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Foreword

When we in the Forces take the decision to send our children to boarding schools, there are always doubts. Will the school we have chosen provide the stability that we believe our children requiremore

Introduction

"We in the Services have three options: our children have a disruptive education; we board; or we live apart from our families. None of these is ideal for most people". Such was a recent indictment of the choice facing Service parents starting to educate theirmore

Articles
The Education of Service Children - the boarding option - Introduction Service Children's Education (SCE) CEAS Boarding? Choosing a School Government Funded Boarding Schools Boarding at an Independent School Types of boarding School Specialist Schools The Sixth Form Whatever next? Overseas Pupils and parents
Paying the fees

Paying the school fees ranks second only to paying one’s mortgage and, as such, this is a real attention-grabbing subject. Sending a child off to a fee-paying school means not only a major financial 2006: more

Special Awards

Looking specifically at grants and awards for children of those in the Armed Forces the ISBI lists some 200 schools. The following list has been specifically researched from the Independent more

From the editor

Ian Jones' career includes eleven years as Head Master of Bedford School, two years as the Director of Studies at Britannia Royal Naval College more

Useful information
 

The Extra-Curricular Challenge - Emma Taylor, Head of Christ College, Brecon, elaborates

Standing on the range at Sennybridge, shouting to be heard over the gale, I offered a few words of encouragement to the two teams competing in the annual Cadet Skill at Arms competition. They were a great bunch, from the keenest cadet, verging on the fanatical, to those who had been cajoled by our inspirational SSI, Bill Dowling, into making up the numbers. Despite the howling gales and the hail, they gave an impressive account of themselves and returned with a minibus full of satisfaction and silverware.

The membership of those teams reflected the breadth of opportunities available in so many independent schools. Christ College has its own natural advantages in terms of location and personnel, but all schools like ours are able to offer a plethora of wonderful chances for pupils to learn to face challenges and to broaden their horizons. For example, the ‘A’ team contained a Grade 8 saxophonist and a Grade 8 singer, as well as an international cross-country runner, while the B team included an academic scholar and a promising young harpist.

It is perhaps this wonderful mix of academic, cultural, sporting and teamwork opportunities that most sums up the distinctive offering of a school like ours. These opportunities are often grouped under the catch-all heading ‘extra-curricular’, which is perhaps a useful linguistic bucket to throw them in, although it is in danger of underestimating the centrality and importance of the range and breadth of experiences they offer. One minute pupils can be taking part in a Shakespeare masterclass and the next they are going into bat for the 1st XI or setting off on a Tall Ships Expedition. It is not an original observation, but it is nevertheless true that the busiest pupils are often the most successful academically, which is why we continue a full programme of sport and other activities right the way through the increasingly lengthy examination period each summer. Far from distracting pupils from their exam preparation, this gives them much needed stress-busting balance in their lives, and is far better preparation for the world of work than any hothouse academic environment.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the 1st Battalion, the Royal Welsh Regiment in Cyprus. We have a close association with the Royal Welsh; our Cadet Force shares their cap badge and we have a number of past pupils who have joined the regiment. I was in Cyprus to advise families about the options in UK boarding schools for their children, with the hope, of course, that one or two might choose Christ College. The concerns of parents there followed common themes: like any other parents, they wanted high academic standards and a wide range of opportunities for their children. Understandably, they wanted to know their children would be safe and comfortable, but also, crucially, that they would have occasion to learn leadership (and ‘followership’, too) through outdoor activities, sport, drama and music.

Some of the most satisfying things that are done in schools involve older pupils in supporting, encouraging and organising younger ones. For example, a junior house musical production may have a dozen or more senior pupils involved in choreography, coproduction, costume, make-up and general support. Our junior house has three resident Sixth Form School Prefects, and these are among the most sought-after and prestigious appointments of all at the top of the school. It is seen as an immense privilege and position of trust – as indeed it is – to share the pastoral care of those joining the school at 11. The downside is that the heads of house have to take part in the famous Alway Christmas Panto, which often involves them playing an ugly sister or the back end of a cow! Senior pupils help coach sport for the younger age groups, as well as supervising their homework sessions and running numerous fun activities at weekends and in the evenings. Sixth formers help to supervise ‘lights out’ in the junior house and are far better placed to show an interest in the latest PlayStation game or favourite reading or listening material than the houseparents and tutors might be.

One of the most interesting questions I have been asked when showing prospective parents around is if they could see the list of those who had won prizes at the end of the previous year. When I thought about it, this was an excellent idea – the school’s prizes tell you a lot about what the school prizes (sorry!). For example, if you have numerous cups for excellence in particular sports, or in public speaking and debating, for example, this suggests these are highly valued in your school. For our part, in addition to the full range of academic prizes, we have several dedicated to sport, music, drama, the cadet corps, services to chapel and overall contribution to school life. These things are not just ‘after-school clubs’; they are central and valued parts of the school’s life. A wonderful artist or a talented actor will be respected and applauded by the pupils just as much as a brilliant mathematician or a skilful scrum half.

The school’s system of colours also tells a story. At Christ College, which has a powerful and much-respected rugby tradition, colours ties and blazers have always been awarded for sport; we have recently expanded this scheme to include excellence in music, drama, debating and academic life, so that the most admirable pupils in our school are also the most admired, and our pupils have something truly valuable to aspire to. In the end, a boarding school, like any community, is made up of countless threads of different colours and textures: every teacher has his or her own style and enthusiasms; each pupil has a different potential, character and preferences – there is an almost infinite number of combinations of academic interest and other commitments, so that the school flexes, shifts and provides a constantly changing landscape of achievement and challenge. It is a deep joy to be a part of it.

Emma Taylor took up her post as Head of Christ College, Brecon, in September 2007. She joined from Dean Close, Cheltenham, where she was previously Senior Mistress and Admissions Tutor, and taught Economics, Philosophy and Religious Studies from 2001. She was previously taught and was housemistress at both Stowe School from 1990 to 1996 and at Canford School, Dorset, from 1996 to 2001. She was educated at St Anthony’s-Leweston, Sherborne and Canford School, Dorset. She won an open exhibition to read Politics, Philosophy and Economics at New College, Oxford, graduating in 1988. She has a PGCE from Westminster College, Oxford. She is a keen walker, and a regular newspaper reviewer on BBC Radio Wales.