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How the senior school admissions process works
The senior school admissions process: how does it really work? Are pressurised prep schools and tutoring the only ways to succeed?
Is fee assistance really making independent education accessible?
Explaining who is eligible to apply for a scholarship or a bursary and how schools are widening the net further.
Special Educational Needs (SEN): getting your child assessed, and getting the right school
Dyslexia, dsypraxia, dyscalculia, attention deficit and executive dysfunction are just some of the neurobiological conditions being diagnosed in our children today. Without diagnosis and appropriate treatment they cannot improve. Our panel discusses what that means and what parents can do to help and support their children.
Ban homework to help children do their best?
With the 'right' amount of homework a subject of intense debate, and academic excellence ever more important for future success what role does homework play and what approaches are independent schools and tutors taking to get the balance right?
The challenges of modern parenting and how to manage them
The challenges facing modern parents are myriad; from separation anxiety to reconciling technology with a happy and carefree childhood. Our panel of working mothers discuss these issues and how they are choosing to handle them.
How hard is too hard to push your child?
Every parent wants their child to succeed, but in this world of fevered exam pressure more children than ever are experiencing mental health issues. This talk helps parents to understand their children and how they can offer tailored support to help them get the best out of their school careers.
Where's the value in league tables?
What is the real value of league tables? What impact does attending a highly ranked school have on your child's chances at future success? Eton, St Paul's and more recently Wellington College have decided not to submit exam results for national rankings, so are league tables on the way out?
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Ralph Lucas
Editor in Chief , Good Schools Guide
Is single-sex schooling still relevant?
The relative merits of co-ed and single sex schools is one of the most debated subjects in education. Our experts will guide you through the key issues to help you decide what's best for your child.
Do independent schools foster sporting greatness?
7% of the UK population are in independent education, yet a significant proportion of British olympians, rugby premiership players and others are independently educated.
Is a well-rounded education still useful?
The world of work is moving on apace, so much so that it is difficult to know what sort of roles the pupils in school today may fill. How can an independent education equip them to successfully take on anything that the world of work has in store, from portfolio careers, to retraining for a number of specialist roles over their working lifetime.
When is the right time to board?
Your child can start their boarding adventure at a range of ages. We’ll talk you through the different considerations pertinent at each potential entry point, and how you can help to make sure that your child is ready to enjoy the next stage of their school life to the full.
Nursery, pre-prep & prep explained
How does school choice reflect on parents?
Does a good parent choose a school for their child, but a bad parent choose a school for themselves?
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Sir Anthony Seldon
Vice-Chancellor, The University of Buckingham
Improve your US university strategy
Outlining all of the ingredients and factors that the world's leading universities will be looking for in your child. This talk will clearly detail how to maxmise your child's chances of getting into the university of their choice.
Can fee assistance make independent schooling affordable?
With rising school fees, scholarships and bursaries provide a lifeline for many parents. But with each school having it's own requirements the choices can be confusing. Our experts will unravel the options.
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Susan Hamlyn
Director Emerita, The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants
Independent and state curricula: are they really that different?
What's the point in paying for the same curriculum that state schools provide for free?
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Ralph Lucas
Editor in Chief , Good Schools Guide
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Patrick Derham
Head Master, Westminster School
Does independent education make you more employable?
Children from independent schools have been given every opportunity to fulfil their potential and succeed in life, but does this make them better job candidates and perform better throughout their careers?
Are Independent Schools being outpaced by social and technological change?
Julian Thomas, Master of Wellington College opens the 2018 Show speaking in The Sunday Times Education Theatre about the 'future of education' 1980 to the present and beyond. What is a great education, the new paradigm, making learners employable, creative, team players, and empathy.
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Julian Thomas
Director, JPT Consulting
Is there a right way to push your child?
Eve Jardine-Young, Principal, Cheltenham Ladies' College and Dr Crispin Hyde-Dunn, Headmaster of Dragon School discuss the pro's and con's of tiger parenting, helicopter parenting and lawnmower parenting at the Independent Schoos Show.
Helping summer-born children reach their fullest potential
Stephen Hammond, MP, Sarah Seagrave, Headmistress, Eaton House The Manor School and Annabel Heseltine, Editor of School House Magazine discuss why 20% less 'summer-born' babies go onto university - why is September the marker for starting school?
Do independent schools prepare your children for the commercial world?
James Palumbo, Baron Palumbo of Southwark, and Dr Anthony Wallersteiner, Headmaster of Stowe School discuss education in the context of the challenges and the opportunities brought by globalisation, competition and AI.
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Dr Anthony Wallersteiner
Headmaster, Stowe School
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Charles Bonas
Founder, Bonas MacFarlane
What if it doesn't go to plan?
Simon O'Malley, Headmaster, Thomas's Battersea and Emily Turner, Co-founder of angels&urchins - Matching your 'plan' to your child's abilities and happiness and finding a positive way forward when things aren't quite right.
Why do parents in the know choose boarding school?
Dr Niall Hamilton, Admissions Tutor, Marlborough College and Arabella Stuart, Admissions Director, Sevenoaks School talk about a Boarding education, the 24/7 learning environment and the reasons for considering this type of education.
Do League Tables Really Matter?
Ralph Lucas, Good Schools Guide and Alastair McCall, Editor of The Sunday Times Schools' Guide, Parent Power discuss how to choose a school and how to interpret the League Tables when choosing your childs' school
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Ralph Lucas
Editor in Chief , Good Schools Guide
Can fee assistance make Independent education affordable?
