Cambridge is a hotbed of educational opportunity – and not just because of our world-famous university! Schools are similarly revered, as we showcase in the latest issue of the Cambridge Education Guide. Packed with essential advice for prospective local learners, we discuss everything from future generations of STEM stars to the evolution of boarding; plus an ever-increasing focus on the performing arts, pressing open day questions and plenty more.
Your guide to the region’s best schools & sixth forms
Brought to you by Cambridge Edition magazine CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
Spring/Summer 2023
WELCOME
or anyone in need of a quick hit of feel-good vibes – with some vicarious pride thrown in for good measure – facts and figures about our area hit the spot every time. It’s growing fast, recording a greater population increase than any other region in England and Wales, according to the 2021 census. That translates into almost 18% more people in a decade – compared with a rise of just 6% for England as a whole – with a significant increase in people of working age. And no wonder they’re drawn here given the huge appeal. Cambridge boasts a growing number of dynamic, exciting businesses (we’re leaders in life sciences and ace at AI), wonderful surroundings, resources and excellent education. Many schools in the UK talk of the need to equip students for an unknowable future – given the dynamics of our area, Welcome
Editorial Editor Nicola Foley nicolafoley@bright.uk.com 01223 499459 Chief sub editor Matthew Winney Sub editor Ben Gawne Junior sub editor Lori Hodson Contributor Charlotte Phillips Advertising Sales director Sam Scott-Smith samscott-smith@bright.uk.com 01223 499457
it’s particularly pertinent to educational establishments here. There are though, some certainties; the need to ensure education does more than arm pupils with knowledge and top grades. It needs to be engaging, relevant and rewarding, giving students the confidence and resilience to embrace challenges in their working lives and putting an emphasis on critical thinking and curiosity, so they are increasingly questioning, collaborative and active recipients of their education. Fortunately, schools are already on the case, finding ways to nurture future talent and rethink the ways subjects are taught. Thanks to the top-class, inspiring education provided by our schools, pupils are well on the way to ensuring that growth, dynamism and success continues unabated in our area in years to come.
Ad manager Maria Francis mariafrancis@bright.uk.com 01223 492240
Design & production Senior designer Emily Lancaster Junior designer Hedzlynn Kamaruzzaman Ad production Man-Wai Wong
Managing directors Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck 01223 499450
Cambridge Education Guide Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High St, Sawston, Cambridgeshire CB22 3HJ. All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission of the publishers. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Cambridge Education Guide or Bright Publishing Ltd, which do not accept any liability for loss or damage. Every effort has been made to ensure all information is correct.
Brought to you by
bright.uk.com
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 3
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Contents
13 Cambridge International School Cherry Hinton Hall, Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge CB1 8DW 01223 416938 | cambridgeinternationalschool.co.uk
This independent day school offers an exciting, international education for children aged two to 11. Pupils from all over the world, as well as the UK, are taught a wide range of engaging lessons in small classes.
14 Culford School Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 6TX | 01284 385308 | culford.co.uk Set in 480 acres of beautiful parkland, Culford provides first-class boarding and day schooling for ages one to 18. With an emphasis on sport, Culford believes in educating the whole person, delivering a well-rounded 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 welcoming personality, with a reputation for excellent academic standards across a huge breadth of subjects.
26 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.
28 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 education for boys and girls from the age of two to 18.
30 Impington International College New Road, Impington CB24 9LX | 01223 200400 | impingtoninternational.org.uk The UK’s top non-selective provider of the IB, Impington International College has been offering a world-class education to students for over 30 years.
impington international college
4 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
32 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 experience to pupils aged four to 13. It won the national best prep school and best prep school head in the Tatler Schools Awards and has a Flexible Learning programme.
40 Kimbolton School Kimbolton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 0EA 01480 860505 | kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk An independent co-educational day and boarding school near Cambridge, Kimbolton is a busy and stimulating environment for pupils between the ages of four and 18. 42 King’s Ely The Old Palace, Palace Green, Ely CB7 4EW | 01353 660707 | kingsely.org A day and boarding school, King’s Ely provides an outstanding education for children and young people aged two to 18, with a broad and balanced curriculum. 52 The Leys The Fen Causeway, Cambridge CB2 7AD | 01223 508900 | theleys.net The Leys is a co-educational independent day and boarding school for 11 to 18 year olds. The school creates an engaged and friendly community in which pastoral care is a priority.
