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I found myself walking by the Louvre last week. First, I noticed the predictable yet elegant symmetry of the freshly burgled palace. This led me to consider the naivety
As I sit in front of a draughty bay window on a rather austere and stony Military base in the west country (welcome to the
In the world of independent education, buildings change, leadership evolves, and students come and go. But one constant remains: the enduring impact of philanthropy. From
Every October half-term, Bonas MacFarlane runs its renowned Pre-Test Preparation Courses – a bespoke programme designed to give pupils the skills, strategies, and confidence they
At Bonas MacFarlane we are constantly reminded of how transformative mentorship can be when it helps a student connect their passions with scholarly inquiry. This
Yesterday at Eton College’s New Boys’ Service, Headmaster Simon Henderson read aloud a passage from Kahlil Gibran’s On Children. “Your children are not your children.They
As the new academic year begins, thousands of students are stepping into classrooms, some ready to specialise, others juggling six subjects plus essays, service projects,
An unforgettable week of freedom, confidence and friendship in the Somerset countryside. There’s something timeless and powerful about a week spent unplugged, outdoors, and surrounded
With the world rapidly changing and becoming increasingly unstable, the ancient Greek philosophy of Stoicism offers lessons for all of us today who wish to
Since 1992, Bonas MacFarlane has quietly gone about doing something very unquiet: helping young people transform their lives through education. We’ve never shouted the loudest.
With Sir Keir blessing our independent schools with VAT on top of already headline grabbing rising fees, Bonas MacFarlane head to Switzerland. Famous for a
In 491BC, following a local revolt, the Great King, King of Kings, Darius the Great sent envoys to the Greeks to demand “earth and water”
Dubai is home to some of the world’s best private schools, making it a prime destination for globally minded families. But with so many curriculum
As any London parent navigating the independent school system knows, finding the right school is rarely a linear journey. From identifying options to understanding the
EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP General Henry H ‘Hap’ Arnold was an aviation pioneer who led the US Airforce. In August 1945 he set an interesting example
Since 2010, Bonas MacFarlane Arts has provided unrivalled expertise on art and design education for students and parents around the world. From illuminating the creative
We’re thrilled to announce that Bonas MacFarlane is co-hosting its very first event in New York City in partnership with the Boarding Schools Show. On
Following the success of The Boarding Schools Show in Dubai last month, Bonas MacFarlane is pleased to continue supporting families across the UAE as they
How many parents make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of education? Is going over budget on school fees a downward spiral toward life-shortening poverty?
At Bonas MacFarlane, our Higher Education Advisory team takes immense pride in guiding students through one of the most pivotal stages of their academic journeys.
In an era dominated by screens and digital connectivity, Jonathan Haidt’s recent discussion on The Anxious Generation serves as a crucial wake-up call. His research
As your child embarks on their Year 5 journey, it’s time to start planning their transition to senior school. For many parents, this phase can
At Bonas MacFarlane, our highly discrete and personalised US college admissions service has guided students through the intricacies of the early admission process, where applicants
It is sad to see that Labour’s VAT hike on independent schools is soon to go ahead. The policy will solve nothing yet create many
So, the league tables are out, showcasing the ‘best’ schools in the country. It’s an annual tradition that dominates headlines and sparks discussions among parents,
A year ago, in a cafe in Bloomsbury, I overheard a PhD student confess she did not know where or what the land mass of
As your child approaches the final year at prep school, the Common Entrance Exams (CE) loom large. This comprehensive guide provides all the detailed information
You would have thought getting an offer was the hardest part, but selecting the right house at Eton College is a pivotal decision that significantly
Our US College guide will provide a glimpse into the experience and what to consider if you’re drawn to studying in the U.S. Each year,
The Independent Schools Show (ISS) 2024 is here, offering a unique opportunity to explore the finest day and boarding schools across London and the UK
At a recent education summit, a lively discussion unfolded on the topic of for-profit school operators outperforming traditional charity-run private schools. In this era of
On an October evening, Thomas’s College held a drinks reception, offering an insightful glimpse into its future as a co-educational school in Richmond. Hosted by
The Labour Party’s manifesto pledge to impose VAT on private school fees has stirred significant debate among families, independent schools, and policymakers. Recently, Marsha de
The story so far: Labour plans to extract £££ from a squeezed middle class, who already alleviate the state’s financial burden by funding their children’s
Preparing for the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) assessments requires more than just a good grasp of core maths concepts—it’s all about problem-solving and critical
The Oxbridge application process, highly competitive and rigorous, often reflects the academic calibre of the institutions where applicants have been educated. The 2023 UCAS cycle
A cost-effective solution for schools to enrich their curriculum, promote independent learning, and enhance university and Oxbridge entrance outcomes through targeted preparation programs led by
As the tangled, myopic maze of course timetables and exams gives way to the calm, expansive lull of summer, it is time for the annual
At Bonas MacFarlane, we are thrilled and deeply honoured to announce our role as a Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) agent. This prestigious partnership marks a
Step Up Expo is an essential gathering for students, parents, and educators, designed to facilitate informed decisions about higher education and career pathways.