Susan Hamlyn, Director of The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants tackles the issues of affordability and value in the fee-paying school sector and how to access the considerable financial assistance.
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Susan Hamlyn
Director Emerita, The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants
What makes a truly great school?
Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor, The University of Buckingham gives visitors his views on selecting schools, raising happy children and managing modern day pressures
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Sir Anthony Seldon
Vice-Chancellor, The University of Buckingham
Hot off the Press
An overview of the current state of the sector in the UK, covering the latest political challenges and developments.
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Andrew Jack
Global Education Editor , Financial Times
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Patrick Derham
Head Master, Westminster School
Year 5-8 Conundrums
What's going on with Pre-tests and Common Entrance? Every parent needs to be up-to-date.
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
Surviving London's pressure cooker
Exams every year from the age of seven, hyper competitive entrance exams for boys and girls at 11+ and 13+, Common Entrance; many parents are asking is there another way?
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Helen Lowe
Head, Bute House Preparatory School for Girls
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Neil McLaughlan
Head Master, Westminster Cathedral Choir School
How to pay for your children & grandchildren’s education?
Whether a grandparent, new parent, high earner or international parent, our experts will aim to help you consider all of your options.
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Paul Jones
Financial Adviser, Hawkins Thomas Wealth Management
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John Solosy
Chartered Financial Planner, Solosy Wealth Management
Single sex or co-ed?
This is one of the most debated subjects in education. Does single-sex education really benefit girls more than boys?
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Sarah Kerr-Dineen
Headmaster, Oundle School
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Dr Dominic Luckett
Headmaster, Sherborne School
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Cheryl Giovannoni
Chief Executive, Girls Day School Trust (GDST)
Thriving at school
Elaine Halligan explores the concept of growth mindset and looks at ways of motivating our children to do their best.
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Shona Colaço
Head, Knightsbridge School
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Jemima Davidson
School Project Manager, Place2Be
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Elaine Halligan
London Director, The Parent Practice
Moving at Sixth Form
Sixth form is a critical time in any young person’s education and many students move after GCSEs. Our experts will discuss the wide variety of options available.
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James Barton
Director of Admissions, Mander Portman Woodward (MPW)
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Gareth Collier
Principal, Cardiff Sixth Form College.
Busting the Myths of the Independent Schools Admission Process
What independent schools are really looking for and what you should be too!
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Julian Thomas
Director, JPT Consulting
State until eight?
Where is the value today? Comparing state and independent schools, and if combining how to manage changing lanes.
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Ralph Lucas
Editor in Chief , Good Schools Guide
Into Switzerland
This was an online event for parents who are considering moving their family to Switzerland.
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Richard McDonald
Executive Director, Aiglon College
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Charles Bonas
Founder, Bonas MacFarlane
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Aline Dénéréaz
Partner, Transforma
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Alex Koch de Gooreynd
Partner, Knight Frank
Lets Talk About School Fees...
Financial strategies to help families manage through the C-19 crisis.
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
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David Quintrell
Director, Brewin Dolphin
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James Alder
Director, Brewin Dolphin
Reception admissions - how to keep ahead in lockdown
Schools have been closed but admissions have not stopped. This online event was designed to help parents to understand how the leading London nurseries and Pre-Prep/Prep schools are managing the admissions processes for 2020 and 2021.
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Lucinda Byron Evans
Head Teacher, Young England Kindergartens
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Sebastian Hepher
Principal, Eaton Square Schools
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
Senior School Admissions
Our distinguished panel explain how open days, school tours, interviews/assessments and registration are working under the current circumstances.
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Dr Andy Mayfield
Director of Admissions, St Paul's School
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James Dahl
Master, Wellington College
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
What price an education? Grandparents, Tax & Equity Release
How grandparents can best help with school fees.
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David Forsdyke
Equity Release, Knight Frank Finance
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David Quintrell
Director, Brewin Dolphin
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James Alder
Director, Brewin Dolphin
The Return to Boarding School
This online event was designed to help British and international parents prepare their children to return or start at boarding school this autumn.
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Ben Evans
Head, Windlesham House School
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Julia Harrington
Headmistress, Queen Anne's School
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Grace Moody-Stuart
Director, The Good Schools Guide
How to apply to NYU
This was a unique opportunity to get your questions answered by an admissions director from one of the US universities most popular with international students.
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Charles Bonas
Founder, Bonas MacFarlane
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Lisa Mortini
International Admissions Director, New York University (NYU)
Start Planning For School Fees
Our third webinar in this series is designed to help families at the start of the education journey make sound financial plans.
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David Quintrell
Director, Brewin Dolphin
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James Alder
Director, Brewin Dolphin
Into UK Senior Schools
In an hour we visited six leading schools within easy reach of London, saw them in action, gained exclusive insights and gave parents the opportunity to ask questions. This was a highly efficient way to focus your search and find the school that is the right fit for your child.
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
Choosing a London School
This online event, organised with the Good Schools Guide, is designed to help parents living in (or moving to) the capital deal with the extra pressures and complexities in finding a London school.
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Mike Kirby
Founder & Principal, Ashbourne College
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Magoo Giles
Founder & Principal, Knightsbridge School
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Grace Moody-Stuart
Director, The Good Schools Guide
INTO Boarding Prep Schools
A unique opportunity for parents to look around eight of the UK's leading boarding prep schools. This is a highly efficient way to focus your search and find the school that is the right fit for your child.
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
Applying to highly selective US universities
With over one million international students applying to the US for university each year, competition for places at top universities is at an all time high. This online event is designed to help British and international students who are applying to US universities.
