Private School News

Bedford Modern School celebrates for a second week running

After last week’s record A Level results, Bedford Modern School is again celebrating after achieving its second best ever GCSE results. Students achieved a pass rate of 98% A*- C of which 62% were A*- A grades which is up nearly 7% on last year and 88% were A* – B grades. In Mathematics & English students achieved outstanding results with 100% at grades A* – C.

Ian Orton was the highest achieving boy with 10 A* grades plus an A grade in Additional Mathematics and Alex Lonergan and Elke Stocks were the highest achieving girls with 9 A* and 1 A grade.

James Coleman also gained 9 A* grades and 1 A grade and Matthew Bowman, Ben Gardner, Afo Olowolafe and Stephanie Scott all achieved 8 A* grades and 2 A grades and Matt Stanley gained 8 A* grades.

The Headmaster, Stephen Smith commented “The School continues its reputation for academic excellence. Boys and girls are doing equally well in our co-educational set-up. Congratulations to all students on their hard work over the last two years”.

Photo: James Coleman, Stephanie Scott and Ben Gardner

REGIONAL FIRST FOR LANCASHIRE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

A top Fylde Coast school has become the first independent school in the North of England to gain authorization to teach the prestigious International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme to infant and junior school pupils, following an inspection and evaluation carried out by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

The authorization of co-educational, Rossall Junior, Infant and Nursery School in Fleetwood follows a two-year introductory period for the Primary Years’ Programme, during which the progress of both the school and its pupils have been carefully monitored by the IBO. A visit by inspectors and a rigorous inspection procedure have determined that Rossall should join the elite group of UK schools with official IB PYP status.

Rossall received several commendations from the IBO inspectors for its provision of the International Baccalaureate curriculum, for the quality and continuous development of its staff and for its work in promoting awareness of the Primary Years’ Programme in the wider community. The pupils also came in for praise from inspectors for their understanding of the programme and its aims, and for the marked progress they had made in two years.

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme provides an international curriculum to meet the needs of young learners between the ages of three and eleven. Its aim is to encourage children to be inquirers and communicators and also to be reflective and open-minded. In return, the programme helps even the youngest children to develop skills of research and self-management and also helps them to gain in confidence.

Following the first two year period of teaching the PYP, Rossall parents have come out solidly in favour of the curriculum. Many have commented about their children’s improved abilities and learning skills and have praised the school for its introduction.

Commenting on the findings of the inspection report, Rossall’s Head of Junior School, Simon James said: “The IBO was delighted with our progress and I’m proud that we are the only independent school in the Region and one of only a handful across the UK authorized to teach the Programme. It is truly a curriculum for tomorrow’s child and our children here are developing remarkably well within its framework. The school inspectors recognized that and have praised Rossall for the way in which the PYP has been introduced and for the levels of pastoral care received by pupils during their formative years, which has provided the vital support to enable the children to get the most from their learning experience.

“Our children here are thriving on many levels as a result of the programme and they’re acquiring life-long learning skills, whilst also displaying confidence and maturity beyond their years, and these qualities are directly attributable to the PYP.”

Rotary Annual Conference – Jersey

This weekend the Farnborough Hill public speaking team and their coach, Mrs Lori Winch-Johnson, were delighted to be invited to join Rotary International District 1250 at their 28th Annual Conference in Jersey. The girls were participating as the Youth Speaks Senior Schools winners of 2008-9. The conference programme promised the delegates
‘Chairperson: Joanna Belcher, Speaker: Tegwen Gabb, and Proposer of vote of thanks: Elizabeth Nash will charm and excite you with their enthusiastic and eloquent way of speaking.’ The girls did not disappoint. In fact, Chairman, Jo Belcher, chaired an entire plenary session entitled ‘Youth Opportunities, the Future of Rotary’. One delegate said ‘Jo did an incredibly good job of chairing the session and did Farnborough Hill proud.’

