Recent Press Coverage April 2012
Over the Easter period and the start of term, the school has had national, international and regional media coverage ranging from US news reports of the Chamber Choir’s Tour in Florida to worldwide coverage on BBC World Service Television when Dr Wright took part in a live debate to regional coverage of school events such as the Guinness World Book of Records attempt and success on the sporting field.
Earlier in the year, Dr Wright also appeared in the national and international media talking about a range of issues including A Level marking and the effects of celebrity culture on today’s young women.
Dr Wright featured in a news story in the London Evening Standard on January 27 speaking on behalf of the campaign by the UK’s main modern language associations for a Government investigation into problematic marking patterns for Modern Language A Levels. Issues highlighted were the low percentage of A* grades awarded in comparison to other subjects and the anomalies with oral exam marking.
In the London Evening Standard on February 15, Dr Wright backed calls for pupils to be given lessons in resilience and highlighted what she sees as the reasons why pupils have become less resilient. She said: ‘There is a danger that we wrap our children in cotton wool, we have become less tolerant of risk-taking.’
On February 15, Dr Wright was featured on the global news website Aljazeera.com talking about the problems facing young women from today’s fame-obsessed celebrity culture. She said : ‘There is this wrongful, easy celebrity culture perpetuated in our society. It is totally exploitative and presents a twisted reality of what life is like for our future generation
‘We are, in fact, betraying our young girls by glamorising and accepting this easy celebrity achievement, which can be so attractive to teenagers and children seeking a direction in life.’
Dr Wright was interviewed for a number of national publications when women’s decisions about whether to return to work straight after having a baby hit the headlines again following TV presenter Amanda Holden’s speedy return to work. Dr Wright wrote a comment piece for ‘Woman’ magazine pro women’s right to choose what was best for them which appeared in the February 21 issue. In the Daily Mail on February 26, an interview with Dr Wright was featured in an article on Micro Maternity Leave and the women who are going back to work straight after having their children.
The Guinness World Book of Record attempt which took place on World Book Day on March 1 to have as many people as possible dressed up as storybook characters in one place was featured in the Gazette on March 8. The attempt was organised by our pupils as part of their Prince’s Trust Enterprise challenge and also involved pupils from St Margaret’s. As reported, we narrowly missed out on breaking the record.
The Inter-Schools Show jumping event was featured with pictures and an event report in the Gazette on March 15 and the school’s impressive West Schools Lacrosse Rally Triumph was also covered in the Gazette.
Dr Wright appeared on BBC World Service TV’s global debate show ‘World Have your Say’ on Friday, April 6 talking about whether it is easier to work for a female boss and whether women are still judged on appearances only and the ramifications of this, a debate sparked by the Samantha Brick - ‘my beauty makes my life difficult’ internet sensation following a Daily Mail feature.
On April 18, Dr Wright spoke live to BBC Radio Wiltshire’s Drivetime presenter Lee Stone about the implications of Clare Perry MP’s report on the dangers of internet pornography being accessed by children and her ‘opt-in’ proposals. Dr Wright talked about her support for the proposals and her concerns about how unregulated the internet is.
Dr Wright has also appeared in First Eleven magazine Spring 2012 – talking about 'the organisations that ensure independent schools keep up their standard of quality and excellence'.