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Jamie Boygo
Specialist US College Consultant, Bonas MacFarlane
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Paul Burgess
Director of International Admission and Global Initiatives, Tulane University
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Sayaka Smith
Assistant Director of Admissions, Tufts University
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Brendan Graham
Senior Assistant Director, Northeastern University
Choosing an independent school online
This session will give an overview of the best online tools and will then provide a detailed introduction to two of the most comprehensive sources of information - The Good Schools Guide and the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
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Vivien Kelly
Communications Manager, Independent Schools Inspectorate
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Melanie Sanderson
Managing Editor, Good Schools Guide
INTO the West of England
Featuring Cheltenham College, Marlborough, Millfield, Monkton Combe, Pangbourne, Queen Anne's, Sherborne School and Sherborne Girls, in an hour we visit these eight leading schools, see them in action, meet pupils, heads and admissions directors and gain exclusive insights.
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
INTO the Home Counties
Featuring Bedales, Berkhamsted, Bradfield, Haileybury, Heathfield, Sevenoaks, St George's Ascot and Shiplake, in an hour we visit these leading schools, see them in action, meet pupils, heads and admissions directors and gain exclusive insights.
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
INTO the Girls' Day School Trust
Join us on Tuesday morning for a brilliant overview of the UK's leading group of girls' schools. This is a unique opportunity for parents to look around ten of the Girls' Day School Trust's leading independent girls schools.
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
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Dr Kevin Stannard
Director of Innovation & Learning, GDST
How to Choose an Independent School
In the independent system there are hundreds of schools to look at, so how do you find the right one for your child? For this Parents Forum we are delighted to welcome Barnaby Lenon, Chairman of the Independent Schools Council, who will be answering your questions.
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Charles Bonas
Founder, Bonas MacFarlane
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Barnaby Lenon
Chairman, Independent Schools Council
Support your child's home learning - Part 1
Bonas MacFarlane has organised two Parent Forums to help parents manage and support their child through lockdown. Part 1 explores how parents can help their child to engage with learning during lockdown. Tuition and home-learning experts will offer tips, strategies and advice to help your child overcome barriers and learn something new.
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Harry Cobb
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
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James Bonas
Lead Assessor, Bonas MacFarlane
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James Frome
Tutor, Bonas MacFarlane
Part 2 - struggling with home learning?
Home learning in lockdown is making many parents aware that their child is not reaching their full academic potential and might well have learning, behaviour and socialisation differences. This Parent Forum will help parents with these concerns and discuss how to understand your child’s learning style, providing strategies and tips to help.
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
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Fintan O'Regan
Behaviour and Learning Specialist, ADHD and Neurodiversity
London Senior School Options
This Parent Forum is designed to help parents living in (or moving to) the capital deal with the extra pressures and complexities in finding a London senior school.
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
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Sebastian Hepher
Principal, Eaton Square Schools
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Brendan Pavey
Executive Head Teacher, North Bridge House Senior Schools
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Siobhan McGrath
Executive Principal, Southbank International School
Choosing a school for your SEN child
Selecting the right school for a child with learning difficulties can seem an overwhelming task. From the biggest school to the smallest, to the ultra-selective to totally inclusive, all schools have a policy devoted to learning needs. So, if your child has an identified need, how do you work out which is right for them?
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Tim Martin
Head of Learning Support and PSHEE, Kingham Hill School
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Charlotte Phillips
SEN Education Consultant, Good Schools Guide
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Tanya Moran
Headteacher, Abingdon House School and College
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Koen Claeys
Headmaster, The Moat School
INTO the Cotswolds
If you are considering a relocation to the Cotswolds, this Parent Forum is a highly efficient way to focus your search and find the school that is the right fit for your child.
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Charlie Taylor
Partner & Office Head, Bath, Knight Frank
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Kate Reynolds
Head, Royal High School Bath GDST
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Emma Taylor
Warden of the Dean Close Foundation, Dean Close School
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Matt Way
Headmaster, Stonar School
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Nick Seward
Headmaster, Kingham Hill School
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Susan McLean
Headmistress, Kitebrook Preparatory School
Move or Stay Put? The Financial Implications
There's a well-worn quandary for those who swap their London home and head out of the capital, would you be better off staying put? Brewin Dolphin will model some common scenarios and answer your questions.
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David Quintrell
Director, Brewin Dolphin
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Emma Cowley
Divisional Director - Investment Management, Brewin Dolphin
The great outdoors - learning outside the classroom
The outdoors is the ultimate enabling environment. It is full of resources for open-ended play, adventure training and learning, providing huge benefits for children. In this Parent Forum we explore the educational opportunities of outdoor learning with Gordonstoun, Camp Bonas and Liberty Woodlands School.
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Harry Cobb
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
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Richard Devey
Head of Senior School, Gordonstoun
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Leanna Barrett
Head of School & Founder, Liberty Woodland School
Senior Boarding in Action
For our first Family Forum, aimed at children as well as parents, we go behind the scenes to visit six senior schools in the evening and see what modern boarding is really like. There will be plenty of opportunities for Q&A so that you and your children can get answers to all the vital questions about boarding.
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
INTO Central London Prep Schools
This Parent Forum provides a unique opportunity for parents living in (or moving to) London to look around nine of the capital's most sought after prep schools. In an hour we visit the schools, see them in action and gain exclusive insights. Knight Frank will then give an overview of the market for family homes in Central London.
