Francis Holland, Regent's Park case studies (32)

Impact of partnership work done in 2023 (ISC annual Census 2024)

• 7 state schools involved
• 21-50 state school pupils involved
• 300 staff hours given

Impact Statement

St Marylebone School reached out to us to ask for our help with Latin teaching. They had no spare capacity to offer the language to girls in Year 8 and we were delighted to be able to step in and run after-school lessons every week at their school. The project began in September 2017 with the aim to provide an introduction to Latin course for girls at our partner school. This partnership requires teaching time, marking and preparation time. Text books, photocopying and exercise books are also provided for the students. Francis Holland is paying one teacher for her additional hours for these lessons. We have been delighted with the uptake and success of this project. Last summer, 10 pupils at St Marylebone School took Latin GCSE and 5 of those girls achieved grades 8 and 9. This is a remarkable achievement for a class who took the subject as a voluntary 11th GCSE after school. FHS teachers are now offering Latin lessons all the way up to A Level, as well as offering supplementary GCSE Physics lessons to St Marylebone students. Students from St Marylebone and other schools all over London and the South East are also invited to FHS Regent’s Park’s annual Classics Symposium, at which eminent Oxbridge academics speak about ancient life, art and culture.

Francis Holland has an enviable address book of contacts who are willing to come in and speak to the pupils. Often they are motivated by the opportunity to speak to girls in particular and they sometimes have a message of empowerment, resilience or motivation for their audience. These talks are as appropriate to the girls from St Marylebone as they are to the girls of Francis Holland; we are good neighbours to each other and we share good opportunities. The project began early in 2016 and has been a great success.

In September 2022, we launched our inaugural Hale Lecture Series a student-led, interactive interview programme featuring high-profile speakers. The series runs throughout the academic year, with one lecture every half term. So far, we’ve welcomed Baroness Lady Hale; political activist and author, Gina Martin; Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, co-founder of Stemettes; and Dr Hannah Dawson, a feminist author, Cambridge academic and FHS alumna, and Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of the NHS. In collaboration with our partner schools - St Marylebone School, King Solomon Academy, and All Saints Catholic School - pupils lead the conversations and Q&A with our guest speakers, breaking away from the traditional format of an extended lecture. It’s a far more personal, warm, and conversational approach to ensure everyone is actively engaged rather than sitting passively in the audience. Also in the 2022-23 academic year, our Year 9 pupils have collaborated with St Marylebone School and the Royal Institute of British Architecture (RIBA) on an exciting architecture project. Over the course of a few months, pupils were tasked with redesigning St Marylebone School, developing problem-solving skills and creative solutions whilst forging new friendships across both schools.

One teacher from Francis Holland School is a trustee of “Sapere”. They offer sessions at Holy Trinity and St Silas Primary School one afternoon each week. The aim is to encourage philosophical enquiry in young minds and this project is based on work which goes on here at Francis Holland School and through the teachings of "Sapere" which is a national charity specialising in philosophy for children. This project has been running for four years and is the brainchild of one teacher who, semi-retired, wanted to offer time and support to other schools. One class of pupils in Year 4 are involved each week (30 pupils).

An experienced Classics teacher from Francis Holland School is a volunteer for "Classics for All". She volunteers at Kelmscott School, where she teaches A level Latin to some of their teachers who are now offering Latin at GCSE. She has also delivered some revision sessions for one teacher studying GCSE Greek. This collaboration is designed to bring a knowledge of Classical languages and the ancient world to pupils who might not otherwise have the opportunity to study the classics. This partnership has arisen from the interest and commitment of a dedicated teacher who has a passion for the classics. The project began in summer 2017 and continues as a fortnightly commitment.

One of our Chemistry teachers has been a judge at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Communicators Challenge for undergraduate students at Imperial College and University College London and works as an A level Chemistry Practical Adviser, visiting other schools to offer advice and guidance on how to approach the A level Practical Endorsement. This aids with development of science education in other schools and encourages a love of the subject.

Every year we host potential Oxbridge candidates from state schools such as the London Academy of Excellence and Camden School for girls, providing both Oxbridge interview guidance and Mock interview practice. We have many teachers who are experienced in preparing students for the rigours of interview at an Oxford or Cambridge college and we share this expertise gladly with state school partners. Our Chemistry and Physics Departments have also run seminar sessions with Camden School for Girls and City and Islington College.

Every week, pupils from a local state primary school take swimming lessons in our pool. The aim is provide opportunities to these pupils which they would otherwise not have, and to promote a lifelong love of the sport alongside a healthy lifestyle. We provide the pool and also swimming teaching to the school since St George's does not have a qualified coach. This is a commitment of teaching time, preparation time as well as physical resources. A number of students also provide coaching to 20 St George’s pupils through the CSLA scheme.

Several Sixth Form students are involved in reading buddy schemes at St. Vincent's Catholic Primary School and Swiss Cottage Specialist School. This aids with the development of these pupils’ literacy skills and enables our own students to develop soft skills.