Tegwen’s speech was entitled ‘The Future of Rotary is in the Hands of the Young.’ She began by saying how daunting she found this idea to be – the thought that her generation were being entrusted with so many responsibilities, and being asked solve many of the world’s problems. However upon reflection she decided that William Wordsworth’s ‘The child is father of the man’ was a better interpretation, suggesting that the experiences of our childhood and youth are important because they serve to guide us in the future. Tegwen believes that Rotarians influence the lives of teenagers in ways no-one will ever expect and that the experiences which Rotary International offers will change them, the way they view themselves, and even the world around them. Tegwen’s speech was extremely well received. Elizabeth Nash, fellow-student, said ‘Tegwen’s amazing speech, for which she did not use her notes once, blew the audience away and her response to the question posed to her was concise and intelligent. Our final presentation as a team went without a hitch and we couldn’t have been happier.’

The team and Mrs Winch-Johnson were able to sample the delights of Jersey and the conference during the weekend. They attended the conference barn dance, enjoyed the hotel spa and had a delicious cream tea at the Grand Hotel. Mrs Winch-Johnson added ‘I am so proud of Tegwen, Joanna and Elizabeth. They have always given of their best and performed exceptionally well. I am delighted that the Rotarians honoured them with this invitation to address the conference and to show how talented they are. As a school, Farnborough Hill enjoys the association with the Rotary and taking part in the Youth Speaks competitions and I am really looking forward to this year’s competitions with new teams.’

Picture(l to r): Tegwen Gabb, Joanna Belcher and Elizabeth Nash

SENIOR APPOINTMENTS AT FYLDE INDEPENDENT

One of the region’s oldest independent schools has bolstered its senior management team with two key appointments.

Rossall School, Fleetwood has appointed Anton Maree, 44, as Deputy Headmaster, the post vacated by Fergus Livingstone, who has moved to Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire to become Headmaster.

Anton joins Rossall following seventeen years at King William’s College, Isle of Man, a senior boarding school, where for the last eight years he held the post of Head of Boarding. He joined the school in 1992 from Sandringham High School, Johannesburg and was a boarding house master, prior to his promotion to Head of Boarding.

Whilst in South Africa, Anton completed his two years national service with the South African Defence Force, where he rose to the rank of full lieutenant. He served with the SADF in South West Africa and was one of the last of his country’s forces to work with troops of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group prior to the independence of Namibia in 1989.

Born in Grahamstown in South Africa’s Eastern Cape region, Anton was educated at Queen’s College Boy’s High School, Queenstown, before attending Rhodes University in Grahamstown, where he gained a BA in English and History and was the University’s resident disc jockey. He is married to Alison and the couple have two children, Amberly, 14, and Angus, 12. The family will live on campus at the 165 -year-old Fleetwood boarding and day school.

The second key appointment is that of Gillian Pryor, 36, the former Sherborne School, Head of Maths who has joined Rossall as Director of Studies. Prior to her four years at Sherborne in Dorset, Gillian spent eight years at King’s Bruton School, Somerset, as a maths teacher and latterly as Head of Maths.

In 1994 Gillian graduated from Durham University with a BSc in Mathematics. She is a native of Rotherham in South Yorkshire and is married to husband, Mark, who has also joined Rossall as a maths teacher. She lists running and sailing as two of her favourite pursuits, and following the successful completion of this year’s ‘Race for Life’ in aid of Cancer Research UK plans to run in regional events supporting charities in the coming year.

Commenting on the appointments, Rossall School’s Headmaster, Dr Stephen Winkley said: “In Anton and Gillian we have two people with excellent credentials and a real passion for quality education. They will both play a pivotal role in the development of the School in the coming years as we improve further our academic provision and expand our boarding capabilities to cope with increased numbers of pupils wishing to board.

“Our recruitment figures for boarding are increasing year on year with UK and overseas boarders joining in healthy numbers, which augers well for the school, despite the gloomy global economic picture. The addition of two such experienced figures at this time will help us to achieve our goals as quickly as possible.”

