Private School News

A tree to be planted by every pupil at Rendcomb College

Every pupil at Rendcomb College is to plant a tree in the woods surrounding the school as part of an initiative set in motion earlier this year by our environmental committee under the leadership of our environmental co-ordinator, Michelle Lucas. Working with Pete Cairns our Works Manager and Will Wilkinson, Forestry Consultant from Charlton Abbotts Forestry Ltd, plans were drawn up to get the tree planting up and running. Rendcomb is blessed with over 100 acres of woodland and parkland and as part of an ongoing programme which will last many years, areas have been cleared as part of the process of continuous regeneration of the woods. Having removed some poorer formed and suppressed trees and undergrowth to create an “open window” in the canopy, pupils planted young Field Maple, Ash and Hazel trees (officially known as “whips”), protecting them with tree shelters, as the first stage in the planting programme. The aim is for all pupils at Rendcomb to have planted a tree in the woodland before they leave the school as part of our aim to encourage them to reduce their carbon footprint. Will Wilkinson, who is a former pupil at Rendcomb, remembered planting trees in the park during his time at the school and said “This was a great way of assisting continued regeneration of the woodland”.

We also plan to make our own charcoal, using specially designed charcoal burners which will be fed by wood from the older trees which have been removed. Pupils at the school will be involved in this process, particularly as the barbecue season approaches!

Grade 8 music success for ST SWITHUN’S SCHOOL pupil!

Daisy Gibbs, a pupil at St Swithun’s School, Winchester, has passed Grade 8 on both viola and piano with distinction in addition to gaining distinction in Grade 6 Theory. Not content with this, Daisy also entered a national music essay competition run by Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and was awarded a Commended Certificate.

To achieve all of this whilst also preparing for her AS level exams was tremendous effort by Daisy who, in her own words, had this to say “There are very few places where the music teachers use their free time to let pupils have umpteen extra lessons and rehearsals, and are always willing to talk to you when you begin to have serious second thoughts about what you’ve let yourself in for. St Swithun’s is definitely one of those places.”

BEDFORD MODERN JUNIOR SCHOOL YEAR 5 PUPILS ENJOY DJEMBE DRUM WORKSHOP

Bedford Modern Junior School Year 5 pupils took part in an exciting Djembe Drum Workshop on Wednesday 9th June. The workshop was held in the Christopher Fry Hall under the expert guidance of Chris Puleston.

Chris Puleston has been playing drums and percussion for over 45 years. He has played in over 30 musical projects and bands in genres as diverse as jazz, rock, progressive, blues, classical, experimental and world music.

He sings and plays a diverse array of instruments including guitar, zither, tamboura, kalimba, tabla, djembe, didgeridoo, flutes, balafon, darabuka, various tuned percussion instruments and drum kit. The interactive Djembe Drum Workshop at Bedford Modern Junior School enabled pupils to try something they would not normally have an opportunity to do, whilst also having fun. Chris frequently leads drum, percussion and didgeridoo workshops around the country.

The Djembe, that originates from West Africa, is a skin-covered hand-drum shaped like a large goblet that literally means “everyone come together”. The Year 5 pupils also had an opportunity to try their hand at playing the Didgeridoo, which is a wind instrument of the indigenous Australians usually made from hardwood such as eucalyptus.

Hazel Farrow, Bedford Modern Junior School Music Teacher said: “We’ve always been inspired by Chris’ fresh and down-to-earth approach. He communicates directly with the musician in each and every one of us.”

Photo: Some of the Year 5 pupils taking part in the Djembe Drum Workshop

The Victorian Era is brought to life at Bedford Modern School

Bedford Modern School Year 9 students took part in an Academic Enrichment programme at the School on Thursday 17th June learning more about the Victorians. The programme was designed to go beyond the confines of the curriculum and build connections between topics. Students were encouraged to work together as a team, develop their presentation skills and combine learning with having fun.

