the basics of stargazing. Unfortunately the weather could not have been worse as thick fog descended! Luckily there was plenty to do in the classroom and the children soon got to grips with making their own simple telescopes with lenses. It was not as easy as it looked and it was surprising that everything was upside down. Everyone is now keeping their fingers crossed for clear skies next Wednesday so we can visit the observatory at The Grange.

we had so much fun playing and sledging. Later we devoured delicious croissants dipped in hot chocolate. Due to the weather conditions our trip to Hatton was unfortunately cancelled, however, we were not dispirited and we had the most fantastic party, with dancing and party treats.

been looking at how the country is governed through the Monarch, Prime Minister, House of Lords and House of Commons.

The children visited the Houses of Parliament and met Robin Walker MP for Worcester, who spoke to them about the debate on healthcare that was going on in the House at the time and the work he does in his job.  He also answered questions about about being a Member of Parliament.

Mrs Angela Webster, Year Six teacher said, “The tour of the Houses of Parliament highlights the elements of government and helps the children to understand how people become either an MP or a Peer. Seeing the Speaker’s procession with the mace which represents the Monarch in the Commons and the gold throne in the House of Lords really brought our learning to life.”

Finally the children took part in a workshop run by the Education Unit at The Houses of Parliament where the pupils took part in a quiz, elected a Prime Minister and Speaker and conducted their own debate on the death sentence. They also had the opportunity to experience, through role-play, the process of a bill becoming law.

Mrs Webster concludes, “The children loved this workshop and several said they would be really keen to join the debating club as they hadn’t realised how interesting politics and debate could be.  Harry said that the trip was thrilling and has made him far more interested in debating and current affairs and Sian would like to be Prime Minister!”

To find out more about RGS Springfield, go to www.rgsw.org.uk or telephone 01905 24999.  Or come to an Open Day – 28 + 30 January.

This saw iPads become an integral part of teaching and learning in both Prep Schools. Digital technology has become embedded into lessons across the curriculum with children switching seamlessly between books, paper and pen and iPads – all in the space of a single lesson.

iPads make learning come to life in ways that have never been possible before; not only can information be presented in a multitude of different formats – text, images, videos, voice – but the children can become much more involved in their own learning, creating content in ways that they find exciting and memorable.

Amelia Lane, a Year Six pupil said, “Lessons are more exciting with iPads and we can do our own independent research, it’s fun to find out things for ourselves.”
Jensen Lee, also from Year Six said, “I can send my homework straight to my teachers as soon as it’s done through Showbie, and that way I feel more organised.”

Gareth Hughes, Headmaster of RGS The Grange said, “Pupils from Year One to Year Six have created online books on a wide variety of topics; from polar bears in Year One, to floods and droughts in Year Three, then onto Victorian Britain in Year Six. Not only can the children research the subject areas for themselves, but they can put together text, pictures and videos, and then record themselves explaining the subject over the top.”

Children are able to quickly take photographs or videos and even make sketches using an art app. They are then able to annotate the pictures, produce presentations, eBooks and iMovies from their learning.

Apps have become a useful learning tool; Popplet, is used for mind mapping exercises, allowing children to organise their thoughts clearly and succinctly and Socrative has allowed teachers to give instant feedback and to gain an immediate overview of how well individual children and the class as a whole have understood a particular topic.

Laura Brown, Headmistress of RGS Springfield said, “The world that our children inhabit is inherently linked with technology. The RGS Prep Schools are giving children the grounding and passion for technology that will serve them well, providing them with the skills, knowledge and appetite for learning that they will need in a swiftly changing world.”

If you would like to know more about the Digital Learning Programme at all three Schools, please go to: http://www.rgsw.org.uk/rgs-worcester/academic/digital-learning-programme-at-rgs/

For more information about RGS Worcester go to www.rgsw.org.uk or phone 01905 451205.

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Her previous post as Deputy Head (Academic) of Dean Close Prep School means Mrs Brown is wonderfully well equipped with the tools and experience required for her new role at Springfield, which is one of the RGS Worcester prep schools.

Rooted in her childhood ambition of becoming a teacher, a degree in Philosophy and a subsequent PGCE means Mrs Brown’s path was always going to lead her firmly into the world of education. “I count myself very lucky to be a member of such a rewarding profession. The moment I walked into Springfield I knew it was a place I really wanted to be part of. I feel proud to have the opportunity to work in a school which really makes a difference to the individual and where the quality of the relationship between the staff and children is so outstanding.”

Mrs Brown intends to build upon Springfield’s traditions of excellence and to continue to provide an outstanding education for its pupils, whilst retaining the school’s strong family values.

“I believe developing confidence is the most important thing in education, indeed it is academic gold dust. Confidence gives children courage to try their best and not be afraid of making mistakes. Springfield is a small school with a big heart that does just that.”

With confidence at the heart of her teaching and teaching at the heart of Springfield the new academic year couldn’t have had a better start.

children from 2 years of age from September 2012, rather than 2.1/2 years as was previously the case. 

The two schools are: RGS Springfield, which is based in Britannia Square in the heart of Worcester and RGS The Grange, which occupies a splendid position in Claines. 

Independent verification from the key external organisations, ECERS (Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale), ISI (the Independent Schools Inspectorate) and Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) at their most recent inspections show both schools’ nurseries in the very best of lights. 

Springfield received the highest possible Grade 1 mark in all 17 of the areas assessed, whilst The Grange’s ISI report described the nursery as ‘outstanding’, once again the highest grading available.

“Dedicated staff in both our nurseries have created the perfect early years environment, said Head of RGS Andy Rattue. “We had been asked many times to take slightly younger children, so it is very exciting that we are now in a position to welcome parents with two year olds.”

Contact at RGS Worcester: Fran Schneider

01905   613391   frs@rgsw.org.uk           www.rgsw.org.uk

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The inspection report was carried out into the early years provision of care and education at RGS Springfield, located in Britannia Square Worcester. The report is comprehensive in its scope, looking at the quality and standards of the all-important early years and is littered with glowing praise for the school.

In summing up the overall effectiveness of the early years provision, the report unequivocally states: “Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.” It goes on: “The managers, together with the school head teacher, are incredibly successful in inspiring the staff team towards sustaining ambitious targets for maintaining continuous improvement.”

Head teacher Mrs Marion Lloyd was understandably ecstatic with the report. “We welcomed the Ofsted inspectors with open arms, because this is the acid test for every school and the whole team was keen to see how their work measured up,” said Mrs Lloyd. “The final report rubber stamps everything we stand for at Springfield and is marvelous news for the staff, our parents and pupils.”

The report picked out some other notable areas of excellence: “They (the early years children) show high levels of independence, curiosity, imagination and concentration, nurtured by the caring staff.” It also commented: “Opportunities to develop skills in the use of information and communication technology are excellent.”

A full copy of the report is available to view on the school’s website, or at the official Ofsted site. www.rgsw.org.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

Photo: left to right (staff) Marion Lloyd, Diane Bennett, Sam Salisbury, Adam Powell, together with early years pupils.