Private School News

Howell’s School Denbigh celebrate exceptional A Level and AS Level results

Students and staff at Howell’s School have celebrated a truly exceptional set of A Level and AS results this year. The pass rate at A level was 100% with over 60% at the top grades of A* and A.

One student, Megan Moore, achieved an astonishing five A* grades to confirm her place at Cambridge while Tsemaye Bob-Egbe, Sophia Barros-Curtis, Holly Thomas, Lan Luo and Michelle Ma achieved all of their grades at A or above.
Megan was photographed (right) here at the end of term when the Upper Sixth students dressed up to show their future career paths.

Exceptional results were gained in Mathematics and Further Maths and Geography, History and Religious Studies.
The Principal, Mr Bernie Routledge, said that the results reflected the fantastic ability and also the hard work that the girls had put into their studies, and he was absolutely delighted that the dedication of students and staff had been rewarded with such a wonderful set of results.

Caterham School – Record Breaking A Level Results in Summer 2010

The largest ever cohort of 139 students in the Upper Sixth Form at Caterham School achieved an outstanding performance in this year’s A-Level examinations breaking all the School’s previous records.

~ 9 students achieved three or more A*
~ 28 students achieved four or more passes at A*/A grade
- of which 8 achieved 5 and 1 achieved 6
~ 25% of the grades were A*
~ 66% of the grades were A/A* up from 60% ‘A’ grades last year
~ 92% of the grades were A*/A/B up from 85% ‘A/B’ grades last year
~ 100% pass rate at grades ‘A – E’

Headmaster Julian Thomas said ’’I am thrilled that all the hard work by this year’s Upper Sixth students has enabled them to achieve the best A Level results ever recorded by Caterham School. With university places at a premium this year, it was more important than ever to achieve strong results, and I am delighted that the students and teachers rose magnificently to the challenge.’’

Mr Thomas added ‘’Whilst we can celebrate the successes of the exam results today I would not want to lose sight of the fact that these pupils have also made an outstanding contribution outside the classroom. This is a very important aspect of their education. We believe that a truly excellent education is about more than academic achievement alone and we seek to ensure that our students leave with a breadth and depth of experiences that will have helped to prepare them for life at university and beyond.’

Photo: (L-R)Alex Clark, Matthew Fenton, Headmaster Julian Thomas, Hannah Wright, Emma O’Brien
The four students all achieved 4A* grades

The King’s School Ely celebrates record results

GCSE records were smashed at the King’s School Ely where 59 per cent of all exams were given the top A* and A marks and 99% of pupils achieved five or more passes graded A*-C.

The East Anglian region’s oldest independent school prides itself on developing the best in pupils from a broad range of abilities and backgrounds

The Head of King’s, Mrs Sue Freestone, said: “We are so proud of these young people. It is a real pleasure to know that they have done themselves and their teachers justice.”

Twenty-one students passed in GCSEs in ten subjects all graded A* or A.

At A-level, one in nine students achieved straight A* or A grades. Among five who got A* or A grades in four subjects was David Wallis who celebrated his 18th birthday on results day and whose results confirmed his place to read chemistry at Exeter College, Oxford. Overall, 89% of A-level results were graded A*-C in a total of 31 subjects, and the overall pass rate was 98%.

The results cap a year in which King’s Ely has achieved the prestigious Challenge Award from the National Association for Able Children in Education – the first independent school in Cambridgeshire to receive the award.

The Head, Sue Freestone, said: “These results bear testimony to the hard work and commitment of the young people concerned and the staff who have taught them.”

Photo: from left, Oliver Diss, Isaac Oliver, Bradley Fulford, Sally Cheng, Joshua Townson, Rebecca Rowson, Noah Von Heimendahl, Theo Ogier; front left, Lydia Crussell and Beth Rowson

Mount St Mary’s College, Derbyshire – Record breaking A-level results

There is so much that is being celebrated at Mount St Mary’s College after the Derbyshire school achieved record-breaking A-level results for the third year running.

A and B grades are up again to 51%, with 35% securing A* and A grades.

