The Latest News From UK Schools This Month – May 2024

All the latest UK news from schools this month, May 2024, from school musicals to leadership changes and new developments.

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Events

Talented Dance Pupil Receives Lots of School Offers

Wells Cathedral School Upper Sixth pupil Alfie has been offered a place at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance from September 2024.

Alfie has specialised in dance for two years at Wells Cathedral. His Dance Teacher Miss Louise Cannon said: ‘He has worked so hard and is seen training whenever he has spare time in between studying for his A-levels.’

He also received offers from multiple other dance institutions including the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Trinity Laban Conservatoire and The Place.

Alfie commented: ‘I was over the moon as this was not only my top choice, but just over a year ago when I started, it never seemed like a possibility.’

New Life at Priory Farm

The Priory Farm at St Augustine’s Priory has new life as the lambs enjoy the sunshine, new baby guinea pigs have arrived and chicks are hatching.

More guinea pig pups and lambs are still expected. The Farm is currently home to chickens, ducks, guinea pigs, sheep and three pygmy goats.

Free AI Event For Schools This May

On the 24th May 2024, the first AMCIS AI webinar series in collaboration with Marketing Advisers for Schools is taking place from 12-1pm.

The series includes four free online seminars that explore AI and its impact on schools, education and society. 

This first event will feature Tech and AI speaker Michael Bhaskar, who is co-author of The Coming Wave: AI, Power and the 21st Century’s Greatest Dilemma.

International Chair Advisor, Dr Helen Wright will chair the conversation alongside guest panellists, which will delve into the potential impact of AI on the current generation of pupils.

You can sign up here.

The Beacon Wins At The Rotary Technology Tournament

Pupils at The Beacon Independent Prep School won the Foundation category of the Rotary Technology Tournament. This marks the second year the school has won in a row.

The Rotary tournament is designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, testing their STEM skills.

Twelve students from Years 5-8 entered the tournament in small teams, competing against 12 other schools. The tournament was judged by Rotary members and guests who have a background in technology, design and engineering.

The task this year was based on a scenario – provisions needed to be delivered to a village after heavy floods that destroyed all the roads. The only way out was to use a cable that was suspended across the river. Each team had to design and build a gondola that could be sent across the river and drop the provisions on the other side.

Students Scoop 1st Place in Schools Air Race Challenge

Eight students at St Margaret’s School for Girls in Aberdeen have gained drone licences after participating in daily flying lessons. 

The students competed against nineteen Scottish schools in the Schools Air Race Challenge run by the Aerospace Kinross and were crowned gold winners after winning 1st place. 

The students had to fly drones around an indoor obstacle course designed by students themselves that replicate landmarks such as Ben Nevis. 

In preparation, the students learnt about the principles of flight, engineering, forces and data organisation in physics. Speakers such as former Chinook pilot, Mr Peter Winn and former RAF Air Traffic Control Officer, Mrs Mel Binfield also visited the school.

Primary 7 Teacher, Mrs O’Neill, said: ‘The competition is a fantastic opportunity to empower girls with career aspirations in aeronautics; an industry where women are significantly under-represented, with few holding the most senior positions and each pupil taking part will be eligible for a Young STEM Leader Award for successful completion of the programme.’

ISI Name Two Significant Strengths of St Catherine’s Bramley

At their recent ISI Inspection, St Catherine’s School in Bramley, were identified as having two ‘Significant Strengths’. 

They were noticed for their extensive and enriching extra-curricular programme. As well as their comprehensive, inspiring and highly successful career programme and alumnae network. 

Both the Prep and Senior Schools offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities to all students. Their parent and alumnae community also share ‘Careers Ideas’ with Year 5 and 6 students and offer networking advice. 

You can read the full report here.

Students Raise Awareness For Water Scarcity

More than 10,000 students in Globeducate schools took part in activities for Eco-Week.

This year, the main theme was water. Activities included a silent march to raise awareness for water scarcity, a whole-school vegetable harvest, installation of a watering system designed by students, making seed bombs to grow wild flowers and making pledges for water conservation. 

Education Director Monica Fontán, who works closely with Eco-Schools coordinators across the group, said: ‘By fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and innovation, we are equipping our students with the skills and knowledge they need to address the pressing challenges facing our planet.’

Cricket Star Returns To Tonbridge

England and Kent cricket star Zak Crawley returned to his former school, Tonbridge. 

He spent the an afternoon watching the school cricket team at net practise, talking to the boys and signing lots of t-shirts, bats and caps.

Zak spoke at the school’s EM Forster Theatre about the technique and temperament needed to succeed in cricket before answering questions from the audience.

When asked about his approach to batting, he said he watches former players such as Viv Richards and Ricky Ponting. ‘I try and take a little bit from players like this and I’ve always loved those guys who played the game properly, with a bit of flair.’

