SUMMER FAIR TALKS 2024

Our immersive talks programme is designed to answer all the key 11+ and 13+ questions for London parents.

Click on each talk's title to find out about speakers, then click 'more information' for full details.

Hurlingham Theatre Talks

11+ / 13+ answers from a wide range of leading schools and experts

May 21

10:15 AM

11:00 AM

Flourishing in a Rigorous Academic Environment: Profiles of Success at London Schools

Parent Briefings

Who thrives in an highly academic London school like St Pauls', or South Hampstead High School? And how do I know if my child is a potential scholar? What differentiators do highly selective London schools identify in successful applicants? How much does tutoring or attending a ‘feeder’ prep school improve admission chances?

Anna Paul

Head, South Hampstead High School, GDST
Dr Andy Mayfield

Director of Admissions, St Paul's School

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11:00 AM

11:45 AM

The Pre-Tests Explained

Parent Briefings

Unlock the Pre-Test Puzzle: Understanding Their Purpose, Question Varieties, and Effective Preparation Strategies for Your Child. This comprehensive session equips parents with insights into the pre-test process, shedding light on its objectives, the diverse question types encountered, and empowering tips to aid your child's preparation journey.

Harry Cobb

Director, Bonas MacFarlane
Jason Zhou

Director, Think Academy UK

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12:00 PM

12:45 PM

Deciphering the Price of Private Education in the UK: Making the Financials Feasible

Parent Briefings

Explore the intersection of financial planning and educational aspiration with insights from three leading school fees experts. This talk delves into strategies for harmonising your financial objectives with the costs of private education in the UK, providing practical advice on making this investment in your child's future sustainable.

Henry Vaughan

Head of Strategy , Selina Finance
Camilla Smiley

Consultant, The Good Schools Guide

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01:00 PM

01:45 PM

Looking Beyond London: Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Child

Boarding Schools

Assessing boarding school suitability, exploring options outside London for your child. Heads of three leading boarding schools discuss how boarding works and who it suits - in conversation with the Good Schools Guide.

Grace Moody-Stuart

Director, The Good Schools Guide

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02:00 PM

02:45 PM

Thriving in High-Academic London Schools: Unveiling Success Traits

Parent Briefings

Understanding the profile of students at schools like Latymer Upper & Francis Holland. Insights into the characteristics indicative of thriving in rigorous academic environments, to help parents recognise suitable pathways and guide their children towards academic excellence.

Melanie Sanderson

Managing Editor, Good Schools Guide
Alexandra Haydon

Head, Francis Holland School, Sloane Square
Susan Wijeratna

Head, Latymer Upper School

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02:45 PM

03:30 PM

Decoding the UK Senior School Pre-Test Process: Insights and Strategies

Parent Briefings

A complete guide to the pre-tests: their purpose, the kinds of questions asked, the preparation your child can do. Comprehensive Insights into Pre-Tests: Understanding Their Purpose, Question Types, and Effective Preparation Strategies for Your Child.

Jason Zhou

Director, Think Academy UK
Will Petty

Director, Bonas MacFarlane

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London Educators at the Summer Fair

Speaking: the leaders of London's independent schools and London's leading educational advisors

Grace Moody-Stuart
Director The Good Schools Guide

Talks

Looking Beyond London: Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Child Think Academy Theatre May 21 | 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM

Grace has been with The Good Schools Guide for more than 17 years, having previously been a barrister and classics teacher. She is now the Director of The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants. She has extensive experience of advising parents about schools and education. Grace has visited countless schools during her time with the Guide and knows the London education scene inside out. She has a deep understanding of the pressures and anxieties that parents experience when making decisions about the education of their children and how these can be heightened as a result of the competitive London market. Education has always been a passion of Grace’s, having grown up in a boarding prep school in Sussex run by her parents as joint heads.

Will Petty
Director Bonas MacFarlane

Melanie Sanderson
Managing Editor Good Schools Guide

Talks

Thriving in High-Academic London Schools: Unveiling Success Traits Think Academy Theatre May 21 | 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM

Melanie has been with The Good Schools Guide for 9 years, having previously worked as a PR agency director. During this time, she has prolifically reviewed prep, grammar, state and independent day and boarding schools across London and the home counties. In 2014, Melanie joined the Guide’s team of education consultants, working with families tackling international and UK relocations, education planning and troubleshooting, among other areas. In 2019, she became managing editor of The Good Schools Guide, tasked with overseeing all the print and digital content, including school reviews and advice articles. Mum to two school-age sons, she has experienced first-hand the highs and lows of school selection, prep school admissions, the 11+, common entrance, boarding life and a whole lot more, and is keen to pass on her wealth of knowledge to other parents.

