A Home Away From Home
An international student’s perspective of the boarding house experience by Juliette D. For international students like me, this phrase is synonymous with the feeling of living in a boarding house with entire oceans between us and our families. When I first started boarding at 13, I was both overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment, and struck […]
Heads up if you’re a UK University 2026 applicant
Personal statements are changing. UCAS, the UK’s centralised application portal, has introduced changes to this component for the 2026 entry cycle. The personal statement is usually the only opportunity for applicants to distinguish themselves and share their personal insights. The original 4,000-character, 47-line freeform essay is being replaced with a new “scaffolded” format with three […]
Adapting Education For The Smartphone Epidemic
Shortened attention spans, prolonged screentime, and worsening mental health – these issues are increasingly discussed as the result of our collective ‘smartphone problem’. We have seen unwanted impacts creep up on fully grown adults well into the later stages of life, which begs the question: how does smartphone usage impact children, teens and young adults […]
Seeing Past the Glossy Brochure
In-person visits are a must for prospective parents to distinguish between a school’s marketed image and the actual educational reality. Read our top 5 tips on how to uncover the real deal when you step on campus. Top Tip #1Visit on a typical school day to see beyond the marketing materials. Discover the true spirit […]
A Guide to Academic Competitions
In today’s highly competitive applications to the world’s best universities, standing out from the crowd is a must. Students often do this through work experience, volunteering or research projects, but engaging in academic competitions or Olympiads is a powerful way to demonstrate academic ambition, curiosity, and excellence. These competitions provide a unique platform for students […]
Musings about Artificial Intelligence in Education
Although we are no longer grappling with test kits and quarantine, educators and schools continue to face an endless barrage of new challenges. In the last 12 months, artificial intelligence, and in particular chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has taken the education world by storm. Chatbots, for the unacquainted, are trained from big data inputs […]
What sport can reveal about character
Stephanie Cheah, education consultant and regular golfer since the Covid pandemic, explores the inextricable relationship between sport and character. Sport has long been viewed as a mirror, reflecting the intricacies of human nature. While many sports showcase the physical prowess, strategic thinking, and mental toughness of athletes, few are as revealing of character as golf. […]
Talking Heads: How I help my child become resilient
Mrs Nicola Huggett, Head of Cheltenham College since 2017, shares her personal approach to developing resilience in children. The front of the glass cabinet in our kitchen is still reverberating from the slamming of the kitchen door, shortly to be followed, I know, by the slamming of the bedroom door. Again. “Where have you been? […]
At what age should my child start boarding?
Determining the ideal age to start boarding school can be complex, as it varies based on individual circumstances, maturity levels, and specific educational goals. Boarding schools are valued for their unique blend of academic rigor, personal development, and community experience. One of the primary considerations is a child’s developmental readiness. It’s essential to assess whether […]
Digital Innovation in Schools
It is becoming increasingly straightforward for schools to use AI technology and digital tools in their classrooms and to create personalised learning experiences. In a time where information can be found at the click of a button, schools play the role not just of informing, but also of curating education, and making it as effective […]