Outstanding sporting achievements at Prior Park School

Prior Park Prep School pupils finished last term by triumphing in the sporting arena, with no less than five pupils becoming County players and five pupils receiving ‘Player of the Year’ awards from their sports clubs.

In hockey, having been selected for the Gloucestershire Squad, Yvie Seville and Lurenda Mudd were named ‘Players of the Year’ for the Under 11 and Under 13 teams by Cirencester Hockey Club. Year 7 pupil, Felicity Davies was selected for the Wiltshire County Squad.

Minety Rugby Club selected Tom Biggar as the Under 11 ‘Player of the Year’ while Prior Park Year 4 pupil, Daniel Lakenbrink took the Under 10’s ‘Player’s Player’ award at Wootton Bassett Rugby Club.

Four of the winning Cirencester Rugby Club’s Under 12 squad for this year’s County Cup also came from Prior Park with Kieran Kelly receiving the team’s ‘Player of the Year’ title for his outstanding play.

Out on the cricket field, talented Year 8 pupil Harry Brothwood has been selected for the Under 13 Wiltshire County Cricket Team with fellow pupil Max Dymoke joining him in the County Under 10 squad. Having recently gained experience with his team mates on the Prior Park Barbados sports tour, 12 year old Sam Jones is joining the Wiltshire North West District Squad.

There was also recognition in martial arts for 9 year old Elizabeth Dicken, who achieved her black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

“We are delighted that our pupils, encouraged by school coaching, go on to achieve such success in their local clubs and progress to County level,” said James Barton, Head of Boys’ Games. “Sport is an essential part of the Prior Park school day. We aim to give all children a chance to participate in teams and allow them to discover an activity that they enjoy, whether it is a traditional team sport or an individual pursuit such as martial arts, fencing or golf. Five children this year have also won sports scholarships to their senior schools.”

Centenarian makes nostalgic return to Derbyshire school

A 100-year-old lady will make a nostalgic return to the stately home where she lived and worked 84 years ago.

Avis Clarke, who celebrated her 100th birthday in August, will return to Barlborough Hall School on Saturday September 19 at 10:00 am.

Avis worked on the staff at Barlborough Hall for ten years from the age of 16 before it became a school. She left with the Locker-Lampson family for London when they sold the Hall in 1935.

Two close relatives of Avis, who were both called Samuel Wells, also worked at the Hall for many years as gardeners.

Avis, who now lives in a care home in Dinnington, Sheffield, will be presented with a canvas-framed picture of Barlborough Hall as a reminder of the time she spent there.

A small group of children from Barlborough Hall School will also meet with Avis for tea and biscuits.

Barlborough Hall, which celebrates its own landmark birthday this year after 70 years as a school, became the preparatory school to nearby Mount St Mary’s College in 1939.

Pupils at Barlborough still have lessons in the Hall’s original rooms, including the library, top parlour and chapel.

Wanda Parkinson, Barlborough Hall Headteacher, said: “It is wonderful that Avis is returning to Barlborough Hall and we are thrilled to welcome her back.

“She has clearly led a fascinating life and her experience gives us an interesting insight into the history of the Hall.

“To reach 100 years old is an incredible milestone for Avis. Everyone is looking forward to meeting her and sharing in some of the memories she has of Barlborough Hall.”

Barlborough Hall, an independent Jesuit Preparatory School for boys and girls aged 3-11, is situated in a protected countryside estate of 320 acres. Built in 1583 by Francis Rodes, the Hall is a Grade 1 listed building which has retained much of its original character.

Picture: Grade 1 listed Barlborough Hall which celebrates 70 years as a school this year.

Roald Dahl Day at the Marist

Oompa Loompers, Willy Wonka and creative writing make the day a resounding success!

The Marist Senior School Year 7 and Year 8 students celebrated Roald Dahl Day this week by writing their own books to celebrate the famous author’s life, dressing up as their favourite Roald Dahl characters, and writing ‘revolting’ rhymes.