As a former history teacher, and now as a private tutor, I am astonished to see how widespread modular teaching, or titbit teaching as I
‘But you spend most weekends with your friends, playing video games set in imaginary worlds! What do you mean you can’t come up with any
The magnolias of Kensington are gradually erupting into bloom and signalling that spring is upon us. With longer days and daylight after school, now is
GCSEs: a four-lettered acronym that strikes fear, frustration and ferocious amounts of stress into the minds of students, parents and teachers alike. However, exams shouldn’t
With exams on the horizon, most students are starting to establish a regular revision pattern. Science revision presents its own unique challenges, so we have
AI is an unfathomably powerful accelerator, carried along by relentless currents. Like all great advances, it is the product of a long progression. Each has
At Bonas MacFarlane Education, we are dedicated to guiding families through the intricate education journey, helping them find the perfect fit for their children’s academic
“Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can”. So said the famous American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Children,
Here is an extract from one of our Bonas MacFarlane tutors who has been working with a family to help prepare them for their trip
The ISS is the biggest show of its kind in the world. It needs to be. Britain has over 2,500 independent schools, and privately educated
For over thirty years, Bonas MacFarlane has guided families along the pathways of education, securing routes that are both efficient and exploratory. Thanks to an
The ISEB Pre-Test, also known as the Independent Schools Examinations Board Pre-Test, is a critical assessment designed for students seeking admission to independent schools in the United
It is an age-old story. ‘Artificial Intelligence’ joins a long line of phrases that are ascribed to the disrupters of vested interests. Their definitions generate
What is clearing and What should I do this Results Day? A Level Results Day comes around every year in mid-August, the day when year
As families head off for their holidays, I am frequently asked for advice on summer learning. Some of my students – especially those with imminent exams
…The best of these tutors are trained teachers, like Hook, who have left the classroom to do something new and will take a child’s overall
In 2010, Google launched a universal translation tool called Google Translate on its Android and Chrome platforms. IOS versions soon followed and before long it
This year’s application outcomes mark another highly successful year for Bonas Macfarlane Arts, the art and design wing of Bonas Macfarlane. All current clients applying
Today we will enjoy allusions to the magnificent benefits of our constitutional settlement. While much of the pageantry and ceremonial appears arcane, every medieval hereditary
Once David Wellesley-Wesley’s Independent Schools Show in Battersea Park became an institution in its own right, he realised that the informed choices it helps parents
‘‘I have no memory of this place at all’ said Gandalf, standing uncertainly under the arch. He held up his staff in the hope of
Reform of the Personal Statement is a welcome change and long overdue. It will hopefully be to the benefit of all students, regardless of background.
