Eton or Harrow: Crafting the Crown Jewels of Education for Your Noble Scion

In the illustrious tapestry of British education, where tradition meets academic excellence, a select few institutions stand as the crown jewels of elite boarding schools. For discerning parents seeking not just an education but an aristocratic upbringing for their heirs, the hallowed halls of Eton College and Harrow School beckon. In this exclusive exploration, The Tutoress unveils the secrets, traditions, and transformative experiences that await those who dare to dream of the pinnacle of British education.

Eton College: The Epitome of Elegance and Intellect

At Eton College, the aura of prestige and history permeates the manicured grounds. Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, Eton has long been a bastion of tradition and academic rigor. But what sets Eton apart is not just its storied past, but its commitment to shaping tomorrow's leaders.

The House System: Nurturing a Noble Brotherhood

Eton's unique house system is the heartbeat of its community, with each house fostering camaraderie, healthy competition, and a sense of belonging. From the historic College to the more modern Schoolhouse, each enclave becomes a home away from home, where lifelong friendships are forged, identities are strengthened and future world leaders are shaped.

Academic Excellence in a Regal Setting

The pursuit of academic excellence is non-negotiable at Eton, where distinguished faculty members guide students through a curriculum that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. Small class sizes ensure personalised attention, allowing young minds to flourish in an environment that values intellectual curiosity and critical thinking.

Harrow School: Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow's Leaders

Nestled on a hill overlooking the rolling green expanses of Harrow-on-the-Hill, Harrow School stands as a testament to the enduring allure of British education. With its iconic Old Schools building and the unmistakable speech room, Harrow exudes an air of timeless sophistication.

The Speech Room: Echoes of Greatness

In the heart of Harrow lies the Speech Room, a historic space that has witnessed the oratory prowess of luminaries such as Sir Winston Churchill. Here, students not only refine their public speaking skills but absorb the echoes of greatness that resonate within its walls, instilling a sense of purpose and leadership.

Beyond the Classroom: The Holistic Harrow Experience

Harrow's commitment to holistic education extends beyond academics, with an array of extracurricular activities designed to nurture well-rounded individuals. Under the guidance of experienced mentors, students can explore and excel in their passions, from the arts to sports.

Choosing the Right Fit: Decoding the Boarding School Experience

When deciding which school to send your child to, the decision between Eton and Harrow is one that requires careful consideration. While both institutions share a commitment to excellence, their cultures, traditions, and offerings offer unique perspectives.

Eton: The Quintessential British Elegance

Eton's emphasis on tradition, coupled with a forward-looking approach to education, creates an atmosphere of quintessential British elegance. Among the works of literary giants can be found in Eton College Library's extensive collection, which provides a peaceful environment for intellectual exploration.

Harrow: A Tapestry of Tradition and Innovation

Harrow, on the other hand, weaves a tapestry of tradition and innovation. As part of its Global Leadership Program, students are challenged to engage in global issues and develop their sense of responsibility and leadership. The Harrow International Schools in Asia extend this legacy, creating a bridge between the hallowed grounds of Harrow and the evolving landscape of international education.

Conclusion: Crafting a Noble Legacy

Whether the choice of school is Eton's timeless elegance or Harrow's dynamic fusion of tradition and innovation, the journey through the halls of these elite boarding schools promises an unparalleled blend of academic rigour, personal growth, and a connection to a heritage that spans centuries.

In the pursuit of the crown jewels of education, Eton and Harrow stand not merely as institutions but as guardians of a tradition that has shaped the destinies of kings and leaders. For those who seek not just success but a regal upbringing for their heirs, the path to greatness begins here, amid the rich history and academic excellence that define the essence of British education at its finest.

Embracing Inclusive Traditions: 5 Super Fun Halloween Alternatives for Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Families and Schools

As the leaves begin to change colours and the air turns crisper, the anticipation of Halloween festivities fills the atmosphere. While Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for many, it's essential to acknowledge that not everyone celebrates this holiday due to their religious or cultural beliefs. Christian, Jewish, and Muslim families, caregivers and schools , often seek alternative traditions that align with their values. Whilst alternative traditions to halloween celebrations aren’t that common, there are many that can be adapted and what we love most about them is that they enable families (and schools) to create wonderful memories for children of all ages and from all religious backgrounds. In this article, we'll explore five fun Halloween alternatives that promote inclusivity, cultural diversity and the building of incredible memories.

1. Fall Harvest Festivals: Celebrate the Bounty of the Season

One fantastic Halloween alternative that’s perfect for everyone is the Fall Harvest Festival. This event can be organised within families, communities or schools and is a wonderful way to celebrate the changing of seasons without the dark or spooky elements often associated with Halloween.