54 Mander Portman Woodward 3-4 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE | 01223 350158 | mpw.ac.uk
MPW is a small, independent fifth and sixth form with a range of courses located in the heart of Cambridge, with popular Easter revision courses for children at other schools.
64 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 through a flexible and rigorous academic curriculum, while nurturing personal development. 66 Stoke College Stoke-by-Clare, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 8JE | 01787 278141 | stokecollege.co.uk Stoke College is a day and boarding school for pupils from reception age through to sixth form. With an average class size of ten, Stoke prides itself on excellent pastoral care and academic success.
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 7
EDUCATION IN CAMBRIDGE
A hotbed of opportunity
Our city is famed for its educational institutions – but this heritage isn’t limited to the university. Schools in Cambridge are famously excellent
here’s a supposedly ancient blessing that goes ‘may you live in interesting times’. Most would
That’s particularly positive news given that, during the pandemic, employment figures here slumped just as they did in other high-performing areas home to large working populations. Since then, though, employment has recovered. Our city ticks all the right boxes for firms in rapidly expanding new industries and cutting-edge businesses – to the point where, per person of working age, we have the lion’s share of these companies. What these businesses are looking for is a steady supply of quality employees, contacts with the appropriate specialist
agree that it sounds more like a curse. People could be forgiven for requesting a nice period of inaction in which very little happens. But change is inevitable, and when it brings innovation it can benefit a whole community. That’s certainly the case in our area, which continues to be a magnet for cutting-edge companies. Cambridge is one of the top places in the south of the country ‘new economy’ businesses want to be.
8 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
EDUCATION IN CAMBRIDGE
“If you’re moving here with school-age children, a major pull of our area is the quality of the education”
skills, as well as opportunities to meet and interact easily with others – not just online, but face-to-face. Given that, in our city, you are never more than a few feet away from a highly educated super- specialist, this is the place to be. Other cities are also packed with professionals who are bristling with qualifications and experience. But for those that choose to make their living here, there are more unique factors that mean Cambridge is an amazing place to be. If you’re moving here with school-age children, a major pull of our area is the quality of the education. Of course, higher education remains a major draw. But for many families, what counts is the confidence that – regardless of age – their children will have access to educational opportunities which will help develop their talents and
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 9
EDUCATION IN CAMBRIDGE
flourish, regardless of whether they follow traditional paths into universities or opt for vocational courses. While no teacher, however gifted they may be, can equip a child with the gift of prophecy when it comes to knowing how best to prepare for the future (though if it happened anywhere, it would probably be here!), what they can do is help them acquire ways of learning that will enable them to be increasingly nimble-minded. Achieving this requires a substantial rethink into how curriculums are organised and a recognition that traditional barriers between subjects are often unhelpful – instead looking to build bridges. While it’s not hard to see
“Schools are now deliberately trying to break down the boundaries between sciences and arts”
the links between maths, engineering, physics and technology, schools are now emphasising the importance of creative thinking, deliberately trying to break down the boundaries between sciences and arts, and bringing a new dimension to problem solving. As the perimeters between subjects become increasingly porous, pupils even at primary age are being encouraged to think differently, to recognise the power of making
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 11
EDUCATION IN CAMBRIDGE
connections, developing curiosity and being unafraid to ask difficult questions. The goal is that every child has the same opportunities to succeed. While our area is successful, it remains one of the country’s most unequal, with one in six children in poverty pre-pandemic, less social mobility and disadvantaged pupils faring worse at school. Moves to improve the situation are underway, with ambitious plans to bring different sectors of the community – private, public and not-for-profit – together to ensure that, as our area continues to flourish, everyone gets given the opportunities they deserve to fulfil their potential. “We must ensure that, as our area continues to flourish, everyone gets given the opportunities they deserve to fulfil their potential”
12 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Cambridge International School
ucked away in beautiful Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge
Open day Friday 12th May 9.30 am to 11.30am
