27 Mar 2025

Hazlegrove Prep School Celebrates Pupil's Emmy Win

Hazlegrove Prep School is delighted to announce that pupil, Phoenix L, has won an Emmy for his performance in "The Velveteen Rabbit" at the 3rd Annual Children's and Family Emmy Awards. This award highlights Phoenix's acting skills and dedication to his craft.

"The Velveteen Rabbit," an Apple TV+ original, is based on the treasured classic children's book by Margery Williams. The series, which premiered on November 22, 2023, follows the heartwarming story of seven-year-old William, who receives a new favourite toy for Christmas and discovers a lifelong friend, unlocking a world of magic. The show features a talented cast, including Alex Lawther as the Velveteen Rabbit and Helena Bonham Carter as the Wise Horse.

The 3rd Annual Children's and Family Emmy Awards, held at Television City in Los Angeles, celebrated the best in children's and family-oriented television programming. Hosted by Eric Bauza, the event saw numerous talented individuals and productions being recognised. Notable winners included Meryl Streep for Outstanding Children's Personality and Christian Slater for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Preschool, Children's, or Young Teen Program. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to actress and puppeteer Fran Brill.

Phoenix became one of the youngest children to win the Emmy for Young Performer in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Programme.

Headmaster, Mr Benbow said, ‘We are so proud of Phoenix's achievements and thrilled that his talent is being recognised on the international stage. His Emmy win is such a proud moment for the Hazlegrove community. Congratulations to Phoenix and his family on this achievement. We look forward to seeing his continued success in the future’.

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13 Mar 2025

Hazlegrove Prep Welcomes Back Former Pupil, Jump Jockey Champion, Harry Cobden

Ahead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Hazlegrove Prep School was delighted to welcome back former pupil and Champion Jump Jockey, Harry Cobden .

Harry was honoured as the Champion Jump Jockey for the 2023/24 season following a remarkable campaign in which he rode 164 winners. Harry secured his place in history as just the eighth rider to win the championship since the 1980-81 season, clinching the title on the eve of the final meeting last April. His triumphs included notable victories at Cheltenham and Aintree Racecourses.

Harry visited the school with a team from BBC Points West and told them, 'When you go racing now it's typically an older generation, so if you can come here and inspire the next generation to possibly go racing then it's only a good thing'.

The children were thrilled to listen to Harry talk about his career especially when he recollected announcing in an assembly when he was in Year 6 his plans to become a professional jockey. He brought in the lightest of saddles for the children to hold as well as a pair of race boots. Headmaster, Ed Benbow was delighted to welcome Harry back. 'Having Harry visit us has been an incredible experience for our pupils," said the Headmaster, "His achievements and dedication to his sport serve as a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished with hard work and passion."

The Jockey Club announced in November that the 26-year-old, who serves as the stable jockey for Paul Nicholls, has become a racecourse ambassador for the Cheltenham and Aintree Racecourses. Harry expressed his excitement and said, “I’m thrilled to be working with Cheltenham and Aintree Racecourses - two venues that are at the heart of British jumps racing and host some of the most significant events of the season. These are the races every jockey dreams of winning, and it’s going to be a great pleasure to represent them as an ambassador'.

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23 Sep 2024

School's No-Phone Policy is the Way Forward

Headlines are returning again and again to the issue of mobile phone usage for young people and the negative effect it has on mental health, well being and a child's ability to socialise. School leaders across the country are all looking at this more closely and there is a roll out of change introducing tougher restrictions on phone usage.

However, for one school in Somerset, this approach is nothing new. Hazlegrove Prep School has had an ongoing no phone policy for many years and often describes itself as an 'unplugged school'. Whilst children learn how to use technology in a respectable and informed way, (all children from Year 6 create work on iPads), neither children or staff can be seen walking around the school site on their phones - at any time.

Headmaster, Ed Benbow , comments, ' One of the many attractions of a school like Hazlegrove, is that we provide an environment where children can be children, enjoy the great outdoors, and develop a profound sense of curiosity, creativity and confidence. We want to help preserve that sense of childhood whilst providing our children with responsibility and leadership experience, such that they are fully prepared, emotionally, and academically, for the exciting challenge of senior school at 13.

Integral to our nurturing environment is our “no-phone” policy, which has always been strictly adhered to at Hazlegrove, both by our pupils and as importantly by our staff. I vividly recall attending the new staff induction on my first day here as Head, and one of the first things I was told by my Deputy Head, in no uncertain terms, was that my phone was never to be seen in use in front of the children.

We do, of course, promote and educate the use of technology through our use of iPads within our curriculum, but we also recognise that separation from personal phone use plays a key part in protecting our children from the pitfalls of social media and addictive behaviour patterns. It also has a far-reaching impact on the development of their human social interaction, self-awareness, empathy, and a deeper understanding of nature and the world around them. I often talk to our parents about the importance of the “UFO” effect that a no-phone policy fosters, namely the ability to look Up, Forward and Out. This approach is no less important for my staff, who can provide our children with their undivided attention, whilst also cultivating their own sense of wonder, and building a more personal bond with their colleagues.

It is very encouraging to see recent government commentary placing more emphasis on this approach within education, and many senior schools already supporting their pupils with a more formalised reduction in the use of personal phones. Together we will help our children to grow into bright, curious young adults, with a more balanced appreciation of the world around them, as well as a greater sense of self'.

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