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Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright-publishing.com CONTRIBUTORS Charlotte Phillips ADVERTISING GROUP AD MANAGER Sam Scott-Smith 01223 499457 samscott-smith@bright-publishing.com AD MANAGER Maria Francis 01223 492240 mariafrancis@bright-publishing.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION DESIGNER Emily Lancaster emilylancaster@bright-publishing.com AD PRODUCTION Man-Wai Wong 01223 492242 manwaiwong@bright-publishing.com
– help can feel difficult to access, and of limited use when it is. In a part of the country so firmly associated with brilliant education at all ages and stages, it’s easy to feel confident about how our schools and colleges will fare in terms of exam results. But when it comes to mental health, even the most brilliant subject teachers can find it more of a challenge. Educators, like pupils, need support. It is happening, with training programmes giving them the tools and confidence to help pupils cope during these difficult times. As they grow into young adults, they can take their places in society, not just with the appropriate qualifications, but the confidence and resilience to help them make the most of everything our extraordinary area has to offer.
e are emerging, blinking, into a world where we have to work out how to live with Covid-19. A key aspect of this
is ensuring children and young people are equipped to cope with a return to something approaching normality. Masks and self-isolating are on the way out, and exams are back in again (although still some way from how they used to look in the pre-pandemic era). Meanwhile, children’s mental health and wellbeing remains a real concern. Many, including older secondary school pupils and those with special educational needs, are more likely to be unhappy, feel less satisfaction with their lives, or suffer from greater anxiety. All this at a time when – with huge pressure on support services and the NHS
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CAMBR IDGE EDUCAT ION GUIDE 3
INS IDE THI S I SSUE
Contents
14 | CULFORD SCHOOL Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 6TX | 01284 385308 | culford.co.uk Set in 480 acres of beautiful parkland, with an 18th-century mansion at its centre, Culford provides first-class boarding and day schooling for more than 670 children aged from 2¾ to 18. With a strong emphasis on sport, Culford believes in educating the whole person to deliver awell-rounded, fulfilled individual with excellent academic results. 16 | ST FAITH’S Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AG | 01223 352073 | stfaiths.co.uk St Faith’s is an independent preparatory day school for boys and girls, aged four to 13. The school prides itself on its dynamic community and warm, welcoming personality. It has a reputation for excellent standards academically – across a huge breadth of subjects and activities. 22 | FELSTED SCHOOL Felsted, Essex CM6 3LL | 01371 822600 | felsted.org Only 45 minutes south of Cambridge, Felsted School offers families contemporary boarding options with a choice of three, five or seven nights a week. Pupils can access a wide academic curriculum, balanced with a rich programme of co-curricular activities to suit their talents and interests, all available on-site.
24 | GRESHAM’S Cromer Road, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6EA | 01263 714500 | greshams.com Set in 220 acres in beautiful North Norfolk, Gresham’s provides a high-quality, fully rounded, excellent education to boys and girls from the age of two to 18.
26 | ST JOHN’S COLLEGE SCHOOL 73 Grange Road, Cambridge CB3 9AB | 01223 353652 | sjcs.co.uk St John’s College School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school, offering an exceptional educational experience to pupils aged four to 13. The college has won the national Best Prep School and Best Prep School Head in the Tatler Schools Awards, and also offers a Flexible Learning Programme.
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36 | KIMBOLTON SCHOOL Kimbolton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 0EA 01480 860505 | kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk An independent co-educational day and boarding school near Cambridge, Kimbolton offers a busy and stimulating environment for pupils between the ages of four and 18.
38 | KING’S ELY The Old Palace, Palace Green, Ely CB7 4EW 01353 660707 | kingsely.org A day and boarding school, King’s Ely offers an outstanding education for children and young people aged two to 18. The school provides a broad and balanced curriculum, with a focus on nurturing the abilities of each pupil.
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48 | THE LEYS The Fen Causeway, Cambridge CB2 7AD | 01223 508900 | theleys.net The Leys is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Cambridge for 11 to 18 year olds. The school offers a close-knit, engaged and friendly community in which pastoral care is a top priority.
50 | MANDER PORTMAN WOODWARD 3-4 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE | 01223 350158 | mpw.ac.uk MPW is a small, independent fifth and sixth form located in the heart of Cambridge, with a range of courses. For children at other schools, it also offers popular Easter revision courses.
60 | ST MARY’S SCHOOL Bateman St, Cambridge CB2 1LY | 01223 224167 | stmaryscambridge.co.uk An independent day and boarding school for girls aged three to 18, St Mary’s is located near the Cambridge Botanic Garden and offers GCSEs and A-levels.
62 | STEPHEN PERSE FOUNDATION Union Road, Cambridge CB2 1HF | 01223 454700 | stephenperse.com The Stephen Perse Foundation is a group of independent schools providing excellent opportunities for students – achieving exceptional exam results, without sticking blindly to the syllabus or having to cram facts and figures.