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
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Eleanor Dixon
Headteacher , Falkner House (boys)
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Suzy Dixon
Head , Francis Holland Junior School
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Alison Melrose
Headmistress, Prince’s Gardens Preparatory School
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Alex Philo
Partner, Wimbledon Office, Knight Frank
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James Stenning
Head Teacher, North Bridge House Prep School
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Giles Entwisle
Headmaster , Durston House School
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Sara Williams-Ryan
Headmistress, Falcons School for Girls
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Liz Mclaughlin
Head, Falcons Pre-Preparatory School, Chiswick
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Nicola Swales
Deputy Head (Academic), Notting Hill Preparatory School
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Benedict Dunhill
Headmaster , Redcliffe School
Preparing your child to thrive at Boarding School
Boarding schools offer a unique, life-changing, educational opportunity, but going to boarding school is a big step which can seem daunting for children and their parents. This Parent Forum looks at how to prepare your child for boarding, helping with the transition from living at home to living at school.
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Harry Cobb
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
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Augusta Faulkner
Joint Head of Boarding, Dragon School
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Paul Curran
Deputy Head Pastoral, St Edmund's College & Prep School
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Liz Hutchings
Deputy Head (Pastoral) & Head of Boarding, Junior King’s School, Canterbury
Talking school fees
This week we look at affordability - discussing bursaries, second child discounts and school fees planning with two of the UK's leading school fee experts.
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James Alder
Director, Brewin Dolphin
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Camilla Smiley
Scholarship & Bursary Consultant, The Good Schools Guide
Rethinking the future of Independent Education
This week an extraordinary panel of leading figures from the sector gather to discuss the prospects for British independent schools in the 21st century. This is a great opportunity to meet the heads of three of Britain’s most well-known schools – St Paul's, Winchester and Westminster, plus a former head of Harrow.
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Barnaby Lenon
Chairman, Independent Schools Council
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Dr Tim Hands
Headmaster, Winchester College
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Dr Gary Savage
Head Master, Westminster School
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Sally-Anne Huang
High Master, St Paul's School
Town v Country - the teenage years
Would your teenager thrive better in a city or country school? Heads of five city and country schools interview their teenaged pupils to help you decide whether your child would suit a rural or urban education. There will be an extended Q&A where parents can directly question heads and pupils.
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Dr Dominic Luckett
Headmaster, Sherborne School
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Dr Mike Milner
Head of Senior School, Reddam House School
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Christopher Cockerill
Head, Senior School, Fulham School
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Lucy Elphinstone
Headmistress, Francis Holland School, Sloane Square
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Julia Hodgson
Director of Admissions, Marlborough College
Town v Country - Girls' schools
In conversation - the heads of City of London School for Girls and Sherborne Girls School will help you decide whether your daughter would thrive better in London or out of the city.
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Ed Vaizey
Member, House of Lords
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Dr Ruth Sullivan
Headmistress, Sherborne Girls
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Jenny Brown
Head, City of London School for Girls
What price an education? Planning your finances
Two leading school fees experts will be in conversation about how to dovetail your financial and educational plans. Both will stress the importance of creating a plan that works financially for you and your family.
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David Quintrell
Director, Brewin Dolphin
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Camilla Smiley
Scholarship & Bursary Consultant, The Good Schools Guide
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Ed Vaizey
Member, House of Lords
Preparing for competitive entry schools
A leading prep school and senior school discuss the kinds of children who thrive in highly academic schools.
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Dr Andy Mayfield
Director of Admissions, St Paul's School
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Tom Rogerson
Headmaster, Cottesmore School
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Ed Vaizey
Member, House of Lords
London day, boarding or a country day?
How do you decide what’s best for your child? William Petty, Managing Director of Bonas MacFarlane, discusses how parents should set about making education choices.
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
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Ed Vaizey
Member, House of Lords
Town v Country, Co-Ed options
In conversation - the heads of Latymer Upper School and Sevenoaks will help you decide whether your child would thrive better in London or out of the city.
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David Goodhew
Head, Latymer Upper School
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Jesse R Elzinga
Headmaster, Sevenoaks School
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Ed Vaizey
Member, House of Lords
Town or Country? - Finding your next home
Knight Frank analyst Chris Druce discussed the rollercoaster year prime property has experienced in both the UK and abroad and the drivers behind it.
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Ed Vaizey
Member, House of Lords
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Chris Druce
Senior Research Analyst, Knight Frank
INTO British boarding | Preparing your child for boarding
What do you need to think about when moving your child into a UK boarding school? We meet teenagers from Monaco, Dubai and Hong Kong who are boarding in the UK at Lancing, Sevenoaks and Millfield, three of the UK's leading schools and then discuss how parents can practically support their child when school is a long way from home.
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Kelvin Tanner
Partner, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
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Stuart Leslie
Director, Barratt London
INTO London Prep Schools
This Parent Forum provides a unique opportunity for parents living in (or moving to) London to get an overview of the capital's most sought after prep schools: Eaton Square, Knightsbridge, St Anthony's School for Boys, St Anthony's School for Girls, Falcons Prep, Cameron Vale
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Shona Colaço
Head, Knightsbridge School
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Donal Brennan
Headmaster, St Anthony’s School for Girls
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Olivia Buchanan
Headmistress, Falcons Prep Richmond
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Neill Lunnon
Head, Fulham Prep
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Bridget Saul
Headteacher, Cameron Vale School
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Trish Watt
Head , Eaton Square School
Preview of the Independent Schools Show, 2021
Coming to the Schools Show this weekend, or thinking about coming? Join this Parents Forum for a unique preview of the 2021 show.
