Absolutely Education Meets Hampstead’s Fine Arts College Founder Candida Cave
The Fine Arts College in Hampstead wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for a story of love and an Italian racing driver. When Candida Cave’s old flatmate from her student days at the Ruskin School of Art in Oxford fell for said Romeo, she asked Cave if she would take on the two boys she was tutoring in History of Art. Cave said yes and found she rather enjoyed – and excelled – at teaching and the next…
Parent Power: Chaos theory & how to cope with children’s messy ways
Not one of the parenting manuals prepared you for children's ability to create such an extraordinary amount of mess. So what to do about it?Words: Rachel WebbYou don't have to be a physicist to understand chaos theory: just bring a child into your life. First the sticky walls and random piling of toys and sharp objects all over your floors. Then this morphs into the true pit of awfulness…
Seven reasons outdoor learning is so important for school children
We all know that getting outside, running around, breathing fresh air, and getting dirty is good for children. But research tells us that discovering the natural world has benefits way beyond physical well-being. Taking learning outside the classroom can have a huge impact on children's mental health, as well as boosting their social skills, and academic success. Outdoor learning also provides…
Girls on top: why ‘male sports’ are so cool for girls
The traditional male sports – football, cricket and rugby – are finding favour among girls and women and the opportunities are developing, but there's more work required to level the playing fieldEarlier this year, Oxford High School Year 11 pupil Apolline Harvey wrote a letter to a national newspaper questioning why the men's Six Nations Rugby had gone ahead – despite Covid-19 restrictions –…
Forfar Education schools host great debate
Forfar Education recently held an inter-school debating event to prioritise the importance of soft skillsForfar Education, which now has ten schools and nurseries across the UK, recently ran an inter-school debating event to prioritise the importance of soft skills development in young people.The first competition was held at Park School, Bournemouth and consisted of debates between its…
Wellington College on shaping futures
The Master of Wellington College James Dahl discusses its history of pioneering education initiatives and current plans that continue its mission to help shape a better worldWellington College has a unique history. Founded both as the living memorial to the 1st Duke of Wellington and as a charitable institution to educate the orphan sons of army officers, the College was granted a Royal…
Heathfield School welcomes new Deputy Head Pastoral and Boarding
Heathfield School in Ascot has appointed Lou Scott as its new Deputy in charge of Pastoral and BoardingHeathfield School, the independent secondary boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18 has appointed Lou Scott as its new Deputy Head (Pastoral and Boarding).Commenting on her appointment, Lou Scott says: “I firmly believe in the value of an all girls' education and the opportunities…
The low-down on languages: supporting bilingual children
How should childcare professionals introduce children to a second language, or support bilingual children whose home language is not English?Eight percent of the total population of England and Wales speak a main language other than English, according to the 2011 census – the greatest numbers speaking Polish, Punjabi and Urdu. Huge numbers of children are growing up in homes where English…
Wells Cathedral School’s music maker Alex Laing
Alex Laing, the recently appointed Director of Music at Wells Cathedral School, talks about the ways in which young talent and musicianship are nurtured and supportedCould you sum up your overarching vision as the new Director of Music?Music should be celebrated by all and at all levels. This means everything from the high-profile successes on concert platforms and in competitions such as…
In conversation with Mark Bailey of Dukes Education
As former High Master of St Paul's and Head of Leeds Grammar, Professor Mark Bailey brings top-flight experience to his new role. Absolutely Education finds out why he joined the Dukes Education familyWords: Libby NormanProfessor Mark Bailey became Managing Director at Dukes Education last November, tasked with day-to-day running of a number of its schools. Here was interesting news for…