Successful first event
On one of the hottest late-September weekends since records began the first Independent Education Expo took place in Alexandra Palace. For two days schools, as far and wide from Hampshire, Staffordshire and Scotland met the the hundreds of parents who visited the show.
Families were able to browse the stands and speak to key staff from the schools while children enjoyed the interactive entertainment area, which was laid on brilliantly by Science Wizards.
The seminars arranged proved popular across the weekend, started with an interesting topic covered by Leighton Park Head Alex McGrath, who spoke on an 'adventurous curriculum for a modern world.’ This was followed by Dr. Stephen Winkley, Head of Rossall School and former Chairman of the Boarding Schools’ Association, who presented a talk on how to make children grow academically. Other seminar highlights came from Sue Freestone, Head of King’s School Ely, Julian Johnson-Munday, Head at Culford, CATS College London Principal Mark Love, d’Overbroeck’s College Director of Studies Andrew Gillespie, Rugby Head Patrick Derham, St. Francis’ College Head Dorothy MacGinty and Beechwood Park Head, Patrick Anderson. Additionally, Chairman of the HMC and Head of University College School, Kenneth Durham, talked about the dos and don’ts of finding an independent school.
Feedback from the schools was positive, despite the hot weather. “It was very, very good,” Melanie Burke, Marketing Manager from St. Edmund’s College in Ware said. “It was the first exhibition we have done for a while. We had some very solid people coming through who showed great interest in the college so it definitely seemed worth our while.” Alistair Ramsey, Headmaster of West Hill Park School added: “It’s been good for us. We’ve got 17 or 18 good leads of people who seem genuinely interested in full boarding… those who have been here have been really interested in boarding education.”
As schools undertake the process of following up their leads and enrolling pupils for next September, Gabbitas and Prospects would like to thank all those who exhibited and the delegates who made the inaugural Independent Education Expo so worthwhile.
