Ryder Cup

I was offered a pair of tickets to the Saturday of the Ryder Cup next weekend and had to turn them down because I am away for the weekend - gutted!!

Parents' Forum

Today's Parents' Forum at St. Columba's Church in Knightsbridge was very interesting. It was a very good opportunity to talk to parents as they set out on the whole school journey. Most parents there had very young children or were even expecting children and they had the opportunity to listen to speakers representing different types of schools.

Two of the speakers were representing London pre-preps and I had the chance to make the case for the prep schools, in particular boarding prep schools. I talked about the advantages of being in the country as opposed to the town, the advantages of single sex education and also I had the chance to talk about boarding schools.

There was a chance for discussion afterwards and I hope that the parents present found it useful.

Independent Schools Forum

Tomorrow should be an interesting day. I am going to London to speak at the inaugural Independent Schools Forum in St Columba's in Pont Street. I am not quite sure what to expect. I hope there is a good turn-out. I am going to speak about boarding, town v. country and single sex education. I hope there are plenty of questions!

Britain's Youngest Boarders

The reaction to the programme has been unbelievable. As soon as it began on Wednesday evening, the texts and emails came flooding in and the website saw the most incredible activity - so much so that it very nearly crashed!
We have had a huge number of enquiries and masses of people saying that they want their children to start straight away.
The most amazing thing is all the messages we have received. Parents, old boys and former teachers have all been in touch and also a huge number of people unconnected with the school who have written in saying the most lovely things.
It has all been so exciting and I have to pinch myself to make sure that it has all really happened!

Broadcast Day

So today's the day for our programme to be aired on BBC2! I must confess I am pretty excited. I hope that the reaction is good. I am looking forward to finding out how many people watch the film. They will let us know tomorrow morning I believe.

What I hope more than anything is that people realise how much fun boarding can be and how much the boys enjoy it. I know that there will be those who are against it and will always be against it but if this opens a few more eyes to the possbility it will have been worth it.

Hands tied by EU

Very frustratingly we have had to cancel our geography field trip to the school's house in France this weekend because of a ridiculous EU law that states that it is now illegal for teachers to drive minibuses in France unless they have a specific licence which appears to be something similar to a coach drivers licence! This is so frustrating. It is becoming more and more difficult to organise interesting educational outings and trips which enhance the pupils' learning and also provide them with a broader view of life than we are able to provide within our walls. Even for the teachers to drive in England we have had to buy a new bus with two fewer seats so that teachers who passed their driving tests after 1997 are able to drive it. Are they somehow worse drivers that those who passed before that date? I doubt it.

Tiny Treasures!

I have just been handed a new book called Tiny Treasure in which 8 Sunningdale boys have stories published. They are fantastic!! I am so proud of them and everybody should buy this book!

Evening Standard Article

Apparently I was mentioned in gossip column of the Evening Standard yesterday and quoted as 'moaning about the Archers  having a go at boarding'. Very funny as although I was certainly at the awards ceremony mentioned, I never said anything about the Archers as, sadly for my mother, I never even tune in to the Archers!

Oh, no award by the way!!

First football matches of the term

So looking forward to matches this afternoon. It is a beautiful day and the boys are really excited about them. It could be a bit of a baptism of fire as they have only had a few practices but I suppose it will be the same for our opponents.

Fingers crossed for the results! Watch this space .........

Daily Mail article

This morning is the weekend section of the Daily Mail, there is an article about the upcoming BBC 2 documentary. It makes quite interesting reading.

My response to the article would be to say that Nick Duffell's comments, while valid in their own way, present one side of boarding. What the article fails to mention is that for every one child that does not respond well to boarding there are hundreds for whom it is a fantastic experience.

I would also say that you would find pupils that have not enjoyed their school experience in every sector of education, be it boarding or day, independent or state.

BBC Documentary

On Wednesday 22nd September, BBC 2 will be showing a programme called "Britain's Youngest Boarders". It was filmed at Sunningdale during the Michaelmas term last year and it tells the story of what it is like to start at boarding school.

The whole school saw the programme on Thursday evening and I think they were pleased with it. I think it gives a fair representation of life at Sunningdale and I will be very interested to see the reaction of the wider public. I am sure that there will be those who say that they would never send their son to boarding school and that is their prerogative. I do hope, though, that people who watch the programme will realise that boarding is so different from how many people, unfamiliar with it, perceive it.

Start of Term

I am so excited to have started back at school. The boys are on terrific form and they all seem to be looking forward to what lies ahead this term. I love hearing what they have been up to in the holidays and what they are most looking forward to this term. For some it is the football season, others are looking forward to the carol services or Bonfire Night and for some, the highlight of their term will be 'Bust Up' our Christmas party!

There is no doubt that it is going to be very busy and that is so important in a happy and productive school.