Harry Cobb
Director Bonas MacFarlane

Camilla Smiley
Consultant The Good Schools Guide

Talks

Deciphering the Price of Private Education in the UK: Making the Financials Feasible Think Academy Theatre May 21 | 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

Camilla is The Good Schools Guide's specialist in the scholarship and bursary provision offered by UK independent schools. Having studied history at Oxford, Camilla joined the Teach First scheme and spent three years teaching in an inner London school, before moving into the independent sector at a successful co-ed in west London for six years. Alongside teaching Camilla was providing advice to students (and their parents) preparing for entrance to day and boarding schools in London and the south east. In 2015 Camilla left teaching to do this full-time. She says 'I have always loved getting to know schools and working out what makes them tick. I listen carefully to families’ needs and work closely with them to find the kind of school environment that will allow their child to thrive. Now that I have two children of my own, I appreciate all the more how hard it is to find the right way through the jungle of options out there - so I feel very lucky to be a part of this process for others'.

Jason Zhou
Director Think Academy UK

Henry Vaughan
Head of Strategy Selina Finance

Dr Andy Mayfield
Director of Admissions St Paul's School

Susan Wijeratna
Head Latymer Upper School

Talks

Thriving in High-Academic London Schools: Unveiling Success Traits Think Academy Theatre May 21 | 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM

Susan Wijeratna joined Latymer Upper School from Eton College where she was the Lower Master (Senior Deputy Head) for six years. Prior to that she was Deputy Head (Pastoral) at St Paul’s Girls’ School. Her stellar CV reflects her career progression at high profile and internationally renowned schools – co-ed, single sex, day and boarding. As well as the above she has also held positions at Epsom College, Eastbourne College, St Benedict’s and Haberdashers’ Boys’ School. As Chair of Governors at her local state school, St Stephen’s CE Primary School in Shepherds Bush, she has been involved in supporting the education of a diverse group of children in the local area. Her interests span sports (she is a QPR Season ticket holder) and the arts (she is also a Governor and Chair of the Academic Committee at the Royal Ballet School). Before starting her career in education, she read Geography at the University of Birmingham.

Anna Paul
Head South Hampstead High School, GDST

Talks

Flourishing in a Rigorous Academic Environment: Profiles of Success at London Schools Think Academy Theatre May 21 | 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM

In September 2023, Anna Paul was appointed as the 13th Head of South Hampstead High School GDST – a leading London day school, established in 1876, that welcomes girls aged 4 to 18. South Hampstead was recently crowned Independent Girls’ School of the Year, praised for its unwavering commitment to feminism and forward-thinking approach. Anna brings with her an impressive record of achieving academic excellence along with substantial pastoral experience. An English Teacher by background, she has a degree in English Literature from Durham University and a Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Study from the University of Cambridge. Prior to her headship at South Hampstead, she was Senior Deputy Head (Pastoral) at Godolphin & Latymer for nine years and previously worked at The John Lyon School and North London Collegiate School. Anna believes in the central role of women in leadership and in preparing girls to find their voice and use their influence as a force for good. She enjoys running on Hampstead Heath, reading, and days out in London with her young daughters.

Alexandra Haydon
Head Francis Holland School, Sloane Square

Talks

Thriving in High-Academic London Schools: Unveiling Success Traits Think Academy Theatre May 21 | 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM

Mrs Alexandra Haydon (MSc Oxon, BSc Durham) is Head of Francis Holland School, Sloane Square. Before joining FHS in January 2024, Alexandra was Deputy Head, Academic at Millfield, Europe’s largest boarding school. Prior to Millfield, Alexandra spent five years at St Mary’s Calne where she was Head of Science and latterly Senior Teacher. She won the i25 award for innovation and influence in the independent sector and was shortlisted in 2016 for the National Joan Sjovoll Award for STEM leadership.

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May 2024

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Independent Schools Show, Summer Fair

09:00 AM - 03:30 PM

The complete guide to 11+ and 13+ independent school options for London parents. Free Tickets. The Hurlingham Club. Tuesday 21st May 2024.

Nov 2024

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The Independent Schools Show 2024

The flagship, the original, where it all began 17 years ago. Friday 8 November and Saturday 9 November 2024 at the London Evolution in Battersea Park, London.

Nov 2024

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Boarding Schools Show, Geneva

09:30 AM - 02:30 PM

Taking place at The Intercontinental Hotel, Geneva the show provides families with unparalleled access to leading boarding schools. This November we return to this spectacular venue with 20 leading Boarding Schools.

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Next London show

Forthcoming BSS shows

SUMMER FAIR TALKS 2024

Hurlingham Theatre Talks

Flourishing in a Rigorous Academic Environment: Profiles of Success at London Schools

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The Pre-Tests Explained

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Deciphering the Price of Private Education in the UK: Making the Financials Feasible

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Looking Beyond London: Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Child

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Thriving in High-Academic London Schools: Unveiling Success Traits

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Decoding the UK Senior School Pre-Test Process: Insights and Strategies

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London Educators at the Summer Fair

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