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Grace Moody-Stuart
Director, The Good Schools Guide
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Emma Cowley
Divisional Director - Investment Management, Brewin Dolphin
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
How to manage the intense competition at 11+
What's going on with Pre-tests and Common Entrance? Every parent needs to be up-to-date. Bonas MacFarlane's Will Petty will discuss the latest tips, tricks and insights; Catriona Sutherland-Hawes provides the senior school perspective.
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Catriona Sutherland-Hawes
Director of Admissions, Wycombe Abbey
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Bridget Saul
Headteacher, Cameron Vale School
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
What is the value of an independent school education?
Is it worth paying school fees? There are many ways to assess the benefits from academic excellence, to social confidence, to sports and extra-curricular facilities, to value-added. What's important is to know what matters to you and your child.
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Julie Robinson
Chief Executive Officer, Independent Schools Council (ISC)
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Sarah Wilson
Headmistress, Heathfield School
Starting out in South London - choices, decisions, application, preparation
From Battersea to Wimbledon to Dulwich, South London has more independent schools than any other area of Britain. A leading prep school head talks about the nuts and bolts: how to choose and when to begin looking, the application process and what preparations you should make.
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Susie Byers
Head , Broomfield House School
Giving your child the best possible start: why go to an IAPS prep school?
With state primaries so much improved, especially in London, what is it that pre-prep and prep schools offer, besides Latin?
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Christopher King
Chief Executive, IAPS , Independent Association of Prep Schools
Next steps - deciding between boarding and day
How do you choose? Senior school heads answer parents questions.
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Kate Reynolds
Head, Royal High School Bath GDST
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Bradley Salisbury
Headmaster, Dean Close School
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Chris Wheeler
Principal, Monkton Combe School
How to apply for bursaries and scholarships
The Good Schools Guide's Camilla Smiley is a specialist in scholarship and bursary provision in independents schools, tackling the issues of affordability and value and how to access the considerable financial assistance. Dr Anthony Wallersteiner talks about Stowe's Change 100 initiative to provide 100 free places in the school at all times.
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Dr Anthony Wallersteiner
Headmaster, Stowe School
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Camilla Smiley
Scholarship & Bursary Consultant, The Good Schools Guide
Finding a good school in London
London is the most competitive schools market in the world. Get your London school search questions answered by a Good Schools Guide expert.
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Grace Moody-Stuart
Director, The Good Schools Guide
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Dr Millan Sachania
Head, Streatham & Clapham High School GDST
Scholarships and bursaries - widening access
What can the independent school system do better to widen the diversity of their intake? And how should you as a parent prepare your child to maximise their chances?
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Elaine Cunningham-Walker
Founder , GMA Education
The boarding advantage
No commute, green space, activities and clubs to hand, friends on tap - urban children can benefit from a boarding education outside the city. But will it suit your child?
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Alastair Chirnside
Warden, St Edward's Oxford
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Henry Price
Headmaster , Oakham School
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Phillip Evitt
Headmaster, Highfield School
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Emma Goldsmith
Head, Dragon School
Single sex or co-ed?
The South East is still dominated by single sex schools. Why? And does it matter? The forum discusses one of the oldest dilemmas faced by parents, in a Q&A led by one of the Good Schools Guide's leading experts.
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Eve Jardine-Young
Principal, Cheltenham Ladies’ College
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Dr Dominic Luckett
Headmaster, Sherborne School
What makes a good head and how to spot one?
It is right that this theatre should discuss leadership. How can you tell when a school is well-run? Is improving better than coasting? And what are the warning signs to watch out for?
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Sally-Anne Huang
High Master, St Paul's School
Starting out in Central London - choices, decisions, application, preparation
From Knightsbridge to Baker Street to the Barbican, this Forum explores what's involved when your child is starting school in the centre of the city. A central London prep school head talks about the nuts and bolts: how to choose and when to begin looking, the application process and what preparations you should make.
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Magoo Giles
Founder & Principal, Knightsbridge School
Relocation, relocation, relocation - a country or city childhood??
Move or stay put? Our panel of parents brings together families who have relocated from London or decided to stay put. They are joined by Hero Brown, Editor-in-Chief of Muddy Stilettos and relocation guru. The panel will discuss the thinking behind each family's choices to help you decide where yours would thrive best.
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Hero Brown
Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Muddy Stilettos
Scholarships & Bursaries clinic
A breakout clinic for parents wanting to discuss scholarships and bursaries, and start to plan out the next steps of the journey.
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Camilla Smiley
Scholarship & Bursary Consultant, The Good Schools Guide
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Gavin Horgan
Headmaster, Millfield
Next steps - exciting choices you might not have considered
From international curriculum schools to art and design specialists, the independent sector has a wide range of senior schools to suit every child. Heads discuss what's on offer with parents.
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Andrew Rattue
Principal, St Clare's Oxford
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Candida Cave
Principal, Hampstead Fine Arts College
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Hugh Viney
Founder and CEO , Minerva's Virtual Academy
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David Laird
Head of School, ICS London
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Simon McNaught
Deputy Headmaster & Head of the British Section, Lycee Francais Charles de Gaulle
Flexible & Monday - Friday, how boarding supports modern family life
Is Saturday morning school dying out? And does the rise of flexi-boarding and Monday-Friday boarding threaten full boarding? What are the price differences between the different options,
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Gavin Horgan
Headmaster, Millfield
SEN: choosing the right school Q&A
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Koen Claeys
Headmaster, The Moat School
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Sophie Irwin
SEN Consultant , The Good Schools Guide
Change is good? How to identify if a school move would help your child
Changes of school at 7 and 11 or 13 were a standard rite of passage for most children. Now with many schools going right through, parents have to decide whether 14 plus years in one school is a good idea for their child.