Leading the way were Head Boy and Head Girl James Proudfoot and Victoria Coe with 1 A* and 2 As and 3As respectively. James, 18, has already secured his place at Durham to read law and Victoria, 18, is about to embark on a gap year and confirm her intention to perhaps read medicine.

Eighteen-year-old Naseem Sharif, Deputy Head Boy at Mount St Mary’s, said: “I got two As in Maths and Biology and two A* grades in Physics and Chemistry and now I’ll be off to study medicine at the University of Manchester.”

Deputy Head Boy, Richard Duggan, 18, achieved an A* grade in Religious Studies, an A in English and B in History. He said: “I’m really pleased and I want to say thank you to the school because it has been a great pleasure to come here and they have really helped me to achieve my grades. I am going to go off to Newcastle to do law and hopefully go on to be a barrister.”

With three As in Biology, Chemistry and Maths, Deputy Head Girl Frances Oliver, 18, said: “I am hoping to take a gap year and then study veterinary medicine in 2011. I have loved being at Mount St Mary’s, the teachers are brilliant and I have had the best seven years of my life so far.”

Laurence McKell, Headmaster at Mount St Mary’s, said: “Congratulations to all our pupils on a truly outstanding set of A-level results. We are incredibly proud of all our pupils for the hard work they have put in and the excellent attitude they have shown to study and learning.

“Credit must also go to our talented staff team for the support they have shown preparing and guiding students over the last two years. Although we are a non-selective school, these results demonstrate how we continue to achieve high standards and help pupils to fulfil their potential.

“At Mount St Mary’s, our ethos is focused on developing well rounded young men and women, and these results reflect our commitment to ensuring they leave school ready to face whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead.”

Photo: (L-R) Mount St Mary’s A-levels pupils Frances Oliver, Naseem Shariff and Victoria Coe celebrate their results.

NOTTINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICS ACE IN CHALLENGE AT CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY

Nottingham High School pupil, Daniel Lin,17, has just returned from Cambridge University where he took part in the annual five day Senior Physics Challenge.

Daniel was put forward to take part in the prestigious event, for which places are highly competitive and selective, by his Physics teacher Peter Hortor, after he achieved excellent AS results, and demonstrated a superb attitude towards his physics studies. He also took an online maths and physics test.

The challenge consisted of a range of lectures, practical lab activities and ‘life in Cambridge’ experiences such as punting. Daniel also met top physics students from around the country.

“Only top physics pupils from around the country are eligible to take part in the five day event” says Peter Hortor “and Daniel thoroughly deserved his place in this select group.”
The Senior Physics Challenge, SPC, is a university access initiative directed at AS physics students, or equivalent, in schools across the UK. It aims to demystify and make physics more accessible to a wider range of students.

Prior Park Students glitter at Palladian Ball

High heels, floor length dresses and tuxedos were the order of the day at the Prior Park College Palladian Ball.

The Ball is held annually in July to celebrate the achievements and bid farewell to the year’s upper sixth form. Students, parents and teachers dressed for the occasion and danced until dawn at the prestigious Assembly Rooms in Bath. Attendees included Professor Eatwell, Dean of Faculty, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Bath and David Medlock, Pro-Chancellor of Bath University.

Prior Park College is the only school in Bath able to hold its Ball at the Assembly Rooms and always makes for a special evening.

The hundreds of pounds raised from the Ball raffle have been donated to the charity, ‘Crohn’s and Colitis UK’.

Prior Park College Headmaster, James Murphy-O’Connor, comments:

“The Palladian Ball is always such an enjoyable evening, with lots of laughs, good food and plenty of dancing. We are very privileged to have access to the beautiful Assembly Rooms for our special event. We wish the upper sixth students well in their future endeavours, we’re sure they will go far.”

Budding young Golfer on course for prestigious Loretto Golf Academy

For the day, he was the most famous sportsman in the world.

Golfer Louis Oosthuizen had just won the British Open at St Andrews, witnessed by millions across the world.

But the South African was still able to take the time only hours after his triumph to chat to and be pictured with a budding Edinburgh youngster hoping to follow in his footsteps.

Talented golfer, David Li Ferguson had already impressed onlookers at St Andrews with his natural ability before meeting the South African.

It was already shaping up to be a memorable day for five-year-old David Li Ferguson, whose father David Snr was covering the event for Chinese media.