CAMBR IDGE EDUCAT ION GUIDE 7
CI TY FUTURES
I AS COV ID- 19 RESTR ICT IONS ARE GRADUALLY WI THDRAWN, WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE – THINK ING ABOUT RAI S ING TALENT, ATTRACT ING INVESTMENT AND TACKL ING INEQUAL I TY Cambridge’s got talent
It might be somewhat simplistic to argue that the Medici Effect echoes into our local schools and colleges – but there are certainly similarities. Of the secondary schools in the county as a whole, 26 out of 34 of state schools are rated either good or outstanding, with independents similarly well regarded. In STEM or STEAM (science, technology, engineering and maths with the arts adding an extra letter – and a creative dimension), our area excels even further. Look on local schools’ websites and you’ll see coding clubs offered as an after-school activity for junior pupils and students achieving mind-blowing success – whether its younger ones winning science competitions, or research papers by sixth formers being accepted for publication in a science magazine. All this talent will be in strong demand as we emerge from the pandemic. Before March 2020, everything our area offered – from amazing restaurants to imaginative businesses that gave people a reason to visit in-person rather than ordering online – helped to make our city one of the most successful in the country.
n the long-awaited White Paper on levelling up, published in January, the government talks at length about the Medici model. Though not universally well received, its premise has certainly struck a few chords with organisations like Centre for Cities, which has analysed the publication in great detail. It is based on the idea that if you bring talented people together, it can lead to innovation – something that, coupled with an injection of capital, can do wonders for the local economy. While the message does get somewhat diluted towards the end of the paper’s 300+ pages, its references to building skills to boost economies have won cautious praise. Our city’s ability to attract and nurture talent has never been in doubt. The most exciting businesses keep coming, as does the out-of-the-box thinking that fuelled their growth. One company to move here, backed by over £2 billion of funding, will have a centre here and another in the US. The focus? Turning back the clock on ageing human cells, to ensure that living for longer is accompanied by those extra years being healthy.
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CAMBR IDGE EDUCAT ION GUIDE 9
CI TY FUTURES
Ironically, when Covid-19 struck, says the Centre for Cities report, those very factors meant that – like other ‘strong’ cities such as London, Birmingham and Oxford – ours lost more weeks of sales than other ‘weaker’ cities, where visitor numbers fell, but by a smaller percentage. Centre for Cities predicts that all the factors which contributed to our success before Covid-19 will ensure that post- pandemic, our popularity is as strong as before. Property prices seem to bear
that out. While our area has always been sought-after, it’s now home to one of the so-called golden postcodes, according to a recent survey – property in CB3 is ranked as some of the most desirable in the country. While there are plenty of success stories to celebrate, there’s still a long way to go when it comes to ensuring that the many people in our city, currently denied the same opportunities as others, are given the chance to thrive.
OUR AREA IS HOME TO ONE OF THE GOLDEN POSTCODES
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CI TY FUTURES
It seems extraordinary that despite our international reputation for creativity and innovation, we remain the most unequal city in the country. Our council aspires to make the playing field fair for all, reducing the huge gap between the haves and have- nots. Initiatives range from new housing to better healthcare, while minimising digital inequalities. In an area with so many brilliant thinkers, you have to hope that if the Medici model becomes a reality, it spreads out beyond new initiatives – including those in education, as well as business – to benefit our community as a whole. INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION FOR CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
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Culford School BURY ST EDMUNDS
here are few places quite like Culford. It is a school that places the individual at its heart, where teachers are committed to helping every child realise their potential and become the best they can be. You can see such dedication run throughout the school. Whether your child is one or 18 years old, Culford provides a high-quality education and the dynamic support needed to open up opportunities for every pupil. These combine into a highly personalised learning programme that helps each child achieve their aspirations. The Pre-Prep and Nursery, Prep and Senior Schools combine to offer a superb through-school experience for children. The school takes enormous pride in all
the pupils, who go on to excel in both their academic and sporting pursuits. Indeed, Culford School itself is just as unique as its staff and pupils. A blend of the historic and the modern, the school is set in 480 acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland, with an 18th-century mansion at its centre. It also boasts modern academic and sporting facilities that are the envy of schools and academies across the UK. No matter a pupil’s interest or passion, Culford School provides the foundation for them to flourish. Pupils have secured places at the most respected universities in the world, competed at national and international golf championships, and have been
CULFORD SCHOOL BURY ST EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK IP28 6TX
01284 385308
CULFORD.CO.UK
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“Pupils demonstrate excellent attitudes to learning as a result of a supportive and caring environment” Independent Schools Inspectorate
Available at culford.co.uk
KEY FACILITIES State-of-the-art library
Championship- standard indoor
tennis centre 25m heated swimming pool Football programme Indoor golf studio Drama theatres and music studio Dance programme Excellent in all areas – ISI Personal visits welcome all year round
as 7.30am and leave as late as 6pm for Pre-Prep, 8pm for Prep pupils and 8.30pm for Senior pupils. Culford also offers full, part and flexible boarding options, which can be a great solution for busy families. CAMBRIDGE CONNECTION There is a shuttle service for pupils who live in and around Cambridge, leaving from Park & Ride stations and delivering pupils to school within 40 minutes. If you would like to learn more about the school or organise a personal visit, please visit the website or contact the admissions team on 01284 385308 or email admissions@culford.co.uk
ranked among the top ten junior tennis players in the UK. To that end, it is no coincidence Culford is currently ranked the top co-educational school for tennis in the UK by the Lawn Tennis Association. The school sees education as a transformational process that guides pupils towards academic success, gives them clear moral values and develops their leadership qualities in readiness for the adult world. SUPPORTING BUSY FAMILIES At Culford School, an Extended Day Programme is provided that has been designed to help busy working parents by giving them extra flexibility. The programme allows pupils to come into school as early
CAMBR IDGE EDUCAT ION GUIDE 15
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St Faith’s CAMBR IDGE
mbition, collaboration, creativity, curiosity, independence, listening, reflection and resilience” If you mention these eight words to any of the pupils at St Faith’s School, they will immediately recognise them as our ‘Learning Habits’. These habits, which are tailored to appropriate age groups, are embedded across the curriculum and encourage the children to be their best selves, contributing to their community and approaching every challenge positively.
