Your guide to education options for your child’s future

STEP INSIDE A VIRTUAL LAND OF POSSIBILITIES
Lincoln Minster School are extremely proud to be recognised in this year’s Sunday Times UK Top 40 Preparatory Schools. Following an unpredictable year, the school has continued to create a fun environment for pupils to learn in new and exciting ways and at the heart of it all continues to offer encouragement with a strong focus on nurturing individual talents and qualities. From Nursery right through to Sixth Form pupils have continued to thrive and remain fully invested in their education and futures.

A bigger focus on Virtual Learning has transformed the school’s approach in a multitude of positive ways, using this year as an opportunity to adapt and create new innovative approaches to its unique educational offer.

Launching at the end of this year, Lincoln Minster School’s newest project focuses on your child’s very first steps into an education for life. Once current restrictions put a hold on the popular Pop in and Play offer, the school jumped at the opportunity to find a new and safe way to reach out.

“We are very excited to introduce you to our all-new Virtual Storytime Series. This magical experience, hosted by our Pre-Preparatory teachers is where we will be sharing a mixture of classic and new story readings, direct from our idyllic pre-preparatory setting and straight to the comfort of your own homes. Each of our stories will come as a package, with a collection of activities – creating the perfect blend of learning and fun from home.”

For further information on virtual story time packages, please contact sophie.frater@lincolnsminsterschool.co.uk. If you would like to enquire about a visit or a place for September 2021, contact admissions@lincolnminsterschool.co.uk or call 01522 551300.

TUTORTOO OFFERS EDUCATION HOME SUPPORT
Based in Grantham, Tutortoo aims to unlock potential in students, helping to build confidence, boost grades and transform goals into achievements through its specialist private tutor service.

“Whether clients are looking for preparation help in the lead up to important examinations, or require ongoing support throughout the full education journey, we have SEN support specialists, language specialists and every subject expert you may need,” says Tutortoo’s Sarah Brunton. “Our specialist tutors develop an individual learning plan for each student while instilling in them a ‘can do’ attitude that will stay with them for life.”

Students are matched with an experienced personal tutor who will help them achieve their academic goals, while also offering full support. Tuition is personalised while also following the curriculum and specific board requirements to help meet required criteria in a wide range of subjects and levels.

“We respond to the needs of our clients and provide the highest standard of customer care and support to all families who entrust their children’s education to us.”

For more information visit www.tutortoo.co.uk/grantham

FRANKLIN COLLEGE
To keep everyone as safe as possible Franklin College has made the decision to move its usual Year 11 open events to a virtual set of information evenings.

It will be hosting a series of virtual talks, these will include:
• Information evenings about the College
• Evenings with the Principal
• A series of talks and demonstrations from Franklin College’s curriculum teams where you will be able to learn about the different courses on offer. There will also be a chance for you to ask questions.

“We understand that choosing the right college and course choices is so important. At Franklin we are committed to ensuring we provide you with as much information as possible about the fantastic opportunities that we offer and we look forward to welcoming you to as many of these evenings we have planned to allow you to find out as much about Franklin as possible.”

BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR ST HUGH’S
During lockdown all pupils at St Hugh’s School, Woodhall Spa received lessons via Google Classroom and staff delivered live teaching via Google Meet. A new timetable for the school week was written which encompassed all the activities that take place in a typical week including all the academic subjects, PE, Music and Art. Pupils in the Prep School (Years 3-8) received five one-hour lessons a day and there were four lessons in the PrePrep and EYFS.

“Delivering an entire curriculum was a huge challenge for everybody but we were thrilled with how the whole community embraced the online learning. The programme was structured and shaped so as to give parents and families as much assistance as possible and to provide variety for our pupils, much in the same way as they experience in school.”

With wellbeing very much at the heart of a St Hugh’s education, pupils had two face-to-face online meetings with their Form Teachers and peers. Parents were also regularly asked to highlight any concerns they had and together with the Pastoral team the school was able to offer the support and care its pupils needed. Looking forward, the online provision is ready to put in place as soon as a child needs to be absent from school or if the Government tells schools to close, thus ensuring that there is no disruption to learning for any pupil.

For more information:
T 01526 352169
E office@st-hughs.lincs.sch.uk
W www.st-hughs.lincs.sch.uk

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL – TOP TIPS
• Visit the websites of the schools you are interested in, take a good look around and start making notes. List any questions you may have. Looking at the website – what does the school ‘feel’ like?
• Think about your child, how they learn, where they excel and what they want. And of course make sure to discuss the choices with them.
• When you’ve made a shortlist, visit the school website again, there may be a ‘virtual’ event or an online Q&A session that you can get involved with.
• Organise to speak with the headteacher or head of year (this might be via video or telephone) – ask as many questions as you need to, it’s a big decision and you need to make sure that you are well informed. Many schools have the email addresses of senior staff on their websites, they will be happy to help.
• See if you can speak to students at the school – there may be an online video session that includes the head boy and head girl. Remember that every child is different so it’s important to choose the right school for your child.
• Have a look at the school’s prospectus to check that your views on education match the school’s ethos.
• Read the school’s most recent Ofsted report, not just the headline grades – what is the pastoral care like? What do the students think? What is behaviour like?
• Have a look at the school’s social media presence – does it have a Facebook or Twitter page? How is it engaging with parents?
• Lastly, check the Department for Education’s Parent View site – this gives a snapshot of what parents think about their child’s school.

ANOTHER ASTONISHING TERM AT OAKHAM
It’s been yet another busy term at Oakham across all aspects of school life – with successes, achievements and accolades continuing despite these difficult Covid times.

