Schools successes
We want to hear your schools successes! So if a pupil at your school, or even your son or daughter has enjoyed some success let us know, and they will appear on this page! We would like to know anything and everything, from students who have played for a national team, to pupils who have appeared on the television or in a West End musical!
Simply email james.rix@targetpublishing.com with an image and information about your success and you will be featured on this page!
Students accept Regional honour to represent Midlands at National ISA swimming finals
Six students from Holy Trinity International School in Kidderminster are celebrating being selected to represent the Midlands Region at the National ISA (Independent Schools Association) Swimming Gala in Coventry on Saturday 19th November.
The students from the school’s Preparatory School secured the overall swimming trophy whilst three other students from the Senior School were also selected following their outstanding success in the senior races.
From the prep school are Y4 students Ellie Bainbridge and Imogene Rhodes together with Y5’s Adele Reeve, and seniors Y8 student Sophie Evans, 6th Former Faith Ross and Erica Harris from Y10, all now go forward to represent the Midlands Region, competing against strong opposition from students from across the country.
HTIS PE teacher, Mrs Mandy Pioli, stated: “Six students from across the school progressing to the national finals is a fantastic personal achievement which can’t be overstated.
“We are all absolutely delighted and wish them much success at the Nationals; a sensational achievement which demonstrates great promise for the future.”
Delighted to be part of the school team representing the Midlands are Sophie Evans (13yrs), Faith Ross (17yrs) and Erica Harris (14yrs)
A night at the musicals
Farnborough Hill staged 'A Night at the Musicals' in aid of Cancer Research UK. Sixth Form student, Fionnuala Hills, organised this highly professional evening of entertainment, with a little help from her friends. The company, made up of students from a variety of year groups, showcased their considerable acting, singing and dancing talents. There were guest appearances from West End star Chloe Hart; Danny Gortler (Simply Theatre, Woking); Sam Thomas (Guildford School of Acting Saturday School) and dancers Maddison Briggs and Jessica Price (Kelly Hopkins Theatre Arts). The evening was a huge success and over £1300 was raised.
The audience was delighted by the wide range of talent on show. Many were heard to declare that they would have paid twice the ticket price of £5.00 and so made generous donations at the end. Musicals showcased ranged from Wicked to Les Miserables and Jersey Boys to Oklahoma.
West End star, Chloe Hart, generously supported the evening, singing to a mesmerised audience. Chloe has previously starred as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, performed in Chess in Concert at The Royal Albert Hall and in Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre. She is back on the West End stage from 12th December when she joins the cast of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
Fionnuala (pictured above, left, with Chloe Hart) who is also a member of the Guildford School of Acting Saturday School, says of the event ‘I am delighted that the evening went so well and I am extremely proud of the whole company and very grateful to all who came. It was a lot of work to put it together but we had so much fun doing it and we raised so much money’.
Super intense win for St Swithun's science student
St Swithun’s fourteen year old pupil Gemma Sturt from Droxford has been awarded the Science and Technology Facilities Council Award and trip to Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxford. Gemma was chosen by staff at the Winchester school for her outstanding effort, enthusiasm and commitment across all areas of science during her year in Year 9.
Gemma spent the day in Oxford with her family, visiting Magdalen College and finding out about life as a student. At Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Gemma was joined by other school award winners from the South East and the day ended with an inspirational talk entitled Super Intense Lasers by Dr Ceri Brenner.
Dunannie invaded by Vikings
Bedales pre-prep school, Dunannie, experienced a Viking invasion just before half-term when Year 3 pupils were transformed into Viking shipwrights, weavers, sail-makers, carpenters, sailors and warriors.
This was a fabulous culmination of their Viking project work this term, a full day’s workshop to bring history to life and work together on a major construction activity, in costume!
The pupils were assisted in their trip back through time by Charlie Lupton from Make Your Own History, who tasked the pupils with the job of building a 5.5 metre long, quarter-sized long-ship, complete with sail, mast, oars and shields. The School’s orchard quickly became populated with Viking warriors, crafts men and women hunting around the trees.