Students put a lot of thought into the books they had written about one of Britain’s best loved authors. The girls were encouraged to carry out their own research into Roald Dahl during the summer break and to work in groups to produce an illustrated biography. Beautiful pictures and poems were written and even secret recipes for Wonka chocolate! Teachers and students voted for the best written books which were all available to read in the school library. After all the votes were counted, the top prize went to Fiona Fullilove, Kelly Jones, Lucy Hannam and Katy Hurt for their beautifully illustrated and constructed work.

To share Roald Dahl’s sense of fun and mischief, many girls dressed in yellow (Dahl’s favourite colour), wore clothes and shoes back to front, and participated in the Roald Dahl character costume competition. The winners of the competition were:

1st Place: Olivia Bertram, Georgia Bennett and Amy Shortis who dressed as a Wonka Chocolate Bar

2nd Place: Bethany Broughton as Willie Wonka

Joint 3rd Place : Anna Southgate and Victoria Chessun–Lawrence who dressed as an Oompa Loompa and Matilda respectively.

All competition winners received a Fairtrade Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate bar provided by Mr Todd Stitzer, Chief Executive of Cadbury PLC.

In addition to the book and costume competition, over lunch students could visit the school library to get involved in a Roald Dahl quiz and the ‘Revolting Rhyme Competition’ in addition to many other activities.

The Roald Dahl day was a UK wide initiative and the Marist event was organised by the school librarian, Mrs Liliana Barnard. Mrs Barnard said “the girls have really enjoyed getting to know more about Roald Dahl, his life, and his books through their involvement in the day. They have produced some very creative and inventive pieces of work and have had enormous fun doing so. Roald Dahl day has been such a success with involvement from the teachers and younger pupils, we hope to make it an annual event to encourage more students to enjoy reading and get involved in literary activities.”

PHOTO: Olivia Bertram, Georgia Bennett and Amy Shortis (‘Wonka Chocolate Bar’), Bethany Broughton (Willie Wonka), Anna Southgate (Oompa Loompa) and Victoria Chessun–Lawrence (Matilda).

Strathallan Celebrates 30 years of Girls

Strathallan School welcomed back the first girl at the School, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of girls at Strathallan and for the opening of the new girls’ boarding house, Glenbrae, earlier this week.

Margie Burnet Ward, now headmistress at Wycliffe College in Gloucestershire, made her first visit back to School in three decades to join other Strathallian Girls at a champagne reception in Glenbrae to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Strathallan turning co-educational. Glenbrae was completed on time for the beginning of this academic and reflects the increasing numbers wishing to come to the School. In fact, Strathallan has seen the largest increase in new pupils in all areas this year.

Strathallan achieved top A level results in 2009 with 49% at A and 95% A-C.

Pupils have represented the School in twenty three different sports producing eighteen national champions and twelve members of national squads. Six pupils have achieved national acclaim in music and the School hosts more than sixty concerts, plays, musicals and performances each year.

Photo attached – Mr David Williams, Mr Cosmo Fairbairn, Mrs Annabel Fairbairn and Mrs Kay Williams

A Royal Audience for Strathallan Singers

Fourteen Strathallan pupils travelled to Royal Deeside last weekend to perform for Her Majesty the Queen at Crathie Kirk and also at the morning service at Braemar.

Our Choir, under the direction of Director of Music, Mr Richard Walmsley is the only one to receive an invitation to perform at Crathie Kirk and is made up of Strathallan Choral Scholars and members of the School’s Chamber Choir. Conducted by Assistant Director of Music at Strathallan, Mrs Carole Sim-Sayce the Choir performed three anthems by Handel, Howells and Rutter and also joined the regular congregation in their hymn singing.

This is the fourth time that Strathallan have been invited to sing at Crathie for The Royal Family and on this occasion Her Majesty the Queen was joined by the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay.

Junior Citizen Scheme Encourages Safety Awareness in Staines Prep Pupils

Pupils from Staines Prep School attended an action packed afternoon at the British Airways Community Learning Centre in Harmondsworth on 14th September, where Spelthorne Borough Council community safety officers had set up a series of challenging activities to raise safety awareness amongst pupils.