David Li Ferguson was then invited to participate in the prestigious Loretto School Golf Camp.

Jonathan Hewat, Director of External Affairs at Loretto School said, “Loretto School’s Golf Academy were so impressed with his credentials they have asked for David to join them at the next Golf Camp. Loretto Golf Academy is recognized as the top Golf School in the U.K. What better place for David to have his obvious talent nurtured. ”

David’s father said, “It would be great. I know they have a very good golf school at Loretto and he is at the stage where he would certainly benefit from a bit of quality coaching.”

Photo: Five year old David Li Ferguson with Open Championship winner, Louis Oosthuizen

BEDFORD MODERN SCHOOL’s CHARLOTTE COOK WINS GOLD IN THE U23 DOUBLE SCULLS AT GREAT BRITAIN NATIONAL ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Bedford Modern School Year 12 student, Charlotte Cook and her doubles partner, Lucy Burgess from Runcorn Rowing Club won Gold in the Under 23 Double Sculls and Bronze in the Elite Womens’ Double Sculls at the Great Britain National Rowing Championships held in Strathclyde Park, Scotland over the weekend of 16th to 18th July.

17 year old Charlotte Cook and 16 year old Lucy Burgess led the Under 23 race from the first stroke to the last, winning comfortably ahead of their much older opposition. They then had less than three hours before they took to the water again – this time securing a Bronze Medal just three seconds off clinching another Gold Medal.

As a result of their achievements at the Championship the girls are now off to the Home International Regatta held in Cork, Ireland to represent England at Senior Level before departing for Hazewinkel, Belgium to represent Great Britain at Junior Level in the forthcoming Coupe de la Jeunesse.

Tristan Mayglothling, Head of Girls’ Rowing at Bedford Modern School said: “Charlotte has consistently proven herself against other athletes her own age but has again stepped up a level by taking on and defeating much older and stronger opposition. This highlights the talent Charlotte possesses whilst also giving an indication of the potential for her future rowing.”

Photo: Bedford Modern School Year 12 student Charlotte Cook (left) who won Gold at the Great Britain National Rowing Championships

Rossall School, Lancashire, – School gets top marks from Inspectors

The Independent Schools Inspectorate has given one of the area’s leading independent schools the thumbs up in its latest inspection and cited its unique community culture for the excellent development of its pupils.

The Inspectorate, the independent schools’ equivalent of Ofsted, has praised Rossall School in Fleetwood for its delivery of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, an enquiry based alternative learning programme for junior pupils, and described teaching at the school as “exceptional.” Also singled out for praise was the School’s boarding tradition, which it said: “helped to provide a good quality of educational experience and contributed to the pupils’ ability to develop good relationships.” The report also cited the genuine establishment of a family feeling on campus, as a result of the permanent boarding community, as one of the key reasons why day pupils also thrived. The pastoral care, out of hours’ activities, and the boarding house system, it reported, “provided the key to the family unit.” Children at the School were also singled out for praise for their “outstanding behaviour both in and out of class.” Incidents of bullying, the report added, “were rare.”

Rossall’s GCSE achievements were also highlighted as being high in relation to national norms. The School actually topped the Lancashire league tables last year, yet, despite its academic achievements at the higher end, it also won praise from inspectors for its support of children with learning difficulties.

According to the report, inspectors noted that “a striking aspect of the school was the understanding for different cultures, fostered by the cosmopolitan campus, and also the quality of personal development of pupils of all ages, who exhibited confidence in relationships with children and adults alike and relished responsibility.”

Also coming in for praise was the School’s leadership team, led by headmaster, Dr Stephen Winkley. The inspectors noted that Rossall’s leadership has been strong and well-directed since the appointment of the new head in 2008, which drew comment from Dr Winkley: “Although I’m not a great believer in league tables as a measure of a school’s qualities I do feel that the findings of a thorough inspection are more meaningful in judging what a school has to offer.

“I’m obviously delighted that we’ve had such a positive report by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate, but not surprised, given the quality of our teaching staff and house parents, and their dedication to the children, who must also be singled out for praise.