“
St Faith’s pupils learn to recognise that thinking differently can be a key strength, and that working collaboratively helps them to solve problems. Alongside this, our future-focused curriculum enables children to explore different choices, gaining important insights into what they enjoy and how they can learn most effectively. Many of them are awarded 13+ scholarships across a range of subjects, including academic awards, art, drama, music and sport. We are always delighted to see St Faith’s pupils transfer to their senior schools with confidence, knowing that they have developed exceptional learning habits which will last them a lifetime. This exciting learning journey takes place in a supportive, caring and happy school environment, within a green and spacious nine-acre site. Located in
TRUMPINGTON ROAD CAMBRIDGE, CB2 8AG
01223 352073
INFO@ STFAITHS.CO.UK
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the universe around them in a most exciting and immersive way. In a recent Independent Schools Inspection (October 2021), St Faith’s achieved the highest grade, with pupils’ achievements and personal development both judged as excellent. These fantastic outcomes are a testament to the exceptional quality of teaching at St Faith’s. Please do contact us – we will be delighted to tell you more about our award-winning school. Dr Crispin Hyde-Dunn.
the heart of the city of Cambridge, the school offers some outstanding facilities. The shelves in our library are stocked with over 12,000 works of fiction and non-fiction. Our engineering department is equipped with machinery to turn exciting projects into reality. Fully equipped science laboratories and computer suites are accessed across year groups. The Hub provides flexible, large indoor spaces for interdisciplinary projects, a rooftop astronomy viewing platform and virtual reality technology – allowing children to explore
Personal tours
Visit the school for a personal tour: stfaiths.co.uk/ admissions
CAMBR IDGE EDUCAT ION GUIDE 17
TEST ING T IMES
here’s a reckoning coming. After two consecutive years when exams were done very differently during the pandemic, things are starting Examining the exam results WI TH SO MANY QUEST ION MARKS AROUND GCSE AND A- LEVEL GRADES DUR ING THE PANDEMIC, THERE I S A DESPERATE NEED TO RETURN TO SOME SORT OF NORMAL I TY T
growing dismay, has started to feel like ancient history. After the world turned upside down, these high-stakes 16+ and 18+ exams were replaced – after much discussion – with alternative methods of assessment. In 2020, outcry followed outcry, as government ministers havered about what to do – and how to be fair to pupils in those crucial exam years, when they had already suffered so much. Robbed of vital classroom experiences and in-person teaching, deprived of seeing their friends and effectively under house arrest during lockdown, they had to put their childhoods on hold. Schools were asked to provide GCSE and A-level grades for students, based (as far as possible) on how they would have done had they sat their exams. The trouble came after the numbers were reassessed using some advanced number crunching by exam boards. After much criticism about the resulting unfairness, with bright, diligent pupils losing places at top universities after missing out on excellent grades they could reasonably have been expected to get in normal times, the results were declared null and void and withdrawn. New grades, based on
cancelled for two years running (2020 and 2021). Currently, the plan is to hold them again this summer. Many teachers have made their dissatisfaction known. How, they ask, can you compare schools, when children will have had such different experiences during the pandemic? As with SATs, the last time that GCSEs and A-levels happened in the customary way was 2019. That familiar summer ritual: children filing into sports halls, turning over the paper and either getting stuck in, or reading the questions with
to get back to normal – and about time, too. Extraordinary though it seems, this summer it will have been three years since the way that children were assessed at every school stage was turned on its head. At primary level, SATs assessments – normally held in the summer term and used to measure progress in literacy and numeracy, while evaluating how the schools themselves are performing – were
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two A*s or higher, with a sudden ascent in 2020 and 2021. The 2021 A-level results revealed 13,000 pupils achieved three A*s, the highest grades possible – up from 7,700 in 2020. The percentage of pupils awarded good A-level passes (grades A* to C) was also up. So – no surprise – was the number with a confirmed university place. It wouldn’t be so obvious, but for the fact that the rise in top grades has been so polarised. In some schools, there have been more top grades, but the change – though noticeable – hasn’t been revolutionary. But in others, it
the original teacher-assessed estimates provided by schools, were issued instead. There was less of an obvious uprising in 2021, when power was handed back to the schools from the start. While there have been fewer complaints of unfairness, the result has been a huge rise in top exam results, with an upward trajectory steeper than one of Elon Musk’s passenger-carrying spaceships at take-off. Graphs plotting statistics over the past few years show a flatline representing the more-or-less consistent proportion of pupils applying to university between 2010 to 2019 and achieving AAB or higher, or
RESULTS WERE DECLARED NULL AND VOID AND WITHDRAWN
CAMBR IDGE EDUCAT ION GUIDE 19
TEST ING T IMES
THIS SUMMER, STUDENTS WILL BE GIVEN TOPICS TO FOCUS ON
has been a very different story. Top grades haven’t just risen slightly, but exploded. This summer, exams will be different. Students will be given topics to focus on, while grade boundaries are set somewhere between 2021 and pre-pandemic levels – reducing, though not entirely removing, grade inflation. It’s not perfect, and for parents trying to work out how much importance to place on exam results, it’s incredibly confusing. Inevitably, some schools’ GCSE and A-level results have risen hugely since 2019. In normal times, you’d expect exam grades to show a degree of consistency. Factors like a new, ambitious head teacher, a particularly able cohort, or the introduction of an exam syllabus can result – over time – in changes to grades, whether up or down. While noticeable, however, the dips and rises are gentle, rather than eye-watering. The best solution is probably to ignore the past few years and see how a school was doing in 2019. While it won’t tell you everything, it will be a more accurate reflection of academic success than either 2020, 2021 or quite possibly 2022. In reality, 2023 could be the moment when, for the first time in four years, parents finally see how schools are really doing. It should be well worth the wait.
