Author Archives: jameswilding

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About jameswilding

Academic Principal Claires Court Schools Long term member & advocate of the Independent Schools Association

What the Pope gave up for Lent…

Posted on 12/02/2013 by jameswilding

…playing with Fire. This stunning picture recorded a few hours after the Holy Father’s resignation from the Holy See gives a ‘Dan Brown Novel’s take on proceedings.  For those of you not familiar with Mr Brown’s Oeuvres, he writes mystery who-dunnits … Continue reading →

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Burns Night, traffic, neighbours and our localism policy – something about the beef!

Posted on 08/02/2013 by jameswilding

The other Saturday, Burns Night was an outstanding success; not only because of the wonderful food, wine and company, but as a fundraiser for our sports tours – providing the auction prize cash comes in – we will have raised over £4,000.  Well … Continue reading →

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G-Whiz – 6 years on the road and still travelling

Posted on 07/02/2013 by jameswilding

It’s a dog’s life they say.  And 1 canine year = 7 human ones, so when man’s best friend reaches 6 years old, they’d just be entering early middle age (perhaps), turning 40 or thereabouts. My little silver electric beastie … Continue reading →

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BETT 2013 showcase “Gone Google, what next?”

Posted on 06/02/2013 by jameswilding

Here is the presentation I was invited to give at BETT 2013 from the Google stand in the Excel centre. The stars of my presentation were Chris Rowan, Joe Reeve and Barnaby Morton-Woodruffe, who as teacher and pupils showed where engagement and … Continue reading →

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“vapid happy talk” – No, really…? Gove climb down!

Posted on 06/02/2013 by jameswilding

Apparently, according to a major study by the Sutton Trust reported last month, Independent School applicants for University write better personal statements than their state-sector counterparts. Says the BBC “The Sutton Trust says pupils from independent schools are more likely … Continue reading →

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Bring on the empty horses – a call to reading!

Posted on 19/01/2013 by jameswilding

One of the funniest stories from the world of film is told in David Niven’s autobiographical book, after which this post is entitled. Michael Curtiz, legendary American Hungarian Hollywood director, was having to cope with the antics of Niven and … Continue reading →

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The sacking of Urban Myths around Digital Technologies

Posted on 10/01/2013 by jameswilding

These days, I am brave enough to say that we know something about Digital Technologies and their impact upon Education. Our first computer lab was designed by my brother Hugh in 1983, and the machine of choice was the ZX … Continue reading →

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I’ll stand before the Lord of Song With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Posted on 09/01/2013 by jameswilding

These are the words from of one of those great songs from the early 80’s, Hallelujah, written by Leonard Cohen.  For those that can’t reach back that far, you’ll know the song as sung by Jeff Buckley, featured in that … Continue reading →

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The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short – Michelangelo

Posted on 10/12/2012 by jameswilding

… but in-setting our aim too low and achieving our mark. It’s report reading and writing time at CCS, first full series of the year, and I witness 120+ hardworking colleagues writing as if their lives depended upon it. I … Continue reading →

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If you never change your mind, why have one? Edward de Bono

Posted on 02/12/2012 by jameswilding

In our plans for 2013 and beyond, I make it quite clear that Claires Court will maintain a broad and diverse curriculum which, whilst acknowledging the primacy of English, Maths and the Sciences, will permit our pupils to gain skills … Continue reading →

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