Best Schools - Competitive gaming is now a worldwide phenomenon and one private school has its own team

Wycliffe College believes its Wycliffe Esports team has developed pupils' problem-solving skills, communication and ability to work collaboratively.

Ian Russell teacher of mathematics at Wycliffe College explains “I love gaming and I saw an opportunity to engage some of our students in extracurricular activity they would not have taken part in otherwise, and to provide a platform for pupils to engage in a passion via the school in the same we do for so many other sports and extracurricular activities.

I knew we had no shortage of gamers, but I was surprised to find I had to convince them that there was benefit in playing together, in the same room, on a schedule, communicating with each other and practising as an official school team.

But I managed it and we have not looked back.

The benefits to these 26 students have been myriad. Teamwork, problem-solving and lightning-fast estimations are all hallmarks of competitive computer game playing, and the best students will end up with dexterity to rival surgeons’.

Communication in esports is a lot more vital than I had guessed – these students are used to working independently and knowing when to warn a teammate that a threat is incoming, when to congratulate each other and when to keep disappointment to themselves were some of the huge revelations for us all.

Tributes pour in for the former head of North London Collegiate School Bernice McCabe

Educators have paid tribute to leading head Bernice McCabe, who has died following a year-long battle with brain cancer.

Ms McCabe, who led North London Collegiate School (NLCS) for two decades, died on Monday, having been diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour shortly after stepping down from her role.

She was also instrumental in setting up the Prince’s Teaching Institute, now known as the PTI, and was made an OBE for her services to education last year.

“Bernice was an inspiring educationalist, whose interests and energies were manifold,” said Sarah Clark, the current head of NLCS, a private school in Edgware in the capital.

“Bernice’s legacy will continue at the school. She was committed to providing educational opportunities for children who otherwise would not have been able to afford them here at school.

“Bernice McCabe was an extraordinary leader, and a wonderful friend and colleague. She will be deeply missed.”