< Previous70 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYEDUCATIONWhen choosing a school foryour children it’s easy to relyon score charts or educationalreviews, which focus all theirattention on the grades achieved by studentsin the last few years. But considering thatyour children could be spending five or moreyears in one place, it’s worth taking a look atsome of the other things a school can offer. With the Olympic Games having takencentre stage in London, and the country’sfocus firmly fixed on the sports market, whynot consider what sports facilities a schoolpromises to their students? In Lincolnshirehealth and obesity are serious issues, with24% of all children being clinically obese bythe time they begin secondary school, andeven those who aren’t that bad generallyspend far less than the recommended hour aday of exercise. The problem is that ratings provided bymany judging bodies rarely take these factorsinto account, so schools are made to focus onachieving high grades in core studies whileneglecting other activities. This has led toover twenty schools in 2012 alone, sellingtheir sports fields to fund more academicpursuits. Strenuous activity is known to notonly increase fitness and quality of life, butalso to reduce stress and other negativemental factors, which can weigh heavily upona teenager in today’s world. So it’s definitely ashame to see physical education reduced tolittle more than a single hour a week. Going theextra mileThere’s more tochoosing a goodschool than justgrades achievedin the past, sowhy not considerwhat extrabenefits yourchildren couldreceive?70-72:Layout 1 10/8/12 11:12 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY71EDUCATIONQueen Elizabeth’sGrammar School,HorncastleQueen Elizabeth’s Grammar School is a high performingschool with specialist school status in science, maths andmodern languages, and was graded “outstanding” in its mostrecent OfSTED inspection. Offering 120 places in Year 7 eachyear, it attracts pupils from as far afield as Lincoln, the Woldsand Boston. There are 860 pupils on roll and a Sixth Form of260.The time is fast approaching for children to be tested forentry to Lincolnshire Grammar Schools. 11+ testing for entryin September 2013 takes place in early September for pupilsin Year 6 of primary school. Parents wishing their children to be tested for entry toQueen Elizabeth’s in September 2013 should contact theschool as soon as possible. The school is holding an Open Evening on Wednesday26th September at 6.30pm, for parents and their children tomeet students and staff and to learn more about thisoutstanding Lincolnshire school.QUEEN ELIZABETHʼS GRAMMAR SCHOOL, HORNCASTLETelephone: 01507 522465; Fax: 01507 527711 www.qegs.lincs.sch.ukEmail: enquiries@qegs.lincs.sch.ukSPECIALIST SCHOOL STATUS IN SCIENCE, MATHS & MODERN LANGUAGESGraded “outstanding” by OfstedOpen Evening Wednesday 26 September 20126.30 – 8.30 pmALL WELCOME• Meet students and staff• View Departmental Displays• Tour the schoolʼs facilities• Light refreshmentsSixth Form Information EveningFor existing students and those new to the school:Tuesday 6 November, 7-9 pmSixth Form Application Afternoons14 November, 21 November 201223 January, 27 February, 6 March, 13 March 2013Closing date for applications: 27 March 2013Please contact the Sixth Form Administrator for more information and to book a place.For further information please telephone the school on 01507 522465After school activitiesand clubs are also worthinvestigating, and moreimportantly, whetherthese are given real focusby the school. There areplenty of clubs run byvolunteers, and evenolder students, but it’sworth finding out howmany school teams orschool run events exist. Do the various sports teams that theschool runs compete at a good level? Are they seen assomething the school is proud of, or something in thebackground? Thinking back on your own time and sportsexperience from your time at school can help to provide agood indicator of what to look for. It’s more than just sport that can make an attractiveschool however. Performing arts such as music and drama,or arts and crafts clubs can help to extend a child’screativity, while also engaging their minds. Schools neednot be seen as a prison that a child needs to attend at thedemands of their parents and the legal system. If an activityhosted by the school is fun and interesting, then childrenwill attend it, even if it’s after normal school hours. This canhelp to keep kids active rather than relegating them to thecomputer or TV. Research suggests that social participation in clubs andactivities such as these not only helps people to grow sociallyand emotionally, but also reduces the risks of violent or anti-social behaviour, which is traditionally the response ofpeople who are unable to solve a problem in another way.These levels of interaction and negotiation are skills thatcannot truly be learned in a classroom setting, because ateacher needs to lecture to a large number of students atonce. This prevents meaningful discussions from truly takingplace, and leaves children with little experience in resolvingarguments or helping others to