Key Activities:

• Pumpkin decorating and carving.

• Apple picking and making homemade apple cider.

• Costume contests with themes that celebrate harvest and nature. (We’ll delve more into this later)

• A community potluck featuring autumnal dishes.

2. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): Honouring Ancestral Traditions

For a culturally rich and vibrant Halloween alternative, consider celebrating Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican holiday that honours deceased loved ones in a colourful and festive manner. This tradition is a beautiful way to pay tribute to family and friends who have passed away. Whilst some Dia de los Muertos traditions are darker or spookier in nature, you could tweak things by encouraging children to dress up in autumnal clothing or brighter costumes.

Activity Ideas:

• Building ofrendas (altars) adorned with photos and mementos of loved ones.

• Drawing pictures of loved ones that have passed away.

• Face painting with intricate designs. such as lilies, roses, orchids or tulips.

• Enjoying traditional Mexican foods and music.

3. Light the Night: A Glow-in-the-Dark Celebration

For those looking to add a unique and luminous twist to their celebrations, a "Light the Night" event can be a fantastic Halloween alternative. The focus here is on creating a radiant and magical atmosphere using glow-in-the-dark elements.

Key Activities:

• Glow-in-the-dark scavenger hunts.

• Lantern or glow stick parades.

• Stargazing with telescopes and astronomy lessons.

• A bonfire with marshmallow roasting.

4. International Costume Parade: Celebrate Diversity

In the spirit of fostering cultural understanding and appreciation, you could host an International Costume Parade where children and adults can dress up in attire from various countries. This Halloween alternative is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity within your local community or school.

Key Activities:

• Costume fashion show with participants representing different cultures.

• Learning about the history and significance of various traditional clothing.

• Sampling international cuisine and snacks.

• Folk dances and music performances from around the world.

5. Acts of Kindness Day: Spreading Love and Compassion

Another meaningful Halloween alternative is dedicating a day to perform acts of kindness. This tradition is a reminder of the importance of giving back to the community and helping those in need.

Key Activities:

• Collecting and donating non-perishable goods to local food banks.

• Making care packages for the elderly or deployed military members.

• Participating in a community cleanup event.

Alternative Halloween Ideas For Christian Schools and Families:

Host a Noah’s Ark Day.

We love this idea because it enables children to dress up as their favourite animal. You could even take it a step futher and pair children up so that in true Noah’s Ark fashion, there are two of each animal/costume. It’s a great way to make fun memories and creates opportunities for picture-taking, collaboration between peers and inclusive activities such as animal-themed arts and crafts.

Host a ‘Bible Hero Night or Day’

Simply encourage children/pupils to dress up as their favourite biblical character during the school day or as part of an evening festivity. This enables children to learn more about biblical characters and feel more engaged with biblical stories. You can even take it a step further and encourage children to complete puzzles, arts and crafts activities or read books that are centred around their favourite biblical heroes. There’s so much you can do with this idea and once again, it gives children the opportunity to dress up and wear costumes during the autumnal season without partaking in Halloween festivities.

Celebrate A ‘Community Day’ or A ‘Fall Festival’

Have a ‘Community Day’ where children/students are encouraged to dress up as a community or key worker. Examples include police officers, teachers, doctors, postmen, binmen and so forth. Children love to dress up and this concept can be tied in with topics around careers, career planning and the importance of helping others. Once again, there are tons of ways to make this idea fun yet educational.

Alternatively, you could hold a Fall Festival where children dress up as characters or elements that relate to the fall season. This can include fruits, vegetables, parts of nature like pumpkins, trees, plants etc. It can even include some of the fun treats we enjoy during the autumn season such as hot chocolate or cups of tea!

In conclusion, it's essential to remember that there are many alternatives to Halloween that can be equally enjoyable and meaningful for Christian, Jewish, and Muslim families and schools. These alternative traditions allow you to celebrate the beauty of the season, honour cultural values, and promote inclusivity and kindness. By embracing these alternatives, you can create memorable and joy-filled experiences that are respectful of diverse beliefs and backgrounds.

Alternative Schooling: Six Unique Benefits of Homeschooling In A Digital Age

• Is homeschooling really worthwhile?

• Is it suitable for your child?

• Does homeschooling enable children to flourish or is it detrimental to their learning?

These are just some of the questions that might be racing through your mind when deciding whether or not to homeschool your child. With the constant changes that have occurred over the past 18 months (thanks to Covid-19 and its plethora of variants), many parents are considering alternatives to traditional schooling and these include hybrid schools, virtual schools and of course, traditional homeschooling. 

