Education

22nd Feb 2024

Call for local Primary School Teachers – Free event to explore outdoor learning

As part of their initiative to inspire young people about the natural world, The Parks Trust are hosting an exclusive event for MK’s Primary School Teachers to discover learning opportunities available to schools in the city. Packed with information and taster activities designed to inspire the enhancement of primary student’s school experience, the free event for teachers will be held at Campbell Park Pavilion. As an open session, teachers can attend for a duration to suit their availability, between 4pm and 6pm on Friday 8th March. A guided tour of Campbell Park, and refreshments, will be provided and all attendees will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a special prize. Spaces are limited, so Primary School Teachers in MK should head online for more information or email outdoorlearning@theparkstrust.com to secure their space. Find out more here. The Parks Trust, the charity caring for over 6,000 acres..

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14th Feb 2024

Newton Blossomville School awarded Outstanding and labelled ‘remarkable’ by Ofsted

Newton Blossomville Church of England School has been awarded Outstanding by Ofsted. The First School, near Olney and Turvey, was awarded outstanding in all areas of the inspection, with the report highlighting that; ‘Pupils at the school receive a remarkable start to their education’. Newton Blossomville School was praised for its ‘highly developed curriculum’, ‘exceptional’ pupil personal development and described as being ‘at the heart of the community’. The school is part of The Village Schools Federation, a group of six rural schools. With high teacher/pupil ratios the schools work together sharing a curriculum, quality teaching expertise, all while securing the schools’ long-term financial future. Having last been inspected in 2009, Newton Blossomville has bucked the national trend and managed to maintain its Outstanding rating. Emma Wallace, Executive Headteacher of the VSF commented: “Newton Blossomville is an incredibly special school, giving pupils a fantastic start to their education. Our pupils are..

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11th Jan 2024

Swanbourne House School: A New Chapter for the Littlest Learners

Nestled in the 55 acres of Buckinghamshire countryside near Milton Keynes, Swanbourne House, an independent day and boarding prep school for children from 3 years old, looks back on a new chapter in its rich history with the recent launch of its Pre-Reception class in September 2023. Nick Holloway, Head at Swanbourne House, said “Looking back at our first term of our Pre-Reception class, we have seen our youngest Swanbournians achieve so much. They have started Music lessons, began PE lessons with our specialist Games staff and taken part in Forest School. Academically they have begun their reading journey and we’re seeing pupils increase their confidence across the curriculum. "When we launched our Pre-Reception, we wanted to give families more than just a traditional nursery setting for their little one. Recognising the importance of laying a strong foundation, we go beyond conventional nursery offerings. Our young learners have access to..

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10th Jan 2024

Local multi-academy trust to open doors for recruitment fair in Milton Keynes

Inspiring Futures through Learning (IFtL), a successful multi-academy trust (MAT) which supports 13 schools in Milton Keynes and three in Corby, is hosting a recruitment fair in Milton Keynes on Tuesday 16th January (6.00-8.00pm). The fair, for those looking to work in schools in primary teaching and secondary subject roles, as well as various non-teaching professional, administration and support jobs on a full-time and part-time basis, either now or in the future, will be held at Glebe Farm School (Burney Drive, Glebe Farm, Milton Keynes, MK17 8XY). IFtL and a number of its schools are currently in a period of growth and, as such, the trust is recruiting to add to its 1,000-strong team responsible for inspiring the futures of children from nursery to secondary age. For those interested in training to be teachers, Two Mile Ash Initial Teacher Training Partnership (TMA ITTP) will also be at the fair with..

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01st Dec 2023

Debut Author Brings Festive Pirate Magic to Hanslope Primary School

Leicester’s award-winning independent children’s publisher, Sweet Cherry Publishing, is delighted by the success of a recent school visit with debut author Red, the creative mind behind Ho Ho Ho! A Pirate’s Christmas for Me. All images courtesy of Steph Loake Photography This engaging event took place at Hanslope Primary School, Milton Keynes, and captivated students in years 1 to 4 with an author talk, a reading and even an interactive activity! The visit was particularly special for Red, who remembers running through those very halls when she herself was a Hanslope pupil. Now a published author, she was honoured to have brought the joy of reading (and the spirit of the season) to the school. When asked about the event, Red said: “It was wonderful to return to Hanslope – it really felt like going home. Lots of things were still the same, but it was also fabulous to see..