CAMBR IDGE EDUCAT ION GUIDE 21
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Felsted School NORTH ESSEX
umping on the smart minibus from Trumpington, to the wide-open space of the north Essex countryside, chatting and laughing with their friends throughout a 45-minute journey. That’s just the start of a packed day for pupils at Felsted School. A growing number of Cambridge families are choosing Felsted for their children; not just for the excellent academic results, but also the huge choice of sports, arts, adventures and community activities that are part and parcel of every school day. The beautiful Felsted campus, with more than 90 acres of playing fields, pitches and landscaped grounds, is the setting for an education that encourages each pupil’s character to flourish. Skills, talents and passions discovered here will last well into adult life. BROAD AND EXCITING The academic curriculum is broad and exciting. Felsted School, for boys and girls aged 13 to 18, offers a huge choice of subjects at GCSE and A-level, as well as the popular International Baccalaureate. The 11- to 13-year-old boys and girls have their own domain at Felsted Prep School, a bridge between the younger and senior years. Their learning is focused on honing the independent study skills needed for future development. Children aged four to 11 have a whale of a time in their small classes. Carefully devised lessons will lay solid foundations in maths and literacy, introducing the wonders of science, languages, sport and the arts. STRETCH, CHALLENGE, REINFORCE Right across the school, pupils at Felsted have the support they need. The more academically able are stretched and challenged to achieve new heights, while those who need it are given extra reinforcement. Each pupil’s individual academic needs are met.
@FELSTEDSCHOOL
@FELSTED_SCHOOL
OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM Felsted teams and individual sportspeople are often seen lifting national trophies. That said, sport really is for all. Team games are played at every level, so each pupil has the opportunity to represent the school in competition. Rugby, hockey, netball, football, tennis, swimming and athletics are all on the timetable, but there are plenty of options when it comes to keeping active and healthy – including yoga and dance. The school has its own professional-standard music school and theatre. These buzz constantly with the sound of young performing artists developing their skills. A link with the Junior Guildhall in London brings world-class instrumental teachers to Felsted, and the school calendar is bursting with concerts
FELSTED SCHOOL, FELSTED, ESSEX CM6 3LL (45 minutes south of Cambridge)
01371 822605
FELSTED.ORG
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‘‘We chose Felsted for our children because we wanted them to be well-rounded. We’ve seen huge changes in them since they joined – they’re responsible, sociable, respectful of others, and know how to pull together as a team’’ Parent of three Felsted pupils
and productions. Art is impressive, too, and high- quality artwork is showcased within the school, often included in public exhibitions. LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK Pupils at Felsted are encouraged to develop attributes that make a difference in the world. There are many opportunities for them to be challenged physically and emotionally – and put leadership and teamwork into practice. The Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and Model United Nations are very popular, and there are countless other chances for individuals to take on positions of responsibility and act as role models. INTERNATIONALISM AND UNDERSTANDING Felsted is an international community, bringing together pupils and staff from across the UK and all around the world. Working and living side by side gives unique insight into a range of cultures, views and values, encouraging young people to develop true understanding and respect for others. BOARDING BENEFITS Many pupils choose to board in one of the school’s comfortable, modern boarding houses – these really are a home from home. Felsted offers accommodation in either shared rooms or single bedrooms (depending on ages), quiet places to study, and communal areas for fun group activities. Houseparents care for the boarders 24/7, and there is a real family atmosphere. WELLBEING The wellbeing of pupils at Felsted is the top priority. Each individual member of the school community is known, valued and supported by a network of experienced teaching and non-teaching staff, totally dedicated to their care. The school has its own Wellbeing Centre, and an established programme of activities and initiatives to promote good mental health. There is also a fully equipped medical centre on campus, staffed by qualified healthcare professionals, available to pupils and staff day and night. VISIT FELSTED! To find out more about Felsted, visit the school. Please go to felsted.org/opendays to register for an open event. Alternatively, contact the school to arrange a personal tour at 01371 822605, or admissions@felsted.org.
