Going for Gold: Absolutely meets Alex Paske from the Mintridge Foundation
A dashed dream spurred on Alex Paske to build The Mintridge Foundation, a sport mentoring charity that is benefiting young athletesLike so many young people, Alex Paske had a dream to play sport for England. And for a while it looked as though that dream might come true when she qualified for the Under-16s England hockey trials. But she got injured, and following a long recovery, she no…
Dragon School on how we measure pastoral impact
Dragon School Deputy Head Pastoral Kath Harvey considers how we measure and judge pastoral impact within our schools“My child's confidence to approach a difficult situation has flourished. They appear to now know that, successful or not, there is always a way forwards.” I have taken this quote from a recent email from a Dragon parent. This particular sentence struck a chord as it has made me…
Is the Common Entrance dead? Absolutely Education investigates
As more schools introduce the 11-plus and pre-tests, it's unclear where the Common Entrance stands. Here some prep schools give their thoughts on the pros and cons of the 13-plus examDavid Paterson Headmaster/Woodcote HouseI still firmly believe in the Common Entrance (CE). To me, it’s absolutely vital pupils have an entrance exam. Because Woodcote is a prep school,…
Key technology trends in education: shaping the future
In the ever-evolving landscape of the education sector, technology plays a pivotal role in shaping an enriched learning experience for children. From Artificial Intelligence (AI) to robust online safety measures, educational institutions are strategically integrating various tech trends to enhance the curriculum, extracurricular activities, overall classroom dynamics, and communication between…
Confidence club – Happy Confident Company’s mindfulness programme
The Happy Confident Company's recently launched club is designed to bring the benefits of mindfulness into the heart of family lifeMany families have a whole host of regular commitments – from after-school swimming and running meets for children to gym memberships for parents – so why not add mindfulness to the routine? That is the thinking behind Happy Confident Club, a just-launched…
STEM’s the Word: Encouraging Girls in STEM subjects
Felna Fox, teacher of Design and Technology at James Allen’s Preparatory School on encouraging girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and MathsSTEM subjects are the backbone of our world. From the economy to our general wellbeing, we are wholly dependent on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). These subjects underpin everything - the world as we know it could not exist…
60 Seconds With Jody Wells, Head of Wells Cathedral Junior School
The new Head of Wells Cathedral School Junior School discusses his background and educational philosophyWhat is your background?It was a gap year in North Devon that first ignited my passion for teaching. Though sponsored by the Army’s Logistic Corp through university, it was a wonderful QTS year at Wells Cathedral Junior School that cemented my decision to enter the profession. As a…
What to consider when looking at a potential school’s curriculum
Choosing the right school for your child is a huge decision. There are so many things to consider that it can be hard to know where to start. Proximity to home, day VS boarding, pros and cons of an all-through school approach are all important factors. Once you've taken all those things into account though, a great place to start is by evaluating the curriculum.Curriculum is a hot topic at…
Flexible futures at Lycée Churchill
Finding new ways of educating students, whenever and wherever, better meets the needs of global families, says Mireille Rabaté, the Head of Lycée International de Londres Winston ChurchillThere’s little doubt the pandemic has changed education forever. Of course, the traditional school model will continue to predominate, with students and teachers meeting on campus for in-person learning. But…
60 Seconds With Andrew Hammond, Head of Hall School Wimbledon
Andrew Hammond, Headmaster of Hall School Wimbledon (HSW), discusses his background and educational approachWhat is your background?I have worked in education for 25 years and have served in both the independent and maintained sectors. My roles have included Headteacher, Deputy Head, Director of Studies, Housemaster, Head of English and class teacher. I have also served as a Common…