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Friday July 19th, 2024
Welcome to your July issue – and the long summer break! If you’re contemplating the weeks stretching into September and wondering how best to fill them, we’ve collated a few ideas for you. All our featured events run from the end of July and throughout (most of) August but do check websites for details and tickets. Alongside this, with results days looming for some, we’ll also explore the challenging balance to be struck between academic performance and wider-ranging interests.
In my line of work, and as a parent of two children now graduated and living and working in London, I’m always intrigued by what breeds success and happiness. Clearly, it varies from person to person. We all have our own criteria for and vision of ‘success’ after all. But I think most people would probably agree that success is about striking that sweet spot between earning enough to lead the life you want, and feeling fulfilled in the work you do. ‘Happiness’ is an even trickier beast to pin down, but semantics aside, it’s likely to be about balance too. On the most basic level – that all-important balance between work and play.
The UK’s top independent schools know how important it is for their pupils to find their perfect balance. These schools offer a huge variety of extra-curricular clubs and activities that can help a child unlock their potential and discover their passion. By trying out music, drama, and different sports alongside their studies, many children find something they love that stays with them for life. Whether it’s gaining confidence from learning to act, or playing a sport that keeps them fit and makes them feel great. Or even launching a career in the music industry beyond everyone’s wildest dreams.
Take Coldplay’s Chris Martin for instance. He met his bandmates at school, and he discovered singing when he joined his prep school’s choir. Then he went on to form the band at university. Chris was taking Ancient Studies at UCL. The rest is history!
But what does all this really mean when you’re thinking about the best school for your child?
It comes back to finding the best fit for your child. A school (and later a university and degree course) that will empower your child to unlock their potential in all these areas. So they can grow in skills, confidence, resilience and knowledge, making lifelong friends and connections.
The UK’s independent schools have the resources and the know-how to help their students strike the balance that works for them. With high calibre sports and performing arts facilities, independent schools can give their pupils the opportunities to discover new skills. Smaller class sizes and the chance to provide a more individualised teaching approach obviously helps unlock academic potential too.
Schools and teachers play a huge role in preparing our children for life beyond the classroom. Some of that preparation will be subject-specific, syllabus-led facts and figures. But a large part will be nurturing qualities, mindsets and life skills such as resilience and empathy. These can’t be measured in exams, but they sure as anything will underpin our children’s happiness and success in work, relationships and life after education.
I guess the moral of this story is that what makes you feel most fulfilled in life isn’t necessarily what you learnt from the syllabus at school. It’s often about the many little things you learned between lessons, and the lifelong friendships and networks you forged there. That’s not to say that academic success isn’t important or shouldn’t be striven for or sought after. But the ability to apply yourself – to stay focused without burning out, to get up again if you’re knocked back – is crucial for success and happiness in our fast-paced world. And independent schools foster these all-important qualities of resilience and self-confidence through the teaching and the opportunities they can offer.
So, take heart if academic performance isn’t where you hoped it would be. Remember that a great education – one that sets you up to succeed in life – is about more than academic achievements alone. Embrace all opportunities, encourage any interests. You never know where they could take you.
Considering an independent school for your child? We’d love to help. Get in touch for a no-obligation chat to see if we can be of assistance.
London
Rough Magic The Globe Theatre
Check out this new family show featuring the witches from Macbeth as they set off on a supernatural adventure and take part in fun drama workshops at this historical site on London’s South Bank.
Ministry of Science Alexandra Palace
Complete with fire, explosions and bottle rockets, the Ministry of Science team will introduce you to the inventors who’ve shaped our world and show you how science can help change it for the better.
Horrible Science Kew Gardens
Inspired by the Horrible Science series, Kew is inviting budding scientists to discover the ‘nastier side of nature’. And on selected dates throughout the summer, you can enjoy outdoor theatre against this stunning backdrop too.
Winchester
Fiesta Winchester Science Centre
This mini ‘children’s festival of curiosity’ celebrates the Olympics and Paralympics this year, with hands-on exhibits, live demos and interactive events.
Oxford Fantastic Beasts The Story Museum
This summer, alongside its ongoing interactive exhibits (including the Enchanted Library and the Whispering Wood), Oxford’s Story Museum hosts an exciting dragon-themed exhibition curated by Cressida Cowell, author of How To Train Your Dragon.
Cornwall
Peter Pan Minnack Theatre
Watch an enchanting retelling of Peter Pan in this fabulous outdoor theatre carved from the granite cliffs overlooking Porthcurno Bay*.
* various dates and times throughout the holidays.
The Eden Project
This former clay mine, transformed into a beautiful global garden, hosts family trails and a host of indoor and outdoor activities this summer.
Shropshire
Beside the Seaside Victorian style Blists Hill, Telford
This amazing outdoor ‘museum’ transports you to a different era with a fully functioning village set in Victorian times. This summer, the team at Blists Hill bring the beach to landlocked Shropshire so you can enjoy all the features of an old-fashioned seaside resort.
Birmingham
Bear Grylls Adventure NEC
Promising an action-packed adventure for all the family, this event features 11 different activities from indoor skydiving to archery and even a shark tank. Get ready to dive in!
Yorkshire
Dracula Whitby Abbey
Discover how the 7th-century ruins inspired author Bram Stoker to write his iconic Gothic novel Dracula. Then enjoy a live performance featuring the Count himself.
Newcastle
Discover science at the… Life Science Centre
This award-winning, family-friendly visitor attraction in the heart of Newcastle is well worth a visit. Rated no. 1 in England for ‘visitor experience’, it offers families fun ways to discover incredible things about science.
Enjoy the start of the summer break and we’ll be in touch again in August. If you have any questions in the meantime – about any aspect of education – we’d be delighted to hear from you. Please drop us a line today.
“ 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. ”
