St Dunstan’s College film celebrates sports and exercise science

St Dunstan’s College in Catford, south London, has launched a new film celebrating sport and exercise scienceSt Dunstan’s College has released a new film celebrating sport and exercise science at the school. The feature ‘Discover Sport’ showcases the sport offering and includes both junior and senior school pupils. ‘Through sport, we have a unique opportunity to influence and inspire the…

Are exams fit for purpose?

Debate about public exams inevitably follows publication of A level and GCSE results. But the past year has raised even more questions about how we test young people. Absolutely Education gets perspectives from experts on the education front lineSummer means that perennial topic raises its head again – public exams. Parents and teachers everywhere are forced to consider, sometimes wearily,…

New Head at Bickley Park School

Bickley Park School in Bromley has appointed Tom Quilter as its new Head from September 2023Tom Quilter becomes Head of Bickley Park School in September 2023. He joins the Bromley boys' prep and pre-prep from Newton Prep in Battersea, where he was Deputy Head Upper School.|Tom Quilter says of his new leadership role: “Following the results of an outstanding inspection, it is clear the…

Kew Gardens has launched a brand new, free Digital Learning Platform

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has launched a brand new, free digital learning platform for primary and secondary education funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the £15.6m grant towards the Temperate House Project. Bringing world-leading plant science and horticulture to the classroom, Endeavour offers teachers and pupils opportunities to gain a greater understanding of plants…

St Columba’s College appoints new Head and receives ‘Excellent’ ISI rating

St Columba's College in St Albans has announced that Karl Guest will be the new Head from September 2023, and the school has just been rated 'Excellent' in all areasSt Columba’s College in St Albans has announced a new Head, appointing Karl Guest, current Head of Alton School in Alton, Hampshire. Guest will take up his duties at the co-educational independent Catholic school on 1 September…

Why The Mall School are phasing out Years 7 and 8

David Price, Headmaster at The Mall School, on the move to 11+In April 2017, I announced to parents at The Mall School that we were going to phase out Years 7 and 8 and that after 2020 all boys in the school would leave the school at the end of Year 6. It was a bold move, given our record of success in preparing boys for their Common Entrance exams and securing 13+ places for them at the…

How to prepare your child for the 11 Plus entrance exam

The 11 Plus, also known as the Eleven Plus, 11+, 11 Plus Entrance Exam, or grammar school test, is a selective entrance examination taken by Year 6 pupils to ensure progression to selective state grammar schools and selective independent schools.The examination usually focuses on Maths and English, with some schools testing Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning too. Some schools may also…

St Margaret’s Junior School on the value of star gazing

St Margaret's Junior School Head Emma Gray on the eye-opening wonder, and educational benefits of exploring the night skyThe desire to look up and to learn more about the skies that look down upon us has led to schools like mine creating opportunities for children to stargaze and learn more about the universe around them. Of course, participating in astronomy-based activities fosters an…

Question time: Gabbitas answer your education questions

Gabbitas answer your questions on moving an unhappy child, separate schools for siblings and how the UKiset helps with the transition to the British education systemMy daughter is unhappy at school and this is now reflected in her behaviour and progress. We're looking to move her but are concerned about how current school reports will impact future school choices. How best should we go about…