The children discovered that Viking long-ships were made to a very clever design. The keel stopped the ship capsizing, and the lapped planks were tied together with sinews and gut. The children used 600 cable ties instead, to connect the planks and used the special double thickness plank half way up to create the iconic curved sides of the hull. They learned the special suturing stitch sail-makers used on the woven panels that made their sails, and also constructed Viking shields using wood and metal.
The ship-building kit was designed and built to an authentic design by the Bristol Classic Boat Company and the shipbuilder who made the ship for the film The Dawn Treader .
Commenting on the invasion, Dunannie Head Jo Webbern, said: "The children learnt so much during this unique experience and were fascinated and enthralled from beginning to end. Interesting historical facts came to life as they learnt the Viking craft of ship-building and discovered that a real longship might have had up to 110 warriors and that words such as 'starboard' are thought to have originated in the Viking era. The Dunannie Viking ship was a quarter of the size of a real one and the children had fun working out the true length of a long-ship and discovering that it would have been as long as the School’s corridor (22 metres) and they were amazed by this."
Dunhurst Pupils enjoy Autumn Camping Expeditions
Pupils at Dunhurst, Bedales Junior School, have been enjoying the great outdoors this term embarking on two separate camping expeditions. The first took place on an overnight trip to the Out of Town Centre at Beaulieu in the New Forest with Years 4 and 5. The second camp was held at the Sustainability Centre in East Meon with Year 6.
During their stay in the New Forest, pupils from years 4 and 5 enjoyed a talk about falconry and birds of prey and came face to face with a Peregrine Falcon, an American Eagle Hawk and an Owl. The pupils also took part in farm duties and helped to feed the animals and meet some of the smaller creatures on the farm too, including baby chicks and a very shy tortoise. Later they tried their hand at pond dipping and caught a variety of creatures, which they analysed under microscope.
Year 6 visited the Sustainability Centre as part of their research for the term’s topic entitled, ‘Global Citizenship and Environmental Sustainability’. The children took part in various activities, including: building clay ovens; hurdle fencing and shingle roofing; pond dipping; food chain studies; bush-craft and also a tour of the local farm, towed along by the local farmer's tractor. They stayed overnight and ate their dinner, cooked outside over an open fire, in the amazing woodland classroom. The children had a great time and the school plans to return next year.
Commenting on the camping trips, Jane Grubb, Head of Dunhurst said, "New Forest’s Out of Town Centre and East Meon’s Sustainability Centre are beautiful local examples of the environment and serve to show the importance of preserving what exists naturally and to work with the countryside not against it. This echoes our ethos at Dunhurst where pupils enjoy learning outdoors as much as possible as it is both an engaging and stimulating method of education."
Record results, record numbers!
Kingham Hill is celebrating being this summer’s best performing co-ed independent school in the area at A-Level, with 61% of pupils gaining A*, A or B grades. Highest achievers were Rachel Juckes with A*, A, A and Alex Greig with A, A, A.
Headmaster, Nick Seward, is very pleased for all who have been rewarded for their hard work: “This year’s Upper Sixth were a very special group of pupils, who have been an inspiration to our younger girls and boys, both in and out of the classroom. They have worked so hard for these results, and deserve their success. I wish them all the very best for the future. I am also very proud of their teachers, who have served them with distinction.”
More pupils will be arriving at Kingham Hill School this September than ever before. Under Nick Seward, the school continues to buck the trend, growing in each of the past three years. Parents are attracted by pupil achievement, the Christian ethos and, of course, the stunning setting.
Willkommen Berlin - History students benefit from visit
Students from Kidderminster’s Holy Trinity International School (HTIS) enjoyed an educational visit recently to Berlin, a visit undertaken jointly with King Charles 1 School as part of the schools’ History studies.
Travelling by coach from Kidderminster to the Kreuzberg district of Berlin, students had the opportunity to visit the Sachenhausen Concentration Camp as well as the Bell Tower of the 1936 Olympic Stadium before a lesson in German and a shopping expedition in the town to practise their newly acquired language skills.