The twenty-five Year 6 pupils who took part in the annual Junior Citizen scheme run by the council learned how to cope in many emergency situations. Workshops covered fires, rail safety, contacting the emergency services, how to help a person who had fallen into deep water and dealing with unconscious casualties, as well as how to stay safe online.

Deputy Head Malcolm Amiss said, “The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and will no doubt benefit from the experience, which will stand them in good stead should an emergency ever arise.”

Photo(l to r): Staines Prep Year 6 pupils Aran Aulakh(10),Drew Patterson (10)and Devina Shah(10)learned from Spelthorne Borough Council community safety officers how to help someone who has fallen into water.

Help for Heroes back at RGS Worcester

Following on from last terms Help for Heroes charity fundraising day, RGS Worcester where delighted to present a cheque for £1,600.32.

Peter Elcock, Help for Heroes, Volunteer Group Co-ordinator for Worcestershire was on hand to receive the impressive amount and also presented the school with certificates of appreciation, awarded in recognition of the contribution of RGS Worcester and for outstanding fundraising support.

Last terms heroic charity day saw every pupil and member of staff play their part, enjoying a range of themed activities, such as gun running, assault courses and much more.

“Its fantastic to come back to RGS Worcester and receive the cheque for Help for Heroes. I was at the school during the day back in June and saw first-hand just how much effort and planning RGS had gone to for the charity, so its a great honour to be able to come back and thank all the pupils and teachers personally today for their support,” commented Peter Elcock of Help for Heroes.

CELEBRATING THE NEW ART SCHOOL AT LANCING COLLEGE – A special Art Day in the Reeve Art School, one year on

ART AT LANCING
The art tuition at Lancing College, under the direction of Caroline Pringle, is exceptional. This year’s A Level results included 11 A grades. Lancing’s Art Department has an impressive record of producing students who become designers, photographers, architects, art historians and painters. In 2009, five students went on to study architecture, and two to art school Foundation.

The art teaching at Lancing has an emphasis on drawing and painting from observation. The subject may be the model in the studio, or a location, from decaying houseboats along the Adur to elegant Palazzos in Venice. With the new Art School building perched on the edge of the Downs, landscape is becoming another source of inspiration.

Art plays an important part in school life and Caroline Pringle explains: “As Lancing has a flexible time-table, many pupils can carry on with art to A Level, whether they intend to pursue an arts career or not. Many combine art with maths and physics, others with the humanities.” This is important because engineers and geographers are involved in the environmental and aesthetic issues that arise in their professions; surgeons and vets need to be able to recognise, interpret and convey the complexities of anatomy. And, of course, art is also a wonderful recreational activity that many pupils can continue enjoying throughout their lives.

THE AWARD-WINNING REEVE ART SCHOOL: FIRST ANNIVERSARY
In recognition of the outstanding achievements of the Art Department, Lancing College commissioned the highly regarded LCE ARCHITECTS to design a stunning new Art School. As the new building has extensive studio spaces and all artistic disciplines are under one roof, pupils can undertake multidisciplinary projects on a large scale and do not have to put away work in progress. The building has won The Sussex Heritage Trust Architectural Award. It is a contemporary, energy-efficient structure that is in harmony with its unique surroundings – a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

PROGRAMME FOR THE DAY
Work by students will be on display throughout the Art School. This will include an impressive range of paintings in oil, acrylic and water-colour, as well as prints, photographs and sculpture.

Tours will include the major studio/exhibition areas, with floor to ceiling windows, offering unrivalled views over the Downs to the sea, and also the printing studio, sculpture room, photography studio, dark room, library and resources centre, lecture room and technicians’ workshop. Guides will demonstrate how the building complements the school’s original Victorian buildings.

In the morning the Duke of Gloucester, an architect himself, will tour the building.