International School is a flourishing independent day school for ages two to 11. We are a welcoming community of children, parents and staff both from the local area and overseas. Our door is also open to home educators interested in flexi-schooling opportunities. ETHOS Our values and ethos ensure that children can learn and excel in an unpressured, nurturing environment, with a key focus on our pupils becoming confident lifelong learners. With small class sizes (maximum of 16) and staff who are experienced in teaching children from a range of different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, our school helps students to be internationally minded and ensures that they value and respect the diversity of their classmates. Each child is given individualised targets, to ensure that they are aspiring to achieve their full academic potential. LEARNING We focus on the quality of our pupils’ learning, with an emphasis on the
question: ‘Am I getting better?’ Our exciting and varied curriculum uses a topic-based approach, allowing thorough inquiry into questions relating to science, history and geography, with links to art, design and technology. Learning in mathematics and English follows the UK national curriculum, and we give specialist lessons in music and sport. Language provision is a top priority; along with Spanish lessons from the age of three, children who don’t speak English at home can receive two lessons a week in their ‘mother tongue’ – and support for English as an additional language (EAL) is integrated into classroom learning. CHERRY HINTON HALL & BEYOND The spacious, green landscape of Cherry Hinton Hall Park allows students to learn and explore outdoors. Along with Forest School – our woodland activity sessions – outdoor space is used for exercise, play and instilling an appreciation for nature. Pupils also take trips to Cambridge and beyond, visiting museums, galleries and other inspiring educational spaces. FIND OUT MORE Further information about how Cambridge International School will support your child can be found on our website. Our staff would be happy to facilitate your visit. To arrange a tour of the school, please contact admissions on 01223 416938 or email admissions@cischool.co.uk
Cherry Hinton Hall, Cherry Hinton Road, CambrIdge, CB1 8DW
01223 416938
admissions@cischool.co.uk
cambridgeinternationalschool.co.uk
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 13
Culford School
Culford School, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 6TX
01284 385308
culford.co.uk
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 qualities combine into a highly personalised learning programme, helping each child achieve their aspirations. The Pre-Prep and Nursery, Prep and Senior Schools offer a superb through- school experience for children. The school takes enormous pride in all of the pupils, who go on to excel in both their academic and sporting pursuits.
Personal tours Please sign up at culford.co.uk
14 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
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 championship and have been ranked among the top ten junior tennis players in the UK. It’s no coincidence Culford is currently ranked the top UK co-educational school for tennis by the Lawn Tennis Association. The school sees education as a transformational process, guiding pupils towards academic success, giving them clear moral values and developing
leadership qualities in readiness for the adult world. SUPPORTING BUSY FAMILIES At Culford School, an Extended Day Programme has been designed to help busy working parents by giving them extra flexibility. This allows pupils to come into school as early as 7.30am and leave as late as 6pm for Pre-Prep, 8pm for Prep and 8.30pm for Senior pupils. Culford also offers full, part and flexible boarding, which can be a great solution. CAMBRIDGE CONNECTION There is a shuttle service that accommodates pupils who live in and around Cambridge, leaving from Park & Ride stations and delivering pupils to school within 40 minutes . To learn more about the school or organise a visit, go to the website, contact the admissions team on 01284 385308 or email admissions@culford.co.uk
Key facilities • Championship-standard indoor tennis centre • 25m indoor heated swimming pool • Football programme • Indoor golf studio, outdoor short game area and driving range • Brand new DT, digital media and innovation centre • Drama theatre and music studio • Dance programme
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 15
St Faith’s
Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AG
01223 352073
info@stfaiths.co.uk
stfaiths.co.uk
These diagnostic tests are repeated at key points across a pupil’s time at St Faith’s, forming a picture of the development of an individual and allowing the teaching they receive to be tailored accordingly. This monitoring also supports an extremely smooth transition to secondary education, since the pupil’s chosen school will receive a fully rounded profile of that pupil – both academically and emotionally – before they even arrive for their first day. “One example of the changes we made at St Faith’s based on the data we were monitoring was the homework “Pupils’ progress is not measured solely by academic indicators, but also by wellbeing and emotional intelligence”
t has long been the mantra of educational settings that ‘a happy child learns best’, but what does that actually mean in practice? Eighteen months into his headship of St Faith’s, Cambridge, Dr Crispin Hyde-Dunn (formerly headmaster of Dragon School in Oxford) pays tribute to the highly individualised approach to learning and pastoral care that is the hallmark of St Faith’s: “We are becoming increasingly accustomed to the idea that many aspects of our lives can be tailored to our precise needs as individuals. At St Faith’s, we aim to lay the foundations for our pupils not only to become life-long learners, but also for each one of them to relish that personalised journey. This is done by taking a ‘precision learning’ approach, where we track our pupils’ progress very closely, yet also unobtrusively, so that we can ensure as individualised an approach to their learning preferences as possible.
