On Tuesday 24th February, Kingham Hill welcomed parents, pupils, and staff for the latest instalment of the Kingham Hill Lecture Series; a thought-provoking talk from Ed Richardson on how parents can play a pivotal role in helping their children succeed at school.
Mr Richardson, who read Zoology at St Andrews and completed a master’s in teaching and learning at Oxford, drew on his experience as a science teacher in an outstanding state school and as Managing Director of Keystone Tutors. His lecture explored the research-backed ways parents can positively influence their children’s academic and personal development, highlighting that parental involvement is a key factor in educational success.
A major focus of the evening was on managing modern distractions such as technology and social media. Mr Richardson discussed strategies for guiding children’s use of smartphones, gaming, and social platforms, advocating for a balanced, transparent approach that empowers children to make responsible choices. He emphasised the importance of modeling behaviour, encouraging curiosity, celebrating effort over outcomes, and supporting children as they take measured risks in their learning. Attendees engaged in a lively discussion, reflecting on how these insights could be applied at home and in school.
Reflecting on the lecture, Head, Mr Last said: “How can parents best support their children throughout their school career? How can parents help their children succeed and learn to cope with failure? These questions come into sharp focus as pupils approach a summer of public exams. One key area of support is navigating the choppy waters of smartphones, social media, and online algorithms. Kingham has long been ahead of the curve in not allowing pupils to have or use phones during the school day, and discussions like tonight’s help us think carefully about how best to support our pupils’ development and well-being.”