12 noon. Lunch for VIP guests and senior personnel associated with Lancing College.

1.30 pm. Tour of Art School for press. Work by pupils will be on display and pupils will be around to discuss their work.

Paul Cox, a leading architectural artist, will be working with pupils in the school Chapel and talking about his work in the new Art School. He will give demonstrations and tuition, using the building as his inspiration. Students from Lancing will be joined by pupils from local preparatory schools, who have been offered the experience of working for the afternoon in a leading Art Department.

Three out of the five UK Finalists for LAMDA Competition are from Howell’s School, Llandaff, GDST in Cardiff

Three students from Howell’s School, Llandaff are through to the UK final of the LAMDA* London Communication and Performance Awards Competition in London on Saturday 12th September 2009.

This is the fifth year in a row that a student from Howell’s School, Llandaff in Cardiff has made it through to the Finals. LAMDA invite the 5 top scoring candidates in each category for a day of competition held at the academy’s premises in London and the winners will have the chance to perform on the stage of the famous MacOwan Theatre in Earl’s Court.

To get through to the final, Sophie Jenkins, Emma Griffiths and Shanna Engelhardt, who are students at Howell’s School, Llandaff and study speech and drama with teacher Sarah Cooksey, had to complete three examinations and score highly in each of them. Being a finalist means that they are currently one of the top five candidates in their categories in the UK and Ireland and will compete against their peers for a substantial cash prize. They will each perform a scene from a play, ranging from Anne Frank’s Diary to The Surviving Twin, at the final on Saturday.

The finalists Sophie Jenkins (14, Cyncoed), Shanna Engelhardt (14, Lisvane) and Emma Griffiths (14, Llandaff) are thrilled to have made it through the final. Sophie exclaimed “It is a great opportunity and it is really exciting to be chosen.”

Shanna said “It is pretty cool, I didn’t expect it. I am really looking forward to performing in London. Nia Jones, was the finalist last year and she has given us some tips on what to expect.”
On going to London, Emma Griffiths effused “I am really nervous but excited! It has given me a boost to my confidence in Drama.”

*The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

Clubmark status for 2 DASH athletics club

A Derbyshire athletics club is celebrating after picking up a national excellence award.

2 DASH (Derbyshire and South Yorkshire Harriers), which is based at Mount St Mary’s College, Spinkhill, has achieved Clubmark status – the national standard for high quality sports provision for young people.

Part-funded by Coalfields Regeneration Trust grants, the club was set up in 2007 to cater for Under 13s to 17s from the school and wider community and uses Mount St Mary’s class 1 certified stadium and equipment.

It now boasts more than 100 members made up of students and other youngsters from the South Yorkshire and Derbyshire areas who meet twice a week to take part in a range of track and field events.

Keith Newton, a level 4 coach at Mount St Mary’s who runs 2 DASH, said: “This award is recognition for the tremendous amount of hard work that has gone into setting up 2 DASH and making it such a huge success in only a short period of time. It is one of the fastest moves towards Clubmark status by an athletics club in this country.

“The club was established to cater for our school pupils but also to serve the local community at a grass roots level. In just two years we have gone from a single coach and 18 members to over 150 people training with us under the guidance of 14 coaches.”

2 DASH was promoted to the North East Division of the National Youth Athletics League in its first season of competition and is now holding its own against the likes of the City of York and Lord Sebastian Coe’s old club the Hallamshire Harriers.

It also has satellite clubs at four local schools – Westfield, Eckington, Springwell and Netherthorpe, which run 12-week training programmes and competitions for students and feed into 2 DASH.

Keith added: “The satellite clubs are a way of bringing athletics to the community. They are all inclusive and we welcome members of all abilities from these clubs to our weekly sessions at Mount Stadium. They are hugely popular and a great way for us to develop positive links with the local community and ensure that physical activity is accessible to all.”

Photo caption: (L-R) 2 DASH member Niall Hunt, coach Keith Newton and one of the club’s newest recruits Gemma Smalley.

NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART SIXTH FORM CENTRE AND DINING HALL READY FOR STUDENTS AT NOTTINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL

Work has been completed on a new £4.5m state-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre and dining hall at Nottingham High School.

The scheme has been designed by Nottingham architects maber and constructed by Derby based contractor G F Tomlinson Building and representatives from all parties involved in the development gathered to celebrate the handover of the building to the school.

Located in the West Quad area at the heart of the school’s buildings, the centre boasts spacious and modern facilities for both senior school and sixth form pupils. A 400 capacity dining hall with new kitchen facilities is situated on the ground floor, leaving the current dining hall for junior school pupils. The first and second floors have a coffee bar and large, bright social areas for the Sixth Formers to enjoy. A bridge also connects the social area to the library.

The roof itself is an eye catching feature. Enclosing the West Quad, it is covered in translucent cushions, similar to those used on the Eden Project. Perimeter glazing between the existing high level walls and the underside of the new roof allows it to visually ‘float’ above the new walls, allowing plenty of natural light into the complex and creating a pleasant learning environment for students to study in relax in.

The materials for the new facilities include timber wall panelling, glazed balustrades and a striking white painted mezzanine, which both contrast with, and complement, the existing buildings.

To ensure that the new development is as environmentally friendly as possible, the enclosed quad maximises the opportunities for natural light and natural ventilation. It also has under floor heating which is able to run at a lower water temperature than more conventional radiators and long life construction materials have also been used.

“The completed building looks fantastic,” said Kevin Fear, headmaster at Nottingham High School. “The centre offers our pupils the best possible facilities alongside our excellent teaching resources. This is an exciting time for the school.”

Simon Middlecote of Maber said: “This has been a great project to have been involved in and we are really pleased with its finished design. As a practice we have a lot of experience working on projects in the education sector and feel proud that we can add this development to our portfolio. The centre provides students with first class learning facilities in a modern and fresh environment.”

Stuart Lawrence, director and general manager of G F Tomlinson Building commented: “G F Tomlinson are delighted to have been part of such a unique and prestigious project at Nottingham High School. The scheme required great care due to the interface with a live occupied school environment and the detailing of the scheme, particularly the roof construction. We have extensive experience in the education sector and are happy to utilize this to provide students with a state of the art facility that all the school can be proud of.”

Emilia moves mountains with charity run

Eight year old Emilia Thompson stormed the field in charity race to secure a top ten finish and help raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

Emilia, a pupil at Barlborough Hall School, Derbyshire, finished in the top ten girls in the Bupa 1.5km Great Yorkshire Mini Run at Don Valley Stadium.

She was cheered on by sister and fellow pupil Talitha Thompson, plus Natalie Sandi and Alistair McInulty, students at Barlborough Hall, Mount St Mary’s College’s preparatory school. The trio had earlier completed the Bupa 3k Junior Great Yorkshire Run at the stadium.

Leading by example was Mount St Mary’s head teacher Laurence McKell, who ran the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run with deputy head Frank Thompson, Tara Thompson, staff Maxine Smith and Dean Smith, plus students David Broadley, Chris Unwin, Ian Taylor and last year’s head boy Adam Gaskell.

The money raised will go towards Moving Mountains – the umbrella group that covers the college’s chosen charities. These include the Children’s Holiday Trust, Meningitis Trust, Safe @ Last and Jesuit Missions.

Laurence McKell, Mount St Mary’s head teacher said: “It was a fantastic day and wonderful to see the enthusiasm of all our students and staff who signed up for the different races. We are delighted to have raised such a good total for charity between us.

“Emilia produced a brilliant performance to come in the top ten girls in the Mini Run and it was a really proud moment when she crossed the finish line.”

Photo caption: Emilia Thompson (front row, second from the left) with friends and fellow runners from Mount St Mary’s and Barlborough.