Open day Come along to visit the school this summer at our open morning, Wednesday 7 June . Reserve your place at stfaiths.co.uk
“At St Faith’s, pupil progress is not measured solely by academic indicators but, equally importantly, by measures of wellbeing and emotional intelligence. Teachers have access to comprehensive data from both CAT (cognitive abilities tests) and PASS (pupil attitudes to self and school) tests in order to inform their differentiated teaching in the classroom. This means that teachers are able to respond effectively to the different types of learners they have in their classes The results also afford insight into those issues which might be adversely affecting pupils’ self-esteem as learners. Overall, it means that teachers build up a very detailed profile of each pupil in their class.
16 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Personal tours Visit the school for a personal tour at stfaiths.co.uk/admissions
“Precision learning means that pupils grow in self-esteem and therein lies its added value. Furthermore, it identifies pupils who might need additional academic or pastoral support at any point in their journey. Children will be unable to fulfil their academic potential unless they also have high self-esteem as learners, and this is why St Faith’s puts such a high value on this close, yet unobtrusive monitoring. “St Faith’s is justifiably proud of its record in this area and can demonstrate the growth in confidence of the pupils, which continues to increase in each year of their school journey. This personal growth is particularly marked in the final two years at the school (years 7 and 8), where the children take on increased responsibility. Every year 8 pupil becomes a school prefect and is given opportunities to lead ‘buddy’ sessions with younger children, which in turn fosters a highly successful vertical integration in the school community. The role of ‘house captains’ promotes pupil responsibility, as does the engagement of outreach programmes supporting local, national and global initiatives. “The St Faith’s teaching community has recognised the importance of ‘precision learning’ and staff have worked extremely hard to apply it to the education that each individual pupil receives. The results are highly impressive, and I am privileged to be the headmaster of a school which has at its heart the ambition for every pupil to ‘be their best selves’.”
arrangements for years 3 and 4, whereby pupils in those year groups are now set homework only in the core subjects. “Another important example is that ‘effort and attainment grades’ were transformed into ‘learning habit and attainment grades’, based on the eight ‘learning habits’ developed at the school to underpin effective education. These eight habits have now become thoroughly
embedded in the culture of St Faith’s, and pupils are guided throughout the school year to display each habit with greater levels of both sophistication and fluency. “Pupils are also encouraged to see the links between areas of the curriculum in a skills-based way. For example, solving a problem in an engineering lesson draws on knowledge learnt from maths, science and computing.
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 17
FUTURE FOCUS
Full STEM ahead Inspiring the next generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers, with access to creativity and an array of technical subjects
cience, technology, engineering and mathematics – STEM to those in the know (which in our area is an awful lot of people) – is something we’re really good at. It’s popular, too. In 2022, maths was the top A-level choice for sixth formers, closely followed by psychology, biology and chemistry. It has translated into a huge jump in applications to related degrees taken at university level over the past decade, including four times as many students hoping to study artificial intelligence. While the country has what you might politely describe as a fair few issues to contend with currently, boosting the importance of STEM should, think many, be a major priority. This was recently acknowledged by the government, with its creation of a separate science department and its very own minister at the helm. It isn’t just about supporting the current generation of amazing STEM specialists but ensuring we get even better at inspiring children to become the brilliant STEM-focused brainboxes of the future. That’s where schools in our area come in. Talk to their STEM or STEAM experts (A stands for the arts and the importance of creativity) and their passion for this “Talk to STEM experts and their passion for this vital area of education comes over loud and clear: STEM matters”
18 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
OPEN DAYS
FUTURE FOCUS
vital area of education comes over loud and clear. STEM matters because the subjects it represents connect so many areas – in life as well as at school. Being at the cutting edge will matter to us even more in the future – and future success will rely on producing enough of the right people, such as engineers and scientists. STEM covers a vast range of different topics and a multitude of applications. They require the ability to solve problems with logical and analytical thinking, often starting by asking the question: ‘why?’ Fostering these skills doesn’t just benefit pupils’ STEM studies, but helps them to develop enquiring minds and boosts their ability to think and work independently – something that assists their studies across the curriculum, at school and beyond. If you want facts and figures demonstrating success, schools in our area willingly oblige – boasting a host of individual and team triumphs in every area, from engineering scholarships to coding competitions.