“At Oakham, we aim to provide an education that not only acts as a preparation for life after school, but also recognises that these years are precious and should be enjoyable, memorable, and transformative,” says Headmaster Henry Price.

The Winter Term saw enjoyable memories continue to be made, with the school adeptly adapting to ensure pupils have benefited safely from its future-focused academic curriculum and outstanding co-curriculum.

Design Technology students have received awards from the Engineering Education Scheme, and 17 mathematicians have enjoyed the highest level of success in the Senior Maths Challenge. Pupils have also enjoyed a variety of virtual talks and experiences – including those from an award-winning author, an MP, and a famous art curator.

The school’s sports stars have continued to excel, with two Oakhamians selected for the English rugby squad, four hockey players selected for the National Age Group assessments, and three netballers selected to play in the Loughborough Lightning Academy. Old Oakhamians have continued to make national news, with Stuart Broad being nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020 and Lyndon James securing a new two-year deal with Nottinghamshire CCC.

Creative Arts have continued to thrive. Actors have enjoyed a return to live theatre, with an excellent Scholars Production taking place in front of socially distanced audiences of students and staff. Musicians have continued to perform in an impressively wide variety of safe concerts and recitals.

Pupils have also successfully continued with their Duke of Edinburgh Award activities, with 30 intrepid pupils completing their Gold DofE expedition. An additional 17 CCF cadets achieved their BTEC Diploma Level 2 in Teamwork and Personal Development in the Community.

To find out more about how Oakham could be the right choice for your child visit www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk

THE FUTURE FOR SIR ROBERT PATTINSON ACADEMY IS CERTAINLY LOOKING BRIGHT
The school’s reputation has gone from strength to strength over the past year and it now has almost two applications for every place, as well as a thriving independent sixth form.

Ofsted have also recognised the school’s impressive improvements. In their most recent report inspectors hailed the school in North Hykeham, Lincoln as “calm, happy and caring”.

Headteacher Dale Hardy, who joined the school in 2018, was praised by inspectors for making “many improvements”. The report concluded: “pupils flourish as a result of the good quality of education and the opportunities open to them.”

The school has a strong ethos that every student should value, enjoy, respect and be excited by learning and the world around them – giving them a unique opportunity to achieve and be successful.

But it is not just the positive attitude that sets the school apart – the environment in which students learn is also improving every term with security high on the school’s agenda.

A £400,000 project to install new fencing, new gates and 90 new CCTV cameras is well underway and a £1.2m project to reroof the entire site was finished in late 2020.

Communication with parents and the residents is also important and a new phone system and revamped website will ensure Sir Robert Pattinson Academy is able to deliver on its philosophy that the school plays an important and positive role in the local community.

All of these developments reinforce the academy’s ethos that students who learn in a safe, valued, happy and challenging environment will strive to achieve their best.

PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING CHILDREN
Kip McGrath Lincoln South’s director, Dawn Muir, is a fully qualified teacher with over 24 years’ experience as a teacher, lecturer and specialist in education. The North Hykeham centre continues to build on its success since opening in 2016. They are delighted to see so many positive results and achievements from students aged 5 to 18 years.

Kip McGrath offers expert, professional tutoring of the highest quality both online – using the excellent iKip portal delivering live, high quality, curriculum linked lessons through an interactive whiteboard – and in the professionally equipped education centre.

At Kip McGrath Lincoln South, they are passionate about helping children succeed in Maths, English and 11+. They have been tutoring many children over 40 years globally and the results are outstanding. The team of qualified teachers will inspire your child to improve and make excellent progress at a supported, accelerated rate.

Success in learning helps to boost a student’s confidence and encourages a positive attitude to education. Kip McGrath create a learning programme specific to your child’s needs. The lessons are 80 minutes using a combination of written and computer based activities. Online tuition is convenient, accessible and allows face to face teaching from the comfort of your own home.

You will be kept informed of progress at all times with regular updates and individual, personal feedback. The centres have won numerous awards year on year and they have changed the lives of many students.

Please call Dawn, the centre director, on 07826 190949 or email lincolnsouth@kipmcgrath.co.uk to book a no obligation consultation and free assessment.

EARLY YEARS AT WISBECH GRAMMAR SCHOOL: DISCOVER WHO YOU WANT TO BE…
“Our philosophy is to develop happy, confident and highly motivated young individuals who have a genuine love for lifelong learning. The extra magic we provide is through our enriched curriculum, expert teachers and small class sizes.”

As well as following an Early Years curriculum, Wisbech Grammar School is focused on enabling children to:
• Discover uniqueness, happiness and the world around them.
• Grow confidence, potential and their young minds.
• Learn creativity, inclusivity and learning to learn.
• Create memories, imaginations and become lifelong learners.

Their specialist teachers provide exceptional pastoral care and deliver an exciting curriculum including: Music, Forest School, Foreign Languages, Sport and Science.

BEST POSSIBLE START
This unique experience is born from the principle that children benefit greatly from the learning opportunities inherent in an outdoor environment. With sensory walks, foraging, nature art, shelter building and hunting for mini beasts, children at Wisbech Grammar School benefit greatly from taking part in Forest School activities, improving physical fitness, mental health and learning by experience.

BEST POSSIBLE START
Early Years offers children the very best possible start to their educational journey, benefiting from a bespoke setting as well as the fantastic facilities of the Prep and Senior Schools. By embedding Kindergarten and Reception within the Prep School, children have the opportunity to experience all that Wisbech Grammar School has to offer that little bit sooner. Children thrive when they feel secure and valued and this is achieved through the strong relationship between teaching staff, key workers, children and their families.

Visit www.wisbechgrammar.com Tel: 01945 586750 or email admissions@wisbechgrammar.com

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