HTIS Head of English, Mr Ernest Carwithen, stated: “Supporting student study through practical activity both enhances understanding and enjoyment of a subject.
“Berlin is a lively and multi-faceted city, aware of its past but also looking to the future. The Reichstag’s glass dome, designed by Lord Norman Foster, enables people to stand and walk above their political leaders in the chamber below – deeply symbolic for a city with Berlin’s past and for our students the essential message of the trip was to learn from history and to apply that learning to making a better future.”
A full programme of activities throughout their stay encompassed a visit to the Wansee Villa, where the Final Solution was agreed.
The students’ next planned trip is to Northern Germany to visit Husum, Kidderminster’s twinned town.
Wycliffe defies the odds
Wycliffe’s pupils have exceeded all expectations in this year’s GCSE exams, with top academic students as well as the school’s lower ability pupils celebrating outstanding personal achievements
Head Margie Burnet Ward said, “We are delighted with these results. In a year group with the widest ability range, we have seen success in all areas. From our eleven students with nine or more top grades to those with a handful of grade Cs and Ds, these are excellent and will leave all of them very happy today.”
Expert analysis put the chances of securing 75% overall A*-C grades for this, the school’s largest ever GCSE cohort, at just 5%. Yet the school’s pupils have beaten this target and when final analysis of results is in, the value added scores should once again be outstanding.
Meanwhile, among Wycliffe’s academic elite, pupils who would have been chosen for selective schools scored 25% A* grades, 59% A and A* grades and 89% A* - B.
Director of Studies, Sean Dunne said, “They achieved this in a school of mixed abilities sharing experiences alongside pupils for whom D grades were real achievements. Together they have also enjoyed a huge range of extra-curricular and cultural activities and outstanding pastoral care that have made their lives very busy, very full and exceptionally rewarding.”
Wycliffe prides itself on teaching gifted and talented pupils from academic, performance, sport and creative disciplines alongside those with learning disabilities and special needs. The school holds awards for excellence in provision for G&T and its SEN support.
Mrs Burnet Ward said “Only when you take the figures in context are they actually meaningful and this is why, knowing our students as well as we do, we are so proud of their achievements.”
Among top performers were:
· Rachel Lade of Painswick with 10 A*s and 1 A grades
· Rory Maybery of Didcot; 10 A*s and 1 A grades
· Rosie Grindrod of Stonehouse; 9 A*s and 1 A grades
· Harry Ryder of Wotton-under-Edge; 8 A*s and 3 A grades
· Kelvin Tam from Shatin; 6 A*s and 4 A grades
· Jack Bromley from Tetbury 3 A*s and 7 A grades,
· Katie Thomson from Stonehouse 3 A*s and 7 A grades
· Kelly-Anne Slack from Castle Donnington 3 A*s and 7 A grades
· Anna Dearden from Plymouth 2 A*s and 7 A grades
· Jordan Anderson of Fareham, Hampshire with 2 A*s and 6 A grades
· Tommy Howell of Stroud 1 A*s and 8 A grades.
Wycliffe maintains strong results profile
Wycliffe’s Head, Margie Burnet Ward has congratulated pupils on another excellent set of A level results this morning (25th August). “Last year’s record achievements were always going to be difficult to top but to get within half a percentage point is fantastic and we are sure that our value-added figures will be among our best ever.”
Among the top performing students with all A* and A grades are Head of School, Greg Mason from Pentyrch, Cardiff, Cheltenham’s Tom Hartley, Francesca Waggett from Stroud, Lizzie Jenkins of Rodborough and Hong Kong’s Kevin Chan. Joe Blake was among a number who secured all A grades with one B, in his case scoring an A*, 2As and a single B, missing the top grade by just two marks.
The school’s pass rate stands at 99% once again and the majority of students achieved their first or second choice of university place in this year’s exceptionally competitive marketplace.
Bromsgrove records "stunning" A Level results
Bromsgrove School once again recorded stunning A level results with some large departments such as Maths and Physics registering 80% A and A* grades.