After an introductory session by Dawn Costello, BMS Academic Enrichment Co-Ordinator looking at “What the Victorians did for us”, students were split into different groups to undertake research into various aspects of Victorian life.

The Victorian period was described as a particularly exciting part of history with so many innovative ideas that have now helped shape our society including electricity, communication systems and transport.

Sessions covered included Music Hall, Crime, Literature, Photography and the role of Women/Fashion in the Victorian era. Students discovered more about the Victorians by listening to expert speakers within their groups, undertaking research on the internet in order to plan short presentations to deliver to the rest of the year group later in the morning.

Students attending the “Marie Lloyd Group” looked at what the Music Hall was all about and learnt the words to a typical song from the Victorian era. Marie Lloyd was a famous music hall act.

Another session, entitled “Sweeney Todd Group” concentrated on Victorian melodrama proving that the 19th century was the age of the great actor rather than the great dramatist. Melodramas thrilled their audiences with lurid tales against a backdrop of ruined abbeys, dark dungeons and mysterious temples. But melodramas touched more and more upon the lives of ordinary people of all classes in contemporary England.

Dawn Costello commented: ‘All of our Year 9 students entered into the spirit of the morning and demonstrated the strength of their research skills in producing a series of professional presentations in a short space of time. They worked effectively in teams to pass on the information that they had assimilated to the rest of the year group, resulting in a variety of interesting and engaging presentations.’

Photo: Left to right, BMS Year 9 students, Samantha Prentice, Vicky Shacklock, Tania Fulford and Sophie Rowe.

The FARNBOROUGH HILL SCHOOL Challenge

Yesterday Farnborough Hill Sixth Formers Sophie Crisp and Anna Nicholas, both 17 from Farnham, organised a very special charity event in aid of local charity Disability Challengers. The Farnborough Hill Challenge was a sponsored event where participants walked, jogged or ran a distance of 5km in the school’s beautiful parkland. The whole school was off timetable for the afternoon so that everyone was able to join in the fun and take part. The participants were blessed with good weather and the atmosphere was tremendous. Everyone threw themselves into the spirit of the event, but perhaps the most notable participant was Lauren Dockerty, of Aldershot, a student in Year 9, who currently needs a wheelchair. She completed the course and Sophie said ‘Everyone was really supportive of Lauren and walked alongside her to the finish line.’

Disability Challengers is a local children’s charity passionate about delivering vital play and leisure opportunities to disabled children, young people and their families. Through their two full-time centres in Farnham and Guildford, and satellite schemes across the region, every year they give over 1000 children a place to be creative, make friends and challenge their impairments through play. The charity is close to Sophie and Anna’s hearts because they both used to volunteer there and Sophie now works for Disability Challengers on Saturdays and in the holidays.

At the time of going to press the money is still rolling in but we hope to raise a substantial amount for this very worthwhile cause. Anna herself has raised £1300 but we will wait to see whether she wins the individual prize awarded to the person gaining the most sponsorship money. The Headmistress has promised that the class raising the highest amount will be treated to a bouncy castle in school for a day.

Anna and Sophie loved organising the event, even though it was time consuming and hard work. Anna commented that it was tricky fitting in their AS level exams at the same time! Sophie said ‘it was a huge success and everyone seemed to have a lovely afternoon. So many people helped us out and we would like to thank them all very much.’

Photo: Lucy Sharma (Disability Challengers), Dee Andrews (Biology teacher who helped with the organisation), Anna Nicholas, Sophie Crisp, Jessica Klepacz (Disability Challengers) and Headmistress Sarah Buckle.

Students from STONYHURST COLLEGE take action for Zimbabwean boy

Kundai fun run

Pupils of all ages at Stonyhurst College have been raising money to help a physically disabled boy in Zimbabwe receive the medical care he needs. A fun-run this week has finally achieved their target of £5,000.