“As a school, we are only as good as the children we turn out, so in that sense we are a resounding success, with or without the findings of an inspection. The School is such a special place to be, not because of one aspect, but because of its component parts, which is why it’s been so rewarding to see the quality of teaching and pupils here since my arrival in 2008.

“The inspectors alluded to a special feeling on campus…a strong sense of community and responsibility and exceptional children, which is why Rossall is different to many other schools, even those with boarding communities. It really is a place with a unique sense of identity.”

More good news for the School comes in the form of increased numbers of boarders for 2010/2011 school year. The recruitment figures have bucked the UK national trend, and the School’s successful recruitment campaign has resulted in a flurry of summer activity on campus as additional boarding facilities are built to cope with the influx of new pupils.

Photo: Headmaster Dr Stephen Winkley

Mount St Mary’s College, Derbyshire – Students host charity holiday week

Sixth-form pupils from a Derbyshire school have launched a new charitable venture, for children with disabilities and special learning needs.

Mount St Mary’s College, invited local children from Chesterfield charity Home-Based and support group Fairplay, also based in Chesterfield, to come and use the facilities on offer at the College, and enjoy a stay at the Mount’s boarding accommodation.

During the new Children’s Holiday Week, the children had the opportunity to go swimming in the school pool, decorate biscuits in the refectory, take part in a treasure hunt and enjoy an Olympic Games event on the school’s Olympic standard athletics track.
They also participated in a celebration Mass in the school chapel.
Helen McKell, the teacher in charge of the event, said: “This was a really worthwhile experience for all our sixth-formers. They impressed the visiting staff with their enthusiasm, their willingness to get involved, and the work they had put into preparing a range of exciting activities and experiences for the children who participated.”

The Children’s Holiday Week is a new venture for Mount St Mary’s, created to help give sixth formers the opportunity to be of service to others.
The holiday week will now become an annual event, taking place in the last week of the summer term.

Photo: Emma Taylor, head girl of Year 7 at Mount St Mary’s College with Elliot Gaskin, from Home-Based charity

RGS WORCESTER – Greenpower car makes dramatic entry for Worcester school

The Greenpower Challenge is a series of 90 minute long races for schools, universities and teams from commercial organizations. Each team uses the same batteries, looking to gain speed and durability through good design and skilful driving.

The team of sixth formers from RGS actually took the early lead in the race, showing good speed from the grid and in the corners. They only relinquished the lead to Chipping Sodbury School during a change of drivers in the pits, but this did little to dampen the spirits of the team as they finished third overall.

Team leader, student Doug Wilkie explained more. “We were racing against teams that have been doing this competition for five years or more, so for us to take the lead and finish on the podium was more than we’d hoped for. We used three drivers in total during the race, as we wanted to give track experience to our complete crew. The winners used a single driver, so this certainly made a difference. We now understand the areas in which we need to make adjustments to improve our performance even more.”

The Greenpower Challenge takes place over a series of five races, with a constructor’s title up for grabs. The competition culminates in the National Final on October 17th.

RGS has been strongly supported by Blackpole based Superform Aluminium and it was a tribute to this partnership that saw them win the award from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, for the ‘Best Engineered Car’. This crowned a spectacular day for the whole team.

ROSSALL SCHOOL, LANCASHIRE – QUEEN’S HONOUR FOR NORTH WEST SCHOOL

The country’s oldest Combined Cadet Force, whose members first saw service in The Boer War, will receive the nation’s highest honour at 11.00am Tuesday 29th June, when, at a special ceremony on Lancashire’s Fylde Coast, it will be awarded the Queen’s Colour by the Lord- Lieutenant of Lancashire, The Lord Shuttleworth of Carnforth.

At the ceremony, on the campus of Rossall School, Fleetwood, the cadet contingent will receive the honour to mark the 150th anniversary of the School’s CCF, which makes it the oldest in Britain, even pre-dating that of Prime Minister, David Cameron’s old school, Eton.

A chapel service, conducted by school chaplain, Revd Steve McMahon, during which the Queen’s Colour will be consecrated, will be followed by the presentation, and parading of the Colour by the full brigade and band, during which the Lord-Lieutenant, representing Her Majesty The Queen, will take the official salute in the imposing main square at the heart of Rossall’s 160-acre campus.