538 A levels were sat by 158 Upper Sixth pupils with a remarkable 86% of all entries graded A and B. The School recorded an average of 460 UCAS points per candidate, with 43% of pupils registering three or more A grades (indeed seven pupils accumulated more than five A grades each). Local girl Harriet Alford achieved seven A levels at A and A* (easily securing her Cambridge place); both local Heads of School scored straight As and A*s, while Birmingham City Under 18 Captain and USA Youth World Cup player, Will Packwood, also achieved straight As and A*s.
One pupil, Nico Fessner, had more than most to celebrate. A mountain bike accident last year had him fighting for his life, but he recovered, bravely returned to Bromsgrove in January and secured three A*s and a B, which will enable him to attend Imperial, London, next year.
Headmaster Chris Edwards said: “I’m thrilled and humbled. As I say every year, Bromsgrove’s pupils record some of the country’s finest A level results in the traditional, difficult subjects without going through a two dimensional exam factory. If the dreaded league tables measured sport, the arts and outdoor activities, I’d like to think we’d come just as high. The staff and pupils deserve enormous credit.”
A-stounding results for Nottingham High School
Nottingham High School is celebrating after students received an impressive batch of GCSE results.
Almost 41% of the grades achieved were A* and over 77% were either A* or A grades, making it a great year for the school.
In addition 30 boys gained 10 A*/A grades whilst over 75% achieved seven or more passes at A* /A grade. Just under 96 %of the passes were at A*, A or B grades and 100% of the pupils gained 5 or more A* - C grades
Amongst the star performers were Luke Sperry, who achieved an outstanding 10 A*’s and 1 A grade, and Tom Cosslett and Farris Latief who both achieved 10 A*s.
“I am absolutely delighted with our superb GCSE results, which mirror the stunning successes gained at A Level last week, said Kevin Fear, Headmaster at Nottingham High School. “More than 77% of the passes gained were at A* or A. Over half of our students gained at least 9 A* or A grades. This is the result of a great deal of hard work by the boys concerned and the staff who have taught them.”
Stellar GCSE success at St Mary's Calne
Four in five GCSE exams taken at top girls’ school St Mary’s Calne were awarded the highest A*-A grades while 63% of girls gained eight or more A*-A grades.
With an overall pass rate of 99.6% A*-C grades, four in ten girls passed all of their GCSEs at A* or A grade.
Five girls at the Wiltshire school, which is headed by Girls’ Schools Association President, Dr Helen Wright, also achieved a string of 12 GCSEs: two girls with A*s across the board.
Meanwhile one pupil scored astonishing 100 % full marks in all three of her science GCSEs – Chemistry, Physics and Biology – whilst recording a total of 11 A* grades.
The school also achieved a clean sweep of A*-A grades in four subjects – German, Music, Chinese and Religious Studies - while nearly nine in ten girls were awarded the highest A*-A grades in the Sciences: Biology (87%), Physics (86%) and Chemistry (82%).
In Modern Languages, 86% of the exams taken by St Mary’s girls were awarded an A*-A. More than three-quarters of those taking GCSE Maths, 78%, achieved A*-A grades.
Pupils taking GCSEs early also put in a sterling performance with 100% achieving A*-A grades. Seven of those girls scored full marks: three in German, two in French and two in Maths.
Head Dr Helen Wright said: ‘Pupils have performed phenomenally well across the board with 79% of examinations taking being awarded an A*-A grade. Amongst this fine tally, there are some truly outstanding individual performances.
‘As a school, we are deeply proud of each pupil’s achievement. It is testament again, as with our exemplary set of A Level results last week, to the hard work and dedication of our pupils and staff. We also recognise an excellent set of early GCSE results.’
Our Lady's Abingdon
A Level:
Our Lady’s Abingdon has been celebrating the excellent results achieved by their pupils. The overall pass rate was 100% with 95% A* to C grades. Special congratulations to the following pupils on their outstanding performance with Jessica Landy and Rachel Spooner achieving all grades at A* and Melanie Farmer, Bernedetta Herlambang, Elizabeth Pope, Thomas Reeve, Sarah Taylor and Anna Todd achieving all A*/A’s.
