who has been living in the area for a very long time’ he says. ‘So someone who really knows every corner and is well connected to schools, sports clubs, banks... Then it is important to keep in touch regularly with that person in case of unpredictable situations. For instance, one day I accidently hit a water pipe while drilling into a wall: short circuit, water everywhere, no more electricity. I didn’t know the house very well so had no idea where the water mains were, the children started crying and I felt I was going to hit the roof…when my wife called the consultant who found us a plumber at 9pm on a Saturday eve!’
Many expats who were supposed to return to their country after a few years in England actually decided to stay and make it their permanent home, some have taken on the job of expat coach. This is great for newcomers: they have the flexibility of choosing between an English consultant or someone from their own country. Whilst an English coach is on familiar grounds and would no doubt have more knowledge than a foreigner, an ex-expat presents the advantage of speaking in the native language and of having been through the same expatriation experience.
‘It feels good to speak to someone from your own country so they know exactly what problems you’re facing. They’ve been through the same and know all the shortcuts, the major obstacles and at first it helps when it’s in your language’ relates Claudia, a newly expatriated mum from Italy.
New phone, internet connection, furniture removal...a consultant is there to provide answers to anything that can help a new family, and certainly finding good schools, figuring out what type of education suits a family, get them appointments, organise visits and help with the applications.
With so much help at hand, an audacious family move to England holds all chances to turn out a wonderful life-changing experience.
Tackling a child’s lack of interest at school is one of the challenges that come with parenthood. Even the brightest children go through difficult stages where they have doubts, question an established routine, or suddenly say that they are not good enough.
Feeling a bit helpless in front of a ‘disillusioned’ looking child (‘I don’t want to go to school anymore’), parents’ instincts lead them to look into changes that may have affected the child: it could be something obvious like a different timetable, a new class or a new situation at home. Or it could be more subtle.
Some children give clues through conversations: most of them feel more relaxed to talk while doing an activity with parents rather than when asked direct questions. With talkative children, a parent can pinpoint the source of a problem by letting the conversation flow and listening to what the child has to say. It may not always be the case and finding out if there is something wrong from a more reserved child can take some perseverance and a lot of, love and arghh, patience...
Some parents do play-roles to help their child deal with conflictual situations in the playground. Play-role gives more confidence to children to communicate effectively with their peers.
Before getting sucked into a spiral of parental anxiety: ‘perhaps the teacher doesn’t like him’, ‘is she falling out with friends?’ or ‘perhaps he is getting bullied’ etc, it is worth looking out for signs that the child may be tired or suffering from an unbalanced diet. A disturbed sleep pattern or a poor diet can both lead to fatigue and a lack of concentration, poor performance, resulting in a loss of interest and confidence. Bringing the bedtime half an hour earlier does help and if one suspects a lack of vitamins or nutrients, it may be an opportunity for a check up with the GP or to start a course of multivitamins, and see if that helps. The GP may also check for any underlying eyesight or hearing problems that can also affect concentration.
If a child has not been concentrating as well as usual in the classroom, an experienced teacher will be able to confirm if that child is tired or hungry during the lessons. Meeting a teacher is also a chance to ask for the child’s input: for example, asking the child what things should be discussed with the teacher, what really matters. Some children find it difficult to put words on a malaise and broader questions might stimulate some answers: ‘what is your favourite thing at school?’, ‘what do you like the least?’
Whether a child’s life is affected by events or a chronic lack of sleep, or whatever the reasons maybe behind a sudden change of behaviour, support from parents and teachers may greatly influence the child’s capacity to get over what is bothering him and to get back on tracks.
For wider expert advice, the following books are quite popular amongst parents seeking to improve communication at home: ‘The 3-Day Nanny’ by Kathryn Mewes, ‘How to Talk so Kids will Listen & Listen so Kids Will Talk’ by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, ‘Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting’ by Noël Janis-Norton.
In primary schools they log onto ‘Espresso’: click on geography, find Australia, look for information: food, landmarks, climate etc. Together a whole classroom collects an impressive amount of data on a particular country, brings it for a discussion and a general picture.
At home we catch up on difficulties by logging into Educationcity.com and selecting exercises in the area that needs practicing. In maths there are timed calculation tasks, number countdowns, measurements...to cover exactly what the school teaches. Each exercise feels like a game; it is colourful and animated with cartoon characters Clara, Sten, Manu and Stig during their experiments using maths, science, literacy or personal development. One stage leads onto another, with success tracker functions and difficulty levels.
On Managed Learning Environment, schools create their own tabs and illustrate ongoing subjects being studied at school with pictures of the children, questions and answers to the pupils, and in depth learning about the school’s values or ideas about for example, ‘how to eat well and healthily’. Each child has a password given by the school and can log in from home. Behind the use of MLE, there is a ‘common learning platform’ used across London schools, so that children who move from a school to another have a portfolio of work achieved on a shared system and that schools within the region can learn from one another by sharing areas of creativity.
It seems that any difficulty can be tackled by going online. EducationCity being the most popular and fun site, teachers also use and recommend Theproblemsite.com, wmnet.org.uk, ictgames.com, primarygames.co.uk, bbc.co.uk/schools.
It all looks like a bit of a geek world to me, a mum from France where ICT doesn’t play such a great part of the primary school curriculum. The UK - and countries like Finland where ICT may be integrated in the lessons rather than studied as a separate subject – is leading in that sense, just like years ago when I first used computers in SOAS’ IT suites. In other European countries like France where parents aren’t accustomed to using IT teaching tools at home to support their child’s homework, ‘although theoretically there are ICT lessons at school, in practice it is not always followed’ says Ingrid, a Parisian mum with two children in primary education. In a French ‘petite maternelle’ classroom (nursery school), there may be a computer with free access to play games on, which most often only a few pupils will use, and in primary schools, experts haven’t quite broken ground in education with homework support websites yet.
Over here I quickly understood that children use computers from nursery age when a teacher handed me a picture of my 3 year old drawing shapes with a mouse. Now, when I hear a sigh that says ‘no more maths’, I know it’s time for EducationCity and an interactive fun session.
In the UK, books are at the forefront of children’s education from a very early age. During their nursery years every child receives an attractive box presented as a ‘treasure chest’, the treasures consisting of 3 or 4 books: classics, pop-up and lift-the-flap board types. As soon as ‘real’ school starts, namely in reception starting at age 4, children learn to read so well nearly all of them are fluent within a year or two, at the time when pupils in France and other countries just make a start on it. Our French relatives startled with amazement at my then 5 year old reading by herself!
Local libraries are very dynamic in their support to local schools, offering brain stimulating animations to children of all ages. The programmes vary depending on resources and the input of the neighbouring community. Some activities incur a fee while many are free. There may be babies singing nursery rhymes together, listening to stories with mimes, toddlers participating in music sessions, primary school children learning a foreign language. At times the silence of libraries is conducive to chess games between teenagers and adults and after school support is organised by groups of volunteers, as well as IT surgeries and more. Even the most reticent child may be drawn to the library for a different purpose and gain from the influence of seeing children excitingly choosing new books.
The importance given to reading is such that some libraries cater for a book club designed at primary school children. In a cosy atmosphere, they read and talk about stories to a group, discussing just like in adult book clubs. Summer reading competitions are meant to be an incentive for every child to read six books during the holiday term (that’s one book per week) to keep their level up with what they’d achieved at school. At the end of each book one of the librarians will have a chat about the story with the child and offer a small token for the effort made. Then when the competition closes there are ‘gold medals’ for every completed challenge and certificates are sent to the child’s school, awarded by the head teacher at the opening assembly.
Foreign children have an allocated shelf in every London library. There’s a section to accommodate young readers from many countries, with imported books in French, Italian, Spanish...Chinese, Korean, Bengali, Urdu...and a choice of bilingual books with international hero: Leo the Cat, embarking on all sorts of adventures as ‘Leo le Chat’, ‘El Gato Leo’...with speech bubbles in both English and foreign languages.
Primary school teachers are keen on reading as well as writing and illustrating. They arrange for children authors to come and engage the pupils in projects, building plots, developing characters and taking an idea to the end. As part of the homework, teachers send every child home with new books every week and a reading record where parents and teachers communicate about the child’s progress on decoding words, linking sounds and using expression with punctuation.
In the UK, children’s reading takes place not only at school, home and in libraries; in some boroughs it extends to the local high streets where boutiques host annual literary festivals: look out for story-telling events by professional actors in children outlets and authors’ signing at bookstores.
Not to mention the prestigious history of British literature, over the past decade modern authors like J.K Rowling and Michael Morpugo have had an undeniable impact on children’s discovery of books and one might suspect that with the literary vibe sweeping across the country a new generation of writers is growing.
Being French, living here and having children in English schools, I hear French mums moan and praise the English educational system.
What everyone (French) seems to agree on revolves around two points. First, an English state education is not enough, the standards are too low, the flexibility is too ‘loose’, the timetables too ‘light’. Worried French mums get extra tuition arranged, private schooling when they can afford it.
The other common consensus highlights the fact that English education is more ‘stimulating’, in the build up of a personal intelligence, self-confidence gained on praise and emotional stability in the relationships with adults and peers. Each child is treated as an individual for their own special talents and difficulties. The uniform does not turn one into a sheep.
From hearing experiences of French schooling, it turns out Emotional Intelligence could be where the French educational system stalls, far behind. Having specialised their teachers at very high academic levels (for example, in secondary education, the CAPES – ‘certificat d'aptitude au professorat de l'enseignement du second degré’- is an extremely difficult grade to achieve over a five-year cursus), the French system has relied on their knowledge or ‘connaissance’ to provide high educational standards.
But not all teachers are naturally skilled to promote human values that are practiced/taught at assemblies and PSHE (Personal, social, health and economic) sessions in England. These non-academic subjects drive pupils away from a ‘robotic’ approach to studying, widening their capabilities to other areas of life and this is where the English system excels. For time is short and the curriculum heavy, French teachers struggle to pass on their knowledge and struggle to introduce ‘life’ skills.
Typically, the caricatural teacher is a recurrent character that every French child has known at least one in his school life. Often remembered as a middle-age stern looking lady (or an ex army officer), neatly dressed in black and white, solemnly wearing a perfectly pinned hair bun, glasses and some ref lipstick. The portrayal of a French ‘maîtresse’ reminds us of one of those mythical authority figure out of a Disney cartoon, she will always be generous in reprimands and negative criticism (‘your child is too slow’), short of smiles and praise.
In some French schools, children will not speak to their headteacher unless they are (un?) lucky to be in their class, or being sent to her for bad behaviour. Headteachers are known to have their ‘favourites’ and ‘baddies’, harming any sense of tolerance they should be nurturing young minds with.
Schools in France traditionally celebrate by the calendar. Christmas and the end of year at least. Celebrating the joy of being together, the values of working towards a common target, children’s achievements and successes the way the English do seems to be a step beyond their understanding of creativity. Creativity lies in art and literature, there’s no time to ‘think outside the box’.
Deeply rooted in the French society is a sense of hierarchy, and academic tuition. How about developing confidence, voicing an opinion, questioning an established rule, helping peers and taking responsibilities? How about praising children for what they are good at rather than pinning them down for their difficulties? This is where French mums adore the English system: teachers look like they like our children, they smile, they talk softly, they are fun, they solve conflicts, and they adopt a strong anti-bullying stance.
Could the new French get inspired by the English educational system? Judging by the recent declarations from Vincent Peillon, France’s Education Minister, this question is almost plausible. The current debate centres on new lessons on secular morality to help children understand right from wrong and to grow into happy citizens. There have also been talks of putting a stop to the ‘repeat grade’ system and a more ‘fun’ approach to learning in primary schools.
The current rhythm is deemed too heavy, burdening students under piles of homework, and keeping them away from extra curriculum activities (there aren’t any after school clubs in France, as the time left after school is dedicated to homework, and children join clubs on their days off). Mr Peillon is considering shorter days at school, a five-day week (rather than a four-day one), longer mid-term breaks and shorter summer holidays.
Can French schools maintain their academic excellence if those reforms go ahead? Will they start training their teachers in pedagogy? How about French teachers trained in England? For happy teachers means happy children.
The French educational reform is being debated this September, and a complete new school culture could be underway from September 2013.
Since my daughter started school I discovered that birthdays are an entire new game: there is usually a venue booked to accommodate the whole classroom, themed entertainment and proper ‘tea’: pizza, sausages, sandwiches, crisps, vegetable sticks, humous etc. The spotlight is on the biggest and most colourful cake shaped into anything the child might like: a pirate, a caterpillar, a heart. A party is scheduled for 2 hours to allow parents to return the room on time, everyone goes home with a party bag of sweets and their share of the big cake.
I sent my daughter to Star Wars birthdays, cinema parties, circus birthdays, gymnastics, arts and crafts, fairies...oh dear, I thought: ‘how am I going to cater for her birthday? Is there an underlying competition between parents? I realised that parents were really too busy, they just could not afford ‘time’ to do it at home.
Being on a small budget, splashing £300 on a couple of hours of entertainment didn’t make sense but I felt compelled to do a big crazy party or how would she feel?
In this economic climate I was not the only one worried by the sheer cost of it: some parents smartly joined two or three birthdays together to share a party. My daughter’s friends were born much later in the year so I resigned myself to doing it alone.
In an attempt to find a solution, if not start a debate, I posted on a forum, about the outrageous fees that venues and entertainment providers charged. There were no replies...
My daughter kept asking ‘so what are we going to do for my birthday? How many friends can I invite?’ and abdicating before the time bomb I considered all possible options. Booking into a pottery cafe in London would cost around £15 per child, to which I would need to add the food, party bags etc and all in all probably worked out the same as doing it at home where I would have the freedom to spend a bit more on what girls like: presents.
I remembered that one day another mum had hosted a party in her house. There were less than 10 children all happily engaged into games. Relieved that this idea wasn’t completely from another century, and freed from the pressure of being singled out as ‘stingy’, I asked my child if she would be happy with it. She cheerfully jumped at the thought of getting her 5 closest friends to our flat, and I promised lots of surprises and exciting games.
Encouraged by her reaction, I started planning with an invitation we made out of her drawing of four princesses photoshopped and printed over a rainbow. Inside the cards she wrote fun little poems with rhymes, all starting with: ‘once there was a little girl...’. The result of our homemade card was attractive and quirky, and I kept congratulating her (and myself!) for such a brilliant.
We chose to do the party right after school, like a playdate. Some of her friends’ parents like to preserve their weekends as they don’t get to see much of their kids on weekdays. This party had taken such proportions that our little guests had been chatting about it for weeks in the playground and with their mums. I felt the pressure not to disappoint them so the night before, with my partner we worked out a schedule and got everything organised ahead to avoid running around after a napkin or a pair of scissors.
While my daughter was at school we were getting helium balloons and sorting out the food, the crafts etc. 3.30pm I heard six girls squealing with glee, running as fast as they could towards the flat, hair down flowing around, their jackets up the air.
They got into princess costumes, ‘fairly’ as they drew a name out of a hat and we entertained Snow white, Flower Fairy, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Ballerina.
With a mixture of traditional games (drawing, musical statues) and a few inventions like a dancing competition they seemed to enjoy every bit of it. I adopted some of the English ‘wow’ things like a mini cocktail, party food boxes, fairy cakes and a 4 layers chocolate cake dressed in strawberries to impress.
‘Are we getting party bags’ said Rapunzel. That was probably the biggest hit: princesses hovering a plastic fishing rod over my toddler’s playpen, hooking in wrapped up little parcels. Girls really want to have fun, and yes, they absolutely cherish pressies.
Independent education increases the chance of a child to get the academic achievements that will open doors to the best universities. Parents who can afford it take it as an investment in security when it is more and more obvious that nothing is set in stone; interesting and well paid jobs are hard to get by and can vanish in a crisis. In contrast to State Education schools, Independent establishments get better results, offer more control over homework, longer hours of study. Boarding schools offer a whole programme of tailored activities during ‘chill out’ times. They may not suit every child, but their reputation attracts many parents worried by the sight of a vulnerable future in their child’s professional life.
For parents on low budgets, who face a difficult choice especially as secondary education looms, it appears that there is hope. Following the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference that took place early autumn, news broke that Independent schools were being encouraged to ‘recruit’ talented pupils whose parents are unable to meet the fees. This ‘Open Access’ scheme, according to the founders of the Sutton Trust, would select children based on their abilities to perform well regardless of their financial status. In fact admissions of children from the ‘poorest’ backgrounds would be free.
Some Independent schools are already operating on a similar basis offering means-tested bursaries to gifted children. For instance Newton Prep in Battersea provides such places every year, which is, considering its location close to deprived areas and not so popular state schools, highly welcomed by the local communities.
There are some parents who do not have the means to pay for a private school and would welcome the ‘Open scheme’ as they feel that their child, who is very talented, is at loss in the local school. Parents of talented children often describe their child as ‘bored’ when their school does not have the resources to challenge them enough. It may also be that their child is not suited for State education and would benefit from a more controlled environment. These children might naturally be attracted by the prospect of going to a more competitive and highly achieving school, when they dispose of information about the school, the environment. The chances of success in the adaptation are an important step towards a useful and beneficial education. Going from State education to an Independent school sounds only possible with the full cooperation of the child and the support from parents.
On the other hand, it can take some efforts for the word to spread into poorest communities that there is an ‘Open Access’ available to them. Some may not realise that this is available or not know that their child is really talented and could possibly gain from going into a private school. Some families may not feel comfortable to put their child up for tests or some may simply not focus on education. Some parents may be frightened or unconfident to mingle with ‘pivate school’ families. All this means that sadly a lot of gifted children would not be given the chance to blossom and lose out on a golden opportunity. But for some, this new scheme could prove an incredible trampoline to a successful future.
How young is too young to start your child’s formal education? In France, Scandinavia and Russia, children don’t start formal education until they are 7. Here in Great Britain, a child young in their year can start when they are just 4. But it seems that, for a growing number of British parents, even that might not be quite early enough.
Baby yoga, sign language and music courses that run in every chichi town in the country talk about “education” and “curriculum” in their publicity spiels, but another growing market is tutoring for preschool-age children. Kumon, the maths and English study programme with 67,000 students in the UK and Ireland and 4.3 million across the globe, now takes on children as young as 2 and many private tutoring agencies are taking children from the age of 3.
But why? Because competition for school places is fierce. In London, there can be as many as 200 children vying for one of 40 coveted places at a selective pre-prep school such as the Thomas’s London Day Schools. The state system is little better. Last month, after a fraught three-month wait, parents across the country found out whether their children had been awarded a reception-class place at the school of their choice. National figures for the number of children who didn’t get their first choice of school aren’t available, but a quick trawl of Mumsnet or any other parenting forum gives an indication of the number of families who didn’t. They have to make the best of a less-good school, perhaps by using a tutor, or go private — but only if they’d had the foresight (and spare cash) to put their child’s name down at birth. “I know of some parents who found out the sex of their unborn baby to be able to get their name on the list for school,” says one mother.
Rowena Edington, a mother of two and a private tutor and dyslexia specialist at Learnability.co.uk, says: “Parents on the cusp of affording private education are being pushed into it, resulting in too many children chasing too few places.” Edington doesn’t tutor children younger than 7 but knows tutors who do. “Parents may feel that tutoring at this early age is their only option for securing a place at their chosen private school.”
At selective pre-prep schools such as Thomas’s and Highgate in London, Rose Court in Leeds and St Martin’s Ampleforth, registered children are invited for assessment when they turn 3 to establish their confidence, communication and fine motor skills. This is where the tutors come in: “The assessments are lighthearted in the sense that it’s just a case of sit down and listen to an instruction and play with some coloured blocks,” says Will Petty, head of tutoring at Bonas MacFarlane, a top London tutoring agency that prepares children for their 4-plus assessments. “They’re looking for reasonable communication skills, an outgoing social approach and those things can be significantly enhanced by interaction. We would call it preschool tuition but you could go and see a session and you wouldn’t necessarily recognise it as tuition.”
Sarah Cameron is planning on using a tutor to try to get her daughter into a leading London pre-prep school. “I can’t help but assume that we’ll have to get her some form of tutoring or assessment coaching. If not, she won’t get into a private school,” she says. “We’re luckier than some because we can afford the tuition, but only if we don’t have another child.”
Charlotte Wilson, who writes for the Tatler Schools Guide, says that schools are getting wise to the trend for toddler tutoring. “I think the schools are aware that tutoring happens and are evolving to be one step ahead of it and have developed ways of assessing that aren’t easy to prep for,” she says. “The selective prep schools are looking for children with potential, they’re not looking for the coached ones — they want happy and natural sparks who will be able to cope.”
George Wilkinson was three years old when he first started seeing a private tutor. For 45 minutes a week he would learn how to write, practise sounds and do a little bit of reading. “My reason for all this extra coaching and tuition was based on him going to a state school, albeit a very good one, where he would be one of 30 children in a class,” says his mother, Emily. “My view was that if he went in with a bit of a head start he might get noticed.”
Unfortunately, Emily’s good intentions backfired. “Initially he found it very exciting, reading and things, but now he’s been doing it for quite a long time he’s slightly bored of it. He used to jump for joy about reading and now it’s ‘do I have to?’.”
Will Petty is matter of fact about tuition for preschoolers: “The Ancient Greeks were educating their children from Day 1 and they could often speak in multiple languages by the time they were 6. Now you look at a child today who lives in a multilingual household — those children are bi or tri-lingual by the time they are school age — is that not education? There’s a big difference between mum and dad doing some teaching, which is part of parenting, but when you get someone in people say ‘oh, that makes it bad’ — why? Why does it matter who’s implementing it?”
While the main area of business for Bonas MacFarlane is 7-plus, the age at which children go up to prep school, Petty sees the preschool market growing. “There are a lot of very busy mums and dads and that seems set to continue with the financial climate; so they’re not necessarily getting the hours with their children that they need. When they come home from work they just want to spend some quality time with their kids. So why not have someone come in an hour before you come home who’s saying ‘right, have you thought about this? and how many apples are there on the tree?’. That’s all these schools are really looking for.”
Competition is likely to remain fierce, Petty claims. “We’re not yet in the territory of New York where it’s like a war game trying to get your kid into a nursery school. It’s not happening yet but I can see it happening farther down the line,” he says. “Competition filters from the top naturally. I don’t think that carry-down effect has sunk to the bottom, ie, all the way to nursery schools, but it’s difficult to see a world in which it won’t.”
Dr Richard House, a child psychologist at the University of Roehampton’s Research Centre for Therapeutic Education and the editor of Too Much, Too Soon?, says the growing market in preschool tutoring is of great concern. “[It’s] just one more cultural manifestation of the ‘too much, too soon’, ‘head-start’ mentality that seems to be obsessing some modern parents — and which says much more about those parents’ own anxieties (and, perhaps, ambitions) than it does about what is most appropriate for young children’s development and wellbeing,” he says.
But don’t tutors get results? Gemma Holmes, a spokesman for Kumon UK, whose programme consists of timed worksheets every day and biweekly visits to a local Kumon centre, says that the earlier children start, the better. “We learn from what we see with the students and we do find that the earlier the child begins the sooner they develop good study habits, confidence and independence in learning so they don’t become dependent on someone else for their own success.”
“It’s hardly surprising that children who have a learning curriculum imposed upon them will achieve higher ratings according to that curriculum’s criteria,” Dr House says. “But whether what is being ‘taught’ is developmentally appropriate is an entirely different matter. There is no empirical evidence that children who learn to read earlier will do any better later on.”
Dr Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Professor of Psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia and the author of Einstein Never Used Flash Cards, agrees. “The bottom line is that there is no evidence that early tutoring works. It is true that low-income children need to have more exposure to books and to numbers. They enter our schools at a real disadvantage. And research shows that exposure to reading and maths early makes a difference,” she says. “But middle-income children usually get this kind of input free.”
So how can parents dubious about tuition help their children to learn and prepare for school?
“I would vote to have our children spend more time outside,” Dr Hirsh-Pasek says. “And if we are looking to have them build intellectually, we might play more board games, build with blocks and have more conversations. Of course that also means that we might try to carve out a few minutes in our busy days to put the cellphones and e-mails away and to read a book with our kids.”
Dr House says that reading stories may also provide sound advice for parents. “Ancient fairytales often contain deep perennial wisdom that the modern technological mind has long forgotten,” he says. “The tale of The Hare and the Tortoise is one that comes to mind: slow and steady wins the race.”
Some names have been changed.
