Essential Guide Magazine 2023 51 St Thomas the Apostle St Thomas the Apostle School and Sixth Form is a boys’ Catholic school with a mixed sixth form in the heart of South East London. Their intake reflects the multi-faith community in which they are situated and they are a very popular choice in the local area, with families recognising the outstanding all-round education they are able to provide. The school continues to be proud of its outstanding results, which consistently place them with the top schools for progress nationally. Last year’s GCSE results show St Thomas the Apostle School to be the best state boys’ school in the country for progress, placing the school 12th in the whole country. Sixth form results are impressive, with all students transferring to their first or second choice university or apprenticeship, including Oxbridge for some. These exceptional results are consistently high thanks to hard work and dedication of students and their teachers, who also provide a rounded and extensive extra-curricular programme for every student. Ofsted (November 2018) praised every aspect of the school, grading the school as Outstanding in every category. Inspectors remarked that: “Pupils behave impeccably in lessons and throughout the school. They are polite, thoughtful and determined to do well.” “Staff at all levels go the extra mile to make sure pupils achieve, feel cared for and thrive within a supportive and productive learning environment.” They are looking forward to welcoming you to one of their September open events. Please check the website, www.stac.uk.com, and Twitter @stacsouthwark for the school’s latest news.
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 52 Lessons in Dyslexia Dyslexia is an increasingly common specific learning difficulty experienced by children and adults alike. In fact, at least 10% of the UK’s population are thought to be dyslexic (British Dyslexia Association). With growing awareness of dyslexia and its cousin, dyscalculia (when an individual has similar challenges in maths), many parents too are learning about the condition. You may have concerns about your child, or your child’s reading and writing skills, and be wondering ‘could this be dyslexia?’. This article is here to help Dyslexia is defined as: “... a learning difficulty which primarily affects reading and writing skills. However, it does not only affect these skills. Dyslexia is actually about information processing. Dyslexic people may have difficulty processing and remembering information they see and hear, which can affect learning and the acquisition of literacy skills. Dyslexia can also impact on other areas such as organisational skills.” Dyslexia is usually spotted and supported in children at primary school age due to increased awareness amongst teachers and support staff. While dyslexia in our children today is commonly picked up by school staff, you may think you have spotted early signs in your child, particularly if they have developed coping strategies that minimise how their challenges present themselves in a large setting like school. Most individuals affected by dyslexia will show signs of finding particular areas of learning challenging. Due to this, most cases will be picked up in schools. This isn’t always the case, though, especially if they have developed a host of coping strategies to mask their challenges due to fear or embarrassment. Equally - some children develop strategies to work around their challenges, not realising that this isn’t how it should be. Being aware of common challenges dyslexic individuals face could help your child access the support they need earlier. Here are some common signs of dyslexia from the NHS website: Pre-school age (0-5): • Delayed speech development compared with other children of the same age (although this can have many different causes) • Speech problems, such as not being able to pronounce long words properly and “jumbling” up phrases (for example, saying “hecilopter” instead of “helicopter”, or “beddy tear” instead of “teddy bear”) • Problems expressing themselves using spoken language, such as being unable to remember the right word to use, or putting What are dyslexia and dyscalculia? What are the signs of dyslexia? sentences together incorrectly • Little understanding or appreciation of rhyming words, such as “the cat sat on the mat”, or nursery rhymes • Difficulty with, or little interest in, learning letters of the alphabet” Primary school age (5-12): • “Problems learning the names and sounds of letters • Spelling that’s unpredictable and inconsistent • Confusion over letters that look similar and putting letters the wrong way round (such as writing “b” instead of “d”) • Confusing the order of letters in words • Reading slowly or making errors when reading aloud • Answering questions well orally, but having difficulty writing the answer down • Difficulty carrying out a sequence of directions • Struggling to learn sequences, such as days of the week or the alphabet • Slow writing speed • Poor handwriting • Problems copying written language and taking longer than normal to complete written work • Poor phonological awareness and word attack skills” Teenagers and adults: The NHS states that “as well as the problems already mentioned, the symptoms of dyslexia in older children and adults can include:” • Poorly organised written work that lacks expression (for example, even though they may be very knowledgeable about a certain subject, they may have problems expressing that knowledge in writing) • Difficulty planning and writing essays, letters or reports • Difficulties revising for examinations • Trying to avoid reading and writing whenever possible • Difficulty taking notes or copying • Poor spelling • Struggling to remember things such as a PIN or telephone number • Struggling to meet deadlines
