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AU T UMN/W I N T E R 2 019
B ROUGH T TO YOU BY CAMB R I DG E E D I T I ON MAGAZ I N E
CAMB S E D I T I ON . CO . U K
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WE LCOME
Welcome
EDITORIAL EDITOR
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 KEY ACCOUNTS Chris Jacobs 01223 499463 chrisjacobs@bright-publishing.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION JUNIOR DESIGNER Emily Lancaster emilylancaster@bright-publishing.com AD PRODUCTION Man-Wai Wong 01223 492242 manwaiwong@bright-publishing.com
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of digital firms in the top 10% for growth. Like other top class industries, they need a highly educated workforce and are prepared to pay for it – the average advertised salary here is north of £46,000. While academic excellence is a given, our education providers are also focusing increasingly on other aspects, such as creativity, entrepreneurship and resilience. These are exciting, challenging and unpredictable times. Schools and colleges are, arguably, having to work harder than ever before to ensure their students are able to succeed against the odds and flourish whatever the circumstances. Get it right and they could – literally – make the world a better place. Well, someone has to.
s our area continues to attract and retain top talent, not just in technologically-inspired firms but a whole host of other industries besides, our schools and
colleges are hard at work to equip the next generation with the skills they’ll need for the future. While the future is – by definition – unknowable, the rise of high-tech firms here gives tantalising insights into what’s on the way. They also contribute massively to the local economy. We have an overall employment rate of 76%, with around 30,000 digital jobs alone, and around 15%
MANAGING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck 01223 499450 BROUGHT TO YOU BY
bright-publishing.com
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Contents
12 | ST FAITH’S Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AG 01223 352073 | stfaiths.co.uk
St Faith’s School 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 and across a huge breadth of subjects and activities. 18 | 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.
20 | 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 sixth form. 22 | ST JOHN’S COLLEGE SCHOOL 73 Grange Road, Cambridge CB3 9AB | 01223 353652 | sjcs.co.uk St John’s College School, winner of the national Best Prep School and Best Prep School Head in the Tatler Schools Awards, is an independent co-educational day and boarding school, which offers an exceptional educational experience to pupils aged four to 13. Also offers a Flexible Learning Programme. 26 | KIMBOLTON SCHOOL Kimbolton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 0EA 01480 860505 | kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk An independent co-educational day and boarding school, Kimbolton School offers a busy and stimulating environment for pupils between the ages of four and 18.
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28 | KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DN | 01223 365814 | kcs.cambs.sch.uk A co-educational day and boarding prep school, King’s College School prides itself on its pastoral care and high academic standards. Its location in the heart of Cambridge boasts impressive facilities. 32 | KING’S ELY Barton Road, Ely CB7 4DB | 01353 660707 | kingsely.org A day and boarding school, King’s Ely offers an outstanding education for children and young people aged one to 18. The school provides a broad and balanced curriculum, with a focus on nurturing the abilities of each pupil. 36 | LANDMARK INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL The Old Rectory, 9 Church Lane, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5EP 01223 755100 | landmarkinternationalschool.co.uk Landmark is a small, co-educational, non-selective, non-denominational school for children aged from six to 16 years, serving the educational needs of the south Cambridge area. 38 | THE LEYS 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. 48 | MPW 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, offering a range of courses. For children at other schools, it also offers popular Easter revision courses.
50 | ST MARY' S Bateman St, Cambridge CB2 1LY | 01223 224167 stmaryscambridge.co.uk
An independent day and boarding school for girls aged four to 18, St Mary’s School operates from four locations around the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. The school offers GCSEs and A-levels.
52 | OAKS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Cherry Hinton Hall, Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge CB1 8DW 01223 416938 | oaksinternationalschool.co.uk This independent day school offers an exciting, international education for boys and girls aged three to 16. Pupils from all over the world, as well as Britain, are taught a wide range of engaging lessons in small classes.