While schools prepare pupils as best as they can for the workplace, one increasingly hears the concern that traditional academic subjects do not translate to
Whether it’s prep school or senior school, it’s important to think about a student’s learning profile. That’s the idea that people process information in different
Deciding to go to boarding school risks the weakening of parental bonds. Or does it? There are definite benefits to adolescents being out of the
Created by industry leaders The Independent Schools Show was conceptualised in 2007 by a handful of the biggest names in education with the intention to
I was contacted by a former Bonas MacFarlane Arts client this week, who was excited to share the news that she is featured in this
Some Schubertian phrases to mark the end of a day when the longest and kindest reign in our history gently came to rest. Overseas families
There is a concept in Japanese philosophy called Ikigai (ee-key-guy) that combines the terms iki, meaning ‘alive’ and gai, meaning ‘benefit’ or ‘worth’. When combined,
We hear from Francesca about her career move from the world of PR and Marketing to private tuition, supporting students in London and abroad. What
The Independent Schools Show and the overseas programme of British Boarding Schools Shows helps thousands of families to plan the next steps for their children.
Going back to school for the holidays? It’s much more exciting than it sounds. ‘I do love the beginning of the summer hols. They always
“A new tougher era” was how university admissions were described in the Times this morning. For teenagers, celebrating the end of their GCSEs and AS
This year’s applications for art, design and architecture programs saw 13 of our current BM Art clients apply to foundation, degree and MA courses, with
King Henry VI had a rough start to his reign. Sure, 2020 was a cosmically dreadful year, but be grateful you weren’t him kicking about
I had not heard the song ‘For No One’ in years. Then, earlier in the week I saw this recording: There is a story behind
The seemingly endless discussion surrounding the choice between a city school and its rural equivalent is far from novel. Some might point out that it’s
Just when the long shadow cast by the horrors of the twentieth century appears to be passing into history, a replay of the sternest days
Did you know that our sister business is Next Step Exhibitions? For 16 years they have produced the Independent Schools Show in London and in
The benefits of a US college/university education are undeniable. Students can continue exploring a huge range of interests throughout the course of an undergraduate degree.
A proliferation of online education tools (‘edtech’) to help children, schools and tutors is welcome. It can make the journey you have with the tutor
‘Established in 1998 by Charles Bonas, this is the upper crust of the consultancy and tutoring industry…’ ‘You instantly feel you’re in safe hands with
Next Step Foundation was set up by Bonas MacFarlane to deliver an outstanding university preparation programme to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Since the start of
‘Charles Bonas, the founder of Bonas MacFarlane, a tutoring agency in London charging about £90 an hour, works closely with educational psychologists alongside tutors to
The most prestigious British curriculum boarding schools from the UK, Europe and Asia, all under one roof. The British Boarding Schools Show Returns to the
We have all probably experienced one of the powerful effects that the dreaded pandemic has exacted; namely re-evaluating our family situation, our jobs and our
We wish to inform all valued clients and tutors that the business and assets of Holland Park Education Limited have been acquired by our parent
The charity changing the odds for students from disadvantaged backgrounds For the second year running participants of Next Step Foundation’s University Preparation Programme have rivalled
Bonas MacFarlane have a long and proud history of working with families based in Monaco and the Côte d’Azur. We will be supporting the endeavours
Top tips for getting back into the swing of things. For many of us, September feels like the natural start of the year as we
After multiple lockdowns and school closures, how could we make this a summer for children to remember? For too long, playing outside, spending time with
When I wrote my last blog entry in early 2020 reflecting on 10 years of Bonas MacFarlane Art ‘Covid 19’ was a rough sketch, an
Until things change in the UK, there will be a growing brain drain from the private schools to the US, especially in the arts and
Extracurricular activities are important for a wide range of reasons; from building friendships and gaining confidence, to developing a wide range of skills. They can
Date: Tuesday, 22 June 1000 – 1900 Location: The Hurlingham Club, Ranelagh Gardens, London, SW6 3PR More information: schoolsshow.co.uk At the Summer Fair, London parents
Oxbridge languages admissions tests. Whether you are applying to study modern languages at the University of Oxford or Cambridge, you will need to sit an
Charles Bonas contributed to this article in The Telegraph Magazine 01.05.2021, extract below. ‘There is no such thing as a “best school”,’ Bonas says. He
This article looks at how to select the best university in the UK for your child. We focus on rankings and their utility as well
The lecture was organised by the Next Step Foundation – a charity that strives to improve young peoples’ chances of accessing higher education. This event