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Would you send your child to summer boarding school?

Though many parents may balk at the idea of packing their children back off to school during the holidays, boarding allows youngsters to experience being away from home, making new friends from across the country and, indeed, the world. 

Most summer schools, such as Rossall in Lancashire and Haileybury in Hertfordshire, offer English language courses to international students alongside their other programmes, giving British pupils the opportunity to meet contemporaries from China to Italy - both through sharing accommodation and mixed activities such as football, fencing and astronomy.

“They’re not super cheap, but the residential courses are fantastic,” says Leah Hurst, a lawyer for Save the Children

Hurst had tried various day camps for her sons in the past, but found it tricky to find quality options. “Both of my sons were keen to go to summer camps, they’re close in age and close to one another and were happy to go together,” she explains.

 “I think people underestimate how many children like going to sleep-away camps. We didn’t pick it because it was residential, but it gives children independence - even those who seem reluctant at the beginning.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/family/would-send-child-summer-boarding-school/

For assistance with Summer Courses in the UK please visit http://bestsummerschools.co.uk/ or +44 (0) 1622 81370 to speak to an adviser.

Schools told by Ofqual to expect 'more variability' in exam results this year

The exams regulator has written to schools as pupils sit new GCSEs and A levels for the first time

The exams regulator Ofqual has warned schools to prepare for “more variability” in results following the introduction of new GCSEs and A levels this year. 

Sally Collier, chief regulator of Ofqual, has written to schools today to tell them to expect variability in their results this summer following the significant changes to the qualifications. 

This summer, pupils are sitting new GCSEs in English and maths – as well as a number of new AS levels and A levels. 

In her letter, Ms Collier said: "We know that it is normal for schools and colleges to see some variability in their own year-to-year results – either up or down.

"It can be due to many different factors, including differences in the ability mix of the students, different teaching approaches, changes in teaching staff or teaching time.

"We also know that when qualifications change, there is normally more variability in schools and college results, and this is what we expect for new qualifications this year."

Ms Collier told schools that Ofqual will publish more information on this on both results days. 

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-news/schools-told-ofqual-expect-more-variability-exam-results-year