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54 | ORWELL PARK SCHOOL Nacton, Ipswich, Suffolk IP10 0ER | 01473 659225 | orwellpark.co.uk Orwell Park, established in 1867, is a co-educational prep school for day pupils and boarders aged from two and a half to 13. The beautiful grounds and the historic buildings contribute to an inspiring experience, which combines the legacy and traditions of the past with the dynamism and energy of the present and the future. 62 | SANCTON WOOD SCHOOL 2 St Paul’s Road, Cambridge CB1 2EZ | 01223 471703 | sanctonwood.co.uk Sancton Wood School, housed in beautiful buildings in central Cambridge, is an independent co-educational school for three to 16 year olds. Family orientated, it is focused on the social, emotional and academic development of each child, and offers small class sizes of approximately 16 for excellent pupil-to-teacher ratios. 64 | STEPHEN PERSE FOUNDATION Union Road, Cambridge CB2 1HF | 01223 454700 | stephenperse.com The Stephen Perse Foundation is a group of independent schools, located in Cambridge, Madingley and Saffron Walden, for ages three to 18. The group provides excellent opportunities for students and achieves exceptional exam results without sticking blindly to the syllabus or having to cram facts and figures – what pupils learn in class is only half of the story.
66 | STOKE COLLEGE Stoke by Clare, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 8JE 01787 278141 | stokecollege.co.uk
Stoke College, on the borders of Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire, is a day and boarding school for pupils from reception age to sixth form. With an average class size of ten, Stoke prides itself on its excellent pastoral care and strong academic success.
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A Cambridge Education A T H R I V I N G C I T Y W I T H M U C H T O O F F E R , C A M B R I D G E S C O R E S H I G H L Y W I T H P U P I L S O F A L L A G E S S E E K I N G F I R S T - C L A S S L E A R N I N G
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he three Bs – brainpower, biotechnology and brilliant transport (not to mention the general beauty of all those historical buildings), are among the factors
that make our area a magnet not just for students, but employers and workers, too. Some residents were born and bred here. Others are more recent arrivals, drawn by the diversity of age, background, experience and skill that makes this such an exciting and innovative place to live and work. But making a successful life here is also about having the certainty that all the support systems are in place. High on that list of must-haves for families comes education. Schools need to be demonstrably good at caring about their pupils and building on their strengths, enabling them to flourish and prepare for a future working environment where career paths are increasingly hard to predict. Fortunately, our schools are well placed to cope. In Cambridgeshire, just over 46% of year 11 students achieved a grade five or above in English and maths GCSEs, ahead of England as a whole. They also did rather better in their ‘attainment 8’ scores – which monitor how pupils do across a range of GCSE subjects. As the world changes, schools are having to rethink the ways they do things, fulfilling all their students’ needs, academic and otherwise – something that’s inevitably a delicate operation. They need to cater
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making it ideal for able and organised pupils who want more breadth to their studies than is possible with the narrower focus of A-levels. For those whose interests lie in a more hands-on approach, BTECs can be the answer. Unlike A-levels or the IB, they have a modular structure, allowing students to complete a series of assessed units throughout the two-year course. It’s not just those aged under 18 who are benefitting from a dynamic approach to learning. Adult education, too, has
for pupils with a wide range of interests and ambitions, from those considering traditional academic paths to other learners who may be every bit as bright but are better suited to more vocational qualifications. A-levels, considered by many to be the gold standard, were recently given a substantial makeover. They may be the old kid on the block, but they’re now back in vogue – tougher but highly respected. Also on offer in our area is the IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma. It’s a challenging option that takes in a wide range of subjects,
remained a real success story in our area. Students span the age range, from early 20-somethings all the way through to the more mature adult learner, with a similar diversity when it comes to both the courses on offer and to the motivation for taking them up. Some learners are there to try and recapture the thrill of a much enjoyed, but long abandoned interest. Others have signed up with the goal of trying something new and gaining additional qualifications that will boost their promotion prospects
