Top grades at GCSE (7-9) and top grades at A level (A*/A)
School Description
Find out more about Ealing Independent College and the opportunities and experiences they offer each student.
Ealing Independent College has a consistently high value added score and has a proven track record for improving grades. Our average class size is 8, and never larger than 12. This ensures that students are focused in lessons, given specific, personalised teaching, and benefit from marking and feedback which is both regular and detailed.
"Teachers seize upon the chance to capitalise on a smaller amount of marking, by dedicating more time to each piece of work marked. This results in a better, more effective learning experience."
We empower all our students to progress with confidence. We strive to help them all to be the best version of themselves and to live up to their true potential.
· Provide a community where staff and students come together
· Discover a sense of empowerment
· Achieve academic success and learn new skills
· Provide an inspiring, nurturing, and caring environment
· Promote resourcefulness, persistence, and diversity
· Offer a platform for students to express themselves within our learning community
· Personalised learning experience
Allan Cairns has worked at Ealing Independent College since 2014, beginning in the role of Head of GCSE and Humanities before becoming Director of Studies and then Vice Principal. He accepted the role of Principal of the College in September 2020 and has led the school through a period of tremendous success over the last few years. His intimate knowledge of every aspect of the College makes him uniquely positioned to help students, staff and parents at Ealing Independent College work towards their shared goal of realising the potential of every young person who commences their studies at the College.
Who/what inspired you to become a teacher?
It's hard to pinpoint the exact moment when I decided education was the career for me. I shadowed staff at my former school in Fife in Scotland, and felt it was something that I had the potential to do well. From my first days on teacher training, I felt the buzz of imparting knowledge in young, enquiring minds, and really enjoyed bringing innovative techniques into my teaching where possible, to bring History to life for my students. I was incredibly fortunate to have nurturing influences who helped my confidence grow and my teaching style develop, from my PGCE tutor, to some truly inspirational colleagues and Heads during my career who always encouraged me that my instincts were worth following.
What achievement are you most proud of as Head?
Taking over as Head in September 2020 was certainly a challenging time to do so. Bubbles, regular testing, and online learning would have been a hard task to successfully deal with for any Head. For me, perhaps the enthusiasm I had in embarking upon leadership of the college meant I was able to negotiate these stormy waters relatively well. I was pleased to come through the other side of it with my confidence intact. Personally, however, the proudest days I've had in the role have been results days: seeing students move on to their respective new destinations; sharing in the joy they are experiencing in having reached their goals; watching the mutual relationship we've had with them to maximise their progression come to fruition.
What does a successful school look like to you?
A successful school for me, contains students who are safe, secure and emboldened by strong relationships being fostered with their peers and the staff. An establishment where students choose to give their very best efforts in everything they do- not because they are coerced in an environment of compliance through fear, but where young people are empowered to become the very best versions of themselves they can be through inspirational teaching, unique opportunities and celebrations of the success they achieve. It should also feature a staff room and office which is humming with positivity and happiness. Teachers and admin staff who share the same intentions as the students in trying to maximise their potential by prioritising their self-improvement and building confidence through progress.
What is the most important quality you want every child to have when they leave your school? And why?
Resilience. We divert a great deal of time towards ensuring that students have an understanding that overcoming adversity is inspiring- to themselves and to others. We have seen this a great deal over the last two years: where students have had to adapt in difficult circumstances to succeed; where anxiety and stress have become more prominent in the lives of young people, where one can become stronger through these challenges. For me, it is important that students are aware that life after school is not going to become easier- and that is their capacity for rising to more difficult challenges which will define their success in the future. We must ensure that they are armed with the strategies with which to deal with whatever life throws at them.
Please give 5 words to describe the ethos of your school.
Empowering
Inclusive
Personal
Inspiring
Encouraging
This school is independently managed and its admission criteria may be selective. There is no set catchment area as pupils are admitted from a wide variety of postcodes and, in the case of boarding schools, from outside the UK. Contact the school directly or visit their website for more information on Admissions Policy and Procedures.
24/7 Customer Service: [email protected]