How to hothouse Will Petty, head of tutoring at Bonas MacFarlane
• Pay proper attention to your child’s communication. What do you really know about the input your child is getting? How many hours a day are they interacting rather than simply being parked in front of a load of toys, a screen, an iPad or a nanny?
• Are their motor skills getting there? Schools are going to teach them how to write, but they need to know that some of the basics have been done.
• Take the opportunity to ask them about numbers and colours and make sure they’re speaking in the right way.
• Ask questions and focus on their communication and engaging their interest.
• Read stories — the old-fashioned things that people don’t talk about any more are still vital as phonics start at home.
How NOT to hothouse
Dr Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, child-development specialist and professor of psychology
• Read to your child. In those reading moments, children are exposed not only to print but to the kind of back-and-forth dialogue that enriches vocabulary and story knowledge.
• Talk to them. When we have conversations with our children we are building a sense of trust along with world knowledge. And language ability is the single best predictor of later school outcomes.
• Play games. When we play games with our children they not only learn to take turns, but with board games such as snakes and ladders they also learn to count. When we play with blocks they learn to think spatially, all of which build STEM skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
• Tutoring and flashcards simply do not help children even though they make us believe that we are creating the next Steve Jobs.
A marketing opportunity, a showcase scenario, a window for prospective parents – and yes, for (international) agents too! Providers of education, or of any associated educational industry or application, should not hesitate to be part of this enterprise.
With more choice available and household budgets being squeezed, some schools might expect to see fewer parents making the decision to educate their child privately.
However, in a survey of independent school staff conducted at a recent conference hosted by Capita, 83% of fee-paying schools stated that they are not overly worried about falling pupil numbers. More than 60% of respondents also indicated that they are not concerned about having to compete with free schools to attract pupils.
I must confess to being somewhat surprised by these figures at first glance. But looking more closely at some of the responses and speaking to schools at the event helped to explain why many independent schools are confident of their position in the changing world of education.
Respondents to the survey came from a wide range of schools in the UK catering for pupils of all ages so responses were not confined to a certain type of school in any particular area.
Of those respondents who were concerned about falling pupil numbers, nearly 50% said their schools were currently reviewing their marketing activity or modifying their curriculum. This demonstrates that many schools are actively responding to the challenges they face and are focussed on ensuring both existing and prospective parents understand the value of the education they provide.
Other schools had already taken difficult decisions to ensure that they can compete in this new, more discerning market where parents have more choice. One had closed their junior school allowing for additional investment in the expansion of the secondary school, which was the strongest area of the schools’ provision. They also improved fees collection processes to gain more control over their cash flow. A number of schools are introducing more options for boarding so that parents can choose full, part-time or flexible boarding for their children to fit in with their working patterns.
Whatever shape schools take in the future, those in the independent sector need to ensure that they continue to offer and promote the benefits of the education they provide and deliver a rich and varied curriculum that will meet the high expectations of parents.
As the survey results show, many schools are successfully embracing the economic challenges ahead and responding to the changing needs of parents. And as a result, the vast majority are bullish about the contribution they are making towards a strong and bright future for independent schools."
From Hong Kong to Hamburg, aspirational parents are increasingly clamouring to get their offspring into America’s Ivy League colleges, at any price. But as a leading educational consultant argues, they might be fooling themselves. DONALD BILLINGSLEY
Every year, usually in late September, articles appear in leading business and news magazines purporting to inform us of the relative strengths and weaknesses of U.S. colleges and universities. The timing is significant because September is the grand opening of the admissions season for most U.S. universities. In reading these articles, one is reminded of medieval discussions of religion - debates characterized by a great deal of passionate dogma and very little reasoned observation. Journalists of our day repeat the errors of the churchmen of old, they mistake faith for knowledge. If faith is “evidence of things unseen, proof of things hoped for,” then one can readily understand the ecclesiastical approach to the evaluation of American colleges and universities. But the lay person who is simply seeking some objective means of choosing between a bewildering range of options, is left none the wiser after reading the rankings. In effect, he is being asked to proceed on faith.
In my own case, as a former teacher and administrator at two prestigious American universities, one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast, I am always astonished by the palpable ignorance of these school evaluations. Some assessments border on disinformation. As in many fields, there is an enormous disparity between that which is known by the practitioners (those who work and teach at U.S. colleges) and that which is believed by the public. Universities rarely, if ever, rebut or attempt to correct false information because, in addition to appearing unseemly, it would involve them in counter-productive polemics. They are wise enough to know that one can never win a public debate with the press. Thus falsehoods and distortions are allowed to go unchallenged.
As one who is neither employed by nor affiliated with any college or university, I have the freedom and the pleasure of presenting my own independent evaluation. I do not have the impertinence to propose it as the objective, final truth - evidence of things unseen - but merely as my own subjective observations on American educational institutions after 35 years of experience. I have no axes to grind, and there is no profit to be earned.
The first step toward enlightenment is to discard the notion of “the best college.” There is no such animal - never has been. The only relevant criteria of evaluation are those that address the particular needs of the individual applicant or, in the case of graduate and post-graduate research - on political and societal priorities. An applicant needs to ask the question: What is the best college for me?” This question modifies the application equation in important ways. Suddenly such factors as size of campus, geographical location, proximity to home, the weather, campus culture, sports facilities, pastoral care, social composition, political tendencies, and access to senior faculty become highly determinate.
Seen in this light, Swarthmore College could be a far better choice for a given student than Harvard. Reed College could be superior to Princeton. Depending on one’s research interests, the University of Texas could be placed ahead of MIT or Georgia Tech in front of Cornell, an Ivy League school. Given the cost of higher education in the U.S.A., only a fool would select a university independent of the very particular needs of the student. And by the age of seventeen these needs are generally well known. It is true that they are often ignored; but they are well known. The allures of public reputation are often simply irresistible, in spite of the manifest superiority of less heralded institutions. In the field of engineering, for instance, Renselaer Polytechnical, California Technical, Georgia Technical, Illinois Technical, and MIT beat the Ivies hands down.
A recurring theme in the narrative of university evaluation is that of the “small liberal arts college.” It is argued or assumed that small, geographically isolated institutions provide the ideal venues for intellectual growth and professional preparation. There is an abundance of such institutions in the United States, well over a thousand. Many of them stack up very poorly against larger institutions in every possible category of evaluation. These are not limited to the excellence of the faculty (though this is a key consideration) but also: outreach to students, organization of student life, campus spirit, facilities, depth and variety of courses, quality of the faculty, personalized programs (such as writing centres, opportunities for undergraduate research, study abroad, undergraduate publications) and professorial excellence.
For those who require institutional intimacy and highly rigorous academic programs, they cannot go wrong with Amherst, Bates, Swarthmore, Reed, Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Oberlin, Bard, Tufts, and many other small colleges and universities. Yet for students who long for broader exposure, more elaborate facilities, access to a greater number of academic specialties, opportunities to engage in a wide variety of sports under expert supervision, larger institutions, including state universities are the answer. Such students should carefully consider University of Michigan, University of Virginia, University of California, Stanford University, University of Texas, University of Chicago, New York University, and similar places. A cautionary note: Students who are easily disoriented or who lack self-confidence, irrespective of their academic ambitions are well advised to first consider the many good smaller institutions, even if they plan to major in science. The larger universities, with student populations of 40,000 or more, can be overwhelming for some students, who may fall victim to the seeming chaos before the university can reach them with its helpful student programs. Put another way: students who plan to attend large universities should possess excellent social navigational skills and a good measure of patience in the freshman year.
The Ivy League, comprising Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania, were founded as a sports conference. Over time it has emerged as the premier academic constellation in the U.S. academic firmament. The prestige of the Ivy League is a result of a unified standard of excellence in research and teaching, a continuous commitment to quality in its library holdings, exiguous and highly exacting standards in selection and promotion of faculty, and the unparalleled quality and quantity of scholarly publications.
It is not surprising that the Ivies attract some of the brightest and most ambitious students from around the world. Yet, it must be said that the Ivies are not for everyone; nor are they uniform in character. There is an enormous difference between life at Cornell, a school which is located in a beautiful but isolated region of Northern New York State, and Harvard College, which is located in the bustling metropolis of Boston. Campus life is very dissimilar between the two, as is academic life. Access to senior faculty members is free and easy at Cornell, whereas the stars of Harvard’s faculty have little contact with undergraduates. Cornell has outstanding programs in Hotel and Restaurant Management and in Engineering. Harvard has neither. It is evident that a student seeking to major in either of these fields would be better served at Cornell. However, Harvard can boast of one of the world’s greatest math communities. Thus, a student who possesses both talent and ambition in the area of math is well advised to apply to Harvard.
The disparities between Ivy colleges mirror the disparities between Ivies and non-Ivies. A student with a keen interest in studying African History would be far better served at Northwestern, a pioneer in the study of African History, than he would at any of the Ivies. The same is true for a student wishing to study City Planning. None of the Ivies can compete with UC Berkeley. The Anthropology department at the University of Chicago is vastly superior to most of the Ivies. The list of schools with individual academic departments that are larger and more distinguished than those to be found in the Ivy League is quite long. So outstanding students, for whom the Ivies are an option and who have highly specialized interests and talent, do well to consider the vast number of non-Ivy alternatives.
What the Ivy League schools do offer is depth and excellence in its academic programs and unequal pastoral care. So that students who are not certain as to their academic or professional direction have the leisure to explore in a safe, organized, and stimulating setting, with some of the world’s outstanding scholars. It is a very rich stew, but not for everyone.
For those who are so highly absorbed with the ranking order of U.S. colleges and universities, I would ask you to contemplate the following list of persons: Bertrand Russell, Albert Einstein, James Clerk Maxwell, Mao Tse Tung, Sigmund Freud, Martin Luther King, Sir Winston Churchill, August Wilson, William Faulkner, Walt Disney, Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Harry Truman, Charles De Gaulle, Claude Levi-Strauss, Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, Abraham Lincoln, Pablo Picasso, Angela Merkel, Charlie Parker, Frank Lloyd Wright. It is a random list of persons who have influenced our world in some significant way. None of the persons on this list attended one of the top 20 colleges that are cited in any of the best known publications.
My advice in short: when your child’s future is on the line, replace faith with knowledge. It is the wise choice.
Why do so many parents spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on their childrens’ schooling without consulting education experts, asks Will Petty.
In this latest age of austerity and ever increasing competition for graduate jobs, parents would be forgiven for feeling that the correct choice of school for their child is more vital now than ever. Furthermore, the wiser parents will be planning two or three steps ahead: no longer it is enough to park your children in the local nursery and expect things to take care of themselves. Good nursery schools will have well-established feeder relationships with the cream of the local pre-preparatory/ preparatory schools. Get the wrong nursery school and it could adversely affect your preferred choice when Reception comes knocking. The problem doesn’t end there! With the boys, you may choose to send them to a solely pre-preparatory school (traditionally more academic) and then you have to make a choice about where they head at seven or eight years old. Alternatively, you might pack them off to a combined pre-prep and prep school, but still decide to move them at the end of Year 2 or Year 3 for a single sex education in a more academic environment, to prepare for the move to what you hope will be one of the best senior schools. In the latter instance you will almost certainly be looking for extra tuition to ensure your child is comfortable with the daunting maths syllabus, let alone the reading lists and written skills required. Why? Because most of the schools that combine pre-prep and prep education will openly admit that they won’t achieve the necessary standard that early as, quite simply, they operate with the intention of keeping all their students until at least 11 years old. The confusing nature of the options, the fact that the decisions you make may not show their true effect for years to come and the sheer quantity of choices on offer are likely to give the new parent the night terrors.
WHERE TO START
We have barely got talking about the various entrance exams at 11 and 13, we haven’t brought up the co-educational versus single sex debate and there’s been not a whisper of boarding or day. Where does one start? Who do you ask? Moreover, who should you listen to? Well, you start towards the end. Where do you think your child should be at 19 years of age? When you have your answer, you work backwards with the aim of arriving at choices that don’t rule out options that will help your child achieve their undergraduate dream.
In 2011 we have seen Winchester College become the first public school to break through the symbolic £30,000 a year mark. If other well known schools follow suit, a private education at leading schools could cost as much as £350,000. If most people were going to invest that amount in something they’d take on professional advice and get a second, informed opinion on what best to do. You don’t buy a house without getting a surveyor’s report, after all. Yet with private education, perhaps because parents think of the cost in termly increments rather than as an overall expenditure, it is perfectly normal to march into the unknown, cheque book open, and hope for the best.
THE BONAS MACFARLANE WAY
At Bonas MacFarlane we believe that it’s high time the same due diligence you’d use when buying a house or investing in stocks was applied to choosing the right path for your child if you are considering entering the private school system. Whether you are based in the UK or not, you can benefit from a professional’s knowledge both of the range of schools and of trends in education.
At Bonas MacFarlane we have always advised international families relocating to the UK on the best choices for them and their children, and now we are being approached by an increasing number of domestic families looking for advice on getting the best (and best value) education possible for their children. Not only are we leading the way in Educational Consultancy but our comprehensive school placement service can help take care of all the paperwork
SCHOOL VISITS ACCOMPANIED BY SENIOR CONSULTANTS
We have no ties to particular schools and can provide a clear and unbiased overview of the choices before you, as well as detailed information on particular schools, based on our personal knowledge. Why not give us a call for an informal chat to find out how we can help you navigate the maze of education choices?
There is also a great opportunity to come and see us later in the year at The Independent Schools Show 2012, 10th and 11th November, Battersea Park. After their 5th successive year it is fast-becoming one of the most important days out of the year for parents. (www.schoolsshow.com)
It is no longer the case that an Oxbridge graduate, with arm patches on tweed jacket, assists with the correct use of a semi-colon or ‘classical’ grammar during the spring pre-examination panic. Instead, tutoring in its modern form is more likely to take on the role of the ‘educational mentor’ member of the family.
Tutors have become much more ‘professional’ during the last two decades. Agencies are both highly selective about whom they recruit - many have post-graduate degrees or have impressive track records in the fields of business, law, finance etc. Prospective tutors are presented with rigorous, and yet bespoke training programmes (based on a skeleton of the more restrained PGCE formulas), which are designed to be ‘adaptive’ rather than ‘prescriptive’. Those who work within the industry are keen to assert themselves not so much as a ‘replacement’ but rather as an ‘additional extra’ to a child’s education.
William Petty of Bonas MacFarlane Education, nominated as London’s leading educational agency, Evening Standard, 2010, says:
“Tutors inherently know when to be ‘passive’ and ‘receptive’ to the demands of the individual: the very best tutors have a firm idea of what they want to do but also have such a breadth in their subjects that one family can engage one tutor for all subjects. This is especially important where a family might wish a tutor to join them for a set period of time in their family home, often living-in for the required tutorial term, in the family’s countryside residence.”
Malachy Guiness, co-founder of Bright Young Things, another London tutoring agency says: “Often we’ll be given 24 hours notice to get a tutor to a certain family in the Hamptons, or to Dubai and not just whoever is available – the parents will often have a whole list of specs for us to fulfil.”
The process is, of course, two-way and motivation is key to the experience. Once the tutor opens up the channels of communication with the ‘right’ messages, enthusiasm for the subject can follow, the child’s mind can become more receptive to information, and this is then channelled into results. Petty explains that the aim is for a child to be self-motivating about learning: “Ideally after a few initial visits you would like the young person to be sitting up ready for the tutor’s arrival, keen to go ahead and learn more… then we know we have achieved one of our goals.”
In the past, the tutoring industry has not been particularly popular with schools; there was the sense of an accusation, either directly or indirectly, that the schools themselves were not providing a proper service. Petty, however, believes this perceived ‘threat’ is no longer relevant. There is a greater relationship between schools and tutors today, with both working to resolve, improve and foster the right environment to support and achieve the best possible results to suit each individual’s needs and capabilities. Whilst a tutor can dedicate their time entirely to one pupil the environment of a classroom does not necessary allow a schoolteacher to accord the same amount of attention to each student. Bonas MacFarlane Education perceives communicating with schools as a paramount role. Tutors and school staff share online reports and work closely, when necessary, to produce the best possible results. Today there is a new generation of head teacher/principals, with greater trust and a willingness to recognise tutoring as sometimes a highly supportive and necessary part of the educational process.
So today, the modern tutor is much more than just a ‘teacher’. Experience within the industry has led many of the established agencies to offer education consultancy. Petty writes, “You don’t buy a house without getting a surveyor’s report” and yet too few parents seek professional advice on selecting schools. This is increasingly important given the level of domestic and international demand for the high standard of UK independent schools. William Petty commented: “if a secondary school with a USP was to open in London, it would be full overnight”.
UK independent schools are a big investment in a child’s education and life and this does come at a cost. Winchester has recently become the first public school to break through the symbolic £30,000 a year mark and if other well-known schools follow suit, a full private education could total as much as £350,000 (Petty). This is a vast amount and yet there are still many parents that cater to bespoke educational requirements for their young from the age of kindergarten through to university education. Perhaps they are able to think of the cost in terms of termly increments rather than as an overall expenditure. Many of Bonas MacFarlane’s clients turn to the private system when their child is 8 years old and many seem to be satisfied that they were able to have independent advice about navigating the unfamiliar channels of the private system. Tutoring agencies can create a simpler choice drawing on the depth of their experience, and offer a clearer and alternative picture of a school’s compatibility whilst the official feedback might only be ‘positive’.
Tutors can assist at any stage of a child or young person’s life. Sometimes it can just be one or two days or a week of support prior to an important exam that can make the difference in a pass or fail mark or even help with that foreboding subject: mathematics. A condensed revision session, the extra knowledge, given at the right time, in the right environment can often change one’s future path entirely. Alternatively tutors might live with a family for an entire summer and aid the child in general knowledge or foreign languages. Tutors assist with learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, SATs, GCSEs, A-Levels, C.E (Common Entrance), University Applications and, if required, they can tutor University Level students too. Tutors are for more than just guidance and tuition; they can provide a child with an additional role model.
There is no greater responsibility than the raising of children. There is no greater challenge than their education.
The title of our Exhibition was carefully chosen. Here, on show, are 140 independent schools. Together they show the breadth of what is on offer. That diversity can be bewildering as can the language. What is Pre-U? What’s the difference between IGCSEs and GCSEs? What’s the difference between a Scholarship and a Bursary? Why the difference in fee levels?
Since the Show began we have had distinguished Heads of famous schools talking about various aspects of the Sector as a whole. You asked us last year if we could run smaller groupings, led by someone specialist in the field being discussed, but with a more chatty question and answer session.
So do please consult the programme and then come upstairs to the Mezzanine. Turn left for the lecture series, headed by Tony Little, Headmaster of Eton College, and turn right for the comfortable chairs and timetabled conversations on any number of subjects.
We believe our two day programme will address many of your questions. But we know there will always be others. And we will always seek to answer those too, pointing you in the direction that could be a starting place for your particular search.
Claire Young is now gearing up to launch new youth initiative Teenbiz, which provides funding to entrepreneurs aged 13 to 18 years old. Launching in November, across a backdrop of riots and growing disenfranchisement amongst British youngsters, Teenbiz is proving ever more urgent and necessary.
With youth employment is at an all-time high – over 1 million 16-24 year olds are unemployed, costing the UK economy £10 million a day in lost productivity – Claire Young works hands-on across schools and various government organisations; engaging and encouraging students to raise their aspirations, take off their blinkers and think big! An inspirational speaker with a burning social conscious, Claire Young hopes that her own story will motivate others to realise that with hard work, drive and determination, anything is possible.
Driven by the recognition of a desperate need to support Britain’s would-be young entrepreneurs, Claire Young launches Teenbiz in November 2011. A scheme for 13 to 18 year olds to access start-up business funding and support, every month Teenbiz awards one successful student with £500, the services of Claire Young as a business mentor and a ‘start-up’ pack donated by Teenbiz sponsors; comprising of a website, company stationery and an official Companies House formation.
Claire Young explains the thinking behind Teenbiz: “You can become a Company Director at 16 years old, but a person under 18 has no way to access start-up funding. We need to lead from the front and create enterprise schemes that are sustainable. Plenty of people are talking about enterprise and doing nothing, I’d rather put my money where my mouth is and make something happen.”
Already seen as the figurehead of this movement in youth engagement and enterprise, Claire Young is perfectly placed to launch the Teenbiz initiative. With nominations for the Queen’s Enterprise Award 2011 and the Women’s Advocate Awards 2011, Claire Young also recently met with the Prime Minister for roundtable talks and has been invited to join the House of Lords Youth Unemployment Taskforce.
The Independent Schools Show 2011 is proud to be supporting this initiative.
The Teenbiz web site is at: www.teenbiz.org.uk
Ever wondered how much the world’s heaviest man weighed? Or how cold the sea was when the Titanic sank in the icy Atlantic Ocean?
Not us! We’ve heard those questions plenty of times whilst working at London attraction Ripley’s Believe It or Not! (the answers are 100-stone and -2°C, by the way).
Ripley’s is a brilliant place to work – a fascinating ‘odditorium’ featuring over 700 quirky, unusual and educational artefacts from across the globe
We love the enthusiasm we generate amongst our younger visitors as they explore our five floors. Just like the best schools, we know that kids learn best when they are engaged with their subject.
The extraordinary story of Robert Ripley is one most people in the UK aren’t familiar with. This former sports journalist dedicated his life to the weird and wonderful, collecting treasures from around the world. The collection spans everything from rare cultural and historical items to weird creatures and record breaking people.
Children of all ages will marvel at the 3,000-pound section of the Berlin Wall, a 4 metre model of Tower Bridge made from over 400,000 matchsticks, a 545-pound meteorite, intricate Chinese jade sculptures, a prehistoric shark jaw and three real Ecuadorian ‘shrunken heads’.
Those interested in music will love The Beatles and Iron Maiden attractions and girls will surely be enchanted by the £500,000 Swarovski-Crystal covered Mini Cooper and the collection of Marilyn Munroe’s possessions, including the famous Mexican sweater that she wore in the last official photo shoot before she died.
The attraction is highly interactive – guests can try to outweigh the world’s heaviest man, see how long they can leave their hand in water which the same temperature as the Atlantic Ocean when the Titanic sank and measure themselves against the tallest man in the world.
School trips
Our 'Oddly Educational!' teacher’s resources that we offer to all groups were developed to complement and enhance classroom visits and help teachers make learning fun, thought provoking and engaging for pupils. Activities and worksheets are mapped to the National Curriculum for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to use with pupils before, during and after a visit to the attraction.
For Primary (8-11 yr olds), the ‘Exciting Exploration’ cross-curricular teaching resource lets pupils follow Ripley’s travels with a journey of discovery through the artefacts. This provides teachers with over 8 hours of classroom activities, covering subjects from English to art.
For Secondary (11-16 yr olds), the ‘Crazy Art’ teaching resource challenges pupils to create a self portrait discarding the conventional art materials and experimenting with the unconventional and other exciting projects. Also available for secondary the ‘Curious Cultures’ pack, a humanities resource that lets pupils explore different cultures, places and people at different times from around the world. Both secondary resources provide over 10 hours of classroom activities.
New this year, we have also introduced a Scavenger Hunt that can be added to any visit! Each pupil gets an answer sheet and pencil with the aim to complete the hunt whilst exploring the attraction. As a reward each pupil will receive a unique prize gift and the leaders will be provided with the answers.
Your School Visit!
We offer a range of special services for schools to make your visit to Ripley’s as easy as possible. These include:
• Special entry price for schools
• One teacher for every ten pupils receives free entry
• We can answer any questions you may have and help with your booking
• Free 'Oddly Educational!' teaching resources
• Pre-visit available to help with the dreaded risk assessment
• Activities for interaction during the visit
For further information about Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! London, visit: www.ripleyslondon.com or come and see us at on the Mezzanine at the Independent Schools Show in Battersea Park from the 5th – 6th November 2011 for more information, fun and free giveaways!
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London
Groups Department
Email: Education@ripleyslondon.com
Telephone: 020 7494 6818
Eton's aim is that finances will not be an obstacle to any boy who is offered a scholarship. Means-tested bursaries can augment the scholars' automatic 10% fee reduction. There are a large number of boys who are charged a very small fee; about 40 boys are educated free of charge, and in several cases the School pays for extras, including school uniform and in some cases even pocket money.
Eton is looking for boys of high academic promise or high musical promise or high theatrical promise who will benefit from the opportunities that Eton provides and who will contribute strongly to the life of the school.
