Innovation Award for an Outstanding New Initiative FRANCIS HOLLAND, SLOANE SQUARE
From day one at the school, pupils of every year group are immersed in programmes and workshops – and even podcasts – to build entrepreneurship skills for their future
C “reavity, innovation and enterprise have come to be cornerstones of our ethos,” says Headteacher Lucy Elphinstone, “making this win for our Creative Enterprise Programme particularly gratifying.
ank you to our Director of Creative Enterprise for developing the unique programme, to the judging panel for recognising its strength and, of course, to our girls for their boundless enthusiasm in pursuing their social enterprise and entrepreneurial passions.”
FHS has a strong Christian foundation and a philanthropic ethos. Developing successful businesses was one approach; inspiring young women to set up social enterprises was another.
ere’s an inherent risk that such programmes become swept up in the co-curriculum but this approach has enabled pupils from all year groups to access the unique initiative.
When pupils apply to FHS, they’re asked enterprising questions and face a creative challenge as part of their
11+ interview; if pupils were to run a successful business, what might they do with their pro ts? In year seven, they are presented with a creative challenge. Last year, they challenged Professor Kneebone’s claims that children were leaving school without the levels of dexterity required to sew bodies in surgery. Cue working with a professional artist and an acrylic butter y project. e aim: to ensure that all year sevens believed in their collective creativity as a year group.
By year eight, pupils lean on their creative con dence to partake in Peter Jones’ Tycoon in Schools project, only to act as business mentors in year nine with this valuable experience under their belt. From bamboo pens manufactured by pupils to healthy slushies sold at targeted Enterprise Fairs, year eights know how to sell and year nines understand the importance of business acumen.
e journey continues in year 10 when all pupils participate in FHS’s Upper School Enrichment programme. Working with its Link Entrepreneur, Zena El Farra, winner of investment on Dragon’s Den for her creative refuge, Masterpeace, pupils experience four hours of Design inking. Last year saw pupils design face masks which incorporated wearable technology, the year before focused on headphones and technology which might enhance the experience for listeners.
e school’s agship programme is the sixth form’s Innovation Sprints – workshops with Link Entrepreneurs where pupils learn to start businesses alongside their studies. All very impressive, but what about the nal piece of the jigsaw? And what’s on o er for year 11 and upper sixth?
A podcast called Francis Holland Questions has been launched, where the FHS community is given an insight into the lives of a range of professionals.
e aim is to harness the uncon ned creativity, innovation and enterprise shown by so many pupils – brought to life by a programme which aims to develop skills over time. Visiting speakers are one thing; living and breathing entrepreneurship through regular Enterprise Fairs is another: there’s a team of sixth formers developing an Etsy channel to give the school’s alumni, current pupils and parents the chance to trade through FHS’s community.
s-sw1.org.uk
“CREATIVITY, INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE have come to be cornerstones of our ethos, MAKING THIS WIN FOR OUR CREATIVE ENTERPRISE PROGRAMME PARTICULARLY GRATIFYING”
The North London Collegiate School Jeju was truly honoured to be named Best British International School in this awards campaign, and overjoyed that now even more people know about its very special community.
NLCS Jeju is situated on the beautiful UNESCO heritage island of Jeju in South Korea. It has a rich history, but it’s also home to a special education zone known as the Global Education City. The founding school in the GEC is NLCS Jeju – established in 2011 and now known to ambitious parents who want a global outlook to give their children the best preparation for a lifetime of thriving wherever they go. The co-ed school caters for ages four to 18, with both boarding and day options.
NLCS Jeju is the sister school to
NLCS founded in 1850 in north London in the UK by Frances Mary Buss, a true educational pioneer.
The school’s ethos is based around Three Pillars: academic excellence, pastoral care and a rich variety of opportunities beyond the curriculum. NLCS Jeju believes that these are inextricably linked and aims to fulfill the dreams and passions of all its students, whatever their age and stage. Pupils are cared for and supported by their teachers, tutors, school leaders, emotional guidance counsellors and boarding teams. Boarders enjoy an enhanced home-from-home experience.
IGCSE and IB success is important, of course, especially in a country renowned for its respect for academia. Students are taught a UK curriculum and lessons are taught in English, meaning all graduates speak and write at a near native level, allowing them access to the finest institutions in the UK, US and beyond. For the past two years, students have graduated with an average IBDP score of 39.
More than just academics, they understand the value of authentic service. From creating Christmas for a local orphanage, clearing debris from the dolphins’ habitat and donating electronics to local villagers – each project is done with selfless pleasure. Students love sports from badminton and tennis to the numerous squads: football, rugby, netball, volleyball, swimming. Arts are also hugely important: visual art, music, drama and dance are all part of the curriculum and the extracurricular schedule – taking advantage of the school’s 700-seat theatre and other performance spaces.
Graduating classes go on to study at elite universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Columbia and Stanford, with the dedicated University Guidance Counsellors ensuring that each student chooses the right path for them.
It has been an unusual two years and Korea has led the way with its pandemic response, adopting sophisticated online teaching methods early on, including numerous platforms and opportunities. As one teacher puts it “The world suddenly got a lot bigger rather than smaller!” We connected with every student on a daily basis, creating a sense of community with tutor-time sessions and inclusive class activities. nlcsjeju.co.kr
THE SCHOOL’S ETHOS IS BASED AROUND Three Pillars: academic excellence, pastoral care and A RICH VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THE CURRICULUM