The senior school admissions process: how does it really work? Are pressurised prep schools and tutoring the only ways to succeed?

Explaining who is eligible to apply for a scholarship or a bursary and how schools are widening the net further.

Dyslexia, dsypraxia, dyscalculia, attention deficit and executive dysfunction are just some of the neurobiological conditions being diagnosed in our children today. Without diagnosis and appropriate treatment they cannot improve. Our panel discusses what that means and what parents can do to help and support their children.

With the 'right' amount of homework a subject of intense debate, and academic excellence ever more important for future success what role does homework play and what approaches are independent schools and tutors taking to get the balance right?

The challenges facing modern parents are myriad; from separation anxiety to reconciling technology with a happy and carefree childhood. Our panel of working mothers discuss these issues and how they are choosing to handle them.

Every parent wants their child to succeed, but in this world of fevered exam pressure more children than ever are experiencing mental health issues. This talk helps parents to understand their children and how they can offer tailored support to help them get the best out of their school careers.

What is the real value of league tables? What impact does attending a highly ranked school have on your child's chances at future success? Eton, St Paul's and more recently Wellington College have decided not to submit exam results for national rankings, so are league tables on the way out?

• 

  Ralph Lucas

  Editor in Chief , Good Schools Guide

The relative merits of co-ed and single sex schools is one of the most debated subjects in education. Our experts will guide you through the key issues to help you decide what's best for your child.

7% of the UK population are in independent education, yet a significant proportion of British olympians, rugby premiership players and others are independently educated.

The world of work is moving on apace, so much so that it is difficult to know what sort of roles the pupils in school today may fill. How can an independent education equip them to successfully take on anything that the world of work has in store, from portfolio careers, to retraining for a number of specialist roles over their working lifetime.

Your child can start their boarding adventure at a range of ages. We’ll talk you through the different considerations pertinent at each potential entry point, and how you can help to make sure that your child is ready to enjoy the next stage of their school life to the full.

From toys to timetables - get insight into the transition from nursery to school.

Does a good parent choose a school for their child, but a bad parent choose a school for themselves?

• 

  Sir Anthony Seldon

  Vice-Chancellor, The University of Buckingham

Outlining all of the ingredients and factors that the world's leading universities will be looking for in your child. This talk will clearly detail how to maxmise your child's chances of getting into the university of their choice.

With rising school fees, scholarships and bursaries provide a lifeline for many parents. But with each school having it's own requirements the choices can be confusing. Our experts will unravel the options.

• 

  Susan Hamlyn

  Director Emerita, The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants

What's the point in paying for the same curriculum that state schools provide for free?

• 

  Patrick Derham

  Head Master, Westminster School
• 

  Ralph Lucas

  Editor in Chief , Good Schools Guide

Children from independent schools have been given every opportunity to fulfil their potential and succeed in life, but does this make them better job candidates and perform better throughout their careers?

Julian Thomas, Master of Wellington College opens the 2018 Show speaking in The Sunday Times Education Theatre about the 'future of education' 1980 to the present and beyond. What is a great education, the new paradigm, making learners employable, creative, team players, and empathy.

• 

  Julian Thomas

  Director, JPT Consulting

Eve Jardine-Young, Principal, Cheltenham Ladies' College and Dr Crispin Hyde-Dunn, Headmaster of Dragon School discuss the pro's and con's of tiger parenting, helicopter parenting and lawnmower parenting at the Independent Schoos Show.

Stephen Hammond, MP, Sarah Seagrave, Headmistress, Eaton House The Manor School and Annabel Heseltine, Editor of School House Magazine discuss why 20% less 'summer-born' babies go onto university - why is September the marker for starting school?

James Palumbo, Baron Palumbo of Southwark, and Dr Anthony Wallersteiner, Headmaster of Stowe School discuss education in the context of the challenges and the opportunities brought by globalisation, competition and AI.

• 

  Charles Bonas

  Founder, Bonas MacFarlane
• 

  Dr Anthony Wallersteiner

  Headmaster, Stowe

Simon O'Malley, Headmaster, Thomas's Battersea and Emily Turner, Co-founder of angels&urchins - Matching your 'plan' to your child's abilities and happiness and finding a positive way forward when things aren't quite right.

Dr Niall Hamilton, Admissions Tutor, Marlborough College and Arabella Stuart, Admissions Director, Sevenoaks School talk about a Boarding education, the 24/7 learning environment and the reasons for considering this type of education.

Ralph Lucas, Good Schools Guide and Alastair McCall, Editor of The Sunday Times Schools' Guide, Parent Power discuss how to choose a school and how to interpret the League Tables when choosing your childs' school

• 

  Ralph Lucas

  Editor in Chief , Good Schools Guide

Susan Hamlyn, Director of The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants tackles the issues of affordability and value in the fee-paying school sector and how to access the considerable financial assistance.

