Cotswolds Lifestyle Jan - Feb 2020

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Time to trust in the future of prep schools It can’t be easy being a prospective parent of a prep school child. If you fall into this category you might be forgiven for thinking that there’s not much point as the whole fee paying independent school sector could be abolished in the near future if certain politically minded people get their way. Anything is possible, of course, but for this extremely vindictive approach to become a reality the Labour Party would need to adopt it formally as a policy which it has not yet done as well as achieve a working majority to pass legislation to make it happen. If all this does take place, however, don’t underestimate the independent school sector’s determination to fight for its existence with every legal pathway being followed to test the legitimacy of such a policy. There could even be a remarkable irony that should the UK still be in the EU at the time such legislation is brought forward it could be the European courts who stop the move in its tracks. As I said anything is possible. In the meantime, there is every reason to have confidence in prep schools and their future. IAPS (the Independent Association of Prep Schools) has over 600 of the top prep and fee-charging junior schools in the UK. The first step in your search for quality is to check if your possible short list of schools for your son or daughter carries the mark of quality by being a member of the heads’ association known as IAPS. This association has a history extending back over 126 years and the criteria for membership is strictly monitored to ensure both the head, and the school they work at, maintain the highest standards. School inspection reports are received by IAPS, for example, and any failings identified have to be rectified in good time to maintain membership. In one sense, therefore, the first level of due diligence a parent might feel it necessary to undertake is already done for them if the school can demonstrate they are members of IAPS and, better still, have been a member for many years. What should you do next as you are feeling your way through the maze of glossy publications and enticing web sites placed in front of you. The temptation is to look for a ‘brand’ name and, to some extent, this has merit as it will more often than not lead you to a school with a fine reputation polished over many years of conspicuous achievement. The question to ask, of course, is has the school a reputation for success in the areas which co-incide with the talents and interests of your child. A fine school’s sporting tradition is of little relevance if your child is a talented and developing musician – not that those two areas have to be mutually exclusive. The resort to social media and discussion forums is a likely step many will take but if your chosen pathway takes you in this direction then, at the risk of patronising you, the reader, beware. Do you use Tripadvisor when planning a stay away? Do you believe all the messages posted there and would you base your whole view of a school on the postings of a few with most likely a pro- or anti-line to promote for their own reasons. There might be themes to pick up on but it really needs each parent to seek out the things that are most important to you and your child. That brings me then to what you should do. The most important thing is to visit the school and not just on an official Open Day. If a school can’t buff itself up to look good on an official Open Day it really is a poor do. However, choose a day and time to suit you, though be reasonable when negotiating this. Nothing much is likely to be gained from a visit if a good proportion of the school is off their normal timetable or routine because it’s the day of the annual whole school cross country event. Ask to see the class your child would likely join at work and then visit older age groups, looking for obvious positive progression as revealed by the work displayed on the wall displays. Find out the answers to the questions you have about the areas important to you and judge how open and direct you find the responses from the school. In short trust your instincts and not wholly what others tell you. If you follow this advice you won’t go far wrong and then don’t lose any sleep over the long term future of your prep school. Let IAPS do that bit for you whilst you concentrate on finding the right school for your child. Christopher King CEO, IAPS 46 | www.northcotswoldslifestyle.co.uk
ALCESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL Is holding its ‘flood postponed’ Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 15th January 2020. Doors will open at 4.45pm, and talks will be held at 5.15pm, 6.15pm and 7.15pm... The 2017 – 2019 examination results saw 68% of entries awarded A*- B, with 286 students (40%) achieving at least ABB. 111 students (15%) were awarded AAA or better, with twelve AGS students receiving Oxbridge offers, coupled with a huge increase in successful degree apprenticeship applications. AGS students continue to achieve superb ‘value-added’ results and numerous personal successes across the A level ability range. ADVERTISING FEATURE classroom. Forthcoming trips include visits to Naples, Vienna, Czech Republic, Costa Rica and skiing in the USA and the extra-curricular opportunities include EPQ, TEFL, Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, drama, music, public speaking and 18 different sports. Present students will be on hand to help showcase the best the school has to offer; a place described as ‘the loveliest working environment I’ve ever experienced’. Students at AGS are still able to start four AS levels in Year 12, dropping to their favourite three subjects before Year 13. This gives them a broad curriculum, and, crucially, greater flexibility for their final choices. This is seen as vital for maximising grades, and so increasing their choices for university and careers. AGS is a mixed grammar school with students aged between 11-18. The unique ethos of the school, which combines ‘superb academic achievement with a contemporary approach to the pastoral care and wellbeing of the students’, continues to attract some of the best talent in the area. The students are not only given an outstanding education due to the excellent teaching by the dedicated staff, but are also enriched through the wide variety of opportunities offered outside the If you have already registered your interest you do not need to re-register. However, if you have not yet done so, please register at www.alcestergs.co.uk Try out your A levels before you apply Sixth Form Subject Sampling Thursday 6th February 2020 (4.30pm – 9pm) Students aiming high for a coveted place in the sixth form at one of the county’s top performing grammar schools are being offered a unique opportunity. Following on from the Open Evening in January, you are invited to try seven A level subjects. The evening is a chance to actually take part in tailor-made lessons and sample for yourself what’s on offer at this ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rated sixth form. The evening takes place at the school on Birmingham Road, and anyone considering applying to AGS in the sixth form is invited to come along. The deadline to register for this event is the 20th January 2020. Apply for your seven trial subjects via the school website (www.alcestergs.co.uk) and a tailor-made timetable will be put together for you. All necessary details will be given to you at our Open Evening in January. Alcester Grammar School’s (flood postponed) Sixth Form Open Evening Wednesday 15 th January 2020 Doors open at 4.45pm Talks at 5.15pm, 6.15pm and 7.15pm Sixth Form Subject Sampling Thursday 6 th February 2020 4.30pm - 9pm Birmingham Road, Alcester B49 5ED Telephone: 01789 762494 Email: sixthform@alcestergs.com
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Cotswolds Lifestyle Jan - Feb 2020

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