20 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
FUTURE FOCUS
Schools’ not-so-secret weapons include a winning combination of fabulous facilities, amazingly creative initiatives and, of course, terrific specialist teachers – so that many more young people have the confidence to feel STEM subjects are for them. This ranges from investing in appealing spaces where these subjects are taught, to developing innovative approaches that draw pupils in, sparking interest and curiosity from an early age. Schools are inspiring pupils with computing by showing how it impacts so many areas of our lives. They’re introducing open-ended investigations encouraging pupils to develop “STEM matters because the subjects it represents connect so many areas”
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 21
FUTURE FOCUS
problem-solving skills and making practical experiments a core element of the curriculum. Part of that includes ensuring gender parity. Historically, coding attracted more boys than girls. However, the introduction of girls-only coding clubs and activities is starting to redress the balance – yet there is still more work to be done. It’s all enhanced by schools’ amazing array of extra-curricular activities, trips and events, making it all but impossible for any pupil not to find something that appeals. The range is immense, involving everything from creating virtual racing cars to setting up pupil-run, STEM- focused podcasts.
Schools are also using their STEM know-how to benefit others. For older pupils, that might include opportunities to work with younger children in their own or other schools, inspiring them with their experiences and talking about how their passion for STEM has influenced decisions about future study and careers. In an area renowned for world-beating expertise, it’s no surprise that our schools’ commitment to science, technology, engineering and maths is equally inspiring. You don’t need to be a science genius to feel confident that if you add all these ingredients together, the result will be a brilliant new generation of inquiring, assured and creative young minds.
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 23
EDUCATION TIMELINE
Education Timeline Key decisions to be made at different stages of your child’s scholastic 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 and remember to check deadlines for registration. It is important to plan ahead – popular schools may have an official deadline but, if oversubscribed, they will offer places based on the 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 (they are normally in the autumn term of the preceding academic year). Check for details and dates of any assessments that may be required. Age 7–11 If your child attends a fee-paying school, use teachers as a sounding board for senior schools. Attend meetings covering potential future schools (normally taking place from year 4). Visit senior school open days (from year 4 or earlier) and check deadlines for 11+ registration, which are normally the November or December prior to entry. If you wish to apply for a scholarship, it is important to note any separate deadlines, together with 11+ entrance exam dates (these are normally held in January of year 6). Liaise with the school about preparation and flag any concerns you might have. Children that will be sitting the 11+ Common Entrance exam in year 6 will also need to be registered to do so (in October or December for examination in November or January, respectively).
24 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
EDUCATION TIMELINE
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 usually 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 degrees. 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, research schemes and employers.
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 25
Felsted School
Felsted School, Felsted, Essex CM6 3LL 45 minutes south of Cambridge
01371 822605
felsted.org
world-class education in East Anglia. Cambridge families choose Felsted School for their children, not just for the excellent academic results, but also the huge choice of sports and arts, as well as adventurous and community activities part and parcel of every school day. The beautiful Felsted campus, with more than 90 acres of playing fields, pitches and landscaped grounds for exploring, is just a 45-minute bus ride from Cambridge. It’s the setting for an education that encourages individual pupils’ characters to flourish, with skills, talent and passions that will last well into adult life to be discovered, developed and nurtured. BROAD AND EXCITING The academic curriculum is broad and exciting. At the top of Felsted Prep School, 11- to 13-year-old boys and girls have their own domain, where their learning is focused on honing the independent study skills they will need in order to
Felsted has provided the perfect education, support and opportunities for our children, but the most important thing for us is that they have always been so happy at school. They have often wished the holidays to be over, just to get back to all the exciting lessons and activities, which is wonderful!” Felsted parent
make the most of their education going forward. Once in the senior school, boys and girls aged 13 to 18 have a huge choice of subjects at GCSE and A-level, as well as the popular option of the International Baccalaureate. Younger children, aged four to 11, have a whale of a time in small classes at the lower phases of Felsted Prep, carefully devised lessons laying solid foundations in maths and literacy, and introducing the wonders of science, languages, the arts and sport.