For further information, please contact the Access Adviser.
Please click here for the Election Roll 2011.
Visit the BBC website to listen to extracts taken from the BBC Radio 4 programme, Comprehensively Eton, broadcast in May 2010 where Jolyon Jenkins and Karen Gregor (Producer) interview boys who have joined the School through the New Foundation and Sixth Form Scholarship schemes.
We want to consider the importance of British and American education in the context of the two great developments that will determine the kind of world in which our children are being educated to live: The Digital Revolution and Globalisation.
1. The Digital Revolution and Education
How can we educate for the future, when technology moves so rapidly in directions that may be predictable, but have unforeseen consequences? We are entering an age of extreme technology, where the next generation of quantum computers should be able to run applications that today's super computers would take millions of years to execute. Perhaps digital processing power will make human intelligence obsolete. That makes a presentation, on an August evening in Oslo, about educating our children for the future, a little pointless… What we can assume is that technology will provide increasingly rapid access to information. And, this presents great challenges to educators. The internet is changing our brains . Nicholas G. Carr wrote a well known article about this for The Atlantic magazine, called 'Is Google Making Us Stupid?'. He described his own difficulty staying focused on long pieces of writing and reading: 'Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a jet Ski'. Brain scans show that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which deals the memory formation and retrieval, is shrinking in brains that spend long hours in front of computer screens. So, educators must not lose sight of the discipline of traditional scholarship - that deep search for academic truth. Students must be encouraged to participate in real life learning communities, rather than online forums. So, the great schools and universities, which provide these properly scholastic communities, are increasingly vital to the Digital Age.
Fortunately, the admissions departments of British private schools and American universities do not just award places to the most academically accomplished students. They look to build communities, by selecting students who will offer diverse contributions across a range of subjects and fields of artistic and scientific and even sporting endeavour, to make the school more scholastic or the university experience more universal:
• In Britain, some privately educated children still attend small boarding 'Preparatory Schools' from a young age, which are often former country houses, often with lakes with woodland. While technology is an integral part of teaching, this boarding environment allows computer use to be tightly controlled (Norwegian children can have a taste of this environment, by spending a summer term, from late April to early July at one of these schools. This is an excellent way to cement a foundation of English).
• When children turn thirteen, they move to senior schools which tend to be much bigger - a typical size is about 700 students. These schools have extended campuses, which often resemble small universities rather than schools. Again, there is a very strong emphasis on community participation in sporting and artistic activities. I am not for a moment trying to suggest that children who live at home in Oslo and have their own local community activities - such as weekend ski clubs - do not grow up in a healthy community environment. But, there is something about a full boarding school community, where both the teachers and the students live on the campus that provides for a superb learning community, from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
• In America, schools and universities take their community identity very seriously indeed. They are fully committed to the success of every student. Most of the prestigious boarding schools and universities were established in the eastern colonial states. Having been founded by largely Protestant minority faiths, notably the Quakers, who had detached themselves from society, these schools and universities were often the only community identity their students had. Deerfield, St. Paul's, Yale, Harvard all fit this pattern. Attention to the pastoral needs of students is a primary feature of the American educational model; students always have been very well looked after.
Let us be positive about technology. Dr. James Martin, the futurologist, writes in the latest edition of the Oxford University Magazine about a future where,
'Conventional work is done by machines, and humans spend their time on things that are uniquely human. Higher levels of happiness will come from higher levels of creativity. Michelangelo's words set the tone for his era: the greater danger for most of us lies, not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark. The cathedral building of the 12th century or the grand temple complexes at Angkor set their aim as high as possible. It will apply to our future.'
The societies which are geographically fortunate enough to survive Dr. Martin's predicted environmental catastrophes will, he believes, enter into humanity's finest age - one of astonishing creative achievement, which may begin within the long life expectancies of our children. If Dr. Martin is right, how fortunate then that admissions officers at the top English speaking schools and universities have always been attracted by creative minds. They are less interested in what their applicants know than how they learn and what they are able to do with knowledge. Emphasis is placed in the testing procedures on critical thinking skills, and evidence that applicants are creative and self reliant. Value is attached to humanities subjects, which encourage critical analysis and deep perceptual understandings of human behaviour.
2. Globalisation and Education
English is the global language, and the majority of the top ranked universities are in the USA. Fortunately, Norwegian schools have superb English teaching and the cliché may be true that Scandinavians speak better English than the English. However, the standard of English required by leading universities, especially for programmes relating to law and economics, is very high. American colleges have extraordinary literary traditions. Literacy and education was very important to the colonial settlements: literacy in the Massachusetts Bay Colony was higher in 1750 than it is today; in 1800 the only holidays from school were Independence day and the day of Harvard's graduation. Christmas was a regular school day.
Another great impact of globalisation on education is extreme competition. The top private schools and universities in the English speaking world now attract the best applicants from around the globe. If you applied to Harvard fifty years ago, your chances of being accepted were about fifty per cent. Last year, applicants had a six per cent chance of success in a global playing field where forty-four percent of the successful applicants were of non-European (Caucasian) ethnicity. This global competition, places a concerning degree of pressure on children from an early age.
As extreme global competition increases the pace of development, the need for economic specialisation and flexibility becomes more intense. Norway enjoys a highly specialized economy, so you do not need an English educationalist to explain this. Still, educators must give their students the confidence to specialise, but also to adapt. One hundred years ago, with the arrival of the motor car, the adaptable blacksmiths stopped putting new shoes on horses, learnt how to change car tyres and became mechanics. These two strengths - specialisation and adaptability - do not necessarily complement each other. Perhaps if we give children a fully rounded education before they goes on to specialise, they will find it easier to adapt, as and when that need arrives.
English schools enjoy culture of a rounded education, inside and outside the classroom. This culture goes back to the 15th Century Renaissance in Italy, where educators such as Vittorino da Feltre set up attractive boarding schools, in which they lived with the children, monitoring their health, devising interesting curricula and modifying the schooling according to the needs of the child. These Renaissance ideas were taken up particularly in England where, over the following centuries, schools such as Eton, Winchester and Harrow became famous. By the nineteenth century, Britain's industrial revolution had created the need to educate a new upper middle class. Educational reformers such as Thomas Arnold of Rugby transformed schools to include wide curricula and magnificent buildings. Virtually all survive today. Behind grand Victorian facades lie cutting edge facilities - from science laboratories to TV studios. Students from across the world are pushed to attain top grades. They also engage in a wide range of activities, some at which they excel; others in which they participate for the sake of the community or a fresh experience. Compared to Norwegian specialisation, the culture of British Public Schools may veer too far in the direction of amateur participation for its own sake. The consequences can be disastrous; we have a legacy of great amateur heroic failures, particularly in Antarctic exploration, where Scott and Shakleton were nobly defeated by the expertise of your legendary Roald Amundsen (recent explorers, though, such as the BBC's Ben Fogle, have tried to rescue Scott's reputation by celebrating his party's scientific projects, claiming perhaps a little grandly that they gave birth to the science of climate change).
Most students do not leave home until they go to university. At Bonas MacFarlane, when advising students on university strategies, we emphasise the difference between education and training. The following definitions come from an excellent blog called 'simply speaking':
'Education is far transfer; training is near transfer. Education emphasizes first principles; training emphasizes application. Education focuses on building the mind; training on building skills. Education is a social act; training is a cost centre. Training gives you the fish; education teaches you to fish'.
We stress these differences because the leading British and American universities continue to place emphasis on pure academic education. Oxford has only offered management as part of a degree during the last decade. There is no such thing as an undergraduate degree in business at any of the leading British or American universities. A student can spend four years at the University of Oxford reading, say, ancient Greek and Latin literature, or biochemistry, before even thinking about any training in finance or law. Liberal Arts programmes in American colleges take a different approach, but with the same objective. Students cannot specialise in subjects such as law or economics until they have completed a degree which covers a variety of academic subjects. These academic degrees are respected by global companies for their superb building of the mind.
Many students wait until they have completed their first degree before going overseas. Attending graduate school in the USA is a wise choice because good US universities are recognized universally, with their enormous concentration of talent, due to the post-war brain drain. Their programs are supple enough to integrate students from around the world and there is a long tradition of admitting students from other countries. They seek excellence because they need to remain world leaders in certain fields - business, medicine, electrical engineering etc. There are also excellent post graduate courses in the UK, but again, we must stress that their entry criteria are highly competitive.
Conclusion:
1. British and American education have long term benefits, in a globalised world where the pace of technological change is accelerating.
2. The English language requirements, the academic and extracurricular skills, which the leading schools and colleges demand in their successful applicants are sophisticated and need to be developed over years, not months. At Bonas MacFarlane, the critical difficulty we face in preparing students to go Britain and the US: most families leave it too late; students need to start the preparation process early.
We have barely got talking about the various entrance exams at 11 and 13, we haven’t brought up the co-educational versus single sex debate and there’s been not a whisper of boarding or day. Where does one start? Who do you ask? Moreover, who should you listen to? Well, you start towards the end. Where do you think your child should be at 19 years of age? When you have your answer, you work backwards with the aim of arriving at choices that don’t rule out options that will help your child achieve their undergraduate dream.
Choose schools that have an overall personality that matches your child. Look at the universities their current students apply to year on year. If US admissions is high on your list of priorities, make sure your chosen senior school has a proven track record. You don’t have to go it alone. Get cutting edge educational advice from experts who are informed and up to date with all things education. Ensure your child has all the support they might need throughout their education, at home and at school.
When university education comes knocking, if you and your child have made the right choices you will be able to assist them in trying for the top institutions not just domestically but over the pond too, because you have sought out the right advice from the start and implemented it appropriately.
There was a time when choosing a school for your child was simply a matter of sending them to the school you attended yourself. These days, education is a more nuanced business and parents need a helping hand when navigating their way around these life-changing choices.
This is where the Independent Schools Show comes in.
The Independent Schools Show enables parents to find out all they need to know about the best schools in the country, but without having to traipse around visiting each and every one in person. Parents can ask all those burning questions in a neutral territory (as opposed to in the head's office, where they're liable to feel as if they're being judged themselves!). They then come away from the show with a deeper knowledge of what the independent sector has to offer.
One of the highlights of the show is the Education Theatre, where this year's guest speakers include Tony Little, headmaster of Eton, talking about the school's wide range of bursaries and scholarships, and Ben Thomas, head of the successful Thomas's group of prep schools, who will offer insights into choosing the perfect secondary school. Parents will also have the opportunity to question a team of experts on education-related issues, from nursery education to the International Baccalaureate, via bursaries and scholarships.
The Independent Schools Show is based at the Battersea Evolution Centre, which has free on-site parking for 200 cars, an organic café and champagne bar, plus a children's play area for younger siblings aged three to six.
But that's not the half of it. This year, for the first time, North London has its own Independent Schools Show, taking place at Lord's Cricket Ground and offering local parents all the insider knowledge they need to select the perfect independent school for their child's needs. And like its Battersea counterpart, the North London show is free to those who register in advance. Top marks all round!
“I visited with my two young children who came away from the show raving about their next step; they now can’t wait to go to their chosen school and I feel comfortable in the knowledge that they have the information to choose a school that’s right for them!”
“The independent Schools Show was an immensely useful way of researching all the different options”
For more information and to register for your free tickets, please visit schoolsshow.com
WHEN AND WHERE
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS SHOW NORTH LONDON
Friday 23 September (10am-5pm)
The Nursery Pavilion, Lord's Cricket
Ground, London NW8 8QN.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS SHOW BATTERSEA EVOLUTION
Saturday 5 November (10am-5pm)
Sunday 6 November (11am-4.30pm)
Chelsea Bridge Entrance, Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ.
This year we have even more attractions for children at
the show. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! will be exhibiting the
world’s smallest car and the Sharky and George team will
be providing a variety of activities for children of all ages.
Also featuring is the Education Zone, which is another fun
place for the kids to play and learn and gives parents an
opportunity to have a break and enjoy the show.
We are looking forward to having S&G at the ISS! Lots of fun for all the children!
Even though private schools can be more expensive, parents choose private day or boarding schools for their children due to various reasons including higher academic standards, wider range levels and subjects, outstanding facilities, lower ratio of teacher pupil, high quality teaching staff, varied extracurricular opportunities and many other factors.
You will have to decide whether you want your child to attend a day school in your area or go to a boarding school. As well as this, you need to choice between single sex or co-education schools. It is important to start looking and researching for schools at least one year in.
Shows such as the independent school show are excellent platforms on which parents can browse, interact with senior teachers and school head teachers from various private, prep and senior schools from across the country. This makes the process of choosing the best school for your child much easier.
At the ISS, you are also invited to attend the education theatre and listen to talks and discussions on important factors for the when choosing schools. You can also meet tutors from around the UK offering the best tutoring for students if that is what is important to you and your child.
Education is a valuable investment you make to secure the future of your child. It is highly recommended to make use of the opportunity offered by the ISS to make an informed decision. Sit comfortably with your family and friends in the café and analyze various options. At the independent school show, you can make private appointments with advisors or school head teachers to learn about scholarships, bursaries and how they could help you.
Till recently, many independent schools in UK, especially the grammar schools and public schools, advocated the single sex school system and became co-educational. There are very few single sex primary schools in the British education state sector. The last forty years saw a fall of single sex schools from 2500 to 400 schools.
Many parents still believe that single sex schools are ideal for their daughters as they foster academic and personal self confidence. Others believe that there is a calming and civilizing influence on boys studying in girl’s schools. Though many parents feel that there are a lot more social advantages of boys and girls studying together, there are still some who strongly feel that single sex schools are better for their children. This is backed by certain long term studies that show that students learn better and are higher achieving in single sex schools.
Study reports argue that students are less distracted studying among the same gender and it is possible for single sex schools to implement slight modifications in gender specific teaching pattern’s that may not otherwise suit both genders.
It is a tough decision to make and requires weighing the pros and cons carefully. It is necessary for parents to take the help of experts and study the features and quality of education offered in both co-educational and single sex schools.
The Independent Schools Show exhibits over 100 top schools on a single platform. This makes it easier for parents to make an informed decision. Whether you are looking for a Private school, senior school or prep school, this show is a great way of meeting and interacting with various advisors and head teachers.
This two day exhibition is made exciting and unique with various promotions. You can relax in a quiet ambience at the café to discuss, analyze and come to a decision or listen to discussions in the Education Theatre.
Choosing the right school is important to ensure your child is offered the best opportunity to do well. Make use of the ISS!
Visiting parents will be encouraged to join the debate on a range of educational topics whilst your children participate in complimentary mini-tutorials in a supervised feature area allowing parents to meet with the schools without distraction.
Other entertainments include:
Bouncy Castle – Will be operational for the duration of the Independent Schools Show
Facepainter
Cookery Activity Station - Children of all ages can come and decorate either a cookie or a cupcake.
Entertainer
Prize draw - Win family tickets to Christmas Pantomimes in Putney or Wimbledon
and finally a Sweet Stall!
The Children’s entertainments team will be at the London Independent Schools Show in Battersea Park on Saturday 5th November from 10am-5pm and Sunday 6th November 10.30am-4.30pm. There will be our giant bouncy castle, free face painitng and a Cookery Activity area. This unmissable event showcases over 120 of the very best private schools, giving parents the opportunity to save a great deal of time and effort when deciding on schools for their little ones.
Entrance exams to schools in UK are taken by students who wish to join secondary schools that are academically selective. Students between the age group of 11 and 13 prepare for and take the common entrance exams in a bid to score well and get into prestigious schools. Preparatory schools prepare children for these exams that determine their entry into one of the public schools.
Certain private schools and boarding schools have their own entrance exams. As opposed to this, a standardized entrance exam governs admission to secondary schools that use a common examination paper set for evaluation. However, the similarity ends here. Other admission processes including script markings are done by every secondary school in an independent manner.
Compulsory core subjects students are tested in these entrance exams include Science, Mathematics and English. Other papers students can choose include History, Geography, Greek, Latin, Spanish, German, French and Religious Studies.
Common entrance exams are taken by candidates at their own pre schools. A date is fixed for the exams and preferred senior schools mark the papers immediately. If a student’s performance in the exam is below par, then the senior school marking the paper will recommend the student to a second choice school.
Entrance bursaries and scholarships in many schools in UK are awarded based on the common entrance exams. Apart from taking this entrance test, students are also required to choose a secondary school to attend interviews.
The British education allows the UK prep schools to follow a common syllabus. Candidates from different prep schools are compared by the public schools on the common basis of this exam. Marking scheme differs with each senior school making it difficult to compare between results of different schools.
If you are looking for boarding schools or hunting for the best private school for your child, then you may have to do a lot of hard work researching the best schools. Alternately, if you would love to find schools, some of the top schools with ease, you can choose to attend the best school show. Shows such as the independent school show are two day exhibitions benefiting parents and students immensely. Here you can interact with, analyse and decide upon some of best schools.
Top schools from across the country have their stalls here and try to promote themselves to the best of their ability. Here you can browse around and interact with teachers and school heads to find out vital details. With all of them in a single platform, choosing the right school for your child is no longer a difficult task.
At the independent school show, you can also benefit from lectures given by expert educational consultants. For example, if you are looking for the best London tutors, you can get a lot of information on them here. Maybe you will even meet the best teacher offering private tutoring in London. Consultants will also help you gain knowledge on entrance exams and give you inputs on how to prepare your child for the same.
Enjoy a day out with your family, even as you take the most important decision for your child with ease.
As all London-based parents know, the London nurseries and pre-prep circuit is very competitive in terms of spaces, these schools traditionally feed certain prep schools and parents can view this crucial first step as a channel right up to University.
The increasing numbers of London schools at the ISS is testament to their support for independent education in general and their support for such a time-saving and worthwhile event, but also for themselves to meet and build relationships with the schools from further afield which may well be suitable for several of their pupils.
The ISS really is the most wonderful forum for parents to get their questions answered, to meet schools and work out which ones are for you and those that aren’t!
We know that spending two hours at the ISS will help to reassure parents, either that their current educational providers are delivering the very best and that the right decisions have been made or that schools should be delivering more and that it is not as hard to move to better schools as you may think!
Tickets are free, parking is free, the show guide and directory is free, and so is the Education Theatre so please register today to attend and keep up to date with news of this must-visit event.
This international popularity of English private education is globalising the Anglo-Saxon model of social mobility. It is a misconception boarding schools enforce a rigid class system in England. True, the English establishment has been dominated by old boys of these schools, particularly
Eton, for centuries. In many areas it still is. The reality is more complex: boarding schools actually facilitate social mobility by selecting students not just on academic merit, but on the strength of their critical and creative thinking skills (which do not necessarily translate to the highest grades), and their abilities in sport and the arts. In most countries, the prestigious schools maintain their status by selecting only academically prestigious students who are, in the main, the children of the metropolitan professional elite. English boarding schools draw students from the same elite, but also from many other backgrounds. In the English provinces, when entrepreneurially successful parents pass down to a child confidence and inventive thinking, if not scholastic prowess, this can be enough win a place at a leading boarding school, with its lifelong network and 'tribal identity'. Then every mountain becomes scalable - look at Kate Middleton, an old girl of Marlborough... And perhaps this is why an English boarding education is such an obsession for the aspiring middle classes - they understand how these schools perform the social 'heavy lifting'.
There is far more to the fashion for English boarding schools than social mobility. Children live in the rarefied safety of uplifting campuses, where heritage blends with cutting edge facilities and inspirational teaching .
There is still a Victorian culture of 'amateur heroic failure' (think Scott and Shackleton), where taking part in a team for its own sake and inventive approaches to problem solving, however eccentric and disastrous, are celebrated just as much as winning and following the safe, conventional routes. Compare this to Asia, where students can be held back from trying new approaches and activities by the risk of losing Face if success is not forthcoming.
This culture of inclusivity and innovation reflects the great period of British enterprise, urbanisation and service during the Industrial Revolution, when most of these schools were developed. Enterprising Victorian Clergymen such as Thomas Arnold of Rugby provided for the explosion of middle class wealth. Schools were geographically inclusive, attracting children from across the kingdom; the son of a Devon squire arriving at Eton to meet a son of a mill owner from Preston would have had a similarly exotic cultural exchange as English students today, who integrate with Kazakhs to Mexicans. The schools followed the 'Arnoldian' approach of broad and cutting edge curricula, leadership and reliance, which was in keeping with the commercial need to spread British prosperity across the empire. And today, in the shimmering new cities of the East, where we see the latest explosion of industrial wealth and urbanisation, the new bourgeoisie finds these English schools just as appealing and relevant to the next generation of economic prosperity as did their Victorian counterparts before them. The schools no longer preach the muscular Christian message of service to Queen and Empire, but they retain its legacy, encouraging the service to the community and the common good. This message can only be beneficial to Asian children, whose parents have become enriched in environments that are, in their own way, just as anarchic, exploitative and raw as the 'Dark satanic Mills' of Victorian England.
What about this over used term 'critical thinking skills', though? Is the freedom of education in the English speaking world the reason why the great software platforms of the Digital Age have come out of California, not the Far East? On a superficial level, very possibly. Understandably the former communist and autocratic countries did not foster an expansive sense of questioning or exploration in their curricula (more unexpected is how children from other EU states find the English curriculum to be so much more expansive and thought provoking). If English schools really do foster originality and inventiveness, can this process be replicated by the new international schools in the East, or are we observing a last stand in the decline of the West?
The Asians are not just superior in maths. the specialists say that nursery education is critical to success but seriously undervalued. Go and inspect a pristine and spacious private Montessori nursery in Beijing or Moscow. Then look at the look of horror on an Asian parent's face when confronted by one of the most fashionable nurseries in Kensington, cramped into a Victorian basement. Look at the vast difference in skills and knowledge required by public exams (especially maths) in far Eastern States and the UK; critical thinking skills appear rather easy to acquire in comparison. Listen to the advanced English of many Chinese teenagers, who have been educated exclusively by the state. And yet... is it possible to have a school which fosters critical awareness in states where, outside the gates authoritarianism and corruption still hold sway?
My prediction is that there will be no dominance of schools, systems and methods, but gradual integration and broader participation. The days of the 'whole school' experience, where parents would choose two schools at birth, leaving their child to be totally immersed in those boarding institutions from the age of seven, with little contact with the world outside, are long gone. Increasingly popular are terms or years spent in schools overseas (many parents place children in the UK for summer school and summer terms).
Virtual learning is growing rapidly, giving children access to the latest techniques and learning styles online from their study bedrooms. Private tuition in school holidays is the norm. Parents are more involved. School exchange trips will multiply from West to East. Still the great English boarding schools will retain the genuine mystique and exclusivity that only heritage imbues; they can only become more exclusive.
In the British education system, most schools we find now are mixed, however the 19th centuries first co-educational boarding schools were established by the Quakers. The year 1893 saw the first non-Quaker boarding school started by John Haden Badley become a co-ed school in the year 1898.
Opinions regarding whether to put children in single sex or mixed sex schools in UK vary.
While many feel that especially girls do much better in a single sex school, there are others who feel that co-education is necessary for a balanced mental growth of children.
They feel that in order to face and handle real life situations later on, students must learn how to deal with others of both sexes right from their school days. If you are in a situation where you are trying to find schools in UK, then you must do a lot of research and it is very much dependent on the individual. It is quite a challenging task, short listing schools and visiting them in person before you decide on the best one for your child.
Whether it is a day school, boarding senior school or prep school you are hunting for, the best option is to attend one of the school shows held on a regular basis. Shows such as The Independent Schools Show brings together a number of best schools offering top class British education. Here you can find schools in UK trying to promote their institutions and marketing themselves to parents and students.
The Independent School Show offers you a wonderful opportunity to choose the top school for your child. You do not have to wonder on to how to choose schools any more. For example, if you want to choose among the best British schools in London, you can visit stalls put up by these schools at the exhibition and interact with the senior teachers and the school head to learn more details.
You can also find expert educational consultants offering valuable guidance on the best tutoring you can find in your area. As a resident of London, you can find out details about top class tutoring in London, you can find out more details about London tutors with the help of these consultants.
The Independent School Show is a two-day exhibition, which takes place in the glorious Marquee in Battersea Park, offering the perfect platform for parents and students to analyse compare and choose the best co-educational and other schools in UK. You can visit the show with your family and spend an enjoyable day out, book now for free tickets.
The Independent School Shows make the job of choosing the right school for your children much easier. Education is the most vital investment you make to secure the future of your child.
Take enough time browsing around and interacting with various school officials before deciding on the best school depending on your requirements and budget.