The honour recognizes the role of the CCF in preparing young people for life in Britain’s Armed Forces and is testament to the part its former members have played in every major military conflict since The Boer War and of the sacrifices of hundreds of former pupils who have given their lives in defence of the nation since the reign of Queen Victoria.

Among those in attendance will be senior figures from The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, with which Rossall School Combined Cadet Force is affiliated, together with several mayors from local borough councils, leading business figures, Old Rossallians, former cadet members and parents of children currently attending the School. It is anticipated that around 1,000 people will witness the march-past and parade of the Colour in the school square; marking what will be a memorable day in the distinguished history of the 166-year old co-educational independent school.

Commenting on the honour, Rossall School headmaster, Dr Stephen Winkley said: “It is particularly pleasing that the School should receive this honour as we celebrate 150 years of cadet service, and doubly so because we have always enjoyed close links with the Armed Forces, and have, since our creation in 1844, been a school with a good proportion of pupils drawn from the families of serving military personnel.

“To be the Country’s first, ahead of the likes of Eton, is a source of immense pride for the School, as it should be also for the North West region, because thousands of our former pupils have gone on to enjoy distinguished military careers and made a valuable contribution to the country’s military history.”

Despite its original military origins, not all members of the Tri-Service Combined Cadet Force go on to serve in Britain’s Armed Forces and many pupils join simply to enjoy the range of activities, outdoor pursuits and sports on offer through the Service, which also administers the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Following the award of the Queen’s Colour, Rossall School’s CCF will now be one of the select few brigades or regiments allowed to incorporate the royal colours alongside brigade insignia. This will be a major coup for the School, which attracts pupils from over 35 countries to its coastal campus in Lancashire.

STAINES PREP, MIDDLESEX – Discover the Magic of Maths

Staines Prep has introduced a special ‘Maths Week’ to its annual calendar of events. The new programme, designed specifically for the Lower School, is dedicated to all things mathematical. It aims to develop the children’s knowledge and enjoyment of numeracy whilst exploring the importance of maths and its links to other areas of the school curriculum.

Children from Nursery to Year 2 delved into the fascinating world of maths. Each had the chance to take part in a variety of fun and hands-on challenges, many of which took place in the playground. They ranged from Sudoku to building a metre cube, from measuring a snake to playing giant snakes and ladders.

As part of the special week, guest Mathemagician Andrew Jeffrey entertained each year group with his ‘Magic of Maths’ show. The show had been carefully designed to change children’s attitudes to maths, encouraging mathematical language and thinking. During the show Andrew’s book, Magic for Kids, was on sale, raising £54 for the charity Barnardos.

The final segment of the week required pupils and teachers to put their ‘thinking caps on’ as they were asked to design and make a ‘Thinking Hat for Maths’. Each hat was then modelled at a spectacular hat parade during Lower School assembly.

Mrs Carol Donnelly, Maths teacher, Year 2 coordinator and organiser of Maths Week commented;
“This week has given pupils the opportunity to explore maths, as well as encouraging them to work in teams and with different year groups.

“Maths has played an even more important role in the curriculum than usual and many other subjects carried a maths theme, pushing it to the forefront of people’s minds. We are delighted with the children’s response to this hugely successful event.”

MOUNT ST MARY’S COLLEGE, DERBYSHIRE – School celebrates 70th Anniversary in style

Derbyshire school celebrates 70th anniversary in style
A historic Derbyshire school has celebrated seventy years of education by inviting past and present pupils and staff to a garden party in its grounds.

Originally built by Sir Francis Rodes in the 16th Century, Barlborough Hall became a school in 1940.

The party provided an opportunity to commemorate the seven decades with guests enjoying some of the 320-acre estate of protected countryside Barlborough Hall School is situated in.

Current and former pupils, staff and friends came together to enjoy the occasion – which featured a jazz band and hog roast lunch.

Guests were also invited to walk around the school building to relive school-day memories. Pictures spanning the seven decades and diaries of former headmasters were displayed to illustrate how the school has changed throughout its fascinating history.

The day finished with a friendly cricket match between the ‘Parents’ and the ‘Old Boys’, and experience showed as the Parents won a closely-fought match.