the most of their learning. Teaching is modern and engaging, taking place in the inspiring surroundings of historic school buildings, or the brand-new Marshall Centre for Learning, a state-of-the-art hub for independent study as well as collaboration. The very able are stretched and challenged to achieve new academic heights, while those who need it are given extra reinforcement. CREATIVITY AND SPORT IN THE SPOTLIGHT One of the sportiest schools in the country, Felsted teams and individual sportsmen and women are often seen lifting national trophies. That said, sport really is for
STRETCH, CHALLENGE AND REINFORCE
Right across the school, pupils at Felsted are given the support needed to make
26 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
all, with team games at all levels. Every pupil has the opportunity to represent the school in competition. Rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, tennis, football, swimming and athletics are all on the table. There are plenty of options when it comes to keeping active and healthy – including yoga, horse riding 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 talents. A link with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London brings world-class instrumental teachers to Felsted, and the calendar is bursting with concerts and productions. Art, too, is impressive: high-quality artwork is showcased within the school and often included in public exhibitions. LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORKING Pupils at Felsted are encouraged to develop attributes that will see them make a difference to the world in the future, so there are many opportunities to challenge themselves physically and emotionally, and to practise both leadership and
teamworking. The Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and Model United Nations are very popular, and there are countless other chances throughout the school for individuals to take on positions of responsibility and act as role models. Felsted is an international community, bringing together pupils and staff from across the UK and around the world. Working and living side-by-side gives a unique insight into a range of cultures, views and values, encouraging young people to develop true understanding and respect for others. INTERNATIONALISM AND UNDERSTANDING BOARDING BENEFITS While a fifth of senior and sixth form pupils at Felsted are day pupils, the rest choose to board in one of the school’s eight comfortable, modern boarding houses. These are a home from home, offering 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 Wellbeing of pupils at Felsted is top priority. Each 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 a Wellbeing Centre, and an established programme of activities and initiatives for promoting good mental health. There
@felsted_school
@felstedschool
is also a fully equipped medical centre on campus, staffed by qualified healthcare professionals, available to pupils and staff day or night. VISIT FELSTED! The best way to find out about Felsted is to visit and chat to pupils, as well as Felsted head, Chris Townsend, and new head of Felsted Prep, Miranda Norris. For more info and to book an open morning, visit felsted.org or call the friendly admissions team on 01371 822605. Alternatively, you can email at admissions@felsted.org.
A-levels & IB diploma
Ages four to 18
Co-educational
Day & boarding
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 27
Gresham’s
ounded in 1555, Gresham’s is an authentic boarding and day school providing a rounded education to boys and girls aged two to 18. The school has excellent facilities spanning a 200-acre site, set just four miles from the breathtaking North Norfolk coast. Gresham’s 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. By teaching the subjects side by side, pupils will begin to see how the knowledge gained from one discipline can be used innovatively in another. Creativity and original thinking have always been the cornerstones of a Gresham’s education; the Dyson Building establishes state-of- the-art facilities to see this continue today. The building is becoming a hub for STEAM education across Norfolk and enables great opportunities for the outreach programme, which is run with local schools. Activities include robotics with Sphero bots, making electromagnets, building and racing balloon cars and creating model boats. Spaces are equipped with the latest technology, art hubs, IT points and open- stair seating areas, turning the spine of
Cromer Road, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6EA
01263 714614
admissions@greshams.com
greshams.com
28 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
“Leavers emerge well-rounded, well-mannered and resilient” Tatler Schools Guide 2022
Open day Prep School: Friday 28 April 2023 Senior School: Saturday 29 April 2023
the building into an area for collaborative studies. Extra-curricular activities provide pupils with the opportunity to tinker and discover new ways of working. Pupils are designing drones, building electric cars, working with VEX Robotics kits, 3D printing and Raspberry Pi programming. 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, sportspeople and many more. Old Greshamians have been inspiring others for generations, including renowned East Anglian composer Sir Benjamin Britten, poet W. H. Auden, biophysicist Sir Alan Hodgkin and sportsman Richard Leman. More recently, Old Greshamians making their mark and creating news headlines include international rugby players Tom and Ben Youngs and 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 an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A weekly bus to and from Cambridge leaves school at 4.45pm on Saturdays, dropping at Trumpington Park & Ride at 6.45pm. Pickup is again from the Park & Ride at 6.45pm on Sundays, for an 8.45pm return. Academic, art, music, drama and sport scholarships are all available.