The research suggests that the school you attend at age 11 is likely to have a huge impact on your academic achievement, life chances, success in your chosen profession and potential earnings. The ‘premium’ gained through private school in terms of exam results and consequent admission to top universities, is calculated by the LSE at 19% extra income.
Alan Johnson, Education Secretary in Tony Blair’s cabinet, supports these findings. Defending his decision to help a boy in his Hull constituency to enter an independent school, Alan Johnson explained: “One of the reasons why independent schools get such good results, apart from the level of selection and the extra resources, is the time they spend with children doing sport, music and drama, building social skills, confidence and team working. This helps children develop not just academic and vocational skills, but social skills as well. These skills are vital in today's workforce where the ability to communicate, interact and engage are essential - they are the skills which employers increasingly look for first."
The career benefits of an independent education are further borne out by the following statistics:
- Despite only 7% of the country’s children being sent to private schools, 53% of today’s leading professionals were educated privately in the UK
- 54% of today’s top newspaper editors, columnists and news presenters and editors (a percentage which has increased over the past 20 years);
- Nearly a third of MPs and almost two thirds of members of the House of Lords were educated privately
- 70% of high court judges attended independent schools
- British Olympic champions tend to be disproportionately educated at independent schools (60 per cent of British medalists at the 2004 Olympics in Athens were educated at fee-paying establishments, an increase on the 58 per cent figure for the 2000 Olympics. Final figures for the Beijing Olympics were not available at time of print, but performances so far indicate that independently educated athletes dominate Team GB’s medal tally)
To find out more about giving your child the very best start in life: Register now on www.schoolsshow.co.uk for free tickets to the 2011 Independent Schools Show (saving up to £20 per family): 5th and 6th November 2011 in Battersea Park.
Maclaren!!! Please feel free to come and borrow the Bugaboo to do a user trial
Depends if you are planning to have another baby in the next two years if so.... And I I had my time again I would go for the bugaboo donkey. It can be a single or double pram. It's amazing. I know it seems a lot of ££ but if you do have another relatively fast you will only end up forking out for another pram. I know SO many people who have got caught out by this. Xxxx
Bugaboo Bee or a Maclaren for London... I got rıd of my Bee for a P&T (for number 2) and SO mıss ıt (HATE my P&T ıts lıke a tractor) You'll want somethıng compact and nıppy! Bıg congrats by the way! X
The bee is brilliant for london, but I have to say I loved the Phil and Ted. It's great for trips to the beach/ countryside as it's got good wheels. Also fab if you have two close together. Mine is still going strong after almost four years. Both kids adored sleeping in it as babies.
Def point of discussion for tomorrow! :) can't wait! X
the bee - 100%! x
I got the Bugaboo Bee too after not being happy with my first choice and it's been great! Zara loves it and slept in it fine which was important!
We had bugaboo, phil & ted & maclaren at different times, all useful in their own ways.
I loved bugaboo so much; maclaren has lasted for years; p&t is a horrid tank, but so are all double buggies - necessary evil if you have 2 close together.
Bugaboo is the heaviest and bulkiest thing I have ever had the misfortune to keep loading and unloading into my car - gave it away after 4 months!!! Go for light and easy to collaspe as before you know it all you need is a little push chair :-) x
Thank you all this is brilliant feedback, very very useful. x
Get one with adjustable handles so D can push it comfortably too - that is a problem I seem to have (with both iCandy and McLaren), so D will find it even less comfortable!
You might think Maclaren is a bit... how do I put this... pikey.... but it is the most practical for London and although you may think you will go for lots of walks in Norfolk etc... the reality is the 4X4 terrain when having a little on...
Bugaboo rocks, i love ours and stood the test of time with two kiddies...also really good to move about in london..id give you ours but think it will still be in use x
In the United Kingdom, independent schools are those that are not financed by the national or local government’s taxation system. Private sources fund these schools in the form of long term charitable endowments and gifts and tuition fees. These schools are therefore free from the need to accept “maintained status” imposed on other schools that accept financing from the state.
In England, Wales and Scotland certain boy’s boarding schools are popularly referred to as “public schools”. A British school that comes under the independent school category is normally a member of the Conference of Headmistresses and Headmasters (HMC).
In the UK, today, you can find more than 2500 independent schools where at least 615,000 students from across the country are offered tutoring. Independent schools large in size offer partial or full boarding facilities for students in UK.
Most independent schools enjoy a charitable status that offers them tax relief. This is mainly due to the fact that these schools save the maintained sector at least £2bn in costs and also spend £300m fee assistance for public benefit.
In an Independent British school that is a member of the ISC’s affiliated organisations, inspection is conducted by the Independent School Inspectorate. This inspectorate comes under the framework of agreement between the Office for Standards in Education, Government’s Department for Children, Schools and Families and the ISC. National inspectorates inspect schools not affiliated to the ISC in England.
Pupils can be selected by the independent schools in a free manner. Usually students are selected based on academic and financial criteria. Most British schools give credit for those who are proficient in music, sport and other talents, in the form of scholarships, bursaries and awards.
Certain British schools that come under independent schools are confined to a particular religion. All their students must compulsorily attend services irrespective of what religion they belong to.
Though the independent schools charge high fees for day schools as well as boarding students, just as in the private schools and boarding schools, the quality of education is certainly worth it. Fees for boarding students average £23,000 per annum and £11,000 for day students. This does not normally include costs for extra-curricular activities, equipment and uniform.
Being academically selective, the independent British schools use the Common Entrance Examination for students aged between 11 and 13 and are among the best schools today. To attract the more able pupils, schools offer scholarships and aim to enhance their average results. These schools employ some of the best Teachers in the world to ensure the highest quality of education.
British private schools generally have a low student teacher ratio of 9:1. These schools also offer longer hours of teaching that may even include Saturday mornings. Independent schools also emphasise extra-curricular activities and organised sports and focus on overall development of students.
Emphasis is also laid on traditional subjects like classics, modern languages and maths. In boarding schools students are provided with pastoral care and these schools teach them their own distinctive ethos including accents, manners and social aspirations.
The quality of education being very high, the independent school students have greater chances of attaining an A* grades at GCSE, and A-levels, however it is imperative to find the right schools, for your children.
If you are wondering how to choose the best schools in the UK, you can visit the Independent Schools Show, go through and analyze features and education quality offered by schools on display there before making your decision.
The ISS takes place in Battersea Park and at Lords Cricket Ground, please visit the website to register for free tickets. www.schoolsshow.com
Preparatory schools in the UK are independent schools that prepare students to become competitive enough to enter public Schools. Students aged 11, 12 and 13 have to take a Common Entrance exam or Scholarship and pass before they can enter a senior private school or ‘public’ school.
Prep schools prepare students for entry into the Public Schools system and elite private schools.
Children between the ages of 7 to 13 attend prep schools. In the independent sector, you can find at least 1000 Prep and Pre-Prep schools. Out of this, about 500 belong to the ISC or Independent Schools Council. It is recommended to choose schools that belong to a recognised school association.
As compared to the state primary school system, prep school classes are smaller in size with classes averaging 10-12 pupils. This enables them to offer the best tutoring possible, as teachers are able to focus and give individual attention to students.
The ‘hallmark’ of Prep British schools is to ensure all round excellence with outstanding achievement levels. Consider factors such as whether the school you choose caters to the basic requirements of your child including gender, age range, religious denomination, boarding or day schooling and finally, curriculum. Keep in mind factors such as whether you are opting for a combination with state education and whether you want your child to prepare for Common Entrance exams. Keep in mind a few necessary criteria before choosing a prep school; the help of a school show will give you detailed information on how to choose the best school for your child.
If you are wondering how to choose schools for your child, the best start point is to visit The Independent Schools Show. The reputed Independent Schools Show - www.schoolsshow.com will help you make the right choice and get through the tricky process of choosing the right school, especially when there are so many options available. The Independent Schools Show has 140 schools all under one roof, making your search easier, faster, more thorough and far more enjoyable. It is the best place to shortlist for private schools, prep schools or nurseries.
Among the boarding schools you can find some of the top schools offering the best of British education. The majority of the senior schools cater to students between the age group of 11 and 18. Though smaller in number, you can also find preparatory and pre-prep boarding schools.
Types of boarding schools in the UK include full boarding, weekly boarding that are flexible and allow students to go home for weekends. Certain boarding schools arrange for student’s accommodation with local families and other sixth form colleges offer university style residence accommodation.
It is important to judge a boarding private school keeping in mind numerous factors apart from academic success. Analyze to see if the school you choose fulfills the basic requirements of your child related to gender, age group, qualifications, mix ratio of boarding and day pupils, religious domination and subjects offered.
Also analyzes the special interests, teaching style, academic range, style and ethos of the school to determine if your child will be happy studying here. Go through the academic track record of the school including teaching quality, leaver destinations, environmental pressure and exam success.
The most important aspect in a boarding school is to carefully go through the boarding facilities. Check if the options on offer suit your preference and see if the dormitories and rooms are well maintained with comfortable facilities. Especially in a boarding school, it is necessary to check the guardianship and pastoral care facilities including out of hours supervision, discipline, medical care and care offered by house heads.
With so many aspects to consider and so many schools to look into, choosing the right school for your child is indeed a challenging process. Parents are often at a loss as to where to begin and where to find schools that offer the best education.
School shows such as the independent school show offer great help here. They bring together some of the very best private schools in UK to a single platform helping parents to interact with officials and find out details to compare and make a choice.
At these shows, schools strive to showcase their strength to parents and to market themselves. You can find a range of some of the best British schools participating in these events including the specialist schools, day schools, boarding schools, senior schools, prep schools, pre-prep schools, nurseries and even international schools.
As a parent, you can benefit from a number of talks and debates on how to choose the best school for your child. Experts including some of the best London tutors give vital tips for your child on how to pass the entrance exams held for 7+ and 8+ kids.
At the school show, fix an appointment with senior tutors including those offering tutoring in London or even the head of the schools you are interested in and find out details about various scholarships on offer. Take the help of education advisors to determine the best school based on requirements and budget.
Visit the independent school show as a family to enjoy a great day. Make use of exciting offers such as a spin on the off-road by Land Rover. Enjoy the great ambience at the champagne bar and the organic café where you can relax and make a decision with a clear mind. There are exciting activities to keep kids occupied too including the spooky Halloween tea party.
Take time choosing a school that offer great value for money spent. Choose among the best schools for your child to ensure that he benefits from top class British education from the most reputed and reliable schools offering high quality teaching.
GCSE is offered by five examination boards including the AQA or Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, Edexcel, OCR or Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations, CCEA or Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment and WJEC or Welsh Joint Education Committee.
There are a variety of GCSE courses offered at secondary British school and students are often given the option of choosing subjects. Education in subjects chosen by students start in Year 10 at the age of 15 and examinations are given in Year 11 at the age of 16. Almost all students studying in British schools, whether studying in a private school or boarding school, take the GCSE examination in science, mathematics and English. As well as this, depending on the school, students can be required to take one technology and design subject, one foreign language, one ICT and one religious education course.
After completion of the course over a two year time frame, students receive a grade for each subject. National Qualifications Framework governs the GCSE where level one qualification is awarded for grades D to G and level two qualification for grades A* to C. X grade is awarded to students from schools in the UK who have not completed their courses. GCSE examinations are offered in two tiers for many subjects; the higher tier and the foundation tier. In the foundation tier, students can only obtain grades from C to G and in the higher tier, they can obtain grades from A* to D.
Having completed GCSE level, students are then allowed to opt for the GCE A-Level or for the International Baccalaureate. In 1980, the Conservative Party introduced the GCSE exams as a compulsory requirement for school leavers, and A-Levels, optional. Students who aspire to take A-levels in Sixth Form or at Further Education colleges, must achieve at least five A* to C grades at GCSE level including Maths, English and Science.
Results of the GCSE examinations are published at the end of August, just a week after they publish the A-level results. Students are usually required to collect their results from their schools though certain boards publish results online now.
To help chose the right school for you and your child, it is essential to attend a good school show. The Independent School Show displays a huge range of reputed schools offering British education, all under one roof. Come and visit The Education Theatre and listen to a variety of talks and discussions, including ‘Choosing the right School.’ Having sourced relevant information, the task of choosing one of the top schools in your area becomes easier.
(1750, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1750', 'Exhibitors ''delighted'' with results of the Independent Schools Show 2008', 'The organisers are delighted to hear that several schools have already seen their participation at The Independent Schools Show 2008 directly result in placements for the 09/10 academic year. ', '2009-01-13 10:41:29', 0),
(1752, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1752', 'Happy New Year', 'A New Year and New websites for the Independent Schools Show. In addition to exhibiting schools listing on the show website www.schoolsshow.co.uk , schools also benefit from our brand new site www.leadingschools.co.uk which is sure to drive large numbers of parents to individual school websites over the full year rather than just in the run up to the Independent Schools Show itself. ', '2009-01-13 10:45:07', 0),
(1762, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1762', 'Sevenoaks confirm their participation at the Independent Schools Show 2009 in Battersea Park, London', 'The Sunday Times recently ranked Sevenoaks as the top co-educational independent school in the country and the Independent Schools Show will offer the perfect opportunity for parents to meet and quiz the senior staff.', '2009-01-16 16:51:07', 12),
(1773, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1773', 'Visitor Registration officially opens for the Independent Schools Show 2009', 'Visitors can now officially register on line for their free tickets to the Independent Schools Show 2009, please see the ''Tickets'' page on the website for further details. Registered visitors will also be given access to the exclusive ''registered visitor area'' of the site containing key information, floor plans and tips on how to get the most out of your visit to the show.', '2009-01-23 15:44:08', 15),
(1781, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1781', 'Two more leading schools sign up to exhibit at this year''s Independent Schools Show', 'One of England''s largest boarding schools, Oundle School, have confirmed their attendance at the Independent Schools Show 2009. Port Regis Prep have also signed up to exhibit this week, adding to the extensive list of leading prep schools attending the show in Battersea Park this Autumn.', '2009-02-02 11:44:18', 30),
(1785, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.com/newsitem.php?id=1785', 'A Satisfied Exhibiting School', '"We just received a lovely email from some parents we met at Battersea saying how impressed they had been by the staff on our stand. They can''t quite get the school out of their heads so they want to send their two daughters here for the activity course as a taster for a more permanent future here. If they sign up, the visit will have been worth it just to get these two girl boarders! So proof, exhibiting at The Independent Schools Show really does work!"', '2009-02-06 16:36:26', 40),
(1786, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1786', 'More schools to add to the list of exhibiting prep schools at the Independent Schools Show 2009', 'Paint Pots Montessori have signed up to exhibit for the second year running, providing a wonderful local option for visiting parents. We are delighted to announce that Papplewick School have also confirmed their attendance at this year''s show.', '2009-02-06 17:17:43', 45),
(1789, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1789', 'Parents form an orderly queue....', 'Visitor registrations for the Autumn show have started coming in thick and fast, thanks to the optimisation of our new website for 2009. This seems to buck the general economic feeling and further illustrates the continued demand for a schools show on this scale in central London.', '2009-02-13 18:51:20', 51),
(1792, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1792', 'Tatler magazine show their support for the Independent Schools Show 2009.', 'Tatler magazine show their support for the Independent Schools Show 2009.\r\n \r\nThe ISS has secured excellent coverage for 2009 with advertising, editorial, advertorial and a subscription offer spanning across two issues this autumn. This trusted and respected title forms part of our magazine alignment plans for 2009. With an extensive readership of over 194,000, Tatler''s coverage will provide excellent exposure for the show, a fantastic development for 2009. 20.02.09\r\n', '2009-02-20 18:04:30', 55),
(1805, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1805', 'The ISS are delighted to announce that..', 'Gabbitas, one of the UK''s leading education consultancies, has signed up to exhibit at the Independent Schools Show in 2009. Gabbitas specialise in offering expert, independent guidance to parents, students and schools in the UK and they will be on hand to meet with parents at the show in Battersea. Barnard Castle in Durham have also signed up to exhibit this year – this beautiful school, set in its own 50 acre estate offers wonderful opportunities for any parents looking to educate their children in the north of the country. 26.02.09', '2009-02-27 09:46:33', 70),
(1819, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1819', 'Meet Swiss alpine boarding school at ISS09', 'Parents interested in International boarding school options for their children will be pleased to hear that Leysin American school has signed up to exhibit at the Independent Schools Show 2009. Situated in the heart of the Swiss alps, LAS is one of the top leading international schools offering the International Baccalaureate as well as an extensive program of extracurricular activities.', '2009-03-09 18:15:41', 200),
(1821, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1821', 'Latest figures show that..', 'fee-paying schools, which educate only 7% of children, produce more teenagers with three A-grade A-levels than ALL the comprehensive schools combined, that the total number of poor pupils reaching this standard is around the same number in ONE public school and that 50% of the poorest pupils fail to get even one GCSE at C-grade in any subject. \r\n\r\nCome see for yourself - Free tickets to the ISS 09... ', '2009-03-10 15:53:34', 200),
(1827, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1827', 'Magdalen College, a prestigious independent school affiliated to Oxford University has ended five centuries of tradition..', 'by accepting girls in to the sixth form for the first time. Magdalen College, the current Sunday Times Independent School of the year, will be exhibiting at this year''s Independent Schools Show, so why not come down and see what this school could offer your son or daughter?', '2009-03-13 16:40:13', 250),
(1829, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1829', 'Almost one in six children in England were refused a place at their first choice of secondary school this year, rising to one in three in London and its suburbs.', 'Government figures published today show nearly 92,000 11-year-olds - 16.8% of the 547,000 children who applied to start secondary school this September - did not get into the school their parents wanted. Across London and Greater London, 34% were rejected from their top choice secondary school. The Independent Schools Show offers parents a unique opportunity to meet with the heads and registrars of a good selection of the UK''s leading independent schools. This is an invaluable opportunity for both parents and pupils when the competition for places is so tough.', '2009-03-13 17:19:28', 253),
(1853, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1853', 'Two more schools from the South West sign up to exhibit at ISS09!', 'This week we are delighted to announce that Rendcomb College and St. John''s School in Devon have signed up to exhibit at the show. Rendcomb College prides itself on being ''the outstanding small independent school in Gloucestershire,'' and St John''s is one of the few fully co-educational boarding and day independent preparatory schools in the South West.\r\n', '2009-03-20 15:38:20', 400),
(1861, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1861', 'Another school from the South West signs up to exhibit at ISS09!', 'This week we are delighted to announce that St. John''s School in Devon has signed up to exhibit at the show. St John''s is one of the few fully co-educational boarding and day independent preparatory schools in the South West.', '2009-03-26 16:40:16', 450),
(1868, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1868', 'Boden show their support for the Independent Schools Show 2009', 'Boden, one of the UK''s largest and most successful online and mail order retail clothing brands, have signed up to sponsor ISS09. Boden have a long-standing reputation for providing an excellent range for men and women, as well as Mini Boden and Baby Boden for children. We are working in conjunction with the brand to offer our visitors discounts on online Boden orders, and we will be distributing tickets to Boden''s loyal and relevant customer database in the lead up to the show in October.\r\n', '2009-04-03 16:49:19', 559),
(1897, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1897', 'Could it be that in co-ed schools, girls'' achievement is being stunted so that boys can do better?', '\r\nA recent topic raised by The Good Schools Guide is set to be up for debate at The Independent Schools Show in Battersea this Autumn.. \r\nSupporters of co-ed education argue:
\r\n\r\n* It provides a healthier environment mirroring the real world\r\n\r\n
* There is less bullying when boys and girls learn alongside each other\r\n\r\n
* Girls educated in co-ed schools handle university better\r\n\r\n
* Girls learn to treat boys as friends and colleagues\r\n\r\n
* Brothers and sisters can attend the same school\r\n\r\n
* Test results show that girls hold their own academically since they are - quite frankly - brainier.\r\n
\r\nThose in favour of girls'' schools say:\r\n
\r\n* Girls work harder without boys distracting them\r\n\r\n
* Girls'' brains work differently from boys'' and respond to a different style of teaching\r\n\r\n
* In a single sex environment girls are more likely to take up subjects normally dominated by boys, like maths and sciences\r\n\r\n
* A girls-only environment is more wholesome - less opportunities for hanky-panky with boys\r\n\r\n
* It sets girls up for more promising careers, often in male-dominated jobs. Research from London''s Institute of Education in 2007 found that girls who go \r\nto girls'' schools later earn more than those from mixed schools.\r\n
Book your tickets for the Independent Schools Show now and guarantee a front row seat!\r\n\r\n\r\n', '2009-04-09 15:34:02', 560),
(1918, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1918', 'Tonbridge and St Edmund''s jump on board for ISS 09!', 'Tonbridge School, one of the leading boys'' boarding schools in the country, and highly respected internationally, and St Edmund''s School in Canterbury, a co-ed school catering for children aged 3-18, have signed up to exhibit and meet all the visiting parents at this year''s Independent Schools Show in Battersea Park, London.\r\n', '2009-04-21 15:48:29', 599),
(1923, 'yes', 'resource', 'http://www.mydaughter.co.uk', 'My Daughter', 'Expert guidance on education for girls.', '2009-04-24 09:29:47', 0),
(1925, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1925', 'Good Schools Guide to Sponsor ISS 2009', 'The Good Schools Guide editors have confirmed their total support for the Independent Schools Show. Widely respected within the education sector for providing unbiased and impartial reviews written by experts -the Good Schools Guide''s expertise in the field of education and its straight-talking parental points-of-view make it a hugely complimentary partner to the Independent Schools Show - which also champions the need for parents to have the best information at their fingertips.\r\n', '2009-04-24 17:55:43', 600),
(1927, 'yes', 'resource', 'http://www.nannyjobsinlondon.co.uk/nanny-jobs-in-london.php', 'Nanny Jobs in London', 'Nanny jobs in London provides a solution to families searching for a nanny who, for whatever reason, don''t want to use the services provided by a nanny job agency. ', '2009-04-27 09:43:11', 0),
(1929, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1929', 'Croydon High School is the latest all girls day school to sign up to exhibit at the Independent Schools Show 2009.', 'Situated in 14 acres of beautiful green belt countryside, Croydon High offers an all through education for girls from the ages of 3 to 18 years and their fantastic sports facilities are second to none. This week also saw our first meeting with the editor for the new ISS magazine - we have some excellent ideas for features and the magazine should not only make for a compelling read but should also be very effective in promoting the show!', '2009-04-29 10:30:23', 700),
(1932, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1932', 'Dauntsey''s School, Fettes College, Tutors International and Holland Park Tuition sign up to meet visiting ISS parents.... ', 'Steeped in tradition and prestige, both Fettes College and Dauntsey''s School have confirmed their presence at the Independent Schools Show in Battersea Park this autumn, alongside two outstanding tutor providers. Fettes College, undoubtedly one of the most reputable schools in Edinburgh, offers pupils an exciting cosmopolitan education in a vibrant city. Dauntsey''s in turn has affirmed its place on the map as a leading independent school in recent years due to its fantastic academic record and improved facilities. The growing list of exhibitors continues to provide visiting parents with the very best selection of education providers available in the UK.\r\n\r\n', '2009-04-30 14:52:57', 800),
(1943, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1943', 'Ticket registrations come flooding in for ISS 09!', 'Parents are flocking to the Independent Schools Show website to register for their early bird tickets in order to secure their free entry to the show in Battersea this Autumn. With an average of 40 - 50 new registrations every day, ISS 09 looks set for a sensational turn out! The timetable of seminars for the Education Theatre is almost finalised, we have been working closely with the editors of the Good Schools Guide to establish which burning issues parents struggle to get clear views on. Visitors are encouraged to keep checking the official show website for regular updates on the exciting topics up for discussion by the experts at the Independent Schools Show this year.\r\n', '2009-05-08 16:44:16', 850),