14 year old Kundai Mangoma suffers from a rare disease which has caused a huge tumour on the right hand side of his face; this has left him with breathing difficulties and blindness in one eye. He is in much pain from the disfiguration of his jaw and facial bones and finds it difficult to eat and speak. Kundai’s parents lost all their life savings in Zimbabwe’s economic turmoil and are therefore unable to pay any of the medical bills which could improve their son’s condition.

Sixth formers, Sophie Le Breton and Natalie Crouch met Kundai when they visited Zimbabwe this year, visiting a Jesuit school with which Stonyhurst has a long-standing partnership. They were so moved by his bravery that they were determined to raise £5,000 for surgery which could change his life: they met a surgeon who told them about the major operation which should fully restore his sight, ease his breathing and discomfort and significantly change his appearance. The operation is scheduled to take place in Harare in late August so they had no time to lose!

“Kundai was lovely, very shy and uncomplaining,” said Sophie. “We were really moved to hear that his sister had died quite recently from the same condition and realised that the medical care we take for granted just isn’t available in Zimbabwe. We were determined to help and as soon as we got back to school, started a campaign to raise the money.”

A ‘Kundai Committee’ was formed immediately, with representatives from all year groups putting up posters throughout the school and organising fund-raising activities. Kundai T shirts, a ‘Home Clothes Day’, weekly cake stalls, an art competition, charity dinners and finally, a fun-run, have together achieved the target!

Photographs shows Natalie Crouch, Sophie Le Breton, Mrs Crossley and Mr Warrilow, teachers at Stonyhurst College meeting Kundai and his family.

Students in fancy dress, taking part in the fun-run.

HIGHCLARE SCHOOL’s Got Style – and raises money for their charity

The pupils and sixth formers at Highclare School have been working hard to stage their own amazing fashion show to raise money for their school charity “The Kampala Children’s Centre”, which helps provide homes and education for the vunerable young orphaned children in Uganda.

The fashion show was a great success, taking place on Friday 7th May at the Ramada Hotel, Penns Lane, Sutton Coldfield. With the help of local businesses, parents, staff and friends, the pupils have raised a staggering £3,500 for their charity.

The charity are so appreciative of their efforts that they are sending a member of the charity to be presented with a cheque at school assembly on Friday 18th June at 9.00 am.

Senior Prefect, Becky Soen, who has already had a number of professional modelling assignments herself, said “We all wanted to do something that would raise much needed funds for these children. There is such a big difference in their lifestyle to ours, so we are using our talents to help them as much as we can. We are thrilled that our efforts have raised such a worthwhile sum”.

Former KING’S SCHOOL Ely Cathedral chorister gains diploma

Former Ely Cathedral chorister Luke Cunnah is in final sixth form year at the King’s School Ely but already he has letters after his name and the right to wear an academic hood and gown.

The 18-year-old is a talented flautist and passed his grade 8 flute exams while he was studying for GCSE.

Now, in the midst of A-level exams, he has heard he has been successful at diploma level – something usually achieved after the first year of study at university.

Luke was awarded his diploma by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is now entitled to write Dip ABRSM after his name.

Fellow sixth former and flautist Charlotte Sivier was also awarded a recital diploma by Trinity College London and is entitled to write Dip ATCL after her name.

Luke is head of King’s Barbers, the close harmony group of ex-choristers, and is taking music, chemistry and biology at A-level. He plans a gap year before going to university.

Charlotte, who head of King’s Concert Band, is also taking music as well as drama and dance at A-level. She has a place on an executive PA course in Oxford.

Photo: Charlotte Sivier

Inventor Frank steps nearer £50,000 prize

Former King’s School Ely student, Frank Thorogood is in line for a prize worth £50,000 for his invention that could change the way cricket is practised the world over.

He was a keen cricketer during his years at King’s in the 1990s and has created a simple throwing device that recreates the style of a professional bowler.

With endorsements from some famous names, it’s now ready for production.