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or – more fundamentally – enable them to leave their workplace altogether and launch themselves into a brand new career (sometimes completely divorced from the one they’re quitting). While schools and colleges don’t shirk when it comes to shouldering their academic responsibilities, their remit doesn’t stop there, with concern for the environment influencing everything from energy consumption to levels of recycling. This approach to sustainability and green issues may not yet be enshrined in a policy document, but given the commitment many are showing to reducing their carbon footprints – treading more lightly on the planet, as the saying has it – it might as well be. Eco-awareness isn’t something that school leaders are having to tackle on their own. Each school or college is a community in its own right, often packed with committed students, staff and families willing to provide ideas and hands-on help. Then there are the outside groups, some commercial, others third sector, offering everything from free staff training to the incentive of working towards eco awards. Nobody ever said that working in education was easy, particularly with so much going on inside and outside the classroom. But in an area notable for its committed communities, inspiring and hardworking educators at every stage and – in many cases – top-class results, few would argue that the ingredients for continued success aren’t already impressively in place. “Few would argue that the ingredients for success aren’t already in place”
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St Faith’s C A M B R I D G E
here are many reasons why The Times Education Supplement named St Faith’s 2019 Pre-Prep/Prep School of the Year. Not least, according to the judges, because of our innovation, commitment to sustainability and narrative of excellence in a number of key areas of school life, but also because: Ƚ Ƚ Opportunities to learn, explore, create and think abound in every classroom, from English to Engineering, Science to Sport, and Classics to Computing. Ƚ Ƚ Children here are developed, nurtured and taught to equip themselves well for life, whatever path they choose to tread. Ƚ Ƚ Our world-class teachers tailor their styles to meet each child’s individual needs, making lessons accessible, engaging and challenging for every pupil. Ƚ Ƚ Our academic curriculum (including Computing and Engineering) is groundbreaking in its innovative content, resulting in an average of 28 senior scholarships awarded annually. Ƚ Ƚ Future-facing academic subjects are interspersed each day with numerous sporting endeavours, musical experiences, artistic creations and dramatic performances. Ƚ Ƚ Children have the space and time to express themselves away from the classroom, thanks to our spacious site, carefully planned timetables and holistic pastoral care structure. Ƚ Ƚ Across all subjects we follow an accelerated curriculum, thanks to our small class sizes, talented teachers and pupils’ above-average abilities. Ƚ Ƚ Every classroom is equipped with the latest teaching technologies, while screen-free days ensure teaching is not digitally reliant. Ƚ Ƚ Our library boasts over 12,000 volumes relevant to all readers, from the youngest to the most advanced.
Ƚ Ƚ Our Engineering and Computing facilities are equipped beyond many inventors’ wildest dreams, complete with virtual reality studios and an astronomy suite. Ƚ Ƚ Our state-of-the-art STEM Hub provides expansive indoor space for large-scale interdisciplinary projects, including home-made wave machines and suspension bridges. Ƚ Ƚ Plentiful sporting opportunities – not just a focus for glory and trophy collection, sport empowers mental as well as physical fitness, resilience, team spirit, and is an emotive demonstration of getting out of life what you put in. Ƚ Ƚ Our performing and creative arts develop self- belief and confidence and give children a lifelong appreciation of the arts.
TRUMPINGTON ROAD CAMBRIDGE CB2 8AG
01223 352073
INFO@ STFAITHS.CO.UK
STFAITHS.CO.UK
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What others say: in 2018, The Times Educational Supplement awarded us Strategic Education Initiative (for our introduction of Engineering); The Good Schools Guide says, “Overall, a very impressive school. Plenty of space, an excellent innovative education but, most importantly, a joyous place to be”; The Week Independent Schools Guide 2019 selected St Faith’s as the ‘Best for Innovation’, referencing our STEM facilities. Finally, Tatler commented, “If your child is destined for Silicon Valley, this is probably a good place to start. It’s a trailblazer of a school, where pupils study Engineering from Year 3 and spend free time stargazing from the new multi-million-pound STEM Hub.” But don’t just believe what you read – come and see the school for yourself. Drop in on lessons, observe our children engaged in their learning, sample the delights of our kitchens, and feel what it’s like to be part of this award-winning school. Contact our Registrar, Anna Cornell, on 01223 229421 to arrange your personal visit.
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CLUBS AND ACT I V I T I ES
Clubbing Together A N A L L - R O U N D E D U C A T I O N I S A B O U T M O R E T H A N J U S T T R A D I T I O N A L L E S S O N S – C O - C U R R I C U L A R A C T I V I T I E S A R E I M P O R T A N T , T O O
n the old days, the end of classes was closely followed by going home time. Bar the odd match fixture, 3.30pm marked the close of business for the day. Today, many schools are buzzing long after the final lesson bell has sounded, vibrant with assorted sports, clubs and societies taking place inside and out. Often as not, there will be more activities scheduled first thing in the morning – many school gates these days are unlocked well before 8am. And don’t assume you’ll find all the pupils sitting round at lunchtime, either, I
younger children which clubs they really love and anything involving art or cookery tends to be universally popular. Children with a yen for sport or performing arts are also likely to be well catered for, as are the increasing number drawn to programming and robotics. In our area’s junior schools, activities range from go-kart design and racing to nature club and screen printing. Delights in local senior schools range from creating comics, robots or gadgets to honing creative writing skills or getting a taste for international diplomacy.