(1951, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1951', 'Bilton Grange and Trinity School, Devon are the latest schools to sign up to exhibit at the Independent Schools Show this year...', 'Bilton Grange is a traditional co-educational, boarding and day, prep school for children aged four to thirteen. Situated in a magnificent Victorian mansion on raised plateau with far-reaching views across Warwickshire countryside, the school prides itself on creating a comfortable informality between staff and pupils - a fantastic choice for any parent looking at prep options during their visit to the Independent Schools Show 2009. Trinity School have also confirmed their attendance at the show this autumn, with a top class academic track record, they provide excellent opportunities for both boys and girls from prep right through to senior level. Register online now for your free tickets to ISS 09!\r\n', '2009-05-15 17:57:58', 900),
(1965, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1965', '2009 Education Theatre Time Table Revealed!', 'We are delighted to announce the programme of topics up for debate at the Independent Schools Show! We have responded to visitor feedback from previous years and we are confident that this year''s Education Theatre line-up will cover exactly the issues that visiting parents want. With topics such as ''How to choose the best school for your child,'' ''Day v Boarding'' and ''Starting School - How to avoid the tears - theirs and yours'' up for discussion, spaces are likely to fill fast - in order to avoid disappointment register for your early bird tickets online now!\r\n\r\nThe panel of educational experts hosting the seminars this year include Ralph Lucas and Sue Fieldman (editors of The Good Schools Guide), Anthony Seldon (headmaster of Wellington College) and Barnaby Lenon (headmaster of Harrow) to name just a few.\r\n', '2009-05-21 10:17:17', 1003),
(1976, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1976', 'Looking to recruit more international boarders? Exhibiting at ISS 2009 entitles you to an invitation to our exclusive Agents and Heads networking drinks reception on Friday the 30th October at 6pm...', 'We have been working hard behind the scenes to make sure our exhibitors get the most out of the show so this year we are hosting a networking evening for all exhibiting schools to attend and meet with international education agents in a relaxed and informal atmosphere over a glass of champagne and a canapé or two!\r\n\r\nThe evening will provide exhibitors with a rare and crucial opportunity to meet with some of the leading agents in the private education and to form new partnerships in emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, Asia and South America. Exhibiting at the Independent Schools Show is the most cost-effective AND time-effective way to raise your school''s profile to parents, schools and agents.\r\n', '2009-05-29 15:02:00', 1000),
(1979, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1979', 'Beeston Hall School, The Kingswood School, Bath, and Cambridge Pre-U sign up to exhibit at ISS 09. ', 'The Kingswood School in Bath, a happy school based on Christian principles which offers fantastic prep and senior boarding opportunities will be exhibiting at The Independent Schools Show 2009, as will Beeston Hall School, a boarding prep school, which is based on the idyllic north Norfolk coast. Once again, The University of Cambridge will be taking a stand to demonstrate the Cambridge Pre-U, an exciting new post-16 qualification which prepares students with the skills and knowledge they need to make a success of their subsequent studies at university.\r\n', '2009-06-03 16:26:18', 1001),
(1984, 'no', 'resource', 'http://www.topeducationguide.com', 'Online Colleges', 'Top Education Guide is a comprehensive directory of online colleges, universities, career schools, trade schools, vocational training and degree programs. Start searching today, find a degree, and discover a rewarding new career.', '2009-06-13 04:24:34', 0),
(1985, 'no', 'resource', 'http://www.topeducationguide.com', 'Online Colleges', 'Top Education Guide is a comprehensive directory of online colleges, universities, career schools, trade schools, vocational training and degree programs. Start searching today, find a degree, and discover a rewarding new career.', '2009-06-13 04:24:37', 0),
(1987, 'no', 'resource', 'http://www.emetis.com/primer/fees.htm', 'School Fees', 'A very good rough guide to private/independent/boarding/private school fees:', '2009-06-15 13:51:01', 12),
(1996, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=1996', 'Another exceptional London Prep School to add to the list of exhibitors for ISS 09..', 'The Hampshire School have signed up to exhibit at the Independent Schools Show this Autumn. They are part of the GEMS network of schools which pride themselves on offering a unique brand of holistic education to their pupils. Shapwick School have also signed up this week; Shapwick are a specialist dyslexic school who have taught a mainstream curriculum to children with dyslexia since 1974. They are a category ''A'' CReSTeD and Ofsted inspected dyslexic school, located in the beautiful Somerset levels - we are delighted to have both schools on board this year and we are sure our visiting parents will be too!\r\n', '2009-06-19 14:10:17', 1100),
(2025, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2025', 'Wellington School and Fleet Tutors are the latest to sign up to exhibit at the Independent Schools Show 2009!', 'Wellington School and Fleet Tutors are the latest to sign up to exhibit at the Independent Schools Show 2009!\r\n\r\nAccording to the A level league tables, Wellington School was the top performing school in Somerset at A level in 2008, aside from its strong academic reputation, Wellington is a school that prides itself on high standards of pastoral care, fine facilities and a welcoming atmosphere founded on an ethos which stresses the importance of good and enduring relationships between parents, staff and pupils. This week Fleet Tutors, a CRB-registered tutoring service provider, has also joined the comprehensive 2009 exhibitor line up - with over three decades of experience helping students achieve their potential, parents visiting ISS 09 really are in the very best place to make the right educational choices for their children!\r\n', '2009-07-10 16:22:53', 1101),
(2034, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2034', 'The Adventure Company offer exciting trips for families and teenagers at the Independent Schools Show 2009!', 'With over 10 years of experience organising adventure travel, The Adventure Company are specialists in organising family trips to exciting destinations to every continent. They will be exhibiting at this year''s show, offering visitors to ISS 09 the opportunity to view their extensive portfolio of over 230 cultural experiences - a great opportunity for any parents with older children looking for inspiration for their GAP year travels or simply an excuse for an family holiday! \r\n\r\nWe have been inundated with ticket registrations this year so please do register NOW for your free tickets on the website to avoid disappointment!\r\n', '2009-07-17 17:04:28', 1103),
(2039, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2039', 'Calling all parent''s interested in the International Baccalaureate!', 'We are delighted to announce that Cobham Hall, an IB World School, have signed up to exhibit at the Independent Schools Show this year! Cobham Hall is in an ideal location in a large historic country estate near London. It is an inspirational setting, providing academic excellence in a comfortable and secure boarding environment. To hear more about the IB, do not miss our seminar on ''The exam nightmare -IB, GCSE, A levels, Pre-U - how do you know what is right for your child?'' taking place on Friday the 30th of October. To view our full timetable of seminars visit the Registered Visitor area on the website.\r\n', '2009-07-24 16:30:50', 2040),
(2065, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2065', 'Brand new creative arts school to exhibit at ISS 09.', 'The International School of Creative Arts is a new independent day and boarding school specifically for children in pursuit of artistic excellence. The only school worldwide offering A-level pupils access to the Accelerated Foundation Course, designed and run by Central Saint Martin''s College of Art and Design. Boasting state of the art facilities and located in the Buckinghamshire countryside, the school is sufficiently close to London for pupils to take full advantage of both worlds.\r\n\r\nThe International School of Creative Arts is an interesting addition to this year''s exhibitor line up at the Independent Schools Show. All parents wishing to learn more about this school, or any other, should register online NOW to reserve free tickets to the schools exhibition!', '2009-07-31 17:55:14', 2041),
(2066, 'no', 'resource', 'http://www.ukcpd.net', 'The UK College of Personal Development', 'The UK College of Personal Development is an independent college based in Swindon Wiltshire. The college’s focus is on the development of the individual, developing and unlocking human potential.\r\nMany of our programs focus on specific areas such as;\r\nLeadership & Management Development (Bespoke training programs) \r\nNLP Programs (Diploma, Practitioner & Master Practitioner) \r\nCoaching Programs (Practitioner, Master Coach) \r\nOur programs are accredited by the appropriate professional bodies, and academically accredited fro level 3 up to level 7 (Master Degree) \r\n', '2009-08-02 10:17:02', 0),
(2070, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2070', 'Casterton School join the line up for the Independent Schools Show 2009! ', 'Casterton has an international reputation as one of the UK''s leading boarding and day schools. The school has an outstanding academic record for scholastic excellence and it''s pastoral care is second to none. The music, drama and sports facilities provide excellent opportunities for pupils to develop their skills and interests outside the classroom to regional and county level...an excellent addition to ISS 09! This week has seen a huge influx of visitor registrations as parents rush to register for their free tickets online!', '2009-08-14 17:14:59', 3000),
(2071, 'no', 'resource', 'http://www.livetutor.co.uk/', 'Live Tutor Fully Interactive Tuition', 'Live Tutor is pleased to announce the launch of its fully interactive online tutoring service – an innovative teaching tool. The service aims to provide the highest quality tuition whilst providing good value to its students. All lessons are conducted on the web using the best of breed web technologies.\r\nLive Tutor is aiming its service at students throughout their school career and beyond, and will initially help students prepare for 11+, GCSE and A Levels.\r\nAlthough learning online is not a new concept, other sites tend to offer pre-recorded materials which are a ‘one size fits all’ solution. At Live Tutor all of the interaction takes place with a real teacher who tailors the teaching for each class so that all participants progress together.\r\nLive Tutor will aim to provide tuition in core curriculum subjects, and because it has access to a large pool of tutors, will be able to offer bespoke lessons in almost any subject. The students become fully involved in the online lessons which allow them to speak with their tutors, ask questions and complete tests and quizzes just as it they were physically in the classroom with the teacher. Live Tutor will continuously assess its students and design learning programs to suit all abilities and ensure the best possible learning and exam success.\r\nwww.Livetutor.co.uk\r\n“We are very pleased to launch our new service which we feel will add genuine value to the tuition marketplace, both for the students and for our tutors” said Live Tutor Chief Executive Juan Platt “Live Tutor is intuitive, easy to use and based on proven web conferencing software”.\r\nHasan Sabri, Managing Director, highlights the emphasis on quality teaching “We are very selective about the tutors that we use, all of whom are teachers by profession and have had full CRB checks.”\r\n“We give our students the flexibility to log on to their computer, to browse from our range of topics, and to book the lesson which is most convenient for them. Another unique part of our offering is small-group tuition - a more affordable alternative than one- to-one lessons - where a tutor will cover a specified topic in detail, allowing students to participate and ask questions within the agenda for that lesson.”', '2009-08-17 15:49:33', 0),
(2073, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2073', 'Ticket registrations for the Independent Schools Show have risen significantly this week...', 'which is likely to be directly attributable to the release of this year''s A Level results which were released yesterday. Recent studies show the number of A grades gained by privately-educated teenagers increased by more than two per cent this year. The rise was at least twice that achieved in state comprehensives, grammar schools or colleges. In all, more than half of A-level entries in independent schools were graded an A - the first time the number of top marks has exceeded 50 per cent. Independent schools are continuing to demonstrate and assert their academic superiority over state education which is great news for the schools exhibiting at this year''s show! Reserve your free tickets online by registering now!', '2009-08-21 17:44:00', 3008),
(2078, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2078', 'World leading school from Sydney''s North Shore to attend ISS 09!', 'As featured in our upcoming issue of the Independent Schools Show Magazine, one of our top 5 picks for best independent schools outside the UK, Pymble Ladies'' College will be in attendance at the Independent Schools Show in October in London. \r\n\r\n"An increasingly fantastic mix of schools will be converging on Battersea Park this Autumn, ISS 2009 is becoming the best opportunity yet for parents to visit and see what schools are available - these are exciting times and schools are keener than ever to come to London and show off a bit!" Camilla Smith, Show Manager ', '2009-08-28 18:06:15', 3009),
(2106, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2106', 'Two more schools to exhibit at The Independent Schools Show 2009 in Battersea Park, London ', 'The leading Scottish school, Erskine Stewart''s Melville and a leading Indian school, The International School in Bangalore, will be coming to London to exhibit at the Schools Show in October. We are getting well over 100 visitor requests per day, significantly up on previous years. \r\n\r\nOrganisers believe the high level of interest is due to a combination of the fantastic range of exhibiting schools, the burning issues up for debate within the Education Theatre at the show, and the general increase in interest from parents in the sector as a whole, amidst signs of economic recovery coupled with the widening results gap between state and private schools. \r\n', '2009-09-10 14:31:01', 3010),
(2115, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2115', 'Carfax Educational Consultants, Milton Abbey School and INTO Universities will be exhibiting at the Independent Schools Show next month.', 'Milton Abbey School, is a wonderful co-educational boarding school in Dorset, Carfax Educational Consultants provide superior educational consultancy and guardianship services to overseas families and INTO universities specialise in placing school leavers into UK universities – Three more interesting participants for parents to meet at the UK’s major schools showcase. \r\n\r\nA record number of parents are registering for tickets every day, relishing this opportunity to meet the UK’s top preparatory and senior schools in Battersea Park next month.\r\n\r\n', '2009-09-19 17:22:05', 3011),
(2119, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2119', 'Farlington School sign up and 950 ticket requests from parents last week alone! ', 'Farlington School will be exhibiting at the Independent Schools Show, an excellent girls'' school on the Surrey/Sussex border, Farlington is a very good option for London-based parents looking at boarding options within easy reach of London. \r\n\r\nThe steady flow of ticket requests over the Summer is now rising fast as the marketing drive really kicks in, indicating that ISS 09 will be the busiest show yet. \r\n', '2009-09-23 14:28:02', 3012),
(2124, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2124', 'The ‘only public school specialising exclusively in the Sixth Form’, Hurtwood House is to exhibit at ISS 2009 ', 'Hurtwood House, provides a stepping stone between school and university and will be exhibiting in at the Schools Show in Battersea at the end of the month. As will the planet-friendly clothing company for children, Kite-Kids. Visitor registrations continue to increase daily as the ISS marketing campaign really ramps up with just four weeks to go. Have you seen our Independent Schools Show Magazine? We’d love to know your thoughts. All registered visitors will receive their tickets over the next week. ', '2009-10-02 16:02:44', 3013),
(2131, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/guests/theatre.php', 'Parents should plan their visit to ISS, click here to view the timetable of parent focussed expert debates', '', '2009-10-08 14:55:09', 3014),
(2132, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2132', 'The independent schools show is a day out for all the family!', 'Science experiments, music lessons and soft play areas are just a few of the exciting children’s activities to be discovered at the Independent Schools Show courtesy of Purple Dragon Play.\r\n\r\nThe Show falls on Halloween so why not bring your little ones along for some spooky face painting with Gambado?! \r\n\r\nPerhaps you are researching GAP year options for your teenagers, or even considering planning an adventure yourself, Raleigh International, one of the UK’s leading expedition charities, will be on hand to talk you through their extensive portfolio of expeditions in far flung parts of the world such as Costa Rica, Malaysia, India and Ghana. \r\n\r\nFinally, we are delighted to announce that Dulwich College have signed up to the Schools Show! One of the UK’s leading independent boy’s schools, the majority of their pupils are within the top 15% of the national academic range, many of whom go on to Oxbridge and top American Universities – a fantastic option for families considering a single sex education for their boys in London.\r\n', '2009-10-09 18:43:12', 3018),
(2143, 'yes', 'resource', 'http://www.babyhampshire.co.uk/', 'Baby Hampshire', '', '2009-10-16 13:51:02', 0),
(2144, 'yes', 'resource', 'http://www.urbanmums.net/', 'Urban Mums', 'A London mum sharing everything she knows and loves about London and other random items of interest.', '2009-10-16 13:51:48', 0),
(2145, 'yes', 'resource', 'http://www.ps-magazine.co.uk/', 'PS Magazine', 'Providing parents and teachers with news and insights into private schools and private education in the UK', '2009-10-16 13:52:13', 0),
(2146, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2146', 'Hurstpierpoint College complete the line-up as hundreds of parents apply for tickets...', 'Hurst College have become the final school to sign up to participate in the Independent Schools Show in Battersea Park in a fortnight. The organisers urge parents to come prepared with a shortlist of relevant questions for the schools and should relish this opportunity to really probe the heads of the country’s leading schools. \r\n\r\nDavid Wellesley-Wesley, the show director, boasts of the show’s ability to “offer parents a far better picture than a glossy brochure and give them insight into a variety of schools, without having to travel around the country. It allows comparative judgment to be made on a single occasion and provides a true snapshot of private education today”.\r\n\r\nThe show is increasingly becoming the forum for debate about independent schooling issues, not just because of the congregation of schools (including those from Australia and India) but in view of some of the contentious topics up for discussion, such as the value of private tuition. \r\n\r\nCharles Bonas, who heads up a leading private tuition company in West London, will be arguing that schools should either ''engage constructively in the tutoring phenomenon'' by hiring their own tutor teams, and stop intimidating parents into not using them, therefore not giving their children the competitive advantage they deserve. Sparks are sure to fly!\r\n\r\nBen Goldsmith, one of the backers of the Show, believes “the event is such a success because it enables parents to meet with the Heads and senior staff from the exhibiting schools and receive much more than just a prospectus”.\r\n\r\nIt will be a day out for all the family with child-friendly soft play areas, face painting, a free crèche, and science and music lessons for the kids! But why should they have all the fun? The champagne bar is the perfect resting place for parents during the visit; making the Independent Schools Show a very popular event for all.\r\n', '2009-10-16 17:55:03', 3017),
(2150, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2150', 'Last few days for parents to apply for free tickets to ISS 09', 'Due to unprecedented demand for tickets, the quota of complimentary tickets will soon be reached. Please register and download your ticket from the visitor area as a matter of urgency to avoid being charged on the door. We look forward to seeing you at the Independent Schools Show.', '2009-10-23 17:01:36', 3019),
(2183, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2183', 'Doors open to the Independent Schools Show 2010', 'Thank you to all schools that took part in The Independent Schools Show 2009, feedback has been very positive both from exhibitors and visitors. The organisers are delighted to confirm that ISS 09 was the most successful show yet with a 20% increase in footfall, building on the solid foundation of the previous shows. \r\n\r\nAs in previous years, constructive feedback and ongoing developments will result in tweaks and alterations to the Independent Schools Show 2010, which will once again have a positive effect on footfall and the quality and relevance of visitors.\r\n\r\nAccording to the Show Director, David Wellesley-Wesley, “ISS 09 exceeded expectations, however lessons continue to teach us how to optimise our marketing strategy and there is certainly room to grow and reach more relevant parents - via word of mouth, a growing number of head teachers who support the event, and most crucially as a visit to the Independent Schools Show becomes part of the school selection process for parents''\r\n ', '2009-11-13 18:20:43', 4000),
(2228, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2228', 'Ten Exceptional London Preps sign up for ISS 10!', 'We are delighted to announce that the Alpha Plus Group have signed up to exhibit at next year’s Independent Schools Show - great news for parents looking to research London prep and nursery school options! \r\n\r\nWith ten of the most prestigious Alpha Plus schools exhibiting at next year’s show, including the likes of Wetherby Prep, Falcons Prep, Abingdon House and the new Portland Place school, this really is the perfect opportunity for parents to meet with a huge number of some of London’s most sought after prep schools - all in one simple visit! \r\n\r\nTo book your free tickets, please visit the tickets page on the website. ', '2009-12-15 18:13:49', 4001),
(2229, 'no', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2229', 'test', 'test', '2009-12-16 12:22:46', 4002),
(2230, 'no', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2230', 'ewt', 'wet', '2009-12-16 12:23:27', 0),
(2231, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2231', 'Four more boarding schools book their stands at the Independent Schools Show 2010', 'Ipswich School, Cobham Hall School, Campbell College, Belfast and St. Margaret’s School, Bushey take their places at the Independent Schools Show on the 29th and 30th October 2010.\r\n\r\nAll four schools bring with them enviable reputations for attracting boarders from all over the world. David Wellesley Wesley, the show''s director, is delighted to announce their decision to exhibit at The Independent Schools Show, stating that it adds value for the show’s visitors, many of whom are looking for flexible boarding solutions, teaching at the highest level and all the other benefits that private education provides. ', '2009-12-21 17:01:24', 4002),
(2234, '', '', '', 'The Independent Schools Show secures a record amount of online media coverage for 2010!', ' The Independent Schools Show has teamed up with www.greatbritishlife.co.uk in order to promote the schools show this year. GreatBritishLife.co.uk is a leading online lifestyle publication with a vast readership of several hundred thousand.\r\n \r\n Great British Life will link to the schools show across the website. This will include a direct link from the home page and comprehensive editorial pages in the ‘Education’ and ‘Out and About’ sections of the site. \r\n \r\nGreatBritishLife.co.uk will also feature a new Independent Schools Show ‘blog’ containing weekly updates with news about the show and it’s exhibitors. David Wellesley Wesley, the Director of Next Step Exhibitions and organiser of the Independent Schools Show said ‘We are particularly excited about working with Great British Life because we now have a direct outlet in which our schools can communicate with a huge captive audience – whether it is the announcement of a new Head or the opening of a new sports facility, we can upload press releases for our exhibitors on a weekly basis – this is a really exciting development for the ISS.’ \r\n\r\nThe Independent Schools Show 2010 is taking place on the 29th and 30th of October in Battersea Park London. For more information please visit www.schoolsshow.co.uk or to reserve your stand please call Camilla Smith on 020 7731 7479 or email Camilla@nextstepexhibitions.co.uk.\r\n', '2010-01-13 12:56:18', 0),
(2233, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2233', 'Principal of Thomas’s London Day Schools to speak at ISS 10', 'Thomas''s London Day Schools are a group of family run, co-educational schools for children from the ages of two and a half to thirteen. With Preparatory Schools in Battersea, Clapham, Fulham and Kensington, and two Kindergartens, one in Battersea and one in Pimlico, visiting parents will be delighted to hear that Head teacher, Ben Thomas, will be talking at the Independent Schools Show 2010.
\r\nBen’s talk will be aimed at parents of children in Year 3 (aged 7-8), entitled ‘Where next? A guide to 13+ Common Entrance and Senior School Entry.’ \r\nAll parents faced with this difficult cross roads will benefit hugely by listening to this expert advice where there will also be an opportunity for questions and answers at the end of the seminar.
\r\nRegister online now at www.SchoolsShow.co.uk for your free tickets to what will undoubtedly be the best Schools Show to date! \r\n', '2010-01-05 16:14:15', 4004),
(2235, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2235', 'ISS 2010 secures a record amount of online media coverage', 'The Independent Schools Show has teamed up with GreatBritishLife.Co.Uk in order to promote the schools show this year. GreatBritishLife.co.uk is a leading online lifestyle publication with a vast readership of several hundred thousand.\r\n \r\n
\r\n
Great British Life will link to the schools show across the website. This will include a direct link from the home page and comprehensive editorial pages in the ‘Education’ and ‘Out and About’ sections of the site. \r\n \r\n
\r\n
GreatBritishLife.co.uk will also feature a new Independent Schools Show ‘blog’ containing weekly updates with news about the show and it’s exhibitors. David Wellesley Wesley, the Director of Next Step Exhibitions and organiser of the Independent Schools Show said ‘We are particularly excited about working with Great British Life because we now have a direct outlet in which our schools can communicate with a huge captive audience – whether it is the announcement of a new Head or the opening of a new sports facility, we can upload press releases for our exhibitors on a weekly basis – this is a really exciting development for the ISS.’ \r\n\r\n
\r\n
The Independent Schools Show 2010 is a lifeline for busy parent saving hours of research into the right school for their children.\r\n', '2010-01-13 12:56:24', 4005),
(2237, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2237', 'Two more leading Independent Schools sign up to exhibit at ISS 2010', 'Eastbourne College (including St Andrews Prep School) and Charterhouse: two fantastic public schools, will be on show to meet visiting parents at the Independent Schools Show 2010 in Battersea Park.
\r\n\r\nThe quality of schools committed to exhibiting at the show in October, at this early stage of the year, will ensure that the Independent Schools Show is an opportunity not to be missed. In addition to these top schools exhibiting, the timetable of speakers is nearing completion and will include some of the biggest names in the industry, speaking out on the burning topics affecting parents'' decisions.
\r\n\r\nSign up for free tickets at www.schoolsshow.co.uk ', '2010-01-22 12:43:14', 4006),
(2238, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2238', 'Another brace of superb co-educational schools sign up to exhibit at the Schools Show', 'The sheer quality of schools on show and the fantastic education they provide mean ISS 10 is shaping up to be the best ever Independent Schools Show!
Dauntsey''s School is a set in over 100 acres of idyllic countryside on the northern edge of Salisbury, providing an excellent education for 11-18 year old girls and boys.
We are also delighted to announce that Brighton College, who were documented by The Times last year for achieving the best results of any co-ed school in England, will be also be exhibiting at the show this Autumn. This is great news for parents with children of all ages as Brighton College does not only have an excellent academic record at GCSE and A Level, they also boast an excellent pre-prep and prep school too.', '2010-02-01 18:23:48', 4007),
(2240, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2240', 'The Independent Schools Show proves to be an invaluable resource for parents and schools alike', 'The Independent Schools Show is fast becoming an essential event for schools and an opportunity too good to miss for all parents wanting the inside track on getting their children into the leading Independent schools.