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Ben Evans
Head, Windlesham House School
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Ceri Jones
Headmaster, Caterham
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Lucy Elphinstone
Headmistress, Francis Holland School, Sloane Square
Raising resilient children, able to cope with life's knocks
For children to cope, they need to be resilient and flexible. We can't change temperament (nor do we want to) but we can work with it. We can teach our children solutions and strategies to enable them to deal with setbacks, pick themselves up, try again and bolster their self esteem. Join this talk to find out how you as a parent can play a vital part.
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Elaine Halligan
London Director, The Parent Practice
Why girls thrive in single sex schools
This is one of the most debated subjects in education. Does single-sex education really benefit girls more than boys?
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Donna Stevens
Chief Executive, Girls' Schools Association
Find the right school for your child
Choosing the right school for your child is always tricky, but in the state system the choice is restricted by catchment area rules. In the independent system the choice is much broader. There are hundreds of schools to look at, so how do you find the right one for your child? Leading heads discuss how you match child to school.
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James Wilton
Deputy Head (Admissions and Marketing), Repton School
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Andrew Hobbs
Head, Downside School
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Richard Backhouse
Principal, Berkhamsted
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Will Goldsmith
Head, Bedales
Boarding in the 21st century
The days of big dorms, bare floorboards and spartan early morning swims are long gone. But boarding keeps changing. Now British boarding schools are world-beating, hugely international in outlook and recognised for the outstanding quality of their 24/7 education. But how well are they meeting the needs of UK families? Q&A with a GSG expert.
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Janita Gray
Senior Editor, The Good Schools Guide
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Dr Christopher Stevens
Headmaster, Bradfield College
SEN: from getting a diagnosis to choosing the right school
Selecting the right school for a child with learning difficulties can seem an overwhelming task. From the biggest school to the smallest, to the ultra-selective to totally inclusive, all schools have a policy devoted to learning needs. So, if your child has an identified need, how do you work out which is right for them?
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Mary Pegler
Education Consultant, The Good Schools Guide
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Tanya Moran
Headteacher, Abingdon House School and College
Starting out in North & East London - choices, decisions, applications, preparation
From Camden to Highgate to Stoke Newington this Forum discusses options for children starting out in North and East London. A leading prep school head talks about the nuts and bolts: how to choose and when to begin looking, the application process and what preparations you should make.
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Stephanie Piper
Headmistress, Devonshire House School
Why head North?
Scottish schools, like Scottish universities, are different. They offer new perspectives, extraordinary facilities and highly distinctive cultures, yet many are just a short flight from London.
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Gemma Gray
Director, Gray Consulting, Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS)
Next steps - deciding between boarding and day
How do you choose? Senior school heads answer parents questions.
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Mireille Rabaté
Head of School, Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill
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Dr Adrian Rainbow
Headmaster, Hampton Court House School
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Douglas Robb
Headmaster, Gresham's
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Gemma Kilby
Director of Admissions, Felsted
Busting the myths of the independent schools admissions process
What independent schools are really looking for and what you should be too!
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Dr Andy Mayfield
Director of Admissions, St Paul's School
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Vicky Bingham
Headmistress, South Hampstead High School GDST
Finding a good school in London
London is the most competitive schools market in the world. Get your London school search questions answered by a Good Schools Guide expert.
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Grace Moody-Stuart
Director, The Good Schools Guide
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Matthew Shoults
Headmaster , Notting Hill & Ealing High School GDST
How to assess and then support your child's educational needs
What is an educational assessment? How should you interpret the results? And having undertaken one what should be your action plan?
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Sarah Warley
Founder, The Key Clinic
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Desmond O'Connor
Educational Psychologist , Bonas MacFarlane / O'Connor Assessment
What makes a good school?
From league tables to review websites to playground chat, there are many ways parents hear about schools. So when you look at a prospectus, make a school visit or attend an open day, how do you spot a good one?
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Helen Stanton-Tonner
Director of Education and Inclusion, The Independent Schools Association (ISA)
How to pay for your children & grandchildren’s education
Whether a grandparent, new parent, high earner or international parent, our experts will help you consider all of your options.
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Emma Cowley
Divisional Director - Investment Management, Brewin Dolphin
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Sarah Kirby
Divisional Director - Investment Management, Brewin Dolphin
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David Quintrell
Director, Brewin Dolphin
SEN: choosing the right school Q&A
A breakout session for parents wanting to discuss their child's educational needs and plan out the next steps of the journey.
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Aatif Hassan
Founder, Cavendish Education
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Mary Pegler
Education Consultant, The Good Schools Guide
Permission to shine
How well do you know your child? We test children to within an inch of their lives, without discovering what truly makes them tick. This fun, active, thought-provoking session will shift your perspective on exams and assessments.
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Desmond O'Connor
Educational Psychologist , Bonas MacFarlane / O'Connor Assessment
Starting out in West London - choices, decisions, applications, preparation
From Notting Hill to Ealing and Wembley, what do parents need to know if their children are starting out in West London? A leading West London prep school head talks about the nuts and bolts: how to choose and when to begin looking, the application process and what preparations you should make.