having a well-earned rest. Many will be off to orchestra practice or squad training. Pupils don’t have to wait long to join in. In some schools, even reception children can sign up for clubs, with more choices added as they move up through the school. It’s not uncommon to find pupils taking part in at least one activity on most school days. Add weekend matches and other out-of-school activities, and it can feel as if children’s working weeks are as long as – or potentially even longer than – their parents. It’s easy to see the appeal of activities. For a start, there’s the fun element. Ask
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For many children – particularly the clubbable, keen and well organised – joining groups can be a transformative experience. Those who take part in a range of activities during the school year tend to do better, academically, than those who don’t, sometimes dramatically so, according to one US study, although the improvement tails off for pupils who sign up for more than three or four clubs. No wonder families are so keen for their children to get with the programme, ideally several at once. Activities can unlock
For older children preparing for exams, particularly GCSEs and A-levels, the activities list also starts to feature a significantly more academic element. Amid the sport and music groups, you’ll often find homework or prep groups and drop-in subject clinics that give pupils struggling with a specific topic a welcome helping hand. For sixth formers intending to study a highly competitive subject at university, very specific groups may be offered – dissection club for budding medics, for example.
hidden talents and add a new, positive dimension to the school experience. For the child whose academic performance is fair to middling, there’s nothing like excelling out of the classroom to boost self-confidence. With exercise playing a vital role in mental and physical wellbeing, there’s a strong case to be made for making at least one of those out-of-school activities sports- based. For older children, it can even save their lives. Research suggests that children are most likely to engage in risky behaviour, such as substance abuse, in the hour or
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“The key, as with so much in life, is moderation. Encourage your child to try new things and stop an activity if they don’t enjoy it. If they do, you’re on to a winner...”
so immediately after school ends when they’re on their own. The continued adult supervision provided by after school clubs can help to keep them safe. The difficulty can be knowing when enough activity becomes too much. There’s no absolute rule. Children vary widely in their energy levels. For some, just one activity a week may be enough – particularly if it’s sports-related. Other children may have a range of interests and a zest for trying something new, so may thrive on a pick-and-mix approach, with something different every day of the week. However high a child’s energy levels (and some can seem stratospheric) they still need winding down time as well. Given that 90% of teenagers are estimated not to get enough sleep, the key is to take a close look at the way their lives are structured. The key questions – do they still have enough time to do their homework, meet their friends, enjoy family time and get a full night’s sleep? If the answer to any of these is ‘no’, they could well be doing too much, particularly if activities dominate family life to the extent that almost everything between school and bedtime, including meals, happens in the car. The key, as with so much in life, is moderation. Encourage your child to try new things and stop an activity if they don’t enjoy it. If they do, you’re on to a winner. Whether your child enjoys after school music, sport, art, cookery or something a little more unusual (like the thriving cheese club started by a foodie pupil) taking part can help them thrive, socially and academically. More importantly, they’re also great fun – as long as they don’t take over family life.
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Felsted School N O R T H E S S E X
ore and more children are reaping the benefits of going to school outside Cambridge, where they can take advantage of wide open spaces, countryside air, academic excellence, superb on-site extra-curricular activities and modern boarding facilities. Situated only 45 minutes south of Cambridge, in the picturesque North Essex countryside, Felsted offers families a variety of flexible boarding options to suit modern family lives. With a school bus leaving Trumpington on a Sunday evening for weekly boarders, such a flexible approach has encouraged many families to choose Felsted as the right option for their child. M
A SUPERB ALL-ROUND EDUCATION Every child is exposed to a wealth of opportunities and developed on their intellectual, emotional, social, physical, artistic, creative and spiritual potentials. Small class sizes taught by highly qualified and dedicated teachers ensure talents are nourished and every child’s personal growth is encouraged. With pupil well-being at the heart of all we do, our pupils flourish in an atmosphere of diversity and excellence, intellectual curiosity and challenge. A broad curriculum in balance with a rich programme of co-curricular activities is on offer to suit individual talents and interests, all available on site. Felsted focuses on building each child’s character to become happy, well-
FELSTED SCHOOL, FELSTED, ESSEX CM6 3LL
01371 822600
FELSTED.ORG
