Guildford Living Feb - Mar 2020

More documents

Recommendations

Info

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 have been forgiven, prior to the December election, for thinking that there’s not much point as the whole fee paying independent school sector could have been abolished... If the outcome of the election had been different 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. As it is, the immediate prospect of a political threat has greatly subsided and the sector has the breathing space to make its case more forcefully that we have a right to exist and parents should be presented with options for the education of their children. It is for parents to choose the school which is best suited to their child’s needs, aspirations and talents. 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, chose 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 at all 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 10 | www.guildfordliving.co.uk
Registration now open for Sept 2021 INDEPENDENT PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGE 2½-11 YEARS Longacre has e perfect mix OPEN MORNING 11th <strong>Feb</strong>ruary 9.30-12.00 longacreschool @longacreschool To attend please telephone 01483 893225 or email admissions@longacreschool.co.uk Hullbrook Lane, Shamley Green, Surrey GU5 0NQ www.longacreschool.co.uk EXPLORE FREEMEN’S Open Events in <strong>2020</strong> “A school that produces confident, motivated, happy young achievers. A blessing to parents looking for a high-quality stress-free educational route that will take their academically able sons and daughters from age 7 right through to 18. Almost unique in this neck of the woods.” Good Schools Guide The best way to get to know Freemen’s is to see it for yourself. Join us at one of our Open Events this year to discover more about day or boarding places. To book visit www.freemens.org/openevents or call 01372 822423 LEARN, LEAD, MAKE A DIFFERENCE @HelloFreemens www.freemens.org www.guildfordliving.co.uk | 11
Page 2 and 3: “Guildford's Dedicated Subaru mai
Page 4 and 5: EVENTS GUIDE Finally, the days are
Page 6 and 7: Thursday 26 - Saturday 28 March The
Page 8 and 9: Say I Love You This Valentine’s D
Page 12 and 13: St Hilary’s Preparatory School Go
Page 14 and 15: Perfect Pancakes Get adventurous th
Page 16 and 17: "I think when Fishworks failed…we
Page 18 and 19: CEVICHE DE ALCACHOFAS By Martin Mor
Page 20 and 21: a Slice of SANTA BARBARA Kate O’C
Page 22 and 23: It was perhaps my enthusiasm at thi
Page 24 and 25: AMAZING GLAZING When we think about
Page 26 and 27: Roof Lanterns and Skylights Compare
Page 28 and 29: 2 1 dark ARTS 3 The trend for sleek
Page 30 and 31: haus HOME | LIFESTYLE ARTISANAL SOF
Page 34 and 35: a plant for every space in your hou
Page 36: WEDDED BLISS Planning your nuptials
Page 39 and 40: Wedding Fair Sunday 8th March 2020
Page 41 and 42: An extraordinary events venue, set
Page 43 and 44: A stunningly romantic wedding venue
Page 46: social care needs Social care seems
Page 50: Silvermere Care Home ADVERTISING FE

Guildford Living Feb - Mar 2020

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?