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 29
Impington International College
Impington, Cambridge CB24 9LX
01223 200402
international@ivc.tela.org.uk
impingtoninternational.org.uk
impington international college
world-class International Baccalaureate (IB) education at Impington International College (IIC) – East Anglia’s top non-selective IB world school topped the Parent Power list for a third time running this year. The impressive ranking follows a successful academic year, where students attained a 100% pass rate and over a quarter of the cohort achieved 40 or more points – equivalent to four A*s at A-level. UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS Of the 2022 cohort, 98% secured a place at their first-choice university, 36% of which were Russell Group universities. The celebrations continued into this academic year, where 75% of Oxbridge applicants received offers. IIC has a long- standing relationship with Oxbridge – in
2020, an IIC alumna was the world’s first to be accepted to the University of Cambridge after studying the IB Career- related Programme (CP). UNIVERSITY PREPARATION Through the IB Diploma Programme (DP), students study six subjects including a science, a language and mathematics. CP students combine two DP subjects with practical studies in their chosen field. This means students are well prepared for the rigour of higher education and are widely recognised by universities as desirable applicants thanks to the core elements of each of the programmes. Through unique features such as the IB extended essay,
Impington International College
@ImpingtonIntCol
students have opportunities to undertake independent research projects and develop skills that will help them to thrive at university. ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES IB programmes also place a strong focus on the holistic growth of an individual. Through creativity, activity and service (CAS) – compulsory elements of IB
30 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Open days Our next open evening will be held on Wednesday 18 October
programmes – students take part in a choice of more than 40 enrichment opportunities alongside academic studies. AN INTERNATIONAL MINDSET Cultivating an international mindset underpins daily college life, and students benefit from multiple opportunities to travel abroad. Whether they are language learning in Peru, volunteering for community projects in Botswana or spending time with peers in Japan, each student gains a greater understanding of different perspectives and a sense of their place in the global community. CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY Closer to home, community plays an important role at the college, with small class sizes (averaging ten students per class) that rival local independent schools. This enables more contact time with teachers and a close-knit environment, sparking creativity and conversation. Located in the heart of leafy Impington, just 15 minutes from the cultural and social centre of Cambridge, students benefit from the best of both worlds.
ADMISSIONS
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 31
St John’s College School
t St John’s, we believe in a childhood filled with affection, in which children know that they are valued, learn to trust themselves and each other, find and express their voices and discover the differences they can make for themselves and others. Not only this, but they can learn to think for themselves, to question, collaborate, be independent, own and take charge of their learning and their lives. A CARING COMMUNITY 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 which is at the very foundation of what we do and how we are as a school. 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 become their best selves. To be known, noticed, valued and 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. NURTURING INDEPENDENCE & CREATIVITY 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 our children to develop a real generosity of spirit, to know and care about getting the best from others and doing 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 needed to succeed in the future rather than concentrate purely on gaining knowledge, gathering facts and passing exams – although these have their place in any educational environment. This approach creates the right environment for our pupils to find their true voices and realise their potential, secure in the knowledge that they are cared for and supported by the community around them, equipped with a full set of 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
73 Grange Road, Cambridge CB3 9AB
01223 353652
admissions@sjcs.co.uk
sjcs.co.uk
32 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Open day Our next open morning will be held on Thursday 11 May 2023 . To attend, please contact our registrar, Mrs Maria Mosher 01223 353652 or admissions@sjcs.co.uk tools, knowledge and understanding, but aim to give them more. Our Flexible Learning programme features child-led independent learning, play-based learning in the Pre-Prep, creative and critical thinking, executive functions, digitally enhanced learning, philosophy, compassion and loving kindness – plus outdoor learning, which benefits from the addition of a landscaped forest garden. An Enrichment programme has been implemented with the school’s nine- to 13-year-olds, exploring the development of sustainability projects as well as cross- curricular work and giving space to My Mind (incorporating mindfulness, study skills, tai chi, PSHEE and philosophy as a foundation for critical thinking skills, self-