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 53 Spotting signs that your child may be struggling can be unsettling and worrying, but rest assured, dyslexia is incredibly common, and there is a great deal of support available. It’s also important to remember that as dyslexia is a specific learning disability, this does not affect a person’s intelligence. With the right adjustments, they have every chance of going on to succeed alongside their peers. If you have concerns, the first thing to do is raise these with your child’s teacher. They may echo your concerns, especially if your child is new to their class, and appreciate your involvement with a more holistic view of your child’s progress. If your child’s teacher agrees that there is a chance your child could be experiencing dyslexia, they will usually refer them to the support of a Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCo). A SENCo is a specialist teacher who has taken on further study to support the assessments and interventions for children with additional needs, be they learning needs, behavioural needs, or medical needs (or a combination). The SENCo will either carry out an assessment themselves, if they have the necessary qualifications, or bring in a specialist to do this. They may ask you to have your child’s overall health and wellbeing checked with a GP first (such as checking for vision and hearing problems), as well as assessing for any other learning challenges they think your child may have. They may begin with a screening test to decide how likely dyslexia is, and follow this up with a full diagnostic assessment if they feel they need to investigate further. You can also access a private dyslexia assessment, if you feel this is best for your child. You can look into this further on the British Dyslexia Association website: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/services/ assessments, or alternatively search for a registered psychologist with specialisms in dyslexia on the British Pyschological’s Society’s directory: https://www.bps.org.uk/find-psychologist. We hope this guide helps you and your child on their learning journey. Remember that just because your child exhibits some symptoms of dyslexia, this may not mean they are. The important thing is to raise your concerns with your child’s teacher as soon as possible, so that assessments can be made where needed and supports can be put in place. With the right support, your child can thrive and go on to pursue their passions! I think my child might be dyslexic, what do I do? What happens if my child receives a dyslexia diagnosis? Final thoughts If your child’s school suspects they are dyslexic, they can put supports in place before a formal diagnosis comes through. As dyslexia is such a common learning difference they are likely to have a breadth of resources and techniques available, which can be quickly put into place to support your child’s learning. The support required for each child will differ depending on the severity of their dyslexia and their age. Your child’s school will also gather information about your child’s needs during their dyslexia assessment. Common interventions for dyslexic children and young people include: Specialised reading materials with pale backgrounds that aren’t white - this can sometimes exacerbate dyslexia Specialised filters to put over traditional books which help with the reading process Specialised technology designed for dyslexic individuals, especially for older children and teenagers, such as screen-readers, reading pens and audiobooks, to help children develop enjoyment around reading Time spent with a 1:1 TA to focus on particular areas of challenge, such as spelling or handwriting Multimodal approaches to teaching reading, such as using lots of physical resources Support with organisation, especially for older children For further information and guidance on how you can support your child in their learning, The British Dyslexia Association has a fantastic guide on strategies for supporting reading, spelling, writing and homework, viewable at https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/ children/how-can-i-support-my-child/spelling. They also provide a list of recommended tutors, if you feel your child could benefit from additional support alongside that offered by their school. Equally, your child’s teacher may appreciate your concerns, but be able to reassure you that your child is unlikely to be dyslexic. If this is the case, they should be able to evidence their view with examples of your child’s progress and evidence of their overall abilities. If you disagree with your child’s teacher, you can raise your concerns directly with the school Special Educational Needs Coordinator, or a year leader - who will either provide further reassurance, or escalate your concerns. They may feel there could be other issues going on, such as vision problems - in which case, they’ll refer you to your GP for further support and advice.