understand their point ofview. Clubs differ in that there is rarely any set goals orexpectations for how fast students must progress, this allowspeople to set their own expectations and work towards themas a group. Schools which do their best to support thesedifferent ideals can help to create more well-rounded youths,rather than fountains of knowledge lacking common senseor life skills. Research suggestssocial participation inclubs and activitiessuch as these notonly helps people togrow socially andemotionally, but alsoreduces the risks ofviolent or anti-socialbehaviour70-72:Layout 1 10/8/12 11:12 Page 272 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYEDUCATIONThe Priory Academy in Lincoln boasts anenviable record as one of the top performingschools in the UK, and continues to excelwith its newly opened boarding house,providing accommodation for sixty sixthformers. Each student has a single roomcomplete with purpose-built study work-area, full internet access, and en-suitebathroom. There’s also a fully equippedkitchen/dining area, a laundry and aCommon Room on each floor – providingstudents with all the tools needed to fulfiltheir personal and academic ambition asthey look forward to a choice of 44 A levelcourses.Students benefit from a high-techplanetarium, as well as well-equippedscience laboratories, the very latest incomputer technology and bespoke debatingrooms.LSST students can also become PrioryLeisure members, giving them after-schooland weekend access to a superbly equippedfitness gym in a new, state-of-the-art sportscentre, which includes a 60m indoor sprinttrack, a general sports area, a climbing wall,a movement studio and a spinning room.Outside, there is a 400m floodlit syntheticrunning track. Not far from the sports centreis a swimming pool, while students alsohave access to the Federation’s impressiveequestrian centre near Sleaford.In addition, the Priory Federation alsopumps in excess of £20 million per annuminto the local economy, bringing a financialbenefit to the whole community as well.The academy of learningLandscaped grounds, arton every wall, and thevery best in sports andleisure facilities are partof everyday life for pupilsat The Priory AcademyLSST – one of fourschools comprising thePriory Federation. This isan atmosphere whichcan only help studentsaspire to be successful.Robert de Cheney Boarding House Sixth Form Boarding in LincolnThe Priory Academy LSST“Outcomes for students at The Priory AcademyLSST are outstanding in every aspect.”OfstedContact Mr Chris Liston, Head of Boarding l The Priory Academy LSST, Cross OʼCliff Hill, Lincoln LN5 8PW Telephone: 01522 889977 l Email: boarding@prioryacademies.co.uk l Visit: www.prioryacademies.co.uk/boardingThe Robert de Cheney Boarding House is situated in the grounds of The Priory Academy LSST, a high-achieving State school in Lincoln. It provides a wonderful opportunity for Sixth Form students to develop and flourish, both academically and socially. Academy and Sixth Form rated outstanding by Ofsted 99% pass rate at A-Level and 98% at GCSE (5 or more A*-C, including English & Maths)80% first choice university success rate, with 25% of Y13 students obtaining places in the Russell Group and 40% in the 1994 Group New Sixth Form science centre including planetarium and debating chamber Stunning residential centre in NormandySpectacular sports provision including pool, fitness suite, climbing wall, spinning suite, dance studio and badminton courts60-metre indoor sprint track and 400-metre floodlit outdoor track Equestrian centre set in 90 acres of beautiful farmlandModern boarding comprising 60 single en-suite study bedrooms with Internet access and a common room on each floorThriving CCF and DofE programmes Broad range of clubs, societies and extra-curricular activities70-72:Layout 1 10/8/12 11:12 Page 31stissues only £1Great reasonsto subscribe...Each issue is brimming with a diverse topic range...• Heritage • Fashion • Hair & Beauty • Leisure • Homes & Gardens • County Motoring • Dining Out • What’s On • Free Reader Giveaways and much much more…First 3 issues only £1!FREE delivery to your doorReceive your copy before it hits the shopsORDER FORMYes, I would like to subscribe to Lincolnshire Today magazinefor the next 12 months, with the first 3 issues only being £1.Personal Details:First name:Last Name:Address:Town:County: Post Code:Tel: Mobile:Email:Payment by DEBIT/CREDIT cardName as it appears on card:Type of card: Mastercard / Visa / Visa Debit / OtherCard Number:Card Verification number (3 digits on signature strip):Expiry Date:Amount Authorised:Cheque enclosed YES / NO Please post this form back to: Subscriptions,Lincolnshire Today Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby. N.E. Lincolnshire DN31 2QEMake cheque payable to Business Link Magazine GroupCall now to subscribe on01472 310301 or visit www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341orScan QR Code4Looking for a great gift idea?A gift Subscriptionis the perfect present that lasts all year round!Total Price: £24.403£173:Layout 1 10/8/12 10:59 Page 174 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBUSINESS LINCSThe