News

At the start of 2020 the biggest challenge for the housing market was Brexit: was it going to result in a downturn even though we had certainty about which direction we were heading? But none of us knew that Covid-19 was just around the corner which was going to affect every single one of us. During lockdown for those of us working, we knew the demand for houses was growing and that there was likely to be pent-up demand when...

As schools across the UK face severe logistical challenges in reopening for pupils, the state and independent schools sectors are working together in Stamford to ensure that local Year 6 children can return safely to the classroom. Malcolm Sargent Primary School has around 400 pupils currently eligible to return to school, all of whom need to be accommodated in small groups of no more than 15, and the school’s own campus is not large enough to house all of the...

By Michael Randall, Deputy Head, Downside School The appearance of Covid-19 and the subsequent global pandemic can be characterised as a ‘Black Swan’ event. The Black Swan theory was developed by Nassim Nicholas Taleb and describes an event that is completely unexpected, has a significant impact, and is often inappropriately rationalised after the fact and with the benefit of hindsight. As humans, we have an innate desire to find a simple solution to a problem. This propensity tends to lead...

Molly, 17, decided to complete a ‘Two Point Six Challenge’, not only to raise funds for The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award, but to also try and make the most of the lockdown restrictions, which, at the time, included only an hour of outdoor exercise each day. The Two Point Six Challenge is a fundraising initiative spearheaded last month by the organisers of the London Marathon to raise funds for UK charities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the...

Using locally milled flour, San Marzano tomatoes, Fior di Latte mozzarella, and basil grown in their garden, they have become experts in making their favourite food and giving it away to those who very much deserve a treat. “We have hired a mobile wood-fired pizza oven and are transporting it around the area to make fresh pizzas to order.  The oven gets so hot, cooking each pizza takes only a minute so we can cook three at once.  We are...

Within these uncertain times, we hear daily of the many members of our Dragon community who are working on the front line and behind the scenes to help overcome this pandemic, continuing to support the country, spread kindness in their communities, and keep the nation informed during these challenging times. The tradition of social and environmental impact is central to life at the Dragon and has never been more evident than in the remarkable efforts shown by members of our...

Photograph shows: The Design Technology (DT) department at Dauntsey’s has been a hive of activity in its continued efforts to make face shields for frontline NHS staff. Efficient systems have been implemented for making the visors quickly and Head of DT, Alun Pickford, working with his two sons, has been able to make more than 100 masks in just two hours. Some 36 masks have gone to Devizes GP surgery which has a COVID-19 hub and a further 20 to...

Eastbourne College sixth former and cricket sensation, Tawanda Muyeye, joins an exclusive list as the Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year for 2019. The announcement made today means Muyeye becomes the thirteenth winner of the title since it began. Wisden has long carried details of schools cricket. As far back as 1865, the second edition included an account of the previous year’s Eton v Harrow match. These days the coverage runs to around 200 schools over 40 pages. In 2008,...

Pupils from Dauntsey’s have been cooking up some delicious treats thanks to several different cookery courses that have been running at the School in conjunction with Vaughan’s Cookery School. Led by Peter Vaughan, an award-winning chef and a member of the highly respected Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, a course for Years 10 and 11 has included the foundation skills a chef will cover at the beginning of their training.  Professional Kitchen Essentials offers Sixth Formers an internationally recognised qualification...

Every dystopian novel is not predicated on the main character’s ability to lecture on the comma splice or their mathematical know-how.  The main characters of the genre live by engaging in a dynamic relationship with their own nature; the attitude and beliefs with which they encounter and adapt to difficult circumstances.  From the characters in Ray Bradbury’s ‘Martian Chronicles’ adapting to the new reality of life on Mars, to the harsh challenges to self-belief and optimism faced by Meg and...