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 54 At Sedgehill Academy we offer an outstanding education in a warm and supportive environment, uniting high academic achievement with strong development of character. Sedgehill Academy has been part of United Learning since 2020, one of the country’s leading education providers. Uniquely we cover both the state and independent sectors, close collaboration across the group allows us to draw on a very talented pool of education professionals to bring out the best in everyone in our school community. We have high expectations and aspirations for every student and reject the view that success in life is pre-determined or that our talents are fixed. We believe that with hard work, kindness, integrity, and excellence our students will find success. Last summer saw Sixth Form students from Sedgehill Academy securing places at a variety of prestigious Russell Group universities. This year, we are excited about the start of a Basketball Academy for talented and committed players. When you visit us, as well as the strong focus on students’ academic success, you will find a caring and friendly environment, with a culture of aspiration where everyone is striving to bring out the best in themselves and each other. But at Sedgehill we believe that there is more to a good education than just academic success. We aim to develop character, compassion, and service through the delivery of an Education with Character, which challenges, inspires and excites our students, helping them to become happy, confident, and successful young adults. OPEN EVENING Come and see us for yourself! SEPTEMBER THURSDAY 21 ST 6:00 - 8:00pm BOOK NOW at sedgehillacademy.org.uk OPEN MORNING TOURS Every Friday at 9am throughout the year FOLLOW US: @SedgehillAcad Sedgehill Academy
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 55 Prendergast Ladywell Prendergast Ladywell School is a coeducational, 4-16 school where young people from our local community are provided with an excellent education that enables them to achieve outstanding outcomes in a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment. We are a school that CARES; where Community, Ambition, Resilience, Effort and Success are valued. Reflective and kind students are led by well trained teachers and professional support staff. We believe that all our students can Achieve Excellence; it’s the motto written on the badge of every student in the school. Prendergast Ladywell School provides an excellent education with high quality teaching and a challenging and enjoyable curriculum that enables students’ progress and provides a range of enrichment activities. Our students are encouraged to make positive contributions to our school, our community, and become healthy, happy and engaged members of society. Our ethos is underpinned by the relationships that the members of our community have with each other. These relationships are built on the foundation of compassion, equity and mutual respect so that every member of our community has a sense of belonging and are free to develop into the best versions of themselves. PRENDERGAST LADYWELL SCHOOL We invite you to join us at our OPEN DAYS Open Evening Tuesday 12 September - 6:00 to 8:00pm Thursday 21 September, Virtual Open Evening (6-8pm) Open Mornings Thursday 14 September - 9:15 to 10:30am Tuesday 19 September - 9:15 to 10:30am Thursday 21 September - 9:15 to 10:30am Tuesday 26 September - 9:15 to 10:30am It is an exciting time to join Prendergast Ladywell School ● Strong Leadership; strong vision ● High standards and high expectations ● Academic excellence - progress for all ● Outstanding care - outstanding facilities ● A family school at the heart of the community Leathersellers’ FEDERATION OF SCHOOLS EDUCATION FROM FOUR TO EIGHTEEN Manwood Road, London, SE41SA www.prendergast-ladywell.com @prendergast_PLS Good Provider Achieving Excellence ‘‘We look forward to meeting you’’ Niall Hand - Headteacher Part of the Leathersellers Federation of schools we contribute to and benefit from the collaboration and support our family of schools provide. The forthcoming years at our school will be incredibly exciting. We warmly invite you to be part of our community. Niall Hand, Headteacher Prendergast Ladywell School
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 56 Welcome to Prendergast Vale School, an all-through school in the heart of Lewisham for children from the ages of 3 to 16. We are a small, inclusive and vibrant school community; as our school motto says ‘in perpetuum discimus’ - we are forever learning, with academic and personal excellence for all and developing creativity at the heart of our practices. We believe all our pupils can achieve success in life by working hard and being kind. As a small school, all of our pupils and their families are well known to the people who work at the school. Our subject specialists design engaging and high-quality curricula that enable our pupils to reach their academic potential and develop a thirst for learning. As a result, they will become confident, resourceful and independent learners who can pursue their ambitions and attend university if they wish. Not only should students have well regarded qualifications when they leave school, but they will also acquire character traits that will enable them to be successful in life. Traits such as optimism, resilience and confidence are developed throughout all subjects and through extra-curricular activities. We encourage pupils to value their education at Prendergast Vale and we equip them to achieve and excel in life after school. They leave our care as responsible, motivated young adults who are eager to make positive contributions to society. Prendergast Vale is a small school within a big community. As a member of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools, we are stronger together. The Leathersellers’ Federation of schools is made up of a group of three secondary and two primary schools as well as Prendergast 6th Form. We are very fortunate to be part of the Federation and receive a lot of support from the Leathersellers’ Company, which helps our pupils succeed. Edmund Coogan, Headteacher. Prendergast Vale School