Frank has entered the device – named Sidearm – in Barclays Business Take One Small Step competition which aims to find people with ambition, passion, and, most importantly, a great business idea.

The winner will be decided by an on-line vote. Frank, an eastern region contender and already in the top three, is rallying support for his invention. Votes must be cast by 15 July.

“My dream is to change the way in which cricket is practised the world over,” he says.

He revealed he had been working on the idea for about 15 months, but it was only when he took it down to Essex CCC at the start of April and Graham Gooch and Grant Flower both gave it rave reviews that he plucked up the courage to invest the money needed to get it into production.

Frank’s day jobs are running a horse feed delivery company and an indoor cricket school as well as working on the family farm during the summer.

You can check out the Sidearm in action and vote for Frank by logging onto

https://www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk/Entry/View/2065

Russian journalists visit MOUNT ST MARY’S COLLEGE for boarding best practice

A delegation of Russian journalists has visited a Derbyshire school to develop a greater understanding of the UK boarding school experience.The group, which included three prominent general interest and business journalists and a representative from British Council Russia, visited Mount St Mary’s College and it’s sister school Barlborough Hall – two of the country’s leading independent schools.

As well as being given tours of each school and the Mount St Mary’s boarding houses, the journalists met with boarding students and the Mount head boy and girl.

The fact finding visit was designed to promote awareness and develop a greater understanding of the UK boarding schools experience among potential Russian students and their parents.

The published journalists’ work will be included as part of the Education UK Exhibition promotion campaign in Russia.

Wessel DuRandt, head of boarding at Mount St Mary’s, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome our Russian friends to the Mount and hopefully it will encourage pupils from other countries to consider boarding school options in the UK.

“We pride ourselves on offering one of the best boarding experiences in the country and we are always looking for more pupils to sample this experience.”

Mount St Mary’s recently invested £500,000 in its boarding facilities. Hopkins House, for girls and Loyola House, for boys, provide shared and single rooms with en suite facilities, desk, study space, wi-fi, common room and kitchen area.

KING’S BRUTON SCHOOL celebrates its 491st Birthday

Founded in 1519, King’s Bruton is one of the country’s oldest public schools and so it is with great pride that, every year, it celebrates its commemoration. Pupils, staff and governors process to church where they use the same order of service as followed by their predecessors centuries before. This year the preacher was The Rev. Jonathan Fletcher from Emmanuel Church, Wimbledon. After the service, the celebrations continued with drinks in the Memorial Hall and luncheon in the dining hall.

THE “EAGLES” OF BEDFORD MODERN SCHOOL BEAT THE “SNOW LEOPARD” AT EASTERN REGION SKI ASSOCIATION RACE

The “Eagles”, Bedford Modern School Year 13 student, Marek Behnke and Year 10 student, Ed Fenton Fowler claimed an impressive scalp at the recent Eastern Region Ski Association race held on 20th May at Milton Keynes Xscape.

The two students, members of the BMS Ski Team beat the Olympic star, Kwami Na, known as the “Snow Leopard”, who skied for Ghana in the recent Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It crowned a great couple of weeks for Marek who is in his final year at Bedford Modern School, before he gets down to the serious business of preparing for his A Level examinations.

In the British Indoor Grand Prix ski race on 9th May, also held at Milton Keynes Xscape, Marek gained Gold in his age group and finished 2nd overall behind former GB star, Georgie Hunt. In this week’s race Marek was again in the medals gaining Silver.

Not to be out done, following a first ever podium finish in the recent British Indoor Grand Prix Series Ski Race, also held on 9th May at Milton Keynes Xscape, up-and-coming star and Bedford Modern Junior School Year 3 pupil, Dominic Barton achieved a second Bronze medal finish in Sunday’s race.

Further fine performances by Bedford Modern School students came from Year 7 student, Daniel Barton, and Year 9 students, Joe Gee and Oliver Chalkley.