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22nd Oct 2023

The Webber is A-Buzz...

Local Independent School The Webber, has been a hive of activity this year as they settle in resident bees and launch an Eco Bee Club to help inspire active learning and improve the local economy. The Webber Independent School neighbours the green Linford Woods, a local woodland area of Milton Keynes just outside the heart of the City. The school ranges from 6 months to 16 years offering a real world curriculum and outstanding individualised learning experience that drives personal development and growth. Working alongside local business Home Farm MK, Headmistress Hilary Marsden and Mr Adrian Dumbleton introduced a bee hive on the school grounds alongside the Eco Garden where nursey to Year 11 students grow and tend to their own fruit and vegetables for the school kitchen and use the space for learning in Science, Art, Geography and Wellbeing lessons. “By incorporating beehives for natural pollination and wildflower areas..

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06th Sep 2023

Milton Keynes College rolls out new A Level courses

Milton Keynes College proudly unveils its new A Level programs for students aged 16-18, with classes beginning in September 2024. Interested candidates can submit their applications starting today, 6th September 2023. The College presents four tailored A Level pathways to address Milton Keynes' unique skill demands: Green Pathway: Focusing on Environmental Science and Law. Digital Pathway: Concentrated on Computer Science and Business. Creative Pathway: Encompassing Media Studies and English Language & Literature. Social Sciences Pathway: Featuring Psychology and Sociology. Moreover, students will have the option to enhance these pathways with an additional A Level from choices like Maths, Business, Psychology, or English Language and Literature. There are 100 places for A Level students for the 2024/25 academic session, with a 25-student intake per pathway. Classes will be delivered at the College’s Chaffron Way campus. Sally Alexander, the CEO and Group Principal of Milton Keynes College Group, expressed, “We're thrilled about..

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25th Aug 2023

Thornton Students Excel in GCSE Results

Thornton students shine bright with stellar GCSE results amidst the widely discussed grading changes this year. Students at Thornton have once again showcased their brilliance with impressive GCSE results, with more than a third obtaining grades between 9 and 7 (equivalent to the old A** to A grades). On top of these GCSE achievements, students have also done splendidly in their Higher Project Qualifications, with all students attaining between A* and C and over half securing A* to A. Breaking down the results: 76% achieved grades 9-5 55% secured grades 9-6 33% celebrated grades 9-7 19% accomplished grades 9-8 For the Higher Project Qualification: 60% achieved A*/A, and 100% attained A* to C. The Head Teacher of Thornton, Louise Shaw, expressed her pride: “These commendable results are a testament to the dedication of our students, the unwavering support from their families, and the commitment of our faculty. Celebrating these results..

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25th Aug 2023

Oakgrove Students Celebrate Historic GCSE Success

Students from Oakgrove School have set a new record, receiving the most impressive GCSE results in the school's illustrious history. Achieving this remarkable feat, especially after the reintroduction of the pre-Covid examination system, has further amplified the accomplishment. Throughout this challenging academic year, the resilience and tenacity of the students shone brightly, as they navigated the pressures of these significant exams. Their efforts have clearly borne fruit, resulting in an unprecedented success rate that the school community takes immense pride in. Mr. Ian Tett, Oakgrove's headteacher, expressed his admiration for this outstanding year group and commented on the monumental achievement. “These fantastic GCSE results are a testament to the unwavering commitment and perseverance of both our dedicated staff and diligent students," Tett stated. He further added, "Such accolades not only provide a strong foundation for our students' future academic endeavours but also pave the way for them to delve into..

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10th Sep 2021

‘Headteachers are there to lead… it is about moving the school forward...

Andy Burton, who returns to Ousedale School as head this month, looks forward to his new role. “It is about visibility,” he says “to be as much as possible part of the community of students, staff and parents.” Adaptability is the key quality required for headteachers in schools today. The pandemic has left an unprecedented legacy in terms of lost education, missed exams and mental health of students, staff and parents. But Andy Burton, who takes over as Head of Ousedale School in Newport Pagnell and Olney when the new academic year begins in September, is relishing the challenge of taking an already well performing school and making it even better. Andy knows the school well, having been Senior Deputy Head for nine years before he left in 2015 to run the Kingswood Secondary Academy in Corby. Now it’s back to the future for Mr Burton, who is clear on..