SHORTLISTED FOR THREE AWARDS
Prep School of the Year
Boarding School of the Year
Sports School of the Year
A-LEVELS & IB DIPLOMA
AGES FOUR TO 18
CO-EDUCATIONAL
DAY & BOARDING
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Gresham’s HOLT, NORTH NORFOLK
ounded in 1555, Gresham’s is an authentic boarding and day school providing a fully rounded education to boys and girls aged two to 18. The school has excellent facilities spanning a 200-acre site, just four miles from the breathtaking North Norfolk coast. The review in the Tatler Schools Guide 2022 comments, “Gresham’s is a little slice of heaven.” It provides a broad and enriching education, enabling pupils to discover their own talents and develop into confident, well-rounded individuals. THE DYSON BUILDING The Dyson Building opened at Gresham’s in September 2021. Sir James Dyson, a former pupil at the school,
enabled the innovative new centre for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education. The dedicated centre for STEAM subjects disrupts the established narrative that young people must choose between science and the arts at an early stage of life. By teaching the subjects side by side, pupils will begin to see how knowledge gained from one discipline can be used creatively in another. Original thinking has always been the cornerstone of a Gresham’s education; the Dyson Building establishes state-of-the-art facilities to see this continue into the mid-21st century. Spaces are equipped with the latest technology, with art hubs, IT points and open-stair seating areas turning
Open days
Senior: 30 April 2022 Prep: 2 May 2022
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“A deserved reputation for inspiring creativity and developing the skills and confidence to turn ideas into reality” The Good Schools Guide
for generations, from composer Sir Benjamin Britten to poet WH Auden. More recently, some of the Old Greshamians making their mark and creating headlines include international rugby players, Tom and Ben Youngs, and the Academy Award-winning actor Olivia Colman. A PERFECT LOCATION North Norfolk is a beautiful place to live and learn. The school is located just outside the popular Georgian market town of Holt, surrounded by countryside and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A weekly bus operates to and from Cambridge, leaving the school at 4.45pm on Saturdays and dropping at Trumpington Park and Ride at 6.45pm. Pickup is from Trumpington Park and Ride at 6.45pm on Sunday, arriving back at school for 8.45pm. Academic, art, music, drama and sport scholarships are all available.
the spine of the building into an area for collaborative studies. Extra-curricular activities give pupils the opportunity to tinker and discover new ways of working. At Gresham’s, pupils are designing drones; using chemistry experiments to paint; building VEX Robotics for regional competitions; and designing, making and racing electric cars. Recently, science and the arts were seamlessly merged when pupils used computing to code a character for the Michaelmas musical. Sir James Dyson said: “By creating state-of-the-art spaces, I hope that we can foster, inspire and educate more brilliant young minds. I am so pleased that Gresham’s will be leading the charge.” REMARKABLE ALUMNI The school has a tradition of producing outstanding achievers in all walks of life, including architects, diplomats, engineers, musicians, athletes and many more. Old Greshamians have been inspiring others
GRESHAM’S, CROMER ROAD, HOLT, NORFOLK NR25 6EA
01263 714614
ADMISSIONS@ GRESHAMS.COM
GRESHAMS.COM
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St John’s College School CAMBR IDGE
t St John’s, we believe in a childhood filled with affection, in which young people know that they are valued. An education during which they learn to trust themselves and each other, find and express their voices, discover the differences they can make for themselves and others, learn to question, to collaborate, to be independent, and to take charge of their learning and lives. A St John’s education is about the whole child. At its core is our focus on pastoral care and wellbeing, starting with our Emotions for Learning programme. We believe that education at its best is a profound act of care. If we care, then we will notice. If we notice, then we will act on a child’s behalf. If we act for each child, then each of our children will achieve their best and become their best selves. To be known, to be noticed, to be valued, to be cared for – fundamental things for all of us – these are the essentials of a good childhood, and they are at the heart of the St John’s way. Our children become independent learners and creative thinkers prepared to question, with their curiosity very much alive. They get the best from themselves and achieve very highly within and beyond the classroom. We aim for them to develop a real generosity of spirit, to understand and care about how to get the best from others and to do well when they are with us – and when they are long beyond our walls. We focus on creativity throughout the school, both in the way we teach and the way children learn. We prefer to enable children to develop the skills they will need to succeed in the future, rather than
Open days
