Stonyhurst won't need to 'go public'

Members of the organisation for heads of top independent schools, HMC, have decided that schools such as Stonyhurst need not go public in August although their results will still be published by the Government in November.

And the organisation has suggested that league tables may even be anti-educational.

Speaking at the college's annual prize giving, headmaster Adrian Aylward said opting out of the "media driven league table feast" would give the school a "better perspective."

He said it was interesting that outside England, within the United Kingdom and overseas, there was no obsession with league tables.

"Are their schools really any the worse for it?" said Mr Aylward. "The statistical errors, the revisions to examination marks and the like are well-known and prejudice the accuracy of any tables issued in August. In addition there is a deeper concern that says that a league table obsession is anti-educational, encouraging schools to manipulate and not treat each in individual as equally valuable."

Mr Aylward said that whether Stonyhurst moves up or down on the basis of two or three pupils' results could not be a mark of how academically well the school is doing.

He said Stonyhurst was known for the education of the whole person and was proud of its pupils' achievements.

"There has been much to be proud of this year reflecting that commitment," he said.

Mr Aylward reported the appointment of a new development director, Mark Leslie, whose aim is to raise money for school development and to boost the scholarship and bursary funds, and the retirement of staff members Richard Holland and Peter Anwyl.

Mr Aylward reported sporting success for both boys and girls and highlighted the former pupils' network, the Stonyhurst Association, as an area showing great promise for the future.

"The warmth and deeply felt affection for the college amongst old scholars of so many ages is evident," said Mr Aylward.