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rounded and confident young adults and to empower them to believe that they can really make a difference in the world, whatever path they choose. ACADEMIC CHOICE Felsted offers Sixth Formers a choice of A-levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, to suit their individual strengths and interests. Alongside a superior work education programme and a robust parent/former pupil network offering top work experience opportunities, most pupils gain access to their first choice university or on an increasingly popular degree apprenticeship program. TOP RESULTS Felsted offers a holistic education to children of all abilities, priding itself on adding exceptional added value through outstanding pastoral care. Felsted is proud to be in the top 5% of schools in the UK for academic progress at A-level and in the top 20 of IB Schools for performance in the UK. NATIONAL SPORTING REPUTATION Ranked 11th in the country by School Sport magazine, Felsted has an enviable reputation both locally and nationally for the high quality of its sporting teams and the dedication and expertise of its coaching staff. There is a strong tradition of sporting excellence at Felsted, however all abilities are catered for and every pupil is encouraged to enjoy a recreational interest in individual or team games, while developing a healthy attitude to fitness and exercise. Current partnerships with Essex Cricket, Saracens & Northampton Saints Rugby, Saracens Mavericks Netball and Blue Hornets Hockey ensure that a pathway of excellence is in place for those excelling in their field. JUNIOR GUILDHALL PARTNERSHIP In addition to a fantastic music school with numerous opportunities to perform, those showing outstanding talent may study at the Junior Guildhall in London in partnership with Felsted. This combination of top level tuition in music and academics offers an exceptional educational package for top young musicians. “A school that brings out the best in everyone” The Good Schools Guide
SHORTLISTED FOR 3 AWARDS
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Central to the international ethos that permeates all areas of Felsted life, an active Model United Nations programme ensures students leave school as informed global citizens. As a Global Member of the Round Square Organisation, students have the additional opportunity to exchange with partner schools around the world. SCHOLARSHIP AND BURSARIES Felsted offers a number of scholarships and awards in academia, sport, music, drama, art and design technology from the age of 11, with the opportunity to access a top-up bursary, on a means-tested basis. Several 100% means-tested bursaries may also be offered each year. Felsted hosts a number of open mornings and taster days each year but also welcomes families on an individual basis. Further details can be found on their website www.felsted.org or by contacting their Admissions Office on 01371 822605.
Prep School of the Year
Boarding School of the Year
Sports School of the Year
AGES FOUR TO 18
CO-EDUCATIONAL
DAY & BOARDING
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Gresham’s N O R T H N O R F O L K
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ouglas Robb, Gresham’s headmaster, explains his school’s ethos: “Gresham’s provides a high quality, fully rounded, excellent education to boys and girls from nursery to sixth form. The breadth and diversity of our school community make for a happy, warm and supportive learning environment.” A historic and vibrant co-educational school, founded in 1555, Gresham’s is set in 200 acres and enviably located between the award-winning coast and countryside of north Norfolk in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where students are inspired to bring out the best in each other. The school offers a fully rounded education to boys and girls, from the age of two in its nursery and pre-prep to sixth-form students, from across the UK and overseas. Gresham’s holds an ‘Excellent’ rating across all nine categories in all three schools following an Independent Schools Inspectorate visit, which is testament to its progressive academic curriculum, high-quality teaching and excellent pastoral care. At Gresham’s, pupils are prepared for rewarding personal and professional lives with the intellectual, personal and social qualities and skills needed to make a positive difference to the communities in which they live. The school is proud of their enthusiasm, commitment and generosity towards each other. A PROGRESSIVE ACADEMIC CURRICULUM Gresham’s curriculum, teaching and facilities support every pupil’s individual learning journey. Classroom learning is complemented by a variety of academic societies and clubs, as well as its ever-popular field trips that engender a wider, outward focus. The sixth formers can opt to study A-levels or the widely respected International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Outside the classroom, pupils enjoy seemingly
GRESHAM’S CROMER RD, HOLT NORFOLK NR25 6EA
01263 714500
ADMISSIONS@ GRESHAMS.COM
GRESHAMS.COM
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“Hard to think who would not thrive in this happy, well-run school” The Good Schools Guide
AGES TWO TO 18
unlimited opportunities to participate in an exciting range of co-curricular sports, arts and music activities, along with adventurous expeditions and community-based service. OUTSTANDING ALUMNI A Gresham’s education enables its pupils to develop in a huge variety of areas and it has a tradition of producing outstanding achievers in all walks of life, including architects, diplomats, engineers, musicians, sports men and women and many more. Old Greshamians have been inspiring others for generations, from composer Benjamin Britten and poet W H Auden to inventor, Sir James Dyson. More recently, Old Greshamians making their mark and creating headlines include international rugby players Tom and Ben Youngs and Academy Award-winning actor, Olivia Colman.
