We ask the headteacher how pupils can make the most of a busy school life, speaking to staff from Bolton School, Sedbergh School and Haberdashers’ Boys School.
Philip Britton, Head of Foundation, Bolton School, Greater Manchester
“Above all, organisation and concentrating on getting the basics right are key to a balanced life. Those basics start with getting enough sleep and eating well, ideally having time with your family, creating ?spaces? for conversation and connecting. Since the school run has a fixed time in the mornings, the only thing that can change is bedtime ? and it?ll need to be earlier than it is! Once in bed, phones and iPads should be charging ? not in your room. Then there?s establishing good habits. Think about what you do first when you get home. Does that first action tend to lead to a productive use of time or is it the beginning of a wasted evening" And finally, enjoy life in the moment. There?s no purpose at all in being so busy and so concerned with the next thing that you don?t enjoy what?s happening now.” Gus Lock, Haberdashers? Boys? School, Hertfordshire

“A busy school is a wonderful thing. Pupils should seize the opportunity to throw themselves into as many clubs, societies, trips and other activities as possible. Here they discover interests which may last a lifetime or unearth new talents; they develop those essential character attributes such as teamwork, leadership or resilience; they make new friends with li...