Head, Mrs Lynne Renwick, praised all pupils and staff for their hard work.
She said, “We are thrilled by this excellent level of achievement. The boys and girls have worked consistently, throughout their time in the Sixth Form and deserve the excellent grades achieved. The teaching staff will be delighted by these results. With enthusiasm and skill, they have drawn the very best out of their pupils.
We are particularly pleased that the grades awarded have secured them a place at their chosen university in what is a bumper year for applications, before next year’s fee increases.
2011 sees OLA’s first co-educational cohort and I am pleased to report that both boys and girls have achieved equally excellent results. Well done to all.”
GCSE:
Number of Pupils in Year: 57
% of passes at A*/A: 51%
% of passes at A*/B: 81%
% of passes at A*/C: 98%
% of passes at A*/G: 100%
% of pupils gaining at least 5 passes A*- C 100%
% of pupils gaining at least 5 passes A*- C including English and Maths 100%
% of pupils gaining at least 5 passes A*- G 100%
Pupils who achieved 11 A*/A’s: Louise Wells, 10A*’s. Megan Hebbert and 10A*/A’s: Eleanor Barry, Cecilia Caffrey, Rebecca Jones and Harriet Papworth.
OLA pupils, parents and staff are celebrating another set of excellent GCSE results with 51% of all grades awarded being at A*- A and 81% at A*- B. Head, Mrs Lynne Renwick congratulated pupils on their hard work and well-deserved success. She said, "I am absolutely thrilled by these outstanding results. They represent a tremendous achievement for both pupils and staff who have worked incredibly hard to achieve this level of success. Well done to everyone!”
Scarborough College
Scarborough College has followed its success in the International Baccalaureate examinations with some outstanding GCSE results.
93% of students gained 5 grades A* to C with a stunning 48% of grades at A* or A. The Headmistress, Isobel Nixon, was delighted with the achievement. “The whole year group has done particularly well, especially in key subjects like mathematics and science. The overall pass rate for three separate sciences and maths was 97%. Here at Scarborough College we welcome students with a wide range of abilities, but hard work and sound teaching in academic subjects pays off.”
As you might expect with such a high proportion of A grades, certain individuals have done particularly well; Frankie Houghton swept the board with 10 A* grades as did Alexandra Consoli. Philip Adams, who won a Scarborough College sixth form scholarship in February, also did very well with 9 grades at A*.
The College’s reputation for excellence in modern languages is well known and this year, 100% of the students gained a grade A* to C in at least one modern language. “The numbers of students nationally taking modern languages in recent years has fallen dramatically,” said Mrs Nixon. “Therefore, we believe our students are at a particular advantage. However, success in academic subjects is dependent upon the development of the individual through art, music, sport and a wide range of extra curricular activities. Our Art department has had a fantastic year with all of our GCSE Art students passing with A* or A grades and two of our IB students going on to take up places at prestigious Art Colleges.”
Recently, the College was named in the prestigious ‘Good Schools Guide’ for its achievement in IGCSE Business Studies.
HLC (I)GCSE girls fly!
Harrogate, England: 25 August 2011 - We are thrilled to be celebrating an excellent set of (I)GCSE results at Harrogate Ladies’ College today. Over 61% of all grades attained were at A* to A grade, which is 5% higher than in 2010. Almost 20% of girls gained A* and A grades in every examination they took.
Amelia Horne and Alice Barber achieved an outstanding 10A*s each. Other impressive performers were Sophie Ashley (9A* 1A), Rebecca Knight (9A* 1A), Elizabeth Callinan (8A* 2As), Sophie Goose (7A* 3A), Subin Kim (7A* 1A), Heather Kirk (6A* 5A) and Nkechi Uwaezuoke (5A* 5A).
Mrs Wilkinson commented “I am delighted by the girls’ results today. This year group was the largest Upper 5 cohort the School has ever had and there are some notable performances. Many in the year have worked exceptionally hard to attain the best grades they can. Significantly, the great majority of this group are staying on into our Lower 6 in September. I anticipate they will do very well in time, across the breadth of our Sixth Form curriculum. I also look forward to seeing them flourish in all aspects of school life. Their commitment to A levels at HLC is testament to their confidence in the benefits of single-sex education for girls in the secondary years.”
