One of world’s oldest schools has “eyes firmly fixed on the future”

UK Boarding Schools Week newsletter - Issue 12

Welcome to the start of an exciting new academic year.? We are receiving great feedback from joining parents we have assisted, for example this WhatsApp came today:

"Good morning Mark, trust you’re doing well? I wanted to let you know that our son) resumed at Lancing College yesterday. He looks very happy and I’m at peace. I like the school and the people there. I believe we made the right decision. Thank you so much for help and your support. "

In this issue (12) of UK Boarding Schools Week newsletter, we interview some of the 20 top schools attending educational events in Ghana and Lagos next month.

UK Boarding Schools Week will be in Accra on Monday 9th to Wednesday 11th October and Friday 13th to Sunday 15th October in Ikoyi, Lagos.? For more information go to https://www.markbrookseducation.com/exhibitions-and-events/

Have a happy and fulfilling week ahead.

Mark Brooks

One of world’s oldest schools has “eyes firmly fixed on the future”

“We deliver a world-class education which ensures that all pupils are real-world ready,” says Dr Michael Gray , Headmaster of Hereford Cathedral School , as he reflects on what defines his community, which was founded in 1384.

Dr Michael adds that his students “thrive in the world of work and in wider society” because of the emphasis on “character education, framed within our Christian values, equipping them for a life of leadership and service.”

Stuart Higgins , Head of International Students told us “I am delighted to be representing Hereford Cathedral School on the Mark Brooks Education trip to Ghana and Nigeria in October.”

“We feel that Hereford Cathedral School is an ideal school for West African pupils, as the school achieves very good academic results, has excellent pastoral care and lovely boarding facilities (all the bedrooms are en-suite).” Stuart concludes.

Kingswood is all about “talented children who really want to have a go”

Recently we interviewed Andrew Gordon-Brown , Headmaster of Kingswood School in Bath on why students from West Africa thrive in his school.

“In my experience West African children really take to the UK boarding environment,” he explained.

Partly it is due to the community, he suggests.? “They love being in a safe happy environment but, also I find come with real talents and skills.”

It can also be explained by their attitude. “They come with a self-confidence and a willingness to make the most of the opportunities they have on offer.”

He concludes: “Talented young children really wanting to have a go is what Kingswood is all about and I think that West African children really thrive in that setting.”

Head boy from Africa studying medicine at King’s College London

Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools is a popular destination for students from West and the rest of Africa, because of their “close affinity with the needs and focus of families from the region and their desire to succeed in today’s world,” says Bish Muir , Director?of?External?Relations.

“One recent student, from Zimbabwe” she explains, “not only achieved the status of Head Boy, but has gone on to read Medicine at King’s College, London.”

She adds: “We will be following his progress through his career with great excitement!”

International families choose Monmouth because “it is a proper boarding school, with a house system.? We meet the needs of growing teenagers and offers the right amount of nurture and discipline, to ensure they achieve their potential,” Bish says.

Monmouth School is going through an exciting change in its Senior School, moving towards being fully co-ed in September 2024, bringing it in line with its Prep School and Sixth Form.

Sixth Form at Box Hill: “leadership opportunities, independence and personal growth”

Reflecting on this year’s outstanding results among their International Baccalaureate (IB) students, the Head of Box Hill, Corydon Lowde enthuses “We've considered our Sixth Form to be special for some time.”

This world-renowned two-year sixth form programme gets the best out of students.? “It provides great leadership opportunities, independence and personal growth,” he told us.

Looking forward to attending UK Boarding Schools Week in Ghana and Nigeria this October, Stuart Ansell , CEO at Box Hill says “West African students thrive at our school.”

Last year’s Head Girl, Chidiogo, from Rivers State, Nigeria, secured 41 points in her IB Diploma and will be studying International Business Management at Kings College London.

?“When my grades were revealed I was ecstatic and on top of the world! I have worked hard and I’m glad that my efforts have turned into good results,” she said.

Box Hill School offers multiple academic programmes including both A Levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

“West African students are fantastic leaders” says Principal of UK’s No1 A Level school

In an interview this week with Tom Arrand , Principal of Cardiff Sixth Form College , he said that “I have been working in boarding schools for many years and one thing that I have noticed is that West African students are fantastic leaders.”

When asked to give some recent examples “Our head girl two years ago was from Lagos and she is off doing fantastic things now as a consequence of her time at Cardiff Sixth Form College and she was an excellent leader here.”

More recently, he recollects “last year one of our prefects won a place at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.? Tolu was a wonderfully humble young woman but a fantastic leader all the same.”

Commenting on the recently recognised position in the league tables for the 12th year running, Tom said: “It is an unbelievable honour to be Principal of the College which once again has been named number one A Level College in the United Kingdom.”

Principal, Grange School, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Mark Brooks Education is delighted to be assisting with the appointment of a Principal of Grange School Lagos Nigeria.

Founded in 1958, the Grange School Lagos provides an outstanding academic and all-round education for nearly 650 girls and boys aged 2 to 16+ years.

It is set within attractive, spacious grounds with excellent educational, extra-curricular, sporting, and boarding facilities.

The school is selective and noted for academic excellence. The IGCSE results for 2023 record 57.93% of all grades awarded at A* to A, 84.16% at A* to B and 97.1% at A* to C. The Governing Council is currently working on plans to establish a Sixth Form.

The school is accredited by the UK’s leading associations, including COBIS - Council of British International Schools, and its Patron is the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria. The motto, which drives its ethos, is ‘A Culture of Continuous Improvement’.

Applications should be sent to [email protected]

The full candidate pack can be downloaded here https://www.markbrookseducation.com/recruitment/

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