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Saturday December 21st, 2024
Welcome to your final update of the year! In this issue, we’ve handpicked a few highlights from the Sunday Times league tables, and scoured the (online) stores for last-minute stocking fillers with an educational twist. Enjoy…
Don’t just take our word for it! These are the crème de la crème, according to the Sunday Times. One of the most interesting findings for me, is that the more diverse the extracurricular offer – the better the academic performance. Of course, there are always multiple variables at play. But in my opinion, there’s a strong association between fostering individual talent and getting a pupil to the point where they can excel in all endeavours. The top independent schools are well placed to identify and nurture each pupil’s unique skillset. And once you discover your niche, find your tribe, and gain the self-confidence to shine – it’s only a short step to fulfilling your potential in more areas than you ever thought possible.
A potentially controversial addition to some independent schools’ workforce is the AI private tutor. At Reigate Grammar School (RGS), all sixth formers have access to their own AI tutor, which (/who?) sits awaiting instruction at the bottom of their computer screen. The ideas is that students can direct questions to the tutor at any time. And its responses will help them learn about and think around an issue in greater depth, all at a time that suits them rather than dictated by timetabling, etc. The use of AI in private schools is like a microcosm of the bigger picture: able to truly personalise learning and teaching experiences for their students, these schools have the skills, resources and the vision to bring the best out in every single student. However you feel about AI in general, and specifically in education, it’s hard to argue against the idea that individualised learning is likely to have the most impact. It’s not the only innovation RGS Head Shaun Fenton has introduced: he’s also added sleep lessons to the curriculum and – before study leave – transforms the whole school site into a fairground.
So, Sir Keir Starmer’s alma mater, RGS, ably headed up by Fenton (son of the late glam rock star Alvin Stardust no less) – jumped 12 places in the rankings to bag the prestigious Sunday Times Parent Power Independent Secondary School of the Year title for 2025. St Paul’s Girls’ School (West London) came top for academic excellence, with its counterpart for boys, St Paul’s School, coming second. Brighton College bagged independent secondary boarding school of the year, ranked highest co-ed school AND came top for A levels. In Wimbledon, King’s College School ranked first for IB, and Westminster School for GCSEs, while Palmers Green High School (North London) came top in the 11-16 category.
Interestingly, almost exactly half the A Level results achieved by independent school pupils were grade A or above. In contrast, sixth formers at grammar schools – which out-performed their non-selective state counterparts in the rankings – secured 41% of A Levels at grade A or above.
Five girls’ schools featured in the top 10 rankings, and single sex schools rose up through the rankings with remarkable alacrity. For example, Wycombe Abbey (girls only, South Buckinghamshire) rose five places, while Benenden (girls only, Kent) and Radley College (boys only, Oxfordshire) rose 33 and 22 places respectively. Eton College made a triumphant return to the top 25 with double-digit growth. But Birkenhead School (co-ed, Wirral), was the highest climber, rising 118 places from 199 to 81.
In terms of geography, it’s interesting that London is so well represented this year, with more than half the independent schools in the national top 20 situated in the capital. Four other high rankers are located in the southeast. But there are separate regional rankings, which see Chigwell School and The Perse School perform well in East Anglia; Birkenhead and Withington Girls’ School top the rankings in the northwest; Durham High School and Royal Grammar School come top in the northeast; Oundle and Nottingham High School bag top spots in the East Midlands; Concord College and King Edward VI High School for Girls perform best in the West Midlands; with Cheltenham Ladies’ College and The Maynard School, Exeter, taking the titles in the southwest, and Hill House School in Doncaster and Queen Ethelberta’s College excelling in the north. The Edinburgh Academy, St Mary’s Music School and Fettes College top the rankings in Scotland, with Cardiff Sixth Form College and The Cathedral School, Llandaff, the top performers in Wales.
The top-performing schools share some common features, especially where technology is concerned. For example, several have banned smartphones during the school day, but are embracing digital teaching tools such as AI tutors.
And while attendance has sadly slumped since the pandemic, with Ofsted announcing 158,000 children missed half their lessons last year, the top-ranked independent schools have 95%+ attendance. The schools that ranked highest focus not just on academic attainment – but also on nurturing young people who are ‘resilient, confident, happy, kind and respectful.’ They teach a mindset that sees failure as a crucial part of success, empowering pupils to learn from mistakes and keep doing better.
With many UK independent schools opening overseas sites to educate pupils for international careers and to help secure financial stability, the independent education sector feels increasingly global. From online assemblies to music tours and digital chess tournaments, students are more connected than ever. Other trends – as well as digital literacy and AI development – include a push to study more widely as students progress through their school career. Flexible timetabling would mean more pupils could combine STEM subjects with humanities or languages, for example, rather than a narrower focus on one discipline or field of study.
If you have any questions about any of these topics, or any other aspect of your child’s education, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We thought we’d finish off with a few ideas for stocking fillers, all with a (loosely!) educational twist.
This is a nice idea for someone who a) doesn’t have a lot of time to read but could listen while doing other things and / or b) is reluctant to read but who you know loves stories! Sometimes an audiobook can be the missing link between not reading much for pleasure and really getting into reading. And as we know, the benefits of reading for our young people range from better mental health to feeling more fulfilled at work. If your child is neurodivergent, or you’re buying for someone with another type of print disability (defined as a condition that makes it harder to access the printed word), then do explore charity options such as Calibre Audio.
Stately homes and stunning castles around the country get beautifully festive during the Christmas holidays. There are often trails for younger children, with plenty of history to soak up, plus a café or two selling hot chocolate and festive treats – maybe even a mulled wine. Check websites for details, as some venues charge a small fee at Christmas, even for members. But if you join on the day then you might recoup the cost of your visit. The perfect half-way stop for long car journeys, these historic properties let everyone stretch their legs and get their history fix against beautiful backdrops.
Lots of theatre groups have their own gift voucher schemes, so it can be the perfect way to give a flexible gift in terms of times, dates, shows and venues for the theatre-lovers in your life. From treating the extended family to a pantomime matinee, to joining the Royal Shakespeare Company’s tiered membership scheme, theatre gifts offer something for everyone.
Many venues – think The Science Museum, The Story Museum, The Natural History Museum – offer various gift packages. And lots of attractions will turn your day ticket into an all-year-round pass. How about a gift that keeps on giving? A festive family day out to Bletchley Park, home of the codebreakers, plus the option to keep going back as often as you like.
We hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.
Until next year…
“ Regency Education helped all three of our boys get into a wonderful school where they now thrive. ”
“ REGENCY EDUCATION WAS ABLE TO HELP US WITH EVERY STEP OF THE SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS ENSURING THE EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS OF OUR CHILDREN. AN INVALUABLE SERVICE. ”
“ REGENCY EDUCATION WAS ABLE TO HELP US WITH EVERY STEP OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS ENSURING THE EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS OF OUR CHILDREN - AN INVALUABLE SERVICE. ”