Pupils at Barlborough Hall School, a Jesuit preparatory school, still have lessons in the Hall’s original rooms and use the library, top parlour and chapel.

Wanda Parkinson, headteacher at Barlborough Hall School for 12 years, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who attended for making this very special celebration an event that will live long in the memory.

“We appreciate how fortunate we are to have a school with such a rich history, and everyone is looking forward to writing the next chapter in the Barlborough Hall story.”

Barlborough hall is the preparatory school for Mount St Mary’s College and today close links are established between the two schools, providing a shared vision of education for children from the age of 3 – 18.

Photo: 70th Anniversary garden party at Barlborough Hall School

NOTTINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE – SCHOOL CELEBRATES FOUNDER’S DAY

Nottingham High School and city dignitaries have celebrated Founder’s Day, an annual event to commemorate the founding of the school by Dame Agnes Mellers in 1513.
Founder’s Day, Nottingham’s oldest tradition after the Goose Fair, is held each year at St Mary’s Church in the Lace Market and the Council House and is attended by pupils, staff, and the city’s dignitaries.
The service at St Mary’s began with a procession symbolising the ancient links that the School has with the Crown, the City and the Church. The procession was led by Kevin Fear, Nottingham High School headmaster, who was followed by the Director of Finance and Estates, the School governors and their clerk, clergy, civil dignitaries and the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.
This year’s sermon was given by The Reverend Richard Coldicott, Curate of St Margaret’s Church, Aspley, and the collection will be given in equal shares to St Mary’s Church and to the Teenage Cancer Trust in remembrance of the life of a former pupil who died in September 2009.
The event continued at the Council House, where, in accordance with the ancient custom, the governors of the school laid out the sum of 20 shillings to the Lord Mayor and his Clerk, the Vicar of the Church, members of the Parish clergy, and others, with the balance – now represented by the handing over of a single groat – going to a representative of the School, known as the ‘representative scholar’. This year the representative scholar was Matthew Glendening from Year 7.

STRATHALLAN SCHOOL, PERTHSHIRE – PUPILS ORGANISE GUITAR HERO FESTIVAL IN AID OF CANCER RESEARCH UK

Strathallan pupil Andrew Glover and friends handed over a cheque for over £1,000 to Dorothy Rodger from Cancer Research UK this week.

This sum was raised when Andrew and fellow pupils Oliver Beetschen and Jamie Parker organised an inter-house Guitar Hero competition at the School in April.

Andrew said “We held a smaller event last year, but this being our last term at the School we wanted to organise something much bigger and felt it was a good idea to support a charitable cause. The event was entirely pupil organised and we are very pleased to have raised so much for Cancer Research UK.”

Accepting the generous donation Dorothy Rodger from Cancer Research UK said “This was a fabulous and innovative way to support Cancer research UK and I would like to thank everyone who was involved.”

THE MARIST SCHOOLS, BERKSHIRE – MARIST TIME LORD WINS TIMES AWARD

Marist students were continuing in The Marist Senior School’s strong tradition of creative writing when they entered the Young Times’ Writers competition, ‘The Claws of Macra’. The girls responded enthusiastically to the newspaper’s challenge: to write a winning Dr Who story which was spotted by Mrs Barnard the Schools Librarian.

Lucy Farrell in Year 9 beat readers all over the UK and online readers worldwide to see her story published in The Times.

Her story sees the doctor and Amy confront giant crustaceans, or Macra, in a gas refinery, with Amy turning into a crustacean herself. The Doctor needs to get her into the Tardis before she transforms completely.

Miss Lydia Spoors, English Teacher at the Marist, runs the creative writing club and encouraged the girls to enter the competition. She is delighted that Lucy Farrell’s story won, “this is a fantastic achievement for Lucy and our creative writing club which has gone from strength to strength this year. The girls have vivid imaginations and are very gifted when it comes to expressing themselves with originality and flair. ”

Not only will Lucy see her work in print but she will also receive a pass to the Dr Who Exhibition in Cardiff, Dr Who books and a treasured Sonic Screwdriver!