concentrate purely on gathering facts and passing exams, although these have their place in any educational environment. This different approach creates the right climate for our pupils to find their true voice and realise their potential, secure in the knowledge that they are cared for and supported by the community around them and equipped with the skills to problem-solve, collaborate and adapt. Our youngest children are full of questions, rich with curiosity. We work to preserve and strengthen their questioning and thinking skills. From the earliest age, we give them the essential tools, knowledge and understanding, but aim to give them more. Our Flexible Learning programme incorporates child-led
Our next open morning will be held on Thursday 12 May 2022 between 9.45am and 12pm. To attend, please contact our registrar, Mrs Emma Luck 01223 353652 or admissions@ sjcs.co.uk
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confirmed by the results of our recent inspection report, where the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements, and their personal development, were graded ‘Excellent’. Our exam results are outstanding and, on average, nearly half of our leavers gain scholarships to the strongest schools each year. FIND OUT MORE Visit our school and get to know us, as we are, during the normal school day on an Open Morning, or an individually arranged tour. It is important to us that you should have an opportunity to see the school in action, tour each of the sites and experience its atmosphere, as well as meet us to discuss the school’s educational approach. To find out more and arrange your visit or book a place on our Open Morning on 12 May, please contact the registrar, Mrs Emma Luck (01223 353652 or admissions@sjcs.co.uk)
independent learning, creative and critical thinking, digitally enhanced lessons, philosophy, compassion and loving kindness, as well as outdoor learning, which benefits from the addition of a landscaped forest garden. An Enrichment programme has been implemented with our nine to 13-year-olds every Thursday afternoon to explore the development of sustainability projects, as well as cross-curricular work in computing, the arts, design technology, maths and science. We also give space to My Mind, incorporating mindfulness, study skills, tai chi, PSHEE and philosophy, as a foundation for the skills necessary for critical thinking, self-management of learning and management of self. The aim is to foster children’s ability to possess their own learning, to engage their innate curiosity and creativity and encourage them to connect with their feelings. It is from this strong foundation that, despite being non-selective at our main intake at age four plus, our pupils go on to achieve at the highest levels. This is
73 GRANGE ROAD, CAMBRIDGE CB3 9AB
01223 353652
ADMISSIONS@ SJCS.CO.UK
SJCS.CO.UK
CAMBR IDGE EDUCAT ION GUIDE 27
EDUCAT ION T IMEL INE
The Education Timeline THE KEY DECI S IONS TO BE MADE AT DI FFERENT STAGES OF YOUR CHI LD’ S EDUCAT IONAL JOURNEY
BIRTH TO PRESCHOOL (RISING FOUR)
Visit local nurseries and childcare providers. Register as soon as possible, particularly if you require full-time nursery provision at an early age. Visit local pre-preps. Check deadlines for registration, but plan ahead – popular schools may have an official deadline but, if oversubscribed, will offer places based on date of registration. AGE 4½–7 Talk to your child’s current school about their progress and ask for advice on future schools. Visit prep schools (usually from year 2) and note registration deadlines If your child attends a fee-paying school, use teachers as a sounding board for senior schools. Attend meetings covering future schools (normally from year 4). Visit senior school open days (from year 4 or earlier). Check deadlines for 11+ registration (normally the November or December prior to entry). If you wish to apply for a scholarship, note any separate deadlines, together with 11+ entrance exam dates (normally held in January of year 6). Liaise with the school about preparation and flag any concerns. Children sitting the 11+ Common Entrance exam in year 6 will also need to be registered (in October or December for examination in November or January, respectively). (normally the autumn term of the preceding academic year). Check details and dates of assessments. AGE 7–11
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EDUCAT ION T IMEL INE
AGE 11–16 Register your child for 13+ Common Entrance/scholarship exams, sat in year 8 for year 9 entry. In year 9, pupils will choose GCSE options, taken in the summer of year 11 – subjects such as languages, art, drama and humanities (this will be in addition to core subjects such as English language and literature, maths and sciences). In year 10 and year 11, visit open events at sixth form schools and colleges to discuss courses, including apprenticeships (from age 16). Register for places. The deadline for registration and assessments/interviews is normally the autumn term of year 11.
AGE 16–18 Start planning for life after school. Attend careers talks, visit universities, research UCAS requirements and deadlines: October of the preceding academic year for Oxbridge, medicine, dentistry and veterinary science; mid-January for most other degree courses. Accept or defer a university place once A-level results are in (August), or apply for a place through clearing. If workplace-based training and qualifications are the goal, start considering which industry or occupation best matches interests and career ambitions, and research schemes and employers.