Photo: Marek Behnke

BEDFORD MODERN SCHOOL HOSTS “TECHNOLOGY WEEK” FOR LOCAL LOWER SCHOOLS

Bedford Modern School invited pupils from Bromham Lower and Castle Lower Schools to attend a Technology Week at the School between Monday 7th and Friday 11th June.

In 2009, 56 pupils from Bromham Lower School visited Bedford Modern School over the course of two days, spending time in the Design Technology Workshop undertaking practical projects. Due to the success of last year’s Technology Days, BMS decided to extend the Technology Days into a Technology Week this year.

Paul Kennington, Head of Design and Technology at Bedford Modern School said: “Bedford Modern School are always keen to forge better links in the community and, in particular, with local schools. By extending our Technology Days into a Technology Week, we hope to enable more pupils from nearby schools to be able to participate in our workshop and learn new skills, whilst also having fun.”

Bromham Lower School Year 3 pupils visited BMS for three days during the Technology Week whilst Castle Lower School visited for two days with their Year 4 pupils. Pupils gained workshop experience manufacturing a key fob, mainly involving hand-tool skills but additionally some supervised work with the Laser Cutter. Pupils were also able to watch demonstrations of other machinery such as the CNC Router.

Bedford Modern School are intending to invite local lower schools to take part in technology workshops on a regular basis and this is something that will be repeated again next year.

Photo: Bedford Modern School hosts “Technology Week” for local lower schools

British athlete has MOUNT ST MARY’S COLLEGE pupils jumping for joy

One of Britain’s best long-jumpers has put a spring in the steps of pupils at a Derbyshire school after teaching them the tricks of his trade.

Nathan Morgan, 31, who won the long jump gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, is holding regular workshops with lucky pupils at Mount St Mary’s College.

The first two hour workshop was a practical session focusing on strength and conditioning exercises that Nathan uses everyday as part of his own training regime.

Nathan, a former British record holder and third on the all time long jump list, also stressed the importance of getting this conditioning right before starting any sporting activity.

Nathan will be visiting the school once a month to continue the sessions, which take place on Mondays in the pavilion.

Paul Scott, director of Sport at Mount St Mary’s, said: “The whole workshop was of great benefit to both athletes and coaches and stressed the need for basic strength and conditioning to safeguard the development of young athletes.

“Unsurprisingly the session was extremely well-attended and I’m sure this trend will continue for the upcoming workshops.

“Everyone is very grateful to Nathan for giving up his time and it is a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to learn from one of the best long-jumpers this country has ever seen.”

RGS THE GRANGE SCHOOL, Worcester, pupils help soap-maker avoid getting in a lather

Three little helpers from RGS The Grange are assisting in the re-launch of a Bretforton based business, which has fallen foul of the might of a multi-national company who claimed exclusive rights over the use of the word ‘naked’.
Emma Heathcote-James is the owner of the business, which produces a luxury organic hand-made soap from local sources. She’s marking the change of name, from Naked Soap Company, to Little Soap Company, at a Summer Fair held the primary school in Claines.

Having built up business over the past 18 months via internet sales, trade shows and winning contracts to supply local Waitrose and Warner’s Budgen’s stores, she was devastated when she learnt she would have to relinquish the name.
“The costs of what would have been a lengthy legal battle were prohibitive so I simply decided to draw a line, put Naked behind me and move forward. I still make the same soaps, the packaging and online shop is all the same – only the name has changed…” said
Ms Heathcote-James. “Having the pupils from The Grange help make my first batch of soap under the new company name was a lovely way to look to the future and build on the company’s rapid growth over the last eighteen months.”

Ellie Carey, Ben Hughes and Will Reading, all aged 10, bought rosemary and lavender from their school garden having infused it in Extra Virgin Olive Oil to add to the mixing pot. They were taken through the entire soap-making process and even designed their own bespoke RGS soap. They learned not only how to make soap, but also the maths behind the recipes, the art of creating a brand, the creativity of designing the differing flavours, the benefits of
the essential oils and aromatherapy as well as the greener issues of recycling, and how a thorough approach to environmental issues, is so imperative to being a business winner.