The Royal Society of Arts Elects David Rose, Head of The North London International School (NLIS), as a Fellow
David Rose, Head of The North London International School, has recently been elected as a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts (RSA). David has been with The North London International School (NLIS), based in North Finchley, since 2005. The school is a leading international school offering the entire International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme.
David’s appointment to the RSA is a positive development for NLIS, since the RSA has a wealth of notable achievements and Fellows in its 250-year history.
The Royal Society of Arts was originally founded in a coffee shop in Covent Garden in 1754 and describes itself as an ‘enlightenment organisation committed to finding innovative practical solutions to today’s social challenges’. The RSA’s ambition is that, ‘through its ideas, research and 27,000-strong Fellowship, it seeks to understand and enhance human capability so the gap can be closed between today’s reality and people’s hopes for a better world’ (RSA). In the light of new challenges and opportunities for the human race, its purpose is to develop and promote new ways of thinking about human fulfillment and social progress, which speaks directly to the mission - 21st century enlightenment.
Notable RSA members have included the likes of Benjamin Franklin, Adam Smith, Stephen Hawking, Karl Marx and Charles Dickens.
The RSA’s contemporary mission focuses on questions regarding the values of society, solutions for the future, as well as ways of thinking. The modern guild remains true to the founding charter, which wanted the purpose of the society to focus on enterprise, science, the arts, and commerce.
Underpinning the work of the RSA are enduring beliefs in human progress, reasoned enquiry, environmental sustainability, and ethical commitment combined with a commitment to public participation and social inclusion. In pursuing these aims, the RSA is led by four values: independence, commitment, honesty and openness.
In many ways, the ideals of RSA link closely with the mission and approaches of the International Baccalaureate and to the ethos of The North London International School: ‘Preparing young people to become leaders in the world through global excellence, personalised learning and community service.’ It also echoes the beliefs of The Dwight Family of Schools, a network of schools worldwide, which The North London International School is a part of.
David Rose has gratefully accepted his nomination and anticipates this opportunity to work with such a prestigious organisation.
Merchant Taylors' Girls' School recognised as Excellent by Independent Schools Inspectorate
Following Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School’s recent two day interim Inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the thriving independent school has been duly recognised as having the highest possible rating of “Excellent" with their crucial Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision being described as "Outstanding" (also, the highest rating).
Despite the inspection coming at the busiest time of year, in the run up to exams and in the middle of the school play, ‘Daisy Pulls it Off’, the prestigious inspection body was happy to report that all of the pupils at the Crosby school “…receive an excellent education in line with the school’s aim to enable all pupils to realise their academic and personal potential.”
With regards to the pastoral care, Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School, which also incorporates Stanfield Mixed Infants and Junior Girls’ School, was commended for the “excellent personal development” enjoyed by all pupils and “their well developed spiritual awareness”. The extensive programme of extra-curricular activities was commented upon and reference was made to sport, music and arts provision as well as the popularity of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and the Combined Cadet Force.
Teachers were praised for their imaginative approach to high quality teaching, which resulted in the consistently excellent progress made by pupils, which is well above that expected for pupils of similar ability nationally. The pupils were also praised for their excellent attitudes to learning and for their highly developed sense of social responsibility.
Headmistress Mrs Louise Robinson said “We know that Merchants Girls’, with Stanfield, is a successful and high-achieving school and it is good to see that in print. What is also gratifying is the recognition that we offer so much more to our pupils via our extra-curricular programme, trips, visits and work with the wider community which enhances their personal development and further prepares them for life beyond school. I am also delighted that the report recognises the excellent governance from which our school benefits. The governors, led by Mr Leo Coligan, are known to support our aim to develop initiative, confidence, independence and self discipline.”