Sainsbury’s Chief Executive delivers over £750 of equipment to local school

Children from Howell’s Junior School in Llandaff were visited by Sainsbury’s Chief Executive, Justin King last week when he personally delivered the first batch of sports equipment the school has redeemed through the Sainsbury’s Active Kids scheme.

The equipment will be a welcome addition to the school’s P.E. kit and is part of Sainsbury’s commitment to get Britain’s children more active and eating healthily.

Justin King said: “It was a real privilege to be able to deliver some of the Active Kids equipment to the children at Howell’s Junior School. It was great to meet the children and hear about the sports lessons they have at school. I’m sure that the equipment will be put to good use!”

Last year, Sainsbury’s donated more than £167,000 of equipment to schools, clubs and organizations in the Cardiff area.

Photo: Justin King watches pupils from Howell’s Junior School try out the new equipment delivered through the Active Kids scheme.

Bromsgrove School Appoints New Head of Cricket

Bromsgrove School is delighted to welcome Richard Cox as its new Director of Cricket. Richard who is an ECB Level IV Coach and a Member of the Elite Coaches Panel for the International Cricket Council Europe has most recently worked at Warwickshire County Cricket Club as Director of Cricket for Warwickshire Cricket Board as well as being the club’s Academy Director. Richard’s extensive playing and coaching experience includes work as the ECB’s Regional Programme Manager (Midlands) for U15, U16 and U17 age groups.

Richard’s role at Bromsgrove will be to further develop Bromsgrove School’s links with all Cricket organisations and to develop cricket at all levels within the School. In particular the School is seeking to expand its cricketing reach in all areas of the game and to develop its facilities to the highest of standards over the next few years. Over recent years the school has enhanced its cricketing reputation tremendously and the School sees Richard’s appointment as an opportunity to take the sport even further.

Richard Cox said, “I am delighted to be joining Bromsgrove at such key time in the development of the School’s cricket and its facilities. Having spent 20 years at Edgbaston I hope to bring that experience to benefit the School and look forward to the challenge of working with some talented players and building upon the excellent cricketing record that the school has developed over recent years. ”

Paul Mullan (Second Deputy, Co-Curricula) said “Cricket at Bromsgrove is thriving and the appointment of Richard as Head of Cricket will enhance the excellent developments already made by Chris Munn, Master i/c Cricket. Chris and Richard will work closely together to continue to build the School’s internal cricketing activities and programmes”

SHOWJUMPING SUCCESS FOR SOPHIE

Earlier this month, having qualified at the prestigious Cardigan County Show, Sophie Stratton, Year 9, competed in the National Championships held at the BSJA Scope Festival of Show Jumping at Staffordshire County Showground. This was the fifth time that she had qualified for the finals.

Sophie performed incredibly well under pressure and finished 3rd out of a total of 111 in the Under 16 class. Well done Sophie!

NOTTINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS EXCEL IN EXAMS

Nottingham High School has an excellent reputation for delivering outstanding results at GCSE and A Level and this year has been no exception.

At A Level, for the first time a 100% pass rate was achieved, with over 82% of the grades being A or B. 43 boys got three A grades or better. Of those, 11 got four As, five got five As and one boy – Ted Pynegar – got six As! Ted is now set to continue his academic studies at Cambridge University, where he is going to study Natural Sciences.

Likewise at GCSE a 100% pass rate was also achieved with 30% of the boys gaining at least 10 A* and A grades. Pupil Kyle Lam, 16 gained 12 A* grades while fellow pupils Jethro Waldron, 16, Marcus Burton, 16, and Michael White, 16, all gained 11A* and A grades.

In addition to its outstanding academic performance, the High School has also produced many sporting success stories. Alex Monk, 16, who gained 8A* and 2As in his GCSEs and is now staying on to study his A Levels at the school, is a member of Derby County’s youth squad, and he will be combining his lessons with training sessions at the club.

Headmaster, Kevin Fear said “I am thrilled with our superb A Level and GCSE results. They are richly deserved and are very much a result of the partnership between the boys, their parents and our dedicated staff. I would like to congratulate them all.”