• 

  Susan Hamlyn

  Director Emerita, The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants

Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor, The University of Buckingham gives visitors his views on selecting schools, raising happy children and managing modern day pressures

• 

  Sir Anthony Seldon

  Vice-Chancellor, The University of Buckingham

An overview of the current state of the sector in the UK, covering the latest political challenges and developments.

• 

  Patrick Derham

  Head Master, Westminster School
• 

  Andrew Jack

  Global Education Editor , Financial Times

What's going on with Pre-tests and Common Entrance? Every parent needs to be up-to-date.

• 

  Will Petty

  Director, Bonas MacFarlane

Exams every year from the age of seven, hyper competitive entrance exams for boys and girls at 11+ and 13+, Common Entrance; many parents are asking is there another way?

• 

  Neil McLaughlan

  Head Master, Westminster Cathedral Choir School
• 

  Helen Lowe

  Head, Bute House Preparatory School for Girls

Whether a grandparent, new parent, high earner or international parent, our experts will aim to help you consider all of your options.

• 

  John Solosy

  Chartered Financial Planner, Solosy Wealth Management
• 

  Paul Jones

  Financial Adviser, Hawkins Thomas Wealth Management

This is one of the most debated subjects in education. Does single-sex education really benefit girls more than boys?

• 

  Cheryl Giovannoni

  Chief Executive, Girls Day School Trust (GDST)
• 

  Dr Dominic Luckett

  Headmaster, Sherborne School
• 

  Sarah Kerr-Dineen

  Headmaster, Oundle School

Elaine Halligan explores the concept of growth mindset and looks at ways of motivating our children to do their best.

• 

  Elaine Halligan

  London Director, The Parent Practice
• 

  Jemima Davidson

  School Project Manager, Place2Be
• 

  Shona Colaço

  Head, Knightsbridge School

Sixth form is a critical time in any young person’s education and many students move after GCSEs. Our experts will discuss the wide variety of options available.

• 

  Gareth Collier

  Principal, Cardiff Sixth Form College.
• 

  James Barton

  Director of Admissions, Mander Portman Woodward (MPW)

What independent schools are really looking for and what you should be too!

• 

  Julian Thomas

  Director, JPT Consulting

Where is the value today? Comparing state and independent schools, and if combining how to manage changing lanes.

• 

  Ralph Lucas

  Editor in Chief , Good Schools Guide

This was an online event for parents who are considering moving their family to Switzerland.

• 

  Richard McDonald

  Executive Director, Aiglon College
• 

  Charles Bonas

  Founder, Bonas MacFarlane
• 

  Aline Dénéréaz

  Partner, Transforma
• 

  Alex Koch de Gooreynd

  Partner, Knight Frank

Financial strategies to help families manage through the C-19 crisis.

• 

  Will Petty

  Director, Bonas MacFarlane
• 

  David Quintrell

  Director, Brewin Dolphin
• 

  James Alder

  Director, Brewin Dolphin

Schools have been closed but admissions have not stopped. This online event was designed to help parents to understand how the leading London nurseries and Pre-Prep/Prep schools are managing the admissions processes for 2020 and 2021.

• 

  Will Petty

  Director, Bonas MacFarlane
• 

  Sebastian Hepher

  Principal, Eaton Square Schools
• 

  Lucinda Byron Evans

  Head Teacher, Young England Kindergartens

Our distinguished panel explain how open days, school tours, interviews/assessments and registration are working under the current circumstances.

• 

  Will Petty

  Director, Bonas MacFarlane
• 

  James Dahl

  Master, Wellington College
• 

  Dr Andy Mayfield

  Director of Admissions, St Paul's School

How grandparents can best help with school fees.

• 

  David Forsdyke

  Equity Release, Knight Frank Finance
• 

  David Quintrell

  Director, Brewin Dolphin
• 

  James Alder

  Director, Brewin Dolphin

This online event was designed to help British and international parents prepare their children to return or start at boarding school this autumn.

• 

  Grace Moody-Stuart

  Director, The Good Schools Guide
• 

  Julia Harrington

  Headmistress, Queen Anne's School
• 

  Ben Evans

  Head, Windlesham House School

This was a unique opportunity to get your questions answered by an admissions director from one of the US universities most popular with international students.

• 

  Lisa Mortini

  International Admissions Director, New York University (NYU)
• 

  Charles Bonas

  Founder, Bonas MacFarlane

Our third webinar in this series is designed to help families at the start of the education journey make sound financial plans.

• 

  David Quintrell

  Director, Brewin Dolphin
• 

  James Alder

  Director, Brewin Dolphin

In an hour we visited six leading schools within easy reach of London, saw them in action, gained exclusive insights and gave parents the opportunity to ask questions. This was a highly efficient way to focus your search and find the school that is the right fit for your child.

• 

  Will Petty

  Director, Bonas MacFarlane

This online event, organised with the Good Schools Guide, is designed to help parents living in (or moving to) the capital deal with the extra pressures and complexities in finding a London school.