rise and rise of renewable energyin our region certainly hasn’t beenwelcomed by everyone – the arrivalof giant wind turbines incommunities have long been considered anexpensive eyesore for many. Yet renewableenergy is likely to prove particularlyvaluable for the county, with the potentialfor our part of the world to become one ofEurope’s leading venues for wind, marineand biomass energy – bringing with itplenty of new jobs.Projects such as Immingham’s RealityEnergy Centre, a planned 49.5MW biomassplant, are among the largest developmentsof their kind. Biomass energy is created byreusing waste and, after North EastLincolnshire Council approved the projectearlier this year, the £130 million plantshould be operational by 2015. As well ascreating energy, this kind of plant has anadditional bonus of making use of wasteproducts from farms and food factories.Our county’s plentiful arable land andnumerous food processing plants meanthat Lincolnshire is a particularlyvaluable location for plants like this –which in the right location can payfrom themselves in six years or so. Thechallenge is for our local authorities isto work creatively with businessowners in setting up waste contracts toensure the potential for investmentcan be reached.Other businesses specialising inrenewable energy are also arriving – a55 acre solar plant is planned forCroft, near Skegness, which couldgenerate enough electricity for somethree thousand homes. Lincolnshire isalso likely to benefit as well from themajor Green Port Hull developmentacross the Humber where major bluechip companies are looking to relocateand build and service the turbines fortheir major offshore wind farms.This could well be a major boost forLincolnshire with huge employmentopportunities at every stage – but thecounty can’t just expect these jobs toappear overnight, as it would be justas easy for these new Europeanbusinesses to make use of the suppliersand support staff they already have inmainland Europe. In Lincolnshire wehave a strong reputation forengineering – but offshore wind, forexample, requires technical operatorsnot just to be excellent engineers, butalso be able to work in unusual andoften quite challenging surroundings.Many of the main renewable energycompanies have highlighted theimportance of training in ensuring thenew green economy gets a kick-start.To this end, the HumbersideEngineering Training Association andForewind have launched theChampions for Wind programme inwhich more than six hundred studentshave gained an insight into the careeropportunities available.Bringing new talent into the sectorwill ensure Lincolnshire is brilliantlyplaced to reap the rewards of this fast-growing sector – it could be thechance of a lifetime.Newhorizonsin businessHETA and Forewind havelaunched the Championsfor Wind programme inwhich students havegained an insight intocareer opportunities inrenewable energyLincolnshire iswell-placed toexcel in energy –but do we havethe talent is inplace?74-75:Layout 1 10/8/12 11:13 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY75BUSINESS LINCSA brief guide todivorce and separationby specialist divorce solicitor Diane GendersWe have to be realistic – relationships do break down andsomebody has to look after your interests. The most sensiblecourse of action is to seek specialist legal advice from aspecialist solicitor. The law is too complicated and the skillsrequired too specialised to trust your future to anyone else.Everybody has the right to seek a divorce, with or without theagreement of their spouse. At its simplest, with a “quickie”divorce, you file a petition in court. The court posts copies toyour spouse who is asked to sign an “acknowledgement ofservice” and return it to the court. You’ll need to satisfy thecourt you have grounds for divorce. The three most commontypes of petition are unreasonable behaviour, adultery andliving apart for two years with both sides consenting to divorce.Once the judge has confirmed you are entitled to divorce, itwill be “pronounced” in open court. A decree nisi is sent toeach spouse, which after a minimum of six weeks is madeabsolute and the divorce is final. You are free to marry again –even each other.A contested divorce, where one side doesn’t want it tohappen, or one where financial or children issues have to bedealt with, takes longer. Agreement always saves time,heartache and money but all too often agreement is a hardfought battle. Sorting out finances and issues with childrentend to be the most complex and acrimonious part ofunravelling a marriage. Unfortunately, there’s no right orwrong answer to the big question, what am I entitled to?If you’re planning divorce or have had it thrust upon you, myteam of specialist lawyers are always ready to offer an initialconsultation to discuss your circumstances. We can’t help bothsides, so act early and ensure you get the best service possible.Call Diane Genders Solicitors on Lincoln 01522 516500,email diane@dianegenders.co.ukor visit www.dianegenders.co.ukGood newsfor landlordssays Jill Elkington of HE LettingsAccording to a recent surveycarried out by the Associationof Residential Letting Agents,tenants are