Padworth College

The Padworth College community were delighted to welcome Robin Fletcher, Chief Executive of BSA, for a visit on Thursday 12th September. Robin updated the Padworth team regarding training developments and best practice, enjoyed a tour of the boarding houses and following a wonderful lunch prepared by our talented chefs, Robin planted a beautiful apple tree in the grounds.

The BSA launched The Boarding Orchard in 2014, aiming to create the largest orchard, by distance, in the UK. Symbolising the school’s commitment to growth and the environment, the planting also reprensents the ‘tree of knowledge’. Many member schools have supported the initiative since its launch and more information about the scheme and school stories, can be found on the BSA website: www.boarding.org.uk/440/national-boarding-week/boarding-orchard.

Padworth College also chose to use the tree planting to commemorate Matthew Baartman, a member of our boarding house team from 2017 to 2018, who tragically died age 30, in an accident last summer whilst on holiday. The tree was planted near the boys‘ boarding houses where it will be enjoyed by those who knew Matthew, including three boys who assisted Robin with the planting, Chaiwat (Thailand), Chinmay (India) and Emi (Mexico).

As a small tutorial style college for boys and girls age 13-18, Padworth College is grateful for the support of the Padworth Educational Trust whose Chair, Jonathan Rawes, was also in attendance to mark the occasion, along with valued neighbour and former trustee John Miller, as guests of Co-Proprietor Mark Jeynes.

Robin Fletcher gave positive feedback about the modern, single study room boarding accommodation at Padworth and the common room areas particularly.

The BSA’s new mission for the next five years is to ‘champion boarding excellence and provide support worldwide’ – Padworth College, which welcomes international students from over 30 countries to study alongside British students, is certainly proud to be a member of an organisation driving standards forward.

Lorraine has a wealth of international education experience, spanning both the UK and overseas.  She started her teaching career as a geography teacher at Lawnside School, Malvern in 1988, before moving on to King’s School, Worcester in 1994 and then Wycliffe College, where she was Head of Geography and Housemistress from 1997 to 2007.  From 2007 to 2012, she was Senior Mistress and Head of Geography at Malvern College, before taking on a new role as Deputy Head of Malvern College Qingdao, China in 2012 and then Head in 2014.

More recently, since August 2015, Lorraine was Principal of Bishopstrow College, the leading independent international boarding school, offering English language and academic pathway programmes to prepare international students, aged 7-17 years, for onward entry to leading boarding schools in the UK.  During her time at Bishopstrow, the College secured an improved rating from the British Council under the Accreditation UK Scheme.  Bishopstrow is now the highest ranked boarding school in the UK under this Scheme.  The College also become a member of the Independent Schools Association and Boarding Schools Association, successfully completed inspections by OFSTED and ISI and grew enrolments, following the opening of two new boarding houses.

Lorraine has an extensive network of contacts and acquaintances across UK independent schools and agents around the world.  She is married and has four grown-up children.