The crucial EYFS, where the youngest children in the school are educated, was rated “outstanding” in all areas of its provision, with staff credited for being “very well trained with an excellent understanding.” Head of Stanfield Miss Julie Yardley (pictured above with Mrs Robinson) said: “I am delighted that the report recognises our excellent links with our parents and that the inspection team immediately felt the “warm and friendly atmosphere” that epitomises Stanfield.”
Read&Write GOLD, the best software on the market for supporting self-sufficiency in pupils at Dean Close School
Dean Close School in Cheltenham has been using Read&Write GOLD award-winning assistive software for many years. Dr Stephanie Thomas, Head of Learning Support at the School comments that they are “enthusiastic supporters” of the software. Stephanie continues “Read&Write GOLD is aptly named as it provides such great help for dyslexic pupils. We feel the software is the best on the market for supporting self-sufficiency in pupils. If ‘independent learning’ is the buzz term at the moment, Read&Write is the means towards that end.”
Stephanie comments “We have been using Read&Write for over a decade now and, over that period, have introduced it into the working lives of many pupils. It is equivalent to a ‘make over’ for a pupil’s written work, providing first rate support for weak or dyslexic writers, while reluctant or slow readers also benefit from Read&Write and feel as though they have had a burden lifted off their shoulders.
Features we feel are universally most helpful include colour highlighting while reading, which helps reading accuracy; the speaking spell checker, which allows for confirmation that the correct word has been selected from a drop down list, by providing alternative words and definitions which can be read aloud; and the homophone support, which gives context to those confusing words that often trip our pupils up. Put all these together and we have a powerful proof reading tool in Read&Write GOLD that ensures greater accuracy.
Read&Write GOLD for Schools is Texthelp’s leading literacy support software designed to assist pupils with dyslexia, literacy difficulties and English as a Second Language. The software provides pupils with a unique set of tools to assist them with learning in the classroom and at home. The software helps pupils to improve their reading skills, to enhance the accuracy of their writing and to organise research for school projects.”
For further information on Read&Write GOLD, please contact Elaine on Tel: 028 9442 8105, email elaine@texthelp.com or visit the website www.texthelp.com
St Swithun’s School celebrates World Book Day
“Every good book poses a question.” Local author, Ivan Brett, from Winchester, encouraged the Year 7 pupils at St Swithun’s School to think about this idea, on World Book Day on March 3rd.
In Ivan’s case, his first and soon to be published novel, Casper Candlewacks in Death by Pigeon, asks the question “What would happen if you were a normal boy in a village full of idiots?”
This book, the first in a promised series, is a humorous adventure story aimed at the 9 to 12 age group. Ivan also shared some hot tips about becoming a published writer. “It’s a good idea to keep a notebook handy, in your pocket, to write down observations about people and places; describe the world close to you and focus on the small picture. Read as much as you can, whenever you can.”
Ivan has just graduated in Philosophy from Bristol University and is looking forward to his first book promotional tour of the UK.
Ivan’s book, published by Harper Collins Books, will be out in April.
Ivan Brett with some of the Year 7 girls in St Swithun’s Bramston Library
Children's Rights Director visits
Boarders from Swanbourne House met the Children’s Rights Director for England this week, Roger Morgan who has said, “It is important to hear children’s views on the issues affecting their life.” Mr. Morgan (pictured above with pupils) asked the children a wide range of questions about what they like most and what they liked least and how they enjoyed their time boarding.
The school collects pupil views every year, in a questionnaire and stays alert to the pupil’s needs. Boarders have access to all of the school’s facilities and in the daylight hours, the school grounds. Weekends are spent relaxing, doing activities and enjoying a first-class Sunday lunch.
The boarders sometimes go away for the weekend, as all families would. They enjoy trips to London, outdoor activities, camping and the theatre. On Sundays they attend St. Swithun’s family service in the Parish. One of the boarders from Russia has told his mother, “It is the best school in the world!
School lunch, think seasonal local cordon bleu
Pheasant, duck and the very best of traditional great British dishes graced the school’s dining hall throughout the autumn term as Holy Trinity International School students revelled in menus of sheer culinary delight, thanks to school Chef, Simon Quill.