staying longer andtheir rental requirements arechanging.The average length oftenancy in the UK has nowincreased to a record high oftwenty months and the increase has been attributed to thestrong competition for new properties – 58% of ARLA memberoffices state that there are more tenants than propertiesavailable, an increase of 2% on the last survey.The type of tenant seen by our agency is also changing,with over half of new tenants being couples or young familiesstruggling to purchase their first home. We are alsoexperiencing frustrated first time buyers. ARLA agents out ofthe area are also finding several applicants come about due tohouse repossessions – fortunately, this market has seeminglynot hit Lincolnshire at present!Renting offers significant flexibility, which can be vital forworking professionals who need to move to find employment.However, with an increasing number of families with youngerchildren also looking to rent, a secure and stable homeenvironment has never been more important.For this reason, I urge tenants to use a regulated licensedARLA member. The lettings industry is still unregulated andrenters must be confident they are receiving the best possibleservice. All ARLA licensed agents must adhere to a strict codeof conduct, as well as offering client money protection andredress schemes, which protect all parties if things go wrong.For further information, contact Jill Elkington MARLA,Regional Representative for Lincs and South Yorkshireand a Partner in H E Lettings of 1 Oakwood Road,Doddington Road, Lincoln, LN6 3LH. Call 01522 698899 oremail info@helettings.co.uk.Highly Experienced Team of Family LawyersDivorce and Separation Wills & ProbatePower of AttorneyAdministration of Estates Court of ProtectionCall for more information on01522 516500www.dianegenders.co.ukOffices also in Nottingham74-75:Layout 1 10/8/12 11:13 Page 276 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYRED ARROWSThe RAF’s Red Arrows are aLincolnshire institution, and thisyear has perhaps been one of theteam’s most high-profile yet.After some tragic incidents recently,you’ll have seen them bounce backwith incredible displays at the Jubileeand the Olympics opening ceremony. We met the team and put yourquestions to them.Who puts together the display routineand where did the ideas come from? T Foster, ManbyBefore the team begins the trainingseason in October, the boss, with theaid of the other pilots - particularlythe Executive Officer and SynchroLeader - will decide what he wants toinclude in the display routine for thecoming season. If a manoeuvre hasbeen included in the display for anumber of years, it may be dropped infavour of another which hasn’t madean appearance. Whilst the displayfollows the general format of a firstand second, more dynamic half, thepilots can suggest any combination ofmanoeuvres allowing them to reallyprove their artistic flair.Are your new displays as dynamic asthe nine-ship display? B Windham, SpaldingThe team have done incredibly wellto adjust to having only seven aircraftthis season. To have done this with atraining season reduced from seven tofive months and to have created adisplay which has all the dynamismand impact of a nine-ship really isparticularly commendable.Will you be reverting to a nine-shipdisplay next season? J Tusker, GranthamYes. We are planning on recruitingmore pilots for next year, who shouldbegin training for a team of nine inSeptember.How long will you be flying the HawkMk1 and will it be replaced by the Mk2 version ? M Lynch, BostonThe out of service date for the BAEsystems Hawk T Mk1/1A currentlyflown by RAFAT is December 2018. Nodecisions have yet been made on thefuture of the RAFAT Hawk jets beyondthis date.How much does physical fitness playa part in the Red Arrows’ training? W Drury, FishtoftAt points during the display, theaircraft and pilots will be under six toseven Gs, meaning they will beexperiencing six to seven times theirown body weight. While the pilots arerequired to wear inflatable G-trousersthat squeeze their legs to counteractthe effect of blood pooling, the onlydefence they have against the increasein bodyweight is to be physically fit.Body and core strength are ofparticular importance, but theyquickly build tolerance during theseven-month training period by flyingthree times a day.Will the team remain at Scampton ormove to Waddington? R Blackman, LincolnRecently the MOD stated that RAFScampton would remain open untilat least 2018. For this reason, there isno requirement to move the RedArrows at the moment.Are you planning any charity basedruns/walks/rides this year? E Serle, LouthAt the end of the last two seasons,the Team have undertaken charityevents in support of a number ofcharities including the RAFA WingAppeal, The Jon Egging Trust and theRAF Benevolent Fund. In 2011 theTeam cycled across the country fromSt Davids to Lowestoft and in 2010they rode from Land’s End to JohnO’Groats on mopeds. At themoment, we don’t have anythingplanned for the end of the 2012season but are always open tosuggestions!What happens after a pilot leaves theRed Arrows? J Barton, AswarbyThe pilots usually spend three yearson the