\r\nISS 09 was a great success, explains show director David Wellesley Wesley, ‘the feedback has been excellent; the stands were buzzing with parents chatting to schools''.
\r\nOrganiser’s report plentiful feedback from satisfied schools, who report record numbers of parents following up on introductions made at the show. ISS 09 was a great success for many first time exhibitors, including Pymble Ladies’ College from Sydney and The International School, Bangalore, India, both of whom reported significant interest at last year’s show and have signed up to meet families again at the Independent Schools Show 2010.
\r\n \r\nOrganisers are now looking ahead to the ISS 10, hoping to build on the success of last year’s show. David continues ‘we already have an excellent cross section of schools exhibiting at ISS 10 and a tuned and targeted marketing plan. We’ll look to welcome more new exhibitors, in order to provide parents with the best possible selection of independent schools. We will also refresh and continue to develop the visitor features that proved so popular last year.”\r\n', '2010-02-05 18:30:14', 4008),
(2241, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2241', 'A feast of international schools will be on show at the world''s largest exhibition of private schools', 'The Independent Schools Show, which takes place in Battersea Park, London on 29th and 30th October 2010 is designed to give parents access to over 120 of the best independent schools from all over the UK and now includes three leading international schools; Bishops School in Cape Town, Pymble Ladies’ College in Sydney and The International School in Bangalore.
\r\nThis is brilliant news for the show and in particular for the visiting parents. David Wellesley-Wesley, the show director, adds: ‘I had the opportunity to visit Bishops recently; their fantastic sporting and academic heritage, coupled with the beautiful campus beneath Table Mountain makes them one of the world''s leading schools and we are delighted that they will be participating at ISS 2010’.', '2010-02-15 17:21:49', 4009);
INSERT INTO `cms` (`id`, `active`, `type`, `url`, `title`, `description`, `submitted`, `order`) VALUES
(2244, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2244', 'Welcome to Battersea Park!', 'The Independent Schools Show would like to welcome ACS International Schools for the first time this year! ACS is a group of three schools based in Greater London serving local and international families.
\r\nEach of the ACS schools follow the International Baccalaureate syllabus and are nominated World Schools.
\r\nACS Egham is one of only three schools in the UK to offer the IB Middle Years Programme (IBMYP), and the IB Primary Years Programme. The Headmaster of the school will also be talking to parents about the benefits of the IB in our Education Theatre on Saturday 30th October (timing TBC).
\r\nCamilla Smith, the show manager is delighted to report some excellent feedback from our 2009 exhibitors:
\r\n''The Next Step Schools Exhibition is a great place for us to showcase our school to a wide audience. The prospective parents we have met at the show have been genuinely seeking information on the options available for their children’s education and we have been delighted to arrange visits to our school for a number of these parents following the event; we are sure that these families would not have found us if we had not been exhibiting at Battersea.
\r\nThanks to the whole team for hosting such a professional event – we will be back!''
\r\nMary Hicks, Lord Wandsworth College
\r\nPlease call Camilla on 020 7731 7479 to book your stand at ISS 10\r\n', '2010-02-16 21:47:37', 4010),
(2245, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2245', 'The Independent Schools Council shows its support for the Schools Show for another year', 'The ISC represents 1,280 independent schools. The ISC website provides parents with a complete, searchable database of ISC schools; it is also an invaluable resource for parents looking for guidance on choosing the right school, on getting help with fees and on sources of advice if your child has special educational needs. To hear more about how the ISC can help you with your school selection, please visit the ‘Other Exhibitors’ page on our website.
\r\n \r\nOther exciting news this week is that Winchester House School, an excellent co-educational preparatory school on the borders of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire will be taking a stand at the ISS 10 in October. Parents looking for a good pre-prep or nursery are encouraged to visit the Winchester House School stand at the show. Set in its own 18 acres of playing fields and gardens, the school offers fantastic facilities for girls and boys aged between 4 and 13.
\r\n', '2010-02-25 15:11:23', 4011),
(2246, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2246', 'Is your child desperate for summer camp? Look no further than the Independent Schools Show 2010 to find out more!', 'Les Elfes will be exhibiting at the Independent Schools Show this year, informing London based parents of the fabulous International Summer and Winter Camps they offer to students. Les Elfes have been organising holiday camps for 8-18 yr olds for over twenty years, giving thousands of children the opportunity to discover other cultures and make friends the world over. They are located in Verbier, in the heart of the Swiss Alps they provide all kinds of summer sports such as horse riding, golf, swimming, tennis, paragliding, a ropes course and mountain bike trekking.
\r\n \r\nLes Elfes are one of several exhibitors within the wider education spectrum, who will sit alongside our school exhibitors enhancing the visitor experience to ISS 10 and offering the very best all round education for your children.
\r\n \r\nPlease call Camilla on 020 7731 7479 to book your stand at the ISS 10 this autumn.\r\n', '2010-03-02 18:38:33', 4012),
(2247, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2247', 'A perfect prep-school option in the heart of Gloucestershire...', 'Rose Hill Westonbirt School is the latest prep school to sign up to exhibit at the Independent Schools Show 2010. The school was created after two of Gloucestershire’s leading prep schools (Querns Westonbirt and Rose Hill) merged to become one co-educational school for children aged between 3 and 13 years old. Rose Hill Westonbirt is set in 120 acres of parkland that it shares with Westonbirt School, which means that it also benefits from shared facilities with the girls'' senior school – a benefit that is not afforded to many prep schools.
\r\n \r\nIf you have been considering investing in a family portrait then look no further than the Schools Show! Spirit Contemporary Photography will be on hand to capture that special moment, whether it is a solo shot you are after or a shot of all the family. Spirit really are the experts in their field – specialising in lifestyle portfolios as well as studio portraits; their stand will definitely be worth a visit during your trip around the show.', '2010-03-15 11:14:08', 4013),
(2248, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2248', 'Ten must haves to get parents and children through the exam period.. ', 'As we enter the exam season, we have put our heads together to offer our ISS top tips for parents to help your children pass with flying colours…
\r\n \r\n1. Help your child to draw up a revision timetable. This should list dates, details of the subject and topics to revise and what should be finished by when. The timeline could have a checklist, so objectives can be ticked off as your child goes along.\r\n
\r\n2. Encourage them to create targets and reward them with breaks – a 15-20 minute walk is recommended every 90 minutes.\r\n
\r\n3. Help your child to see beyond the revision. Remind them how rewarding it will be to know that they did their best.\r\n
\r\n4. If your child is stuck on a topic, you can always contact their school. It may be possible for your child to arrange a short meeting with the teacher, who can offer a little extra help and advice. If a whole subject is causing problems, it might be appropriate to organise some extra tuition.\r\n
\r\n5. Try to make sure that revision time is quiet time in the house in order to help your child to focus. \r\n
\r\n6. A healthy diet and plenty of sleep is especially important when your child is under pressure.\r\n
\r\n7. Encourage your child to create revision cards in lots of colours - writing information out is a great way to remember things - as is being tested by a friend.\r\n
\r\n8. Walking around while revising works well, stick notes on the wall and visualising images as ''hooks'' on which to hang factual knowledge. Keep condensing notes until they become single words.\r\n
\r\n9. Suggest that your child revises the subjects that he or she least likes in the morning. Successful people in all walks of life attribute their success to one simple technique: if you have a set of jobs to do, you do the most difficult thing, the thing you dread, first. \r\n
\r\n10. Keep reminding them that it will soon be over!\r\n', '2010-03-15 15:55:22', 4014),
(2249, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2249', 'Top Surrey prep school to exhibit at the Independent Schools Show', '
Cranleigh preparatory school is the latest addition to the schools show this Autumn, situated in the heart of Surrey’s wooded landscape with exceptional views across the playing fields, this school provides the most idyllic setting in which to educate your child. Cranleigh takes girls and boys between the ages of 7 – 13 years and offers an unique extended daily and weekly timetable which allows it’s pupils to pursue extra-curricular activities whilst also achieving a high level of academia. Whether you are considering day or boarding options for your son or daughter, the Cranleigh Prep School stand is definitely worth a visit and you will find their warm and friendly staff on hand to talk you through what the school has to offer your child.
\r\n \r\nIf you are interested in exhibiting please call Camilla on 020 7731 7479', '2010-03-19 12:22:04', 4015),
(2250, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2250', 'TASIS, Newlands School and Morley’s will be making debut appearances at the Independent Schools Show 2010', '
We recently visited TASIS aka The American School in England, based in Surrey, and we were most impressed, it provides a fantastic environment for children to learn and grow from 3 to 18 years, following the American curriculum and traditions, this is an ideal option for families open to school leavers considering the ever more popular US college route.
\r\nNewlands School, a co-educational school on the south coast of England provides a place for children to grow from cradle to career taking both tiny-tots and young adults in a non-selective learning environment. The school was recently acquired by Beaconhouse Group, a successful educational organisation who are making significant investments in the future of all their schools.
\r\nMorleys who provide schools with the very best educational furniture will be sponsoring the Education Theatre, THE chance for parents to get the inside track on parenting and all things education.\r\n', '2010-03-30 18:21:38', 4016),
(2251, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2251', 'Is your child destined for the stage?', '
The ISS is delighted to announce that Tring Park School for the Performing Arts will be exhibiting at the schools exhibition for the third year running.
Tring Park is a specialist school which offers a unique opportunity for young people with a talent for performing arts, or who are interested in an associated career, to combine this with an academic education. If you are interested in hearing more about what this specialist school can offer your child, please visit the Tring Park School stand at the Independent Schools Show on the 29th and 30th of October 2010 and remember to register for your free tickets online!', '2010-04-21 12:04:45', 4017),
(2252, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2252', 'Something for all the family at ISS 10!', '
The Independent Schools Show has lots to offer little ones this year. Purple Dragon are hosting an extensive play area, complete with music stations, art classes and face painting - so there is plenty to keep them occupied while you focus on talking to the schools you are most interested in meeting!
Why not take some time to visit the Mini Cook stand at the show during your visit? This company specialises in inspiring children to enjoy a healthy balanced diet and to try new foods, all by teaching them how to cook! So if you have a budding Jamie Oliver or Nigella Lawson on your hands..Mini Cooks could be just the answer!', '2010-04-23 15:16:44', 4018),
(2253, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2253', 'A leading Swiss International School and Greycoat Placements at ISS 2010', '
Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz a Swiss international boarding school with strong English roots, located close to St. Moritz in the Engadin, high in the Alps, will be exhibiting with over 120 leading independent schools. It is the only school in Switzerland to play sports as diverse as Eton fives, cricket and ice hockey. Any London based parents thinking outside the box with an eye on sending their children to a truly international school, surrounded by inspiring scenery and fantastic sports facilities are encouraged to visit the headmaster on their stand at The Independent Schools Show 2010 in Battersea Park, London. \r\n
\r\nGreycoat Placements, the leading recruitment specialists for nannies, butlers and other domestic staff will also be at the show to meet visitors.', '2010-04-29 15:22:41', 4019),
(2254, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2254', 'Kent College Pembury, Cambridge International Exams and The Royal School, Hampstead will be exhibiting at ISS 2010', '
Organisers are delighted to announce that visiting parents have even more reason to visit the Independent Schools Show in London this Autumn.
\r\n
Kent College Pembury has been highly praised by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, as one of the leading girls boarding schools in Kent, situated in beautiful surroundings close to Tunbridge Wells. This is a school, which offers places for girls from 3-18. \r\n
The Royal School Hampstead is a small friendly girls school situated in the beautiful London borough of Hampstead, for those parents looking for an academic day school in London their stand is certainly worth a visit, The Royal School has the added advantage of offering boarding places too. \r\n
Cambridge International Examinations will be attending the show to meet with visiting parents and exhibiting schools outlining the benefits of their popular and ever expanding curriculum.\r\n', '2010-05-06 18:19:48', 4020),
(2255, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2255', 'The Royal School Hampstead and Gresham’s are coming to the ISS 2010!', '
The Royal School Hampstead is a fabulous school for girls situated in a beautiful borough of North London, catering for children aged from 3 to 16. The School also offers excellent boarding facilities and a wide range of extra-curricular activities. We are delighted to have a North London based secondary school exhibiting at the show this year and we are certain that our visitors will be too!
\r\n \r\nGresham’s is a delightful group of co-educational boarding and day schools set in North Norfolk, a fabulously beautiful, rural part of England. Gresham’s offers a complete education for girls and boys aged from 3 right through to 18 - parents considering an education for their child outside of London simply must visit their stand to hear about the state of the art facilities and high standard of teaching they provide!\r\n', '2010-05-14 14:26:18', 4021),
(2256, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2256', 'The Independent Schools Show is delighted to announce that Land Rover is the show’s major sponsor this year!', '
Land Rover have been designing and building the world’s best 4x4’s for over 50 years, their cars combine style and durability to provide the perfect family car for all occasions... whether you’re bundling the kids into the car for the school run or heading to the country for a weekend away. Land Rover vehicles provide the ultimate in comfort for all the family. \r\n
Land Rover will be showcasing their very latest models at the Schools Show this autumn as well as providing a handy shuttle service for parents from Sloane Square. \r\n', '2010-05-17 18:50:42', 4022),
(2257, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2257', 'Royal Hospital School and Stamford Endowed Schools will be at ISS 2010!', '
The Royal Hospital School is a historic co-educational school for boys and girls aged 11 to 18 years. Founded in 1712, the school was originally based in Greenwich before moving to its current location, where it is set within 200 acres of beautiful Suffolk countryside. The Royal Hospital School focuses on an all round education for its students, providing opportunities to pursue a wide range of interests whilst developing life skills and firm values for life after school.\r\n
\r\nSet in a small picturesque market town within handy commuter distance of London, The Stamford Endowed Schools would be a very worthwhile consideration for any parents looking for a solid academic education for their child. Located in the centre of Stamford, a beautiful market tow in the heart of Lincolnshire, Stamford Endowed Schools consists of the junior school, the high school for girls and Stamford school for boys... together the Endowed schools provide a well rounded education for both girls and boys through their education from ages 2 to 18 and have fantastic facilities to enable their students to excel both inside and outside of the classroom!', '2010-05-24 14:43:28', 4023),
(2258, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2258', 'The ISS announce the Education Theatre timetable for 2010!', '
The line up is better than ever this year with key note speakers such as Ben Thomas (HM, Thomas’ Day Schools) offering advice on how to get your child through the common entrance exams and Jenny Aviss (The Alpha Plus Group) explaining what schools look for in the 7+ and 8+ exams. We also have seminars on the ever popular topics of ‘Single sex vs. Co-ed’ and ‘How to choose the best school for your child’ amongst others. To find out more about the other talks we have lined up for our visitors, please click on the Education Theatre icon on the homepage for further information.', '2010-06-04 12:10:02', 4024),
(2259, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2259', 'Expert Advice for London Parents!', '
The Independent Schools Show has teamed up with one of London’s most respected educational advice providers, Bonas MacFarlane, to create a series of seminar mornings for parents. ‘We have listened to parents over the years and we are responding to their interests, questions and concerns, by creating a series of seminar mornings designed to tackle the common issues associated with parenting and education,’ says David Wellesley Wesley, Director of The Independent Schools Show.\r\n
\r\nThe London Parents Forum mornings will consist of a variety of talks by educational experts on a broad range of topics, including advice about the 11+ entrance exams, child nutrition, helping with homework and what to do if your child is being bullied. The aim of the six-week course is to help equip parents to deal with problems that they may encounter during their child’s formative years.\r\n
\r\nThe London Parents Forum begins on the 28th September 2010 at 9.30am in the Upper Hall at St. Columba’s Church, Knightsbridge, and will run every Tuesday from then until the 19th October 2010, with final seminars being held in the Education Theatre at the Independent Schools Show 2010.
\r\nParents attending the course will benefit from access to the London Parents Forum website, which contains fact sheets and expert advice on parenting, as well as VIP tickets to attend the Independent Schools Show on the 29th and 30th October in Battersea Park.\r\n
\r\nFor more information please visit the website at www.thelondonparentsforum.co.uk Knighton House, a delightful prep school, set in 30 acres of glorious Dorset countryside, is the latest in a long line of exceptional schools to sign up to exhibit at the Independent Schools Show this Autumn parents really will be spoiled for choice at this year’s event as we have our best line up of top Independent Schools ever for ISS 10!\r\n \r\nWe are also proud to announce that Morley’s, a leading supplier of educational furniture to schools, have signed up to sponsor the Education Theatre at the Show. This excellent news means we will be marketing the show to an even larger database of schools as well as Morley’s customers which all helps to secure a strong footfall at the show!\r\n \r\nPlease remember to register early for your FREE tickets online at www.schoolsshow.co.uk or contact Camilla on 020 7731 7479.', '2010-06-28 10:48:15', 4026), Uppingham school will join Stamford Endowed Schools and Oundle to represent some the UK’s leading public schools within a couple of hours drive North of London at the Independent Schools Show this Autumn. Uppingham is a brilliant full-boarding co-educational option for London based families, which according to the Schools Guide it is full of ''very friendly, well-mannered pupils who are outgoing and confident but not arrogant''. Parents are encouraged to sign-up for free tickets at www.schoolsshow.co.uk', '2010-07-14 12:04:57', 4028), If the school holidays have got you close to screaming point and you’re counting down the days until the start of term then why not take a minute to view the impressive list of schools that are exhibiting at this year’s Independent Schools Show? We are offering free tickets to all parents that download their tickets direct from the website, as well as the opportunity to make private appointments with the heads and senior teachers of schools that you are interested in. \r\nWith new schools signing up each week, be sure to keep checking the exhibitor page for regular updates and news about the show! If you have any questions or want to find out more about the benefits of visiting this two day exhibition please call Camilla on 020 7731 7479.\r\n', '2010-07-30 20:05:35', 4029), Just when we thought Quintessentially had covered all corners of luxury lifestyle; from music to art and spas to restaurants; they have now introduced another gem that is Quintessentially Education. Coinciding with the Quintessentially theme that quality and service is key; They have over 20 year''s experience in the educational sector and ''they understand better than anyone the importance of education decisions and offer the support and guidance to ensure that the right decisions are made''.\r\n \r\nProviding the highest levels in all aspects of education they offer an entirely bespoke education solution from cradle to career both in the UK and Europe; with innovative guidance strategies that ensure your children get the most out of their crucial educational years. Their specialist consultants are on hand to offer you the "seriously upper crust of the educational industry" (Good Schools Guide, 2010). The tuition team have the expertise to create a tailored combination of tutoring, mentoring and assessment that will maximise any child''s potential; be it home schooling, residential tuition in the holidays or simply subject specific tuition. The school placement team understand that the wealth of options available to young students can cause confusion and trepidation, and it is their goal to make the process of getting into the right school as simple as possible. \r\n \r\nQ Education also provide help and support with more unusual requests; such as tuition for abseiling or karate to summer camps in any country of the world! Guardianship, University guidance and careers mentoring are also among their products. \r\n \r\nPlease sign up for your free tickets to visit the Independent Schools Show and meet their team of experts.', '2010-08-03 15:35:30', 4030), The Independent Schools Show has handpicked some of the very best clubs and companies specialising in extracurricular activities to attend the show this year in the new ‘Parents Pavilion.’ The Parents Pavilion is an area within the exhibition where visitors will be introduced to some of London’s ‘best kept secrets’..we have combined a selection of hidden gems for parents..so whether you are looking for help with sourcing ballet classes, finding skiing tuition or even a good children’s party organiser, we hope that you will find a company that will be able to help you at the show! \r\n \r\nFor further information please contact Camilla on 020 7731 7479.', '2010-08-16 18:01:57', 4031), Would you like to get your child proficient on the slopes..? If the answer is yes then take a trip to the new ‘Market Place’ at the Independent Schools Show! Where you will find a whole raft of useful companies, specialising in a wide range of extracurricular activities..such as ‘Down Hill Only,’ one of the oldest alpine skiing clubs in the world –The DHO is best known for its high quality training of young ski racers, and has over the years produced more members of the British Teams than any other club..!\r\n \r\nPerhaps you would like to investigate the benefits of life coaching, occupational therapy or a selection of other educational psychology subjects? \r\n \r\nAt the ‘Ed Psych’ stand you will meet a whole range of trained expert therapists and specialist teachers who provide assessments to support children with developmental needs across educational and home settings so that they can achieve far beyond their wildest dreams.\r\n \r\nPlease keep checking the website for regular updates on new additions to The Market Place at ISS 2010!', '2010-08-19 18:10:50', 4032), There are so many colleges that are geared up to help students with retakes, many of which will be exhibiting at the Independent Schools Show this Autumn, offering intensive A level and GCSE retake courses and revision courses with strong emphasis on exam technique and exam practice.\r\n \r\nIf your child just needs a little top up tuition we have a whole raft of the best private tuition companies in London – whatever your situation, there will be a school/college or expert that is able to help you at the ISS so don’t despair! Simply register for your free tickets online today safe in the knowledge that help is in hand!', '2010-08-24 12:28:20', 4033), Hampstead Hill School, a delightful pre prep and prep school in NW London is the latest to join the fantastic selection of London day schools exhibiting at the Independent Schools Show this year. Hampstead Hill takes girls and boys between the ages of 2-7yrs offering them a warm, friendly and stimulating environment in which to learn. It is a great option for any parent living in Hampstead or the surrounding area.\r\n \r\nWe are also pleased to announce that we have another nursery exhibiting at the ISS 10 too – this is great news for parents with smaller children. Little Acorns nursery is a newly established Nursery offering full day or part day care for children aged anywhere between 3months – 2 years. Little Acorns welcome children with any and all learning and physical disabilities and they have experienced staff and a part-time SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator) on site to ensure that your children experience the very best childcare.\r\n \r\nIf you would like to make a private appointment to meet with Hampstead Hill School, or any of the other schools exhibiting at the Independent Schools Show in October, please email camilla@schoolsshow.co.uk or call 020 7731 7479.\r\n ', '2010-08-27 18:10:42', 4034), \r\nAC Milan football club Junior Camp and their mascot, ‘Milanello’ will be at the Schools Show meeting parent’s and encouraging budding footballers to sign up with them, they run the best soccer holiday camps and soccer schools in Battersea Park and elsewhere across the UK. \r\n \r\nIvy Tutors are taking a stand at the ISS 10 to meet parents and promote their beliefs that mainstream schooling should be subsidised by one to one tutoring and that the two forms of teaching should run in parallel rather than in conflict. \r\n \r\nBurgess Hill School for Girls is a boarding and day school for girls aged between 2 to 18, producing very good academic results this school is not for the work-shy, girls talk of inspirational teachers, and we are pleased to announce that they will be participating this year and their senior staff will be on stand 501 to meet interested parents especially if they have bright daughters!\r\n ', '2010-09-03 17:16:28', 4035), Schools are rushing to book the last few remaining stands at the ISS 10 this Autumn! It is exactly seven weeks today until the much anticipated Independent Schools Show. New additions to the line up include King’s Bruton, a co-ed day and boarding school in the heart of Somerset, The Oratory Preparatory School in Reading and Bredon School, a small co-ed day and boarding school in Gloucestershire. \r\n \r\nThis week also see’s Carfax Tutorial Establishment, a leading educational consultant and guardianship firm, join the list of exhibitor’s as well as The Bridge Practice, a new company which provides assessment, support and therapy for children and young people with learning difficulties.\r\n \r\nPlease keep checking the website for regular updates! Or if you are a school wanting to book a stand – time is running out so please call Camilla on 020 7731 7479.', '2010-09-10 17:32:33', 4036), Any parents looking for a school close to London for their daughter, and wanting the benefits of a school in the countryside, should really consider visiting The Princes Helena College stand at the Independent Schools Show. Set in 183 acres of beautiful Hertfordshire countryside the college offers fantastic facilities for students.\r\n \r\nBarnard Castle School are returning for the second year running, making the journey from County Durham to fly the northern flag and demonstrate the endless benefits of an education away from the hustle and bustle of city life, set within their own fifty acre estate in the clear air of Teesdale!\r\n \r\nWe also have another Londoner in the mix too – Mander Portman Woodward, one of the country''s best known independent sixth-form college groups with colleges in London, Birmingham and Cambridge will be at the show to tell parents more about the broad range of courses they offer their students.', '2010-09-14 18:48:28', 4037), Hurtwood House is a really exciting option for any parent that is looking for a school that combines academia with outstanding opportunities within Performing and Creative Arts. The Surrey based senior school describes itself as being ‘more akin to life on a university campus’ where students are encouraged to be responsible adults with freedom of choice whilst always under the pastoral care of the Housemaster and his staff. Visit the Headmaster on stand 202 at the Independent Schools Show. \r\n \r\nAlso this week...\r\n \r\nThe inaugural London Parents Forum took place in Central London yesterday morning, with educational experts such as Magoo Giles, (HM Knightsbridge Prep), Jenny Aviss (Ex HM Wetherby Prep and current Director of the Alpha Plus group) and Tom Dawson (HM Sunningdale) presenting to parents about ‘Which Pre Prep or Prep?’. \r\n At next weeks London Parent''s Forum, we are delighted to have Dr. Martin Stephen (HM St. Paul’s School), Rob Taylor (Registrar, Harrow) and Michael McBrien (HM TASIS) as key note speakers talking to parents about ‘Which Senior School.’ There are still a few spaces left so if you would like to sign up for this seminar please call Camilla Smith on 020 7731 7479.', '2010-09-29 16:37:08', 4038), \r\nEddie Catz will be providing all sorts of activities to keep your little ones busy and entertained whilst parents meet with the schools, although they are best known for their award winning play centres, children’s parties and workshops, we are pleased to announce that there will be the following activities at the Independent Schools Show :\r\n A Bouncy Castle, Free Spooky Halloween Face Painting, setting up a Cookery Activity Station where your children can come and decorate either a cookie or a cupcake. (2-4pm)\r\n \r\nThey will also provide an Entertainer at 11am on both days and will be selling candies in the spooky sweetie stall.\r\n \r\nSo Visit Eddie Catz at the show and sign up for their free prize draw to win a family ticket to their wonderful Christmas Pantomime in Putney or Wimbledon.\r\n \r\nSo reserve your free tickets today online or call Camilla on 020 7731 7479.\r\n \r\n', '2010-09-30 17:57:09', 4039), Births have hit record levels in ‘Nappy Valley’ -Wandsworth’s birth rate has recorded the highest number of babies born since records began. The number of births last year rose to 5,335 an increase of 27 over the last decade. With more than 40 percent of residents aged between 25 and 39, the highest proportion in the country. \r\n \r\nTo make sure of giving them the best start in life visit www.schoolsshow.co.uk to book your free tickets to the UK’s largest school assembly.\r\n', '2010-10-02 17:49:23', 4040), La Fille Unique will be exhibiting at the Independent Schools Show 2010, a children’s clothing store with a difference where you can dress your daughter like a real princess parents can meet the specialist online retailer at the Show in Battersea Park at the end of October. \r\n \r\nHall Grove School located in Bagshot, Surrey is a charming family prep school for boys and girls providing a wonderful education getting pupils into the best senior schools in the country. They will be at the Show which is fantastic news and you can meet them on Stand 609.', '2010-10-15 17:50:10', 4041), The debate reaches a crescendo at the Independent Schools Show this Friday and Saturday in Battersea Park.\r\n \r\nOver the course of the autumn we have heard from leading luminaries of education at The London Parents Forum, and now the topics and debate can be found in Battersea Park this coming weekend. The most popular talks such as expert tips on 7+ and 8+ admissions exams will be repeated at the Independent Schools Show.\r\n \r\nBritish Schools are the envy of the world and for two days the cream of the crop can be found at The Evolution, Battersea Park. Our eyes have been opened to the sheer range and variety of schools that are available to us! said one family last year.\r\n \r\n\r\nAs it is half term, please bring your children, we have a bouncy castle, entertainers, face painters, a sweet shop and Dad''s can experience the ŒLand Rover off-road track'' and have a first glimpse of the new Range Rover Evoke.\r\n \r\nA visit to the Independent Schools Show will save days of time and ensures all options have been considered.