12/1/14

 

The Headmaster in his "welcome back" email to staff, made mention of a recent Times opinion feature that revealed some interesting facts about the virtues and advantages of an independent education. In 2010/2011, two-thirds of privately educated students were awarded places at the top universities, gaining more places at Oxford and Cambridge with lower A-Level results than their state-schooled counterparts. Why? According to the Times, an independent education gives less academic students, the poise, polish and confidence to punch above their academic weight. Of the 8,000 ‘leading people’ recorded in the Times list, half were privately educated, yet the sector only makes up 7% of the nation’s children. Privately educated people make up 70% of High Court judges, a third of solicitors and 40% of barristers, 70% of public sector management, 60% of business leaders and military top brass and 50% of famous theatre faces: all private school alumni.

 

So what makes the difference? Everything we do at Buckswood is about pushing the boundaries and not accepting the norm: being progressive within a traditional ethos. The Headmaster conveyed the message to teachers that they are key players in moulding the professionals and successful citizens of tomorrow. He said to them: "You may have walked an unconventional path to standing in front of our scholars today, but the breadth of your collective experiences brings a wealth and richness to your subjects that will inspire the next generation of top professionals."

 

I couldn't agree more. Among the teachers at Buckswood we have an army of well qualified and highly experienced teachers who bring with them a vast reservoir of former experience, methodology and wisdom. I stood in front of my first class at Dulwich College Preparatory School in 1976 (do the maths!) and some of my former boys and girls in those days at DCPS have their children here at Buckswood!! Yet, we senior chaps, we "fathers of the house" (as they used to call former PM Ted Heath and others) never stop learning as we grow wiser (not older). Someone (I think it was John Rae, former Headmaster of Westminster, whom I met in 1977 when he came to DCPS, Cranbrook, to hand out the prizes), once said: "to teach is to learn." Think about it: it's true.

 

Of one thing I am certain: that the wonderful liaison/communication/interaction between teacher and student at Buckswood is one of the cornerstones of the formation of character and confidence, as is the exposure to a whole range of extra-curricular 'herbs and spices' that add flavour to the educational feast on offer, in the form of external speakers, overseas trips, clubs and societies, debating, KIP (Knowledge is Power). Buckswood is different: we want it to be different because the difference – albeit on occasions difficult to quantify – really exists in so many aspects of school life here, and it undoubtedly makes our students the wonderful human beings into which they evolve year after year. Much of that comes from the top down. The Headmaster is quite unlike any other I have ever met (and I have met many). I admire his commitment to education in its broadest, all-encompassing sense, and his drive to enrich the lives of his students. A school – any school – takes its lead from the head. The atmosphere, the ethos, the focus, the spirit, is determined by him/her. How often have we seen an inspirational head leave their post and for the school/department to fall apart with another at the helm, taking the ship in a different direction – towards the iceberg! There are school proprietors the length and breadth of the country who are businessmen first and foremost; education is to some of them an anathema. Mr. Sutton, on the other hand, is first and foremost a committed educator and educational visionary. That's the 'Buckswood Difference'!

 

 

Have a good evening.