CAMBR IDGE EDUCAT ION GUIDE 29
OFSTED
An Inspector Calls GOVERNMENT GOALS FOR OFSTED ARE MORE AMB I T IOUS THAN EVER , WI TH MANY SCHOOLS WELCOMING THE INPUT AND SEE ING POS I T I VE RESULTS
A
mid all the reports from schools about the devastating impact of the pandemic, there’s a sliver of good news. Perhaps surprisingly,
inspectors are finding that not only are state schools doing well, but their inspection grades overall are better than they were before the pandemic. Inspections had been suspended from March 2020. While inevitable, it also meant that schools could concentrate on things that really mattered – staying open, so that vulnerable pupils, those with SEN, and children of key workers were able to continue their education. When it was announced that inspections would be starting again in autumn 2021, not everyone was pleased, fearing that it would simply add to the pressure that schools were already under. A petition, which attracted 13,000 signatories (some way short of the 100,000 required to trigger a parliamentary debate), called unsuccessfully for the suspension to be extended to September 2022. School leaders may not exactly jump for joy when they hear that the Ofsted inspection team is on the way (a separate organisation, the Independent Schools Inspectorate, evaluates fee-paying schools). And you can’t blame them. These days, inspections can take place with minimal notice and, where something is suspected to be going badly wrong, they can even be unannounced. Even when this isn’t the case and schools can be reasonably confident that an inspection is on the cards (and most
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OFSTED
INSPECTORS HAVE THE RIGHT TO TURN UP AT A SCHOOL WITH JUST 15 MINUTES’ NOTICE
will ensure that all policies and paperwork are always bang up to date, just to be sure), they will usually only find out the day before the inspection, although inspectors have the right to turn up at a school with just 15 minutes’ notice. This time around, however, many schools are finding that all the stress and strain of accommodating the inspection team is well worth the effort. Over 80% of schools inspected between September and November 2021 were awarded good or outstanding ratings – up from 77% before the pandemic. According to data from the first inspections carried out since the pandemic, many schools that had been
in the doldrums with a poor rating, have been upgraded. Over 70% inspected since September, and previously rated as requiring improvement, are now deemed good or even outstanding. For previously inadequate schools (the worst category), the figure is 56%. In both cases, the percentage has climbed, compared with the last round of inspections between 2019 and 2020. However, it hasn’t been good news all round. Inspection teams have started to home in on one group of schools that, in many cases, hadn’t been visited for years. These were previously graded ‘outstanding’ (the top ranking possible), which effectively gave them a golden
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OFSTED
CAMBR IDGE EDUCAT ION GUIDE 33
OFSTED
hoping that a crack inspection team will come their way soon, particularly as those who have been inspected and come out the other side have found it a broadly positive experience. An overwhelming majority of schools surveyed felt the benefits of the inspection ‘outweigh any negative aspects’, and agreed that the process and reports reflected the views of everyone in the school community. With the ambitious government goal for every school to have been reinspected at least once by summer 2025 – a year sooner than planned – that positive attitude can only be a good thing.
ticket (unless there was evidence things were going significantly wrong), meaning exemption from routine inspections. As a result, many schools went years without so much as a sniff of an inspector. Some have remained excellent; others not so much. Of those in England previously rated outstanding when inspected by Ofsted last term, just under half lost their gold star. While most were reclassified as ‘good’ – the second-best grade – 11% were demoted either to ‘requires improvement’ or – the worst grade – ‘inadequate.’ Given results to date, many previously downgraded schools could even be actively
SCHOOLS FELT THE BENEFITS ‘OUTWEIGH ANY NEGATIVE ASPECTS’
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ADVERT I SEMENT FEATURE
Kimbolton CAMBR IDGESHI RE
imbolton is an exciting place to study, combining strong academic provision with excellent pastoral care. At its heart, beats a strong sense of community – where everyone is encouraged to be involved and all contributions are valued. Boys and girls aged four to 18 thrive in the school’s happy, safe environment, centred around the historic Kimbolton Castle, with its 120 acres of grounds. A SENSE OF BELONGING A-level results put Kimbolton among the top schools in Cambridgeshire – but the Kimbolton experience offers so much more. Renowned for its caring, family ethos, visitors frequently comment on the kindness and respect that underpins the 1100-strong community. Small class sizes and an established house system mean that every pupil has a strong sense of belonging. Across all ages, children forge a broad range of friendships and settle in quickly. INSPIRING INDEPENDENT THINKERS The use of iPads by every pupil in the senior school has given teachers a powerful creative tool with which to enthuse children to effectively organise, communicate, learn and study. Kimbolton’s teachers utilise this technology alongside traditional methods, giving children a strong advantage in future learning and employment. Almost all pupils gain places at their chosen universities, with many heading to Oxbridge colleges and Russell Group universities. The school has a strong track record of students receiving offers for the most competitive courses, including medicine, dentistry and veterinary sciences. FIRST-CLASS FACILITIES On-site facilities include a new Science and Maths Centre, a modern theatre and concert hall, and large sports complex – including a 25m indoor swimming pool.
VIRTUAL TOURS
AGES FOUR TO 18
CO-EDUCATIONAL
DAY & BOARDING
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ADVERT I SEMENT FEATURE
Open days
Prep School (ages four-11) on Friday 13 May 2022 and Friday 7 October 2022 ; Senior School (ages 11-16) and Sixth Form (ages 16-18) on Saturday 1 October 2022 .
“Pupils grow into mature, multifaceted and empathic young adults, with a strong awareness of their social responsibilities” Independent Schools Inspectorate
KIMBOLTON HUNTINGDON PE28 0EA
BUILDING SOCIAL SKILLS AND SELF-ESTEEM More than 120 clubs and societies flourish at Kimbolton, playing a key part in pupil development. From coding in Robotics Club, to the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race, opportunities abound in sport, drama, art, music and outdoor pursuits. The school also has a thriving Combined Cadet Force, a Community Service Unit and an extensive programme of trips and visits. Such a wide variety of extracurricular experiences help to build children’s social skills and self-esteem – the bedrock for a happy and fulfilled life.