“Instead of using tap water, we added collected rainwater to the recipe,” said Ellie. “The moulds that we poured the soap mixture into came from bits of reclaimed wood used to make the Hamlet set at the theatre in Stratford, which amazed us. I never thought it would
be so much fun to make soap.”

The company’s name change will be celebrated in style among many other local suppliers at The Grange’s Summer Fair on Saturday 3rd July, where the Lavender soap made by the pupils will be on sale.

WORLD CUP ANTHEM TO SCORE FOR HEROES

To coincide with England’s bid for World Cup glory, a Lancashire junior school teacher has penned a personal musical tribute to England’s football heroes, which he hopes will score big for Britain’s injured armed forces’ heroes returning from Afghanistan.

With the help of pupils at Rossall School in Fleetwood, Lancashire, sports teacher and aspiring musician, Lawrence Condon has released a World Cup song, with the title: ‘England, My England’, in a bid to highlight the sacrifices being made by the nation’s soldiers abroad and to raise valuable funds for the ‘Help for Heroes’ charity.

Lawrence’s pupils were the inspiration for the song and urged him to write one for the last World Cup. Four years on and just in time for South Africa 2010, ‘England my England’ has been created in a collaboration with British folk, rock band ‘Steeleye Span’ guitarist, Ken Nicol, who produced the song from its raw acoustic version, adding orchestra, drums and chorus. He hopes the song will become an anthem and find its way onto the football terraces of South Africa, but if not, he’ll be more than happy if the public buys the song and it generates cash for Britain’s injured heroes, returning from conflict in Afghanistan.

To help promote the single, a DVD featuring Lawrence and his pupils has been produced by children at Rossall, one of the North West’s oldest independent schools, with some help from the School’s IT department. The backing track features melodies from the early 1960’s hit ‘Telstar’, giving it its infectious chorus that would make an excellent football chant during the current World Cup. And, the children at the school provide a seventy-strong choral backing when the song is played live for visitors to the 166-year-old campus.

Commenting on the launch, Lawrence Condon said: “The children cajoled me into doing something for the World Cup, even though I’m not a professional musician. The result might not be likely to hit the heights of Frank Skinner’s ‘Three Lions’, but if there’s a chance that the public like it and want to support our lads in South Africa then they’ll also be making a valuable contribution to the lives of our servicemen and women in Afghanistan, so hopefully we score either way.”

DVD’s will be on sale at Rossall School from this week with all proceeds from the strictly not for profit song going straight to Help for Heroes.

Photo: Lawrence Condon with some of Rossall School Juniors

PUPILS TO EAT THEIR WAY THROUGH THE WORLD CUP AT SIBFORD SCHOOL

Pupils at Sibford School will be eating their way round the world over the next four weeks.

In celebration of the World Cup, catering staff at the school near Banbury will be selecting a match of the day and serving up traditional food from the countries playing.

Kicking off the lunchtime fixtures on Friday will be South Africa v Mexico … with tasty treats including Sopa de Pollo, Bobotie and Enchiladas, followed by Melktert for dessert.

Other footy feasts include Gazpacho, Toriniku (Chicken) Teriyaki and Capirotada (a Mexican version of Bread Pudding). Flying the flag for England will be battered haddock.

Chef Mark Higgins said: “We’ve had great fun planning the meals for the initial matches and are looking forward to a winning menu. We’ll be following the tournament through until the end, and, as we’re not at school on Sunday, will be serving up a champion’s feast on Monday 12 July.”

Photo: Getting into the World Cup spirit are: Chris Stones, Darren Hobbs, Matt Cross, Danny Holman and Kath Morris.

