News | Education


A GROUP of year nine pupils from TheMalling School enjoyed a trip to see a new production of John Stein- beck’s OfMice andMen at theMar- lowe Theatre in Canterbury. The pupils are studying the novella


and hoped the playwould help bring the book alive – and they were not disappointed. Pupil Abi Butcher said: “The play


was brilliant. I cried at the end – it was so sad.” Connor Kennedy, in a review for


Outside theMarlowe Theatre’s stage door are, fromleft: Helen, Lucy, Supriya, Kane,Mrs Franklyn, Cameron, Abi, Connor, Lewis and Nya


Song for Tom makes students drink aware


SCHOOL pupils in Snodland heard a strong message about under-age drinking when a cam- paigner visited themlastmonth. Singer-songwriter Henry May-


bury has visited many schools across the country to raise alcohol awareness following the death of his older brother, Tom, at the age of 29. His song, Lost Days, was writ-


ten as a tribute to Tom, who died of an alcohol-related illness, and he performed that and other songs for the pupils of TheHolmesdale School as part of his talk. The visit was organised by the


Snodland Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP), which brings together a number of local groups to tackle under-age drinking. Gillian Powell, CAP’s pro-


gramme manager and adviser for the South East, said: “I was so pleased that Henry was able to come and tell his story to our pupils. The room went silent when he was talking and pupils were keen to ask questions and share their thoughts. “He is a great rolemodel for young people and tells his story through music with honesty and passion." Henry put on two separate per-


formances, for year nine and year 10 pupils, and deputy head teacher Neil Golding said: “The studentswere clearly inspired and moved by Henry.” Henry, who also performs in


prisons, enjoyed his school visit. “It was a pleasure to share my


music and story at The Holmes- dale School, where the students were all so respectful and compli- mentary,” he said. “Albeit a sad story of losing my brother through alcohol addiction, it is so rewarding to raise awareness throughmymusic."


8 Malling February 2018


the school’smagazine, said: “OfMice andMen is a good play and I recom- mend it to others because it has com-


downsmail.co.uk Marlowe visit brings book to life


edy, action, andmuchmore.” English teacher Lesley Finlay said:


“Going to the theatre is such a bril- liantway for pupils to learn. The pro- duction followed the story and text, so it helps with study in the class- room. I hope it has sparked a life- long love of the theatre. Thank you to Tony Nichols for driving us so well and to Sherrie Franklyn for support- ing us too.” The play, directed by Guy


Unsworth, was co-produced by The Marlowe Theatre and Selladoor pro- ductions. It is nowon tour butwill be returning to Kent later this year.


Crossing continents to share learning culture


TWO teachers from The Malling School (TMS) are preparing for an exciting learning journey to Malawi. Emma Jedrzejewski and Louise


Foulser are heading to the African country as part of the BritishCoun- cil’s Connecting Classrooms pro- gramme, which aims to prepare young people to become well- rounded, global citizens. The intrepid pair will be linking


up with the Ekwendeni Girls School to share ideas from The Malling School’s “critical thinking” project, in which pupils are being challenged to think beyond the ob- vious in lessons. English teacher Mrs Jedrzejew-


ski, pictured here with Miss Foulser, said: “As TMS is an Inter- national Baccalaureate (IB) World School, one essential skill is to be more internationally minded. Vis- iting a school in Malawi will help broaden our view of what goes on in the world and then to share this with our pupils. “Whenwe get toMalawi,wewill


share what we have learned through our own project and start to build a positive relationship with Ekwendeni pupils and teach- ers that will benefit both our schools.” Geography teacherMiss Foulser


MAIDSTONE has the best and the worst performing schools in Kent, says new data released by the Department for Education. The new leagues measure per-


formance on different criteria, with classroom standards ranked against new indicators. These are called progress 8 and


said: “We also hope to learn about the education systemin a lower in- come country and how that com- pares to a higher income country. “We are also keen to learn about


their culture and hopefully develop a long-termlinkwith the school.” Both are looking forward to the


trip but they do have concerns. Mrs Jedrzejewski said: “I’ma lit-


tle nervous as it is a new country and experience forme.” Miss Foulser added: “I am most


nervous about the food! Seafood is a common delicacy in Malawi – and I don’t eat it!” Headmaster Carl Roberts said: “This is a wonderful opportunity


attainment 8, and are considered a better assessment of pupil per- formance across ability ranges. Invicta Grammar School is


for TheMalling School to share our experience. The trip will benefit our two teachers and all our pupils by helping to embed the IB philos- ophy across the school.” The teachers leave on February


16 and return on February 24. The IB is an alternative to A lev-


els and aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better andmore peacefulworld. For further information about


The Malling School contact Emma Jedrzejewski or Louise Foulser at 01732 840995 or email them via office@themallingschool.kent. sch.uk.


School performance ranked in new league tables The top two are Tonbridge


Grammar School and Tunbridge Wells Grammar School. Those that fall short of expecta-


rated sixth, Maidstone Girls Grammar School ninth and St Simon Stock 14th in the top 14 best-performing schools. These are rated “well above average”.


tions and could receive special at- tention from Oftsed are The Holmesdale School,WestMalling, Aylesford School – Sports College and CornwallisAcademy.


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