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 57 Ernest Bevin Academy Ernest Bevin Academy is an all-boys community school with a mixed sixth form. We provide an exceptional level of pastoral care, academic education, and enrichment for every student. We deliver an ambitious and creative curriculum designed to develop a love of learning and intellectual curiosity among our students. We offer a wealth of enrichment opportunities designed to enhance our student’s educational experience and develop their cultural awareness and appreciation. Our students graduate from Ernest Bevin Academy with excellent qualifications, life skills, and experience to ensure their success in further education, training, or chosen careers. Students benefit from our excellent sporting facilities consisting of a 25m swimming pool, a dojo for martial arts, and a fitness suite. Our students have a track record of sporting success at local, regional, and national levels. In 2022 our boys exceeded all national progress levels for boys in maintained schools and we reported one of the highest boys progress 8 scores in Wandsworth. Many of our students progress to our sixth form and the majority secure places at university. Last year’s student destinations and courses included Medicine at Cambridge; Aerospace Engineering at Nottingham; Mechanical Engineering at Bristol UWE; and Computer Science at UC. We are committed to securing the very best for all our students and in doing so, teaching them the values that lie at the heart of everything we do. Ernest Bevin Academy Open Events Aspirational, Multicultural Education for Boys Wed 27th September, 5:30pm Fri 29th September, 9:00am Fri 6th October, 9:00am t: 020 8672 8582 e: [email protected] w: ernestbevinacademy.org.uk Beechcroft Road, SW17 7DF
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 58 Are young people leading the plant-based movement? Nearly 60 percent of children in the UK are vegan or vegetarian or want to be, a new survey has found. BBC Good Food Survey surveyed 1,004 children between the ages of 5 and 16. The global food media brand discovered that 8 percent of participants were eating a fully plant based diet. A further 13 percent were vegetarian. Additionally, 15 percent of children said they would like to become vega, and roughly one in five (21 percent) said the same about vegetarianism. Reports didn’t clarify what the children’s reasons were for eating plant-based food. But sustainability was on their minds for at least part of the research. The survey found that 44 percent of kids said they hoppe that no food is packaged in plastic in 10 years’ time. Christine Hayes, Editor of BBC Good Food, commented: “It was fascinating to survey children’s eating habits, behaviours and opinions around food”. “They are passionate about exploring alternative diets and methods of food production that could be more sustainable for the planet” Hayes added. Young people leading the way The recent findings reaffirm the widely held belief that young people are leading the change towards plant-based living. A 2019 Britain Thinks Report concluded that Gen Z and Millenials are slightly more likely to be vegan that older age groups. And recently, it was reported that a majority of young people (aged 15 to 20) were taking action to help fight the climate crisis. Specifically, 26 percent of participants said they eat plant-based to help protect the planet. 1 in 5 kids in the UK are vegan or want to be, survey finds
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 59 Our secondary schools are located in New Malden and benefit from a thriving, collaborative community offering a caring, inclusive and stimulating learning environment. With an ambitious, broad and rich curriculum that caters for all students, including an excellent Sixth Form provision with a wide range of courses, our Coombe Secondary Schools strive to prepare everyone for a world of opportunity. Coombe Boys’ School & Sixth Form Our values of Excellence, Ambition and Integrity are the foundations of all that we seek to achieve for every student. We believe it is essential that school is a challenging, inspirational, and transformational experience; that every pupil deserves the best possible education to help them reach their full potential, and we’re proud to be experts in providing just that. We are enormously proud of our academic, sporting and cultural successes; however it is the fact that parents tell us that their sons are happy here and that they enjoy coming to school that we are most proud of. Coombe Girls’ School & Sixth Form There are strong academic standards across the school and students are encouraged to have high expectations. Our GCSE and A Level results place us amongst the highest performing schools across the country. We encourage students to be creative and open-minded and to strive for academic, sporting, and cultural excellence. Students are motivated to challenge themselves academically and personally, to grow confidence in their skills and knowledge and to tolerant and respectful of others. We support them to be curious and take risks in a healthy way – to be brave, not perfect. Coombe Secondary Schools
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 60 Founded in 1935, Raynes Park High School provides a well-rounded, dynamic education and creates exceptional opportunities for its young people. Our students are at the heart of all we do; we are aspirational for their futures, collectively and individually. We balance academic achievement, success in sport and creative fields with exceptional pastoral care and a forward-thinking, ‘can-do’ attitude. Our ethos is based upon the ‘3 Rs’, which encapsulate everything we strive towards: Respect Mutual understanding and respect is at the heart of the Raynes Park High School ethos. All members of the school community know that their behaviours have an effect on their own learning and that of others. Participation in extra-curricular activities and house events instil teamwork and build a sense of pride. Being honest, considerate and inclusive helps to build a productive and harmonious learning environment. Resilience There is more to education than exams, and emotional wellbeing and mental health is key to achieving excellence in all areas of school life. Through a strong pastoral team and home/school partnership, students are supported to become confident, happy, lifelong learners. Teachers are committed to challenging students to persevere and achieve their full potential, regardless of ability or background. Results We strive for excellence in all that we do. Staff celebrate school achievements, as well as students’ involvement in the wider community. Through quality teaching, extra-curricular opportunities and pastoral focus, Raynes Park High School prepares students to become responsible, resilient citizens who positively contribute to our society. Raynes Park High School