BEAUTIFUL NORTH NORFOLK For those unfamiliar with Gresham’s location in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in north Norfolk, the best advice the school can offer is to come and see it for yourselves. It is fortunate to benefit from spacious grounds in the Georgian market town of Holt and is situated just four miles from an award-winning coastline – a beautiful place to live and learn. A weekly bus operates to and from Holt and Cambridge, leaving school at 4.30pm on Saturdays and dropping off at Trumpington Park & Ride at 6.30pm. Pick up is from Trumpington Park & Ride at 6.45pm on Sundays, arriving back at school for 8.45pm. Academic, art, music, drama and sport scholarships and bursaries are available.
CO-EDUCATIONAL
DAY & BOARDING
OPEN DAYS Next open mornings are: senior – Saturday 2 May 2020 prep – Saturday 16 May 2020 pre-prep – Friday 1 May 2020
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St John’s College School C A M B R I D G E
t John’s is the only school to have been awarded national Best Prep School and national Best Prep School Head awards in the Tatler schools awards. It is the only prep school to have its teaching rated “inspirational” by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, and the first of very few to have achieved the coveted ‘Exceptional’ grade for children’s attainment. It is described by The Good Schools Guide as “a joyous place that’s buzzing”. At St John’s, we believe in a childhood filled with affection, in which children know that they are known and valued, in which they learn to trust themselves and each other, in which they find and express their voices, discover the differences they can make for themselves and others, learn to think for themselves, to question, to collaborate, to be independent, and to own and take charge of their learning and their lives. Our education is about the whole child. 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 how to get the best from others, and to do well when they are with us and when they are long beyond our walls. FLEXIBLE LEARNING 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 we also aim to give them more. Our Flexible Learning programme of development incorporates child-led independent learning, creative and critical thinking, digitally enhanced learning,
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7+ ASSESSMENT DAY Our next Assessment Day for entry at 7+ (Year 3) in September 2020 will be held on Saturday 18 January 2020. To register to attend please contact our Registrar, Mrs Mary Robb (01223 353652 or admissions@ sjcs.co.uk)
schools. Our children continue to be exceptional learners: up to one third of our past pupils in due course gain Oxbridge places each year, more than in the most academically selective of schools. KNOWING AND CARING FOR YOUR CHILD 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. FIND OUT MORE Visit our school and get to know us, as we are, during the normal school day on 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 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, please contact the Registrar, Mrs Mary Robb (01223 353652 or admissions@sjcs.co.uk).
philosophy, emotions for learning, compassion and loving kindness, as well as outdoor learning, which benefits from the recent 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, and to give space to My Mind (incorporating mindfulness, study skills, t’ai 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 to encourage them to connect with their feeling about themselves and the world. ATTAINMENT A curriculum that puts belief in children at its core draws from them the highest levels of attainment. Our children’s achievement is described by inspectors as “exceptional”. Though we are not selective in our kindergarten, our children are on average at the 85th centile on national tests or ability before they leave. Our exam results are outstanding, and on average our 56 leavers gain around 26 scholarships to the strongest
73 GRANGE ROAD, CAMBRIDGE CB3 9AB
01223 353652
SJCS.CO.UK
ADMISSIONS@ SJCS.CO.UK
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any children will need some extra support at one point or another
in their lives when things aren’t going well at home or at school. It’s when those difficulties – social, emotional, intellectual, behavioural, physical, sensory or any combination of the above – make learning consistently harder for them that they may be diagnosed with learning needs. Understandably, this isn’t always easy for parents to accept. We all have hopes and dreams for our children. Discovering that they may struggle to hit developmental or educational milestones at the same time as their peers, or need considerable help in getting there, can be difficult to hear. Sometimes, parents adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach, hoping that their child will catch up and all will be well. It’s true that in a group of very young children, there will be a huge variation in the way they play, communicate and work together. But by the age of seven or so, some differences can begin to stand out. It’s the time when many children will be turning into competent readers. If a child is struggling with this, as well as writing and spelling, it’s possible they might have a learning difficulty, such as dyslexia. It’s also the time when social skills take off. Making friends, joining in games at playtime and taking turns all come naturally to most children – but those with autism may struggle to fit in.
The law is also on your side. Under the Equality Act, any child with a disability – including learning needs – must get the same benefit from the education offered by their school or college as everyone else. Hopefully, your child’s school or college will want to work with you to get the support your child needs put in place. Schools do have a budget to support children with learning needs, but unfortunately it is limited. If your child needs more support than is available, the next stage is to consider getting an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), a legal document that sets out the child’s needs, specifies the help they must
Schools may alert parents to their child’s difficulties. Often, it can be the parents who seek help, only to be told that nothing is wrong, that their child is coping and that no extra help is needed. Their instincts are rarely wrong but it can be an uphill struggle to get anyone to listen, let alone put the right support in place. Help is out there. Our area’s Parent Partnership Service (look for it under SENDIASS) gives free, impartial information and support to parents whose children have, or may have, special educational needs. Other helpful organisations offering helplines and online fact sheets include IPSEA and SOS!SEN.
