Find out more about Longridge Towers School at Open Morning
A headteacher who is seeking to change education for Borders and Northumberland children is inviting parents to meet him and see around the school.
Jon Wilcox started this month as the new headteacher at Longridge Towers School, the 3-18 years independent school that serves the Scottish Borders and Northumberland, having returned to the UK after a decade in Australia and New Zealand.
Longridge is holding an Open Morning this Saturday (September 26) from 9am to noon and he is keen for parents who do not yet have children at Longridge to join existing parents in hearing about and seeing his new plans for the school.
Mr Wilcox said: “This is a great opportunity for people who have thought about giving their children the chance to experience an independent school to come and see what it is about.
“And any who perhaps have had poor experience of independent education, I’d also encourage them to come along and let us show them that things have changed perhaps since they were at school.
“I have come back to the UK with a lot of ideas about where elements of our education in the UK needs updated, where we can learn from what is happening in other parts of the world to help our children experience much more and become more ‘life-ready’.
“So, for example, on Saturday we will be talking about the ‘Forest School’ we have for children from Early Years that enables them to grow through school with regular time spent outside and going to the beach, which enhances their learning.
“We will also share plans for our next trip for older pupils to Botswana, after the success of the Borneo trip last year, and the various term activities that take Longridge pupils out of their comfort zone and experiencing the world around us and further afield in a safe, learning environment.
“Of course, an Open Morning always has lots of surprises – with departments across the school sharing what they do, and why, so it will be a very vibrant morning for all ages.”
He added: “I know the challenges schools and teachers face across education in the modern day, but we have a bit more freedom at Longridge to ensure children can learn without distractions in small classes where every child is seen and heard.
“I know that is not possible for many of my colleagues because of external pressures, but it is at Longridge and so we are keen to give more children and families the chance to experience that, whether it’s in early years, to help them through transition to senior school or just later years to help prepare them for college, university and work.
“We are a non-selective school and everyone is welcome.”
For more information and to book your place, call 01289 307584 or email [email protected]