team, and after that they willbe posted to another job within theRoyal Air Force, either in a flying orstaff role. Some choose to leave theRAF to pursue civilian careers but forthose that remain, there is still theopportunity to return to the team asthe leader and boss, Red 1, a muchsought after position.Up, up and away!Lincolnshire Today recently gave readers the chance to ask the Red Arrows aquestion you’ve always wanted an answer to. We put the best to the worldfamous team.76-77:Layout 1 10/8/12 11:08 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY77RED ARROWSPHOTO: MIKE LYNCHPHOTO: MIKE LYNCHPHOTO: RED ARROWSDOING THEIR BITThe Red Arrows help support many charities, oneof which is fly2help. This charity produces positivechanges in people’s lives through the medium offlight. This is achieved through Air Smiles Days andAim High.Air Smiles Days are focused around the principleof sharing the magic of being airborne and creatingand capturing lasting memories with joy, fun andlaughter. Through Air Smiles Days, fly2help supportsthose with life-limiting and chronic illnesses, familiesstruggling to live with bereavement and disability,isolation or financial deprivation and people whohave suffered extreme neglect or abuse. Each AirSmiles Day is tailored to the individual physical andemotional needs of the beneficiary and is centredaround an uplifting flight, offering respite, escapismand focused therapy through action. Thisopportunity enables beneficiaries to leave theirtroubles on the ground.fly2help’s Aim High project aims to encourageyoung people to realise their potential through aneducational program, funded at no cost to thecharity, through partnerships with aviationorganisations and companies. This includes theannual Cotswold Airport Aviation Scholarships andthe 2011 RAeS Flying Scholarship. fly2help has been running Air Smiles Days for fiveyears, providing over eight hundred beneficiarieswith unforgettable memories, during which timesolid foundations of experience have been formed.Details about how to make a donation can befound online at www.fly2help.org.76-77:Layout 1 10/8/12 11:08 Page 278 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGOne of the best things about working forthe county’s premier lifestyle magazineis the cars we get to test but this monthsurpassed all expectations with achance to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari FF.Okay, so at just over quarter of a million pounds itmay not be within every reader’s budget, but we allneed something to strive for and the rarity of theFF means it could prove a great investment despitebeing a V12.It’s the first four-wheel drive car that Ferrari hasever made and one of the fastest four-seaters on theplanet. You can expect to reach 60mph in just3.7seconds from standstill and if you can find theright road, the car is capable of a breathtaking200mph. Thankfully, its grip and traction are both trulyremarkable. That’s probably just as well given itsspirited performance. When you’re not racing jetsoverhead, the whole suspension can be flicked intocomfort mode for a more luxurious and enjoyableride. The light and responsive Ferrari steeringmakes the car feel much smaller than it is and it’scertainly faster and more agile than a BentleyContinental GT. Critics may question the build quality of thisItalianSTALLIONFerrari certainly has the magic touch when it comes to designingsupercars …..ItalianSTALLION78-79:Layout 1 10/8/12 11:58 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY79COUNTY MOTORINGItalian stallion but they’d be wrong - nowadays,the build and finish is as good as you’re likely tofind anywhere . These engines are built to racestandards and the gearbox is ultra smooth.Admittedly part of the reason for this is that it’sbeen outsourced to a specialist transmissioncompany based in Germany – although clearlythey’ve never tried parking the car as reversing itmade my heart skip a beat due to its jerkiness. I’msure my insurance broker is immensely relieved itwent back unblemished but its times like this yourealise driving such an expensive car could lead youinto serious hot water if you don’t have the walletto match.Interior wise there’s more room in the rear thanan Aston Martin Rapide too and plush doesn’t comeclose to describing the finish, although there areone or two areas that could’ve done with a bitmore finesse. The sat nav for instance, just lookslike it was grabbed from a family hatchback andthown into the Ferrari as an afterthought. That said, the goodie list is pretty high assupercars go, all leather interior, individuallycontrolled climate control for driver and passenger,electrically powered seats, bi-xenon lamps completewith wipers, heated door mirrors, and an MP3-compatible stereo system with Bluetooth all asstandard.If there’s one drawback it’s handing back thekeys and climbing back in my rather humbleMercedes CLS which until that day I’d considered apleasant enough drive. Now I’ve got to get used tobeing a mere mortal all over again. Price £227,000 Engine: 651bhp 6.3-litre V12Performance: 0-60 mph 3.7 secs /top speed200+mphCO2 360 g/km 78-79:Layout 1 10/8/12 11:58 Page 2Next >