90 Years On : Founder’s Day at RENDCOMB COLLEGE

Celebrations at Rendcomb College.
Rendcomb College celebrated its ninety birthday with a celebratory Founder’s Day programme attended by well over 500 guests, including trustees, governors, parents, staff and pupils. Founded in 1920 by Noel Wills, the college still enjoys the generous support of its current trustees who are investing substantial funds this summer which will see a major internal refurbishment of boarding and day houses, as well as additional classrooms in the expanding junior school, which is also ten years old this September. The day also included displays of pupils’ work and exhibitions, two concerts performed to packed audiences and a falconry display organised by Mr James Stutchbury Head of Biology.

Guest speaker, The Rev’d Dr Ralph Waller, Director of The Farmington Institute for Christian Studies and Principal of Harris Manchester College, Oxford encouraged the pupils to continue to stretch their intellectual horizons and never take learning for granted. Highlights of the day also included reviews from the Head boys and head girls from the junior and senior school.

Gerry Holden
Headmaster

Photo: From left to right: Rev’d Ralph Waller, Sophie Musgrave , Oliver Heneghan, Eleanor Brealy and George Ord.

Praise for WYCLIFFE COLLEGE in inspection report

Pupils, teachers and leaders at Wycliffe College in Stonehouse, Glos, have been praised in one of the first of a new-style report by independent schools inspectors.

The inspectors found that the school was successful in meeting its aims. From the Early Years provision, described as “effective” and “outstanding” right through to sixth form, inspectors found reasons to commend the College.

In the Prep School the inspectors reported that “the quality of the education is good” while pupils in the Senior School “make good progress and achieve well, with some outstanding performances. This results from good teaching…and pupils’ well-developed learning skills.”

As well as academic progress, inspectors found that the “personal development of pupils is good, with a number of outstanding aspects” in the Senior School and reported that “links with parents, carers and guardians are outstanding.” In the Prep School, “the personal development of pupils of all ages is excellent” and “pupils’ personal qualities are outstanding and strongly fostered by the school’s open, friendly atmosphere.”

The inspectors found that “almost all parents are extremely pleased with most aspects of college life.”

In noting significant recent progress, the inspectors praised Wycliffe’s management which had “resulted in many improvements from which pupils benefit. The college has higher quality facilities and both senior and middle leaders have a better understanding of their roles than at the time of the last inspection.” The Prep School is “well led; leadership has a number of particularly strong features.”

Head Margie Burnet Ward said; “I am very pleased that the progress we have made has been recognised, as has the clear vision for the future that has been forged over recent years. As expected, there are recommendations to implement, but it is reassuring to know that these are all things we had identified through our annual self-evaluation and for which plans are already under way to bring about even greater improvements.”

Head of Wycliffe Prep School, Adrian Palmer said, “We are delighted that this report has reflected the progress the school has made since the last inspection.”
The inspectors were impressed by the College’s development plans saying, “The future direction is clear and all are striving to make the college the school of choice in the local community and further afield.”

A full copy of the report is available on the school’s website www.wycliffe.co.uk.

Young writers follow a poet’s footsteps at STONYHURST COLLEGE

Shakespeare, word puzzles and poetry were some of the topics chosen to inspire 80 talented children from all over the North West, at a Gifted and Talented Day held at Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall. Pupils aged 9 and 10 took part in a range of English activities designed to stretch and challenge them, including creative writing. After studying a poem by Gerard Manly Hopkins, who lived at St Mary’s Hall in !870, they walked through the same woodland which had inspired him before writing their own poems. They also learnt about the history of the English language and did some exercises in Anglo Saxon!
“Stonyhurst’s philosophy is to engage with an individual’s talents, so it was a pleasure to work with so many bright, engaged and enthusiastic children from across our region,” said Catherine Robinson, Head of English at Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall and organiser of the day.

Photo: children finding inspiration in Stonyhurst’s woodland., following Gerard Manly Hopkins’ footsteps.