Photo: Lucy Farrell with her story in print in The Times (this Mondays edition)

HAILEYBURY SCHOOL, HERTFORDSHIRE – HAILEYBURY PUPILS ACHIEVE RECORD IB RESULTS

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) pupils from Haileybury, an independent, co-educational boarding school in Hertfordshire, have produced the best set of results since the School began offering the IB, with an average points score of 37.2 out of a maximum of 45. The second best year was in 2008, when the average points score was 35.9.

Three pupils – Susannah Carr, Johanna Hockmann and Paula Hubner – scored 43 points, while 12 scored 40 or more. 40 points equates to 5 A grades at A Level on the UCAS points tariff. Twenty eight out of the 44 candidates scored 36 points or more.

In addition, the results of the Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay sections of the Diploma were excellent – 30 candidates out of 44 scored 2 or 3 of the 3 points available.

The Master of Haileybury, Joe Davies, says: “These are excellent results and reflect tremendous credit on the ability and determination of the candidates in the demanding IB Diploma Programme, which they have studied over the past two years. These results also show the dedication of the teaching staff who have guided and supported the pupils in their studies.”

ROYAL ALEXANDRA AND ALBERT SCHOOL, SURREY – WHACKY MATHS

Maths and fun were combined when ‘Murderous Mathematician’ Kjartan Poskitt visited the Royal Alexandra and Albert School on the 1st and 2nd of July. Pupils aged 9 to 13 took a break from lessons so see how maths could be viewed in a totally different, and very entertaining, way.

Over 370 Royal Alexandra and Albert School students attended the event which was held in the School’s chapel. Pupils from other local schools (Warwick, Reigate, and Oakwood) were also invited to the event, and around 100 attended.

Kjartan entertained his audience by using a number of maths tricks and activities, some of them were, ‘How to get rich using a chess board’, ‘making a ball from two hexagons’, ‘the mystery of the number 1089’ and ‘how the number 3 was invented’. The talk lasted an hour but his young audience were completely captivated by his numerical dexterity and lively presenting style. Kjartan Poskitt mixed maths and fun and he really did make it work.

After attending the performance, one 10 year old pupil commented “It was the funniest show I have ever seen, it was amazing”

Emma Moran (Head of Maths) comments “Kjartan is so enthusiastic, you can’t help but be amazed by the maths tricks he performs! It was great to see the students enjoying themselves and I hope that we can repeat the experience next year with even more students from our area being able to participate. Kjartan’s presentation was a big success as it educated pupils and they had fun at the same time.”

Headmaster Paul D Spencer Ellis commented “As the Lead School for Gifted and Talented in the area, we are always seeking innovative ways to encourage learning. Kjartan’s visit has inspired pupils, and his enthusiasm and energy are infectious. I am pleased that so many children from local schools were able to join us to benefit from his unusual approach to delivering mathematics.”

Photo: ‘Murderous Mathematician’ Kjartan Poskitt

CATERHAM SCHOOL SURREY – FOUR STUDENTS RECEIVE GLIDING SCHOLARSHIPS

Four students at Caterham School have been awarded Gliding Scholarships by the RAF. The four students are part of the School’s Combined Cadet Force RAF contingent. The scholarships are awarded to cadets who have shown appropriate interest and talent. Each cadet will have about 40 launches in a glider until they are judged capable of flying solo.

The four students are:
~ Sam Thompson, (Lower Sixth), who has already completed the course with 615VGS (Volunteer Gliding Squadron) at RAF Kenley.
~ Ashley Goulding, (Lower Sixth), with train in summer with 624 VGS Chivenor, Barnstaple.
~ Andrew Ramsdale, (Fifth Year), with train in summer with 642 VGS RAF Linton on Ouse, York.
~ Joanna Odling, (Lower Sixth), will train in summer with 643 VGS RAF Syerston, Newark.

Headmaster Julian Thomas said: ‘’I am delighted for these four pupils. This is quite an achievement for each of them. The Combined Cadet Force is one of many co-curricular activities that we offer to pupils as a way of developing their talents and interests outside the classroom. This is an integral part of fulfilling our intention of developing the potential of each and every pupil thereby helping to prepare them for their life at university and beyond.’’

Photo: Cpl Odling, Cpl Goulding, Sgt Thompson