Ryde Sports Coach Aiming For Paris Olympics 2024

Former pupil at Ryde School and now their Sports Coach, Nicky Percy, is aiming for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

He managed a throw of 67.73 metres in Oklahoma last month, a distance that should qualify him for the Olympic Games. 

It has always been Nick’s dream to compete in the Olympics and he has never given up striving for this goal.

Taunton Pupil Wins Citizen Award

A student at Taunton School has been awarded the Rotary Club’s Youngest Citizen Award.

Anthony Knight was chosen for his outstanding contribution to helping those affected by war, raising more than £13,500 for the SEC Ukraine Appeal and UNICEF.

He has also spent two years performing violin in churchers and hotels across the UK and Europe to raise money. 

Anthony commented: ‘I hope my story will inspire other young people to use their talents to make the world a better place.’

The Beacon School Enrichment Programme

In 2023 The Beacon Upper School launched an Enrichment Programme, which has been running successfully since.

The programme offers an introduction to essential topics outside of the curriculum for boys in Year 7 and 8. 

Workshops discuss personal finance, Women’s History Month, current affairs, team-building, careers and prospective jobs.

St Swithun’s 140th Birthday Lunch

St Swithun’s School continued to celebrate its 140th anniversary with a vibrant birthday lunch and party.

The lunch was followed by the school dance in Harvey Hall, with a unique fancy dress theme, ‘Through the Ages, 1884-2024’, which encouraged senior school attendees to don attire representing various eras spanning the school’s 140-year history.

Headmistress Jane Gandee, said: ‘The entire day reminded us of why we are proud to be at St Swithun’s as our school community celebrated our rich heritage and our pioneering and philanthropic ethos.’

Pupils Learn About Fast Fashion

Pupils at Highfield & Brookham learned about the environmental effects of modern fashion production on the earth.

The children were tasked with delving into fashion brand sustainability and researching the life cycles of plastics.

Head of Highfield & Brookham, Suzannah Cryer said: ‘The way the children set about their environmental task on Earth Day was amazing and gives a tremendous amount of hope for the future.’

Felsted School Raises Funds For Transformational Bursaries

Felsted School has raised over £115,000 for transformational bursaries during its first Giving Day.

The Giving Day included 36 hours of activities, events and challenges. All donations will support an additional 10 Sixth Form boarders every year.

Felsted’s Director of Development, Kate Love, said: ‘From hula-hooping to bake sales, our pupils, staff, family and friends needed very little encouragement to enter into the spirit of Giving Day.’

Pupils Wins Royal Ascot Fashion Design Competition

A Lower Sixth student at St George’s Ascot has won the Royal Ascot Fashion Design Competition. 

Felicitas will have her design manufactured by LK Bennett to wear at Royal Ascot and has been offered work experience at the company. 

The LK Bennett creative team said Felicitas’ design was ‘really lovely, and nice to have trousers as they are much more relevant to what’s happening in fashion. The vibrant green is very much in tune with LKB’s best selling colour. It will look wonderful at Royal Ascot!’.

Millfield Student To Join Premier League Club

Millfield student Arthur Nasta will join the Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2024.

The 18 year-old goalkeeper said: ‘I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to play the sport I love so much in a top professional environment.’

Arthur joined Millfield in Year 9 on a sports scholarship, and became part of the Millfield football programme. This allowed him to develop his own personalised plan including one-to-one goalkeeping session and playing a season with Larkhall Athletic Football Club. 

Millfield Senior boys lead coach, Scott Laird commented: ‘The way Arthur trains and plays is a great example for any athlete who is striving to get to the top. I would like to thank him for everything he has given to Millfield and Millfield Football.’

Taunton Pupils Selected To Compete At National Levels

Three students from Taunton School have been selected to compete in their sports at national level. 

Ben, in Year 11, was chosen to represent England Hockey in a number of matches. Zoe, in Year 12, has been selected to join the Northern Ireland U21 Netball squad and Year 10 student Johanna picked up the trophy for the 52kg category in the Taekwondo German Nationals.

Dan Pettifer, Director of Sport at Taunton School, said: ‘They each manage to combine performance at a high level in their sport with their academic studies and engage fully in school life.’

Powerful Partnerships at Francis Holland Regent’s Park

Inspired by the long-term success of their partnership with St Marylebone, Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park is aiming for every department in the school to run an outreach programme during the 2023-24 academic year.

The Art department has shared resources and helped to design the A-level curriculum with Haverstock School for the last three years and continues to do so. Students from St Marylebone and Haverstock School will be invited to life drawing classes in the Spring and Summer Terms.

The Francis Holland Literary Festival, will extend invitations to local state schools for certain events. In addition to this, the Geography department intends to invite a guest speaker on sustainability later in the year to which local state schools will be invited.

New Developments

Headington School Opens New Boatclub

Headington School has opened a dedicated boatclub on the River Thames in Long Wittenham. It was officially opened by Olympic silver medallist and former pupil, Katie Greves who cut the ribbon on the new facility.

