News...Summer Term 2008

New Prospectus: our new prospectus is now published and available for download.  Printed copies are available from the office.  We will shortly be publishing a range of information sheets to complement the prospectus.  To download a copy click here.  (21st April 2008)


Ofsted Care Inspection: the report from our November inspection is finally due for publication on the Ofsted website.  The inspectors gave an overall quality rating of outstanding - "the school operates its boarding provision to a very high standard with some outstanding outcomes for its students".  Click on the Ofsted page on the menu (left) to find a link to the Ofsted website.   (21st April 2008)

Easter newsletter: the latest newsletter is available in the newsletter section.  This edition focuses on the varied experiences of the pupils across the school and includes articles about the Seniors' fundraising for Julia's House, after school activities and festivals.  (27th March 2008)

Shrove Tuesday - Carnival: On Tuesday 5th February, we held our annual Pancake Races (see right) and Carnival.  Etta Carnelli, whose son is a student at the school, has written the following about the Carnival - "The Magical World of Fantasy"...

Straight away, driving through the school gate, I could tell something was going on at the Sheiling! As parents we are used to the interesting quirks of our children, but people wearing yellow wigs, others with large hats festooned in gaudy flowers, somebody with a large black net over their head, a line of ancient Egyptians and a green-clad man in a wig that definitely looked like a floor mop!  This gave a whole new meaning to “quirky”.
Yes, it was Carnival time and everyone was ready to be part of it during the mega show that took place in Tobias Hall under the brilliant guidance of Grant and the man with the mop on his head (who – if you really looked closely – could be… David Morley).  The atmosphere was truly festive.  The hall was decorated with fantastic drawings of castles, princesses and fairies - all created by the co-workers.
At the beginning of the event a group of Brazilian co-workers enthusiastically showed the real samba compared to what could be our “Yorkshire samba”.  The band, who took to the stage after the houses presented their sketches, was full of good folk music and they managed to keep everyone on the dance floor for a long time.  Eventually a picnic took place on blankets and rugs.  It was a real party.
However, the most amazing part of this Carnival celebration was the presentations by the houses. Each house had prepared a piece.  Every sketch was painstakingly prepared, with every pupil taking an active part in playing, singing or dancing.  It is amazing how house parents managed to get such preparation, such precision, and such synchronism with very little rehearsal.
Feirefis presented some magic, Sebastian were a buzzy group of bees, Linden beat the drums to a native North American theme and Martin house played Peter Pan.  Watchmoor were Egyptian gods, Westmount went to the zoo and Sheiling House played out some routines of everyday life.
It was a wonderful event and I was happy to be part of it.  (14th February 2008)