In terms of the benefits of homeschooling your child, convenience is one of the main factors that appeals to contemporary parents. The idea of not having to wake your children up at 7 every morning and bundle them off to school with umpteen numbers of instructions, and wait with an anxious heart till they return, makes it an appealing option. After all, who doesn’t like a simpler and more straightforward way of life? 

Another significant benefit of homeschooling is that it gives you more control over the influences that affect your child. In essence, the growth and development of your child is removed from the realm of the unknown. Thus, you, and you alone can decide what your child needs to do or learn which enables you to tailor their curriculum to suit the needs and interests of the child. For many parents, this is one of the most crucial benefits of homeschooling.

Another salient advantage of homeschooling is the increased level of individual attention and personalised learning. For instance, if Lisa needs more time to learn mathematics, then more time can be dedicated to this subject in comparison to others such as English. 

Evidently, there are no fixed hours of learning or fixed hours per subject so time allocation is more fluid. This means that a child has the advantage of assigning a greater number of hours to the subject that seems more challenging or complex without feeling any additional pressure. The amount of time needed to learn each subject will of course depend on the abilities and interests of the child. 

Homeschooling can also be advantageous because it enables the learning of the child to become an extended family activity.  Naturally, parents or caregivers are more involved in every step of the learning process. Activities such as trips, excursions and experiments, become family activities that everyone within the household can partake in. This can include aunts, uncles, grandparents and other extended family members and relatives. Subsequently, the child receives greater quality time with his or her parents as well as other caregivers. The entire family has the opportunity to partake in educational games, chores and projects.

One example of this that springs to mind is from a former tutee of mine who was completing a project on animals. Her whole family were able to get involved in the project which resulted in her busy parents taking time to research and learn new scientific concepts and information that they would otherwise not have thought about. One of the benefits of homeschooling is therefore family closeness and bonding. Seeing first-hand how her project brought the family together was particularly heartwarming for me as a tutor and inspired me to consider the benefits of homeschooling at a deeper level. 

Another benefit of virtual school or homeschooling is that competition is limited. In other words, your child does not need to prove his ability or consider it in comparison to other children. His or her confidence therefore remains intact. Since parents have a  deep understanding of their child, they can plan the learning programme to pique their child's interest. It is also possible to 

intersperse difficult tasks with fun activities. For example, a tough hour with algebra can be followed by a trip to the local history museum. Parents can therefore adapt learning in order to accommodate their child’s needs, learning style and temperament. Some children learn through reading, while others need to write, and still others need to see objects in action. 

For religious parents, homeschooling allows parents to take control over the moral and  religious education of the child. Such parents have the flexibility to incorporate their own beliefs and ideologies into the child's academic curriculum. In such instances, there is no confusion in the child's mind because there is no variation between what is being taught and what is being followed at home. 

Finally, a greater number of parents are becoming disillusioned with the state school system. Some believe that their children are being pushed too hard whilst others feel their child is not being encouraged or challenged at all. Other worrying issues pertaining to discipline and ethics also make the state school system less appealing. A growing number of parents repudiate the educational philosophy of grouping children solely on the basis of their age. Some themselves have unhappy memories of their own school experience that motivates them to opt for homeschooling as an alternative form of education.  

For parents that choose the homeschooling route, they often perceive it to be the best way to teach their child and give them the support that they need in order to meet or surpass their academic goals.

Are There Any Grammar Schools in London? Recommended Schools and Tips For Parents

Mixed Gender Schools

• The Latymer School (Enfield)

• Bexley Grammar (Bexley)

• Chislehurst and Sidcup School (Bexley)

Girls’ Schools

• Henrietta Barnett (Barnet)

• QE Girls (Barnet)

• St Michael’s (Barnet)

• Townley Grammar (Bexley)

• Newstead Wood School (Bromley)

• Nonsuch High School For Girls (Surrey)

• Wallington High School For Girls (Surrey)

• Tiffin Girls’ (Kingston)

• Woodford County (Redbridge)

Boys’ Schools

• St Olave’s & St Saviour’s Grammar (Bromley)

• Beths Grammar School (Bexley)

• Tiffin School (Kingston Upon Thames)

• Ilford County (Redbridge)

• Sutton Grammar School (Sutton)

• Wellington County Grammar (Sutton)

• Wilson’s School (Sutton)

A quick list of popular grammar schools in neighbouring counties

Schools in Buckinghamshire

• Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, The Royal Grammar School, The Royal Latin School, Wycombe High School

Schools in Berkshire

• Herschel Grammar School, Langley Grammar, St Bernards’s Catholic Grammar School, Upton Court

How To Start Preparing For The 11+ Exam

“My child’s 11+ exam is next year, how do I start preparing for it?”