• 

  Grace Moody-Stuart

  Director, The Good Schools Guide
• 

  Magoo Giles

  Founder & Principal, Knightsbridge School
• 

  Mike Kirby

  Founder & Principal, Ashbourne College

A unique opportunity for parents to look around eight of the UK's leading boarding prep schools. This is a highly efficient way to focus your search and find the school that is the right fit for your child.

• 

  Will Petty

  Director, Bonas MacFarlane

With over one million international students applying to the US for university each year, competition for places at top universities is at an all time high. This online event is designed to help British and international students who are applying to US universities. 

• 

  Brendan Graham

  Senior Assistant Director, Northeastern University
• 

  Sayaka Smith

  Assistant Director of Admissions, Tufts University
• 

  Paul Burgess

  Director of International Admission and Global Initiatives, Tulane University
• 

  Jamie Boygo

  Specialist US College Consultant, Bonas MacFarlane

This session will give an overview of the best online tools and will then provide a detailed introduction to two of the most comprehensive sources of information - The Good Schools Guide and the Independent Schools Inspectorate.

• 

  Melanie Sanderson

  Managing Editor, Good Schools Guide
• 

  Vivien Kelly

  Communications Manager, Independent Schools Inspectorate

Featuring Cheltenham College, Marlborough, Millfield, Monkton Combe, Pangbourne, Queen Anne's, Sherborne School and Sherborne Girls, in an hour we visit these eight leading schools, see them in action, meet pupils, heads and admissions directors and gain exclusive insights.

• 

  Will Petty

  Director, Bonas MacFarlane

Featuring Bedales, Berkhamsted, Bradfield, Haileybury, Heathfield, Sevenoaks, St George's Ascot and Shiplake, in an hour we visit these leading schools, see them in action, meet pupils, heads and admissions directors and gain exclusive insights.

• 

  Will Petty

  Director, Bonas MacFarlane

Join us on Tuesday morning for a brilliant overview of the UK's leading group of girls' schools. This is a unique opportunity for parents to look around ten of the Girls' Day School Trust's leading independent girls schools.

• 

  Will Petty

  Director, Bonas MacFarlane
• 

  Dr Kevin Stannard

  Director of Innovation & Learning, GDST

In the independent system there are hundreds of schools to look at, so how do you find the right one for your child? For this Parents Forum we are delighted to welcome Barnaby Lenon, Chairman of the Independent Schools Council, who will be answering your questions.

• 

  Charles Bonas

  Founder, Bonas MacFarlane
• 

  Barnaby Lenon

  Chairman, Independent Schools Council

Bonas MacFarlane has organised two Parent Forums to help parents manage and support their child through lockdown. Part 1 explores how parents can help their child to engage with learning during lockdown. Tuition and home-learning experts will offer tips, strategies and advice to help your child overcome barriers and learn something new. 

• 

  Harry Cobb

  Director, Bonas MacFarlane
• 

  James Bonas

  Lead Assessor, Bonas MacFarlane
• 

  James Frome

  Tutor, Bonas MacFarlane

Home learning in lockdown is making many parents aware that their child is not reaching their full academic potential and might well have learning, behaviour and socialisation differences. This Parent Forum will help parents with these concerns and discuss how to understand your child’s learning style, providing strategies and tips to help. 

• 

  Will Petty

  Director, Bonas MacFarlane
• 

  Fintan O'Regan

  Behaviour and Learning Specialist, ADHD and Neurodiversity

This Parent Forum is designed to help parents living in (or moving to) the capital deal with the extra pressures and complexities in finding a London senior school.

• 

  Will Petty

  Director, Bonas MacFarlane
• 

  Sebastian Hepher

  Principal, Eaton Square Schools
• 

  Candida Cave

  Principal, Fine Arts College, Hampstead
• 

  Brendan Pavey

  Executive Head Teacher, North Bridge House Senior Schools
• 

  Siobhan McGrath

  Executive Principal, Southbank International School

Selecting the right school for a child with learning difficulties can seem an overwhelming task. From the biggest school to the smallest, to the ultra-selective to totally inclusive, all schools have a policy devoted to learning needs. So, if your child has an identified need, how do you work out which is right for them?

• 

  Tim Martin

  Head of Learning Support and PSHEE, Kingham Hill School
• 

  Charlotte Phillips

  SEN consultant and schools reviewer, Good Schools Guide
• 

  Tanya Moran

  Headteacher, Abingdon House School and College
• 

  Koen Claeys

  Headmaster, The Moat School

If you are considering a relocation to the Cotswolds, this Parent Forum is a highly efficient way to focus your search and find the school that is the right fit for your child.

• 

  Charlie Taylor

  Partner & Office Head, Bath, Knight Frank
• 

  Kate Reynolds

  Head, Royal High School
• 

  Emma Taylor

  Warden of the Dean Close Foundation, Dean Close School
• 

  Matt Way

  Headmaster, Stonar School
• 

  Nick Seward

  Headmaster, Kingham Hill School