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be given and lets parents name the school they feel would do this best. Often it will be a mainstream school, but sometimes, when expertise in a particular learning need is required, a more specialist setting may be more suitable. Prepare for a fight – cash- strapped local authorities will often drag their heels. Getting the right support in place can be time consuming and emotionally draining, but ultimately worth the effort. Children with learning needs deserve an education that will help them flourish, progress and be happy. Parents, working together with schools, have a vital role to play in making sure it happens.
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Kimbolton School C A M B R I D G E S H I R E
K
imbolton is a really special place where you aren’t just a number or a great set of grades. Individual talent is nurtured from Reception to Sixth Form, and boys and girls, aged four
to 18, thrive in our school’s happy, safe environment. Pupils develop into grounded, confident and capable individuals, interested in the world around them and able to express their ideas and personalities. INSPIRING INDEPENDENT THINKERS Our school enjoys an historic setting, but we have a modern outlook and facilities for the digital age, including a new Science and Maths Centre. The use of iPads by every pupil in our Senior School has given teachers a powerful creative tool with which to enthuse children to effectively organise, communicate, learn and study. Our 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. We have a strong track record of students receiving offers for the most competitive courses, including medicine, dentistry and veterinary sciences. CREATING REAL CONNECTIONS While academic excellence is at the heart of everything we do, the Kimbolton experience offers so much more. We are renowned for our caring, family ethos; visitors frequently comment on the kindness, consideration and respect that underpins our 1000-strong community. Small class sizes and an established House system mean that every pupil has a strong sense of belonging. Children forge a broad range of friendships across all ages and are keen to welcome newcomers and help them to settle in quickly.
KIMBOLTON, HUNTINGDON PE28 0EA
01480 860505
KIMBOLTON. CAMBS.SCH.UK
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ADVERT I SEMENT FEATURE 27 “Not flashy but classy. Those parents in the know appreciate that a Kimbolton education is money well spent” The Good Schools Guide
AGES FOUR TO 18
CO-EDUCATIONAL
FROM CODING TO CANOEING More than 120 clubs and societies flourish at Kimbolton, playing a key part of pupils’ development into nteresting adults and offering them a remarkable range of opportunities beyond the classroom. From coding in Robotics Club to competing in the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race, opportunities abound in sport, drama, art, music and outdoor pursuits. We also have a thriving Combined Cadet Force, a Community Service Unit and an extensive programme of trips and visits. Such a wide variety of extracurricular experiences helps 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 high-quality support to working parents. A before- and after-school club for the younger pupils, plus activities and homework sessions, extend the school day. Many of our children use our dedicated bus service, while others choose from our range of flexible and cost-effective boarding options (rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted). Kimbolton is about half an hour from Cambridge and 40 minutes by train from London. Scholarships and bursaries are available. To arrange a visit please call our registrar on 01480 862209 or visit kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk/visit
DAY & BOARDING
OPEN DAYS Our next Open Days are Friday 1 May 2020 and Friday 9 October (Preparatory School)
and Saturday 3 October 2020 (Senior School)
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King’s College School C A M B R I D G E
ounded in 1441, King’s College School is intrinsically linked with the noblest sentiments of Henry VI in facilitating opportunity for education in its broadest sense. This is where a college, rich in tradition and with a commitment to excellence, informs the provision for each member of the school community. At King’s, we celebrate childhood and aspiration in equal measure. It is a school where individuals can explore boundless possibilities, secure in the support and vibrancy of the whole community. King’s is a school that smiles! Its commitment to academic, sporting and musical excellence is deep- rooted, with many pupils achieving scholarship and academic entry to outstanding senior schools. Our pupils both inspire and surprise us. Equally impressive is the breadth of the co-curricular programme, where children excel in art, drama, rowing, chess and
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ADVERT I SEMENT FEATURE
Co-educational independent day and boarding prep school in Cambridge Exceptional pastoral care and high academic standards Impressive facilities in the heart of Cambridge, including the new Sports and Cultural Centre Choristership for boys to sing in the world-renowned King’s College Chapel Choir Excellent ISI inspection report in 2014 Bursaries available for Year 3 places
WEST ROAD, CAMBRIDGE, CB3 9DN
“King’s is the school that smiles”
01223 365814
debating. There are outstanding musical opportunities, as one would expect in a choir school. The singular and international reputation of the Chapel Choir, linked with the terrific learning benefits of musical study, translates to high standards of expectation and achievement across the board. With this, there is a strong and tangible engagement with global issues, including sustainability and social responsibility – children play their part in research,
awareness, fundraising, profiling and debate. Personal development for our pupils is achieved in part by their roles as ambassadors and guardians of the future they will own, a future that will depend both on resilience and empathy. At King’s, it is the very best of our past that informs our future, alongside the collaborative commitment of college, school, staff and parents in seeking the best of outcomes for every child.