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Giles Entwisle
Headmaster , Durston House School
How to choose a school for your child
There are hundreds of schools to look at, so how do you find the right one for your child? For this talk, we are delighted to welcome one of the UK’s leading education experts, Barnaby Lenon, Chairman of the Independent Schools Council.
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Barnaby Lenon
Chairman, Independent Schools Council
Business issues facing independent schools
Independent schools are businesses that vary in kind enormously. From large chains, to small family-run businesses, some are far more robust than others. How resilient is your chosen school, and does it matter whether it is a for profit or a charitable trust?
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David Woodgate
Chief Executive, ISBA, Independent Schools' Bursars Association
Boarding in the 21st century
The days of big dorms, bare floorboards and spartan early morning swims are long gone. But boarding keeps changing. Now British boarding schools are world-beating, hugely international in outlook and recognised for the outstanding quality of their 24/7 education. But how well are they meeting the needs of UK families? Q&A with a GSG expert.
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Tom Rogerson
Headmaster, Cottesmore School
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Melanie Sanderson
Managing Editor, Good Schools Guide
Next steps - single sex or co-ed?
How do you choose? Senior school heads answer parents questions.
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Natasha Dangerfield
Headmistress, Westonbirt School
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Caroline Townshend
Head, Eaton Square Senior
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Rosalynd Kamaryc
Principal, Queen's Gate
How to focus your school search
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Lucinda Lafferty
Managing Director, The Good Schools Guide
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Grace Moody-Stuart
Director, The Good Schools Guide
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Ralph Lucas
Editor in Chief , Good Schools Guide
What's next for your child? How senior schools see the future in 5, 10 & 15 years time
What does your child have to look forward to? And what should worry you? What will senior schools look like for the coming generations of pupils, and how will independent schools face the challenges of issues such as climate change, affordability, contextual admissions?
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Christopher Cockerill
Head, Senior School, Fulham School
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Jane Lunnon
Head, Alleyn's
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Jesse R Elzinga
Headmaster, Sevenoaks School
What makes a good head, and how to spot one?
It is right that this theatre should discuss leadership. How can you tell when a school is well-run? Is improving better than coasting? And what are the warning signs to watch out for?
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Sarah Raffray
Headteacher, St. Augustine's Priory
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Roland Martin
Headmaster , City of London Freemen’s School
The impact of school groups on UK education
The independent schools sector has seen increasing amounts of transactions recently. What are the benefits to pupils when their schools are bought and consolidated into groups. Is group ownership, particularly of smaller schools, going to be increasingly common?
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Aatif Hassan
Founder, Dukes Education
INTO British Boarding | Full family relocations
At this Parents Forum webinar we meet a group of international boarders and then discuss what parents need to consider if they plan to relocate their families to the UK.
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Kelvin Tanner
Partner, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
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Stuart Leslie
Director, Barratt London
Should I stay or should I go?
There are over 280 private international schools in Dubai alone. Are some of them now able to compete with the globally-known British boarding schools? What unique opportunities do they offer and how does a Dubai education compare with its British counterpart?
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Natalie Lockhart-Mann
International Admissions, Rugby School
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James Monaghan
Principal and CEO, North London Collegiate School, Dubai
IB or A-Level - what's right for your child?
Hear from the Heads of two leading UK schools, who will summarise the respective strengths of the IB Diploma and A-levels, the types of students that typically find them most helpful in supporting their future goals, and how the two curricula are regarded in the university application processes worldwide.
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Mark Lauder
Headmaster, Strathallan School
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Jesse R Elzinga
Headmaster, Sevenoaks School
Making the move, how to prepare
This talk will answer all your admissions questions. What is a cognitive ability test? Does the 11+ still exist? Surely it's cheaper and easier to wait until sixth form (Year 12) entry?
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Neil Hawkins
Global Principal , Concord College International
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
How to select the right school for your child and how to get them in
How many schools should you be looking at? This talk explores how to create a good shortlist for your child and then talks through the kinds of preparation programme you should put in place to maximise your child's chances of getting in.
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Fiona McKenzie
Head, Carfax Education U.A.E.
IB or A-Level - what's right for your child?
If you're weighing up curriculum choices at Sixth Form, hear from a leading Dubai and UK school about the respective strengths of the IB Diploma and A-levels. A must-hear for those seriously thinking through their options.
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Stuart Dalley
Senior Deputy Head, Badminton School
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Ruth Burke
Principal and CEO, Swiss International Scientific School, Dubai
When Is the right time to make the move?
Parent hysteria frequently clouds this issue and there is not one answer for all students. Each school will of course have main entry points, publicizing these with accompanying, comprehensive and clear admissions processes, but how do you determine what's right for your child?
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Fiona Gordon
Tutor for Admissions, Millfield Prep School
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
The value of assessing your child
Many London schools use rigorous academic tests to choose their pupils. This session focuses on the information that parents can gather alongside school reports that will help you to better predict how your child will perform in 11+ and 13+ entrance assessments.
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Desmond O'Connor
Educational Psychologist , Bonas MacFarlane / O'Connor Assessment
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Gemma Ackerley
Head of Customer Success, Atom Learning
The pre-tests explained
A complete guide to the pre-tests: their purpose, the kinds of questions asked, the preparation your child can do.
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Harry Cobb
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
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Anna Masterson
Head of Education , Atom Learning
Who thrives in a highly academic London school?
Who thrives in an highly academic London school like St Pauls' or Putney High? And how do I know if my child is a potential scholar?
