SBSA CONFERENCE 2008

A soaking wet January did not deter over 100 representatives of the 35 state boarding schools from gathering in Lancaster for the Annual Conference for State Boarding Schools.

Lancaster Royal Grammar School was an excellent host school for Chairman Paul Spencer Ellis' second annual conference: Headmaster Andrew Jarman and Business Director & Clerk to the Governors Fred Nelson produced a programme to be proud of, including a Sunday afternoon in Lancaster University's prestigious Management Centre and a Monday morning in Lancaster Royal Grammar School, either listening to two excellent speakers or braving incessant rain to reach the boarding houses, open for tours with friendly pupils wielding umbrellas.

LRGS Old boys Paul Wellings (Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University) and Kevin Roberts (CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi worldwide) entertained their audience on Sunday afternoon, the first with an update on the history and state of higher education in Britain today, the second with inspirational words for any school: go home and build your school into a 'lovemark' - a school for which pupils and parents will feel 'loyalty beyond reason.' A tall order, but a hugely entertaining presentation which will be remembered vividly by anyone fortunate enough to hear it.

Workshops on topics such as safer recruiting, changing to IB and bidding for Government cash were followed by a dinner at which the speaker was Bobby Skinstad, former Captain of the Springboks and member of their 2007 World Cup team. A one- time boarder, he had tales to tell and advice to give which rounded off the evening perfectly.

Monday morning saw presentations by Chris Liddle, architect, on building schools - new, or old - and Dr Jean Humphrys, outlining the birth of the new Ofsted in April 2007 and its progress since then with welfare inspection in boarding schools. It was good to hear the voice behind the facts and figures, and Dr Humphrys was generous in inviting delegates to contact her with queries and problems as they arose.

Delegates returned to their schools through rain, flood and disrupted train connections, refreshed and revived by a weekend of inspiration, conversation, reflection, debate and good company.

Malcolm Lloyd, Headmaster of Brymore in Somerset, and Chairman of SBSA for 2008 - 10, ended the conference with an invitation to Brymore in January 2009 and the wise warning from the Head of a rural school: 'Bring wellingtons!'

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EXCELLENT RESULTS

Congratulations to staff and students at all member schools, both independent and state, which produced excellent GCSE examination results last week.

No fewer than 17 state boarding schools featured in The Times’ list of top state schools. In particular, special congratulations to Colchester Royal Grammar School and Reading School, which were schools number 14 and 15 respectively.

St George’s School, Hertfordshire and Hockerill Anglo European College were the highest ranking comprehensive state boarding schools.

The Times’ list of the top 1,000 schools, published on Saturday 25th August, using the average points per candidate UCAS tariff system at A-level, placed Hockerill Anglo European College second in the whole country. Sevenoaks, Kent, an independent member school, was top of the list.

At the start of the new academic year, we wish all schools continued success.

Congratulations to the staff and pupils of all member schools which have contributed to the outstanding A-level and IB results released on 17 August.

Of the 35 state boarding schools, no fewer than 17 feature in the various national newspaper league table lists.

Hockerill Anglo-European College was the top state school in The Times' league table. According to The Independent, Hockerill was the best-performing comprehensive school and Gordon's School, in Surrey, was fifth.

Colchester Royal Grammar School was third on The Times' list and the best-performing grammar school in The Independent's league table.

Peter Symonds Sixth-Form College in Winchester was eighth in The Independent's list of best-performing sixth-form colleges.

Individual schools will carry further details.

NEW FUNDING FOR STATE BOARDING SECTOR

Three state boarding schools have benefited from £5m in the Targeted Capital Fund Allocations for 2005-2008.

Brymore School in Somerset will receive the funds to build a completely new boarding house and refurbish an existing one. Lancaster Royal Grammar School will replace existing boarding accomdation, and Burford School  will increase its boarding provision.

Melvyn Roffe, Chairman of SBSA, says

“This is a significant shot in the arm for three of the country’s state boarding schools. Each of them are doing an excellent job, and this capital funding will enable them to provide more and better boarding accomodation for students.

The announcement is good news more generally for the state boarding sector. We are delighted that Ministers are supporting our schools and look forward to further funding becoming available in future years. The attraction of state boarding schools has never been greater for parents, and this announcement is an affirmation of the government’s faith that state boarding schools provide a high quality education in a caring environment.”

STATE BOARDING - EDUCATION'S BEST KEPT SECRET