A sumptuous game week proved so popular amongst students and staff that Simon (pictured) is continually inundated with requests for his take on our Great British traditional roast favourites. Together with his catering team, Simon provides such fine student dinning, that the traditional idea of school dinners is now well and truly a thing of the past, with everyone enjoying sampling ‘taster sessions’ of pheasant pie and duck, through to best British roasts.
Said Simon: “Quite simply we love what we do creating the finest cuisine we can for the school’s students. All our meals are designed to deliver a range of nutritional values; pasta dishes, salads, soups and deli bars form part of that overall meal plan. We design our menus to meet general student nutritional need as well as that of the school’s many sports players who need to eat the right foods to support their demanding training regimes.”
Simon sources as much of the school’s produce directly from local Worcestershire suppliers to ensure he delivers not only a healthy, sustainable but also an educational feast.
Holy Trinity International School’s Head, Mrs Pam Leek-Wright, stated: “Thanks to Simon and his team, our students have the opportunity to enjoy culinary delights of the highest calibre; enjoying theme days trying country soups, through to top cuisine. Students can’t wait to taste his next culinary delicacy. He’s a total school dinner inspiration.”
Seaton House Early Years Enjoy a Pizza Party
Pizza Express in Sutton played host to an excited group of Nursery and Reception children, eager to learn the skills of pizza making. All the children have a weekly cookery lesson in the Seaton House kitchen but making Margarita’s on this scale was a very different experience!
The children were all given aprons and chefs hats to wear and the process of pizza making began. Firstly they were shown how to make the dough bases with lots of stretching and plenty of flour, the tomato sauce was added and finally finished off with a variety of toppings to create the perfect pizza! Pizza Express staff were on hand to ensure everyone enjoyed themselves and had a lovely lunch – takeaway Pizza!
Headmistress, Mrs Virginia Rickus commented, “The children all enjoyed a really exciting visit from the bus ride into Sutton to learning how the pizza’s they are all so familiar with, are made from the basic ingredients. They loved being able to choose their own favourite toppings and of course the best bit of all, was eating their very own creations!”
Exciting new adventure trail
The children of Swanbourne House Pre-Prep have a new facility in their eucalyptus woods. No, not koalas, but a very exciting Adventure Trail.
The trail (pictured above) is a very exciting place for the children, aged between three and seven years, to discover that they can do things they thought previously impossible. It also helps develop their understanding of the needs of others, as they encourage their friends across the bridge or along the stepping stones. They also use their imaginations as they play games using the trail.
It has been partly funded by the School Shop. Parents use this facility, either by buying new school uniform, or by donating or buying used school uniform.
On Wednesday 26th January, Mr and Mrs Goodhart, along with Dr Perry and Mrs Bryant, who kindly give their time to help in the School Shop, came to the Pre-Prep to officially open the new Adventure Trail. The ribbon was cut and the children cheered.
Linda Anstee, Head of Pre-Prep said “We are looking forward to many exciting times ahead as the children develop their skills on the apparatus.”
St Swithun's School visit from Lord Knight of Weymouth
St Swithun’s School, Winchester, hosted a talk from a member of the House of Lords on Tuesday 25th January. Lord Knight of Weymouth, the opposition spokesperson for Work and Pensions, met with Sixth Form General Studies students for an hour to talk about the work and role of the House of Lords. Lord Knight (pictured above with students) also outlined how the House scrutinises proposed legislation and makes amendments for the House of Commons to consider, its Select Committee work on issues of concern and the daily topical questions. This was followed by a question and answer session on various aspects of the parliamentary process and life at Westminster generally.
Sandra Hayward – teacher of General Studies at St Swithun’s School said, “This was a marvellous opportunity for our students to interact with someone who knows the parliamentary system very well, with experience in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords”.
The visit was arranged through the Lord Speaker’s “Peers in Schools” programme, which has been running across the UK since 2007 and has so far involved around 15,000 young people. This continuing outreach programme sends members of the House of Lords into schools and colleges across the country to give talks in support of the citizenship curriculum. For further information, see the Lord Speaker’s web page at www.parliament.uk/lordspeaker.