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Dr Andy Mayfield
Director of Admissions, St Paul's School
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Suzie Longstaff
Headmistress, Putney High School GDST
Meet London Schools
Meet multiple schools over a coffee: Putney High School GDST, St Paul's School, St Paul's Girls, Godolphin & Latymer School, South Hampstead High School, Latymer Upper, St James Senior Girls’ School, Streatham & Clapham High School, Whitgift School, Francis Holland School, Maida Vale School, Hall School Wimbledon, Fulham School, Wimbledon High School
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Suzie Longstaff
Headmistress, Putney High School GDST
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Dr Andy Mayfield
Director of Admissions, St Paul's School
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Laura Cottrell
Director of Admissions & Bursaries, Latymer Upper School
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Melinda Armitage
Director of Admissions , St Paul’s Girls’ School
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Sami Michael
Director of Junior Years and Admissions, Whitgift School
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Suzanne Fearon
Director of Admissions, Communications and Development, Putney High School GDST
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Bronagh Preston
Head of Admissions, Wimbledon High School, GDST
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Clare White
Registrar, City of London School for Girls
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Kirsty Ions
Head of Admissions, South Hampstead High School
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Sarah Adams
Registrar, Putney High School GDST
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Patricia Snowdon
Registrar , St James Senior Girls’ School
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Rachel Brewster
Director of Marketing & Communications, Wimbledon High School, GDST
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Clare Beckwith
Head of Admissions, Fulham School
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Emma Taker
Director of Marketing, Admissions & Development, St Lawrence College
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Anna Masterson
Head of Education , Atom Learning
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Suzi Abensur
Head of Admissions, Hall School Wimbledon
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Steven Winter
Founding Head, Maida Vale School
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
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Harry Cobb
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
Will my child suit senior boarding?
Heads of two leading boarding schools discuss how boarding works, who it suits, and how they integrate children who are new to boarding.
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Dr Dominic Luckett
Headmaster, Sherborne School
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Dominic Oliver
Head Master, Lancing College
When to start boarding?
Discuss your child with prep and senior boarding schools. Meet: Bedales, Sherborne School, Sherborne Girls, Marlborough College, Lancing College, Heathfield School, Windlesham House School, Millfield School, Woldingham School, Aldro School, Cottesmore, Repton, Sevenoaks School, Berkhamsted, The Royal Hospital, Roedean, St Edward's, St Lawrence College
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Dr Dominic Luckett
Headmaster, Sherborne School
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Dominic Oliver
Head Master, Lancing College
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Dr Ruth Sullivan
Headmistress, Sherborne Girls
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Dan Thornburn
Headmaster, Millfield Prep School
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Alastair Chirnside
Warden, St Edward's Oxford
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Ben Evans
Head, Windlesham House School
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Barney Durrant
Head of College, St Lawrence College
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Emma Taker
Director of Marketing, Admissions & Development, St Lawrence College
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Chris Carlier
Headmaster, Aldro School
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James Wilton
Deputy Head (Admissions and Marketing), Repton School
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Lorna Dolan
Head of Sixth Form Admissions, Sevenoaks School
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Lottie Rogerson
Registrar & Head’s Wife, Cottesmore School, Cottesmore School
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Linda Underwood
Admissions Registrar , Woldingham School
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Will Petty
Director, Bonas MacFarlane
SEN specialist or strong SEN department?
How do you decide whether your child would be better off in a specialist school or in a school with an SEN department?
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Tanya Moran
Headteacher, Abingdon House School and College
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Brian Martineau
Assistant Head (Co-curricular) & Head of Admissions, Royal Hospital School
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Koen Claeys
Headmaster, The Moat School
SEN discuss your options
Discuss your child's pathway with SEN specialist schools and schools with strong SEN departments.
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Tanya Moran
Headteacher, Abingdon House School and College
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Brian Martineau
Assistant Head (Co-curricular) & Head of Admissions, Royal Hospital School
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Koen Claeys
Headmaster, The Moat School
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Steven Winter
Founding Head, Maida Vale School
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Linda Underwood
Admissions Registrar , Woldingham School
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Barney Durrant
Head of College, St Lawrence College
Why join a boarding prep at 10 or 11+?
Heads of two highly sought after prep schools discuss how they introduce children to boarding, and prepare them for boarding senior schools.
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Ben Evans
Head, Windlesham House School
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Dan Thornburn
Headmaster, Millfield Prep School
Paying for it - fee assistance
Camilla Smiley, Scholarship & Bursary Consultant at The Good Schools Guide will discuss the current state of bursary provision and Jesse R Elzinga will then talk about fee assistance at Sevenoaks.
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Jesse R Elzinga
Headmaster, Sevenoaks School
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Camilla Smiley
Scholarship & Bursary Consultant, The Good Schools Guide
Moving from a state primary
David Goodhew, Head, Latymer Upper School, Dr Frances Ramsey, Head, Godolphin and Latymer School and Grace Moody-Stuart, Director, The Good Schools Guide will be discussing how pupils move from a state primary to the independent sector.
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Grace Moody-Stuart
Director, The Good Schools Guide
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Dr Frances Ramsey
Head, Godolphin and Latymer School
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David Goodhew
Head, Latymer Upper School
How to move your child into British Boarding
What do you need to think about when looking for the right boarding school for your child? At this Parents Forum webinar we met a group of international boarders and discussed how parents can practically support their child when school is a long way from home. VIDEO now available
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Kelvin Tanner
Partner, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
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Stuart Leslie
Director, Barratt London
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Qiaojia Li
CEO, Co-Founder & Investment Advisor at Rosecut Technologies, Rosecut