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 61 Wimbledon College is an 11-18 Jesuit boys’ school with a strong tradition of educating pupils from across the South West of London. Our 2022 Diocesan Inspection recognised us as an outstanding Catholic school where the ‘strong Jesuit identity is reflected in the common language, vision and actions of all members of the school community’. We welcome pupils of all academic and religious backgrounds and work with parents to provide excellent opportunities for the development of the whole pupil. This is achieved through a broad and varied curriculum combined with an extensive extra-curricular offer. Supporting pupils to strive for excellence in all that they do and to become individuals for others is at the heart of the College. As identified in our 2023 Ofsted Inspection, ‘leaders are ambitious for pupils to have an enriching experience’. Pupils are exceptionally well supported and as a consequence are ‘respectful and motivated to learn’ and ‘work hard in lessons’. Importantly ‘pupils are happy and safe here’. We have a strong pastoral team, including our Chaplain and our Counsellor. Year 7 pupils have their own playground and are carefully guided through their transition from primary school. Our academic results are consistently well above national average and the vast majority of our pupils remain with us for Sixth Form where we offer both academic and vocational pathways. Progression to pupils’ destinations of choice be that university [including Oxford and Cambridge] or apprenticeships is very high. Open Evening Thursday 28 September 2023 from 5.30pm Wimbledon College 130 years of forming indivuals for others www.wimbledoncollege.org.uk A Jesuit school with a strong tradition of valuing every individual, providing them with the opportunity to achieve their full potantial. Wimbledon College
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 62 Thames Christian School Finding the right path Thames Christian School is dedicated to nurturing the gifts and talents of every pupil, seeing each one as unique and a story waiting to be told. Founded over 20 years ago and recently relocated to a state-of-theart building next to Clapham Junction, Thames Christian School is an established independent school with a proven track record of excellence both pastorally and academically. The school takes pride in pupils’ achievements, and distinguishes itself as an ‘and’ school, rather than an ‘either/or’ school. The wide and flexible choice of options at GCSE and A level allow for specialisation in the sciences, the arts or a mix of the two. Staff believe that subjects like maths and science can coexist harmoniously with the creative disciplines thus fostering creative thinking—an essential skill in the age of AI and the demands of the modern workplace. A wide range of subjects in Years 7 and 8, followed by specialisation in Year 9 and 10, provides pupils with ample opportunities to explore and pursue their unique talents. This broad curriculum is supplemented by a varied array of co-curricular clubs, societies, camps and overseas trips including the school’s award winning trip to rural Tanzania, enabling pupils develop life skills far beyond an academic curriculum. Central to the school’s ethos is an atmosphere of trust which underpins pastoral care. This helps pupils develop the responsibility and resilience which characterises them. In addition, the Thames Wellbeing Programme places emphasis on personal development, fostering healthy relationships and nurturing constructive engagement in society. Stephen Holsgrove, Head, says: “This September we are excited to have opened our long awaited Sixth Form which focuses strategically on subjects that open doors to diverse degree choices and other pathways. Recognising that students have varied aspirations, we prepare them for their future careers and life beyond school by facilitating in depth connections to the workplace in their chosen career paths. Alongside this sits a strong co-curricular strand of workplace and life skills which includes leadership, financial planning, first aid, real world IT skills and cooking.” He adds: “Our teaching staff comprise highly skilled subject specialists, a number of whom bring industry expertise into the classroom.” The school’s aims revolve around ensuring that each pupil understands their inherent value, embraces good character and personal responsibility and cultivates a sense of purpose within and beyond the school community. Students at Thames develop the necessary skills, gifts and talents to succeed and make positive choices as they navigate life. Thames Christian School is committed to providing an enriching educational experience that prepares your child for a fulfilling and successful future - navigation for life
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 63 An independent school for boys and girls aged 11 to 18 The creative choice thameschristianschool.org.uk For more information contact 020 7220 3933 or [email protected] Thames Christian School, 12 Grant Road, London, SW11 2FR
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 64 Co-educational secondary (ages 11-18) Principal: A Faccinello MA (OXON) PGCE We are proudly celebrating our Sixth Formers’ fantastic successes in gaining places at top universities including two at Cambridge University. From year 7, their Trinity education was grounded in our academic, knowledge rich curriculum. 56 Brixton Hill, London, SW2 1QS T: 020 3126 4993 E: [email protected] YEAR 7 OPEN DAYS - Entry 2024 Tuesday 3rd October 9am Wednesday 4th October 9am Tuesday 10th October 9am Open Mornings Thursday 5th October 5pm Open Evening Thursday 9th November 5pm SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING - Entry 2024 www.trinity.futureacademies.org Scan the QR code or go to forms.office.com/e/8rnazSEfGy