SUPPORTING BUSY FAMILIES Out-of-hours options provide quality support to parents. A before- and after-school club for the younger pupils, plus activities and homework sessions extend the day. Many children use the dedicated bus service, while others choose from a range of flexible, cost-effective boarding options. Kimbolton is half an hour from Cambridge and 40 minutes by train from London. Scholarships and bursaries are available. To arrange a visit, please call the registrar on 01480 862209 or head to kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk/visit
01480 860505
KIMBOLTON. CAMBS.SCH.UK
CAMBR IDGE EDUCAT ION GUIDE 37
ADVERT I SEMENT FEATURE
King’s Ely CAMBR IDGESHI RE
KING’S ELY
@KINGSELYOFFICIAL
@KINGSELYOFFICIAL
@KINGS_ELY
TRANSFORMING LIVES King’s Ely students are renowned for their energy, their courage and their integrity. The adventure of a King’s Ely education enables pupils of all ages to flourish, from the children in King’s Ely Acremont Nursery to the young men and women in our popular Sixth Form. The progress they make from the start to the end of their journey is astounding and accounts for our high placement in local and national added-value rankings. Whether a student shines in a classroom, in a laboratory, on a stage, on a pitch or on a mountainside, King’s Ely promises an abundance of opportunities for personal development, both academically and socially.
ing’s Ely is a leading independent co-educational day and boarding school situated just 15 minutes from Cambridge. Our school stands in the shadow of the magnificent Ely Cathedral, a place of outstanding beauty and spirituality, which makes the perfect setting for concerts and performances. As one of the oldest schools in the country, King’s Ely nurtures the academic and pastoral needs of around 1,000 pupils from the age of two through to 18. Our community is proud to have received an ‘excellent’ rating in all areas following our ISI inspection in November 2021, which recognised the highest levels of pastoral care, extra- curricular activity and academic rigour.
Open days
May and September 2022 Book your place at kingsely.org
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ADVERT I SEMENT FEATURE
“Pupils achieve highly because of excellent leadership of academic provision. They contribute extremely positively and willingly to the school, to local communities and to society more broadly” ISI Inspection November 2021
EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITY The range of clubs and activities on offer to pupils, both during and after school, is extensive. Pre-prep children enjoy activities like Forest School, Musical Sparklers and Engineering Club; Junior children get involved with clubs like archery, pottery and golf, and Senior pupils enjoy initiatives like Round Table Lecture Society, History Café and Language Leaders. The choices are endless, ensuring that there is something for everyone. THE GREAT OUTDOORS Our popular Ely Scheme captures the sense of adventure among students in years 9-13. From the high peaks of the Himalayas to the gushing torrents of the rivers in the Alps, our unique programme offers boundless opportunities for pupils to learn vital life skills, including our very own assault course and outdoor climbing wall. King’s Ely gives students the chance to undertake their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
KING’S ELY AT A GLANCE • Top five ‘added-value’ school in Cambridgeshire • Finalist in the 2020-21 Independent Schools of the Year Awards • 85% of students secure places at first-choice universities, including Oxford and Cambridge • Over 45 nationalities make up a diverse and enriching community • Nationally acclaimed Creative Arts Department including unrivalled textiles and drama • Finest stretch of training water shared with Cambridge University Boat Club • ‘Ely Scheme’ provides access to wealth of outdoor learning adventures • New astroturf opened in October 2021, with a second pitch on the way, subject to planning • Bus routes across the counties of Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk
AGES TWO TO 18
CO-EDUCATIONAL
DAY & BOARDING
RATED ‘EXCELLENT’ IN ALL AREAS IN THE NOVEMBER 2021 ISI REPORT
CAMBR IDGE EDUCAT ION GUIDE 39
ADVERT I SEMENT FEATURE
A SPORTING CHANCE All major sports are offered, along with an impressive array of other activities, helping every pupil to realise their sporting potential. Rowing, athletics, golf, cricket, hockey, tennis, rugby, netball, yoga, pilates, equestrian, clay pigeon shooting and football – there are sports and activities for everyone. As one of the major sports available to students from year 8 onwards, rowing is enormously popular at King’s Ely. Our Boat Club is located just a short walk from school, providing an uninterrupted stretch of water that runs for over 15 miles in each direction, including a 5km straight, making it the perfect place to train and to compete. PREPARATION FOR THE FUTURE Innovative approaches to teaching and learning are the hallmark of every section of King’s Ely. Through a broad and balanced curriculum, pupils develop the self- knowledge and inner resilience that will enable them to face the challenges of an ever-changing world. The aim is to create responsible and engaged young people who have developed learning habits that successfully prepare them for public examinations, higher education and
the challenging world of work. Old Eleans are currently studying 62 different courses at 43 different universities worldwide, from medicine to fashion and law to archaeology. As reported in the Good Schools Guide , King’s Ely “turns out well-rounded, likeable individuals who attain academically but who also realise there is King’s Ely is more than a school. We are a community, a family. We take each child on a seamless journey, travelling from one section to the next, while welcoming newcomers at key transition stages, giving support and adapting the offering to the needs of every child in our care. Visitors to King’s Ely frequently comment on the energy and warmth of our community. They notice, and appreciate, the relationship between staff and students more to life than just results”. INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY and the mutual respect shown by each to the other. With over 45 nationalities represented throughout our school, pupils enjoy their schooldays in the company of friends from a range of cultures and backgrounds. Such diversity, in part explains why, across our 75-acre site, visitors are never far from the sound of joy and laughter.
THE OLD PALACE ELY, CB7 4EW
01353 660707
ADMISSIONS@ KINGSELY.ORG
KINGSELY.ORG
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