Bursars Review | Autumn 2017 | Sample

Cranleigh has celebrated its rugby centenary recently with the school’s first fixture having been played against Epsom in October 1916. Since the School opened in 1865, football had been the only sport played over both winter terms but in the summer of 1915 a decision was made to play rugby in the following Lent term. Boys were given rudimentary training in the basics of rugby and authorities insisted “it is merely being given a trial” but, by the summer, football was abandoned. The school’s annual magazine offered tips to aspiring players, such as: “Training is essential,” and “visits to the tuck shop before a match are not advised.” News Autumn 2017 www.theisba.org.uk 6 CRANLEIGH CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF RUGBY Cranleigh School’s 1917-1918 team Rugby Sevens v Harrow at Twickenham in 2016 Manchester Grammar School pupils will be travelling in style, comfort and safety for the next academic year thanks to their bursar, Gillian Batchelor, who won the use of a 17-seater Red Kite, Peugeot Boxer minibus. Gillian entered the Red Kite’s ‘Lucky Six’ dice-rolling competition at the ISBA conference last May. Participants had to try to throw six sixes and by throwing a nail-biting 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 3 she won! Red Kite managing director, John Maskell, said: “Our congratulations go to Ms Batchelor and Manchester Grammar School. We wish them well on their travels.” Red Kite’s Paul Tuckett hands over the keys to bursar,Gillian Batchelor Manchester Grammar wins a minibus for a year Poor eyesight may explain underperformance The Macular Society is raising awareness of undiagnosed sight loss as a reason for underperformance in the classroom and has produced resources to make lessons accessible for visually impaired (VI) students. There are thousands of VI children across the UK. While many need prescription glasses, others have genetic conditions that glasses cannot correct. Initially, children may not know there is something wrong and adapt as best they can. Problems can occur at any age so, even if a child has been screened, it may be appropriate to recommend a sight test. If the optometrist suspects a problem they will refer the child to a hospital eye clinic. Five signs to look out for. ■ reluctance to join in; ■ headaches; ■ unusual head posture; ■ intolerance to bright light; and ■ reading difficulties. Delays in identifying a visual impairment and providing the right support can lead to disengagement and behavioural issues − so a sight test can be the first step towards successful, independent learning. Children who are diagnosed VI are referred to support services, which help teachers make lessons accessible. However, there can be delays receiving support. Macular Society trustee, Toby Evans, was 11 when he first noticed changes to his vision, and was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy a few years later. Talking about what would have helped at school, he said: “Teachers need to know how to help, like encouraging you to sit at the front of the class and reading things out. It’s important they understand different needs without making a fuss. No one wants to feel like they are different”. Download resources at www.macularsociety.org/teaching The Macular Society Helpline (0300 3030 111) can put families in contact with each other to offer peer support, and provide counselling for parents struggling with their child’s diagnosis.