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03rd Sep 2021

Swanbourne House School celebrates national award shortlisting

ISP Awards Rosette Shortlisted Swanbourne House School, the Buckinghamshire based independent day and boarding prep school near Milton Keynes, is celebrating a prestigious shortlisting in the Independent School of the Year Awards for their response to the Covid-19 crisis. The school impressed judges with its innovative and impactful efforts in supporting pupils during their remote learning in lockdown. WITHIN the first week of lockdown, over 115 hours of online lessons were being taught on a live teaching online platform, where work could be uploaded for review and classroom discussions and debates could take place. Additional departmental challenges were sent out to pupils every week – these included STEM projects in making marble runs and self-propelled model cars, to researching Guinness World Records to building spaghetti bridges to French verb challenges. Wellbeing was supported with initiatives such as regular 1-to-1 online appointments with personal tutors and the weekly Head’s Challenges - the..

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20th Aug 2021

Ousedale school opens art gallery and wellbeing centre for students

Ousedale School have recently opened The Carbert Gallery and Wellbeing Centre which is an extremely valuable addition to the support they are able to offer their students. In May 2020, Sue Carbert, (former Headteacher) outlined her idea at a Governors meeting for an Art Gallery and Wellbeing Centre. Her idea led to discussions with architects and it was David Coles Architects who took her idea and turned it into what can be seen today.  Over the last few years, the number of students who attend Ousedale School with more complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has increased, it is in this area that Sue developed the final piece of the project; a sensory garden.  She said; “I thought the courtyard itself could become a calm, quiet place for reflection, but also support those students with particular SEND needs.” Dave..

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11th Aug 2021

Bright Future Ahead for Oakgrove’s A Level Students

Oakgrove’s students have achieved fantastic A Level and BTEC results, despite much change and uncertainty over the last two years. Their impressive grades have secured university places to study Medicine at King’s College, Accountancy at Nottingham, Business at York and Law with Politics at Manchester. Apprenticeships at companies, such as DHL have also been offered.  Congratulating Oakgrove’s students on their determination to succeed and overcome the many challenges they have experienced, Headteacher Ian Tett said:  “The drive, tenacity and commitment of our students has been outstanding. They adapted well to online learning and used the transferrable competences of independent studying, that are encouraged in Oakgrove’s sixth form, to complete a combination of coursework, mock exams and essays.  “Teaching staff provided continual support and demonstrated fairness in deciding grades on students’ knowledge, understanding and skills across each subject. The school also ensured that consistent assessments were made and that exam board..

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10th Aug 2021

Denbigh School Students Shine at A Level

Denbigh School students have shone in their A Levels overcoming all the obstacles the Pandemic has put in their way to record wonderful results.  Nearly 60% of all A Level grades achieved by Denbigh students were the top grades of A*, A or B which is a remarkable achievement considering they faced disruption and on-line learning throughout both years of study in the Sixth Form.  There were some fantastic individual successes with eight students achieving the highest grade of A* in all their subjects.  A further 20 students achieved A* or A in all their subjects. Denbigh students have secured places at many leading universities.  Students will be studying Law and Modern and Medieval Languages at Cambridge, History, Spanish and Italian at Oxford, Medicine at Birmingham, Architecture at Edinburgh, Politics at Warwick, Law at Leeds and Business Management at Cardiff, to name but a few. Denbigh’s Head of School, Dr..

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25th Jun 2021

MK College to showcase students work in online exhibition

The Arts and Entertainment industry is one of the worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the past year, creatives have had to find new ways to share their work and ideas in the absence of being able to do this in person. Milton Keynes College students have done just that by developing their own virtual ‘Summer Showcase’. The exhibition will feature talented project pieces and performances from the next generation of artists and innovators from Milton Keynes College’s Creative & Digital Arts, Performing Arts, Media & Games and Music study programmes. There will be a mix of online galleries to view on demand as well as live performances. Kate Bashford, Head of School: Arts and Media says: “I’m so incredibly proud of the work our students have put in this year and the creativity and imagination they have shown to create this showcase. As we finally start to see..

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