KCS.CAMBS.SCH.UK
ADMISSIONS@KCS. CAMBS.SCH.UK
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THE EDUCATI O N
AGE 4½ – 7 Talk to your child’s current school about her/his progress and get their input into future schools. Visit prep schools (usually from year 2) and note registration deadlines (normally the autumn term of the year before the place is required). Check details and dates of assessments.
AGE 7–11 If your child attends a fee-paying school, use teachers as a sounding board for possible senior schools. Attend any 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 for this together with 11+ entrance exam dates (normally held in January of year 6). Liaise with the school about preparation for these and flag any concerns. Children sitting the 11+ Common Entrance pre-test in year 6 will also need to be registered (in October/December for exams in November and January respectively).
BIRTH TO PRE-SCHOOL (RISING FOUR) Visit local nurseries and childcare providers, and register your child asap, particularly if you are looking for 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.
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TIMELINE A T VA R I OU S S T AG E S O F YOU R C H I L D ’ S E D U C A T I ON A L J OU R N E Y , T H E R E A R E K E Y D E C I S I ON S T O B E MA D E . . .
AGE 11–16 Register your child for 13+ Common Entrance/scholarship exams, taken in year 8 for year 9 entry. In year 9, pupils will be asked to choose their GCSE options, taken in 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 possible 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 year before 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.
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“At King’s Ely, we encourage deep learning beyond mere exam success. This means students flourish and are genuinely prepared for exciting
futures we can only imagine.” Principal of King’s Ely, John Attwater
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King’s Ely C A M B R I D G E S H I R E Speaking about his time at King’s Ely so far, John said: “It has been wonderful to arrive at King’s Ely and find a community so full of learning, fun and personal development. In no time at all I have found so much to be proud of: a friendly but purposeful ethos which pervades pupils, staff and parents; outstanding teaching and learning, excellent GCSE and A-level results with county-leading value added at sixth form; a wonderful vein of creativity through music, drama and the visual arts balanced by a full range of sporting opportunity and arguably the best stretch of river for rowing in the country; a community which includes a breadth of talent and students from over 40 nationalities; a real emphasis on pastoral
care in an environment where every child is properly known and valued; and all in a safe and phenomenally beautiful setting just up the road and on the main line from Cambridge! “At King’s Ely, we encourage deep learning beyond mere exam success. This means students flourish and are genuinely prepared for exciting futures we can only imagine. Come and see if you agree.” OUR ETHOS The adventure of a King’s Ely education enables pupils of all ages to thrive, from the children in King’s Ely Acremont and Nursery to the young men and women in our sixth form. Whether a student shines
estled in the heart of the beautiful cathedral city of Ely, King’s Ely is an inspiring independent co-educational day
and boarding school, built on a fascinating history stretching back over 1,000 years. We serve the academic and pastoral needs of around 1,000 boys and girls from the age of two through to 18, with boarders from seven years old. King’s Ely is located just 15 minutes north of Cambridge and is a short walk from Ely train station, with school buses stopping at key locations across Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk. NEW PRINCIPAL John Attwater is now Principal of King’s Ely following the retirement of Sue Freestone this summer. John has moved to Ely with his wife and two children after being Headmaster of King Edward’s School Witley for almost ten years. John was a Cathedral Chorister before going to Rugby School as an Academic and Music Scholar. He studied Philosophy and Politics at The Queen’s College, University of Oxford, and went on to train as a teacher at the University of York. He began his teaching career at Wells Cathedral School where he became Head of Religious Studies and resident Housemaster. He was appointed Deputy Head (Co-curriculum) at Sevenoaks School in 2006 and moved to King Edward’s School Witley in 2010.
OLD PALACE, PALACE GREEN, ELY CB7 4EW
01353 660707
ADMISSIONS@ KINGSELY.ORG
KINGSELY.ORG
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