The boatclub will be a place for rowers at the school to grow their skills. 

Headington School has produced 120 GB rowers and have won numerous medals at the National Schools’ Regatta and Henley Women’s Regatta. 

Head Rowing Coach Ryan Demaine said: ‘We are incredibly excited about the opportunities it will give us to add to Oxfordshire’s rich and well-established rowing community as we inspire, nurture and develop future generations of rowers.’

The King’s School Opens Science Centre

The King’s School Canterbury has opened a new Science Centre. Former pupil and Eminent plant biologist Professor Sarah Gurr opened the new building. More than 100 members of the local and King’s School community attended the opening. 

The building offers six laboratories for physics, a science auditorium with a capacity of 140 people and other science-related facilities.

The building will also be available for use by the local community. King’s run Family Science Days and workshops for all local pupils and teachers.

Head of King’s School, Jude Lowson, said: ‘We are deeply indebted to the many donors whose contributions made this building possible – their generosity has underscored our ambition to provide the very best facilities for our pupils and to be able to share these with our local community.’

Charitable Trusts Merger Announced

On 1 July 2024, the two charitable trusts that own Sherborne Girls, Sherborne School and associated schools will be merged into one charity called Sherborne Schools Group. 

The schools (Sherborne School, Sherborne Girls, Sherborne Prep and Hanford) will continue as their own entities and with their own names, identities and ethos. The merger will allow for more exciting opportunities for pupils and staff to collaborate, share facilities and resources. 

The merged group will also include Sherborne Schools Worldwide, a joint venture set up by Sherborne School and Sherborne Girls in 2017 to create Sherborne-branded schools around the world. 

Every school will continue to offer enhanced educational opportunities, a supportive environment and exceptional pastoral care.

Chair of Governors at Sherborne School, David Leakey, said: ’Joining forces with the Sherborne Girls group reflects the schools’ commitment to innovation and collaboration. It will allow for greater educational and financial agility and resilience, as well as create exciting opportunities for growth and development.’

Moulsford Prep School To Become Fully Co-educational

Moulsford Prep School will start to become fully co-educational from September 2026. 

The Prep School will welcome girls into Year 3 from the 2026 academic year. The Pre-Prep School has already become co-educational and by September 3031 there will be girls in every year group. 

Headmaster, Ben Beardmore-Gray commented: ‘The key distinguishing feature of a Moulsford education has always been the quality of our offering in all areas: academic, pastoral and extra-curricular and this will not change. As a co-educational school we will continue to provide an outstanding education for both boys and girls, preparing them for a wide range of leading day and boarding senior schools in the country.’

Education Trust Installs Solar Panels

The Wrekin Old Hall Trust has installed solar panels on four of its buildings to reduce fossil fuel usage. 

The panels have been placed on the Sports Hall, Business School, Music School and on the main Old Hall School building. 

Executive Head of the Wrekin Old Hall Trust, Toby Spence said: ‘It is very exciting to see solar panels being installed across our campus this term, which is just one part of an overall commitment to being an eco-friendly school and doing all we can to better look after the planet, while teaching our pupils all about the importance of sustainability.’

Eaton House The Manor Pre-Prep Refurbishment Continues

Eaton House The Manor Pre-Prep has had a makeover. After an internal refurbishment in the Autumn term, the Easter holidays saw some new changes.

The 1970’s building was rendered a clean white, with every classroom gaining new windows, and a door leading out to the playground. Their new accesses have already been heartily utilised, with not a breaktime queue in sight! 

The works mark the beginning of an exciting building project, which will create a dedicated space for Eaton House The Manor’s Wellbeing Hub above the Pre-Prep. The hub will be home to their School Nurse, their dedicated Head of Wellbeing, and provide space for their visiting counsellors, alongside a safe space for pupils in need of some TLC.

New Leadership

The Leys Appoints New Head

The Leys have appointed Dr Clare Ives as the new Head, succeeding Martin Priestly.

Dr Ives is currently Senior Deputy Head at Sevenoaks School. She also has experience working as a Boarding Housemistress and as the former Head of History at Canford School.

She commented: ‘As a bursary recipient, and first-generation University student, I am passionate about the transformative power of great education and I am excited to lead a school which is values driven and which cares so deeply about the holistic experience of every pupil both at school and beyond.’

Queen Margaret’s School for Girls Announces New Head

Queen Margaret’s School for Girls has announced Ms Nicola Dudley as their new Head from this Autumn.

Nicola has 24 years of experience in education and is currently the Principal of Surval Montreux School for Girls in Switzerland.

She commented: ‘I am delighted to be joining Queen Margaret’s. From my first visit, I was struck by the warmth of the QM community. It is a school with so much to offer – academic excellence and choice coupled with incredible opportunities in the arts and sports.’