NAVY NEWS, SEPTEMBER 2011
39
centuries of the Duke
Two
THE Duke of York’s Royal Military School is a unique full boarding school with a proud 200-year history of educating the children of Armed Forces families. Located amidst extensive
grounds near Dover it combines traditional values, a military ethos and outstanding academic results with modern teaching and sports facilities as well as a new £9.5m 6th form boarding house. Sports facilities include a
swimming pool, gym, running track, rugby and cricket pitches set amidst the Academy’s own 150-acre grounds. The school, which became
Mr Best brings out the best at St John’s
WITH the arrival of a new Headmaster, and two inspections, it’s been a busy year at St John’s College, the Southsea-based Christian independent, co-educational school for pupils aged two to 18. Shortly after Headmaster Mr Graham Best started at the school in September last year, the school’s Boarding facilities were inspected by Ofsted. The report confirmed that “boarders were extremely positive about
their experience at the school” and acknowledged that “the support offered to the children and opportunities for enrichment are of an outstanding quality”. The school was also praised for relationships between staff and pupils – in the report one boarder commented: “It’s like a sleep-over every night with your friends.” Later in the year the School was inspected by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate (ISI). In the report the pastoral care and the relationships between staff and pupils were acknowledged as being of a very high standard in a “relaxed and mutually respectful atmosphere.” Meanwhile the quality of pupils’ achievements was judged “good”,
an Academy last year, will gain additional funding this year to upgrade other boarding houses, ICT and other facilities. Becoming an Academy has been an historic turning point for the school which will retain its military ethos that fosters leadership, social responsibility and a supportive peer-group community. Academically the Academy is
second to none. Students this year celebrated 100 per cent GCSE pass rate in A*-C grades (97 per cent including Maths and English) with 86 per cent going on to university. The Academy boasts an impressive alumni. Many students follow in their parents’ footsteps and join the Armed Forces at officer level while becoming leaders within their professions and valued members of their communities. Students enjoy a high quality
of pastoral care and a supportive boarding community among teachers and children who understand military life. Many of the teachers have previously served in the Armed Forces and students take part in the Cadet Force of their choice under the supervision of a RSM as well as travelling abroad with the Duke of Edinburgh programme. For more information go to
www.doyrms.com.
both in terms of academic work and extracurricular activities, and the report confirmed: “The quality of teaching is good overall and some teaching is excellent.” Mr Graham Best, Headmaster, commented: “I was very pleased with
both the Ofsted and ISI reports; they gave a fair and realistic assessment of St John’s, recognising our strengths but also reaffirming a few areas for development – on which we are already working.” Looking forward to the new academic year ahead there is a certain
on Saturday October 8 from 10am to 12:30pm. Contact the School Office on 0845 269 8827 (local rate number) to book.
SHEBBEAR College continues in its belief that it is the ‘Best Small School in the South West’ and is continuing to build on its already impressive infrastructure. Recent years have seen
Forging ahead at Shebbear
improvements right across the school. Not only have all of the teaching
areas been subject to considerable investment but the addition of a full size all-weather-pitch as well as a professional standard cardiovascular suite; dance studio and weights room, have ensured that our sporting facilities are exceptional. Work has started on the new
OPEN DAY A
build onto the existing Junior School with the addition of an assembly hall, and three new classrooms are due to open this
Prospective parents are invited to attend the School’s Open Morning
buzz of excitement at the school. With the introduction of a new Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and the launch of a new-look website and prospectus in October it promises to be another exciting year at St John’s.
College cycle challenge
QUEEN’S College Sports teacher Philip Mann is facing the challenge of a lifetime as he gears up to ride 900 miles in nine days on his bicycle, visiting all nine Royal Marines bases in the UK. Philip, 48, is usually seen
blowing his whistle on the sports field at Queen’s College in Taunton but in August as Navy News went to press he plans to get astride his bike and start an epic 900-mile ride starting in Arbroath and finishing at 40 Commando in Taunton and raising money for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund. “I used to ride my bike 500
metres from home to work but now I’ve had to up the mileage a bit in preparation for the physical effort of riding 100 miles a day and the inevitable effect on the softer parts of my anatomy!” said Philip. “The pupils are now getting
used to seeing me whizzing along on my bright red and white bike before and after school.” The hard work will all be
worthwhile for Philip if he succeeds in raising his target of £5,000 for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund. A number of Philip’s former pupils at Queen’s College in Taunton have served, or are serving in Afghanistan and Philip has been touched by their stories. A former Army soldier himself,
Queen’s
Educating the Individual Since 1841 Ages 3 to 18 Years
Strong Christian & Family Values Excellent Academic Results Challenging Extra-Curricular Activities Outstanding Pastoral Care
Monday 10th - Friday 14th October 2011 OPEN WEEK
Contact Mrs Sarah Lindley on 01409 282001 E-mail:
registrar@shebbearcollege.co.uk
month. The Kindergarten has been
redeveloped and now boasts one of the best facilities in the South West. On the music front a new
Recital Room will complement the already-successful choir and the music technology lab is benefiting from the addition of 22 new Apple-Mac computers for state-of-the-art composing. The school currently has its
he played rugby for Leicester Tigers before becoming a teacher, and has previously stayed fit by running. “When I was younger, I raised
money for charity by running in marathons but after recently having both hips replaced, my surgeon suggested I get on my bike to get fit again.” You can sponsor Philip by
visiting
www.justgiving.com/ philipmann and the money will go directly to the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.
highest number of pupils in 18 years and still has waiting lists for some year groups. Sixth Form scholarships
and bursaries are available for consideration. Contact Mrs Sarah Lindley
on 01409 282001 or registrar@
shebbearcollege.co.uk.
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