May Newsletter. The new British Royal couple. The Royal Agricultural University of Cirencester.

Monday May 21st, 2018

Hello and welcome to our May newsletter.

Last weekend the whole country was hypnotized by the Royal Wedding taking place in Windsor. Street parties, Union Jack bunting, hats and happy faces were dominating every village, every town of the UK, millions watching the event on television, hundreds of thousands gathered around Windsor castle hoping to catch a quick glance of Harry and Meghan.

The bride, Meghan Markle, is of African-American and Dutch-Irish descent.

From the age of five she was educated privately in Los Angeles. Meghan’s high school was a Catholic all-girls private school. I thought Meghan represents a good example of the merits of the single-sex education that so often comes up in my conversations with my clients. Here is the statements about all-girls education, that could be found on Meghan’s high school’s website, which, I think, Meghan has proved to be true:

• “Women graduates of all girls’ schools exhibit higher academic engagement and tend to outscore their coeducational counterparts on the SAT.
• Graduates from all-girls’ schools demonstrate higher levels of academic self-confidence in their writing and public speaking abilities and show greater confidence in their mathematical and computer abilities. They are much more likely to pursue careers in engineering than their co-ed counterparts.
• Graduates from all-girls’ schools are more likely to participate in student groups and have greater political engagement.”

Prince Harry, like his older brother William, went to Eton, all-boys independent boarding school near Windsor, from the age of 13. He then went the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to begin his training as an Officer Cadet, graduating in 2006 with the rank of a Captain.

The wedding was held in the spirit of a modern Britain. A wonderful show of British pageantry and tradition interlaced with the international and intercultural notes of today’s UK, the country that accepts and makes the best of the world around it.

I actually bumped into Harry and Meghan on the Friday before the wedding as I was driving through Windsor Park on the way to meet a client at a school in Ascot. The couple were about to cross the road on their walk in the park. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to take any pictures as I was driving.

I was on my way to pick up a client’s son to go on a visit of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), or University of Cirencester. I thought I would share with you today my impressions from that visit.

Cirencester is a town that is known as the capital of the Cotswolds, arguably one of the most beautiful areas of countryside in the UK. Lush with the emerald trees and glorious rolling hills, the Cotswolds represents a postcard image of Britain at its best.

RAU, is the oldest university of agriculture in the English speaking world. It was established in the 1845 and enjoys the patronage of the British royal family. Famous alumni include a large number of Dukes, Earls and Counts as well as one of the BBC’s most famous commentators and broadcasters Jonathan Dimbleby.

All students live on campus, where one can see lots of Land Rovers, wellies and tweed jackets, the signature kit of the aristocratic English landlords.

Around 50% of the students come from private schools and more than half are aiming to continue their family business that is typically either in real estate, food production or land management.

One can bring their horse with them to stay at the university stables. Equestrian Science is offered as one of the options. University recently introduced a Business and Enterprise course that helps young entrepreneurs to start their new businesses, integrating studies with real life experience of a start-up.

The university offers access to 491 hectares of nearby farmland, and access to their financial data, giving students an unrivalled opportunity to learn in the field. Harnhill Manor Farm and Coates Manor Farm comprise both livestock and arable, while Fossehill Farm offers an equestrian centre with livery facilities. Students also have access to a nearby dairy complex and benefit from plenty of trips and visits.

The RAU has its own vineyard and produces Cotswold Hills wine to be marketed commercially. Students can get involved in the whole process, and the RAU’s ale and cider brand Muddy Wellies, through the Enterprise Programme in order to gain hands-on experience and key employability skills.

Being a student here is like living in a manor surrounded by beautiful countryside, albeit with hundreds of your mates from the land-owning elite to keep you company and professors to challenge and educate you.

Anyone interested in studying business, animal science or agriculture, while mixing with the British gentry and enjoying lots of fresh air and magnificent views should consider this charming and posh establishment.

On the other news: GCSE exams that started in May and are in full swing now will continue after the half term break in June. The week’s break will be good for those stressed 15-16 year olds to catch their breath between their exams and catch up on their revision for the few exams that are left in June.

A-Level exams are about to start this week in some subjects and fully start in June, after the half-term break. Good luck to those sitting their final school exams that will determine which university they will be going to.

Our tutors are being scheduled for half-term break; a few slots are still available for Biology, Maths, Chemistry, English. Please enquire about other subjects’ availability.

And, of course, the year’s work is coming to fruition with the end of year exams and Common Entrance exams. Please stay calm and supportive of your children in that, sometimes stressful for them, time of year.