This is a great question and one I hear often.

In fact, I wrote a guidebook on this very topic almost a decade ago. It’s rather dated now, especially as the CEM was only introduced in 2013, but I’m hoping to produce an updated version of the book in the nearby future.

In the meantime, here are some tips to help guide you through starting your child’s 11+ prep. These tips are also somewhat applicable to the 7+, 8+, 9+ and 10+ exams.

Be Honest

I know we all think our children are perfect but the unfortunate truth is that not every child is suited to the 11+. Some children don’t have the drive or determination to study for what can feel like hours on end. Some would rather watch TV all day or take part in tons of activities after school than to spend their evenings or holiday periods studying for an exam. Before you even begin to consider the 11+, think about whether your child is naturally bright and be honest with yourself. Does your child have natural academic potential or are they lagging behind academically? Does your child want to sit the exam? Do they want to go to a grammar or independent school? Think about these things and be honest with yourself. Don’t hesitate to ask your child questions and discuss whether they’d like to go through the 11+ process.

Start early

I know that not all parents are fortunate enough to have discovered the 11+ early, but as a general rule of thumb, early preparation makes a tremendous difference. If you can, start laying the foundation for your child’s educational success as early as possible and avoid leaving exam prep to the last minute. Even before you begin working through 11+ books, strengthen your child’s academic foundation by teaching them new vocabulary words and help them to build their English and Maths skills. For instance, it’s a great idea to pick up books that cover topics such as SPAG, arithmetic, mental maths and comprehension.

Begin with research

Research which schools you’re applying for and if possible, consider visiting them as early as possible. Sometimes parents start 11+ preparation and then find out months later that the school they’re applying for doesn’t even test a certain subject so it’s best to know where you’re applying to first. Then you can plan accordingly. It’s also worth reaching out to your target schools and confirming which format their exams are in and which subjects your child will sit exams in. For example, some schools require students to only sit exams in Maths and English, whilst others assess Reasoning as well. Generally, the main exam types are the CEM, GL Assessment, ISEB, CSSE or the standard exam (for independent school entry).

Start small

The Bond books are a great starting point. Start with the lower age bracket (e.g. 7-8) and then work upwards. Go through questions that your child is struggling with most and check the ones they got wrong so they don’t repeat mistakes.

Get focused

Focus on improving your child’s overall vocabulary, English and Maths skills. These skills aren’t just important for the 11+ but for life. The stronger their English and Maths, the more likely they are to do well.

Find a routine

Get into a routine. This is important so that it becomes a habit for your child to study every day and it helps them to manage homework alongside 11+ work.

Don’t solely D.i.y

Although you don’t have to hire a tutor for long periods of time, it’s definitely a good idea to book a few sessions or at the very least, an assessment. Ideally, if you’re thinking about hiring a tutor on a long-term basis, it’s best to see which tutor your child clicks with and then to join their waiting list early so that your child can have a few lessons with them closer to the time of the exam. Some parents don’t use a tutor at all and that’s fine, but it’s good to have a second opinion from someone who has a strong track record of getting children into the particular school(s) you’re applying for. If you don’t want regular lessons, just book a few sessions or assessments with them and they should be able to give you a report of their observations.

Stay calm

Stay calm and don’t panic because children pick up on these things. Try to encourage your child to have a positive mindset about exams and education in general.

Recommended 11+ Revision Books & Resources

When it comes to preparing for the 11+ exams, it can be very daunting figuring out which materials and resources are best. Here are some of our favourites.

For Early Preparation (Ideal For Years 3 & 4)

The Bond 11+ Bundle (Ages 6-7) - The bundles include all four subjects (English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning)

The Bond 11+ Bundle (Ages 7-8)

The Bond Bundle (Ages 8-9)

The Bond Bundle (Ages 9-10)

For Generation Preparation and Revision (Years 5 and above)

The Bond Bundle (Ages 10-11)

Practice Papers For CEM

Practice Papers For GL Assessment

Quick Practice Tests For GL Assessment

Bond No Nonsense English

Rapid Tests NVR

For ISEB & Independent School Exam Preparation

Bond Verbal Reasoning (age 11-12)

Galore Park (English) (ISEB)

Galore Park (Maths) ISEB

Recommended Vocabulary Books

The Cadwaladr Quests by SL Ager (Tangled Time)

The Cadwaladr Quests by SL Ager (Race For Gold)

Vocabulary Flashcards

Here’s to your child’s success!

The Tutoress Team.