management of learning and management of self). The aim is to foster a child’s ability to possess their own learning, engage their innate curiosity and creativity, and encourage them to connect with their feelings about themselves and the world. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE From this strong foundation – despite being non-selective at our main 4+ intake – our pupils go on to achieve at the highest levels. This is confirmed by the results of our previous ISI Inspection Report, where the quality of pupils’ academic achievements and personal development were graded as ‘Excellent’. Our exam results are outstanding and, on average, nearly half of our leavers end up gaining
scholarships to the strongest schools each academic year. FIND OUT MORE Visit our school and get to know us during a normal day on an open morning or individually arranged tour. It is important to us that you should have an opportunity to see the school in action, tour each of the school’s sites (usually with the children) and experience its atmosphere, as well as meet us to discuss the school’s educational approach and ask any questions. To find out more and arrange your visit, or book a place on one of our open mornings on 11 May, please contact the Registrar, Mrs Maria Mosher (01223 353652 or admissions@sjcs.co.uk)
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 33
BOARDING
hen it comes to the way boarding schools are perceived, the legacy of Harry Potter and Hogwarts has a lot to answer for. Sorting hats, haunted staircases, owl-delivered post and amazing banquets make the whole idea of staying at school not just appealing but enviable. Enid Blyton’s enduringly popular Malory Towers and St Clare’s series of books, with traditional depictions of midnight feasts and dorm rivalries haven’t done a bad job either. While ghosts and birds of prey are notable for their absence, the way that boarding at school is organised has changed substantially over recent years. Gone are large dorms with rows of metal beds and draft-friendly windows. Today, it’s rare to find more than a handful of pupils occupying one room, and at the top end of the school, senior pupils will very often have their own or share with just one other student. The way boarding accommodation looks varies substantially by school and heritage – with huge variation depending on the vintage and character of the building. Some boarding houses are historic, with high ceilings and wooden panelling. Others are purpose built – some even offering refinements like Welcome aboard As with all aspects of schooling, boarding is moving with the times. Options abound, with flexibility to suit your family’s preferences
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 35
BOARDING
en-suite bathrooms. But regardless of age, fixtures and fittings increasingly have a high-quality feel to them – schools have invested huge amounts in improved design. And constants include a cosy common room in each house with comfortable sofas for lounging in – a place to relax once the academic day is over – as well as little touches like regularly replenished bowls of fruit and well- stocked kitchens. Schools aim to make boarding feel like a home from home, with boarders divided into houses, each headed up by a house parent and a thriving community in its own right, with activities, character and a strong sense of identity – inter-house competitions spanning everything from quizzes to music are hotly contested.
“Pupils may board for two or three nights a week, or just stay occasionally when there’s a late rehearsal or training”
One of the biggest changes is the age at which pupils board. Just 2% of junior school pupils in independent schools now board, compared with around a third of sixth formers. The amount of time that boarders spend in school is also very different now. In the old days, children could expect to be at school for most of the term, interspersed with occasional weekend visits by friends and relatives. Today,
boarding comes just about any way that works for the family. Over eight in ten sixth formers and more than 70% of senior school pupils who board do so full- time, and it remains an essential option for international pupils and those whose parents work overseas. However, an increasing number of families are opting for weekly, flexi or occasional boarding. Pupils may stay at school Monday to Friday, board at school for two or three
CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE 37
BOARDING
nights a week or just stay occasionally when there’s a late rehearsal or training, or to put in some extra revision when exams are approaching. Flexibility is particularly popular in families with younger children. Only around a third of junior boarders stay full-time, with over half flexi boarding and 10% going home for the weekends. That level of variation makes boarding a family-friendly option, say schools. Every parent knows how hard it can be to juggle all the demands that keep family life running smoothly, particularly when they are working full-time. By offering occasional or flexi boarding, schools can take away the stress of making last- minute childcare arrangements when a work trip or late-running meeting gets in the way. Boarding offers an appealing balance of supervision and fun. After homework is completed (something many parents are delighted not to be overseeing), pupils take part in clubs, sports or enjoy being with their friends. The flexibility has helped to ensure continued popularity of boarding into the 21st century. While postal deliveries will continue to be owl-free and corridors devoid of supernatural manifestations, the care that schools take to make boarding a fun, enriching and nurturing experience has a magic all of its own.
38 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76Powered by FlippingBook