\r\n \r\nWe hope to see you at the Show,\r\n \r\nThe ISS team\r\n \r\nhttp://www.schoolsshow.co.uk', '2010-10-25 13:56:56', 4042), \r\nA busy and productive Independent Schools Show has closed it''s doors for now. We had over 2,500 delighted visiting families and the organisers will be in touch with exhibitors shortly with a post-show report. To all visitors and exhibitors many thanks for making The Independent Schools Show such a success. ', '2010-11-01 13:23:21', 4044), We are delighted to announce that we have secured the first weekend in November, moving the Independent Schools Show out of the half-term holiday. \r\n \r\nThe new dates will be Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th November 2011. Organiser''s believe that this could result in a footfall increase of two or three times, and we are really very excited about this positive development. \r\n \r\n', '2010-11-08 09:46:44', 4045), Pupils won’t be the only ones sharpening their pencils for the next school year as it is announced that the Independent Schools Show 2011 will be held during the first weekend after the October half term, taking the 2-day exhibition out of the holidays for the first time since the show began four years ago.\r\n \r\n“It was becoming increasingly evident that hosting such a parent-focused event during the holidays, when a lot of people are away was preventing the show from reaching its full potential in terms of visitor numbers” says David Wellesley Wesley, Director of the Independent Schools Show. “The show has maintained a steady increase in footfall year on year, but we believe that the decision to take the show out of half term will have a dramatic effect on the number of parents that are able to attend the exhibition, who might otherwise have been away for the half term break, also our marketing efforts via all local London nurseries and pre-preps will be much more effective.”\r\n \r\nThe new show dates also fall over a weekend, another carefully considered decision, previously, the exhibition has been held on a Friday and Saturday, which has ruled out the majority of working parents being able to attend the show on the first day. Better still, there are likely to be more people in the area over this weekend than normal due to the Battersea Firework display – a big date in the diary for thousands of London-based families, with visitor numbers of around 60,000. “We will ensure that all visitors to the Battersea fireworks receive free tickets to the ISS for the following day...meaning that exhibitors will have their work cut out on Sunday!” remarks David.\r\n \r\nThis news will only serve to strengthen the Independent School Show’s position as the world’s leading exhibition of private schools in an ever-competitive market. David says, “The Marquee in Battersea Park is the best venue for this show – set within one of London’s most beautiful parks, in ‘Nappy Valley’, outside the congestion charging zone and free parking, we now have the best weekend of the year too – we are very excited.’ Visitor numbers at the Schools Show are expected to double for next year’s event and with a 65% rebook of 2010 exhibitors having secured their places at the ISS ‘11, not to mention new bookings who are were previously unable to attend due to staffing issues in the holidays: Good news all round!\r\n', '2010-11-16 14:21:09', 4046), Hurry now to reserve your place for next year and don’t forget that booking this side of Christmas will ensure you beat the VAT increase. We have lots of exciting new developments lined up for 2011, the most notable of which are the new dates (5th & 6th November) meaning that the show no longer falls during the half term break. This should result in a dramatic increase in visitor numbers and we are also incorporating a small Christmas Fair, offering parents the chance of some early Christmas shopping.\r\n \r\nStand allocations are made on a ‘first come first served basis’ so phone us today to secure your prime spot at what will undoubtedly be the largest marketing opportunity of 2011 for Independent Schools.\r\n \r\nPlease call Camilla on 020 7731 7479 for further details or email camilla@schoolsshow.co.uk', '2010-12-14 17:56:38', 4047), Riverview is an exceptional school which prides itself on maintaining a family atmosphere for its students. Set within 16 acres in scenic Cape Cod, it provides a wonderful setting for an overseas education. Located just 75 miles from Boston, transport to the UK is simple and painless. Riverview also accept students with cognitive disabilities, ensuring that they are treated as equals and fully integrated within the family community.\r\n \r\nLandmark specialise in educating students with language based learning difficulties – they offer an impressive teacher student ratio of 1:3 with average class sizes of between 4-8, ensuring that students receive the very best tuition and are able to benefit from lot’s of one on one time with their teachers. The school has an excellent track record in helping students with learning difficulties to achieve their educational and social potential, whilst helping to dispel common misconceptions about learning difficulties and what they mean.\r\n \r\nIf your child has dyslexia or learning difficulties, these two schools are a very interesting option and should be carefully considered. Both will be exhibiting at the Independent Schools Show on the 5th and 6th November and look forward to meeting you and your children!\r\n \r\nPlease call Camilla on 020 7731 7479 for further information.', '2011-01-04 16:47:01', 4048), The organisers of the Independent Schools Show are responding to high demand by launching a separate North London Schools Show in an exciting new venue at Lord’s cricket ground in St. John’s Wood. The new exhibition will take place on Friday 23rd September in The Nursery Pavilion at Lord’s, a fantastic location for a late summer show with fabulous views over the cricket ground. Market research has highlighted the fact that only a small percentage of the visitors at the ISS in Battersea have travelled from North London, indicating that there is a clear market for another smaller event, without detracting from the Battersea show. The ISS North London will follow a similar format to that of the established ISS Battersea, with an Education Theatre and breakout zone for parents to attend lively debates on relevant educational issues. If you are interested in exhibiting at either the ISS North London or the ISS Battersea please call Camilla on 020 7731 7479 – there are limited stands available at both exhibitions so booking early is vital in order to secure a good spot at these high profile marketing events. The Education Theatre has provided the perfect platform for parents to listen to informative talks and seminars from leading educational experts in Independent education for the past five years. This year the ISS is going one step further, with the introduction of a new interactive ‘Break Out’ zone, aimed at encouraging lively debate about the common issues and concerns of the modern day parent. The Break Out Zone is to be launched in association with The London Parents Forum, who run similar intimate interactive seminars for parents throughout the year on a whole range of relevant topics. ‘The break out zone will add yet another dimension to the ISS, enabling parents to get even more out of their visit’ says David Wellesley Wesley, Show Director. Register online today to secure your free tickets to the ISS: 11 or call Camilla Smith on 020 7731 7479 for more information. The organisers of the ISS are delighted to announce that The London Magazine will be the new media sponsor for the Independent Schools Show this year. The London Magazine is a monthly publication with a readership of over 270,000, 91% of which are ABC1 London households. The magazine offers a far superior, trusted editorial environment than many of its competitors and, most importantly, is distributed as advertised. The London Magazine is a well established title, offering an interesting mix of features on London’s social and cultural life, health and beauty, travel, shopping, restaurants, interiors, not to mention an incredibly strong property section. The twice yearly schools supplements have also proved to be an invaluable guide for the capital’s parents, further cementing the relevance of a relationship with the ISS. ‘It is extremely important to us that we deliver on our promise of a guaranteed footfall of ABC1 parents at our shows and a good media sponsor is fundamental in achieving this. We have built up a level of trust amongst our exhibitors which simply cannot be achieved over night, so it is of paramount importance that we make the right decisions when choosing sponsors for the show,’ says David Wellesley Wesley, Show Director.’ The London Magazine offers a monthly distribution right across London which sets them apart from competitor titles which have a primary focus on the south London area. ‘With the launch of the new ISS: North London this September, we are looking to market to North London parents with fresh vigour. The support of The London Magazine will be invaluable in doing this, whilst continuing to promote the Battersea show to south London parents at the same time,’ says David. For more information about either the ISS: South London or the ISS: North London please call Camilla on 020 7731 7479 or email camilla@schoolsshow.co.uk. ACS International Schools have three London area campuses, serving the needs of both global and local families. Educating over 2,500 students aged between 2 – 18 yrs from more than 70 countries, ACS International offers a cosmopolitan co-ed education for its students. Parents who are interested in the International Baccalaureate will be particularly interested in the ACS schools as not only do they offer the IB but they also work to the American curriculum including Advance Placement (AP) courses, which can prove advantageous for pupils looking at a further education overseas. The Cheltenham Ladies'' College has been at the forefront of girls'' education for over 150 years and has a worldwide reputation for academic excellence. Both of these leading Independent schools offer both day and boarding facilities and are excellent additions to the ISS: 11 line up in Battersea.\r\n\r\n If you are interested in booking a stand at either the ISS Battersea or the ISS: North London please call Camilla on 020 7731 7479. The ISS: NL is proving a popular choice with schools up and down the country, not to mention with the local London preps. ‘The floor plan was only released last week and already we have been flooded with interest from the schools –it really has generated a lot of interest amongst new schools not to mention several of our Battersea exhibitors’ says David Wellesley Wesley, director of the Independent Schools Show. This week Port Regis have booked to exhibit at the ISS: Battersea, this will be their second consecutive year at Battersea. Port Regis is a prep school for boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 13 – it is set in the stunning Dorset countryside and offers its students the option of either day or boarding in a happy family-orientated atmosphere. King’s Canterbury have been exhibiting at the ISS: Battersea since it was launched back in 2007, they are leading the charge amongst the large boarding schools in taking a stand at the ISS: North London, this is fantastic news for parents visiting the exhibition on the 23rd September at Lord’s. Abercorn School, one of London’s top Independent co-ed preparatory schools have also signed to exhibit at the ISS: NL – parents looking for an excellent local north London prep school in St. John’s Wood should certainly make a trip to the Abercorn stand during their visit. Please call Camilla on 0207 731 7479 if your school would like to reserve a stand at either ISS event. Oakham is a co-educational boarding and day school for students aged 10 – 18 yrs. The School offers both International Baccalaureate and AS/A2 level courses in the Sixth Form. Beyond the classroom, Oakham offers its students a plethora of extra-curricular activities and is particularly renowned for its outstanding reputation in sport. The school offers its pupils a choice of over 30 different sporting activities and many Oakhamians go on to represent their county or country. Hurtwood House are returning to exhibit at the ISS for the third year running this year. Hurtwood House is a school that is defined not only by its solid academic record but by its ability to nurture creativity amongst its many talented students. The school provides outstanding opportunities for students to realise their potential in a variety of creative outlets such as acting, singing, art, fashion, designing, film making and composing. In fact, this year two Hurtwood House students have been shortlisted for the Saatchi Gallery/ Sunday Telegraph Schools Art Prize! ‘We are truly delighted by the calibre of schools we have exhibiting at the Independent Schools Show, the line up is looking better than ever this year as more and more of the UK’s leading independent schools are signing up to exhibit at the show. It is a real testament to how far we have come in establishing this wonderful celebration of independent education,’ says David Wellesley Wesley, Director of the ISS. Following the success of the Autumn London Parents Forum course, the LPF have announced a new date for a day-long seminar at the start of the Summer Term. The event will take place between 09.30am – 4.30pm on Tuesday 10th May, with a break for lunch. Parents have the opportunity to ‘cherry pick’ which parts of the day they would like to attend and can purchase either a morning, afternoon or full day ticket for the seminar. Subjects on the agenda include ‘Which Pre-Prep or Prep School,’ ‘Which Senior School’ and ‘Boarding Schools.’ Speakers will be announced over the next few weeks on the London Parents forum website at www.londonparentsforum.co.uk . If you would like to book a ticket for an upcoming LPF event please call Camilla on 020 7731 7479. Southbank International, New Hall and Bedford schools are the latest to sign up to exhibit at the ISS: NL, taking place at Lord’s cricket ground on Friday 23rd September. Abercorn is an excellent co-ed prep school located just a stone’s throw from the exhibition in St. John’s Wood, and Southbank is not much further away - with campuses in Kensington, Westminster and Hampstead. Bedford is an all boy’s senior boarding school where boarding has been rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted on a recent boarding inspection. If you are interested in exhibiting at an ISS event please call Camilla on 020 7731 7479. Quintessentially luxury lifestyle group, with over 56,000 affluent and discerning members worldwide, a huge percentage of whom have young families will be supporting the Independent Schools Shows, this is brilliant news and we are delighted to offer all their members VIP tickets to attend the Independent Schools Shows in Battersea and/or Lords where they will have the opportunity to speak, shortlist and arrange visits to participating schools. \r\n \r\nThis new development strengthens our marketing plans for 2011 and will guarantee an increase in footfall over previous years, firmly ensuring the ISS is the show worth visiting and participating in. ', '2011-02-25 17:29:40', 6019), Hurtwood House have been exhibiting at the Battersea schools show for years and have always found it to be extremely worthwhile, they have decided to build on this success by taking a stand at the ISS: North London at Lord’s on the 23rd September, ensuring they gain the full benefit at this perfect marketing opportunity. With a good proportion of North London based students this will give local parents the opportunity to meet the school alongside other options all under one roof. \r\n \r\nThe ISS: North London will follow the same format as the well established Battersea show, with an education theatre and interactive break out zone in which parents can attend lively debates on a range of relevant educational issues.\r\n \r\nIf you are interested in booking a stand at either the ISS: Battersea or the ISS: North London, please call Camilla on 020 7731 7479. If you''d like free tickets to visit either event please register on www.schoolsshow.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you there!', '2011-03-07 09:54:13', 6020), Recent research has revealed that the school you attend from age 11 has a huge impact on your academic achievement, life chances, success in your chosen profession and potential earnings. Despite only 7% of the country’s children being sent to private schools: 53% of today’s leading professionals were educated privately in the UK 54% of today’s top newspaper editors, columnists, news presenters and editors attended independent schools (a percentage which has increased over the past 20 years) Nearly a third of MPs and almost two thirds of members of the House of Lords were educated privately British Olympic champions tend to be disproportionately educated at independent schools (60 per cent of British medalists at the 2004 Olympics in Athens were educated at fee-paying establishments, an increase on the 58 per cent figure for the 2000 Olympics) 73% of parents also agree that independent schools "provide opportunities for pupils to fulfil their potential" (research by Ipsos MORI). The prime factors for parents wanting to send their children to independent schools include: “better standards of education,” "better discipline,” "smaller class sizes,” "better moral standards" and "better teachers,” as well as better facilities, greater flexibility, diversity and pastoral care. To find out more about giving your child the very best start in life: Register now on www.schoolsshow.co.uk for free tickets to the 2011 Independent Schools Show North London which is taking place on the 23rd September at Lord’s Cricket Ground or the ISS: Battersea on the 5th & 6th November in Battersea Park. \r\nGresham''s, a co-educational school in Norfolk will be on show to meet North London based parents for whom access to the outstanding rural school in North Norfolk is a mere 2 hours drive. Catering for children aged 3 – 18 the school would suit families with second homes on the Norfolk coast, the many parents who weekly commute into Kings Cross or simply those looking to educate their children outside London. \r\n \r\nThe Cavendish school, between Camden Town and Primrose Hill is just a short walk from Lord''s Cricket Ground, a single sex school for girls aged 3-11, providing excellent academic foundations will also be at the North London independent schools exhibition on Friday 23rd September 2011. \r\n \r\nTwo contrasting but equally attractive options for families to meet at ISS: North London. ', '2011-03-14 16:30:25', 6022), \r\nThe Godolphin school is one of the oldest girls school in the country within the beautiful Cathedral city of Salisbury in Wiltshire. They will be exhibiting at the Independent Schools Show in Battersea Park, providing a great opportunity for London based parents to meet the senior staff and new Headmistress. \r\n \r\nThe fantastic news for visitors to the ISS: North London is that Mill Hill School, a co-educational school offering boarding and day options situated in a parkland setting within London will be available to meet parents on Friday 23rd September. They offer a brilliant bus service covering most of North London, in fact so convenient for Lord''s Cricket Ground that their bus, The Mill Hill Express picks up pupils from The Grace Gate at 0710 every school morning. \r\n \r\nEton College, the most famous school in the world, will be exhibiting at The Independent Schools Show in Battersea on November 5th and 6th, specifically to reach out and meet talented boys for whom scholarships may be available. Over 20% of their 1,300 boys benefit from financial assistance, and Eton are looking for boys of high academic promise or high musical promise who will benefit from the opportunities that Eton provides and who will contribute strongly to the life of the school. All parents are invited to the Independent Schools Show to discuss further with Eton College the possibility of being awarded financial assistance in more detail. \r\n \r\nTo book tickets please visit www.schoolsshow.co.uk', '2011-03-18 11:45:47', 6023), Marymount International sign up for the ISS: Battersea, whilst Belmont follow suit and join their sister school Mill Hill to fly the prep school flag for the Foundation at Lord’s as well as St Christina''s in nearby Camden and Pipers Corner School in Bucks:\r\n \r\nMarymount was the first all-girls school to offer the International Baccalaureate in the UK and the school currently educates over 45 nationalities of students. Located just twelve miles from central London, on a private estate, it is an attractive option for any parents considering the IB programme for their daughter.\r\n \r\nBelmont School is the preparatory school within the Mill Hill School Foundation, offering a co–ed education for pupils aged 7-13. The school occupies over 35 acres of manicured parkland, including extensive sports pitches and tennis courts, a 1500 metre woodland cross-country course, a large wooden adventure playground, a giant chessboard, a children''s gardening area, sunken garden frames and a large pond - not to mention unobstructed views across the Totteridge Valley, giving the feeling of being in the middle of the countryside – why wouldn’t you want to hear more about this school?!\r\n \r\nPipers Corner school is an all girls school within an hour from London and the organisers of ISS are very pleased to announce that this special school will be on show for parents to meet at ISS @ Lord''s.\r\n \r\nSt Christina''s School based in Camden NW8, is a family owned school following catholic tradition, according to MumsNet, it is a ''well kept secret'' and Boris Johnson praises the ''incredible teachers and facilities''.\r\n \r\nParents can visit the Independent Schools Shows for free if they apply for tickets on www.schoolsshow.co.uk', '2011-03-27 18:49:44', 6024), \r\nKing’s Ely is a co-ed day and boarding school for children from 3 to 18 yrs. Situated in the centre of the idyllic cathedral city of Ely in Oxfordshire, it is within easy reach of London. The schools strong connections with the cathedral underpin it’s Christian ethos and pupils are encouraged to make the most of the opportunities available to them both inside and outside of the class room. Music plays a big part in school life at King’s, with over 50% of students learning an instrument and girl choristers benefiting from their own boarding house. If your son or daughter is perhaps interested in taking up rowing , this school offers fantastic facilities including specialist coaches and its very own boat house! A truly fantastic school for parents to meet during their visit to the ISS at either Lord’s or Battersea.\r\n \r\nThe Oratory Prep School is a Catholic day and boarding school for boys and girls from 3 to 13yrs, offering full time, weekly and flexi-boarding. Weekly and flexi boarding options make this school a very attractive option for parents living in London that are looking for all the facilities that a country prep school has to offer. The school prides itself on offering a rounded education with emphasis on sport, theatre and music as well as academia. The Oratory Prep are coming to London to meet parents at the ISS: Battersea on the 5th & 6th November.\r\n \r\nA visit to an ISS event is fast becoming the hottest ticket in town!\r\n \r\nPlease contact Camilla on 020 7731 7479 if you are interested in exhibiting or registering for tickets.\r\n \r\n30th March 2011', '2011-03-30 19:00:24', 6025), \r\nParents no longer need to worry about keeping their children occupied during a visit to the Independent Schools Show, thanks to the new ‘Children’s Education Zone’ launching at the show this year, courtesy of Tutors International. Parents have the option of booking their children in for the 45 minute ‘tutorial’ sessions on a range of four key subjects including art and science.\r\n\r\n The aim is to keep children entertained, enabling parents to wander around the exhibition, meeting with the schools. Parents will have the opportunity to book their children into tutorials at www.schoolsshow.co.uk, in advance of the show, and the Children’s Education Zone will entertain and teach all children between the ages of 4yrs – 12yrs. Keep checking the website for regular updates and further information on how to book your place.\r\n \r\nRegister online today for your free tickets to the ISS!', '2011-04-01 17:39:56', 6026), The Girls’ School Association is demonstrating support for the Independent Schools Show by putting together a panel of speaker’s to discuss and debate the issues surrounding the raising and educating of girls. The panel will consist of the Head teachers of several of their member schools that are exhibiting at the show. The aim of the Parent Zone is to provide ISS visitors with a rare opportunity to join in with, and listen to, lively debate alongside some of the UK’s leading education experts. The ISS will also be promoted on the GSA’s website, MyDaughter.co.uk, which is a unique website dedicated to providing information and useful advice on all aspects of raising and educating happy, ful?lled girls.\r\n \r\nThe Independent Schools Council will also be actively supporting the Independent Schools Shows again this year, further promoting the exhibitions to parents and to the ISC member schools. The ISS welcomes the support of these organisations and will work with them over the forthcoming months in order to promote the ISS, two events specifically organised to support and celebrate independent education within the UK, giving parents the opportunity to make the right choices for their children.', '2011-04-08 16:31:48', 6027), The Fulbright Commission, the organisation specialising in offering scholarship awards and summer programmes for UK based students to study, lecture or research in America will be exhibiting at the ISS 2011. If you are interested in sending your child to study overseas, then a trip to the Fulbright stand at the Independent Schools Show is a must. Competition is fierce at the top US universities and UK students can often find it tough knowing where to start with the application process - a Fulbright scholarship is a unique opportunity and could be just the ticket your son or daughter needs to make the move across the pond!\r\n \r\nIn addition the Quintessentially Education Ivy league admissions experts led by Dr Billingsley, a Yale graduate, ex-dean and international school headmaster is their highly acclaimed expert with hundreds of very happy clients, he will be at ISS on hand to assist every step of the way, making the arduous College selection and application process easier. \r\n \r\nFulbright are also the official source of information on applying to American universities for the United Kingdom. So if you are a parent looking at moving to the UK, this organisation can provide you with expert assistance in placing your children in schools and universities over here. The Independent Schools Show is delighted to have The Fulbright Commission exhibiting at and supporting the exhibition, further adding to an impressive line-up of schools and educational experts.', '2011-04-16 14:28:04', 6028), \r\nThe North London International School is an IB World School and is one of the UK’s leading international schools for students aged 2-18 yrs. The NLIS has a sister schools in New York (The Dwight School), Canada (The Dwight International School) in Beijing and soon in Seoul, South Korea.\r\n \r\nThe school offers places to students based on school records, interviews, reports and transcripts not by examination. The school''s mission is ''To prepare young people to become leaders in the world through academic rigour, individualised study and community service. The school is committed to realising each student''s potential based on international standards of excellence and each individual''s spark of genius.''\r\n \r\nThe NLIS is a fantastic option for students interested in the IB or families living in North London looking for a solid academic footing as well as excellent extracurricular facilities. Please register online for your free tickets to visit the show on the 23rd September at Lord’s Cricket Ground at www.schoolsshow.co.uk.', '2011-04-28 17:37:22', 6029), \r\nMumsNet, NappyValleyNet, LondonTown, Angels and Urchins and other social forums and viral marketing channels are to become the major medium to promote the Independent Schools Show to London-based parents. Organisers have invested heavily and will be focussing resources in a leading social media expert to work alongside the show to ensure that the ISS is promoted as heavily online as it is offline. This project begins with a brand new website which will increase the benefit to exhibitors, both onward traffic to respective school websites and via ISS ticket registrations''.\r\n', '2011-05-06 14:32:08', 6030);
(2260, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2260', 'Knighton House and Morley''s sign up to exhibit at ISS 2010', '
(2261, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/7837014/Private-schools-have-nothing-to-apologise-for.html', 'Private schools have nothing to apologise for... link to article', '', '2010-07-01 17:59:49', 4027),
(2262, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2262', 'Uppingham signs up to fly the flag for Independent Schools in the Midlands! ', '
(2263, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2263', 'Hundreds of parents sign up for free tickets to ISS 2010', '
(2264, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2264', 'Quintessentially Education sponsor The Independent Schools Show', '
(2265, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2265', 'The Parents Pavilion at Schools Show 2010', '
(2266, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2266', 'British Ski Club at ISS 2010', '
(2267, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2267', 'If your exam results weren''t quite as you had anticipated, the situation isn''t necessarily a disaster! ', '
(2668, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2668', 'More London day schools for parents to meet at the ISS 10!', '
(2669, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2669', 'Burgess Hill School for Girls, Ivy Tutors and AC Milan Junior Camp book their place at the Independent Schools Show 2010 ', '
(2670, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2670', 'More schools for parents to meet at The Independent Schools Show', '
(2671, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2671', 'Three new schools for parents to meet at ISS 2010!', '
(2672, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2672', 'Is your child an aspiring actor, singer, artist or fashion designer?', '
(2673, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2673', 'Loads of half-term Halloween activities at the Independent Schools Show 2010…', '
(2674, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=2674', 'Battersea Park is officially the perfect location for a schools exhibition! ', '
(6001, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6001', 'Final stands at the ISS 2010', '
(6000, 'yes', 'resource', 'http://www.downhillonly.com', 'Downhill Only Alpine Ski Club', 'The DHO is best known for its high quality training of young ski racers, and has over the years produced more members of the British Teams than any other club. ', '2010-10-04 11:10:12', 13),
(6002, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6002', 'We look forward to seeing all registered guests at the Independent Schools Show this Friday and Saturday!', '
(6003, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6003', 'The Independent Schools Show is open tomorrow!', '', '2010-10-28 14:33:13', 4043),
(6005, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6005', 'ISS 2010 is now closed! ', '
(6006, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6006', 'New Dates Announced for ISS 2011', '
(6007, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6007', 'Record visitor numbers are expected at the Independent Schools Show 2011 as the exhibition is moved out of half term…', '
(6008, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6008', 'ISS 2011: The world’s largest & most established independent schools exhibition – now taking bookings!', '
(6009, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6009', 'Two special educational needs schools are coming over from the States to meet with UK parents at the ISS 11!', '
(6010, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6010', 'The organisers of the Independent Schools Show unveil additional show in North London', '
(6011, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6011', 'The Independent Schools Show announce plans for new interactive ‘Break Out’ zone at the ISS:11', '
(6012, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6012', 'The London Magazine to sponsor the ISS:11', '
(6013, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6013', 'ACS International Schools and The Cheltenham Ladies’ College sign up to exhibit at the ISS: 2011', '
INSERT INTO `cms` (`id`, `active`, `type`, `url`, `title`, `description`, `submitted`, `order`) VALUES
(6014, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6014', 'The ISS: North London receives a warm welcome!', '
(6015, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6015', 'Oakham and Hurtwood House to exhibit at ISS: Battersea', '
(6016, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6016', 'The London Parents Forum announce a new Spring Term date for 2011 ', '
(6017, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6017', 'Three new schools sign up to exhibit at the new ISS: North London', '
(6018, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6018', 'Quintessentially Members Concierge to sponsor the Independent Schools Show 2011', '
(6019, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6019', 'Hurtwood House join the line up for the ISS: North London.', '
(6020, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6020', 'Independent Education – Money Well Spent!', '
(6021, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6021', 'Gresham''s and The Cavendish School to exhibit at ISS: Lord''s', '
(6022, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6022', 'Eton College, Mill Hill School and The Godolphin School to exhibit at ISS 2011', '
(6023, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6023', 'Marymount, Belmont, Pipers Corner school and St Christina''s school to exhibit at the Independent Schools Shows 2011', '
(6024, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6024', 'King’s Ely and The Oratory Prep to exhibit at the ISS: NL and the ISS: Battersea!', '
(6025, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6025', 'Free educational tutorials for children at the ISS this year!', '
(6026, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6026', 'The Interactive Parents Zone takes shape at ISS 2011', '
(6027, 'yes', 'news', 'http://www.schoolsshow.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=6027', 'Yale? Vanderbilt? Princeton, Duke or Dartmouth?', '
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Bonas MacFarlane Education is the leading educational agency in London. We help families with all their educational needs relating to tutoring, including British and American independent school selection and university admission, career preparation and more. We aim above all to help children to succeed and develop their confidence by providing a learning environment that is effective, inspiring and suited to their individual needs. We believe that each child has the ability to grow up to become a high achiever in at least one field – whether it be academic, sporting, artistic, philanthropic or entrepreneurial. Our tutors, mentors and consultants aim to direct children to these potential strengths.
We call this the cradle to career approach because it often involves us working with families for the duration of their children’s education. On top of this, we build and maintain strong relationships with leading schools to ensure the standard of our services remains at the highest level possible. No other consultancy in Britain provides such a bespoke and integrated service.
Bonas MacFarlane Education is so highly regarded because we are:
Long-established with thousands of success stories over decades of practice
Professional our tutors are recruited and trained by professional educators
Experienced so the most experienced tutors wish to work with us
Selective our interviewing and vetting procedures are the most rigorous in the industry
Training focused all tutors are tested on our carefully developed training programme
Always prepared we check that tutors have planned each tutorial
Continually involved tutors must file reports of all tutorials, so we can monitor progress
Competitive we rise to the challenge of the toughest school and university entrance requirements
Specialist from dyslexia support, to SAT training, from 7+ to GMAT, we have specialist tutors
Specific we work to specifics and realise that each school entrance and exam board is different
Discerning we realise the critical importance of placing a tutor whose personality fits the student
Personal we are small enough to build relationships with each student and tutor as individuals
Long-sighted we aim to help students throughout their academic careers
Reliable we place tutors with families to strict deadlines. Our tutors must be punctual
Discrete our staff and tutors are legally obliged to uphold strict confidentiality
Supportive our tutors can turn to our large group of consultants for support and guidance
Integrated tutors work with our assessors and consultants to deliver bespoke programmes
International we are London based, but we send tutors across the world
OUR PHILOSOPHY
From Cradle to Career
We enjoy forming working relationships with families which last for decades as we help their children throughout their educational journey, from choosing their nursery school right through until their postgraduate studies.
Some families need a one-off second opinion on a school or some last minute exam preparation; others want help in formulating a long term study programme for their children which aims to secure admission into the most prestigious schools, then universities. At Bonas MacFarlane Education we help with all of this.
Whether you require a single consultation, a programme of regular tuition or an integrated service encompassing the full range of our expertise, Bonas MacFarlane Education can provide a solution that covers all aspects of your child’s educational development. This long term strategic planning and preparation incorporates our highly experienced and expert team of tutors, mentors and consultants. All of these services are monitored by our directors, so that we can have the clearest understanding possible of your child's needs and pace of development at every stage.
Bonas MacFarlane offers the following services:
UK/US School and University selection and placement
UK Nursery School selection and placement
Educational Assessments
Private Tuition
Mentorship
Guardianship
Holiday and Language Courses
Individually Designed Study Programmes
Staff Recruitment
Art, Music and Drama Tuition and Consultation
Specific Learning Difficulties Consultation and Tuition
PRIVATE TUITION
For nearly twenty years, Bonas MacFarlane has been providing tutoring for all subjects, ages and abilities. Between them, our tutors cover everything from learning difficulties (in conjunction with the Dyslexia Teaching Centre in Kensington, London) to scholarship exam preparation, from 7+ entrance examinations right through to postgraduate level study. We can provide tuition internationally as well as in the UK.
We will provide a tutor who is suited to the specific needs and personality of your child. Throughout, we continue to work closely with you and the tutor to make sure that the tutorials are as effective as possible. This is our step by step approach:
1. Setting the tutoring objectives
Our Tutor Managers will discuss your exact needs in a meeting at your home or over the phone. Where required, one of our experienced assessors will conduct an assessment at your home. We have professional assessment packages and our assessors know how to measure a student's level in the context of standards at leading independent schools. We then agree with you the specific objectives of the tutorials; these are the ‘tutoring objectives'.
2. Selecting the tutor
We have several hundred tutors to choose from. This means first of all that we can select a tutor who has the experience you need, whether that is in preparing for a certain school, for specific examinations or addressing any special educational needs. Secondly, we can select a tutor whose approach will most effectively engage your child and build his or her confidence. Often we will have a particular tutor in mind and we will discuss our choice carefully with you; other parents may wish to choose their tutor from a small selection that we provide. In both instances we place huge importance on selecting the right candidate and take the responsibility of choosing the optimum individual out of your hands.
3. Preparing the tutor
All our tutors have been carefully vetted and trained by us in a range of tutoring techniques. We pride ourselves on our training programme, which we have designed with expert guidance over twenty years. The Tutor Manager then ensures that the tutor has prepared a scheme of work and relevant materials (past exam papers etc.) for the tutorials.
4. Liaising with the school
Where appropriate we prefer to work in conjunction with your child’s school or the school to which you are applying. We have excellent relations with hundreds of schools and many approach us to provide tuition outside the classroom.
5. Ongoing monitoring
Once the first tutorial has been completed, we will call you for detailed feedback and to address any concerns you may have. After each tutorial the tutor fills out online lesson reports which we monitor in real time. These reports are submitted to the parents on a monthly basis. We encourage you to speak to your Tutor Manager or arrange a follow up home visit at any stage during the tutorial process, to ensure that the tutoring objectives are being met.
6. Further consultations and assistance
We may recommend a further assessment with a specialist from our team, such as an educational psychologist or a school admission expert. Our tutors can draw on this expertise to help them tailor their approach to your child's specific needs.
GUARDIANSHIP
We provide trustworthy, professional support and guidance to international parents and their children, whilst studying in British boarding schools.
British boarding schools have a worldwide reputation for excellence, not only in terms of academic achievement, but also through offering an extremely broad range of extra-curricular opportunities, nurturing independence and developing leadership skills, as well as cultural and social awareness.
Having chosen to invest in this wonderful opportunity for your child you will want to ensure they make the most of it. You will wish to be in no doubt that they are working hard, making good progress in their studies and making the right academic choices to lead to a successful future career, as well as optimising their involvement in extra-curricular activities to broaden their horizons, making friends and remaining safe, well cared for and happy.
Parents are often concerned about how they will monitor their child’s progress and wellbeing when they live overseas. Engaging the services of Bonas MacFarlane Guardianship means parents can feel reassured that there is a trustworthy, professional team based in Central London, coupled with a guardian family close to the school. Together, we provide a support structure which works closely with you, the parents, and the school to ensure that your child will prosper.
All British boarding schools insist that any pupil whose parents are resident outside the UK has a UK-based guardian appointed by their parents to act as the local in-country contact in case of emergency. A guardian will also ensure that your child is well cared for at exeat weekends and half-term holidays if they are not planning to return home. If your child requires a visa to study at boarding school in the UK you will need to submit the details of your UK guardian arrangements with the visa application form.
A guardian family provides a much needed break from the hectic school routine at exeat weekends and half-term holidays with a welcome change of scene – a home-from-home where warm, long-lasting friendships are created. Having a supportive and caring family who will take an interest in your child’s wellbeing will offer you reassurance in all areas of their development and happiness.
Bonas MacFarlane guardian families are professional people who have current or past experience of independent education. In addition to having your child to stay with them at exeats and half-term holidays, they will attend parents’ evenings on your behalf, watch your child play in music concerts or sports matches and keep in regular contact with both you and your child so that they can act quickly should any concern or issue arise. Your child will remain with the same guardian family throughout their time with us, meaning long-lasting, trusting relationships will grow as they progress through their time at school. Indeed, many children come to see their Bonas MacFarlane guardian as their ‘English’ family.
MENTORSHIP
Academic mentoring
Our tuition style already has a built-in mentoring aspect, but with Bonas MacFarlane you can go a step further and have a dedicated academic mentor. This individual may double up as a tutor or may be provided in addition to specialist tutors. Although originally designed for students educated in the UK whose families are resident overseas, this service is now hugely popular for UK families.
If you choose our academic mentoring service our experts will:
1. Visit your child at school at least once during each academic year to meet with House parents, tutors, and teachers as necessary, monitoring academic progress and giving you feedback via report. They will assist you by communicating with the school to resolve any concerns that may arise.
2. Assist you in interpreting school end of term reports and communicate with the school on your behalf to resolve anything that is of mutual concern.
3. Resolve any issues or concerns you may have regarding pastoral care matters.
4. Aid you and your child in making important subject choice decisions such as at GCSE, A Level or IB.
5. Assist you in making arrangements for holiday revision courses if required.
6. Advise you on suitable UK or US university courses and help with the application process through UCAS.
Careers mentoring
Our career mentors, who work in all the main professions and industries, provide one-to-one mentorship and assist with work experience. We also work with specialist graduate recruiters and large HR departments to help graduates get a secure footing on the job ladder. Even those entering into the job market from postgraduate education would benefit from sessions with one of our communication consultants.
EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENTS
The Bonas MacFarlane Broad-Spectrum Assessment
Our assessment procedure is a product of many years of in-house experience and the experiences of our consultants and partners. The assessments are implemented by our specifically trained staff and use current and accurate tools in educational development.
For most of our students, this is the starting point for us in establishing the framework for a course of tuition. The package includes thorough testing of your child’s literacy and numeracy in both attainment and diagnostics. It is suitable for children aged from 6 to 12 years.
The literacy assessment is in two parts, Neale Analysis of Reading Ability (NARA II) and a short written exercise.
The numeracy assessment employs the P. E. Vernon Graded Arithmetic-Mathematics Test. The test is designed to give an accurate understanding of your child’s ability across operations, problem solving, measure, shape and space, number facts, tables and formulae. The results provide the assessor with a mathematical quotient, mathematical age and a percentile level for the student. Furthermore, the specific answers to the questions allow the assessor to begin building up a picture of where the student’s weaknesses may lie, greatly increasing the efficacy of the course of tuition. It is suitable for children aged 6 to 12 years.
As well as the above, the assessor will be conducting a qualitative assessment of the student throughout the session and more formally by a short interview at the beginning of the assessment. This will cover the student’s attitude to school, reading and specific academic subjects. Furthermore, the child’s hearing, sight and any emotional difficulties will be monitored and noted.
In some cases, we may advise that your child takes one of the following two assessments instead of the broad spectrum assessment.
One is an educational assessment the Wechsler Individual Ability Test (WIAT-II).
This assessment gives a measure of your child’s performance in specific academic areas and is based on reading speed, reading comprehension, non-word reading, spelling, written expression, oral expression, listening comprehension, numerical operations and mathematical reasoning. It is intended to give a clear picture of your child’s current ability in these areas with some interpretive data, but without an in-depth assessment of the specific cognitive factors that may lead to strong or weak performances in any of the individual subtests. The assessment is suitable for children aged from 6 – 16.
The second is a full psychological assessment called Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV UK).
An assessment which provides an in-depth assessment of the child’s reasoning ability. The test provides scores which represent intellectual functioning in specific cognitive areas as well as a score which represents general intellectual ability. The main benefits include early identification of reading and learning issues, the identification of specific learning difficulties, an understanding of an individual’s learning profile and the identification of gifted children. The assessment also helps Schools make appropriate; accommodations and develop learning plans for individual students. Again, this assessment is available for children aged from 6 – 16.
The WISC has four main components or indices: the Verbal Comprehension Index, the Perceptual Reasoning Index, the Working Memory Index and the Processing Speed Index. A full WISC assessment can be used to secure extra time in formal examinations, to seek funding for additional support from the Local Education Authority and to create programmes for study and support that will allow for in-depth, targeted work on areas that a pupil finds difficult.
UK SCHOOL PLACEMENT
We at Bonas MacFarlane believe that the same diligence you use when buying a house or investing in stocks should be applied to choosing the right path for your child if you are considering entering the private school system. We are the leading experts in London when it comes to finding the right school that best fits your child.
We know that the independent education system in the UK seems like an incredibly complex network. There are many aspects to take into consideration when deciding on which preparatory or public school is right for your child. Boarding or day? City or countryside based school? Single sex or co-education? Does your child excel in specific areas such as sport, languages or art? Not surprisingly, these preferences should greatly influence your choice of school.
Does your child experience particular learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD? Some schools are experienced at dealing with such specific learning difficulties, whereas others cannot provide the support your child may need. Again, the answers to these questions will have a heavy bearing on your choice of school and we can assist you in making that decision.
For nearly two decades we have advised international families relocating to the UK on the best choices for them and their children, and now we are being approached by an increasing number of domestic families looking for advice on getting the best (and best value) education possible for their children. Not only are we leading the way in educational consultancy, but our comprehensive school placement service can help take care of all the paperwork.
We have an unparalleled set of relationships with leading schools as consultants visit and speak to them on a daily basis. The admissions departments of these schools respect our appraisal of students and work closely with us to facilitate entrance – even if at the last minute after registration lists have closed.
The Bonas MacFarlane school placement service is a dedicated and unrivalled start to finish service. We allow complete flexibility so that you can select the path that best suits your needs and your budget. Our service starts with an introductory assessment which is an incredibly important tool in helping us to understand what steps need to be taken with regard to your child’s educational path. Using the most current and accurate tools available in educational development we help with:
Preparation We provide a post-assessment, in-depth discussion detailing the schools that we suggest as suited to the child.
School Choices We give a full report on each of the shortlisted schools.
School Liaisons We consult and negotiate with schools, at times making personal recommendations to these selected schools on your behalf. We also ensure that there is a mutual understanding between the parents’ expectations of the school and the school’s expectations of the child.
School Visits We organise special visits to up to 5 chosen schools, providing a Bonas MacFarlane consultant to accompany your family on these visits.
Documentation We organise reports from prep schools to accompany your child’s application and collect a personal statement from the student, preparing and sending all the registration documents to the recommended schools. We manage any offer letters and ensure that the correct documentation is in place and kept up-to-date.
UK UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT
Undergraduate
Typically, most students start university straight after, or a year after, leaving school. Entrance is nearly always dependent on the results of A level, Pre-U or International Baccalaureate exams, taken before leaving school.
Most university undergraduate degrees in the UK last three years, although an increasing number are four years in duration with an option to spend a year in another country.
Employers have a good knowledge of the top UK universities and degrees. They look for certain attributes from graduates and we know exactly which courses, degree programmes and universities are likely to open doors to subsequent careers.
Bonas MacFarlane Education can consult, mentor and tutor applicants relating to their university selection, course choice and UCAS application to ensure that their time at university will be of lasting value in later life.
Oxford and Cambridge
The application process for Britain’s two elite universities is lengthier and more complicated than for other universities.
There are extended interview and assessment periods – often involving a short residency in your chosen college – during which the university will decide whether to offer you a place, usually based on you’re A-level, Pre-U or International Baccalaureate results.
Bonas MacFarlane is experienced in dealing with applications to Oxford and Cambridge and offers guidance on choice of subject and college. We will also give you advice as to your strategy for getting into the university, whether you make your first choice college or not. In preparation for interview at the chosen college, you may find it beneficial for your child to spend time with a Bonas MacFarlane Oxbridge expert and/or communication consultant with whom they can practice interview technique, as well as hear first hand about the selection process from someone who has experience of Oxford and Cambridge.
US UNIVERSITY AND SCHOOL PLACEMENT
Because the US education system is so different from that in the UK, we have our own US consultant who is dedicated to helping schools, universities, families and communities to achieve their educational goals on the other side of the Atlantic.
Dr Donald Billingsley is a graduate of Yale University and holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the Johns Hopkins University. He has lectured in Anthropology and Humanities at Yale University and University of California, Berkeley. At various stages he has been Dean of Davenport College and Yale University, and Dean of Student Life at the University of California, where he was responsible for 56,000 students. Later, he was appointed Headmaster of Friends Select School of Philadelphia, Headmaster of the American School of Paris, and Director General of the International School of Geneva.
Donald has worked with us since 2002. He helps children to build a personal profile and to structure and write their application essay. He also advises throughout the process and works closely with SAT tutors to ensure the best possible results.
Selecting just the right educational institution is not a game for amateurs. Educational planning requires time and specialized knowledge that often exceed the scope and resources available to a student and his or her family. Thousands of men and women fly aeroplanes, but can you?
Donald's 10 magical steps to flying that educational aeroplane
1. Understand the process as thoroughly as possible
2. Prepare your child’s master file for their application
3. Identify the best possible choices for individual and family goals
4. Avoid costly errors
5. Evaluate academic records
6. Navigate the school selection process with patience
7. Process the paperwork accurately
8. Carefully construct the application essays
9. Make certain that all deadlines are met
10. Seek professional assistance, if needed
A few other helpful points
• Some believe the application process begins in September-October of the final year. A grave error: planning should begin a year earlier.
• Do SATs in junior year, followed by repeats.
• Simultaneous with school selection.
• Essays should be completed during the summer preceding application year.
• Avoid the last minute rush: remember that early action applications are due in November.
HOLIDAY AND LANGUAGE COURSES
No two families are the same, so we make sure no two Bonas MacFarlane holiday and language courses are ever the same. Anything is possible, and we will tailor courses to suit your needs at every level.
In the past we have taken children to France where they have spent the morning learning French before going to a French restaurant for lunch and doing a different activity every afternoon; we have created physical development courses for toddlers to help build their body strength; we have designed intensive home-schooling courses in a variety of subjects from English to Economics. During the SARS outbreak we took a group of children to an English country house where they acted out scenes from Shakespeare and took advantage of the extensive grounds in their play.
We can also assist you in your research into existing courses and help you make an informed decision on what is best for you, your child and your budget.
ART, MUSIC AND DRAMA CONSULTATION AND TUITION
Among our tutors we have graduates from the Royal Academies of the Arts, Music and the Dramatic Arts. They are the most qualified people around and we can put you in touch with them for advice and/or tuition for you and your child in the visual arts, musical instruments and singing, and the world of the stage.
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